Inside Television with Alan Sepinwall

Review: 'Sons of Anarchy' - 'To Be, Act 1': Tell me you love me

Jax, Tara and Gemma all scramble in the first half of the season finale

By Alan Sepinwall Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 11:05 PM

Lenny the Pimp (Sonny Barger) meets with Jax (Charlie Hunnam) on "Sons of Anarchy."

Credit: FX

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A quick review of tonight's "Sons of Anarchy" coming up just as soon as I get you a bigger bowl...

Because "To Be" was originally designed as a single 90-minute episode before being expanded into two one-hour episodes, I want to reserve judgment on it until I've seen the whole thing. (FX sent both parts out for review, but I have deliberately held off on watching "Act 2" until I finished writing this, so my commentary won't be colored by what you haven't seen yet. I can't always do that, but this time, I can, so I am.) Instead, I'm just going to offer thoughts on a few specific points:

The unsinkable Clay Morrow: Not exactly the Doc Brown resolution, but he ain't dead, because Opie turns out to be a really terrible shot at close range(*). Now, we seem to be heading down a road where Jax can kill Clay in the finale, but even if that happens, it won't make the end of last week's episode any more of a cheat.

(*) Jax, on the other hand? Such an amazing freaking pistol shot that he's able to put a bullet in the head of one of the Niner drivers while firing backwards from a moving motorcycle. I'm not sure even Bullseye from Marvel Comics could pull that one off.

It's like I said last week: Opie's not the hero of this story, Jax is, and you can't have the hero's best friend solve the biggest moral dilemma in his life for him. But from any viewpoint other than one predicated on the structure of "Sons of Anarchy," Opie was a perfectly acceptable, deserving person to be given that job, and given recent events, it seemed not only logical to have him do it, but almost improbable to have him not do it. Had Jax actually carried out his threat to shoot Opie before Opie shot Clay, that might have seemed fair narratively, even if I would have been frustrated that Clay managed to once again survive because other characters have been kept in the dark about what he's up to. Doing it this way, on top of Juice preparing to lynch himself, only to be saved by a broken tree branch, feels like the show trying to have its cake and eat it, too. It wants to build to these big moments and make you feel the emotional weight of them, but it doesn't want to actually deal with the implications of it. If Juice successfully hangs himself, not only is he off the show, but the Potter story dead ends. If Opie kills Clay, then Tara and Gemma can't have their little battle for Jax's soul.

It's possible that what Jax does in "Act 2" will be good enough to justify all the contrivances to get us to this spot. But I spent a lot of the Clay-related scenes in "Act 1" sighing at Opie's bad aim, at Tig immediately falling back into Clay's corner, etc.

I learned it from watching you!: If there was one part of "Act 1" that felt sort of like a story in and of itself - and an extremely effective one, at that - it was Tara and Gemma each trying to manipulate Jax to their own ends: both wanting Clay dead, but one wanting that action to be the end of his life with SAMCRO, the other wanting it to be the thing that cements his position within the club. In the end, the student appears to become the teacher, as Tara applies all the lessons Gemma taught her and reminds her that, all other things being equal, a man will choose his old lady over his older mother.

It was a great hour for Maggie Siff, who over the past four years has had to play a character whose motivations and emotions vary wildly depending on the needs of the plot. I don't know that the Tara this week exactly tracks with various other Taras we've seen over the years, but I believe that this would be the end result of all the recent events in her life. She wants out, immediately, and if she has to go full Lady Macbeth to remove Gemma's claws from Jax, then she'll do it.

I do wonder where the show can go with Gemma now, though. I mean, Jax will probably wind up staying in Charming - or else split town at the end of this season and return for some reason next - but her power and prominence on the show rested on her being the trusted wife of Clay and revered mother of Jax. If Clay winds up dead, or in exile, or back in power but remembering how Gemma treated him before he got shot, what does she have? She's spent this entire season scrambling around to keep her two men in line and in town, always insisting to Wayne that she has a brilliant plan, and all of her plans have been fairly idiotic and ineffectual. Would Sutter make a show where Gemma is marginalized? I would tend to doubt it, but, like Clay, she seems to have outlived her usefulness.

Who is Linc Potter, anyway? He's a strange dude. He rides a motorcycle, dresses like a character from a 1973 crime film, always seems to magically know what the Sons and/or cartel members are up to from his unseen sources, and he's building what seems to be an inescapable trap for SAMCRO. And yet we got that scene where Romeo goes on and on and on about how his sources within law-enforcement are widespread, connected and reliable enough to tell him if a task force like the one Potter has is gunning for him - and they're telling him no one is. Is this just a case of Potter's obsession with secrecy - offices hidden behind multiple secured doors, everyone on the task force signing non-disclosure agreements, etc. - somehow masking his movements from the people the cartel pays off? Or are we going to find out next week that Potter isn't really who he says he is, and that's how the Sons will get out of their latest trap? Or is the funny business coming entirely from Romeo's end of things? Do he and Luis know more than they're telling Jax?

We'll find out answers to that and more - including how the club moves forward if Chibs and Happy(**) are the only members still alive, free, and lacking an agenda in this whole Clay/Jax/Opie mess - next week. I'm going to watch "Act 2" now, and I should have a review of that posted right after it finishes airing a week from tonight. I asked about interviewing Sutter for a season 4 post-mortem, but he declined.

(**) Line of the night to Happy for, "He needs to die - like, a lot."

What did everybody else think?

Alan Sepinwall
Sr. Editor, What's Alan Watching

Alan Sepinwall has been reviewing television since the mid-'90s, first for Tony Soprano's hometown paper, The Star-Ledger, and now for HitFix. His new book, "The Revolution Was Televised," about the last 15 years of TV drama, is for sale at Amazon. He can be reached at sepinwall@hitfix.com

Related Searches: Sons of Anarchy, Kurt Sutter, Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman, Katey Sagal, Maggie Siff, Alan Sepinwall

Next 217 Comments

Cade

"I asked about interviewing Sutter for a season 4 post-mortem, but he declined."

What a whiny bitch. Guy is obviously very talented, but he reacts to every perceived slight against him like a 5 year old girl (although I do think Alan has been a bit too negative with his reviews this season).
November 30, 2011 at 12:13AM EST Reply to Comment
- Prop joe I think Alan has been to nice. This show is a mess. It's all over the place. Sutter is no Shawn Ryan
  November 30, 2011 at 12:30AM EST
- svetlana I have to disagree with you. I don't think Kurt is being whiny at all. It must be frustrating and exhausting to put in so much work into each episode and then have to go online and read people criticise every detail. If critics think they know how to make a show better then they should just go out and try to make one themselves and sew how it feels to have it dissected. I loved the episode! I thought Maggie siff was phenomenal and loved the chase seen. Just enjoy the show everyone and stop bitching!
  November 30, 2011 at 12:41AM EST
- RinTinTim Kurt Sutter is an outspoken guy who doesn't want anyone else to express their opinion, that sounds perfectly reasonable to me.
  November 30, 2011 at 12:48AM EST
- thetheory Boy, I wonder why Kurt Sutter would decline an interview with a TV critic who spent the entire season (not to mention the majority of season three) detailing how he would've written each episode differently. Mystifying.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:21AM EST
- marina So tired of people dissecting every little thing. Sons Of Anarchy is part of a very small group of shows on television that is excellent and is absolutely worth watching. Kurt Sutter is a brilliant writer who is passionate about his show, the cast is amazing. I disagree with the "whiny bitch" comment, imagine pouring your heart and soul in to something, just to have people rip it apart. What happened to just enjoying a show, being thankful that in the midst of all the reality crap there's a show like Sons Of Anarchy. As for Alan Sepinwall, if he had the talent and imagination to write a show of his own, he wouldn't need to sh*t on other people's work.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:55AM EST
- William Alan doesn't shit on anybody's work. He critiques television shows that are being put out for public consumption. That's his job. When something's good, he says it's good; when something's bad, he says it's bad. When something is trying hard but not getting there, he points out where it's succeeding and where it still needs work. It's not nitpicking to expect the show to support its own narrative. The entire chase scene required a miraculous line of abandoned cars for the Sons to escape, and lo, a line of cars was given. Empty cars, for no reason. And for a showrunner to react to any criticism of his show with insults and refusals for interviews is unprofessional. Alan's doing his job.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:08AM EST
- Micah Yes, God forbid anyone should criticize the mighty Kurt Sutter. He is no ordinary Showrunner and should never be criticized no matter how ridiculous his story gets.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:11AM EST
- p. Will everyone please stop using the "I'd like to see you try it" thing every time an issue like this comes up? The assumption that critics become critics simply because they can't be show writers, runners, or creators is just condescending. If you create a show for people to watch, you open the floor for criticism of that show. The critic should in turn be judged by how well or poorly he or she reads the show, and justifies that reading. Whether or not Alan could make a show of his own, and make it "good," whatever your definition of 'good' might be, is entirely irrelevant to this particular situation. And that you worked really, really hard on something doesn't make it immune to others' judgments. I mean, what if Kurt Sutter worked really, really hard on a show you didn't like? Would you still do the whole "you can't talk till you've written a show" thing then? I understand Sutter's frustration and I really didn't think this season or last were entirely as bad as some people made it out to be, but at the same time refusing to read or engage with any criticism of your heart's darling, as Sutter does, is thin-skinned and childish.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:54AM EST
- SHough610 Considering Alan might bloody well be the best critic of TV I think he'd do fine writing it. I love SOA, but it's not a perfect show and though I haven't always agreed with Alan I always thought he was fair.
  November 30, 2011 at 3:04AM EST
- Leo2 I don't understand people coming to this site and complaining about the analysis or critique. It's not like this is something new here. There are lots of other places you can go if you only want to gush about the show.
  
