Animal Control Season 3 Episode 8 Review: Party Animals

Animal Control Season 3 Episode 8, “Party Animals,” uses a break-up-inspired break-in to push the pack to breakthroughs.

Written by Annie C. Wright and directed by Clark Mathis, this episode brings one of the season’s serialized arcs to an end with impressive closure. All of which inspire a new interest in the season’s remaining episodes.

More importantly, “Party Animals” continues Season 3’s streak of delivering some of the best character-driven beats on Animal Control. 

Honestly, this episode has something for every fan of this show.

It even brings back Josh Segarra as Parker — former squatter and current roommate from Animal Control Season 3 Episode 4, “Baby Kangaroos and Chickens.” His return alone is worthy of a five-star review.

Still, Animal Control earns that praise through good jokes and better character development. “Party Animals” starts on such a high with its teaser being the pack taking their photos for the work IDs. It’s a succinct portrait of every character.

Going from that to Fiona’s “sexy” break-up handshake and Frank’s Orville Redenbacher joke is Animal Control flying from zinger to zinger. 

As it often does, this show is excellent at using those jokes to get to the characters’ hearts. “Party Animals” puts that into action as Frank and Victoria throw up their guards after Fiona ceremoniously dumps them. 

It’s not even surprising that Frank and Victoria prove Fiona right about their emotional stuntedness by throwing the “revenge rager” at her mansion.

The more shocking development is that they still try to make it work with other people instead of taking a chance on each other.

Animal Control‘s commitment to playing the long game with Frank and Victoria — as well as Shred and Emily — makes for such a rewarding viewing experience. That intentional longevity encourages the audience to appreciate every little moment like Victoria complimenting Frank while being his wingman.

It is evident from the first flirtation that Frank & Blair and Victoria & Shred will be even more short-lived than the pair and Fiona.

Still, the latter is particularly unfortunate. Any kind of relationship, however casual, between Victoria and Parker suggests that Animal Control has no choice but to utilize Segarra for — at least — the rest of the season.

He brings so much energy to an already energetic ensemble.

It’s ironic, considering Patel worries that Parker could ruin the “fragile ecosystem” of Patel and Shred’s friendship. Parker is a bit of a good-hearted chaos agent, but Segarra feels like one of Animal Control‘s missing pieces.

The other one is Larry Joe Campbell as Carl, who excels with everything “Party Animals” throws at him. He even learns laugh-out-loud moments by unsending texts off-screen. Nothing is funnier than turning off the lights and locking the door to leave Emily outside Fiona’s mansion.

Animal Control Season 2 Episode 5, “Dogs and Chickens,” introduces Carl as Frank’s opponent in the union race, and Animal Control Season 3 Episode 6, “Buffalo and Beavers,” follows that thread with a union check-in.

Otherwise, Joe Campbell’s Carl only briefly appears on Animal Control Season 3 Episode 1, “Giraffes, Gorillas, and Penguins.” This episode makes it undeniable that the comedy needs to involve Carl more consistently. He’s great!

“Party Animals” also harnesses greatness in Emily finally trusting her gut “with decisive courage” when she stands up to Fiona, even though that pulld Fiona’s funding from the kennel. Emily Price’s realistic arc has been consistent since Animal Control‘s series premiere in 2023 — this moment feels beyond earned.

It’s a cheer-worthy personal development that throws a wrench in the season’s serialized plot. It’s an efficient use of time and story on Animal Control‘s part.

Plus, removing Fiona from the situation gives Frank and Victoria renewed stakes in that serialized component heading into the season’s final episodes.

It’s exciting to imagine what they will do (and will help them) get the kennel funding. Until then, though, “Party Animals” ends on a more than exciting note with one of the most romantic scenes Frank and Victoria have shared on Animal Control. It rivals Emily and Shred with Fake Oreo on “Ducks and Penguins.”

The camera blocking of their late-night phone call completely sells Frank and Victoria out. They can keep dating other people casually, but they will always find their way back to each other. They fit together; they only need to admit it to themselves. But that’s for another episode of Animal Control‘s long game.

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

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