Animal Control Season 3 Episode 6 Review: Buffalo and Beavers

Animal Control Season 3 Episode 6, “Buffalo and Beavers,” pushes members of the pack out of their comfort zones in the name of closure.

This episode, written by Emily Towers and directed by Natalia Anderson, takes outstanding storylines to new heights. Animal Control does it all with one fit in the office and the other out, solidifying the comedy’s ability to expand its reach.

Like the other episodes that take a step back from the call-centric structure, “Buffalo and Beavers” gets all its animal-related chaos done in one sequence.

This one, though, is on another level. It instantly outdoes a baby kangaroo at a fundraiser or a dog Frank mistakes to be stuck in an overheating car.

Whether it be four-time Super Bowl champion Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski or the number of animals (one for each NFL team), this scene is massive.

The script is clever enough to turn the chaos into a physical bit — a lion eating a cardinal or a man dressed as a bear — and not stop there.

Animal Control threads serialized beats, like Frank saying those three words to Gronk and not Shred, into the sequence. It also turns a throwaway line about Frank’s fear of heights into a relevant component of the episode’s story.

It comes back with a payoff for the episode and a seven-year prank war.

Unsurprisingly, Templeton’s first appearance this season amid a prank-war escalation. Likewise, it’s entirely predictable that Frank can manipulate Patel into giving him and Shred a paid day off to retaliate.

Things snowball out of control so quickly for Patel. Then again, everything with Carl and the union isn’t out of place considering Carl’s election win on Animal Control Season 2 Episode 5, “Dogs and Chickens.”

On the other hand, it is almost like the comedy wants to return to form after Patel’s success as a bartender on Animal Control Season 3 Episode 5, “Hot Dogs and Lobsters.” In Patel’s defense, that snowballing effect occurs across every story on “Buffalo and Beavers.” But those don’t leave Emily without a desk.

Instead, one opens up Animal Control‘s world by finally stepping inside Templeton’s precinct and introducing Lydia, a coworker who has to wear hats because of a prank. The latter is a quirky (and intense) detail, but it believably extends the contention between Precinct 22 and 23. 

It elevates the unnecessary rivalry and underscores the chaos of Templeton’s grand finale — Frank handcuffed to a firetruck’s ladder extended into the sky. 

That scene is outrageous in the best way. Frank fears for his life and still won’t say he loves Shred. Hopefully, this continues to be a long-running bit that goes to the show’s final season, like Nick and Schmidt on New Girl.

Joel McHale and Michael Rowland play into it until the final moments of “Buffalo and Beavers.” Rowland’s reaction to McHale putting his hand into Rowland’s chest to prevent Shred from hugging Frank is an underrated bit of physical comedy.

Animal Control is always at its best when it leans into its wacky sense of humor.

“Buffalo and Beavers” dials the comedy up a notch when the dialogue’s pacing matches the rate at which the pack’s chairs fall apart. Joel McHale’s annoyed yet frantic delivery of “Everyone stop sitting in chairs,” is so funny. Michael Rowland keeps the momentum going with his delivery of “I have so many laxatives.”

Those quick-moving scenes allow Animal Control‘s cast’s chemistry to shine.

Seeing their camaraderie and comedic timing opposite other city employees is fun. Animal Control Season 2 Episode 3, “Tortisoses and Labradors,” exemplifies this with the cop diner. “Buffalo and Beavers” incorporates the Seattle Fire Department, as well as a cop who arrests Emily and Victoria.

Animal Control could make Emily’s side quest for closure a solo trip, but it’s much smarter to include Victoria. Not only does that leave no one in Patel’s corner as things spiral with Carl, but it also gives “Buffalo and Beavers” the space to explore Emily and Victoria’s friendship — one of the best dynamics on the show. 

This episode rivals Animal Control Season 2 Episode 7, “Skunks and Swans,” with the attention it gives Emily and Victoria.

It’s sweet that Victoria knows Emily will need support returning Rick’s things. Like dropping the beer on Isabelle’s car on Animal Control Season 3 Episode 3, “Goats, Snakes, and Dogs,” Victoria is there for whatever Emily needs.

One of the joys of “Buffalo and Beavers” is Emily and Victoria’s mutual honesty.

Victoria realizes that the “dead drop” route wasn’t the best, and Emily opens up about not being over her relationship with Rick. Their vulnerability juxtaposes the line of sentimentality that Frank is all too keen to walk with Shred.

Emily’s revelation does feel a bit out of place given how Animal Control Season 3 solely focuses on her feelings for Shred — until now.

This episode pulls it off by having Rick bring someone back with him. That change puts pressure on any of Emily’s unresolved feelings about the break-up. Still, the most successful part of the story is Victoria getting Emily to laugh after a rough day and reminding Emily that everything will be okay.

“Buffalo and Beavers” leaves Emily without a desk and Frank with Templeton’s deep, dark secrets, but it also shows the lengths the pack will go to show up for one another.

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

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