  If you disagree with anything anybody says, it would serve you better to give an explanation why you disagree, and then back it up with your reasoning instead of lashing out at anyone who says something you perceive as negative or unfair.
  
  If you not having fun here or enjoying the conversation, no one is putting a gun to your ear making you come here.
  
  November 30, 2011 at 3:21AM EST
- cyclops999 As someone who has studied screenwriting in grad school to pursue it as a career, and dabbled in TV criticism with his own blog, I can tell you they are very different skills. (No, I'm not claiming to be anywhere near Kurt Sutter as a TV writer, or near Alan Sepinwall as a TV critic, I'm simply trying to improve in both). But I have pursued both enough to know that they are very, very different skills. So while the odds are that Alan isn't the same caliber of storyteller that Sutter is, as Sutter does it for a living, that doesn't somehow render Alan's opinions about the show invalid. Alan is, as SHOUGH610 pointed out, the most respected TV critic in the country, has devoted his life to TV criticism and analysis, and as such, has earned the right to have his well-thought out opinions published and respected, even if they're not agreed with. So I really don't feel the "Why doesn't Sepinwall go and write a great show himself?" position holds water as a counterargument against his critiques. Alan is not a professional TV writer; he's a professional TV critic. As such, it's his JOB to give his honest and well thought out responses to what he sees on screen.
  
  Yes, of course Sutter puts his heart and soul into this show, and whenever someone does that, of course it hurts to have their work criticized. I know people who work on Whitney, and I can tell you that they pour their heart and soul into that show -- people who get up at 7 a.m. and go to sleep at 2 a.m. and do nothing but work on and think about Whitney in between, all day and night trying to make it better, and it breaks their hearts to read some of the reactions they get. But they also understand that it goes with the territory. So yes, it's a given that no one likes to have their deeply personal work criticized. But guess what, that's the choice they made when they decided to become writers. And people like Kurt Sutter reap the benefits of that choice more than anyone: fame, wealth, the ability to do something he LOVES for a living. In fact, Sutter reaps the benefits of being a writer more than 99.999% of people in his profession, and they ALL get criticized (unless they're David Simon). So I don't really buy the argument that people watching Sutter's show, ESPECIALLY professional critics, shouldn't criticize it because Sutter works so hard on it. That's the life he chose, and he has a lot to show for it.
  
  While I wouldn't go nearly as far as to say Sutter is a whiny bitch. I do think it's curious that he won't give an interview to a critic he's gone on record as respecting, and to whom he's given post-mortem interviews in the past, simply because that critic has some valid critiques of his show (if that is in fact the reason, and we can't know for sure that it is). If Sutter disagrees with Alan's critiques, then why not do the interview and defend his choices as a writer?
  
  Anyway, that's my two cents.
  November 30, 2011 at 3:41AM EST
- cyclops999 Oh, and just for the record, I have agreed with Alan's critiques of the show this season, both in regards to Clay's moustache twirling, and more importantly, to the puppet strings I can frequently see dangling from characters' shoulders. I've actually found Alan pretty forgiving to the show this season, issuing critiques but able to get past them to largely enjoy the show, which has at times been tough for me this year. I think there have been some great moments this season, and I love a lot of the ideas behind the show, but I frequently find the machinations of the plot overriding clear, believable character motivations, and that can break the show's reality for me.
  November 30, 2011 at 3:50AM EST
- bluegiraffe It's amazing how often people get upset when others don't love the same show they do. People just like different things, and if I don't like the same show you do, it doesn't mean I think you're an idiot or have bad taste. It's just a difference of opinion, and there's no reason to get angry or defensive about it.
  
  Other commenters have done a great job expressing my own thoughts on this above (go William and P.!), so I'll just add one more thing: I've been surprised at Kurt Sutter's reaction to Alan's reviews. I know it's not easy to have someone critique something you've worked hard on and care about deeply, but that's just part of working in entertainment. Plus, if you have an open mind, good critics can help you improve, whether as a writer, actor, or even showrunner. Alan's reviews have always seemed quite fair to me, and even if Sutter ultimately disagrees with him, just considering the points Alan makes with an open mind could help Sutter make an even better TV show, by prompting him to look at the show in a different way.
  
  Oh, one more thought: If you don't want to see someone dissect the elements of a show and point out problems in consistency, credibility, logic, acting, etc., as well as celebrate what works, then reading *any* TV critic isn't for you. That's the nature of criticism as a genre. Alan Sepinwall is, for my money, a particularly good TV critic, but any critic who's doing their job is going to dissect a show. Some of us like that -- I find that reading criticism increases my enjoyment of a show. If it ruins your enjoyment, then just stop reading TV criticism.
  November 30, 2011 at 3:53AM EST
- Jamie So what, we should just do away with tv criticism now because Kurt Sutter becomes pissy when people don't like a season of his show? Alan has praised the show in season's 1 and 2 and even parts of season 3, but now all of a sudden he's a hack who has it out for Sutter because this season has been so heavy handed and cartoonish. Grow up. Sutter thinks television shows should be praised for land mines and rocket propelled grenades instead of wit and nuance.
  November 30, 2011 at 5:16AM EST
- Dani Sofer BlueGiraffe (and most of the posters in this thread, Blue just articulated it best)- HEAR HEAR. It really is too bad. I liked the post-mortems Sutter did w/Alan. I knew Sutter's reputation for being a hothead, but when I read KS's blog, I was surprised at how mean and nasty he'd gotten. The comments were one thing (just made him look bad for being so immature)- but using a certain word that women REALLY do not like to hear men use without a really good reason, and in 72 point font, made me think of a line Saul Goodman used in the 2nd-season finale of BrBa: "OK, no deep seated issues THERE," when Walt snapped and started yelling at him about taking charity. I write for a living and can get bent out of shape about criticism (though if it's constructive and delivered in a thoughtful way, like Alan's, I calm down a lot) and got great advice from my very successful mentor at the time--unless you're made of Teflon, avoid reviews/critiques that you think might piss you off (or in my case, enrage you or make you cry and send you looking for Xanax). There are critics who go out of their way to find something negative to say or complain about, and those who write thoughtful comments and honest reactions, w/out being shitty about it. Glad Alan knows he falls into the second category. I also have the same problems Alan did. Also feel as though Sutter can do better (which is actually flattering). I'm not as invested in the characters as I was, but now watch the show purely for entertainment sake, and the fact I love the acting (and the actors). And the Shield references. ;)
  November 30, 2011 at 5:36AM EST
- mezzanine If you go and skim the reviews from previous seasons, it appears that Alan and Sutter were on good terms until the incident during last season when Sutter had something of a meltdown following some criticism of the show. So much so that I even wondered whether some of Alan's enthusiasm for the show was due to the rapport he seemed to have with Kurt and Katey.
  
  For example, Alan has always maintained that Katey Segal is a very strong actress, when I truly believe that someone operating on purely objective criteria would have to admit that she's not nearly strong enough for the role she's been given. It seems to me a clear case of nepotism, but it's only after the gloves have been off now for a while that Alan seems to acknowledge it.
  
  Clearly there's a lot we don't know.
  November 30, 2011 at 5:55AM EST
- sepinwall Mezzanine, I haven't knocked Katey Sagal's performances this season. I just think the character has, like Clay, reached a point where the show may not need her any more.
  November 30, 2011 at 10:09AM EST
- Timm S Completely understandable Sutter wouldn't come on this site to give a post-mortem, you know, since Alan doesn't really LIKE the show anymore, as evidenced by the tone in these reviews. I think he's been fairly objective, but not the fan he was in Seasons 1 & 2, and that's who Sutter wants to talk to after a long season. And I don't blame him.
  
  Season 3 was where everything turned. Sutter took big risks that didn't pay off, was called on it (by many, but Alan was his homie), and consequently soured some relationships. And I think Alan was fair with his criticism of S3, but it's not what Sutter wanted (obviously) or felt he needed to hear. So, he ain't coming on here to talk about the show with a writer he feels, rightly or wrongly, is unfair with his work.
  
  For what it's worth, I do think Alan has been overly critical with his approach to this show this season, and it's hard not to think it's due to a poor relationship with the show's creator. This season, in my opinion, falls right in line with everything I've seen in S1&2, a true return to form for what has ALWAYS been a flawed-but-entertaining show, plot puppet strings and all. It's no more absurd than it ever was, even if the volume has been turned up to 11 from 10.5. If anything, Alan has been more objective with SONS this year than he was in S1&2, due to the fallout with Sutter, but it also seems to have affected his ability to enjoy something he really once liked to watch. The issue is approach. The question now for readers here is whether you want to watch this show with other people who also enjoy watching it, or with somebody who watches with a critical eye first to pick apart things you also want to pick apart. Alan's good at what he does, and I'm glad he's still reviewing this show. I just have to remember where (it seems) he's coming from. Makes both pieces of art--the show and Alan's critiques--more enjoyable.
  
