Episode 2.2 “Small Tears”
“Unraveling the matriarch will destabilize them. They’re all little boys who need a strong mommy.”
A lot of Twitter feedback from last’s episode was that it was “boring.” I disagree. The thing that everyone has to keep in mind with Sons of Anarchy is that the writing is very sophisticated (despite the subject matter) and there’s more happening in the show then following a group of lawless, badly-behaved bikers. There’s a lot of stuff going on that you have to pay full attention to, a lot of it very subtle, and if you don’t you can get a bit lost.
Gemma stole the show in episode 2 "Small Tears"
Cultural Learnings wrote a fantastic post about last night’s show. It’s more than a typical episode recap. I highly recommend giving it a read. Do not read it if you didn’t see the episode as it would SPOIL your viewing.
See? I said SPOIL as in, possible SPOILERS ahead!
Highlights:
- One word: Gemma. I don’t think I have to say anything more.
- Seeing show creator, Kurt Sutter back as jailbound Otto
- the uncomfortable scene of Tig & Opie being “pals”-made my skin crawl
- great Sopranos reference
Lowlights:
- Crashing that sweet Cadillac
- Tom Arnold. He’s sleazy, but not sleazy enough as a porn mogul
Sons of Anarchy news
The season premier sets a ratings record:
The second season premiere of Sons of Anarchy on FX debuted to a series high Sept. 8. Anarchy drew 4.29 million total viewers, including 3.03 million P18-49. The program grew 95% over its series premiere in the key 18-49 demo, the largest increase ever for the second season premiere of an FX series.
Screen Rant has some tid bits to share about the show
- When SoA premiered, it drew in 1.5 million viewers, despite going up against a Sarah Palin speech. These numbers were the highest since Rescue Me premiere for the network.
- Clay (Ron Perlman) is based on King Claudius & Jax on Hamlet. It’s not quite Hamlet, but it would seem to be the guiding force of inspiration for the series.
- Before Sons of Anarchy, Ron Perlman had never been on a motorcycle.
Monsters & Critics interviewed Henry Rollins recently. Here’s an excerpt describing his physical transformation for the role of AJ Weston.
M&C: Your physical transformation is noted…you had a more lithe, yoga lean physique that you previously shared was due to a more vegan diet you adopted the past ten years. Tell me what your training and changes entailed when you signed on for this role?
Henry Rollins: I was asked if I could put on some more muscle for the part. I upped the daily caloric intake and lifting poundage. Hopefully I got the size they were looking for. I don’t train like that anymore, it’s hard on the frame and I don’t really need the mass.
M&C: At the TCA’s, you shared that the cast and crew were exceedingly kind and talented. Whose performances within this series have impressed you the most, and which particular scenes were the hardest for you to shoot personally in this complex second season?
Henry Rollins: I think that all of the cast are very talented. Charlie Hunnam and Ryan Hurst stand out in my mind as being exceptionally impressive. The hardest scene for me was the assault scene in episode one. It was very important to the plot, but it was a relief when it was behind me.
It was not an enjoyable experience.
Rollins at the premiere for SoA
M&C: Will your character have more curt power struggle exchanges or face-offs with Darby, the reigning Charming supremacist?
Henry Rollins: Darby and Weston don’t like each other and it’s a small town, so there may be some future friction, you never know.
M&C: The tattoos you have, which are yours, and which are transfers applied by the makeup department? The one on your lower neck, what does it symbolize?
Henry Rollins: Only one tattoo is applied to me for the part.
It’s the life rune at the base of my neck. Here’s an explanation: http://www.adl.org/hate_symbols/groups_national_alliance.asp.
M&C: How long do we get the pleasure of AJ Weston this season, will he remain in Charming until season three?
Henry Rollins: The lifespan of AJ Weston is not in my hands.
E! Online
I have to link to this article at E! Online because I just love the title: What the hell just happened on Sons of Anarchy?!
Charlie Hunnam promises a major showdown between Clay and Jax
TV Guide reveals their take on season 2 and bits of an interview with Charlie Hunnam:
“There’s going to have to be a reckoning at some point, and Jax tries to do it in a way that’s the least damaging to the club,” Hunnam says. “But it builds and it builds and it builds to this violent confrontation. It’s a pretty hairy sequence, but I think it’s worth the wait.”
Isn’t it great to have something to look forward to every week?