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Sons of Anarchy returned with quite possibly their most controversial storyline ever in the season six premiere. Jax Teller and his gang continue on their quest to clean up their act, but the path to redemption proves to be a long, winding dirt path that can be unforgiving.
The most startling thing about this episode was the story of a young man who appeared throughout the entire show. He wears a simple Catholic school uniform, and walks the streets with a purpose. When Jax comes across this boy, he stares at him and looks saddened. What Jax sees in this child is the innocence and simplicity of life he wants for his children, maybe even for himself. What he doesn’t know is what lies beneath this façade.
At the end of the episode, this boy reveals that he cuts himself, writes in his journal (as Jax does), and pulls a semiautomatic weapon from his backpack. He then proceeds to shoot his fellow classmates as we hear their screams.
Photo Credit: Prashant Gupta/FX
Now what does this mean in regards to the show? Well actually quite a bit. Some might see this school shooting storyline as an act of sensationalism, but really, Kurt Sutter is driving home the point that our actions have consequences, and quite possibly that this world is simply a fucked up place. The gun the boy uses is a gun that comes from Jax’s business.
SAMCRO put that gun in that boy’s hand, and this will have huge ramifications for a club that is almost in near shambles. For every justification made about their dealings, there is no path of redemption when it comes to this scenario. No matter how “clean” his business dealings may be, Jax will forever be the villain in this scenario. The question is how will it affect his already bruised psyche and what will happen to the club?
If this scenario isn’t enough, we also saw brutality at practically every moment of the show. Otto was raped in prison, Lyla is tortured while doing porn, SAMCRO fought with a Persian porn ring (yes, you read that right), Tig drowns one Persian in a bathtub full of urine, and then urinates on the man (yeah, you really read that right), Chib beats the crap out of Juice (not the face!) and Tara starts a prison fight with her bunk mates.
Photo Credit: Prashant Gupta/FX
Essentially all the anger and hate these characters bury deep within themselves always ends with an explosion of violence. Just as the school shooting demonstrates, nothing is as it seems. SAMCRO attack these men for hurting women, but then make business dealings with other prostitutes because they are keeping them “safe.” While they are saving them from a dangerous scenario, are these women really being helped? In Jax’s mind they are.
Tig is also a bundle of rage. Trying desperately to recover from his daughter’s brutal murder, we still can see he is still a shattered soul. Lee is also a complete mystery. He has Otto raped, Tara thrown in jail, and is currently asking both Tara and Clay to turn on Jax so that he can have justice for his sister. We discover he is a heroin addict, who occasionally dances naked in front of mirrors for funzies. No one has their shit together, and no matter how hard they try, these characters continue on a downward spiral where their only satisfaction comes from destroying each other.
One thing I always loved about this show is the meaning of family. SAMCRO is a family who would die for each other, but the betrayals throughout the seasons have weakened the sense of brotherhood that was once so heartwarming about this show. Clay may turn on Jax again to save his life, Jax may have to give up Tig to protect himself, and Tara may also have to betray Jax to protect her children. Normally when in trouble people always can rely on their mother. Unfortunately for everyone here, Gemma is the mother.
Photo Credit: Prashant Gupta/FX
Gemma is consistently referred to as Mom, Grandma, Ma, etc. throughout the episode. While she does run shit, she does not make shit better. For someone who claims to love her family so much, she is always looking out for number one: herself. Gemma’s mistakes are highlighted by the gift she gives Nero’s son: a toy gun. Of all the toys to buy a child she does not know, she picks what she knows best: violence. She also lets her son follow in his father’s footsteps down a road of violence. She put Jax’s gun in his hands, whether she acknowledges it or not.
The other mother we see in this episode is Madam Collette. Yes, she’s a prostitute, but she takes care of a group of girls and also offers to take care of Jax. As she says, “a mother’s work is never done.” Jax, feeling abandoned by Tara refusing to see him, sees a mother figure in this woman. He watches her do laundry, and make the bed…this is not normal foreplay. As sick and Freudian as it may be, Jax sees in this woman the mother and the simplicity he never had, and that’s what he finds so attractive. Yes, EWWW I KNOW! I JUST WROTE THIS.
Now for the worst part of the show…Tara’s hair. What? Did you expect me to be completely serious during this episode? No really, what is this bitch thinking? Has she not watched Orange is the New Black? You do NOT get a lesbian haircut while you are in prison. Bitch please, no.
Overall, this episode was definitely compelling and left many questions to ask. Will Clay really betray SAMCRO? How will Jax react to the school shooting? Will the musical montages ever let this show end before 11 so I can get to bed? As always, leave comments and let me know what you think!!
Tune in next week for an all new episode and check out the season preview video below!
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