Review By Kamal K
SOA is brought to us by Kurt Sutter, executive producer of The Shield, and follows a motorcycle gang led by Clay (Ron Perlman), but mainly seen from the point of view of his stepson and young gang member Jax (short for Jackson, played with enthusiasm by Charlie Hunnam (dropping his Geordie accent for a decent American accent).
Early on, Jax finds a journal written by his father, the founder of the Sons, that shows him how the Sons 'lost their way' and thus begins Jax's disillusionment with the organisation.
We start with a bang as the Sons of Anarchy's weapons store is destroyed by a rival gang and from this the series very rarely lets up. The weapons store is how the Sons fund their club, and through this keep the little fictional town of Charming clean of drugs and bad influences (aside from themselves, of course).
Left with no choice but to seek revenge and also clean up the business that would have come through the weapons store, the Sons spend the whole of season one dealing with other gangs, getting together money to settle deals, child rapists, chronic masturbation, hiding past transgressions, covering up for each other, and federal investigation. Throw into that marital issues, babies, community support and family life, and you've got a really powerful series that is dramatic and tense, whilst still remaining funny and contemporary.
"If you're a man with convictions, violence is inevitable," is just one example of Sutter's double-edge writing style. Each episode plays hard and fast with the idea of law and order, authority and respect. Having said that, for the Sons, there are clear cut rules for all of their activities, legal and otherwise. When these rules are broken, the penalties are harsh and usually quite violent: an ex-member not removing his tattoo is a disturbing case in point. Morality is an interesting concept in Sons Of Anarchy. All the characters are working to do what they see as the right thing, be it the police, the Sons, or the peripheral characters. Sutter's writing reflects this incredibly well, with equal measures of drama and humour, coupled with a real sense of danger.
Aside from the sprawling and, occasionally, complex biker gang storyline, we have the relationship that Jax has with his ex-wife, Wendy, a drug addict who gives birth to their baby prematurely. Coupled with all the issues of premature birth, the baby also has a 'family flaw,' a heart defect, which claimed Jax's brother. As if that wasn't complicated enough for him, he's got an on-off relationship with his high school sweetheart and local nurse, Tara. Neither is particularly liked by Jax's mother, who is extremely protective of her son, the biker gang and Charming.
The first half of the series is a slow burner, setting up the various plotlines and establishing the characters (as you would expect from a series). However, none of it feels like 'filler' or 'padding.' The various plotlines come together half way through the series, with a confrontation with the Nords and Mayans trying to bring the Sons down and the ongoing tension between Clay and Jax, the possibility of betrayal from within, the three women in Jax's life all vying for his attention, a dangerous ex and the conclusion of the ATF investigation.
Season one ends with the Sons more fractured than when we first met them, Jax in a dangerous position, a family struggling to keep it together and far too many bridges in need of repairing. Series and the very end of the episode works better for what is not said than the few words spoken. It is, indeed "time for a change".
Sons Of Anarchy is part of a recent trend to darker, harder TV drama that requires more than just gripping storylines. It definitely has that, but it also requires a cast able to portray each character realistically. We've definitely got that here!
Katey Sagal is breathtaking as Jax's mother, Gemma. Cast as a loving mother, wife and pillar of the community, she is unexpectedly manipulative and quite nasty, knowing exactly what is right for the Sons and only wanting to ensure they get it at any cost, whilst not revealing her true nature to her son. Sagal plays the role with relish, bringing an almost Shakespearean aspect to the role.
Ron Perlman turns in a hugely understated performance as Clay, the ageing leader of the Sons. He knows his days as leader are numbered, but will do anything to keep hold of his power. With every scene, he burns up the screen with his intensity, but can turn on the charm and humour.
Charlie Hunnam is captivating as Jax. It would have been easy to have cast him as a good looking, blond haired heart throb, but Hunnam's character has depth and emotion that he manages to carry off well, in the face of stiff competition. He may not be the tallest, broadest or most intimidating Son, but he has presence.
Other characters are just as well crafted and convincingly acted. There are very few weak points in the series, in casting or writing.
As a series, it's well written, well acted and well executed. There's a fair degree of racial tension, adult language and sex. It's never overdone or out of place, as would be seen in some less intelligent TV offerings. There's also the politics of handling the various gangs and relationships; and it's here that the programme really shines. Dialogue moves quickly and you really have to pay attention to keep up; things happen and sometimes it really takes you by surprise.
2 out of 2 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
