I've been hearing about an awesome new show on FX since it aired last year, and finally got around to watching season one of Sons of Anarchy this week for Jane After Dark. Being a motorcycle babe myself, I love any show where bikes or gangs are the central focus.
But even if you've never mounted a bad chopper, there are plenty of reasons to love this badass show about the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Originals (SAMCRO). They run a legal automotive business while dealing arms, battling rival gangs, and working with the cops (sometimes) to keep their town of Charming, California a pleasant place to live. You can see all the irony at work here.
The story revolves around Jackson "Jax" Teller (Charlie Hunnam), the club's vice president (and total hottie), his mom Gemma Teller Morrow (Katey Sagal), and her husband, Clarence 'Clay' Morrow (Ron Perlman), the club's president who's always puffing on a giant cigar. Here are just a few reasons to check out Sons of Anarchy:
It's funny. Yes, it's dark and gritty, with plenty of blood, guts, gunfire, and sex. But it's also very funny. One character is named Opie, for goodness sake, and the town is named Charming. Some of my favorite scenes are when the bikers talk to Sheriff Unser (Dayton Callie) like he's part of the gang, when Unser sits in on their meetings, or when he starts puffing on a joint ("for my cancer") in his office while talking to Clay. And I'm positively giddy over the fact that Hellboy and Leela are two of the main characters.
The music is groovy. You can check out the Sons of Anarchy site for the full music guide, but there isn't one song I don't love on this show, including the theme song by Primal Scream, "The Dream We Left Behind." Bands featured in the episodes include Dropkick Murphys, Burning Brides, and Tarbox Ramblers. On the flip-side, Andy Williams' "Can't Get Used to Losing You," plays heavily into one episode. I also love the scenes where a tender song is played, like Audra Mae's "Forever Young," in the aftermath of a tragedy in the final episode. The surprising juxtaposition of hard and soft scenes is one of the many reasons I love Sons of Anarchy.
Katey Sagal is a she-wolf in leather pants. I have a major girl-crush on this badass mama who defends her family with a vengeance and takes no shit from anyone. One of my favorite scenes is where she sees the girl who slept with Clay walking down the street, and immediately goes over, picks up a skateboard, and smacks her in the face with it. That's when I knew Gemma was the girl for me. If only I had half the guts she has while staring down a foe, defending her son or husband, or manipulating someone for her own means. When Gemma moves in close and challenges someone - anyone - to get in her face, I get all warm inside. And according to the extras, the impressive scar on her chest is the result of open heart surgery.
Special Features on the Sons of Anarchy season one DVD (released Aug. 18, 2009) include: audio commentary on selected episodes; deleted scenes, and featurettes on The Making of Sons of Anarchy, Casting Sons of Anarchy, The Ink, The Bikes, and Anarchy on the Set.
Season two of Sons of Anarchy premieres Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 10 PM ET on FX. We're in for some major fun this season, as Adam Arkin joins the cast as the head of a white separatist organization, along with his lieutenant, played by Henry Rollins.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-30-2009 @ 4:03PM
reb said...
I just rewatched all of Season 1, getting ready for Season 2 to gear up, and for the second time, I was blown away. The back half of the season, particularly, was just one astounding moment after another. I think my season high point was perhaps the "I Can't Get Used To Losing You" scene (totally scary and creepy), but that's a tough call.
And I just love Bobby Elvis. I think he deserves a spin off.
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9-10-2009 @ 3:24AM
Frank said...
This is BS. It should be called the Sons of Malarky.
10-05-2009 @ 11:30PM
Maximus said...
After 24 years in and out of prison with 20 real time years within,I tended to see alot of pain and suffering with little regards for a civil code of ethics to any real cause that defined a positive progression for humankind on a whole basis.Anotherwords it sucked because there never was a brotherhood that wasn't out for just one thing-themselves.In the end it was all a game defined by second class mentallities as a result of bad water,inbreeding,and a lot of drugs.Sure many stand to be counted but many fall to the wayside because in the end or short to it everyone's hand is laid upon the table.Game over! I pray that good prevails over evil and game is exposed as a lesson to those about to walk on the wild side because even when you reach the top of the mountain,kake sure its on the winning side of right.Teach your children well and keep them from going to hell here on earth.You have some great hero to be characters and some eggs will definitely have to be broken to make the story send the right message.In Jesus name.........pass my gun!Make drama run the cream all the way to the top. Maximus
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9-10-2009 @ 3:32AM
Frank said...
