
This is what I’m going to say about last night’s episode: Some very interesting developments have opened up, and in last night’s episode, I can see where the actions are logical, it’s just that the motivations behind them are illogical. So much has happened since the opening episode of the season that, even though what they’re doing now makes sense, I think the characters have gotten away from what it was that brought them to where they are in the first place.
Before we get started, however, an announcement: We’re now officially giving away the sweet UPROXX/Sons of Anarchy T-shirts. If you have unlocked the Ally badge, you can get a T-shirt. To claim it, go to the profile of our generous UPROXX Overlord, Jarret Myer, and send him a message with your mailing address and shirt size (L or XL). One hundred shirts will be given away, and it’s first come, first serve. So, if you want it, get it now. If I ever see one of you out wearing one, I’ll buy you a beer.
1. Do You Want to Earn Your Way Back In, A Pardon? — So, last week’s cliffhanger — will Jax take out Juice? — fizzled quickly after Eli showed up to save Juice’s ass and warn him away. But Juice — having nowhere to go — didn’t leave and instead confronted Jax. Instead of killing Juice, Jax offered him a deal similar to the one he offered Gemma (minus the f**king): Retrieve the legal documents that Clay had the Nomads steal from himself as evidence that Clay was behind the home invasions, and Jax will spare Juice. LEGAL DOCUMENTS? Jesus: Again, I hate to harp on this, but how much proof does Jax need? Damon Pope doesn’t build an airtight case before he f**king shoots someone; he just takes them out. Jax, meanwhile, just flares his damn nostrils.

Also, Juice: Dude. The crying? You’re in a motorcycle gang. Grow a pair. Act like you know, son.

2. Tara Suffering from Suburban Malaise — There was a lot going on with Tara last night, but two things before we get to her major storyline: Who would wake up her baby just so she can hold him — is she really that bored with her life that she needs to torture the damn baby? — and what does it have to do with anything else? And do they really have to bring that job offer back into play? To what end?
I also think the woman that offered the job to Tara is alternate-universe Mayim Bialik.

3. How F**king Dumb Is Tara? — So, Otto had some sort of spiritual conversion after jerking himself off into sobs last week, so he decides to drop the RICO testimony. Just one thing: He needs Luanne’s crucifix. Just to feel it next to him. Of course, the only person on the entire face of the planet who didn’t think he was going to use the crucifix to hurt someone was Tara, who not only got him the crucifix but was dumb enough to leave him alone with it. I initially expected him to kill himself with it, but he instead took out a nurse. NICE JOB, TARA.


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Jax is the Michael Corleone of biker outlaws. Love to watch him pull levers in the name of family and brotherhood.
I was half expecting Tara to rub her hands in the nurse’s neck blood and start masturbating.
Seriously, Tara’s story line is just pointless. How come know one realized after the insurance form were updated that she is married to a felon who happens to be a known associate of one of the inmates she is treating?
And the stupid piano thing: was that to shows us how she is becoming Gemma by smother her child just so she feels needed? Because that was a really awkward confession by Gemma and I’d like to forget it.
WOw never say it like that
I love this article every week, but I just had to comment…
All of this shit going on to PROVE Clay is killable is absolutely RIDICULOUS! Let’s go with what we know, WHAT CAN BE BROUGHT TO THE CLUB FOR A VOTE RIGHT THIS SECOND, most of which Tig can be a witness to:
1.) Clay killed Opie’s wife… Hell, Tig pulled the trigger on this one. Jax gives Tig a pardon, Clay burns for the death.
2.) Clay killed Piney. Gemma and Unser both know it was not in self defense.
3.) Clay tried to kill Tara. The Galindo bunch already admitted this to Jax, said they were going to “de-brief” her
4.) CLAY KILLED JOHN TELLER. Jax read the letters, and could easily just show them to the club, that is TWO SAMCRO brothers dead. One is plenty to justify killing him, two, that is like icing on the cake.. kill the fucker already.
5.) Clay killed the two nomads in Unser’s Airstream. Again, One is plenty, two is icing, three is a trifecta, four is just plain ridiculous. Unser could testify to this one as well.
Why the hell is none of this getting brought up at all?
