Animal Control Season 2 Episode 6 Review: Bunnies and Veggies

Animal Control Season 2 Episode 6, “Bunnies and Veggies,” puts a spring in everyone’s step when love and mold are in the air.

Written by Jim Brandon & Brian Singleton and directed by Molly McGlynn, this episode follows Frank and Victoria’s romantic prospects to expected yet mostly rewarding results. Elsewhere, Shred and Patel’s house-flip project builds a meaningful metaphor to guide the ensemble into the second half of the season. 

Kicking “Bunnies and Veggies” off with a comedy bit on ice means that Animal Control faces a high bar. Nothing will ever compete with the short red carpet on Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 11, “The Comeback Kid.”

Like with Fungo on Animal Control Season 2 Episode 4, “Big Dogs and Mini Horses,” “Bunnies and Veggies” puts its spin on a workplace comedy favorite. Even though it is the episode’s teaser, it’s a shame the physical comedy doesn’t last even a few minutes longer. It’s unfair that Shred barely gets involved!

Nevertheless, the episode efficiently uses the teaser to reference Frank’s dating history. Considering that Yazmin ghosting him bruises Frank’s love of hockey, it’s nice to see chasing a magician’s bunny into a net spark some joy for him. 

It’s also great that “Bunnies and Veggies” finally follows up on Frank’s experiences on that dating app after Animal Control Season 2 Episode 2, “Cats and Monkeys.” 

Even though the dates that ensue are undoubtedly entertaining, the best part of Frank’s dating woes is the date that doesn’t happen.

Shred calling Patel and Victoria as backup over the radio when Frank is on FaceTime is gold. It couldn’t be a more in-character use of their time on the clock. It gets even better knowing that Emily would disapprove. This show needs more radio scenes like that — preferably every episode.

Animal Control is at its best when it either shakes up its usual pairings or utilizes the entire ensemble, and “Bunnies and Vegetables” does both.

However, it could’ve used more of Shred and Patel on their own before they reached out to Greg again. This season, the duo talks about the house more than they’re actually in it or doing work to flip it. “Bunnies and Veggies” mostly makes positive progress from “Big Dogs and Mini Horses.”

Patel’s rash decision to fire Greg, the general contractor, leaves him and Shred stuck in a conflict of their own making. In turn, they become more active participants in the house-flipping process.

Well, they are adjacently involved by shopping for more Red Vines than paint.

It’s an accurate way to catch up with plot and character outside of quick asides at the workplace. As inexperienced as they are, Shred and Patel must work together to start renovations. “Bunnies and Veggies” leads one to believe it could also be a starting point for the characters to connect on a ground-floor level.

However, that kind of dynamic development would need to occur over multiple episodes of Shred and Patel working together. 

Instead, Animal Control opts for Shred and Patel realizing they’re in way over their heads and it’s okay that they need backup to rebuild what can be a good house. While that metaphor is a solid foundation for “Bunnies and Veggies,” it isn’t the best for Shred and Patel’s friendship.

“Cats and Monkeys” presents this house as an investment opportunity for Shred and Patel personally, but Animal Control has yet to explore that intention. Now that Greg is back on board, the show can invest more time in this investment. 

It would be fun to see Shred and Patel get to know each other better.

After all, it is certainly a good time to see Emily and Frank become better friends after “Cats and Monkeys” — even if Frank wouldn’t admit to it being a friendship. 

It speaks volumes of Frank’s perception of Emily that he would trust her to set him up with someone, so he can do “that thing where you’re content and monogamous and all that crap.” Sure, the date falls apart because Frank panics and thinks that history is repeating itself with Tiffany ghosting him like Yazmin. 

However, before all that, there are a few minutes where it’s nice for everyone.

Thankfully, Animal Control takes the time for Emily to voice why Tiffany may see Frank’s gesture as an invasion of privacy. One of the best parts of “Bunnies and Veggies” is how the female characters hold the men accountable for how their grand gestures may unintentionally make women uncomfortable.

This narrative thread is specifically necessary with Templeton and Victoria. Despite the stunned reactions in the room, it’s evident from Animal Control Season 2 Episode 3, “Tortoises and Labradors,” that Templeton is Victoria’s secret admirer. However, no one could have anticipated how he would react.

Victoria kindly rejects him, and Templeton spins out. He does and says all the wrong things instead of accepting her decision and how much it may hurt — emotionally and financially (He spent $3,500 on the baskets!). Rightfully, Victoria tells Frank she doesn’t deserve vengeance for telling a man “no” to a date. 

It’s such a strangely regressive move for Templeton after “Tortoises and Labradors” makes an effort to understand him more and make him more likable. 

Nevertheless, “Bunnies and Veggies” wins in the end with the final Frank and Victoria scene. There’s an ease and understanding to their scenes that will always work better than any pairing Animal Control tries to set up — so far. 

So, even though this episode leaves Fank in the grooming hammock and Victoria with the “sexy water guy,” like Shred and Patel’s house, there is so much for Animal Control to build up from in the rest of this season. 

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

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