The following contains spoilers for Animal Kingdom Season 6, Episode 1, "1992," and Episode 2, "Rise," which aired Sunday on TNT.
The highly-anticipated sixth and final season of TNT's Animal Kingdom is finally here. Although it picks up more or less where Season 5 left off, a small time jump is implied, with J (Finn Cole) crossing into a sexual relationship with Lark (Chelsea Tavares) and Craig (Ben Robson) having six months sober under his belt. The Cody boys are still adjusting to life post-Smurf, and J has taken on the majority of his grandmother's responsibilities. In the process of selling Smurf's properties and setting his uncles up with their own businesses, J struggles with Pope's (Shawn Hatosy) reluctance to do anything with his vacant lot.
At first glance, the lot itself is nothing special. However, J even goes as far as putting it on the market, sending Pope into an explosive rage. He tells J that not everything is about money. Of course, Animal Kindom fans know that most things are about money when it comes to the Codys. Still, Pope seems to be telling the truth, and the half-pipe reveal in Season 6, Episode 2's conclusion has both symbolic meaning and potentially big implications for Pope going forward.
The Symbolism Behind Pope's Skateboard Half-Pipe in Animal Kingdom
Pope and J's interactions are somewhat limited in Animal Kingdom's two-episode premiere. The majority of it involves arguing about Pope's vacant lot. After three months of nothing, Pope finally gets to building after catching an out-of-work carpenter trying to steal his tools. Together, the unlikely duo set to work on a mysterious project that is finally revealed as a half-pipe in Episode 2's final moments. Aside from seeing Hatosy rock the skateboard, the moment symbolizes Pope's growth and desire to take back his life, much of which was stifled by Smurf.
The flashbacks introduce teenage Pope (Kevin Csolak), who is still called Andrew by his friends and family. From the opening high school robbery gone wrong to messing around in the driveway, skateboarding plays a significant role in young Andrew's life. However, Smurf (Leila George) dislikes his hobby, which Andrew's twin sister Julia (Jasper Polish) assures him is because it makes him happy. The revelation sends Andrew into a violent outburst, resulting in him breaking and burning his skateboard. As such, Pope building the ramp and donning the skateboard -- which he only briefly did in Season 5 -- commemorates him taking his happiness back and moving past Smurf's incestuous hold over him.
How Pope's Lot May Play a Role in Animal Kingdom's Sixth Season
Pope's development in Animal Kingdom has been a long one. He arguably had the most complicated relationship with Smurf and spent most of Season 1 as the stalking, terrifying Cody brother. His relationship with his mother got even more challenging in Season 2 as he grappled with the guilt of killing Catherine Blackwell (Daniella Alonso). As teased in Season 5's finale, Animal Kingdom's sixth season will see the Cody boys sucked into the police investigation surrounding Catherine's murder. This will certainly put more pressure on Pope, who continues to struggle with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive tendencies following Smurf's death -- something J even expresses concern about to Deran (Jake Weary) in Season 6, Episode 2.
However, Pope's lot represents his desire to find happiness -- or at least some type of well-being -- in his life. It's possible that Pope's half-pipe is the first of many. Pope may even plan to build an entire skatepark, perhaps to satisfy J's demand for a business or -- more likely -- to create a place people can come to experience happiness for free. It's something Pope never experienced in childhood and likely something he wants to pass on to others. Therefore, it may be enough to keep him grounded during the ensuring murder investigation.
How Animal Kingdom ends and which -- if any -- of the Codys sit on Smurf's vacant throne is yet to be determined. The Animal Kingdom movie -- which the TNT series is loosely based on -- ends with J shooting Pope in the head. As such, many fans are concerned for the fan-favorite character. However, the show has already largely deviated from the source material by changing up Baz's (Scott Speedman) demise and killing off Smurf (Ellen Barkin) despite her surviving in the film. As such, Pope's lot hints at hope. It may be a turning point for his character that sees him rise to the top of the Cody pack as J crumbles under pressure.
To witness Pope's journey, check out new episodes of Animal Kingdom each Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.