If I had to guess, I would say Jax and Clay unite to beat back the Cartel and save SAMCRO (much like that bitch Agent Stahl and Jimmy O in the S03 finale) but then Roosevelt will, in a season ending scene, kill Clay in cold blood, completing the conversion of his character from squeaky-clean-sheriff, to line-stepping-outlaw-law-enforcement. Should be extremely interesting.
That….would be pretty satisfying, actually.
Don’t think Eli touches Clay this season. Looks like the new mayor will get elected and Charming PD will be back, meaning Eli is Shitoutofluck. Maybe Eli is on the outs, and when Clay kicks Jax out Eli helps him get back to Charming and get back at Clay.
i think the proof is for the IRA, since killing Clay would close the door to them without the IRA saying they will deal with Jax. the IRA is still pissed about the way Jax handled himself when Abel was kidnapped
I hated how last season was 3/4 of “OH NOEZ JUICE IS HALF BLACK” and then when Jax and them learn they’re just like “Eh maybe we should change it. On to the next thing.” Like, an entire storyarc just ended in a fart noise.
+1
It really was such a weak plot point. They would have been better off saying he was a cop or a Mayan. Especially when we know there are in fact Mexican SOA.
What a fuckin cop out.
the bigger story line was to show how unhinged and paranoid Juice is…
This
I’m glad they finally addressed how stupid it is to hold it against Juice that he’s half black.
but it also is quite common in larger motorcycle gangs, that are larger that midlife crisis Dads, who just want to be cool in their daughters friends eyes again. leave their wives, who stayed with them through all the weird 80′s swinger parties, only to be left broke in a roadside hotel, when the roadie for Avenged Sevenfold swears he can get her back to meet M Shadow but not father time over there. how you feel now Dad, as alone as we felt?…..or it could have just been a plot that Kurt Sutter gave up on and had to wait for a good write out
I agree totaly with the proof of clay´s doing is totally bullshit.
and besides what are they going to do? kill him? they can´t thats why jax didn´t let opie kill him, they need him. Or is the otto thing to not have to deppend on that?
my guess is they need proof to take to the IRA, so the IRA will allow the killing of Clay. the IRA will not deal with JAX because they feel he is too young and brash after the way he tore through Ireland looking for Abel. but with proof that killing Clay was the best option, they can keep the IRA business. if they kill the Rico case they save the club, as at the least under current situation ,any members at the busted deal will be going to prison,a rat, plus the other businesses would be put into jeopardy
Jax has been all about legitimizing the club since season 1, episode 1, when he suggested NOT rebuilding the gun warehouse and trying to go some other direction. I believe Jax is at a point where he just doesn’t care about the coke and the guns any more. He would be more than happy to kill Clay, lose the guns, in turn lose the coke, and try to go into the “Companionator” business, and maintenance contracts and what not. I like it, any ending that results in Hellboy dying is perfectly fine by me,.
The second Otto says “Crucifix”, you absolutely know he’s going to use it as a weapon. Couldn’t believe they would write Tara to be so stupid with so much on the line (the new job offer). Even if she gets out of it, it makes her look real dumb. And then for Gemma not to be like, “Be careful. Don’t leave him with a crucifix.” Killin’ me. But i will never not watch this show.
i also think Kurt Sutter reads this blog, sees what everyone picks up on the writes a twist in a Fooled you type twist to everyone
to take a step back for a minute…get old lady is kind of a mixed blessing. i worked my way into the bed but now…old balls…gross
not to be too logical but geez how did otto even hit the throat he has like a quarter of an eye. i think at most accessory to accidental homocide
sorry i meant homicide, homocide is the new gay bar SAMCRO is going to open to attract business for the brothel.
HAHA! Nice.
Jax is becoming Clay and Clay is becoming Jax
soon Gemma while take a residency, from all the knowledge she learned treating road rash, Jungle rot, and the occasional bashed knuckle ( “Damn you Wrench”)
Jesus Christ man, you really don’t understand the dynamic between Pope and Jax at all.
Pope is fucking untouchable right now. Killing him or trying to would be like killing Romero to get out of the drug business. Pope has way too many resources to come at head on.
