Animal Control Season 2 Episode 9 Review: Beagles and Lemurs

Animal Control Season 2 Episode 9, “Beagles and Lemurs,” is an all-star, callback-filled season finale with howl-worthy jokes and heartwarming twists.

Written by Natasha Williams and directed by Clark Mathis, this episode hit on every single level. It never misses a comedic or emotional beat, solidifying Animal Control‘s spot on the shortlist of must-watch workplace comedies.

“Beagles and Lemurs” is a big-hearted balance for the entire ensemble.

Even the episode’s teaser features the entire main Precinct 22 team in a fun “Pets of the Week” video. Animal Control‘s writers tuck so many jokes in such a short amount of time. The best part is that it seems Joel McHale nearly breaks after that curse word bleep, underscoring how much time this cast is having.

That energy translates to how quickly this cast works off one another. McHale and Vella Lovell have become a specifically unmissable duo this season. Their exchanges never miss (“The eagle has landed.” “Where? I’ll let dispatch know.”).

It’s an unexpected delight that Emily’s undercover alias falls apart at the seams when she makes it up with such conviction on Animal Control Season 2 Episode 8, “Bulls and Potbellies” — only one episode ago. Nevertheless, Vella Lovell’s tripling down on a bad Italian accent with off-base references is hysterical.

Less hilarious and, more surprisingly, the anticipated bust at the docks is a structurally sound fake-out for the season finale. For a second, it seems like “Beagles and Lemurs” will wrap up this season-long arc in the episode’s first act. 

Instead, Animal Control adds a practical animal layer to its mystery. The kidnapping — or catnapping — of Doc Whiskers is totally unexpected.

The show has done a great job showing Frank’s softer side with the cat since his adoption on Animal Control Season 2 Episode 2, “Cats and Monkeys,” so involving Doc Whiskers in this scheme adds a real edge to the comedy’s villain.

“Beagles and Lemurs” never leans too far to the dark side. So, breaking and entering to steal a pet after most illegal animal dealings have occurred off-screen creatively gives Alvin Lucas and his team a bit more bite than bark.

It’s a logical step for the season finale to compound Frank’s personal investment in this case by having his brother, Patrick, steal the arrest out from under Frank. Animal Control utilizes the culmination of this storyline to expertly showcase the push-pull with Frank missing police work but despising its corruption.

Therefore, “Beagles and Lemurs” finds a balanced approach for Frank to consider leaving the precinct and returning to his former job.

Animal Control has made that a central conflict for Frank since the pilot. It’s always been a question at the back of his mind, and this storyline organically brings it to the forefront. Because of how integral that internal tension is to the character, it’s almost shocking that the show addresses it so soon in its run.

Then again, TV shows don’t always air for five or six seasons anymore.

Nevertheless, as the third act progresses, it almost seems like Animal Control may end the season with a cliffhanger, picking up the already-confirmed third season with Frank as a police officer again. The third season could chronicle Frank’s journey back to Precinct 22 — and Shred as his loyal partner — in time.

Instead, “Beagles and Lemurs” takes the more confident and heartwarming route — having Frank embrace his pack after a season of growing closer than ever. 

One of the more understated examples of this tight-knit group is Bettany and Victoria riding the wave of emotions with Emily as she processes Rick’s proposal and her unresolved feelings for Shred. It’s another example that emphasizes why next season needs to feature this trio of whip-smart women more.

Although, the same is true about Shred and Patel — and their house.

It’s a bit of whiplash that Contractor Greg does all the work off-screen after Animal Control Season 2 Episode 6, “Bunnies and Veggies.” This season presents this house-flip project as a personal, even healing, project that will help Shred and Patel get to know each other, but it falls flat in the end.

The mere glimpses at Shred and Patel’s dynamic are a strange choice because Animal Control Season 2 does an excellent job with essentially every other pairing — Emily and Frank, Shred and Rick, & Victoria and Emily. 

This season finale even finds beats to check in with some of its strongest dynamics — Patel and Victoria & Shred and Frank. For instance, Patel consoling Victoria when she hasn’t heard any news about her citizenship test results is moving, as is Shred’s grant gestures to repair Frank’s relationship with his father.

In fairness, Animal Control never presents Shred and Patel’s dynamic as being on the same level as Patel and Victoria’s or Shred and Frank’s.

Nevertheless, “Beagles and Lemurs” builds something fantastic from the rubble of this house-flip storyline with a house party that almost exceeds Bento’s from Animal Control Season 2 Episode 4, “Big Dogs and Mini Horses.”

This party is a combination of moving parts from every episode this season.

The not-so-surprise party brings back the Furry fandom from Animal Control Season 2 Episode 3, “Tortoises and Labradors,” and Bento and Bea from “Big Dogs and Mini Horses,” — to name a few returning supporting characters.

It’s the wackiest presentation of why this show works: The chaos feels like home for Frank — and the viewers — while Nick Lowe’s “Cruel to Be Kind” plays.

Why would Frank want to trade anything for this group of people who ruin a family photo to chase an elusive license plate? And to think the pack gets to do it all again when Animal Control returns with Season 3!

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What did you think of this episode of the season finale Animal Control? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Animal Control airs on FOX and streams the next day on Hulu.

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