In TNT’s crime drama series Animal Kingdom, the bond between Andrew "Pope" Cody and young Lena Blackwell serves as the emotional core of Pope’s character arc. Born out of extreme guilt after Pope murders Lena’s mother, Cath, their connection evolves into a selfless desire to protect the child from the violent Cody criminal empire, ultimately leading Pope to relinquish her for adoption.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Andrew "Pope" Cody | Played by Shawn Hatosy; eldest Cody brother suffering from severe psychiatric instability and hyper-vigilance. |
| Lena Blackwell | Played by Aamiah Miller; daughter of Scottie "Baz" Blackwell and Catherine "Cath" Blackwell. |
| Catalytic Event | Season 1: Pope kills Cath on Smurf's order, instigating deep psychological guilt and hyper-protectiveness toward Lena. |
| Resolution | Season 3: Pope voluntarily surrenders custody so Lena can be safely adopted outside the Cody criminal cycle. |
Who Are Andrew "Pope" Cody and Lena Blackwell?
To understand the dynamic between Pope and Lena, one must first understand the dysfunctional hierarchy of the Cody family operating out of Oceanside, California. Governed by matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody (Ellen Barkin), the family runs a lucrative armed robbery syndicate.
Andrew "Pope" Cody (Shawn Hatosy) is the eldest Cody sibling. Released from a three-year prison stint in the series pilot, Pope lives with severe, unmanaged mental health conditions—including obsessive-compulsive traits, severe depression, and auditory/sensory overload—which are consistently exploited and weaponized by Smurf. Despite his capacity for terrifying violence, Pope possesses a fragile moral conscience and a deep capacity for devotion.
Lena Blackwell (played by child actress Aamiah Miller) is the daughter of Scottie "Baz" Blackwell (Scott Speedman)—Smurf’s adopted son and tactical heist leader—and Catherine "Cath" Blackwell (Daniella Alonso). As a young child living on the periphery of the Cody enterprise, Lena represents innocence within an environment dominated by weapon stashes, illicit cash, narcotics, and federal surveillance.
The Tragic Origin of Their Bond: Catherine’s Murder
The relationship between Pope and Lena is grounded in tragedy and moral remorse. Before his imprisonment, Pope harbored unrequited romantic feelings for Catherine. Upon his release in Season 1, he discovers that Cath has married Baz and given birth to Lena. Pope quickly develops a gentle, protective fondness for the young girl, viewing her as an extension of the woman he loves.
- Smurf suspects Cath of aiding the FBI
- Orders Pope to eliminate Catherine
- Pope murders Cath; experiences profound guilt
- Pope assumes protective caretaker role over Lena
The trajectory of their dynamic changes permanently in Season 1, Episode 9 ("Judas"). Suspecting that Cath is cooperating with Detective Sandra Yates and federal investigators regarding a series of bank robberies, Smurf orders Pope to execute Cath.
Driven by emotional manipulation from Smurf, Pope suffocates Catherine in a vacant house, buries her body in a remote location, and staging her disappearance to look as though she fled town.
Immediately following the murder, Pope retrieves Lena. The psychological weight of executing the child's mother breaks something inside Pope. Unable to reverse his action, he channels his guilt into a single-minded crusade to protect Lena from harm, neglect, and the predatory nature of his own family.
Season-by-Season Breakdown of Pope and Lena’s Arc
Season 1: Guilt, Attachment, and Caretaking
Throughout the remainder of Season 1, Pope becomes obsessed with Lena’s daily routine, basic safety, and emotional well-being. While Baz acts distant—distracted by heist planning, affairs, and frustration over Cath’s sudden "disappearance"—Pope steps into the void:
- He prepares her meals, ensures she attends school, and monitors her surroundings.
- He experiences intense panic whenever Lena is unattended near the Cody pool or around firearms.
- His caretaking is driven by an agonizing duality: he is simultaneously her primary protector and the secret killer of her mother.
Season 2: Escalating Danger and Baz’s Neglect
In Season 2, as Baz becomes increasingly consumed by his rivalry with Smurf over stolen money, his attention toward Lena deteriorates further. Baz treats his daughter as an after-thought, leaving her in the care of irresponsible associates or leaving her alone at the Cody compound.
Pope’s protective instincts intensify:
- Pope openly confronts Baz regarding his emotional abandonment of Lena.
