Aftersix successful seasonsin the eyes of many of its fans,Animal Kingdomended in a bittersweet fashion. The main character of the series Joshua Cody known as ‘J’ was able to see his plans of betrayal and vengeance through to a successful end. Still, at thecost of his uncles' livesand the very woman, he planned to live happily ever after.
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With discussions, analyses, and theories regarding potential future spin-offs still present, fans continue to debate and address the question of whether J was right for his inevitable betrayal and if it was indeed worth it at the end of it all.
Warning: Spoilers For Animal Kingdom
6Treatment Of Julia
While it was never addressed whether J was aware of the treatment his mother had received in her youth, he was still outraged at the knowledge of the polarizing lives between him and his uncles. For familiar fans, the very first shot of the series showcased a traumatized J as he sat beside Julia who had died from an overdose.
Despite Smurf’s manipulation of her children at the time of their young age, neither Andrew ‘Pope’, Craig, Deran nor his supposed father Baz, decided to help in any form or fashionas grown-up adults. This is one of J’s if not the main reason as to why he had plotted to rip them off and leave with everything they had built.
5Uncles' Lack Of Help
Considering the manner in which Smurf abandoned Julia and the numerous amount of opportunities both Pope and Baz turned a blind eye to her, was the catalyst for the destruction of Smurf’s and their empire, and J’s inevitable betrayal was almost poetic justice. Fans will be aware of how pivotal the flashbacks way before the birth of J were, as they added a whole load of context right up until the last episode.
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If there is anybody out of all to take the heavy mantle of blame is Pope, as he actively contributed to his sister’s abandonment. In the final episode, rather than help provide support and join hands with her, he chose to stick with hismanipulativemother. While this is subjective considering the level of control Smurf had over the Codys, it all centers back toward being too little and too late.
4Late Earned Respect
Throughout the entire series, the relationship between J and his uncles was also filled with tension, particularly with Deran and Craig. J would be disrespected in multiple areas, for example, Craig sleeping with his ex-girlfriend Nicky which left many viewers shocked. More notably, every time he would suggest a plan or come up with something unique they would be the first to shut him down.
This only changed within the final two seasons more present in season six, but the damage had already been done long before.Fans will debate whether such a drastic action against his only remaining family was necessaryand form a variety of interpretations, but it is ultimately left to the writers of the series to explain.
3Product Of His Environment
From living a life struggling to get by and make ends meet to suddenly entering a life ofluxury and crime, it was only a matter of time before J became his worst enemy. With Smurf teaching him all the necessary steps, rules, and ways of leading the pack, it went hand in hand with his plan of taking it all.
Exposed to some of the worst behaviors, particularly from his rumored father Baz, gave J more of a reason and lack of emotion in completing his task despite how evil and immoral it may have been to fans. This was similar to what Baz himself had already attempted before it led to his death at the hands of Smurf’s planning.
2No Mention Of Julia After Death
Back in season one, what should have been a thoughtful and meaningful tribute to Julia was met with a lack of care and disrespect on the part of every member of the Codys apart from J. Despite whatever differences or bad relationships held within the family, many fans would have expected some love to be shown.
From this very moment, many viewers would assume that this is where J’splan of vengeanceoriginated. Debates regarding the attitudes of Deran and Craig toward the topic of Julia were prevalent at the end of the series, due to their young ages at the time, but it did not stop them from helping later on.
1Smurf
The biggest and most important factor of all reasons for J’s revenge was his grandmother Smurf. This character is the definition of manipulation and torment, and both Ellen Barkin and Leila George do a phenomenal job at conveying these traits.
Season three’s finale contained J’s declaration of his endgame goal, as he told Smurf whilst she was asleep that he would take everything. After all, Smurf was the biggest contributor and the prime suspect in Julia’s demise, and it ultimately came to bite her in the back. Not only did J kill her, but he completed what he had set out to do in taking everything the Codys earned, but whether that it was worth it is subjective.
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