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.
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.