  But, yeah, color me not surprised Sutter didn't want to come here to talk about the show. Too bad, though.
  November 30, 2011 at 12:30PM EST
- sepinwall Timm, I really don't want to get into my relationship with Kurt Sutter, or lack thereof. I know it's hard to avoid when Kurt calls me out on his blog and whatnot, but I will say what I always say when these suggestions come up: my opinion of the people making TV shows has no role in my opinion of the quality of the shows they're making. I'm often accused of having an ax to grind against Modern Family, but Steve Levitan is one of the best guys I know in the TV business, whereas several comedies I've been much more positive about over the years are run by people I would most charitably describe as nasty bullies.
  
  Would Kurt be attacking me if I was being more positive about the show this season? I would tend to doubt it. Am I being less positive about the show because Kurt has attacked me? Absolutely not. I'd have been thrilled to have gotten another season on par with season 2. I just haven't found this to be that.
  
  And, no, I'm not surprised he didn't want to do the interview. He also didn't want to do one at the end of last season, though at one point he was going to participate in a roundtable discussion with me and Mo Ryan for the season 3 DVD, but the budget ultimately wasn't there to pay for it. Some producers are still willing to defend their work by talking to critics who haven't been very complimentary of it (Veena Sud did, after all, speak to me at the end of The Killing season 1), and others don't want to. It's entirely within his right to say no; I just brought it up because I've interviewed him enough in the past, and conduct these kinds of end-of-season interviews with most major drama showrunners, that I knew people would ask about it if I didn't explain.
  
  And that, hopefully, is the last time I have to weigh in on this subject.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:24PM EST
- consideract On the general topic of the commentary circulating around creative work, this is why I am glad of my experience with writing workshops. One thing you get is the ability to walk all around your work, and a bit of a healthy immune system, so to speak.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:46PM EST
- rcade "It must be frustrating and exhausting to put in so much work into each episode and then have to go online and read people criticise every detail."
  
  Sutter doesn't have to go online and read what critics are saying about his show. If he can't handle it, that's on him.
  
  His attacks on TV critics reminds me of Kevin Smith's attack on film critics. It's impossible to pull that off without looking like an oversensitive putz who can't take constructive criticism, no matter how great their work is.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:50PM EST
- consideract ...by immune system, I mean, you get to experience the process from all sides. One minute you yourself are critiquing, the next being critiqued.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:51PM EST
- consideract One thing that impressed me greatly was my teacher saying it is a compliment when someone critiques details about your work. They could be ignoring it, or just shooting from the hip, after all. When someone gives you detailed attention, even critical attention, that means you're worth it.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:55PM EST
- sojourner I'm personally really, really glad I don't do a job people care about publicly critiquing sometimes.
  
  I love Alan's reviews, have followed them for many years, and agree with his assessment of SoA this season. At the same time, despite the nasty, wounded calling out of Alan (and Mo) in his piece on TV criticism, there were some good points in the overall piece, points made at more length and depth by Ryan McGee on his Boob Tube blog recently.
  
  To add, I think those who've come here to "defend" Sutter also do him a disservice. I think Sutter himself recognises engaging with criticism doesn't help his own creative process, and that's a fine decision to make. It doesn't necessitate attacking people who criticise the show for doing their jobs.
  
  Alan - I like reading your post-episode reviews in part because you are so fair, friendly and have a great tone. It's like a chat in the pub with someone you like and respect. Only more coherent.
  
  And now I'm dying to know who the nasty bullies are, of course! [joke]
  December 1, 2011 at 3:20AM EST
- ron mexico At the end of the day, isn't it about whether or not the criticism is fair? I've been reading Alan since his in-depth NYPD Blue reviews. He was absolutely brutal on the show at times - and that was because it was warranted. The reviews are written professionally and never seem personal. It appears to be about the work. Sutter's the one who's taking it to a personal level, because his criticisms of Alan and other critics seem more like lashing out with little substantiation. I suppose it is a legitimate perspective to criticize style - that criticism focused on episode-by-episode minutiae loses the forest for the trees - but I know a lot of us love the play-by-play. At the end of the day, SoA is solid entertainment - better than most, but not the best - and for all its flaws, I still look forward to seeing each new episode. There's some phenomenal performances, from Hurst to Sagal (esp. S2) to even to Sutter's own Otto. It's accessible in a way that critical darling Mad Men is not. I know chances were taken with the Belfast storyline that were applauded for the effort, even if it was convoluted and not as riveting. Maybe most important, i can't always predict what's coming next, and usually that unpredictability doesn't feel nonsensical (see: Heroes). SoA is a good show with some great components.
  
  Sometimes folks just don't deal well with criticism, no matter how warranted. As much as I enjoy the show, I'm a little sad that Sutter comes across as petulant in this back and forth.
  December 1, 2011 at 2:59PM EST
GOB

That wasn't good at all. What a let down after last week. They should have ended the season with Opie shooting Clay dead, no cheats, because this episode was a combination of tedious (most scenes with Gemma, Jax, or Tara) and idiotic (everything involving Tig).
November 30, 2011 at 12:14AM EST Reply to Comment
SazzyMCH

HOW IS HE NOT DEAD! I was so mad in the first 8 mins of the show, but luckily, Maggie Siffs performance made up for some of it, but boy oh boy, he'd better die next week...........

And my line of the week? Filthy Phil: "I like cereal" , actually he gets shot of the week too for being seemingly so comfortable as the Nanny!
November 30, 2011 at 12:14AM EST Reply to Comment
- RamiusTrailDog Phil needs to be patched in.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:40AM EST
- Sean Never even thought about it before, but this ep made me love Phil.
  November 30, 2011 at 3:56AM EST
- pamt I love Phil as well. He has shown that he will do anything for the club, but, he adds a sweet and charming balance to the cast.
  
  With all of the talk about critics and writers, it's the people who watch the show that matter. How often does a movie or show get thumbs down by the critics yet surges in popularity. This is not our story, it's Kurt's to tell. I am along for the ride of my life and enjoying every second of it!
  November 30, 2011 at 7:26PM EST
- Petter Phils existence is prob the most unrealistic element in the entire show there is nothing about that characters that feels one bit outlaw biker c'mon just look at him
  December 3, 2011 at 4:44PM EST
Jeff G

Agreed about the Jax / Opie standoff. Just dragging it out unnecessarily. I liked Gemma v. Tara, although the letter stuff is a little annoying. It's very convenient that there's a couple letters that can be taken out that clear Gemma, but Jax can't draw the conclusion from the remainder.

I'm confused about the RICO investigation. I initially thought that the Cartel phone call about Otto was just a lie to keep SAMCRO from backing out of the deal. Not sure where the line would be drawn in terms of the Cartel thinking that the meeting would be compromised however.

Lots of balls up in the air and not sure if another hour is going to be enough to wrap them up satisfactorily for me.
November 30, 2011 at 12:19AM EST Reply to Comment
- Paul The hired 'mexican' guns sent to kill Tara were actually white (revealed when they removed they're ski masks). Yet if they were hired to kill her, then why didn't they do so when they had the chance, and why were they speaking in Spanish. This and the phone call about Otto lead me to believe that the cartel and Linc Potter are trying to brew up something big. Unsure what the endgame of this would be however.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:34AM EST
- cgeye Y'know, if Potter were the source for the Cartel, wouldn't his actions make better sense?
  
  Why not burn a bunch of hicks, or start a gang war? Destabilization means terrorist-level suppression, which would get guns off the street... and back into Cartel hands, if need be.
  
  As for his masters, Potter would please them by helping with the IRA deal, providing the Sons with plausible diversions (wouldn't the gang expect Federal interference from now on, since two known agents have died in Charming?) that, along with the Cartel, provide a pincers movement.
  
  Potter as a made Cartel man also lets him control any police actions in the area -- he knows all the potential raids, and can make the sheriff his puppet. Lastly, if Potter plays his cards right, the Cartel gets a taste of Charming's investment, too. Why not control every part of Charming, not just the obvious organized crime bit?
  
  Otherwise, why wouldn't the Cartel plan for a diversion that would tie up the Feds, but still let the deal go through? Giving the Sons a false sense of security means they'll be sacrificial lambs... and Potter and the Cartel profit.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:51AM EST
- Leo2 Romeo gets a lot of his information from his #2, Luis, so I still think it's a good possibility that Luis is the plant and he's giving Romeo the wrong info. The problem I have with either Luis or Romeo working for the Feds is that both have quickly and seemingly without conflict (moral or otherwise) shed a lot of (innocent) blood.
  
  November 30, 2011 at 3:29AM EST
- I agree with LEO2. The way Danny Trejo sounded was not convincing to me. There is definitely a plant in the Cartel. Perhaps the hired guns that kidnapped Tara were actually Feds who were going to bring her to Potter to use against the club. It was strange that they were white (although the cartel did say they'd go outside).
  
  That or Potter being a criminal mastermind in law enforcement ala Vic Mackey
  November 30, 2011 at 3:51AM EST
- Leo2 Yeah, and it gets more confusing when you factor in Potter saying that Juice told him the time and place of the meeting. If Potter has a plant high up in the cartel (and I thought he said he had a plant somewhere), then why would he need Juice's info?
  