- Recognizing that the compound is an unsuitable environment for a young girl, Pope attempts to build a stable home life for her within the chaotic house.
- When Baz uncovers evidence that Cath did not abandon them but was murdered, the tension surrounding Lena reaches a boiling point.
Season 3: Foster Care, Custody Battles, and the Final Sacrifice
Season 3 marks the climax of Pope and Lena’s shared storyline. Following the assassination of Baz at the end of Season 2, Lena is left completely orphaned. With Smurf incarcerated and the remaining Cody brothers (Craig and J) focused on maintaining their criminal operations, Child Protective Services (CPS) intervenes.
Baz Blackwell Assassinated
Lena Placed into Foster Care
- Pope seeks custody
- CPS & Foster System
Pope realizes Cody environment will destroy Lena
Voluntary Relinquishment to Simmons Family
Placement in Foster Care: Lena is placed in a group home and subsequently moved to a temporary foster placement.
Pope’s Custody Attempt: Desperate to keep her, Pope attempts to gain official custody. He attends supervised visits, buys her gifts, and cleans up his living situation. However, his criminal record, lack of steady legal employment, and documented psychiatric history present insurmountable barriers.
Visits to the Foster Home: Pope begins watching the foster home, driven by anxiety that she is being neglected. During one emotional interaction, he sees that her new foster parents—the Simmons family—are decent, stable, and capable of giving her a loving home completely disconnected from crime.
The Ultimate Sacrifice: Realizing that bringing Lena back into the Cody orbit will inevitably lead to her psychological harm or death, Pope makes the selfless choice of his life. He stops fighting the adoption process and cuts ties with her, allowing the Simmons family to adopt her legally.
Seasons 4–6: The Aftermath and Long-Term Legacy
Although Lena does not appear regularly in the final seasons of Animal Kingdom, her impact on Pope remains profound:
- Emotional Anchor: Pope’s decision to let Lena go serves as rare evidence of his capacity for true selflessness. Unlike Smurf, who pulled her children into crime to maintain control, Pope surrenders his only source of comfort so Lena can escape.
- Psychological Scarring: In Season 5 and Season 6, as Pope grapples with his past sins—including the eventual unearthing of Cath's body by law enforcement—his memories of Lena reinforce his self-loathing and desire for atonement.
Detailed Timeline of Pope and Lena’s Storyline
| Season & Episode | Key Event | Narrative Impact |
|---|---|---|
| S1, Ep 9 ("Judas") | Pope murders Catherine Blackwell on Smurf's orders. | Establishes Pope's primary motivation of guilt-driven protection over Lena. |
| S1, Ep 10 ("What Have You Done") | Pope takes full responsibility for Lena's day-to-day care. | Highlights Baz's detachment and Pope's growing attachment to the child. |
| S2, Ep 4 ("Broken Boards") | Pope confronts Baz about neglecting Lena's emotional needs. | Exposes the deep rift between Baz's selfishness and Pope's protective instincts. |
| S3, Ep 1 ("Killing Home") | Baz is murdered; Lena is left without legal parents. | Triggers intervention by Child Protective Services (CPS). |
| S3, Ep 6 ("Broke From the Box") | Pope struggles through supervised visitation with CPS. | Demonstrates the institutional barriers preventing Pope from gaining custody. |
| S3, Ep 11 ("Jackpot") | Pope observes Lena with her prospective adoptive family. | Pope realizes she has a chance at a normal life outside the Cody dynamic. |
| S3, Ep 12 ("Homecoming") | Pope officially steps back, allowing the adoption to proceed. | Pope completes his most selfless act, breaking the cycle of abuse for Lena. |
Psychological and Thematic Significance
1. Breaking the Intergenerational Cycle of Trauma
The central theme of Animal Kingdom is the toxic, inescapable cycle of trauma created by Janine "Smurf" Cody. Smurf intentionally codependently conditions her sons to remain violent, reliant on her, and isolated from society.
Pope’s decision regarding Lena represents the single major fracture in Smurf's pattern of control. By surrendering Lena to a safe, normal family, Pope ensures that one member of the next generation escapes the violence that claimed Cath, Baz, and eventually the rest of the Cody family.
