Premiering in 2016, TNT’s Animal Kingdom focuses on 17-year-old J’s (Finn Cole) adjustment to cohabiting with his estranged criminal family, headed by his stern grandmother, Smurf (Ellen Barkin).
The show had eliminated several notable characters by its series conclusion. Nonetheless, no demise was as startling as that of Barry “Baz” Blackwell (Scott Speedman) in the Season 3 opener. The identity of the killer was initially enigmatic, and, in fact, there were multiple valid answers on who murdered Baz on Animal Kingdom.
In Season 1 of Animal Kingdom, Baz was presented as one of J’s more rational uncles, only to subsequently be disclosed as J’s father. Smurf adopted Baz at the age of 12, extricating him from a terrible environment and, paradoxically, involving him in her illicit enterprises.
Due to Baz’s intelligence, he swiftly ascended to the position of second-in-command, surpassing Smurf’s biological offspring. Although Baz first garnered popular admiration, his egotism and avarice rapidly led him towards villainy. He betrayed his wife and disregarded his daughter, however Baz’s choice to thieve from Smurf determined his destiny.
Animal Kingdom has finally concluded its broadcast on TNT, culminating the narrative of the malevolent primary crime family. Nonetheless, even years post-series finale, specific plot twists from the show’s initial seasons persist in the forefront of fans’ consciousness.
Included is the terrible and violent homicide of Scott Speedman’s character, Baz. What transpired with his character, who was responsible for his demise, and did Speedman ever reappear in the series subsequently?
What Was the Cause of Baz’s Death in Animal Kingdom?
Although Baz’s adopted brothers tried to remove themselves from Smurf’s influence, Baz escalated the situation by surreptitiously dismantling Smurf’s concealed storage container without their awareness.
He uncovered millions of dollars in cash and valuables, including the watches that Smurf asserted she had obliterated. Baz purportedly allocated the funds equally among J and his siblings, however he appeared to reserve a slight surplus for his own benefit.
Despite Baz’s conviction that Smurf was embezzling from their endeavors, so defrauding the family, Smurf presented a rebuttal: she acted judiciously, as others would not, safeguarding resources for her family’s future.
Nevertheless, conflict arose as Baz conspired to flee to Mexico with Lucy (Carolina Guerra) and implicate Smurf in the death of Javi (Alex Meraz). The strategy succeeded, resulting in Smurf’s incarceration.
Nonetheless, Baz’s fortune diminished in Season 2, Episode 13, titled “Betrayal.” While Baz was departing for Mexico with Lucy, an unidentified assailant shot him four times in the chest. In a startling Season 3 debut, Baz succumbed to his injuries.
Fans of Animal Kingdom were compelled to speculate about possible suspects but received a resolution promptly. In Season 3, Episode 3, titled “The Center Will Hold,” it was disclosed that Mia Benitez (Sohvi Rodriguez), Pete Trujillo’s niece and J’s romantic interest, was his murderer. Mia did not act independently; she executed a hit commissioned by Smurf.
Who Was Responsible for Baz’s Death in Animal Kingdom?
Animal Kingdom also established the identity of Baz’s killer as a mystery. Although establishing a connection between Smurf and the Trujillo gang, which provided her protection in prison, is not challenging, her involvement was not formally verified until Season 3, Episode 11, titled “Jackpot.”
Following the chaotic apprehension of Lucy’s brother, which resulted in the abduction of Pope (Shawn Hatosy), Smurf convened with Lucy to negotiate terms.
In gratitude for the Pope’s safe return, Smurf ultimately confessed to having orchestrated Baz’s murder. In characteristic Smurf style, she attributed blame to Lucy, asserting that she “poisoned him against his own family.”
Ultimately, none of the Cody brothers discovered Smurf’s participation in Baz’s demise, except for Pope, who reluctantly preserved his mother’s secret. Mia ultimately confessed to J in Season 4, just prior to her demise, that she murdered Baz at Smurf’s order.
Baz’s demise stands as one of Animal Kingdom’s most astonishing incidents. Executive producer John Wells asserts that it was intended from the outset to correspond with Baz’s destiny in the original material, the esteemed 2010 Australian film of the same title. Nonetheless, this does not diminish the devastation of Baz’s murder.
Does Baz Make a Comeback in Animal Kingdom?
Despite his death in Season 3, Baz continued to be a significant element of Animal Kingdom throughout the remainder of the series. Despite Scott Speedman’s exit from the series due to his character’s demise, a young Baz persisted in appearing in Animal Kingdom’s characteristic flashback scenes in subsequent seasons.
Viewers observed Baz’s formative years unfold between the 1980s and 1990s. In season 5, viewers experience a flashback set in 1984, featuring Baz portrayed by Reeve Baker. Season 6 has episodes that delve into Baz’s adventures in the 1990s, with Daren Mann portraying a younger iteration of the character.
Scott Speedman reprised his role in one episode of Animal Kingdom following his character’s sad demise in Season 3. In the Season 6 episode “Hit and Run,” a sequence of flashbacks depicts Baz and Pope strategizing and carrying out a bank heist prior to the events of Season 1.
However, events take a turn, and Baz forsakes Pope, resulting in his arrest and incarceration, thereby establishing his narrative arc from the outset of the series. The episode does not conclude at that point, however.
Currently, Pope, now re-imprisoned, is visited by a vision of Baz, who aids him in achieving significant insights on his life, encouraging him to absolve himself for his errors with Catherine.
This signifies Scott Speedman’s ultimate portrayal of Baz in Animal Kingdom, three seasons subsequent to his character’s brutal demise in Season 3. Although fans may have been disheartened by the series’ choice to eliminate Baz, his demise ultimately heightened the stakes for all characters, advancing their subsequent narratives.
Enjoy the drama and intrigue of Animal Kingdom as we explore the startling developments regarding Baz’s destiny. Look into the intricate web of secrets and betrayal inside the Cody family. Want additional insights and inside disclosures about your preferred series? Visit our website immediately for comprehensive information.
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