  Plus, I think a nifty twist would be that Potter is foiled because it turns out Juice gave him the wrong information. I thought it was weird when Juice continued to cooperate after that talk he had with Chibs, so he really didn't.
  November 30, 2011 at 4:18AM EST
- Leo2 Meant to end that with so "maybe he really didn't".
  November 30, 2011 at 4:20AM EST
- Jamie I agree, as soon as Romeo tells his #2 to call up the source it seemed pretty dollars to donuts that he was the source. If Potter turns out to be under cartel control with such a huge staff of federal agents and no one seems to have a problem with his methods aside from one sheriff, I don't think I could watch another minute of SOA. First it would be so improbable for that to logistically happen, and second, it would be absolutely disingenuous to the viewer to craft an entire season under a false pretense just for shock value.
  November 30, 2011 at 5:21AM EST
- The *Original* Matt ;) I thought Juice continuing to cooperate was a function of the fact that he's still compromised. Even if he could've prevented the RICO bust by ceasing to cooperate (which isn't necessarily a given), Potter still has him over a barrel. The fact that the race thing isn't the big deal Juice originally thought doesn't mean he can now go to the club and say, "hey, guys, I stole the drugs, killed Miles, and have been ratting to the feds. But I decided not to do that anymore, so everything's cool. Sorry about that." (Of course we've seen almost equally implausible story lines in SoA at times, but that's no reason to add another one. :) )
  November 30, 2011 at 8:00AM EST
- Leo2 The problem I have with Potter having a plant high up in the cartel is that I don't understand why he needed Juice to tell him the location and time of the meet - he should already have that information.
  
  If the plant is located elsewhere (and he did say he had someone at the beginning of the year, didn't he? Not sure I'm remembering that right) than it's Someone Else. And I would assume that person will be identified next week.
  
  I do understand that Juice is still compromised - for Miles death alone - but it felt to me that the conversation he had with Chibs was important and may have given him the incentive to help the club out in some big way. (I can just see Potter and crew showing up and barging in on an empty room or the wrong people and showing Potter's surprise - shades of the club barging in on that church a couple of seasons ago.)
  November 30, 2011 at 12:01PM EST
- The *Original* Matt ;) I, too, got the impression that the conversation with Chibs was supposed to be important in some way other than some kind of catharsis for Juice. But I'm not sure it fits with how I'm expecting next week go go down.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:01PM EST
- BRENDANL LEO2: Potter's 'plant' from the start of the season was with the Russians, and got gunned down by Juice et al. at the end of the premiere. I don't think he ever alluded to having someone inside the cartel.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:12PM EST
- Leo2 Brendan - thanks. I couldn't remember exactly what Potter said, and I thought there may have been some allusion to someone else. Thanks again.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:38PM EST
- RamiusTrailDog anyone else think it would be hilarious if Romeo pulls a Tortuga (Breaking Bad)?
  November 30, 2011 at 4:13PM EST
medrawt

I share a lot of the issues Alan had, while still enjoying the episode a lot, but Opie hit Clay twice in the chest. It was fine shooting; sometimes people survive.
November 30, 2011 at 12:21AM EST Reply to Comment
- Artemis He did, he hit him twice in the chest.
  November 30, 2011 at 12:42AM EST
Felton

During the chase, why were there a bunch of abandoned cars in the middle of a highway? Or was Jax openly shooting in front of dozens of witnesses? That scene made no sense and summed up this episode (and arguably the status of the show overall).
November 30, 2011 at 12:22AM EST Reply to Comment
- Caren At the front of all those stopped cars (yes, some of them were empty) was an accident blocking the road.
  November 30, 2011 at 12:25AM EST
- Felton Exactly. Have you ever seen dozens of abandoned cars behind a two-car accident? Of course not. There were cars everywhere but no people, let alone ambulances, police etc. That scene made no sense and was a pathetically convenient way to end the chase. The show has abandoned any efforts to tell a realistic story.
  November 30, 2011 at 12:34AM EST
- Dale Zombies?
  November 30, 2011 at 10:11AM EST
- Darkdoug It looked like the first car had some roadkill in front of it or something.
  November 30, 2011 at 10:44AM EST
- JB My take (and yes, I also noticed that some of the cars were empty) was that it was supposed to be a huge traffic pileup, and that the show cheaped out by not having actors (extras) in all of the cars. I think they didn't want us to notice that some cars were empty, and tried to shoot the scene to avoid the empty cars, but obviously they didn't do a great job at it if we all noticed it.
  November 30, 2011 at 11:02AM EST
- Jabroniville Felton: "The show has abandoned any efforts to tell a realistic story." Well said. I like the show but it is ridiculously unrealistic. Not just the pileup. The shooting by Jax in the chase scene was just incredibly inaccurate. Clay has to be in the 2% to survive two up close gun shots like that. I'll still watch but it's no longer must see.
  December 1, 2011 at 3:25AM EST
William

Loved the shot of Gemma casting a shadow over Jax in the clubhouse. Didn't love the fact that Clay's pretty much guaranteed to pull through at this point--if he was going to die, he would have died when Opie shot him and this whole finale two-parter would be about the fallout from it.

I wish there was a way for the show to become about Tara and Opie driving around in a van solving mysteries and being quietly furious about things, because those are far and away the best parts of the show.
November 30, 2011 at 12:22AM EST Reply to Comment
- Timm S My reply to your comment is the only mechanism through which I can "LIKE" it. What an awful/awesome show you propose, the thought of which will being a smile to my face all day. Thanks.
  November 30, 2011 at 12:36PM EST
Caren

Three thoughts I can come up with right now are 1) I wish they had done this as one episode because it was clearly written with that in mind and 2) Maggie Siff turned in a fantastic performance. Her "Gemma, tell me you love me" delivery just knocked me out.

My 3rd thought is I'd really like to hijack Alan's screener of the finale.
November 30, 2011 at 12:23AM EST Reply to Comment
Jon

anyone know the name of the song that played during the last couple scenes of the episode?
November 30, 2011 at 12:24AM EST Reply to Comment
- Katie Terrible Tommy by Ryan Horne
  November 30, 2011 at 9:11AM EST
Teklanika

You didn't really think Sutter would interview with you, did you Alan? Of course, you had to ask!

I don't have a problem with how this all went down. Opie got some payback with his 2 shots on the torso and he's weakened Clay to make it easier for Jax to kill him, so in many ways, he is responsible for killing Clay as well.

I've maintained since the beginning that Jax would be the one to kill Clay. Plus, there was no way Sutter would have wasted Clay's death in that ambiguous way if he were actually dead. He would have had Opie put a full clip in his chest with blood & guts everywhere.

The question is, how does Jax stay or end up back with SAMCRO (most likely as president) since it's clear he and Tara still fully expect to leave Charming? That should make for some compelling television.

Gemma's not going anywhere. She'll remain the club matriarch with Jax as Pres. Plus, I can see her hooking up with Tig (much to Wayne's chagrin!).

This has been my favorite season and I expect the payoff to be great as well. Can't wait til next week!
November 30, 2011 at 12:27AM EST Reply to Comment
- RamiusTrailDog Sutter has specifically said that Alan is NOT a 'cunt blogger.'
  November 30, 2011 at 2:44AM EST
nisan

You sound like you didn't like this episode. Was it good for ya??? Yes, it was. I love this show, each week it gets better and better. Going on vacation? Yeah cause the first one went so well. Tara and Gemma, obviously, they run everything. Big Bad Bikers - yeah right. The Ladies rule. OMG, I love the SOA.
November 30, 2011 at 12:27AM EST Reply to Comment
Greg

I'm starting to have significant doubts that the people of Charming would continue to put up with the Sons. How much time and resources have they wasted at the hospital alone. When they brought Clay in with a gunshot wound, wouldn't the people at the hospital roll their eyes and think "oh great, here we go again?" And the Sons caused like a 50 car pile up on the highway (which mysteriously had all drivers and passengers gone during the shootout). You're telling me the average Joe living in Charming is ok with that because the Sons donate some money to a charity or something?
November 30, 2011 at 12:36AM EST Reply to Comment
- GMan I accept this show as a comic book, but what I wouldn't give to have an episode written from the perspective of say, the owners of the Charming pet store or corner pharmacy.
  
  "Well, on the one hand the Sons have shootouts in the streets, but on the other hand they've kept Pets Stuff and Wallgreens out, so I give them a pass."
  
  November 30, 2011 at 1:05AM EST
- jcj11222 To be fair, I don't know that the "people at the hospital" would have any problem with it. Samcro is keeping them employed!
  November 30, 2011 at 3:30AM EST
- Dale Good point JC11222. The next stimulus plan should be to open up a Sons of Anarchy chapter in every city - they can reduce unemployment by breaking stuff and killing people!
  
  It is getting pretty absurd how there are never any consequences. You'd think the sheriff would take notice when the blotter comes across his desk: rouge hearse plows into cars, driver - in SoA cut - assaults citizen and steals motorcycle...etc.
  
  Also, why did the cops automatically respond to the shots fired at SoA HQ, but none of these other incidents? Come to think of it, are there any other cops in Charming? I feel like we only ever see the sheriff.
  November 30, 2011 at 10:33AM EST
Xas

Im not someone to critique every single little thing that i think is out of place because I watch the show for the same reasons everyone else does, to be entertained. But some things in this episode is just silly.

How many times is someone going to get killed within the club and the blame covered up and directed onto another club or cartel? Then revenge taken out on said gang as retaliation without ever having any doubt whatsoever. With all the lies within the club, I thought what Tig did was absolutely retarded. How many times is this card gonna get played.

