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The Worst Episodes of Animal Kingdom

Every episode of Animal Kingdom ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Animal Kingdom!

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17-year-old Joshua "J" Cody moves in with his freewheeling relatives in their Southern California beach town after his mother dies of a heroin overdose. Headed by boot-tough matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody and her right-hand Baz,

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Animal Kingdom Season 5 Episode 7 - Splinter
    7.3/10(540 votes)

    #1 - Splinter

    S5:E7

    Pope confronts his demons with the help of a desert guru. Deran marks his territory as J handles business. Craig struggles with the demands of fatherhood and the temptations of his old life.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writer:Carla Frankenbach

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  2. Animal Kingdom Season 6 Episode 5 - Covet
    7.4/10(492 votes)

    #2 - Covet

    S6:E5

    The Codys prep for the next job in present day. A reluctant Andrew, Baz, and Julia do a job for Smurf in 92.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Animal Kingdom Season 5 Episode 2 - What Remains
    7.5/10(599 votes)

    #3 - What Remains

    S5:E2

    As Pope deals with Smurf's remains, Craig and Renn balance their old lives with being new parents. J finds a new job through an old contact, and Deran can't outrun his past with Adrian.

    Director:Mark Strand
    Writer:Bill Balas

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  4. Animal Kingdom Season 5 Episode 4 - Power
    7.5/10(559 votes)

    #4 - Power

    S5:E4

    Deran follows up on Smurf's will and grows frustrated with J calling the shots. Pope's mental state is fragile and Craig must deal with being a solo dad as Renn goes back to work.

    Director:Batan Silva
    Writer:Shukree Hassan Tilghman

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  5. Animal Kingdom Season 6 Episode 4 - Inside Man
    7.5/10(502 votes)

    #5 - Inside Man

    S6:E4

    J gets to know the new attorney while Craig scouts a potential new job. Deran hangs out with a guy from out of town. Pope helps a kid at the skate park. In 1992, Baz visits Andrew’s Church.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Animal Kingdom Season 5 Episode 5 - Family Business
    7.6/10(563 votes)

    #6 - Family Business

    S5:E5

    As Deran and J compete for control of the family, Pamela presents the Codys with a risky proposition. Pope processes an additional loss by exploding in violence and Craig does business with Frankie.

    Director:Janice Cooke
    Writer:Vanessa Baden Kelly

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  7. Animal Kingdom Season 5 Episode 9 - Let It Ride
    7.6/10(533 votes)

    #7 - Let It Ride

    S5:E9

    Local law enforcement turn up the heat on the Codys, as further secrets threaten to destabilize the family. Deran gets some news about Adrian. Craig discovers Renn has been keeping a secret.

    Director:Loren Yaconelli
    Writer:Bill Balas

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  8. Animal Kingdom Season 6 Episode 2 - Rise
    7.6/10(500 votes)

    #8 - Rise

    S6:E2

    J holds a family meeting, on the hunt for a new attorney. Pope refuses to sell his vacant lot. Deran embraces his clout. Craig’s sobriety is challenged. In 1992, Smurf & Andrew meet with a lawyer. Julia struggles to be heard in the family.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Animal Kingdom Season 6 Episode 3 - Pressure and Time
    7.6/10(506 votes)

    #9 - Pressure and Time

    S6:E3

    Deran and Pope search for Craig. J tries to sell Gia’s diamonds. Much to Smurf’s displeasure, Julia gets a job at the mall and Andrew embraces Church.

    Director:Shawn Hatosy
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Animal Kingdom Season 6 Episode 10 - Clink
    7.6/10(475 votes)

    #10 - Clink

    S6:E10

    Pope is self-destructive. J, Craig, and Deran must figure out what they’re going to do about him. Julia and Andrew work together on a job.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Animal Kingdom Season 5 Episode 3 - Freeride
    7.7/10(600 votes)

    #11 - Freeride

    S5:E3

    J's business secrets come to light as Pope mourns the loss of Smurf. Deran distracts himself from his own loneliness. Craig and Renn struggle to find work-life balance.

    Director:John Wells
    Writer:Bradley Paul

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  12. Animal Kingdom Season 5 Episode 6 - Home Sweet Home
    7.7/10(554 votes)

    #12 - Home Sweet Home

    S5:E6

    Tensions rise as Deran, J, and Craig do a job that risks everything the family has. Pope goes to the desert trying to outrun his grief.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writer:Matt Kester

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  13. Animal Kingdom Season 2 Episode 3 - Bleed For It
    7.8/10(769 votes)

    #13 - Bleed For It

    S2:E3

    Smurf takes J to the desert for an old friend’s wake. Baz visits Lucy in Mexico and Pope bonds with Amy from the megachurch while babysitting Lena. Deran considers what he’ll risk to get a liquor license for the bar.