And if you think the idea that Jax might be playing up his interest in dealing with Pope to get closer (keep your friends close, your enemies closer) is anything but the MOST feasible explanation for his apparent amnesia re: Pope ordering Opie’s death, you’re sorely, sorely mistaken.
If you don’t believe me, re-watch the episode. When Pope walks back to his car, looks back, says “Look at you,” vaguely condescendingly, and then gets in the car, Jax does not have the look of a man who’s forgotten what Pope did.
Pope is definitely going to get it, at the hands, probably bare, of Jackson Teller. Make no mistake about that.
Also, learn to pick up on expressions. Facial clues. It’s a big part of acting, and it can say as much as the script itself.
he’s too busy whining about jax flaring his nostrils to pick up on anything else.
Damn you stole the words out my mouth, I am starting to get irritated with this review, although I actually like it lol if that makes sense
(looks at script)
‘Hay, do I flare my nostrils before or after I shoot this guy”?
I hope they keep Pope around as a character. I like the work that Harold Perrineau does.
Excellent breakdown. +1
My favorite dramas right now are homeland breaking bad SOA and dexter….in out homeland and breaking bad in the same category as BB is impeccable and minus the daughter subplot homeland has been too. SOA and dexter meanwhile are entertaining but really it’s just a waiting game to see how they end
Seems like all the best shows are on cable nowadays.
I love how Juice being black…ish has been a huge cog in the motivations of multiple characters on both sides of the law as well as the impetus for several difficulties for the club, and yet every single Son who has found out has shrugged it off.
And why don’t they play rap music every time we see Juice in a scene? After all he is black…ish, and according to Sutter you must play rap music when black gang members are in the shot.
yeah, because its not a big deal. Just some stupid bylaw that the club needs to correct.
They’ve been working closely with the Grimm Bastards for over 20 years…so there shouldn’t be an issue regarding race.
Poor nurse.
Grimm Bastards had the Sons outnumbered!
Uummm, Tara is fucked.
Deservedly so. I’m going to piss away my medical career for my biker gang president husband. How can anyone so “intelligent” be so damn dumb at the same time. It’s infuriating. That being said, I bet nothing happens to her.
Yeah, she was pretty dumb to toss away a successful career for an old flame. Jax must be laying some serious pipe on her.
can somebody pls off clay!!
i think Gemma did at the end of the episode,
LOL.
Know how I know that nobody will die from SAMCRO, cause they only have like 7 guys left. I feel this was the first episode in a long time that they’ve had any prospects, and one of them may have died. I just can’t see anyone else dying if Sutter wants it to be believable that the club can survive, especially as Jax continues to burn bridges.
I had been thinking for awhile that a lot of this was building up to Jax losing himself in the power of being prez and turning even more into Clay. @With the leash he now has on Tig and Juice, as well as him asking Chibbs on his loyalties, just sort of add to it.
So who won the tee shirts?
furreals
great episode last night, cant wait for the fianl few!
these recaps are more frustrating than the show. i’m just not sure this is the type of program that warrants more than a fun rundown of the badass moments instead of picking it apart. Breaking Bad or Mad Men this show is not, nor trying to be.
This seems like a pretty fair point. Didn’t there used to be something like that or was that only for Justified?
I agree, but I could forgive it if Dustin Rowles had any goddamn sense.
There used to be a “Just the Badass parts”, and they were great. Would love to see a return.
Vince may be the smarter of the two (I’ll withhold judgment until I actually meet and talk with the two of them), but at least Sutter’s major flaw is logical shortcuts to advance a narrative. Gilligan’s major flaw is some godawful pacing. Huge chunks of Breaking Bad are characters pacing around looking nervous/thoughtful/etc. like it’s a goddamn Tarkovsky movie.Not to mention the entire episode dedicated to them killing a fly. We get it, it’s allegorical! Doesn’t mean it’s still not boring as hell. Breaking Bad’s smarter, but SOA is definitely more fun.
As per this week’s episode, I definitely believe Jax hasn’t “forgotten” about Pope. He’s all smiles until Damon gets into the car, but he clearly bro-glares once Pope can’t see him. I’m not sure, but I have a hunch that he’s gonna burn Pope and Hale using Charming Heights somehow.