For all the knowledge and bravery we are supposed to believe Jax possesses, to open fire in the middle of a crowded interstate or highway for everyone to see is just silly.

The way this episode played out, jax came across as a huge hypocrite to me. Its not enough of a reason for opie to kill clay (in jax's eyes) since he murdered his wife and father for christs sake. But oh! suddenly its ok to kill him since he "tried" to kill tara.

Meh, silliness.
November 30, 2011 at 12:38AM EST Reply to Comment
- RAZ1969 Tig acted perfectly in character for a Man of Mayhem. In shock, with regret over his failure to protect the back of his brother after being asked to, he lashed out impulsively, violently and will have to deal with the blowback. He's noT out of character at all. Same with Opie shooting Clay, Juice hanging himself, etc.. They are literally a society of animals trying to survive outside of normal society.
  November 30, 2011 at 11:35AM EST
- Timm S Jax wasn't being hypocritical, just didn't know what Opie knew. That's why he said, "You've got some wrong information, bro" (or "something-something-something bro" to that effect) last week. Gemma is who told Jax this week about Piney and Tara and all Clay had done. Had Jax known that, due to his relationship alone with Piney, I can't see where he'd have a problem with Opie offing Clay.
  November 30, 2011 at 12:42PM EST
- Justin "Something, something, something, bro" could be every other line of dialogue at this point.
  November 30, 2011 at 11:21PM EST
- Sean "But oh! suddenly its ok to kill him since he "tried" to kill tara. "
  
  Xas - You do realize that it's much, much more then that right?
  
  First off Jax only knows about Clay ordering the hit that got Opie's wife killed. He doesn't know the truth about Piney yet....just what Opie said.
  
  By the end of the episode Jax finds out that Clay killed his father (and tried to do it once more before that), killed another club member (Lowell Sr.) to cover it up, beat the shit out of Gemma, tried to kill his wife and in the process ruined her career.
  
  I think that's a little bit more of a reason.
  December 2, 2011 at 11:54AM EST
David

Unser should have pulled a Giles on Clay. Just saying. Then deal with the fallout from that, There is too much going on right now with the cartels, federals, biker clubs, some of it needs to get to a stopping point.
November 30, 2011 at 12:38AM EST Reply to Comment
- JB I honestly thought that was gonna happen, when Unser was alone with Clay before the ambulance got there.
  November 30, 2011 at 11:07AM EST
- Stinky Pete I was also yelling at the TV for Unser to finish Clay right then and there.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:51PM EST
- MoM when unser was sitting there with clay i was hoping he'd take him out just like tony soprano did to christopher.
  November 30, 2011 at 6:13PM EST
Matt

It's weird that I read Alan's reviews and agree with almost everything written and yet it's as if when I watch the show I am blinded to any of the contrivances or inconsistencies in a way that I couldn't with my other favourites like Mad Men and Lost where my own analysis and that of others thoughts would determine my enjoyment of each episode and season.
November 30, 2011 at 12:39AM EST Reply to Comment
- mel i feel the same way! i think when you're watching it the quality of acting, giving so much depth to every line spoken, just overshadows any contrivances there may be. at least i know it does for me!
  November 30, 2011 at 12:16PM EST
- Ireneinidaho I'm the same way with most of the very few shows I follow devotedly. Most of the time when I'm watching, I'm in the moment with the action and the characters. When I think about it later, and especially when reading Alan and the comments, I have to admit that a lot of stuff was contrived. During the highway chase scene, I was trying to identify where it was shot (I'm from So Cali) and although I saw that cars were empty, I didn't think about it until later. I think I zone out when the car chases and shootouts happen, 'cause they're overblown and not of much interest to me.
  November 30, 2011 at 5:00PM EST
- ZEKE Same here. It's like a tough guy soap opera (I take a shot every time Jax apologizes, says 'jesus christ', or tells another dude he loves him and I now have an alcohol problem). Somebody else compared the show to a comic book and that's accurate. I enjoy it more than I'm bugged by it's flaws.
  December 2, 2011 at 8:30AM EST
Mario

I posted this two days late last week, but you repeated the idea that Sons of Anarchy will be set in Charming again next season...

Why not send Jax, Tara, the kids, and Gemma up to Oregon together. Most of the other characters on this show are resolved already. Clay dies. Opie and Juice have to disappear for shooting the President and being a rat, respectively. Bobby goes to jail for a long time. Tig is pretty one-dimensional. Unser is past due to succumb to his cancer. The only remaining character we are invested in is Chibbs.

Lost and Battlestar both changed their settings mid-run. House has rolled through their supporting cast twice now.

Really, is there any story line left to run through in Charming? Change the setting, get a new cast of characters (Jax tries to get away from the MC life, but ultimately gets associated back with Joliette or Rogue River.
November 30, 2011 at 12:41AM EST Reply to Comment
- RamiusTrailDog it won't happen. just wouldn't make sense to abandon the rest of the cast.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:48AM EST
- Mario What rest of the cast? They're all being written off the show already, as I described in my post above. There's no story left with the cast.
  
  Hey, maybe Opie can start dating another girl but not be able to get over his dead first wife! Unser STILL has cancer!
  
  The definition of insanity....
  November 30, 2011 at 10:06AM EST
- Dale What exactly would they do up there? Run a wacky bed and breakfast?
  
  What the heck. I'm game. So long as Happy works the front desk.
  November 30, 2011 at 10:41AM EST
- Dale Oh, and they'd better bring The Hoff up there with them. He's still alive, right? He can rent the B&B to make some pornos on the side.
  
  Nudeheart?
  November 30, 2011 at 10:44AM EST
- Mario As has been discussed by characters this season, the show could focus for a while on Jax' struggle to "leave the life behind".
  
  If I could just clarify... I'm not throwing out ideas of how the show should be, I'm saying it seems to me that this is the story the show is setting up. They ARE resolving all the characters and creating new storylines that lead me to think this season ends with Jax and Tara on the interstate heading North and the next season seems like its going to jump into the future with Jax playing house-husband and Tara as doctor (her hand may prevent her from being a surgeon, but she can still do diagnostic work, teach, consult, etc.) They would take Gemma with them and continue the Tara and Gemma fight for Jax' soul. There are already established chapters up there. Maybe Gemma hooks up with them and has them hanging around the house with her.
  
  November 30, 2011 at 10:51AM EST
Matt

This show seems to be the most intriguing show I've ever seen you write about Alan. I feel like some of your enjoyment of it might be tied with Sutter and his ridiculous attitude at times, because honestly it seems like you write about this show in a way you don't write about anything else you cover. It seems pretty clear you are about to check out, and I'm not going to blame you for that because this show can be infuriating at times. I've been up and down on this season, but the dissection on every single level of plot seems to indicate that you and a lot of the commentors are very much fed up with SoA. I don't see anything too unusual about some of the plot contrivances (Clay dying before the finale never seemed like a possible option) and casual solutions to the club's problems, that I haven't seen in other tv shows past.

I guess I just try to sit back and enjoy it in the moment as much as I can instead of always thinking that if A doesn't happen as a result of B, then none of it was worth a damn to begin with. I do find the show surprises me often, whether or not I totally enjoy all the surprises is another argument, but it's nice to watch a show that I don't feel like goes through the same motions week in and week out. Just wish I could combine some of my love for almost all the SoA characters with the interesting setting and story but sometimes dull Boardwalk Empire characters, and I might have myself the perfect show.
November 30, 2011 at 12:43AM EST Reply to Comment
prop joe

This show feels so sloppy to me. It's almost like they are making it up on the fly. It seems so amateurish next to breaking bads and boardwalks. Even the cartel seems phony. Way to much going on. Why the need for the tiig story line? This show blew its load in season 2 and now it's finished
November 30, 2011 at 12:45AM EST Reply to Comment
- jeanne Yeah, but you're still watching and then running here to post, aren't you? LOL
  November 30, 2011 at 1:33AM EST
- Raphaella Skye Kinda funny that you mentioned Breaking Bad and Cartel in the same post, considering how cartoony (and, don't get me wrong, very entertaining) BrBa's depiction of the cartel was.
  November 30, 2011 at 7:14PM EST
robert

I don't know what to make of this, I love this show too much to admit its flaws. Sepinwall has a point, the show builds up great moments without carrying them through to make more dramatic television, but I find it extremely rewarding. To me, this has been the best season of SOA to date, far better than season 2. I’m of two minds on this: if Clay dies, it will drastically change the dynamic of the show. The show to me has always been the tension between Jax and Clay. Changing the dynamic will keep it fresh and interesting, but it comes with similar risks that we saw in Season 3; the new dynamic could suck.
A few other thoughts:
-For the first time all season, Maggie Siff had the strongest performance of the episode. Every moment on screen with her was chilling. I’ve found her to be a pretty dull character in the past, changing her opinion every season for plot purposes, but for once she has been become one of the most interesting characters on the show. Hopefully, this version sticks.
-Alan already said everything there is to about Potter. Theres a lot we don’t know about him; I’m interested in figuring out what his interest in the land deal is.
-I keep going back to Piney and his contingency plans. Does anyone think he was bluffing or will his plans continue to play out?

November 30, 2011 at 12:47AM EST Reply to Comment
- The *Original* Matt ;) OK, I just want to say that the first Matt in this thread is not me -- Matt the lawyer who annoys older lawyers by being condescending to law students (or something) and usually manages to squeak in near the top of the comment thread. :)
  
  I agree that it was a great episode for Maggie Siff, although I find myself wondering what the hell is going on with Tara. The old lady life is changing that woman, and not for the better. I didn't get the constant "tell me you love me" stuff. And I'm starting to think they just might *really* kill off Clay by the end of the season, which would redeem a lot of this season's sins in my eyes.
  
