Animal Control Season 3, Episode 1: "Giraffes, Gorillas, and Penguins" kicks off with a chaotic zoo break that mirrors the characters' struggles to bounce back after setbacks. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity with the show’s signature brand of humor and wild situations, but there was something about this episode that left me a bit disconnected, particularly when it came to Frank and Yasmin’s relationship.
Frank and Yasmin’s storyline has always been one of the more complicated ones, and in this premiere, it felt like it came out of nowhere. The sudden rekindling of their romance seemed like a plotline that had skipped a few important steps. We didn’t get to see the growth or the tension leading up to it, so when Yasmin's behavior shifted from tentative to obsessive, it felt weird. Frank’s confusion and frustration made sense, but it wasn’t as satisfying to watch because it felt like we missed some of the emotional groundwork that could’ve made their breakdown feel more earned.
What I found particularly frustrating was how rushed their entire relationship was handled. In Season 2, their dynamic had a certain tension, but this episode skipped over all the important moments where they would’ve actually reconnected, grown closer, and decided to try again. Instead, it felt like we jumped straight to the end without fully seeing the middle. I found myself wishing for a deeper exploration of their relationship. It would have been interesting to see how Frank and Yasmin could have worked things out, especially since Frank is so complex. But now, it seems like their romance was a fleeting moment that will never have a chance to evolve.
On the flip side, the show did a much better job with the relationship between Shred and Isabelle. Though they’ve only just started dating, their connection feels so much more grounded and real. There’s something refreshing about watching two characters who clearly match each other’s energy and are growing together at a natural pace. Their relationship feels like it has real potential, and it’s nice to see that not every romance in the show needs to be chaotic or doomed to failure. It’s a dynamic I’m genuinely invested in, especially after seeing Shred’s struggles with Emily in the past. This is the kind of relationship I’m hoping to see more of in the future, with a steady and grounded pace that gives us time to care about the characters involved.
I also appreciated the small but important moments that allowed other characters to shine, like Victoria. After Season 2 put so much pressure on her, it was nice to see her back in her element, supporting Patel in a more lighthearted way. The humor in those moments worked really well, especially the absurdity of the man-in-a-gorilla-suit bit. It reminded me of how Animal Control can take a simple joke and turn it into something surprisingly heartwarming. Victoria’s quiet moments of kindness, like trying to help Patel mend his relationship with Addie, really added a sense of depth to her character that wasn’t overshadowed by all the chaos going on around them.
Another part of the episode that stood out to me was the introduction of Fiona, who feels like a natural fit for the show. Her energy instantly brought something fresh, and I’m intrigued by the potential impact she could have on Emily and the precinct. It’s always exciting to see new dynamics introduced, and Fiona’s character gives the season a shot of adrenaline that was much needed after the slower pace of the Frank-Yasmin arc.
Ultimately, while I found myself disappointed by the rushed handling of certain relationships, there’s a lot to love about the broader direction of the season. "Giraffes, Gorillas, and Penguins" may not have delivered on all its promises, but it set up some intriguing storylines, particularly in terms of the Shred-Isabelle dynamic and Emily’s evolving leadership role. I’m hopeful that future episodes will give us the emotional depth and character growth that this premiere seemed to gloss over. The zoo chaos may have been the backdrop, but the real story lies in how these characters continue to evolve—and I'm definitely sticking around to see where it goes.
What did you think?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So