Animal Control Season 4 Episode 7 Review: Donkeys and Weasels

Animal Control Season 4 Episode 7, “Donkeys and Weasels,” is an emotionally rewarding rollercoaster for the entire pack.

This episode, written by Sam Shanker and directed by Clark Mathis, marks the return of Jimmy and Patrick Shaw, Frank’s father and one of his brothers, for the first time since Animal Control Season 3 Episode 10, “Strays and Lovebirds.” 

“Donkeys and Weasels” brings them back with a monumental purpose — to drive Frank to a point where he has to take care of his mental and physical health.

The latter is rarely in question. Frank is more often boasting about his physique, but Animal Control Season 4 Episode 1, “Bear Cubs and Broncos,” is just one recent example that his overcompensation stems from a genuine insecurity. 

Who better to pour salt in that wound and all the others than his father?

Likewise, Jimmy becomes the perfect foil to Frank. His father is stuck in his outdated (Jimmy’s treatment of the nurses) and relentless (“I’m not proud of anything involving my children”) ways. He has no interest in changing, and “Donkeys and Weasels” proves that Frank, though begrudingly at times, does. 

It’s hilarious that “Donkeys and Weasels” gets Frank there through his sugar-free-candy-fueled cardiac event. The ferret falling on Shred in the aftermath feels like this show’s version of a cherry on top of the bit. If that situation doesn’t emphasize Animal Control‘s skills with broad comedy, what does? 

Joel McHale is also the perfect man to sell all the physical comedy during “Donkeys and Weasels.” He finds his perfect match in Thomas Lennon when Frank and Patrick do the absolute most to avoid caring for their father.

That scene setting up a nod to Shred’s past in competitive sports is too good.

This episode also does the completely surprising thing of putting Emily opposite Jimmy. He isn’t someone who interacts with anyone beyond Frank, Patrick, and Shred, whom he still believes is a woman, for some reason likely embedded in hurtful stereotypes. So, it’s an exciting turn for Animal Control.

At first, it really seems like Emily’s good nature will break through to Jimmy. If not, it’s very silly and reflective of his emotionally maturiry that she gives him an iPad and hopes for the best until Frank gets there — with the sweater, of course.

It’s quite endearing to watch them bond over reality TV, but those positive feelings are as short-lived as Frank’s patience with his brother.

Jimmy forensically turns on Emily, forensically picking her apart with the same rashness that she picks at her scalp. Therefore, Animal Control earns the cut to the shot of Jimmy sitting in the parking lot as a storm brews.

“Donkeys and Weasels” also breaks some rewarding ground with Frank and Shred. Where Jimmy pushes everyone away so often that it’s hard for anyone to give him a chance, Shred sticks by Frank and brings Bucky, the therapy donkey, to him.

That choice results in one of Frank’s most vulnerable scenes, in which he admits, “I’m all alone, and I don’t know if that’s ever gonna change.” 

After nearly four seasons of Animal Control, it’s surreal to hear Frank say those words and mean them without a drip of irony in his voice. 

It’s also wild and wonderful that “Donkeys and Weasels” addresses Patel and Victoria’s gallows humor about the job. On another comedy, that sense of humor could be just that without any further inspection or introspection.

Animal Control is better because it really pushes its characters to reflect and presents therapy as a healthy outlet for them to do so.

In fairness, it is a lot, though entirely believable, that Patel and Victoria refer to dead animals as “Splat” and try to mimic the faces the animals are making when they find them. They don’t get much better, hopping between pet funerals to replenish the supplies that Victoria caught on fire.

It’s a reflection of Emily’s efforts as a boss that she cares enough about her workers that she doesn’t want them to become “soulless monsters.” Animal Control‘s history doesn’t suggest that Templeton would have the same energy if he were in Emily’s position, like he so wishes to be. 

Regardless, diving into Patel and Victoria’s darker thoughts makes the payoff of their emotional breakthrough that much better. 

Ravi Patel and Grace Palmer couldn’t play that scene better. The way they gradually unravel at the thought of everything they’ve pushed down — it’s somehow absurd yet impactful. It’s what Animal Control is good at!

It just gets better with the tag for “Donkeys and Weasels.” It’s such a delight that the show doesn’t skip showing the pack in therapy. Every character reacts exactly as one imagines they would in that scenario — it’s incredible!

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

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