  Tes, the shootout on the highway really bothered me from a suspension of disbelief angle. Sutter asks too much. I grew up in a small town in the Midwest, and I still occasionally read the hometown paper online. There was recently a murder -- the first in years. The whole town has been in an uproar about it for months. The number of bodies that pile up in Charming in any given week -- to say nothing of all the other heinous crimes the Sons and their cronies and competitors commit on a regular basis -- would have lynch mobs out in the streets in most real American small towns.
  
  In defense of Opie, his shooting wasn't that bad, considering that (as I remember it) he was looking at Jax when he started pulling the trigger. He certainly hadn't established a good sight picture by the time he started. And bullet wounds - particularly from handguns -- aren't as lethal as movies and TV would like you to believe. I actually buy Clay surviving.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:11AM EST
- The *Original* Matt ;) Woops, meant to put that in the comment box at the top of the thread, not as a comment on what Robert had to say. Sorry.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:13AM EST
candee

Gemma is coming off more Lady McBeth instead of Queen Gertrude.
I really think Clay will have info to stop Jax from Killing him. As soon as Gemma removed the letters I thought "hey Clay still knows the truth of her involvement." Tonight was a waste of Tig unless it was meant to start a war with the niners for next season. I can not see how all of this can be tied up next week..Juice, Bobby, and the Irish THEN the whole Potter thing. I think that the cartel is lying about their info bc they want to take out SAMCRO at the meeting. Alan we need your screener!!!! ;)
November 30, 2011 at 12:55AM EST Reply to Comment
- ZEKE It occurred to me a few times too that at some point Romeo was gonna start to think these SAMCRO drama queens just aren't worth the effort and risk.
  December 2, 2011 at 8:37AM EST
Stupac

Anyone else think that the Danny Trejo character might be a deep cover agent involved with Potter? He looked like he was calling from the back of a Black Lincoln most commonly associated with law enforcement. Maybe he tells them to go ahead so they get caught.
November 30, 2011 at 1:13AM EST Reply to Comment
- Rum Good Call. I was thinking hit, but this seems to be more likely.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:20AM EST
- Paul I have been thinking that since the botched Tara hit. I posted something on it above.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:38AM EST
- Caren Isn't Trejo's character essentially the head of the cartel? The top dog is never the undercover guy because typically they are the *target* of the investigation.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:59AM EST
- RamiusTrailDog Trejo's character is a high ranking soldier. The top dog wouldn't come to the states for an arms deal.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:55AM EST
- Terry My theory is that Romeo is a protected informant. Potter could be using him to get to the IRA and using SAMCRO as a cover for how they got the info. If the cartel and IRA were the only two involved then the IRA would know something was wrong on the cartels end, SAMCRO is essientially a scapegoat.
  
  As far as Tara's attempted kidnapping/hit, they were third party hires so they never had to be mexican in the first place BUT it was a little odd. Maybe the kidnappers were actually government agents who would have just put her in protective custody which explains why they didn't just shoot them both there. It would also explain why Romeo is so set on finishing things himself instead of letting Clay handle it.
  
  -Terry
  November 30, 2011 at 1:37PM EST
- Kujo Yes, this is definitely a possibility. I fully expected to see Potter in the car with Romeo.
  December 1, 2011 at 7:23AM EST
Charlie

If what the show has becomes proves one thing, it's that all of that great acting can't cover up the holes and the flaws in the writing-and there are plenty. I can suspend my belief to a point but this season is severely testing my patience in that regard.

Also, is Kurt suddenly taking classes at the Ryan Murphy school of writing? It seems he (and the show) only seem to focus and to care more about moments than about structure and it's quite plain to see.

As for Jax, he will make a lousy President. He's still a boy who can't even see though his own mother and her lies, can't see that his fiancee is turning into someone like (or even worse than) his mother (despite Tara's own claims that she's not going to become a monster...right) and never follows on anything he plans to do. When things get real tough, he gets going.

Whatever happens in the next episode, it may not even matter for me. At this point, I'm about done with this show.
November 30, 2011 at 1:18AM EST Reply to Comment
- RichardD I have to agree with you. Next week and then most likely dropping the show...
  November 30, 2011 at 2:46AM EST
- RamiusTrailDog if Jax NEVER follows through, what the hell was season 2 all about?
  November 30, 2011 at 2:57AM EST
- mezzanine The problem isn't just the writing, it's that the one poor actor they have on the show is the creator's wife and is essentially the star.
  
  I remain in disbelief that people still believe Katey Segal is a great actress. Unbelievable.
  November 30, 2011 at 6:08AM EST
Rum

What's surprising to me is that everyone seems to be missing that Romeo is setting up a hit on Jax to keep SAMCRO in the drug business.

Sons is my favorite show on television right now, if Clay lives I may not watch next season. There is absolutely no reason to keep him alive considering Sutter saying many time this is Jax's story.
November 30, 2011 at 1:18AM EST Reply to Comment
Walk with me for a sec here folks. First off, please stop picking apart every little detail about this GREAT show, you sound like pretentious dorks.

I hate to say it, but Tara is gonna die, and don't be surprised if its by the hands of Gemma. Notice how they re-introduced Wendy back into the plot. There's a reason behind that. Tara's tell me u love me line was a lot like when Gemma kissed Clay, right before he was shot. If Tara dies it also allows Jax a reason to stay in Charming ( Wendy fights for custody, Gemma raises the kids, while Jax is in deeper than ever). Jax will kill Clay that's already a given. The only thing I haven't figured out is how does Potter and Romeo play into all this. My guess is that their in cahoots somehow. Kurt Sutter is a G
November 30, 2011 at 1:20AM EST Reply to Comment
- RinTinTim The show is pulp entertainment, I'm incredibly drawn into it while I'm watching, but if I think about certain plot machinations later the whole thing falls apart under the weight of common sense. This is why I prefer Boardwalk Empire, that;s a show that keeps me thinking about it all week long while keeping me entranced on Sunday nights. I just think a line needs to be drawn between "good" and "entertaining," the great shows being both.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:37AM EST
- jeanne Thanks for saying what many of us are thinking...a great show is being picked apart each week by a bustle of pretentious dorks. I say, if you hate it so much, why are you still watching? I get a feeling there's way too many undergrad lit/film majors commenting on here.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:43AM EST
- nic919 I haven't read anywhere in Alan's reviews, even during last season, where he says that he hates this show and will stop watching it. He took issue with the Belfast storyline, which if you compare to other seasons, was not as good, and has generally been supportive of this season. People are allowed to have opinions about shows and most of the commenters here usually have something interesting to add which sometimes is positive and sometimes is not. Even Shakespeare has had his work criticized so I think Sutter should be able to handle the occasional negative comment. Besides, it usually is being done because they care about the show and want it to be the best it can be.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:16AM EST
- Micah And if the criticism bothers you so much JEANNE, why do you keep coming back every week?
  
  I may be a Pretentious Dork, but you're a Swooning Sycophant
  November 30, 2011 at 2:24AM EST
- Cool Lester Smooth I haven't seen Alan or anyone else for that matter say they hate the show. It's really annoying that anytime someone points out something they don't like, they "hate it." And then people have to turn it into a black and white argument where you either have to hate it or love it. If you point out something you don't like you're a hater. With pretty much everything in life, people's opinions fall somewhere in the middle of the two extremes.
  
  I, for example, really like the show, but have been annoyed by certain things this season. That doesn't mean I hate it; I like the majority of what the show does, but I get frustrated at parts of it. Kurt Sutter is an extremely talented writer, but he's not infallible. Pointing out things you don't like isn't an admission you hate the show.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:47AM EST
- p. People still say dork? And yeah, it seems like a lot of people are assuming that anything but absolute love of the show is hatred of it. Including Sutter himself.
  November 30, 2011 at 3:01AM EST
- Jamie Jeanne and co. are the same people who go see Drive because the trailer has a couple of car scene and leave the theater irate because it wasn't "The Fast and then Furious."
  November 30, 2011 at 5:30AM EST
- sepinwall Guys, rule #1 around here: TALK ABOUT THE SHOW, NOT EACH OTHER. Telling other people to stop watching or posting because they don't agree with your take on the show is silly, unproductive and leads to stupid name calling and other hostility. STOP.
  November 30, 2011 at 7:11AM EST
- Justin Rum--Interesting that you call folks out for picking apart the details and then proceed to PICK APART THE DETAILS. Speaking for myself, I stick around hoping to get the show that I saw in late season 1 and season 2 (which seems to be what Alan and other are arguing) and largely pick apart the details that are lacking in comparison to what was once great. It speaks to the strength of what came before that I continue to hold out that hope that I'll enjoy the show again, which makes the situation that much more aggravating.
  November 30, 2011 at 11:28PM EST
- ZEKE I've been getting the feeling Tara was marked for death for a while now. And just when I was starting to like her crazy side...
  December 2, 2011 at 8:42AM EST
Jared K

I was hoping that Opie's vengeance would reap its reward, but admittedly expecting that Clay would survive Opie's conveniently placed chest shots so that angst could be transferred onto Jax's shoulders. So it goes. I'll reserve full judgment until the second part of the finale next week. Regardless of what happens, Charlie Hunnam, Maggie Siff, and Katey Sagal all killed it in this episode. While the writing on this show may occasionally frustrate me, the performances almost never do.