- Smurf's Toxic Dynamic (Instills codependency & crime)
- Cody Brothers (Trapped in cycle)
- Baz: Tragic Death
- Pope: Breaks Cycle for Lena: Safe Adoption
- Cody Brothers (Trapped in cycle)
2. The Contrast Between Smurf and Pope as Caretakers
The dynamic between Pope and Lena directly contrasts Smurf’s parenting philosophy:
- Smurf’s Approach: Weaponizes affection, creates dangerous dependency, and prioritizes control over her children's safety and mental health.
- Pope’s Approach: Recognizes his own dangerous nature and toxic environment, choosing to sever contact so the child can thrive, despite the personal emotional agony it causes him.
3. Redemption Through Sacrifice
Pope is undeniably a violent figure who committed horrible crimes, including murder. The narrative of Animal Kingdom does not excuse his actions; rather, it portrays him as a tragic figure capable of immense love alongside horrific violence. Protecting Lena is Pope’s single purest act of redemption. He sacrifices his own happiness to spare her from the Cody legacy.
Performance and Critical Reception
Shawn Hatosy’s portrayal of Pope Cody received widespread critical acclaim throughout the six-season run of Animal Kingdom, with reviewers frequently highlighting his scenes with young Aamiah Miller.
Critics noted that Hatosy managed to communicate Pope's intense internal anguish through subtle physical choices—his posture, hesitant movements, and soft tone when speaking to Lena—creating a stark contrast with his intimidating physical presence during robberies and violent confrontations.
The storyline surrounding Lena’s adoption is frequently cited by television critics and fans alike as one of the most emotionally resonant arcs in the entire series, demonstrating the show's ability to ground high-octane crime drama in authentic human tragedy.
Common Misconceptions About Pope and Lena’s Relationship
Did Lena ever learn that Pope killed her mother?
Within the onscreen events of the series, Lena is never explicitly shown discovering that Pope killed Catherine. When she is adopted in Season 3, she is still a young child who believes her mother simply vanished and her father died. Whether she discovers the truth later in life as law enforcement uncovers the Codys' crimes remains unstated.
Was Pope Lena's biological father?
No. The show confirms that Scottie "Baz" Blackwell was Lena’s biological father. While Pope harbored intense romantic feelings for Cath prior to her death, Cath and Baz were her biological parents. Pope’s caretaking was driven by his past feelings for Cath, his bond with Lena, and overwhelming guilt over Catherine's murder.
Why didn't Smurf take custody of Lena?
While Smurf initially claimed to care about her granddaughter, she viewed Lena primarily as leverage or an inconvenience when legal scrutiny intensified. Smurf recognized that taking in Lena permanently would invite continuous surveillance from CPS and law enforcement into the Cody home, risking exposure of their criminal operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Pope kill Lena's mother, Cath?
Pope killed Cath in Season 1, Episode 9, because Smurf convinced him that Cath was talking to federal agents and leaking information about their bank robberies. Smurf manipulated Pope's loyalty and fragile mental state to carry out the murder to protect the family from imprisonment.
What happened to Lena after she was adopted?
After Pope decided not to contest the foster placement, Lena was legally adopted by the Simmons family—a stable, middle-class couple. She was given a secure environment away from crime, violence, and police scrutiny. She does not return to the Cody compound.
Does Pope ever see Lena again after Season 3?
Pope does not maintain regular contact with Lena after Season 3. He intentionally stays away to protect her from the dangerous life of the Cody family and to allow her to bond completely with her adoptive parents without trauma or confusion.
How did Baz react to Pope spending time with Lena?
Baz was suspicious and uncomfortable with Pope's intense focus on Lena, largely due to Pope's past history and mental instability. However, because Baz was negligent and preoccupied with his own affairs, he frequently allowed Pope to babysit and care for her despite his misgivings.
Summary of Key Takeaways
- Origin of the Bond: Pope’s deep attachment to Lena stems from intense guilt after he executed her mother, Catherine, under Smurf’s orders in Season 1.
- Paternal Instincts: With Baz neglecting his daughter, Pope became Lena’s primary caretaker, showing a gentle, protective side contrasting sharply with his violent tendencies.
- The Decision for Adoption: In Season 3, realizing the Cody home would destroy Lena's future, Pope voluntarily relinquished his custody efforts, allowing her to be adopted by a stable foster family.
- Thematic Impact: Pope’s release of Lena is the primary instance in Animal Kingdom where a Cody family member successfully breaks the cycle of abuse and crime for the next generation.
