Highlights
- Deran’s reunion with Adrian would be satisfying in a potential spin-off, as they were separated to escape Smurf’s execution.
- Deran would likely not spare J after realizing his betrayal, setting up a complicated conflict between the two remaining Codys.
- Deran raising Craig’s son with Ren could lead to potential conflicts and instances similar to Nick’s kidnapping, with Deran defending them both.
In a crime story where love, betrayal, loyalty, and a variety of themes are explored, TNT’s Animal Kingdom stood among some of the most underrated TV shows. While the main character is essentially Joshua Cody, known as J as he is the first person on screen and last, his uncles were ones for fans to adore too.
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As TNT’s Animal Kingdom has come to its inevitable end, many fans still question whether Joshua Cody’s actions were called for and reasonable.
With the series’ ending containing J’s successful plan of betrayal and revenge for the abandonment of his mother Julia, there are still questions remaining on fans’ lips as to what is left for the three remaining Cody family members. As discussions of a possible spin-off linger, there are plenty of opportunities for fans to indulge in the fascinating crime story once again.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
1 Deran & Adrian
Adrian Was Sent Away To Escape Smurf’s Execution
After being left with no choice but to leave in the final episode of the fourth season, Deran and Adrian were separated for the rest of the series’ duration. After word found its way to Smurf regarding Adrian talking with the police, her plans for his demise were already set in stone. Before being able to push Andrew, known as Pope, to do the deed, plans for Adrian’s escape to Indonesia were successful, meaning he and Deran would be apart for good.
With the heartbreaking ending for Deran losing both of his brothers Pope and Craig, this would be one of the only options for the character to turn to. With J out of sight and standing as the reason for their deaths, Deran is left with little to no family, so a spin-off that would include his reunion with Adrian would be satisfying.
2 Deran’s Pursuit Of J
Deran, J, and Craig’s Son Nick Are The Remaining Codys
Taking J’s betrayal into consideration, it is highly likely that Deran would have been left raging after realizing that his nephew had left the family for dead. Unlike Pope who was Julia’s twin brother and much closer to J than the rest of his uncles, Deran would likely not have spared J after finding him. The only reason why J managed to survive after being confronted by Pope, was simply because his uncle had realized his faults and wrongdoings after witnessing Smurf threaten to shoot Julia if she did not leave.
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While it may be easy to suggest that Deran will execute J without any hesitation if he manages to find him, it may not be as simple as fans may think. Since the pair are two of the remaining three Cody family members, it could set up an interesting spin-off storyline as fans watch the two’s complicated conflict unfold.
3 Deran & Ren Raising Nick
Fans Are Yet To See Ren’s Reaction To Craig’s Death
In both characters’ final scene with one another, Deran promises to raise Craig’s son like his own while his brother takes his final breath. His unfortunate demise means that Nick, his son, won’t grow up with his biological father, in the same way that J did not, with Barry Blackwell, known as Baz, suspected as his father.
As Craig’s partner Ren is seen to be very troublesome throughout the series’ duration, having close ties with dangerous criminals, there is a chance the character could spiral down the wrong path yet again. If so, this would mean instances similar to Nick’s kidnapping could occur, with Deran around this time defending the two.
4 Continuation Of Flashbacks After Julia’s Abandonment
The Final Episode Revealed Smurf’s Act Of Abandoning Her Daughter
The original sin in the family that led to J destroying the family and all that Smurf had built was present in the series finale. Witnessing what Smurf did to Julia despite her being pregnant with J, and on a dangerous path of addiction, gave viewers more context as to why J followed through with his revenge plot.
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In a spin-off, a continuation from this point could suffice, as fans will then be able to gain more clarity on the opportunities that all the brothers had to lend a hand to Julia and J for help. This could be combined with jobs and relationship dynamics between the series’ characters that fans have yet to see.
5 J Building His Own Network
J Completed His Plan Of Taking Everything From His Grandmother
As the series ends exactly the way it started with J left with nobody but himself, alone, it could open the door for a new life. While J is likely broken himself after somewhat realizing that his revenge was not worth it, everything that he learned from Smurf to use against her, could be used to form his own crime network.
Since his uncles are no longer around to control his decisions, the character could be given free rein to be the ringleader of a crime organization or family, the same way that his grandmother Smurf did with her family before her death.
