Better Half

I have been writing episode synopsises for season one of Sons of Anarchy thus have been avoiding writing reviews seeing it a little bit of a creative conflict of interests. However, after I watched season 1 episode 10, I had to write this review. This episode is superb, perhaps the best in the entire season. It is the point where everything simply clicks into place with both the acting and the writing. It is extremely funny and the drama is nothing short of compelling. The actors now seem to know who their characters are and there are three scenes in particular that are superb. Charlie Hunman in particular really seems to understand all facets of Jackson and the inclusion of new antagonist ATF Agent Stahl (played by Ally Walker) really works. The ATF agent is both cruel and sexy and the confusion makes for great television viewing. The comrade between club members provides much of the stimulus for the comedy. Whilst nothing pivotal to the plot happens (although much of it is set up) this episode in every way has all of the ingredients that make me love this show.

The day after tomorrow come fight on the hill in the early day stiffened wounds test their pride men of five from SOA, still alive through the raging glow gone insane from the pain that they surely know for whom the bell tolls..!? Crack of dawn, all is gone except the will to be Bobi to remember, Tig to forget so I called up Clay, please bring me my wife he said, we haven't had that spirit here since 1969 and still, those voices are calling from far away! Otto runs breathlessly over land and water in familiar fashion, offering more action than sense and next to nothing in the way of suspense, humor or romance..!?

This episode is nothing if not moving at a thousand miles an hour. The episode moves from one thing to the next in a matter of moments. So many things are suddenly up in the air for SAMCRO as the ATF, in the form of Agent Stahl, circles. She's more dangerous than Kohn was for the simple reason that Kohn was focused on Tara. It becomes clear by the end of Better Half that Stahl's crosshairs are set squarely on SAMCRO.

I'd like to talk about two developments I really liked. I'll start with Gemma and Stahl finally meeting and addressing each for the first time. This pairing just felt right. Like two lionesses had come across one another and immediately recognized the other wasn't just another cub. The two shared especially pointed barbs. I think this is a larger point about what sets SoA apart. Characters of interest come from all directions. I used to sigh and grumble my way through Carmela's scenes on The Sopranos. Gemma is an entirely different animal. She's adult, she's self-aware and she knows what compromises must be made to protect her family. Gemma really is a lioness in that sense.

The next thing I appreciated was Unser's role. The Chief, someone who can get on my nerves, has had two good roles in the last two episodes. There's just something neat about seeing him at the table with SAMCRO. This episode hit home how interconnected they are. SAMCRO's roots are deep. If Stahl gets her way, she won't just be taking down SAMCRO, she'll be leveling Charming, for better or worse.