TNT's Beast Kingdom follows 17-twelvemonth-onetime J Cody (Finn Cole) reconnecting with his estranged family afterward his mother'southward overdose. However, the Codys aren't the average family. Governed by their ruthless matriarch Smurf (Ellen Barkin), J's 4 uncles -- Baz (Scott Speedman), Pope (Shawn Hatosy), Deran (Jake Weary) and Craig (Ben Robson) -- perform all manner of high-risk, high-octane heists to keep their criminal empire afloat. Every bit such, there is no shortage of drama, and the majority of it is internal. Among the other issues presented in Flavor i, J grapples with figuring out who his absent father is. To his surprise, J discovers the title might actually belong to ane of his "uncles."

Animal Kingdom reveals Baz -- Smurf'due south adopted son -- equally J'due south dad. The news came as a shock to J and fans; however, it wasn't officially confirmed until Season 3. As a consequence, the mystery and subtly brand the revelation a little confusing. While most of the hints surrounding J's biological father came from Smurf, she wasn't the only character to drop the bomb. So let'due south break down all the prove the points to J and Baz'south begetter/son connectedness as it stands at the fourth dimension of writing.

Smurf Remains Sure Baz is J's Father

Animal Kingdom - Smurf and J

J's quest for his father's true identity begins in the pilot after taking his female parent's cellphone and trying to contact a man she used to talk well-nigh. In Episode three, J asks his grandmother if she knows who his dad. Smurf replies, "Your mom always had a lot of guys around, J. I just know she only loved one of them. I tried to make him feel like a part of the family unit. I could take him in. I could make him my son, only I could not brand him her brother." When J asks if she's talking nearly Baz, he's met with silence. However, it'southward not the final fourth dimension the topic comes up between the ii.

Although Smurf drops picayune tidbits here and at that place, the next big confirmation comes later on Baz'south expiry in Season 3'south first episode, "The Killing." When J visits Smurf in prison house, she says, "It'southward horrible having your male parent murdered like that." The statement prompts J to seek confirmation that Baz is his father again, to which Smurf responds, "Grade, he was, sweetie."

Smurf's famous for lying and withholding information, which makes her input on the matter questionable. However, she primarily does those things to spin situations in her favor. In the example of J and Baz, she doesn't really take a reason to lie unless she'southward hiding something yet to be confirmed. All the same, Smurf maintains the fact that Baz is J's father long after the prison house conversation. In Flavor 3, Episode 12, she gives Baz's cut of her remaining storage unit stash to J. When he protests, she says, "That's Baz'south share. You're Baz's son. The coin belongs to you." In the following episode, Smurf also gives J a sentinel that she claims she was saving for Baz.

Baz Gives Mysterious Answers

Animal Kingdom - Baz

Who better to weigh in on Baz existence J's father than Baz himself. Unfortunately for Brute Kingdom fans, his response in Season 1, Episode 8, isn't quite so clear. While he doesn't deny it, he also doesn't confirm it either, saying, "What if I am? Information technology's as well tardily to thing, isn't it?" He insensitively brushes J off, asking if he wants him to practise things like coach his little league team or teach him to tie a tie. Much like Smurf in Flavor i, he also confirms J's mother slept with an "impressive" corporeality of guys. That said, the fact Baz doesn't entirely close J'due south question down suggests -- even if he's not sure -- he believes it'south a existent possibility at the very to the lowest degree.

However, what actually threw Animal Kingdom fans for a loop was Baz and J's conversation in Season 2, Episode 13. After stealing from Smurf and framing her for murder, Baz is under a lot of stress. He wants to steal the rest of her empire by selling her properties; however, he discovers J has Power of Attorney. After leaving the lawyer'southward part, Baz tells J that Smurf had a "real manor creep" of a boyfriend who took a liking to J's female parent, Julia, and "jumped" her i night by the puddle while she was and then high, she was unconscious. He follows it up by saying, "And nine months later, you popped out."

While Baz's story certainly contradicts Smurf'south, it still might not be the truth. At this point, Baz feared J had already sided with his grandmother, and without J'south trust, Baz couldn't get his easily on the rest of Smurf's estate. Therefore, it's possible Baz made the story to plough J against Smurf. Notwithstanding, J continues to side with his grandmother, suggesting that even he didn't believe Baz'due south version of events.

Lucy Seems to Back Upward Smurf

Animal Kingdom - Lucy

As Baz'south long-fourth dimension friend, mistress and confidant, Lucy (Carolina Guerra) knows a lot about the Cody family unit and Baz'south secret. As such, it'southward totally plausible she also knows the truth about J being Baz'due south son. An interaction between J and Lucy in Season 2, Episode 12, seems to ostend this, although it remains convoluted like near things in Animal Kingdom.

Lucy informs J that Baz's biggest regret was non being in that location for him. She goes on to say that Baz loved J'south mom a lot, but Smurf pushed them autonomously. With Smurf in jail, Lucy suggests Baz can finally make information technology upwardly to him. While it's non cutting-and-dry confirmation, it's certainly compelling evidence. Lucy'south been in the Codys' lives for a long time, which means she could take fifty-fifty witnessed Baz and Julia's human relationship and ensuing pregnancy first-mitt.

To meet the evidence of Baz being J'due south begetter for yourself, cheque out new episodes of Animal Kingdom each Lord's day at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.

KEEP READING: Animal Kingdom Season v Introduces the Codys' Newest Threat