Oh boo hoo. II'm so sorry for you?
8-30-2009 @ 9:20PM
Jimmy_MO said...
Katey Sagal is easily doing the best work of her career. The woman deserved an Emmy nomination. Much more deserving than also-rans like Glenn Close and Sally Field.
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8-31-2009 @ 11:22AM
ch said...
Dear Jane, How can you go from THE WIRE to Sons of Anarchy? Are you Serious.
The Wire is one of the most realistic crime drama to be on TV.
Watch 3 Season corruption and the rise of marlo. The twists and turns along with the humor as well.
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8-31-2009 @ 2:31PM
Daune said...
I think my favorite Gemma moment was when she handed the cocktail to Wendy in a Bible, right in the hospital. That is one cold B. A lot of great moments, a lot of sick moments. Jackson is the heart of the show. And, I love Opie. How I wish that boy could catch a break.
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8-31-2009 @ 3:05PM
John_Howard said...
This was probably my favorite new show last year. Right up there with True Blood. But have you finished watching The Wire yet? I can't imagine stopping in the middle of that show. I watched the whole series again after seeing your posts about it. It was just as good the second time around.
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8-31-2009 @ 5:31PM
jboursaw said...
John and CH - Thanks for keeping me on track with The Wire! I still have season 5 to watch, but had to veer off track to get caught up on a few shows premiering in the next week or two. Maybe I'll finish The Wire this week, because I'm anxious to see how it all ends.
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8-31-2009 @ 8:12PM
Tim Mahoney said...
The theme song was written for the show, and is sung by Curtis Stigers. It is just a theme right now but apparently they are working on a full length version. Hopefully it comes out soon.
I'm not sure where people are hearing that Primal Scream did the theme, but unfortunately it is wrong.
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8-31-2009 @ 8:38PM
Preach said...
Indeed. And "The Dream we left behind" is from a band called PEDESTRIAN, and not Primal Scream...
9-02-2009 @ 10:33AM
sheri said...
omg that jax is smokin' !!!! he can put his boots under my bed anytime!!!
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9-06-2009 @ 12:13PM
JJMaddog said...
Great show, Katey is at her absolute best. Ryan Hurst (Opie) is excellent in everything he does. Check his credits, "Remeber the Titans", "Taken", good stuff. I'd love to see Sam Elliott appear as a rival gang leader. He'd make a great addition to this already super cast. Can't wait for season 2 to start !!!!
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9-06-2009 @ 1:32PM
scoad5 said...
Son's of Anarchy.. A.K.A, Days of our Rides!
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9-08-2009 @ 4:51PM
ziggy13 said...
the sons of anarchy will be the number 1 show it will crush all competition, every bike owner will be watching this finally a great family show of reality this is why people want to live like this and not worry about some rotten law made up by the gov't ride forever!
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9-08-2009 @ 9:02PM
Jane said...
This show Rocks. Best written show on TV. Check out this fun blog in honor of the 2nd season premiere of SOA-- the Top 10 TV Bikers list:
Top 10 TV Motorcycle Mad Men & Biker Babes
http://www.tvtango.com/news/detail/id/88
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9-08-2009 @ 11:33PM
alex said...
son's gunna rise by citizen's cope is the new theme song youtube it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUfh5mbjjrw
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9-09-2009 @ 1:01PM
k.y.jizzle said...
Finally a show that takes up for the badguys!! i like how they thoroughly show that if its not one problem its another, AND THAT GOOD CAN PREVAIL OVER EVIL even when what the govt "calls evil" is being done!!!!! G.O.D.S. DEVILS- georgia
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9-10-2009 @ 2:27AM
JanetteMcCormack said...
My son is one of the chefs that cater for the show.I have gotten to know most of the actors personally and they are great guys.
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9-10-2009 @ 11:29AM
JanetteMcCormack said...
My son is one of the chefs who cater this show I have got to know the cast real well and they are all great guys.
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