Animal Control Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Raccoons and Mutts

Animal Control Season 2 Episode 1, “Raccoons and Mutts,” introduces mating season with a season premiere filled with romantic prospects.

Written by Bob Fisher, Rob Greenberg, & Tad Quinn and directed by Bob Fisher & Rob Greenberg, this episode starts with a love-drunk bang when Shred mourns what could’ve been with Emily and the team rescues raccoons in a bowling alley. It’s top-tier Animal Control that only gets better from the episode’s teaser.

“Raccoons and Mutts” is an excellent season premiere that sets season-long arcs in motion with fun, new characters and animal antics. Would it be an Animal Control episode if Patel didn’t walk away from a call with a new injury? 

One of the best things about “Raccoons and Mutts” is how it doesn’t leave any questions about how much time has passed between Animal Control Season 1 Episode 12, “Unicorns and Mountain Lions,” and now.

Frank’s use of “months” to indicate how long Shred has been pining for Emily is all the show needs. That timeline also underscores how vital “Shred’s Day” is at this point. Shred has been heartbroken for months — of course, he needs to spend some time at a trampoline park and get the best waffles.

That gesture is also a great way to show how Frank’s hard exterior has cracked — not shattered, as it is very much still intact — over the last season.

It’s a one-two punch for that progress to coincide with Frank running into Yazmin, the girl who ghosted him, played by Scrubs‘ Sarah Chalke. 

Frank going back to Yazmin is a double-edged sword because there are unresolved feelings between them, but it also feels like a backslide for Frank’s romantic prospects. After all, with only two scenes, “Raccoons and Mutts” showcases that Frank is ready for a relationship, and Yazmin is not. 

It’s somehow so funny yet so sad when Yazmin ghosts Frank again.

The hurt of Yazmin crawling out of Frank’s 4-story window — after he makes her the “no food and drink” exception, mind you — stings a little less when Frank jokes yet genuinely wonders if she even survived the escape.

It’s a joke perfectly aligned with Frank’s pessimistic sense of humor.

That quick succession of events also builds the anticipation of when Chalke will reappear. There is still much left unsaid, particularly on Frank’s part, that it will be fantastic to see how Animal Control utilizes this character moving forward.

It’s a dynamic choice for Frank to open himself up to love again with Yazmin, only for it to fall apart so fast while something steady and strong is developing between him and Victoria. Moreover, including Yazmin helps keep the pace of Frank and Victoria’s story, wherever it may go on this lovestruck season.

The same is true with the DJ Diego, whom Victoria married for a Green Card. Animal Control could have thrown a heartbroken Frank and a desperate Victoria into a weird situationship so she could get her Green Card, but it doesn’t.

Instead of expediting their dynamic after Frank and Victoria’s heart-to-heart on “Unicorns and Mountain Lions,” “Raccoons and Mutts” harnesses a much slower pace that is far more enjoyable — and less dependent on external factors.

Animal Control includes more minor details, like Frank and Victoria’s underaged drinking zingers being in sync or Frank taking note of Diego when he enters the room, that make the pair’s more significant scenes work even better.

It’s almost unbelievable that “Raccoons and Mutts” has a scene where Frank checks on Victoria and advises her to reach out to Emily to see if the department can sponsor Victoria for a Green Card. That is a lot more effort to keep a friend nearby than expected from someone who calls himself a “lone wolf.”

It’s not a mistake that Yazmin calls herself one, too, before she leaves Frank yearning for something more, proving he is more of a pack animal than he lets on. That character work is exciting to watch Joel McHale play, as is the gradual build to Frank admitting that he not only needs these people but also likes them.

Elsewhere, it’s rewarding to see how Animal Control strengthens other platonic dynamics on “Raccoons and Mutts.” Victoria and Patel are a tried-and-true partnership that continues to surprise in the best ways. 

Patel going out of his way to get a U.S. Citizenship Test Study Guide for Victoria shouldn’t be as sweet as it is, yet it is.

It’s also lovely to see “Raccoons and Mutts” reiterate Emily and Victoria’s underrated friendship after they bonded on Animal Control Season 1 Episode 6, “Skunks and Llamas.” Hopefully, Animal Control Season 2 will see those two interact more regularly as friends and not only coworkers.

As for coworkers, this season has already lucked out with the addition of Krystal Smith as Bettany. It’s not easy to step into an ensemble that comedicly gels as well as this one, but Smith does it with such ease. Smith is fantastic! Every scene Bettany is in is more intensely funny than the last. 

Bettany’s commitment to protecting and valuing Emily is also admirable because Emily Price is a national treasure. She deserves all the love! To that point, Animal Control finds itself in a fun spot with the Shred/Emily/Rick love triangle.

There is no reason to dislike Rick other than that he is not Shred. Rick showers Emily with affection, and Shred never tells Emily how he feels about her. So, “Raccoons and Mutts” digs that trio into a stickier situation that will be delightful to watch unfold this season — or for multiple seasons.

Let’s not forget that Animal Control has already been renewed for Season 3.

With the current TV landscape, it’s a relief to head into a new season of a network comedy knowing that these characters’ journeys won’t be cut short. It makes it easier to invest in the hilarious and thoughtful stories that Animal Control so clearly wants to tell over multiple episodes — if not numerous seasons.

Therefore, “Raccoons and Mutts” confidently welcomes back this lovable pack of employees. While they may not be considered essential works (yet!), Animal Control is most certainly essential viewing. 

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Animal Control airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on FOX.

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