words_ shannon cooney. pictures_ forbes.com, flicksided.com.
EP 2: TOIL AND TILL
This week’s episode of Sons of Anarchy gave a clear picture of what is to come this season. The episode introduces a solid storyline for the characters. Last episode functioned to rap-up last season’s finale and cleared the way for characters to take a new path. Last week the show ended with Jax brutally murdering the member of the triad crew whom Gemma named as Tara’s killer.
Jax begins this episode lying alone in bed as he stares at what used to be Tara’s side. Kurt Sutter is reminding viewers that while Tara is gone her presence is still felt perhaps even more now. Jax’s love for her still fuels him. At the start of the episode while speaking with fellow Son and president of the Indian Hills charter, Uncle Jury, Jax reveals his plan to get revenge on Lin and the triads has just begun. He tells Jury that he plans to infiltrate Lin and the triads and tear them apart from the inside out. He says he will kill everyone Lin cares about. His first move in this plan is to hijack a shipment in order to favorably position himself within the triads.
Jax recruits the Jury and Sons from Indian Hills to help. They bring some of their outside muscle to loan them a car for the hijacking. When Jax questions the credibility of the muscle, Jury tells him they are friends of the club and reliable. Jax knows Lin will suspect him of the hijacking. When confronted he tells Lin he will find who was responsible and pins the crime on the outside muscle, killing them both. While this is brilliant of Jax, he fails to think the situation through and cover his bases. At the end of the episode we see Jury cradling the body of one of the guys. This is contrasted with the image of Jax holding his son, Able, as he sleeps. It is implied that the man Jax killed was someone Jury cared for deeply. Once again, Jax only gets himself into more trouble as he tried to manipulate his way through his various enemies.
Other than this storyline, which does hold promise of great conflict further on in the season, the rest of the episode was kind of boring. My favorite parts were the hysterical and sarcastic interactions between several of the supporting characters. While Tig and Rat sit on a stakeout and exchange barbs, Tig tells Rat to “think gay thoughts.” This reminded me why I love Tig’s character so much.
Furthermore, the conversation during a car ride between Wendy and Nero shower writer Kurt Sutter’s brilliance with sarcasm. They bonded over their shared addictions while cynically but playfully bantering back and forth. The “nanny and gardener” quip had me cracking up. Also it seemed there was an underlying flirtation between these characters. While unexpected, I liked it. I loathe Gemma and the thought of her not getting her way in the end delights me. Also, we get the hint that she won’t be able to outrun her sins much longer. She keeps constantly being reminded of the hurt she has caused the people around her.
Truthfully, the episode was sort of slow. However, I get the feeling that each little story line and tidbit is working towards a much bigger and much exciting picture. Kurt Sutter’s revelation that two characters will die lingers in the back of my mind as I watch and I can’t help but sense the impending doom for SAMCRO.