Animal Control Season 3 Episode 2 Review: Rattlers and Gators

Animal Control Season 3 Episode 2, “Rattlers and Gators,” gives the pack’s interpersonal relationships some bite, leaving marks that will impact the season.

This episode, written by David Feeney and directed by Bob Fisher & Rob Greenberg, finds stability after the Yasmin and zoo break-inspired chaos of Animal Control Season 3 Episode 1, “Giraffes, Gorillas, and Penguins.”

On this show, that means “Rattlers and Gators” features a cold open where Shred tries to suck the venom out of a rattlesnake bite on Frank’s neck. 

As strange as it sounds, that exchange is more consistent and expected than the season premiere opening with Frank and Yasmin being back together.

Essentially, Animal Control has made Shred’s love for Frank (His panic when his “work husband” gets hurt!) more believable than a possible future between Frank and Yasmin. Nevertheless, it’s the edit that makes that sequence a success. The chaos escalates until Victoria and Patel diffuse it by opening the truck door.

Everyone brings the hilarious intensity to really sell that bit.

“Rattlers and Gators” repeatedly asserts that Shred doesn’t need to suck out the venom, but there’s never a question of if he will try. Even though it’s anticipated, the reveal — Victoria and Patel’s disgust and shock, Frank’s resignation, and Shred’s commitment — is so wonderfully silly that it’s impossible not to laugh. 

That cold open also proves that even when it’s easier to decipher the story’s turn or a joke’s punchline, Animal Control doesn’t suck the fun out of the episode.

One of the great joys of this show is how the ensemble will interact to move through the story and land those jokes. After two seasons, Precinct 22 feels steady in its dynamics and general workplace environment.

That stability is why it’s exciting for “Rattlers and Gators” to shake that up. Animal Control Season 3 finds no better agent of (good) chaos than Fiona Holcomb. 

The moving pieces of Fiona’s arrival at the precinct are too good. From Patel encouraging Shred to rifle through a stack of paper to find his script to Victoria asking about her cue before calling Emily “Supervisor Price,” the whole display is aptly described as a “well-intentioned charade” with “sweaty sincerity.” 

The only thing that can improve this sequence is if Animal Control built up Emily and Fiona’s dynamic before introducing Fiona to everyone else.

It’s in Emily’s description for her to put a lot of pressure on Fiona’s first, actual walkthrough of the precinct, so, understandably, she goes out of her way — scripts and all — to make everything as perfect as possible.

That pressure to please Fiona would have a stronger, multifaceted motivation if Animal Control had taken a little more time to reach this point. 

There’s no denying why Emily wants Fiona’s funding for the precinct — she cares about her work. Likewise, Emily changing into Fiona’s exact outfit is objectively funny. Vella Lovell plays it off so well!

However, Emily’s desire to emulate Fiona’s core philosophies (This season is already collecting them like infinity stones; it’s excellent!) and fashion would land even better with more investment in their dynamic.

The season premiere teases a (mostly) beneficial mentorship between them. Ideally, those scenes are still on the way on Animal Control Season 3.

Alternatively, it tracks that Frank and Fiona’s dynamic is fast-paced. With only “Rattlers and Gators,” their banter and chemistry are already leaps and bounds above (most of) Frank’s other romantic interests. Plus, from a character aspect, it’s intriguing for Frank to go the complicated route when he avoids it with Yasmin.

Frank hates that Yasmin gets along with his colleagues, even forming friendships with them. Yet, he has far fewer qualms about becoming romantically involved with someone even more entangled with his workplace because of “a vibe.”

Those similarities and differences create a layered story for Animal Control to unravel this season. Thinking about the funny scenarios it will cause is also entertaining. Frank and Fiona’s flirty yet awkward encounter near the alligator and the spotty “Notting Hill of body cam footage” bits are only the beginning! 

Not to mention, “Rattlers and Gators” positions Shred right in the middle of it.

Initially, Emily trusts Shred enough to show Fiona around the building and take her on calls. Therefore, it’s rich interpersonal conflict that as Frank and Fiona become more complicated, so do Shred and Emily. 

Given that Shred and Isabelle are going strong, Animal Control has no imminent plans to change that in favor of Emily and Shred. Surprisingly, that path is preferable for the characters and the story’s longevity. Still, that patience means the show can use different, equally engaging methods to explore their dynamic. 

On “Rattlers and Gators,” Victoria and Patel’s partnership is a prime example of how successful the show can be at adding depth to dynamics. 

After Animal Control Season 2 Episode 4, “Big Dogs and Mini Horses,” it’s odd that Victoria doesn’t understand why Patel is so excited about throwing out the first pitch at the Everson Small Stallions game. Nevertheless, their episodic arc finds an organic end to the Officer Thumbs story while testing their friendship. 

Moreover, it organically incorporates Bettany into the ensemble beyond scenes that include Emily. Making her a fan of the same sports team as Patel but taking up for Victoria in the argument makes her even more integral to the pack, which is great because more Krystal Smith is a good thing.

Ultimately, Animal Control Season 3 still feels like it’s finding its footing, but “Rattlers and Gators” proves it’s going in the right direction — unlike Patel’s pitch.

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

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