This week’s Animal Control continues to offer charming escapism and whimsy. This show’s brand of low-stakes, endearing humor is right up my alley, and my, have I missed it so. “Cats and Monkeys” experiments with delightful character dynamics, pairing Patel and Shred together for some house investment fun. Everyone fires on all comedic cylinders, and the Templeton rivalry adds a bit of an edge to the episodic narrative.
Shred tries to move on from Emily but somewhat struggles. His breakdown moment toward the episode’s end is beautiful and touching, showing the character’s growth as he processes his feelings. Victoria helps Frank get on a dating app. However, I have high hopes these two’s often sardonic flirtation and warm gazes will culminate in a full-fledged romance.
Side note: Perhaps I’m reading into this too much, but Frank saying “Meow, meow, meow” while pretending to type on his phone (as he’s mocking Templeton) is a nod to the MeowMeowBeenz episode of Community, right?
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In honor of Shred spreading his romantic wings, Victoria pursuing citizenship and Templeton’s deserving loss of that coveted ping-pong table, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite quotes from Season 2 Episode 2, “Cats and Monkeys.”
FRANK: “I like petty, competitive Emily.”
VICTORIA: “Yeah, she’s sexy. A little bit naughty, even. And I know I’m not allowed to say this stuff at work, so maybe I’ll get disciplined. … I’m really sorry about that. I’ve switched birth control, so I’m feeling a bit crazy.”
Perhaps it’s her Kiwi accent or her laid-back demeanor, but Grace Palmer‘s line deliveries as Victoria always land for me. It’s never over-the-top or too try-hard. Plus, the seamless shift between lusting after Emily (Vella Lovell) and realizing what she’s said aloud at her place of employment is *chef’s kiss*. And yes, Frank (Joel McHale), “petty, competitive Emily” is pretty damn cool.
FRANK: “We’re not doing the Jane Austen thing again.”
EMILY: “Why not? It was so cute.”
FRANK: “The lizard in the bonnet sat there for five months, and two of those months, it was dead.”
EMILY: “But it was cute.”
We need a flashback to this event with said bonnet-clad lizard (preferably alive) for science. In fact, let’s get a montage of all the precinct’s themed attempts at getting their animals adopted.
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SHRED: “I’m gonna tell you what I told her: ‘Don’t clip my wings, Mom. I’m flying into a world of unknown romantic slash *whispers* sexual opportunities.'”
I can’t picture anyone else but Michael Rowland playing Shred. I love the character’s unvarnished optimism and his genuinely sweet nature. May Frank (or his mom) never clip his wings. May he glide on the breeze of love (…and into Emily’s arms).
PATEL: “Wow, look at that. You’ve got a real creative side. Ever thought about working on a bigger canvas?”
EMILY: “I’m not investing in your house, Patel.”
PATEL: “I’m taking an early lunch.”
If there’s one thing Patel’s (Ravi V. Patel) gonna do, it’s get someone (anyone) to invest in his house. Hey, he’s a harried, overworked dad with a real estate itch to scratch. Everyone needs a hobby. At least he has Shred to shoulder some of the investing burden now. Anyway, Patel is so naturally funny in anything he does. He has a gift for taking a line that could be a throwaway or is mundane on paper, injecting it with biting humor.
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FRANK: “Don’t use the photo of me and the baby giraffe. … Oh, that’s good, actually. Alright, my hair looked good that day.”
VICTORIA: [Starts typing] “Vain.”
Setting up a dating profile for any man would be a challenge, but Frank Shaw raises that bar and then some. McHale and Palmer are effortlessly fun together, and listen; the chemistry is chemistry-ing. Sure, this feels like a Jeff/Annie situation, age gap-wise, but at least Victoria isn’t fresh out of high school. I’m shipping Frank and Victoria. (Frankoria? Victank?)
PATEL: “You’ll get there, buddy. You know what might be nice? Just throw yourself into a project. Something with incredible upside potential.”
SHRED: “You really are self-centered.”
PATEL: “You have no idea.”
Patel knows he’s self-centered and owns it, and there’s something refreshing about that. Shred and Patel might seem like a strange pairing, but I’m digging their dynamic. Plus, I imagine they’ll rub off on each other in the best way. Here’s hoping that with their joint investment, we’ll get more Patel/Shred shenanigans.
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What are your favorite quotes from Animal Control‘s “Cats and Monkeys”? Sound off in the comments.
Animal Control airs new episodes every Wednesday at 9/8c on FOX, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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