Animal Control Season 2 Episode 5 Review: Dogs and Chickens

Animal Control Season 2 Episode 5, “Dogs and Chickens,” finds the precinct’s perfect chaos agent in Ken Jeong as the dog trainer Roman Park. 

Written by Sam Shanker and directed by Jay Chandrasekhar, this episode destabilizes dynamics through hilarious situations, including — but not limited to — Emily picking Roman up to show her inner strength.

“Dogs and Chickens” is an absurdly silly outing that focuses on character. Animal Control Season 2’s overarching plots, like Patel and Shred’s house flip or Frank’s illegal animal ring investigation — take a backseat.

The episode doesn’t need to leave Precinct 22 — except to visit the annex parking lot — because Animal Control brings the catalysts to the characters. Instead of outsourcing to animal calls, “Dogs and Chickens” brings in Roman, the dog trainer, and Amy, a woman who lives next door to the building. 

The former’s arrival coincides with office chaos because of a union rep election, and the latter is a consistent thorn in Emily’s side with unreasonable complaints.

Both are as good of a story source as any call outside the precinct.

As for the former, Roman Park gets the introduction that Ken Jeong deserves — with the slow-motion set to a cool song, the “Alpha Roman” on the side of his big red truck, and a bedazzled “R” belt buckle. It couldn’t be more fantastic.

Ken Jeong chews up every second he is on-screen during “Dogs and Chickens.”

The fact that his first scene — outside that epic introduction — features a Community reference (“I’ll allow it.”) is just a sharp awareness on behalf of Animal Control‘s creative team. They know Jeong and Joel McHale have a storied on-screen history, and they showcase it at every possible turn.

Jeong and McHale’s banter is as quick as ever — the “F. Shaw” joke is a prime example. Only two people with as good and long-standing comedic chemistry as them could sell a bit like the puzzle fiasco on “Dogs and Chickens.” It’s an absolutely wild bit that shouldn’t be as hilarious as it is — and yet. 

In fact, this episode finds hilarity in a lot of physical comedy, like Roman’s pointing, intense eye contact, and his incessant use of that clicker. 

Roman uses all of this to deconstruct the already fragile dynamics at play at Precinct 22 for his own pleasure because he certainly doesn’t spend all of his time training those dogs. Frank’s discovery that Roman is a fraud isn’t shocking, but it certainly makes the implications of “Dogs and Chickens” all the wilder.

It’s quite clever that the characters end the episode almost where they started.

Patel runs for the union rep position but doesn’t win. Nevertheless, his immediate ability to rally his coworkers to believe he can give them half-day Fridays and close parking spots — while Frank watches in disbelief — is comical.

Also, the precinct’s vision board must pop up throughout Animal Control from now on. This show has the perfect opportunity to continue adding the most absurd, absolutely impossible wishes to that thing throughout the series.

Anyhow, Roman Park can read people — even if he is a fraud dog trainer.

Roman is unsurprisingly correct about Bettany’s feelings — or lack thereof — for Shred. This “Dogs and Chickens” storyline is particularly enjoyable because it gives Krystal Smith more screen time. Smith has been amazing since Bettany’s introduction on Animal Control Season 2 Episode 1, “Raccoons and Mutts.”

It’s good writing that Animal Control uses the rule of three with Bettany’s birthday cake, only for it to culminate in this pivotal conversation between Shred and Bettany. It’s a creatively satisfying way to approach this story.

Bettany putting Shred’s belated present for her directly in the “lost and found” is just an inspired choice. Hopefully, it circles back at some point so the audience can know what Shred bought and thought would win Bettany over.

In any case, it’s one thing for Patel, who is admittedly selfish, to admit that he didn’t know Shred had feelings for Emily on Animal Control Season 2 Episode 2, “Cats and Monkeys.” It’s another for someone as new to the “pack” as Bettany to notice Shred’s crush, which he asserts no longer exists. 

Bettany’s unfaltering protection of Emily is part of what makes Animal Control Season 2 Episode 3, “Tortoises and Labradors,” delightful. But Bettany’s intervention on “Dogs and Chickens” will surely have a larger fallout.

It’s ambitious that Bettany works overtime to plan Emily’s professional calendar for the next four and a half years, and it’s sweet that she shows appreciation for Emily’s happy and healthy relationship with Rick. 

However, Emily may think that Bettany, whose motivation comes from a good place, personally overstepped too much in telling Shred to step back.  

Nevertheless, it is a real shame that Puzzle Club disbanded before it got off the ground. Emily and Shred huddling over a puzzle is almost as cute as sharing wired headphones on Animal Control Season 2 Episode 4, “Big Dogs and Mini Horses.” In fairness, nothing will ever top sharing wired headphones.

As for her character, “Dogs and Chickens” is a deeply rewarding outing for Emily.

Emily is not good with confrontation, but she eventually asserts herself in a kind and respectful way to Amy. “Cats and Monkeys” is an evergreen reminder that Templeton is vying for Emily’s job, so it’s relevant that “Dogs and Chickens” shows real signs of improvement in Emily’s already skillful approach to the job.

While Amy’s requests are as impossible as Patel’s campaign promises, she and Roman Park believably and productively expand Animal Control‘s universe. They stir up just enough drama and jokes to inspire an enjoyable episode, pushing the main characters to new and exciting places, like Victoria’s short-lived infatuation. 

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

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