This was a good episode.
And I don’t mean it in the typical way that I say every episode is good– sure, it was good in that way too: Sons of Anarchy is high quality television in general. But I mean that this show felt good. It was a lot of fun to watch. Though it dealt with the repercussions of the previous episode’s explosion of the clubhouse, and certainly had some moments that could classify as heavy, this week’s episode was full of moments that just felt good.
It really felt like one of the older episodes of Sons, and it worked wonderfully. It came at a perfect point in this season’s increasingly-depressing story.
The heaviest moment of the episode was the opening. Awesome opening. Jax and Chibs survey the ruins of the clubhouse in an appropriately slow and ponderous scene that smartly kept the dialogue to a minimum at the end of the scene. There was a serious emotional impact on seeing the charred remains of the place we’ve come to take for granted as our home in the world of Sons. As Jax makes his way through the set, we get a feel for what he’s feeling and thinking: because we’re feeling and thinking the same things. We know the area, and we know what’s missing. That’s what I love about this show and other shows of its kind: it has a long history and isn’t afraid to use it for dramatic effect.
Jax and the club seemingly come to a final negotiation with the IRA. They agree to go ahead with Clay’s deal and they finally get out of the gun game. SAMCRO brings it up to all the other charters at a massive summit, where Bobby and his “nomads” are finally reunited with the main club.
Speaking of Bobby Elvis, his mysterious adventures finally come back around, and in a way that–as it seems to be my theme for this episode–just feels really good. He wasn’t making a new nomad crew, but turned out to be recruiting for SAMCRO. Trying to fix the club in his own way. His reunion with Jax and the other members of the club was a welcome way to bring a bit of hope back to the show, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Jax gives a speech that keeps the gathering–and me–captivated, talking about getting out of drugs and looking towards a new future. It wasn’t a short monologue, but the length worked in its favor. That meeting was a huge turning point for Sons of Anarchy– the motorcycle club and the series itself. And Jax. And it left me feeling hopeful and excited for the future.
Roosevelt– with Gemma’s help– starts to uncover the truth about Lee Toric and the murder of the Diosa girl. Despite the DA’s plan to go on the attack, it’s another angle that turns the story on a path that lets us think that maybe everything will turn out okay after all. Maybe.
The rest of the episode was dominated by a side story that felt like a classic Sons romp as SAMCRO dealt with some crooked cops who had stolen some shiny new motorcycles. While clearly disjointed from the ongoing storylines of the season, it was refreshing to see the club have an adventure that put smiles on all their faces.
Altogether, this episode was a perfect followup to all of the heavy stuff that has come before. All the major storylines progressed in significant ways, and maybe even more importantly at this point in the season, I just came out of the episode feeling good.
What did you think about this week’s episode? Welcome change of pace? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Worth Mentioning
The prospect gets up to leave the meeting, and Jax tells him to stay. A great subtle touch to show just how important unity is at a time like this.
Gemma getting rough with the cops. Ahahaha. She’s very comfortable in that police department by now. She just storms in like she owns the place.
Walton Goggins’s Venus Van Dam returns. Despite the uplifting tenor of the episode overall, his appearance was nowhere near as hilarious as last season. In fact, the scene was maybe the most depressing one of the episode. Dunno if this is gonna go anywhere or not, but if it doesn’t, it seems like a really awkward scene to inject into the episode.
“Time to go hood, sister.”
“I’m sorry for my behavior today.”
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