MovieChat Forums > Animal Kingdom (2016) Discussion > Nicknames?

Nicknames?

posted 8 years ago by iluvbairs
10 replies | jump to latest

So, since the first episode we've been given nicknames for several of the characters. Janine is Smurf, Barry is Baz, Andrew is Pope and Joshua is J. We were given the background of Smurf's nickname, J and Baz are simply variations on their names, but I am very interested to know when and how Pope got his nickname. It is definitely not derived from his name, so there has to be a story there.
Also, I find it interesting that Craig and Deran don't have nicknames. Do you think this eludes to something deeper regarding the family dynamics beyond the obvious that Baz and/or Pope are the ones most likely to lead the family should something happen to Smurf?
Do you think Julia ever had a nickname?
Finally, does anyone else find it odd that everyone, even the cops, refer to the characters by their nicknames?

[–] kjperes13 8 years ago

Not everyone calls him Pope all the time...both Smurf and Catherine called him Andrew last night. :)

[–] activexcode 8 years ago

Who is supposed to be older: Baz or Pope?

[–] Laaz5 8 years ago

Baz is older.

[–] activexcode 8 years ago

I loved Hatosy on Southland and I love him on this show. Do you think the network will commit to a Season 2?

[–] Laaz5 8 years ago

http://release-date.info/tv-series/tnt-animal-kingdom-season-2-release-date-884003821/

[–] Laaz5 8 years ago

Well, Craig and Deran are kinda detached and isolated in the family's dynamics. They could've been easily overlooked for given nicknames due to their status, they're the followers of lowest rank in the family's hierarchy (let's not forget it's called Animal Kingdom, think of 'the family' more as 'the pack')

They are the closest siblings, it's implied Baz and Pope used to be very close too and they still are but now not that much.

Also as said above, they're not trusted as much, are never given any authority above the rest, and are rarely part of the decisions "council" for the jobs.

If Smurf is the general and Pope/Baz the field captains, then Craig and Deran are the foot soldiers.

[–] Mike716 8 years ago

All of the names, and nicknames, are taken straight from the movie. He was Andrew and Pope in the movie, and it was never explained. The show could attach some meaning to it, but for now it's just staying loyal to the source material, rather than some deeper meaning.

[–] iluvbairs 8 years ago

So was Smurf's nickname given the same explanation in the movie as the show?

[–] Mike716 8 years ago

Nope, also given no explanation whatsoever. I was always curious as to the name "Pope" as well, but the movie never addresses it.

The first episode of this show is pretty much comprised entirely of scenes taken straight from the movie. The rest of the episodes go their own way.

[–] Thierry-from-France 8 years ago

What the car dealer says in episode 7 or 8 is that he gave the little girl (Janine) the nickname Smurf because she loved water so much she would stay in until she turned blue.