I can easily see the end of this series being a real Shakespearian “everyone’s dead” type ending. Nero kills Gemma, Unser kills Nero, Clay kills Unser (not sure on what yet), the cartel kills Jax, Eli kills Clay, Juice kills Eli, the rest of the club is either killed or sent to prison. Tara takes the kids and leaves, and the last shot is the two boys on there bikes watching a motorcycle club drive by.
well, Fly was one of the best episodes of season 3. so…. you’re wrong.
That doesn’t speak well for season 3
there’s so much I want to say about this episode, driving all day and can’t join the conversation.
but I will say my biggest disappointment is that otto killed rhat nurse instead of Terra
Who does a guy need to masturbate in front of to get the Ally badge around here?
I usually, in this order, Tweet, Facebook like, then comment.
Dude, you’re all ready President: [profile.uproxx.com]
it’s not who..but how. you must stare in to their eyes…LIKE A BOSS
Everyone, lol.
Re: #8 – I don’t think it’s Jax all of a sudden thinking about revenge. It would make sense they would want to do it personally, not just have them shanked in prison. So Hightower was the first one to get out, and they were alerted to that fact.
Re: #9 – Chibs is Jax’s Tig. He’s the Sgt at Arms so he carries out the dirty work. He’s also loyal to a fault (think of all the shit Tig did blindly for Clay). He affirmed that when he took that chair at the end of last season.
Re: #10 – I don’t know what the long play will be, but don’t forget the long play that worked out against Agent Stahl.
Also, I think Jax needs the most evidence possible against Clay because of who he is. He’s the only relevant member of the First 9 still alive. Getting rid of him on shoddy evidence wouldn’t look good for Jax as new president of SAMCRO or in all the other charters too.
I personally think Jax is planning to get revenge on Pope somehow, but I recognize that there is no real reason to believe that. If Kurt Sutter were a better showrunner, there would be clues buried throughout the season which indicate at least that Jax is up to something, if not outright indicating what that thing he’s up to is. This is the sort of thing that Breaking Bad does which has fans scouring every frame of footage looking for a hidden wire that Walt may or probably not be wearing, bleating “CHEKOV’S GUN” when they think they see it. Nevermind the fact that Chekov’s Gun doesn’t work that way.
Are the uncomfortable racial implications rapidly coming to the surface to anyone else? I’m not saying Sutter is racist but good lord are his characters stereotypes.
Did you watch The Shield? The racial stuff on SOA is tame in comparison
eh, it would be much more iffy if a bunch of gangbangers and bikers were racially sensitive and sensible.
Racial tension existed in biker gangs long before the show. They did address it last night by saying ‘perhaps we need to change some old bylaws’ when Jax found out about Juice’s black dad.
Someone needs to sit Jax down with the Johnny Dangerously short vid “Your Testicles and You” except it’s not about testicles it’s about balls and murder and murder boners and shit son just kill that Clay sonofabitch already!
I know a lot of people are bitching about what is going on week to week with the show, but that doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy it.
I’m a big fan of the show and most of the characters. I think it, overall it is still a very entertaining show that I look forward to every week. I think a lot of the comments you see on here are based on 2 things:
1) This is a blog…on the internet…about tv. The whole purpose of it is for people to bitch about shows some of which they hate, some of which they love.
2) While still a great show, the last few seasons have been very different from the first few. The show started with huge potential that I don’t think the show ever fulfilled.
Sutter saw the success he had with early plot twists and multiple somewhat intersecting story lines in the early seasons. He made a decision to implement those in future seasons whenever possible and if not possible to force them in. As a result the show has taken on a real soap opera feel that it did not have in early seasons.
There is so much shit going on that Sutter is forced to skip over things that he could’ve really delved deeper into and gotten something good out of it. He needs to keep the story fast paced but he wants to have 10 different things going on. Those two things are at odds and the show suffers through his attempts to have both.
My biggest problem with the show is that failed potential from the early seasons.
I still love the show and have no plans to stop watching. Will I still come here and vent when Sutter does something stupid or Jax does something Broish? You bet your ass. Otherwise, what purpose does the internet serve?
Sorry for the rant.
Chibs fo’ Life.