One comment on a plot point that will probably be left unresolved next week, given everything else that's going down: the Sons have completely destroyed their relationship with the One-Niners this season. First, they struck up an alliance with the Mayans, formerly a common enemy for both parties. Second, they force the One-Niners to forfeit a lucrative deal with Lobo Sonora. In the hectic aftermath, they storm the Niners headquarters and kill one of their members in a paranoid standoff. Now, Tig kills Leroy's girlfriend in a hot-headed drive-by because Jax told a lie without considering the idea that some members of the club might want retribution (admittedly, he's got a metric ton of other crap on his plate and probably didn't anticipate Tig immediately going rogue). And while I understand the logic of the club is most likely to support its members first, pulling a gun and killing Leroy's driver during the getaway probably cemented Leroy's belief that SAMCRO has actively turned on his organization. Diplomacy is not likely to be an option for a long, long while.

I could be wrong, and Sutter may resolve this in the finale, but if he doesn't, I would be very surprised if the One-Niners aren't one of the Sons' main adversaries in Season 5. All bridges there have been burned and blown to hell.
November 30, 2011 at 1:47AM EST Reply to Comment
- cgeye Jax warned about this -- that tearing up those alliances in favor of easy money would do the club more harm that good... and now it has.
  
  No matter what revenge Jax takes, and no matter whether he goes or stays, the Mayans and One-Niners will find his ass and kill his family, because he and Clay got greedy and sloppy. If they actually gave a frak about the club, either one would have formed an exit strategy that actually worked.
  
  Also, with all the crap they give their recruits, who will be left in SAMCRO, to even ride? There's a severe leadership deficit after this season, and who would dare fill this vacuum, considering the airborne crazy in the clubhouse?
  November 30, 2011 at 3:07AM EST
marina

I
November 30, 2011 at 1:55AM EST Reply to Comment
Josh

Ok, so with this whole Potter thing. Has anyone thought that he might be John Teller? Maybe he didn't really die in that crash. Eariler in the season the way we lightly approached Gemma in the flower shop. Maybe it was to see if she would recognize him. What better way to finish what he tried to start years ago! Take down the IRA and get rid of Clay. Just a thought, crazier things have happened on TV.
November 30, 2011 at 2:32AM EST Reply to Comment
- jcj11222 Other people have had that thought; it's been posted in comments here a few times in recent weeks. I hope not, because that might push the contrivance meter far enough into the red that I'd have to bail.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:58AM EST
- nic919 I did think that the photo Gemma was looking at in the storage room kinda looked like him. I would have to go back and check though. If Potter was JT, it might help explain some of his magical knowledge. After all, there needs to be a ghost of Hamlet's father and we haven't had one yet.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:59AM EST
- cgeye THAT IS EVIL. EVIL.
  And, worthy of Sutter at his most melodramatic -- however, the Feds conduct background checks at the kindergarten-teacher-and-friend level, so there's no way there could simultaneously be a security clearance for him that would also encompass a perfect witness protection identity. His fingerprints, alone, would have to be deleted/reclassified in every state and federal database they first landed in....
  November 30, 2011 at 3:11AM EST
- cgeye But, y'know, "Jax, I am your father!", as Jax points an auto at Potter's head, would be twenty kinds of geek awesome....
  November 30, 2011 at 3:12AM EST
- cgeye Oh, and if there's a tell for Potter, it's the not-giving-a-damn about Clay Morrow's condition -- wouldn't the most motivated stoolie be one who needs witsec ASAP, because his enemies would be too numerous to fight back? Come to think of it, why aren't *Potter's* flunkies jumping down his throat about not putting Clay in protective custody in the hospital, as a potential witness? Don't they make brownie points when they turn major crime figures?
  November 30, 2011 at 3:21AM EST
- The *Original* Matt ;) This is clever, and seems plausible in a sense. I don't think anyone who has met Potter would recognize John Teller. I can't find any good evidence that Big Otto was a SAMCRO member prior to JT's apparent death. Lenny hasn't seen Potter. Neither has Bobby, even if he's been in the club that long. Juice is way too young. But if the show goes *there* it has officially jumped the shark. It would be too clever by half.
  November 30, 2011 at 3:35AM EST
- geoff Potter met Gemma and had a conversation with her, though he gave her a false name. If she didn't recognize him, I don't think it would be him. Plus, Teller hung on to life two days after his bike accident. Too contrived for Potter to be Teller.
  November 30, 2011 at 6:53AM EST
- The *Original* Matt ;) Ah, I missed the Potter-Gemma conversation. In that case, yeah, having Potter turn out to be JT would be *really* ham-handed writing. Whatever his flaws, Sutter is much better than that.
  November 30, 2011 at 8:05AM EST
- JB I missed the Potter/Gemma scene as well. I think this theory is pretty far fetched; a more plausible one would have Potter being a past member of SAMCRO that no one recognizes or remembers (vs. JT). Or perhaps a past member of a rival club.
  November 30, 2011 at 11:19AM EST
- Kevin The clubhouse has pictures of every former member up on a wall which they walk by every day. Surely, Otto or Juice or Bobby would recognize Potter as JT.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:38PM EST
- Michael K Re: Ghost of Hamlet's Father... arguably John's letters to Maureen, as well as whatever Jax had been reading in earlier seasons that was written by his father, count as that.
  November 30, 2011 at 1:42PM EST
- Giles John Teller was born May 5, 1940, which would make him 71 now. Linc Potter isn't 71.
  November 30, 2011 at 2:15PM EST
- Ireneinidaho Perhaps Potter is another bastard child of JT"s? A younger half-brother? I do think he's either related to JT or related to someone SoA has screwed over in the past.
  November 30, 2011 at 5:23PM EST
jeremiah_dollins

I, like Alan, have a love/hate relationship with this show. It definitely stretches the limits of credibility during sequences like the chase scene on the conveniently crowded highway, or Opie not putting Clay down from point blank range. Yet, there are moments of grand drama, like when Jax and Gemma discuss the letters in the meeting room, or when Gemma and Tara make their intentions for Jax clear outside the clubhouse.

Some things, though, really annoy me. I couldn't stand the music in tonight's episode; it was remarkably distracting, especially during the chase scene. And I thought Sutter's direction during Tig's rundown of the Niners' was straight out of the Martin Scorsese playbook, right down to the use of "Crimson and Clover." It was downright comical. Many of these sequences felt clumsy and distracting, thrown in to tease us on gang war subplots for season 5.

As for Sutter's decline...I appreciate that he feels passionately about his work (I wouldn't have it any other way), but can't stand the fact that he doesn't respond well to constructive criticism. His points about the nature of TV blogging are well taken: critics like Alan often don't have a lot of time to generate simmered, polished articles, and are definitely influenced by the need to write in such a way as to attract numerous hits to sustain the site's advertising base. At the same time, it would seem more reasonable to be more forgiving then, or dismissive, of critics' thoughts. Or, he could simply read the critics' reviews and glean whatever helpful critiques he can. Otherwise, if all he plans on doing is get angry about what the critics are saying, he should put down the sour grapes and stop reading.
November 30, 2011 at 2:43AM EST Reply to Comment
Antid Oto

BOOOOOOOOOO that Clay lived. I'm tired of being jerked around by this show. I'm out.
November 30, 2011 at 2:44AM EST Reply to Comment
asarael

The cartel being the most understanding, patient organized crime group in the history of TV is either bad writing, or they're simply setting up the Sons (by lying to them about the task force on their tails) in order to rid themselves of Samcro. I mean, really. Would a cartel put up with the amount of shit the Sons have brought them? I doubt it. Samcro has been completely incompetent and nothing but a headache for the cartel -- if it turns out that the cartel is 100% on Samcro's side then some of the writing was really suspect.
November 30, 2011 at 3:26AM EST Reply to Comment
- Dennis I had to unfollow Sutter on twitter because the guy can be hard to take. I still like this show but you can't say that Alan doesn't have some good points where he picks at certain elements of SOA.
  
  It's Sutter's right to refuse a post-mortem but it looks pretty thin-skinned from this end
  December 6, 2011 at 6:49PM EST

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Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Cade "I asked about interviewing Sutter for a season 4 post-mortem, but he declined."What a whiny bitch. Guy is obviously very talented, but he reacts to every perceived slight against him like a 5 year old girl (although I do think Alan has been a bit too negative with his reviews this season).

Prop joe I think Alan has been to nice. This show is a mess. It's all over the place. Sutter is no Shawn Ryan

RinTinTim Kurt Sutter is an outspoken guy who doesn't want anyone else to express their opinion, that sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

thetheory Boy, I wonder why Kurt Sutter would decline an interview with a TV critic who spent the entire season (not to mention the majority of season three) detailing how he would've written each episode differently. Mystifying.

Micah Yes, God forbid anyone should criticize the mighty Kurt Sutter. He is no ordinary Showrunner and should never be criticized no matter how ridiculous his story gets.

