Mia Murdered Baz on Smurf‘s Orders in Animal Kingdom

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

In the hard-hitting season 5 episode "Ambo" of TNT‘s crime family drama Animal Kingdom, Janine "Smurf" Cody‘s estranged grandson J finally killed off his former lover Mia Benitez with a bullet to the chest. This brutal betrayal brought the story full circle from Mia‘s previous confession to J about murdering his adoptive uncle Baz Blackwell on Smurf‘s orders. Let‘s analyze Mia‘s dramatic character arc and the significance of J eliminating someone who knew too much about the Cody family secrets.

Mia‘s Tragic Arc from Lover to Liability

Mia entered the show in season 3 as J‘s fresh-faced love interest. But over 20 nail-biting episodes, her innocence slowly unravelled as she became more entangled with the ruthless Codys. After being rejected by J, a obsessively spurned Mia revealed to him she was the one who shot his uncle Baz – a key betrayal orchestrated by family matriarch Smurf.

By season 5, Mia had devolved into an unhinged loose cannon, violently attacking her ex J and his relatives. Showrunner David Appelbaum noted how the writers decided around season 4 that unstable Mia was on an inevitable collision course with her own doom.

Why J Ultimately Pulled the Trigger

While once carrying a torch for Mia, J had evolved into a cold operator fixated on taking control of the family empire by any means necessary. To him, volatile Mia became an unpredictable variable that needed to be eliminated. J likely also saw killing her as poetic payback for Baz, bringing her admission of guilt brutally full circle.

Actor Finn Cole, who plays J, explained in interviews how his character grew more detached and ruthless to survive in Smurf‘s world. Taking out enemies like Mia was just business to protect the family at all costs.

The Significance of Mia‘s Downfall

Mia‘s tragic fate stands as a warning – cross the Codys and you won‘t live long enough to regret it. By using lethal force against his former lover, J reinforced his transformation into his grandmother‘s successor, project Smurf‘s savage approach to managing threats. Actor Sohvi Rodriguez said she knew her end was near after Mia went "off the rails crazy" in her quest for revenge. But that‘s the law of the jungle in the Codys‘ brutal domain.

Other Notable Deaths Ordered by the Codys

VictimKillerOrdered By
Baz BlackwellMia BenitezSmurf Cody
Catherine BlackwellPope CodySmurf Cody

Mia‘s Violent Tendencies Increased Each Season

So when unstable threat Mia Benetiz met her inevitable out at the hands of her ex-lover J, it capped off her tragic arc that reinforced the consequences of provoking the ruthless Cody clan. Do not cross that family unless you have a death wish.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

Similar Posts