This is the correct answer.
Agreed. I bitch about SOA because I think it could be a better show. My lament isn’t that they don’t have good actors or compelling characters, it’s that they don’t focus on that.
I like this. I’d give you a cookie if I didn’t eat them all.
Well done sir.
So you’re Sutter’s mom telling him “they wouldn’t make fun of you if they didn’t like you, Honey.”
Otherwise +1 interwebz for you.
Plus, that comment moved me from Old Lady to Soldier, proving another purpose for the internet (helping grown men feel accepted)
you guys say “early seasons” like even the first was great. it wasn’t. the only truly exceptional season of this show was the 2nd one, and i think that clearly shows it was the exception more than the rule. i think right now this show is as good as it has always had the potential to be. it’s pulp entertainment, nothing more.
Well done indeed.
Bravo, good sir. Bravo.
I really enjoyed last night’s episode. One thing that was never an issue for me was the quality of the side characters including Opie (RIP). On the other hand, Jax’s character was always a bit too fabricated for me. Now, this new “Asshole Jax” I can appreciate.
Jaxhole?
This show about an outlaw motorcycle gang sure has a lot of lawyers. Jax still is the worst. Just continuing the weekly episode of Jax ruining this show for me. Love you all.
Season Seven: Jax has Clay kill Pope, Jax kills Clay, Jax collects five million dollars and rides off to Portland with Tara.
That wrapped up nicely.
Then they both join the cast of Portlandia, opening a shop that sells motorcycle jackets made of hemp.
Very entertaining episode. Once again Juice needs to die. Pardon or no pardon, he turned on the only people that actually thought of him as family. Black or no black, he’s learned his lesson for this life, time to start on a new one.
Shirt looks cool. I’ll let someone else have mine though (if there still are any) being that they don’t come in giant size.
Also I haven’t watched the episode yet, but I feel like it doesn’t matter at this point. The show is fairly bipolar and It’s having an effect on me.
I also think Pope knows that Jax plans on killing him too…I mean Pope gave him the guard and Fat Albert, what he thinks Jax will just let him go?
Pope thinks he’s untouchable. He pays Jax no mind on that front.
As far as Jax/Pope, I’m unsure where this will all go. I have a feeling Jax won’t forget the fact that Pope ordered the hit on Opie. Eventually Jax will go against Pope. He’s using Pope while he can and getting what he can get out of him. I mean why can’t Kurt Sutter have some outside motive with Jax/Pope? I mean he’s fucked the dog in the past (most notably Season 3) but he seems to be doing a pretty good job this season.
He’s using Juice, he used Opie extremely well, he wrote a brutal scene with Tig (then left him horribly underused), and while he does seem to be underusing Pope…there’s only so much Jax can do with him. He’s going Hamlet hardcore so Jax/Clay is the biggest conflict and will continue to be the biggest conflict. So thus making Pope conflict numero uno, kinda ruins the Hamlet thing. Pope’s a great character but merely a plot device.
Methinks the season ends with Clay getting the table back after Bobby turns on Jax for being too much of a bad assand they force Jax out of town. Season Six is Jax on the run trying to take care of Tara and his kids, and getting back at Clay. He’ll use Unser, Eli, and Pope to get him protection in Charming and then he’ll use Tig, Juice, and Chibs to get him info on the club. You might see Jax get his ink burned off like that one guy, or something similar but S6 will be with Jax on the outside looking in and S7 will be how it all ends with him.
I could see him trying to become someone LIKE Pope. Never gets his hands dirty but wields real power. Even the club has no way of going after him. Jax said it himself, they can all just be wiped out by just a whim of Pope. Good luck MC
Tig suicide bombs Pope after Pope kills his other daughter.
Damn Omar, I think you’re probably right.
I think Sutter has just set Tig aside until his Rollie Fingers mustache is at it’s maximum awesomeness.
^ haha it’s getting there
My wife and I watched last week’s dvr’d episode before watching last night’s episode and when it got to the part where Tara got herself off, my wife said, “Oh gosh…what is she doing??” I just laughed and laughed….
I had no idea what sutter meant with the redwood bleeds comment and thought to myself that in the real world, not only would Tara be indicted for sneaking contraband into a prison, but she’d also be facing accessory to murder charges. Little did I know that was sutter’s dastardly plan all along.
