Animal Control Season 4 Episode 3 Review: Dragons and Dognappers

For the best, Animal Control Season 4 Episode 3, “Dragons and Dognappers,” throws some professional highs and lows at Frank.

Meanwhile, the rest of the pack grapples with some personal changes.

This episode, written by David Feeny and directed by Clark Mathis, also marks the return of Rob Gronkowski, who first appeared on Animal Control Season 3 Episode 6, “Buffalo and Beavers.” His reappearance affirms the workplace comedy’s efforts to make its guest stars a part of its world, rather than one-offs. 

It’s also a perfect high to start Frank with — Gronk calling Frank’s phone for help.

(Former NFL players randomly passing around a Zebra until it ends up at Animal Control‘s precinct is such a hilarious bit. It’s even better when you imagine the pack just dropping it off at the zoo and walking away.)

Frank should have known “Dragons and Dognappers” would be downhill from there for him. He can’t get the interim union representative gig without a catch.

First and foremost, the position comes to Frank on temporary terms because Carl is on sabbatical to be there for his wife, who is ill. Hopefully, she makes a full recovery. Carl became a great tertiary character over the last season.

The more grating implication of the job Frank’s always wanted is that he must defend Templeton. That’s a good conflict based solely on the characters’ history.

“Dragons and Dognappers” takes it a step further by impressively taking the dognapping case and turning it on its head. It takes a much weirder turn than anticipated, but perhaps one should expect as much with Templeton. In turn, Animal Control‘s payoff with the dog strapped to the mannequin’s leg works.

As the show is wont to do, there’s also some sincerity woven into the absurdity of that storyline. At this point, it is incredibly difficult to find any sympathy for Templeton, but it’s a reflection of her character that Victoria tries.

It’s also a reflection of Frank’s character that he doesn’t care as much, using his intern to send Templeton to that doomed probation room. A perk of Frank working to exonerate Templeton is that he gets to do some of the “crime-solving” work he walked away from and put on a version of a detective’s hat.

Seeing his fulfillment in his new roles makes it all the more obvious that there is no follow-through with Patel’s new role as Community Outreach Officer. 

Instead, and unfortuantely, Animal Control treads the same water with Patel.

Meanwhile, “Dragons and Dognappers” successfully picks up on the threads of Victoria and Parker’s casual relationship. After restating that she doesn’t want anything serious on Animal Control Season 3 Episode 1, “Bear Cubs and Broncos,” this episode contextualizes Victoria’s efforts for emotional detachment. 

Victoria says, “This swing is all the support I…my back needs,” in their Act 2 scene, and it reveals so much. Relatedly, it’s a good narrative tool to leave Victoria in the sling the entire episode until she reckons with why she won’t let Parker help her. Every time it cuts to her in that swing, it’s so obvious that she needs more. 

Grace Palmer and Josh Segarra are excellent in that scene. There’s a flash of disappointment in Parker’s eyes when he realizes Victoria’s walls have gone even higher. Then, there’s a look of regret in Victoria’s eyes. It feels real.

It’s just really honest work that finds its heartwarming counterpart by the episode’s end. It’s sweet to see Victoria let Parker in, and it’s refreshing that Animal Control does so without sacrificing Victoria’s independence. After all, it is possible to be independent and be in a (casual) relationship.

It will be interesting to see where their relationship evolves from here, given that Victoria is concerned about the slippery slope to serious relationships.

Also, for the long game of Frank and Victoria, it’s an appreciated detail that Frank offers to help Victoria, too. Like Parker, it’s a sign that he cares. 

“Dragons and Dognappers” also does great work with Shred and Emily (and Daisy). This episode is an exercise in compromise for their relationship.

Animal Control makes it work because it follows the whole arc. They start in a good place, Emily and Shred make missteps, and they apologize for them. 

The key lime pie bit coming back to bite them with Daisy is unexpected but incredible. It’s a good way to meet Daisy beyond her partnership with Templeton. The jokes about her being much older than Shred when she’s not is the equivalent of Frank being older than everyone but calling himself a millennial. 

After everything, it’s rewarding for Emily and Shred to get their first date with key lime pie in their spot. It’s yet another example of “Dragons and Dognappers” reminding the pack that putting in effort is a great way to show someone you care — or the opposite, when it comes to Frank and Templeton.

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

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