SHough610 Considering Alan might bloody well be the best critic of TV I think he'd do fine writing it. I love SOA, but it's not a perfect show and though I haven't always agreed with Alan I always thought he was fair.

sepinwall Mezzanine, I haven't knocked Katey Sagal's performances this season. I just think the character has, like Clay, reached a point where the show may not need her any more.

consideract On the general topic of the commentary circulating around creative work, this is why I am glad of my experience with writing workshops. One thing you get is the ability to walk all around your work, and a bit of a healthy immune system, so to speak.

consideract ...by immune system, I mean, you get to experience the process from all sides. One minute you yourself are critiquing, the next being critiqued.

GOB That wasn't good at all. What a let down after last week. They should have ended the season with Opie shooting Clay dead, no cheats, because this episode was a combination of tedious (most scenes with Gemma, Jax, or Tara) and idiotic (everything involving Tig).

RamiusTrailDog Phil needs to be patched in.

Sean Never even thought about it before, but this ep made me love Phil.

Petter Phils existence is prob the most unrealistic element in the entire show there is nothing about that characters that feels one bit outlaw biker c'mon just look at him

Leo2 Meant to end that with so "maybe he really didn't".

The *Original* Matt ;) I, too, got the impression that the conversation with Chibs was supposed to be important in some way other than some kind of catharsis for Juice. But I'm not sure it fits with how I'm expecting next week go go down.

BRENDANL LEO2: Potter's 'plant' from the start of the season was with the Russians, and got gunned down by Juice et al. at the end of the premiere. I don't think he ever alluded to having someone inside the cartel.

Leo2 Brendan - thanks. I couldn't remember exactly what Potter said, and I thought there may have been some allusion to someone else. Thanks again.

RamiusTrailDog anyone else think it would be hilarious if Romeo pulls a Tortuga (Breaking Bad)?

medrawt I share a lot of the issues Alan had, while still enjoying the episode a lot, but Opie hit Clay twice in the chest. It was fine shooting; sometimes people survive.

Artemis He did, he hit him twice in the chest.

Felton During the chase, why were there a bunch of abandoned cars in the middle of a highway? Or was Jax openly shooting in front of dozens of witnesses? That scene made no sense and summed up this episode (and arguably the status of the show overall).

Caren At the front of all those stopped cars (yes, some of them were empty) was an accident blocking the road.

Dale Zombies?

Darkdoug It looked like the first car had some roadkill in front of it or something.

Timm S My reply to your comment is the only mechanism through which I can "LIKE" it. What an awful/awesome show you propose, the thought of which will being a smile to my face all day. Thanks.

Jon anyone know the name of the song that played during the last couple scenes of the episode?

Katie Terrible Tommy by Ryan Horne

RamiusTrailDog Sutter has specifically said that Alan is NOT a 'cunt blogger.'

jcj11222 To be fair, I don't know that the "people at the hospital" would have any problem with it. Samcro is keeping them employed!

Justin "Something, something, something, bro" could be every other line of dialogue at this point.

David Unser should have pulled a Giles on Clay. Just saying. Then deal with the fallout from that, There is too much going on right now with the cartels, federals, biker clubs, some of it needs to get to a stopping point.

JB I honestly thought that was gonna happen, when Unser was alone with Clay before the ambulance got there.

Stinky Pete I was also yelling at the TV for Unser to finish Clay right then and there.

MoM when unser was sitting there with clay i was hoping he'd take him out just like tony soprano did to christopher.

mel i feel the same way! i think when you're watching it the quality of acting, giving so much depth to every line spoken, just overshadows any contrivances there may be. at least i know it does for me!

ZEKE Same here. It's like a tough guy soap opera (I take a shot every time Jax apologizes, says 'jesus christ', or tells another dude he loves him and I now have an alcohol problem). Somebody else compared the show to a comic book and that's accurate. I enjoy it more than I'm bugged by it's flaws.

RamiusTrailDog it won't happen. just wouldn't make sense to abandon the rest of the cast.

Mario What rest of the cast? They're all being written off the show already, as I described in my post above. There's no story left with the cast.Hey, maybe Opie can start dating another girl but not be able to get over his dead first wife! Unser STILL has cancer!The definition of insanity....

Dale What exactly would they do up there? Run a wacky bed and breakfast? What the heck. I'm game. So long as Happy works the front desk.

Dale Oh, and they'd better bring The Hoff up there with them. He's still alive, right? He can rent the B&B to make some pornos on the side. Nudeheart?

jeanne Yeah, but you're still watching and then running here to post, aren't you? LOL

Raphaella Skye Kinda funny that you mentioned Breaking Bad and Cartel in the same post, considering how cartoony (and, don't get me wrong, very entertaining) BrBa's depiction of the cartel was.

The *Original* Matt ;) Woops, meant to put that in the comment box at the top of the thread, not as a comment on what Robert had to say. Sorry.

ZEKE It occurred to me a few times too that at some point Romeo was gonna start to think these SAMCRO drama queens just aren't worth the effort and risk.

Stupac Anyone else think that the Danny Trejo character might be a deep cover agent involved with Potter? He looked like he was calling from the back of a Black Lincoln most commonly associated with law enforcement. Maybe he tells them to go ahead so they get caught.

Rum Good Call. I was thinking hit, but this seems to be more likely.

Paul I have been thinking that since the botched Tara hit. I posted something on it above.

Caren Isn't Trejo's character essentially the head of the cartel? The top dog is never the undercover guy because typically they are the *target* of the investigation.

RamiusTrailDog Trejo's character is a high ranking soldier. The top dog wouldn't come to the states for an arms deal.

Kujo Yes, this is definitely a possibility. I fully expected to see Potter in the car with Romeo.

RichardD I have to agree with you. Next week and then most likely dropping the show...

RamiusTrailDog if Jax NEVER follows through, what the hell was season 2 all about?

mezzanine The problem isn't just the writing, it's that the one poor actor they have on the show is the creator's wife and is essentially the star. I remain in disbelief that people still believe Katey Segal is a great actress. Unbelievable.

jeanne Thanks for saying what many of us are thinking...a great show is being picked apart each week by a bustle of pretentious dorks. I say, if you hate it so much, why are you still watching? I get a feeling there's way too many undergrad lit/film majors commenting on here.

Micah And if the criticism bothers you so much JEANNE, why do you keep coming back every week?I may be a Pretentious Dork, but you're a Swooning Sycophant

p. People still say dork? And yeah, it seems like a lot of people are assuming that anything but absolute love of the show is hatred of it. Including Sutter himself.

Jamie Jeanne and co. are the same people who go see Drive because the trailer has a couple of car scene and leave the theater irate because it wasn't "The Fast and then Furious."

sepinwall Guys, rule #1 around here: TALK ABOUT THE SHOW, NOT EACH OTHER. Telling other people to stop watching or posting because they don't agree with your take on the show is silly, unproductive and leads to stupid name calling and other hostility. STOP.

ZEKE I've been getting the feeling Tara was marked for death for a while now. And just when I was starting to like her crazy side...

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Cade

"I asked about interviewing Sutter for a season 4 post-mortem, but he declined."

What a whiny bitch. Guy is obviously very talented, but he reacts to every perceived slight against him like a 5 year old girl (although I do think Alan has been a bit too negative with his reviews this season).

GOB

That wasn't good at all. What a let down after last week. They should have ended the season with Opie shooting Clay dead, no cheats, because this episode was a combination of tedious (most scenes with Gemma, Jax, or Tara) and idiotic (everything involving Tig).

The Original Matt ;) I, too, got the impression that the conversation with Chibs was supposed to be important in some way other than some kind of catharsis for Juice. But I'm not sure it fits with how I'm expecting next week go go down.

medrawt

I share a lot of the issues Alan had, while still enjoying the episode a lot, but Opie hit Clay twice in the chest. It was fine shooting; sometimes people survive.

Felton

During the chase, why were there a bunch of abandoned cars in the middle of a highway? Or was Jax openly shooting in front of dozens of witnesses? That scene made no sense and summed up this episode (and arguably the status of the show overall).

Jon

anyone know the name of the song that played during the last couple scenes of the episode?

David

Unser should have pulled a Giles on Clay. Just saying. Then deal with the fallout from that, There is too much going on right now with the cartels, federals, biker clubs, some of it needs to get to a stopping point.

Mario What rest of the cast? They're all being written off the show already, as I described in my post above. There's no story left with the cast.

Hey, maybe Opie can start dating another girl but not be able to get over his dead first wife! Unser STILL has cancer!

The definition of insanity....

Dale What exactly would they do up there? Run a wacky bed and breakfast?

What the heck. I'm game. So long as Happy works the front desk.

Dale Oh, and they'd better bring The Hoff up there with them. He's still alive, right? He can rent the B&B to make some pornos on the side.

Nudeheart?

The Original Matt ;) Woops, meant to put that in the comment box at the top of the thread, not as a comment on what Robert had to say. Sorry.

Stupac

Anyone else think that the Danny Trejo character might be a deep cover agent involved with Potter? He looked like he was calling from the back of a Black Lincoln most commonly associated with law enforcement. Maybe he tells them to go ahead so they get caught.

Caren Isn't Trejo's character essentially the head of the cartel? The top dog is never the undercover guy because typically they are the target of the investigation.

mezzanine The problem isn't just the writing, it's that the one poor actor they have on the show is the creator's wife and is essentially the star.

I remain in disbelief that people still believe Katey Segal is a great actress. Unbelievable.

Micah And if the criticism bothers you so much JEANNE, why do you keep coming back every week?

I may be a Pretentious Dork, but you're a Swooning Sycophant