SAMCRO: Why You Should Be Watching Sons of Anarchy
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
All the reason I'd ever need to watch this show, right there.
I avoided Sons of Anarchy for some time, even though it was recommended to me a couple of times, mostly by my mother. Well, folks, Momma was right again! I simply couldn’t get my head around a serious show based on a motorcycle club. Comedy based on such a thing? No problem. Drama? No way! However, had someone told me that I would be watching some decent acting, I’d have thought twice. What I needed to be told, however, was about the heavy Shakespearian influence this show is steeped in. Now, there…that would have been a point of interest for me. Harley Dynas and Hamlet? Sign me up!
I wasn’t going to review this show because to do so would open up a world of spoilers for people who haven’t seen it. I’m afraid that this time, they’re just going to have to either peek or scoot. The show centers around Jackson “Jax” Teller (Charlie Hunnam), who is the vice president of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original, or SAMCRO. He’s involved with local doctor and old flame Tara Knowles (Maggie Siff) He’s also the son of a founding member, who apparently died under somewhat mysterious circumstances. His ghost seems to communicate with Jax through a manuscript he wrote about where SAMCRO was going wrong, which is at odds with what the club is today. Starting to see that Shakespeare setup? Jax’s mother Gertrude….Ahem…sorry…Gemma (Future Hot Nerd Crush Katey Sagal. Yes, THAT Katey Sagal) is married to another founding member, club president Clay (Ron Perlman. Yeah, THAT Ron Perlman). The two are harboring several secrets among them, not the least of which is what really happened to Jax’s father.
SAMCRO makes most of its money through gun running. They are supplied by True IRA agents from all the way over in Ireland, where the club apparently has an international charter. The club is centered in the small California town of Charming, where the police have little to no sway. The Sons keep dope off the street, and deal out justice as they see fit. (In one episode a travelling carnie clown rapes a 13 year old girl. They catch him, cut his balls off, and let him bleed out in the woods. Damn! No one told me the motorcycle club would be dealing out clown justice! I would have been watching a lot sooner!) Most interesting in this little world that SAMCRO has carved out for itself are its family ties, and the length these people go to to protect them. Jax’s son is born two months premature in the first episode because the baby’s mother is a strung out junkie. Gemma tries to convince Jax’s ex-wife to overdose while she’s STILL IN THE HOSPITAL just to get her out of the way, and gives her a syringe fill of shit. Almost worked too.
In season 2, things start to get out of hand between Clay and Jax, as Jax, influenced by his father’s writings becomes increasingly angry about the criminal aspect of the club that Clay fosters wholeheartedly. Mind you, I’m simply telling you about some of the major plotlines. Trust me, there’s so much more to see here. There’s the murder of Opie’s (Ryan Hurst) wife Donna at the hands of Tig (Kim Coates), the club’s Sgt. At Arms. There’s the rival gangs of the Mayans and Niners and Nords(Oh my!) constantly pushing on SAMCRO territory. There’s the surprising turn by Adam Arkin as a…well, that would be giving too much away, I think. But, trust me, it’s completely worth seeing. There’s Henry Rollins as a total racist asshole. Not certain about a dramatic stretch there,(Kidding! I’m kidding!) but, he, and his two facial expressions are there. (Angry and confused, if you’re wondering.) Ally Walker (From Profiler) fills out the cast nicely as an ATF agent with fairly odd methods. I haven’t even mentioned the Charming police, who should have their own show, by the way!
So, if you haven’t been watching this show, give it a chance. For no other reason than for Half Sack(Johnny Lewis), the club prospect. He lost one of his testicles in Iraq, and he’s more than willing to show anyone who wants a look. For some reason, this young man lends a very human, if subservient face (He’s a club prospect, meaning he hasn’t been patched up as a full member yet, but he’s getting there. Hopefully ((And, that’s all the spoiler about him you’re going to get))) onto SAMCRO, and his trials within the club, though left of center, are a big reason to watch and enjoy this show. It would also be remiss of me not to mention that the acting in this show is nothing short of amazing! Now that the second season is over, it’s the perfect time to get caught up. Season 1 DVD is out and about, and I’m certain 2 will be following shortly. Sons of Anarchy…don’t miss it.
And, for the love of God, don’t get caught doing anything stupid in Charming!
Tags: Review
Posted on December 8th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
So are major spoilers are okay? I have complaints about the season 2 finale. But my words will completely ruin it for anyone still planning on watching how season two ends….