    Director:J. Michael Muro
    Writer:Megan Martin

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  14. Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 2 - Angela
    7.8/10(658 votes)

    #14 - Angela

    S4:E2

    J reconsiders his relationship with Smurf after he gets bad news about Morgan's death. Frankie lures Craig with the promise of another big score. The arrival of an old family friend surprises Pope.

    Director:John Wells
    Writer:Daniele Nathanson

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  15. Animal Kingdom Season 6 Episode 8 - Revelation
    7.8/10(492 votes)

    #15 - Revelation

    S6:E8

    Deran and J consider a small job. Craig, Renn, and Nick spend the day together as a family. Pope senses something is off. Andrew finds out about Julia.

    Director:Ryan Zaragoza
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Animal Kingdom Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.9/10(1764 votes)

    #16 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    A teen plunges into danger when he moves in with his wild relatives in a surf community.

    Director:John Wells
    Writer:Jonathan Lisco

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  17. Animal Kingdom Season 1 Episode 2 - We Don't Hurt People
    7.9/10(1234 votes)

    #17 - We Don't Hurt People

    S1:E2

    The Codys must deal with the aftermath of the heist, as they discover all did not go as planned. Smurf dispatches her boys to tie up loose ends, but her efforts are complicated by Baz and Pope’s growing rivalry. As Pope gets increasingly volatile, J finds himself in the middle.

    Director:John Wells
    Writer:Jonathan Lisco

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  18. Animal Kingdom Season 1 Episode 3 - Stay Close, Stick Together
    7.9/10(1134 votes)

    #18 - Stay Close, Stick Together

    S1:E3

    While Craig recovers from his wound, Baz and Craig deal with some old associates down in Mexico. Meanwhile, strapped for cash, Pope takes charge and ropes Deran and J into a job without Smurf's knowledge. Threatened by J's participation, Deran sends J a terrifying message.

    Director:Christopher Chulack
    Writer:Eliza Clark

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  19. Animal Kingdom Season 1 Episode 4 - Dead to Me
    7.9/10(1055 votes)

    #19 - Dead to Me

    S1:E4

    As the boys gear up for Pope's birthday, Smurf wants to know if they're playing by her rules. J learns more about his mother's estrangement from the family.

    Director:Karen Gaviola
    Writer:Etan Frankel

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  20. Animal Kingdom Season 2 Episode 2 - Karma
    7.9/10(788 votes)

    #20 - Karma

    S2:E2

    As Smurf adjusts to being sidelined, the boys scope out their next job. Deran needs quick cash, and Pope and Craig lend him a hand while Baz investigates Catherine’s disappearance.

    Director:Thomas Carter
    Writer:Eliza Clark

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  21. Animal Kingdom Season 3 Episode 5 - Prey
    7.9/10(706 votes)

    #21 - Prey

    S3:E5

    Deran gets to know his father Billy and helps J with a dilemma as Pearce closes in on Smurf's laundering operation. Craig uncovers a secret that sends him to Smurf and Nicky must decide whether she belongs in the Cody family or not.

    Director:Megan Griffiths
    Writer:Addison McQuigg

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  22. Animal Kingdom Season 3 Episode 9 - Libertad
    7.9/10(651 votes)

    #22 - Libertad

    S3:E9

    A decision from Deran's past comes back to haunt him. J works to get back into Smurf's good graces as she tries to take away his control over the family business. Billy uses his past with Smurf to his advantage.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writer:Bradley Paul

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  23. Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 3 - Man vs. Rock
    7.9/10(651 votes)

    #23 - Man vs. Rock

    S4:E3

    As Craig feels the pressure of pulling off Frankie’s increasingly complicated job, J grows frustrated with Mia. Deran tries to get Pope out of the house, and Smurf decides she needs answers.

    Director:Solvan Naim
    Writer:Bradley Paul

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  24. Animal Kingdom Season 5 Episode 8 - Gladiators
    7.9/10(548 votes)

    #24 - Gladiators

    S5:E8

    Pope helps a new friend. Deran, J, and Craig deal with the fallout from past mistakes as they make new friends and enemies.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writer:Heath Corson

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  25. Animal Kingdom Season 5 Episode 12 - Loose Ends
    7.9/10(508 votes)

    #25 - Loose Ends

    S5:E12

    The Codys resolve unfinished business and plan their biggest heist ever without Smurf.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writer:Matt Kester

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Splinter" is the worst rated episode of "Animal Kingdom". It scored 7.3/10 based on 540 votes. Directed by Nick Copus and written by Carla Frankenbach, it aired on 8/22/2021. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Covet".