Animal Control Season 2 Episode 7 Review: Skunks and Swans

Animal Control Season 2 Episode 7, “Skunks and Swans,” uses old wounds and forgotten mail to test Shred & Frank and Emily & Victoria’s friendships. 

Written by Emily Towers and directed by Molly McGlynn, this episode opts for less on-screen, animal-centric ventures in favor of tending to Frank’s grudges and Victoria’s impending citizenship test. While that dedication serves some characters and dynamics well, it leaves plenty to be desired for others.

Nevertheless, “Skunks and Swans” flies sky high (“The domain of cowards” according to Frank) when it’s at its best, which is most of the episode.

The episode starts on a high with more fun radio work, like on Animal Control Season 2 Episode 6, “Bunnies and Veggies.” Shred immediately thinking of a theme song for the “Lovable Losers” and getting so excited that he forgets to hold down the radio’s button is so painfully in character. 

Unsurprisingly, Animal Control is right in its pocket when Frank revisits his old stomping grounds at the country club. That setting sets the show up for great physical and verbal comedy from Joel McHale and Michael Rowland. 

The rips on Frank’s age and Shred’s capability as his partner are old hat now, but El Diablo Blanco motivating them makes them feel fresher. It also helps that the script sprinkles in backstory about Frank and Rick’s time as partners. It’s too good that Emily knows they talk about the swan when they sit in front of a fire.

Animal Control has no choice but to follow up on that at some point. 

In the meantime, “Skunks and Swans” allows Shred to step out of Rick’s professional shadow. That progress works because Shred finds himself stuck, like Frank in the lake, in Rick’s personal shadow as he dates Emily. 

El Diablo Blanco, the aggressive swan Frank has been facing off against since high school, symbolizes the grudges Frank not only holds but cherishes. Why else would he make Victoria sport sunglasses to look for more swan scars on his leg?

By the way, “Woah. Swan scar. I always thought that was a TB vaccine nestled between my two favorite freckles” is one of Shred’s best lines so far this season. His unconditional love for Frank is endlessly endearing — even if not to Frank.

For Shred, the swan represents the wedge Rick continues to create between Shred and Frank inadvertently. Animal Control Season 2 Episode 3, “Tortoises and Labradors,” passively addresses this conflict because Frank’s dad and brother don’t leave room for Shred to get a word in edge-wise.

“Skunks and Swans” gives Shred another chance to showcase why he’s a good partner.

It’s perfectly poetic that the person who keeps Shred from showing up for Frank isn’t Rick but a woman presumably named Sandy. 

This woman flies in and out of Shred’s life — with Frank’s sandwich — so fast that it’s likely best not to get too attached. However, Michael Rowland’s performance almost encourages the opposite. There’s a beat on the bench when Shred looks at Sandy (that’s her name as far as we’re concerned!) in the most romantic way. 

It really feels like Shred could move on from Emily and not just “forget” about her.

Animal Control brings Shred full circle because he hasn’t worked through those feelings — even Frank knows Shred hasn’t. El Diablo Blanco getting away is a win-lose situation because Shred proves himself to Frank by thinking outside the box (and the rules), but Shred loses Sandy’s number.

It won’t be shocking if Animal Control brings Sandy back in another unexpected setting. This show loves an ongoing bit, like the license plate game that has been going strong since Animal Control Season 2 Episode 2, “Cats and Monkeys.” 

Unfortunately, this show also likes to play its cards very close to its chest with Patel’s personal life. Thankfully, “Skunks and Swans” shakes that pattern of behavior up a bit by introducing Patel’s parents.

In just a few short scenes, their dynamic becomes crystal clear.

It’s a relief that Animal Control appears to have plans to feature Patel and his parents more often since they are visiting — indefinitely — after Emily spills the beans about Maya being on bed rest.

Honestly, Patel’s parents have reason for concern because Maya has been there since Animal Control Season 2 Episode 1, “Raccoons and Mutts.”

Maybe their arrival will finally provide the incentive the show needs for a progressive update on Maya. Although, it’s more likely that Patel’s dad will mainly help Victoria study for her citizenship exam. Patel’s father saying, “We’ll keep at it. We don’t want Amit to lose his partner,” is quite sweet.

It’s strange that what spurs the argument between Victoria and Emily is the latter misplacing the former’s mail from her “green card ex-husband.” Emily is the most organized person on this show, so it’s more believable that she forgot to give it to Emily and then wanted to avoid the confrontation of returning it.

Sure, Animal Control Season 2 Episode 5, “Dogs and Chickens,” sees Emily make strides in confronting people. However, confronting people professionally and personally is very different. That personal conversation holds much greater weight, especially because Emily hates it when people are mad at her.

It’s refreshing that “Skunks and Swans” lets Victoria be angry about Emily forgetting to give her mail for six weeks. Likewise, it’s fair that Emily holds Victoria accountable for avoiding studying until the last moment. Their argument has real grounds, so it’s nice that the episode reasonably resolves it.

It’s hilarious that it doesn’t do so before escalating it to Emily using a New Zealand accent to insult Victoria’s fringe. Essentially, Vella Lovell and Victoria Palmer are this show’s most underrated comedic duo.

Ultimately, Animal Control features subtle and mostly rewarding character development on “Skunks and Swans,” which sets the characters up for potentially significant professional and personal changes in the rest of the season.  

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

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