WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Animal Kingdom Season 5, Episode 11, "Trust the Process," which aired Sunday on TNT.
Animal Kingdom is not short on family drama, and Smurf (Ellen Barkin), the Codys' matriarch, remains at the center of most of it. In an effort to control her kids and grandson, she hijacked their lives, ensuring they'd function as her willing henchman. However, with no one is this more apparent than with Andrew "Pope " Cody (Shawn Hatosy). Pope has a reputation as the unstable, unhinged oldest brother. That said, he didn't become like that overnight, and Season 5's flashbacks delve into a young Andrew's life, detailing how Smurf essentially turned him into a monster.
To call Pope a monster isn't really fair. He's grown a lot since Season 1, proving a significant heart lies beneath his intimidating exterior. In many ways, he's one of Animal Kingdom's most sympathetic characters. After realizing Smurf controls Pope through manipulation, it becomes clear he's a victim of circumstance, not maliciousness. Season 5's flashbacks drive this point home, showing how Smurf's early criminal exploits sent Pope down an inescapable path.
From his debut, Young Andrew (Houston Towe) is a bit quirky. He displays obsessive-compulsive tendencies and seems fascinated by things like fire and violence. Andrew's unusual relationship with his mother is also glimpsed. Taking it a substantial step above being just protective, he secretly watches her hook up with guys in a very Norman Bates-inspired way. However, the real turning point in his life comes in Season 5, Episode 11, "Trust the Process." When Max (Jamie McShane) gets violent with Smurf, Andrew intervenes, stabbing Max in the leg. The pain distracts Max long enough for Smurf to get ahold of the gun and shoot him. Although she demands Andrew and Julia look away, Andrew sneaks a peak.
Smurf is worried about the trauma her kids witnessed. However, while Julia retreats inward, Andrew remains relatively unbothered by the situation, maintaining that Max was a bad guy, so stabbing/shooting him was okay. Smurf seems pleased with Andrew's actions underneath her concern, especially when realizing that the violence doesn't phase him. She makes him chili -- a meal that becomes one of his favorites as seen in Season 1 -- and shows him affection. It's a brief moment, but it lays the foundation for the mother/son's future relationship.
In fact, it's the same routine Smurf employs in the present day. Pope's still fiercely protective of his mother, which Smurf uses to her advantage. At the first hint of a threat, Smurf sends Pope as her muscle or to do her darkest, dirtiest work like murder. As a reward, Smurf cooks dinner, bakes apple pies and delivers affection, albeit not always appropriate affection. It's a strategy she also uses with her other sons and grandson. If she can become their main provider -- domestically and financially -- she thinks they will always need her and never turn against her. As such, Max's death in "Trust the Process" marks a defining moment not only for Pope but for Smurf.
The flashback pinpoints the moment that Smurf saw a new potential in her son, specifically his ability to justify violence to protect his family. She capitalized on Pope's quirks and loyalty to essentially create her own Frankenstein-like creation. In contrast, Julia -- who is more upset and emotional about the ordeal -- fails to serve a purpose. In that regard, this may also mark the beginning of Smurf and Julia's strained relationship that ultimately results in her stepping away from her family.
However, more importantly, it weighs in on the famous nature versus nurture debate. Pope might've been a little strange, but without Smurf's influence, it's doubtful he'd ever become the capable killer that Animal Kingdom fans know in the present day. With her strangulating hold over him, Pope struggled to go against the negative traits instilled into him. It's not until Smurf's death that he finally learns to embrace the person he really is -- hopefully, he can stay that way.
To see Pope's origin story via flashback in Season 5, new episodes of Animal Kingdom drop each Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.