It's a rare occasion that I re-trace my steps and openly admit that I was wrong. Typically, I stick with my gut and I'll fight you until I'm blue in the face. But it takes a big man to recognize the error of his ways and it takes an even bigger one to admit it to others. So here goes...
Initially, I wasn't impressed with Sons of Anarchy. After watching the pilot (twice), I panned it. Nothing special, nothing new. The second episode didn't do much for me either. But I promised I'd stick with it since it was on FX (in today's TV landscape, that counts for something) and after last night's installment (S01E08, "The Pull"), I'm here to say something I didn't agree with eight weeks ago:
FX has done it again.
The build-up has been slow and calculated. The throw-away plots week in and week out haven't always been as good as you would like them to. Child molester at the carnival... really? And sometimes, the whole "we're a biker gang - yeah!" mentality of the SAMCRO crew gets to be a little campy. However, none of that matters when you look beyond it all to the stellar serialized plot and the solid character development that's evolved over these first eight episodes.
Back in September, I made the comparison (as did many other critics) to The Sopranos, mainly because of the large cast, but also because of the organized crime and dysfunctional family aspects. Well trust me - the Sopranos ain't got nothing on the Teller-Morrow clan.
The dynamic between Clay (Ron Perlman), Gemma (Katey Sagal), and Jax (Charlie Hunnam) has reached the point of no return. The three of them are in this mess called "family" so deep that when whatever secrets that Gemma and Clay are hiding about Jax's father finally come out, it's almost assuredly going to change the direction of the show.
With Jax already teetering on the idea of leaving the MC life, it's become a race to see what happens first: Clay or Gemma mess up or Jax finishes his father's manuscript. Both outcomes are sure to lead to some nasty revelations, and I for one, can't wait.
Beyond the familial plot-lines, the minor players in the SAMCRO world have added a wealth of interest to the show. Characters like Half-Sack, Cherry, Bobby, Chibs, Tig, Darby, and Piney have all added wonderful stories to the Charming universe - sometimes good, sometimes sad, and almost always funny. The quality of the supporting cast speaks volumes about the longevity of Sons though. The Teller-Morrow plots can't (and shouldn't) carry the show solely and it's good to know there's safety in numbers.
However, I've found myself drawn to the law, and despite my objections to see Jay Karnes' extremely creepy Agent Kohn go so soon, I look forward to what his murder will bring to the show. His death is sure to raise an alarm with fellow ATF'er Agent Stahl (Ally Walker, NBC's Profiler).
I do want to highlight one superior performance on the show and that's Maggie Siff, as Jax's former love Tara. Her return to Charming is arguably the catalyst for the entire story this season and it's her presence that has aided in what Gemma has noticed as a softer side to her son. Her full intentions are still very much ambiguous, but she's clearly getting what she wants - Kohn is gone for good and she didn't have to do it.
I'll be very surprised if a life with Jax is part of her end game. If she was smart enough to get out of Charming and become a pediatrician, then she's certainly smart enough to take advantage of someone who's still in the game. When push comes to shove, I'm fairly certain that she'll take care of herself before anyone else.
With five more episodes to go this season and a second already planned, it's good to know that any time you've already invested in this season won't go to waste. FX was wise to make that announcement now rather than after the season finale and secure currents fans while picking up new ones. However, they'd also be wise to adjust how they're marketing the show. FX has been using a great plug quote all over the Sons of Anarchy website from The San Francisco Chronicle's Tim Goodman:
"It's the first buzz show to debut. It's about biker gangs. And it's on FX. That's pretty much all you need to know."
Granted, Goodman praised the show from the very beginning, but could FX be doing themselves more of a disservice using that line? I don't think so - talk about selling a show short! After eight episodes of this fine drama, I'm sure that much like I did, Mr. Goodman has changed his tune as well because Sons of Anarchy has so much more you need to know beyond it being just a show about biker gangs on FX.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-23-2008 @ 10:13AM
Diana said...
I agree, I didn't think it was worth watching just judging from the pilot. But now I'm genuinely hooked, especially with Katey Segall's work as Gemma. As someone who grew up on Married with Children, it says a lot about her performance, that I haven't once thought of Peg Bundy.
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10-23-2008 @ 10:27AM
joy said...
If it makes you feel any better, I watched it on a lark, and wasn't gonna keep going after the pilot. And every week, I found myself looking for a re-air of it...until finally, I gave it a series recording pass on the DVR. It really has gotten better with each passing week.
If you'd have told me at the beginning of the season that I'd be devotedly watching the shenanigans of a biker gang in California headed by Vincent (from Beauty and the Beast) and biker momma Peg Bundy, I'd have laughed my ass off.
Well played, FX, well played.
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10-23-2008 @ 10:27AM
Michele said...
I love this show, just watched it at first because it was on FX, and I love their other shows. Katey Sagal is awesome, as is Charlie Hunnam. They both show so many layers to them than just the outward appearance.
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10-24-2008 @ 8:37PM
JaxFan said...
I agree. I didnt really like the show at first, although Jax was hot... still didnt know if I was going to keep recording. But I gave it another shot. I am not hooked. I look forward to Thursday nights when I can sit down and watch the show from the previsous night (thank God for DVR). After last nights love scene between Jax and Tara with the dead ATF agent in the room im curious as to what will happen next week?!?!?!
10-23-2008 @ 12:06PM
Tom said...
Nice to see I'm not alone in the "Sons of Anarchy" love. This is a great show.