Posted on December 8th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Hey, I can’t control what people say on here, and if spoilers come up, I’ll mention it further up so nobody can bitch about it. Have at it, man!
Posted on December 8th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Well I first gotta say that I love this show. The acting is great. The show is over the top in a fun way that’s not worth nitpicking, for the most part.
But I was disappointed in the season 2 finale. It felt like Kurt Sutter was worrying too much about season 3, setting up Maguffins that felt forced, rather than bringing closure to the arc of season 2.
My biggest complaint is how they left Zobelle in the store, alive. That was ridiculous that ALL of the Sons had to leave because Jax called. What the hell were they going to do besides run down the docks and chase a boat.
Tig or Piney could have easily stayed behind, put a bullet in his head, and then caught up to the rest of them and only been a minute behind. Also, the way Zobelle escaped the shootout on the road, in a car with 3 tires was quite a stretch.
I’m pissed that Gemma never got to face her rapists and cut their nuts out. I did like the part where Stahl got donkey punched in her vagina. But the big screwup at the Irish house felt sooo forced. That whole house scene was about setting up season 3, instead of closing season 2. Maguffin, Magufin, Maguffin. Now Gemma’s on the lam and the misunderstanding led to a baby napping.
Which brings me to Tara. They had her growing in strength this season, stepping into the shoes of an Old Lady. She learned how to shoot a gun and she faced down her bitchy boss at the hospital. But when the Irish guy broke in, she turned into a weepy weakling and let him take the baby. Her arc became completely worthless.
And backing up a bit, with imminent death approaching Zobelle and his daughter, young Polly Zobelle just HAD to go. Had to buy flowers and visit the Irish guy. Ridiculous.
Also quite lame that they never told Alverez about Zobelle being an FBI witness. WTF? That was only so Zobelle could live for season 3.
There were just so many “coincidences” that were for season 3, I just wish there had been more focus on bringing closure to season 2.
I still love the show. I guess I was just expecting too much, or something….
Posted on December 9th, 2009 at 11:57 am
I dunno. For me it felt less like a setup and more putting most of the characters in the worst place imaginable. Abel kidnapped, Gemma gone, Sack stabbed, Zobelle gets away, no gun sources. It looks like everything’s gone to shit. But, some of the best shows have gotten great results from shakeups like this. BSG is a good case in point.
I’m glad Zobelle’s going to be around. I was fine with Gemma just getting Zobelle’s daughter while the club went after everyone else. I thought that was the point of her telling them about it. Oh, and uniting everyone, which it did. I’m a little more worried about Opie. He’s harboring a lot of resentment, which he’s entitled to. A lot of things changed in season 2, and I’m looking forward to how they go in season 3. I’m hoping they have to go to Ireland to get Abel back and we get to see this Irish charter they keep talking about.
Some of it felt forced, yeah. Then again, a lot of this show feels forced to me. Jax gets in a lot of fights, and it would appear that he wins every one of them. Maybe now, he’s up against something he can’t beat. Things seem to go all too well for the Sons, and it was a whole different animal to see things go completely wrong.
Posted on December 9th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Yeah good point about Galactica’s cliffhangers, for some reason that didn’t bother me.
So why is SoA bothering me? You’re right, it really shouldn’t.
But you gotta admit, the way they turned their backs and left Zobelle in the store, alone – that was a stretch! I wish Zobelle had done some karate, maybe have the store owner intervene or something instead, lol. Or have one of the kids in the store start shooting, that would be crazy. oh well
Still wish Tara had at least tried to make a move against the Irish guy.
On the positive side, what kind of troubles do you think Gemma and the Sheriff will be getting into? Think we’ve seen the last of porn? Heh, season 3 should be a blast.
Random last thought…. we didn’t see much of the baby this season, though the baby drama was fairly heavy in season one. It’s kind of hard to give Jax, Gemma and Tara much to do when they’re supposed to be home with the baby.
If so, it’s a genious move to have the baby kidnapped. No “boring” baby scenes, plus a great reason to get the Sons to do shit (Maguffin).
AND OF COURSE! The baby can’t be in the picture, not if Gemma is on the lam, AND Jax and Tara were off doing shit all the time. Who would take care of him? The baby HAD to be kidnapped, or pass away.
With the baby still in the story, Gemma could never have gone on the lam, plot wise – there’s just too many family members with exciting stories and someone needs to be raising the child.
Haha, Kurt Sutter is justing taking an easy way out, the baby is too difficult. Busted!