I got my shows mixed up and thought “the redwood bleeds” was something about Game of Thrones, but that’s the heart tree.
Oh me! I’m adorable!
I have this feeling that Joel McHale is going to show up again by the end of the season just to reveal that he works for Jimmy Smitts as a Gigolo who tried to fleece Gemma and then shoot him in the face. That’s where my heart is going this season.
It’d be nice to see him again.
Can anyone explain why Sonny Barger made another appearance last night? My only guess is that his SAG card was about to expire.
Close, Kurt Sutter likes to hang around real outlaws.
SHough, badass by osmosis?
Probably, Paul.
What’s with all the 90 minute episodes? Next week is also 90 mins. Are there less episodes this season?
I dont think so. Sutter always amps up the episode length leading to the finale. When you have as many irons in the firer as he usually does it’s a necessity.
I mean the legal documents they keep teasing haven t even come into play yet.
They be Sutter’s get out of jail free card to solve all the seasons problems the way the CIA was last season.
All the salaried people (actors, writers, directors) are paid by the episode. It’s a way to provide more content for a smaller budget.
It’s not only rap music anytime they chase a black guy, it’s also Latin music anytime the Mayans or the cartel are involved in a chase, plus when SAMCRO was in Ireland even the theme music changed to sound like an Irish jig.
Well in fairness to Tara, Otto did start crying and jerking off right when Tara wore that perfume.
like Pavlov’s Penis
after hate watching the wedding band on TBS this weekend (very funny), it’s very hard taking Pope seriously. the fucking dude plays a bass player in a wedding band. that should have been a casting conflict.
Have to agree on Wedding Band (threadjack!). I can’t stand Michael Sean Astin Smith Green, or wtf his name is, but damn he was good on that show.
And that previous threadjack post garnered me the entry level bookkeeper badge. Fuck. Yes.
And the bookkeeper post just got me the prospect badge…wtf?? Is WG handing these things out like candy? T-shirt here I come.
Somehow I’m an “old lady” now. That’s the level that makes you post just to get the f*** out of it
I went up two badges last week just from a few posts, after being stuck on one of the lower ones for ages.
I like that we found out Clay is the smartest motherfucker on the planet. Dude in prison (Forgot his name, bluh, dooon’t caaaare) says he told Jax about RICO (Suave), Clay knows SoA haven’t been busted under RICO (Suave) yet, so OBVIOUSLY the cartel guys are secretly feds. OF COURSE.
When Otto requested the crucifix, I didn’t think anything of it. It seemed like a very normal request. Once Gemma brought it to Tara though it became incredibly obvious that it was going to be used for nefarious purposes. That thing was giant and should have immediately set off an alarm in Tara’s mind.
Oh come on. Anything Otto asked I had to hold my breath, though. I did think he was going to off himself. Or Tara. Nice twist just killing to get Tara, and thus jax in trouble
When I first heard “crucifix” I thought of one of those little crosses that is maybe an inch tall and it merely had sentimental value for him. After seeing that the thing was 6 inches tall and seemingly weighed 3 pounds, I knew something was up.
Be honest, did you think of that beast when Otto said crucifix? I thought after the crymaxing scene maybe Tara actually did get to Otto and he had an innocent request. Once the crucifix made its first appearance though it was clear that there was nothing innocent about it. I did think he was going to off himself or Tara though and not the prison nurse.
I don’t understand you Dustin. You count on SOA every week for the page views. You give away T-shirts to promote the site that are based on SOA. And yet, all you ever do is talk shit about it. If you hate the show so much, have someone else do the review. Maybe to someone who doesn’t have as much trouble following the story.
Agreed! It seems like every week it’s just more hate for the show in the article and comments!
A coach once said “We yell because we care… the moment we stop yelling is the moment we stop caring.”
Meh, I’d rather have somebody who is critical of the shows obvious short comings instead of somebody who blindly gushes over the show because FX gave him some t-shirts.
PowerClashing – go fuck yourself. I only say that because I care.
good thinkin’ Leapin.
I kept looking for how Otto was going to hang himself with the necklace.