In what episode does Craig die in Animal Kingdom? Details revealed 

No moment in TNT's Animal Kingdom hits harder than the death of adrenaline-junkie Craig Cody. We followed the surfer-turned-thief through six tear-jerking seasons as he chased kicks, battled addiction, and clung to the crime family led by his fierce mother, Smurf.

The question many new binge-watchers ask is straightforward: When does Craig actually fall? The answer is a double-length series finale: Season 6, Episode 13, "Fubar," which first aired on August 28, 2022.

Produced by executive producer John Wells and written by Daniele Nathanson, the swan song, which is just less than two hours long, closes the 75-episode journey that began in 2016 and was based on the 2010 Australian film of the same name. Below, we break down how the episode concludes Craig's story and why that resolution rings true to who he is and the Shakespearean sense of family tragedy.

Craig's final stand in Animal Kingdom Season 6, Episode 13

The last episode of Animal Kingdom, "Fubar," opens in chaos: Pope (Shawn Hatosy) has been sprung from a prison bus, only for nephew J to tip off police and strip the Codys of their getaway cash. Betrayed and wounded, Craig (Ben Robson) and youngest brother Deran (Jake Weary) bolt toward Mexico but need quick money to keep moving.

Their solution is robbing a small convenience store that spirals when the owner’s young son pulls a hidden handgun. Craig throws himself in front of Deran, taking a fatal bullet. Deran is devastated to see Craig bleeding out, and then he promises him to take care of Nick until the very end.

Deran, sobbing, lays Craig’s body near the Pacific, an ocean Craig always saw as a refuge in Animal Kingdom. This moment really captures what the show has been about all along: deep, unbreakable loyalty between the Cody brothers, and the heavy consequences they face every time they choose crime.

Even though the finale keeps moving with intense scenes like Pope’s dramatic standoff with the cops and J escaping to the Caribbean, it’s Craig’s final act that hits the hardest emotionally.

TNT labeled the final episode of Animal Kingdom as "Fubar", a military slang term that means "fouled up beyond all recognition". With this episode, Craig's story in the TV series came to an end.

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Why Craig's death matters in Animal Kingdom and what it means for the Codys

Craig’s death doesn’t feel like a surprise twist. It feels more like the ending that was always coming. He was someone who could never really escape the chaos of Oceanside or his own destructive habits. Throughout Animal Kingdom Season 6, we see him skipping rehab, slipping back into addiction, and making impulsive choices that put everything at risk.

That wild side was part of what made him interesting, but it also led to his downfall. However, the character remains one of the most memorable figures of the show. Actor Ben Robson, who played Craig, once talked about his character and said:

"He’s someone that I think is seen as this bit of an a***ole."

The actor continued:

"He’s very loyal to his family and surprises a lot of people in that way…his loyalty and the way he looks out for Deran (Jake Weary), especially, but really his whole family."

Robson mentioned that one of the standout moments where fans can see Craig's caring side is when he supports Deran after learning he's gay. As the story progressed, Craig struggled with addiction, lived a criminal life, and faced many issues, but he still has his own set of personal values. He follows a kind of moral code, even if it doesn’t always show in the usual way.

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