So many times you see a character start off as one thing and then very suddenly shift or veer off course as the show comes to a close. But J has been consistently quiet, manipulative, and ultimately, Smurf's downfall as a character, which was his intention from the first moment he moved in. That motive never shifted. He wanted to take everything from her and he DID. By the end of her life her three sons loathed her, she was losing control of everything, she was barely included in their jobs. They'd all moved on. Without her. And once again, just like before she met Colin, Smurf was about to be completely alone.

"I'll put a bullet in your head."

That's the promise J made to Smurf in season 2. He promised her that he wouldn't let her get as sick as Manny. And although he hated that woman and everything she did to him, he kept his word. Because it had to be J to take her out, it was his destiny as a character. The poor boy that got fucked over by everyone in his life rises to the challenge and overcomes his top opponent. It was exactly what he was meant to do.

It was what J deserved.

He deserved that moment of selfish vengeance. He was making sure justice was served. For Julia. For himself, for the young boy that never got to be a young boy because his family didn't care enough about him. He deserved to give her that final "fuck you". It was his right as a character, as her grandson, and as the only person who was just a little bit smarter than she was.

I honestly have been waiting for this moment since that promise way back in season 2. I feel so fucking vindicated.

Portuguese navy operator with a modernized G3.

"We're not the same." is what he said to Mia in the garage. He was right. J and Mia may have come from similar backgrounds, but no part of them matched up. Mia was a hood rat looking to stay a hood rat. J was a poor kid who wanted to get up and out. He wants the money, the glory, the pride. He wants all the control because he never had any control over his life when he was a kid. J KNOWS he's not like Mia, he knows he isn't exactly like anyone in his family, and that is his biggest strength.

But what really hit the nail on the head was her finally confessing to killing Baz (can you guys even believe it was already 2 seasons ago???). She said "family doesn't do that to family". She was trying so hard to get under his skin just a little bit, just enough to keep her head above water and save herself. J saw right through it.

"Maybe not, but they're all the family that I've got."

It's no secret that J has massive amounts of resentment towards his family. I don't blame him, I would too. But he still knows they're his family and that his loyalty lies with them, even if it's just for a little while. No matter what they've done to them he knows they have his back and vice versa. They are literally all he has. No mom, no dad, no girlfriend or real friends. Nothing. Smurf, Pope, Craig, and Deran are all he has.

"In the end, she's a Cody... and I'm a Cody too."

"Maybe not. But they're all the family that I've got."

"The first time Renn did coke she got it from YOUR purse."

"How about that dipshit second husband of yours? You know, the one you caught trying to get in the shower with her when she was, what, 13?"

"She slept on the beach for weeks and I know that because I was the one bringing her blankets and food."