Animal Control Season 2 Episode 4 Review: Big Dogs and Mini Horses

Animal Control Season 2 Episode 4, “Big Dogs and Mini Horses,” breaks rules and throws parties to progress the plot and bond the characters.

Advancing the plot never weighs down this episode. Instead, that progression happens organically because the characters and their stories are strong.

Animal Control efficiently uses every minute to make Season 2 better.

Even with all of that forward movement, “Big Dogs and Mini Horses” utilizes a much slower pace than the previous episodes this season. That different pacing allows Animal Control‘s sophomore season to settle into itself during this outing.

With Animal Control Season 2 Episode 2, “Cats and Monkeys,” introducing Victoria’s quest for a Visa, and Animal Control Season 2 Episode 3, “Tortoises and Labradors,” kicking off Frank’s investigation into an illegal animal ring, this episode can let those season-long stories breathe.

It doesn’t even need to circle back to Victoria’s secret admirer (Templeton!) yet.

It’s refreshing that its early Season 3 renewal means that Animal Control doesn’t have to race through story to secure resolutions, which the current TV landscape often causes because of early cancellations. It may seem like a strange sticking point, but it really does support an enjoyable viewing experience.

Even so, this show knows when to use obstacles to create a compelling story. 

Despite its renewal, Animal Control could have found a speedy resolution to Victoria’s path to a Green Card. Instead, “Big Dogs and Mini Horses” uses the long-winded process to reveal more about Victoria Sands by playing on her organist abilities revealed on Animal Control Season 1 Episode 5, “Cows and Raccoons.”

Victoria’s avoidance of tests — no matter the cost — is objectively hilarious. Being the organist for the Everson Small Stallions gig is an easy win. While a fun, one-off bit, it could easily be the show’s path to a deeper story about the character.

Animal Control is no stranger to delving into Frank’s complicated relationship with his family, but it’s only beginning to do so with the other characters.

For instance, Patel and his wife’s sweet relationship mainly exists off-screen.

Animal Control Season 1 Episode 9, “Dogs and Geese,” is the last time their relationship is showcased on screen and the previous time Kalyn Miles appears on screen. This season could rectify that by featuring them and her more.

Victoria mentions the different toll pregnancy takes on Maya than Patel on Animal Control Season 2 Episode 1, “Raccoons and Mutts,” but the follow-up to that only occurs through Patel’s loving rants and phone calls from Maya. 

It’s not expected that Maya will become a series regular character overnight, but she’s an essential person in Patel’s life. Learning more about her and their marriage will always be beneficial, just as Patel’s house-flipping adventure opens avenues to learning more about Patel outside of his marriage.

Similarly, even though it comes from chasing the mini horse, Fungo, across the baseball field, it’s nice to see Patel heal a bit of his inner child after missing that pivotal field trip. Victoria watching on is also very sweet.

On the other hand, it is comical to watch the housewarming party get worse as it fails throughout “Big Dogs and Mini Horses.” It just keeps getting worse for Patel and Shred. However, the real treat is how that storyline opens up the precinct. Animal Control introduces Bento and a new side of the workplace.

That feels akin to seeing the staff who stay at the precinct and watch movies during the day on Animal Control Season 1 Episode 10, “Pigs and Minks.”

That casual building out of the workplace is one of the many aspects of this show keeping it from entering a sophomore slump. Another is its investment in most of the characters’ romantic lives. Despite what some may believe, romantic relationships are a massive lure for a show’s popularity and longevity.

Unlike Patel and Maya, the comedy’s second season effectively features Rick and Emily’s relationship. Albeit, Rick is more embedded in the workplace and had preexisting dynamics with the characters long before Animal Control‘s debut.

Still, Rick’s involvement during “Big Dogs and Mini Horses” is so clever. He doesn’t need to be seen or heard for his presence to be felt in the truck with Frank, Emily, and Shred. That forced proximity is a three-fold source of awkward comedy.

Frank doesn’t want Emily to ride along because he can’t break any rules, Emily doesn’t want to be a stickler with Fred for breaking the rules, and Shred visibly hasn’t moved on from his romantic feelings for Emily. The dialogue between Joel McHale, Vella Lovell, and Michael Rowland is quick and purposeful.

It’s as compelling as the quick shot of Frank looking around Emily to see how Shred reacts to Rick calling Emily. Those beats are impactful for the evolution of a close-guarded character like Frank. Their (reluctant) friendship will become more complicated later in the season since Frank and Emily are partners now.

Animal Control levels up Frank and Emily’s dynamic after “Cats and Monkeys.”

It’s a particularly wise move after Animal Control Season 2 Episode 3, “Tortoises and Labradors,” revealed Emily’s interest in (gruesome) mysteries. 

All in all, “Big Dogs and Mini Horses” is a slower excursion that creates minor yet meaningful developments for the characters and its season-long storylines.

Plus, from the teaser to the episode’s final act, this episode makes catching up with a dog in the front seat of a self-driving car a recurring bit that actually pays off well. How many shows on TV can do that? Animal Control has it all!

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Animal Control airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on FOX.

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