Ep 3. The Center Will Hold

In Animal Kingdom season 3 episode 3, titled "The Center Will Hold," tension and drama continue to build within the Cody family as they deal with the aftermath of a job gone wrong. The episode focuses heavily on Deran, one of the younger Cody brothers, as he struggles to keep everything together and make sure that their business continues running smoothly.

As Deran scrambles to cover their tracks and make sure the authorities don't catch wind of what they've been up to, tensions continue to rise between him and his boyfriend, Adrian. The two have been struggling with their relationship for a while now, and things only seem to be getting worse as the pressure mounts. Deran is also dealing with his own internal struggles around his sexuality and his place in the family, which only adds to his stress.

Meanwhile, J and his girlfriend Nicky are trying to navigate their own complicated relationship and figure out where they stand with one another. J is still dealing with the fallout from his mother's death and trying to come to terms with the fact that she was involved in the family's criminal activities. Nicky is trying to be supportive, but at the same time, she's feeling pushed aside and neglected as J deals with his own issues.

The episode also sees Smurf, the Cody family matriarch, trying to maintain her control over the family and keep everyone in line. Her authority is being challenged by some of the younger members of the family, who are growing increasingly restless and rebellious. Smurf is also dealing with her own health issues, which adds a layer of vulnerability to her character and makes her mortality feel all the more real.

As tensions continue to build, the episode ends with a shocking twist that sets the stage for even more drama and intrigue in the episodes to come. Overall, "The Center Will Hold" is a tense and gripping episode that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. With strong performances from the entire cast, including standout turns from Jake Weary as Deran and Ellen Barkin as Smurf, it's a highlight of the season so far and sets the stage for some explosive developments in the episodes to come.