I'm not surprised to see Maggie Siff knock it out of the park. She was terrific on "Mad Men" as well.
I couldn't agree more about Katey Sagal's "Peg Bundy who?" performance, and Charlie Hunnam is a somebody. He's going places.
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10-23-2008 @ 12:08PM
Jastrom said...
At times i've winced in disgust at certain moments of this show, not the violence just the hardcore nature of it, burning off a tattoo, turning that clown into a eunich but at the same time I realized that this show makes me laugh, the characters no matter how flawed or disturbed it makes this show a wonderful ride. I can't wait for wednesdays double feature of Friday Night Lights and then Sons of Anarchy. Two shows so different but both equally entertaining.
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10-23-2008 @ 12:10PM
Tom said...
I'm glad to see I'm not alone in the "Sons of Anarchy" love. This is a great show.
Maggie Siff was excellent on "Mad Men" Season 1, so I'm not at all surprised that she's excellent here, too.
Couldn't agree more on how "Peg Bundy who?" Katey Sagal is here. Outstanding. And Charlie Hunnam is a somebody; he's going places.
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10-23-2008 @ 12:16PM
Tom said...
Sorry for the double post, everybody.
Jastrom, the violence has disturbed me, too. But that's the culture in which these people reside, right?
It's unlike any culture I've ever been a part of. Which is probably part of what makes it so compelling.
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10-23-2008 @ 1:21PM
Nhex said...
You guys at TVSquad need to be careful about these posts. I read this when it was accidentally posted about a week ago and totally spoiled on the Cohn thing.
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10-23-2008 @ 1:25PM
Jonathan Toomey said...
Nhex --
I apologize for that. It actually wasn't a week ago; it was this past Tuesday. On occasion, our publishing system goofs and this article accidentally went live about 48 hours early. Fortunately, I caught it after only about 10 minutes. I'm sorry this was spoiled for you but sometimes mistakes happen.
10-23-2008 @ 2:32PM
Emma said...
I watched from Day One, because I've been a fan of Charlie Hunnam's work since his days on the UK "Queer as Folk" - and I'm glad to see more people jumping on the bandwagon.
I knew Charlie was up to this, and Ron Perlman is almost always excellent, but although I knew Katey Sagal was more than just Peg Bundy, she has been a revelation to me. Female characters over 30, especially if mothers, tend to be uniformly boring and one-note. Sure NOT so in this case, and she is just amazing with this complex part.
I hope the plots continue to live up to the amazing performances.
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10-23-2008 @ 2:55PM
Adam said...
Finally a mention of SoA! It might be time for me to end my Toomey hate if we can see more of the Sons on TV Squad. I've been on board with the show since it was announced because I've always been curious about 1%'ers, and I've been pleasntly surprised that the show has become much more than exploits of an outlaw MC. I too suspect that Tara will have a bigger role as the season moves forward. I love how she and Gemma play cat and mouse where Gemma thinks she is the cat, but Tara is the one controlling the game. It's also funny that she called Jax to deal with Kohn knowing well in advance that he would finish the job she started. The post murder sex was a bit jarring, but I've never murdered anyone so the rush that must cause is foreign to me. However, my favorite character by far is half sack. It's interesting to see him grow some balls (pun intended) as the series. The inevitable showdown between he and Clay should be bad ass.
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10-23-2008 @ 4:26PM
Bob Baft said...
Great show...glad you guys are finally acknowledging it! I watched it to see what it was going to be about, thinking I'd give it a chance. Now it's one of the few shows other than THE SHIELD I make a point to watch.
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10-24-2008 @ 8:37AM
Jeff said...
Man its about time!! With this new set-up on TVS not reviewing shows a lot of people didnt hear about it. This is what I dont like about TVS now....no reviews...no mentioning of new shows....you guys are really doing a disservice to people that didnt catch the show or dont even know about it yet....Please take us back to show reviews!!!
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10-24-2008 @ 8:37PM
JaxFan said...
I love Katey Segal. She is perfect for the part, couldnt have found a better person so smash girls in the face with skate boards!
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11-03-2008 @ 1:59PM
sharon ferguson said...
i am crazy about the show the sons of anarachy please keep on the air
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11-03-2008 @ 1:59PM
sharon ferguson said...
please keep the show on the air i was hooked from the first time i show it.
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11-06-2008 @ 9:43AM
Michelle said...
My boyfriend got me hooked on sons of anarchy. I missed the very first episode, I have faithfully have watched it since the second episode. And I must say Jax is very good looking. I dont know if it's the fact that these guys get away with murder or what but I am hooked. And I cant wait till next week since Bobby got identified as the killer of the old fat guy Opie was suppose to kill. And this may sound wrong but I was very happy when Auto smashed the ATF's face into the table. Did she really think that he would rat on the club? She got what she deserves trying to find someone to rat on the club. And I am anxious for next weekd episode since it shows that Opie ratted on the club and then it shows Jax telling Clay that if Opie ratted he will kill him himself.. Next week is going to be a nail bitter!!! Can't wiat.
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11-21-2008 @ 6:51AM
lora said...
i can't wait to see if jax starts up with wendy again or stays with tara - when does the next season start
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11-29-2008 @ 10:37AM
K said...
I think sons of anarchy is full of drama and great. It started out with excitement and is still going strong. The best way to keep your audience interested is start it off right. The season finale was a little slower than the reg. season, but it was still good. GOOD SHOW, can't wait for season 2.
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