Potlatch: A leader holds a feast for friends and family in their home. The main purpose is the re-distribution and reciprocity of wealth.
With an already-dwindling gun supply in question, SAMCRO takes extreme measures to procure weapons for a customer. The revenge that is sought following a theft at Caracara Studios puts one diva at risk. Tara’s professional and personal lives begin to collide.
“Change won’t happen quick, or without blood, but it’ll happen. It has to.” -Jax
Sons of Anarchy "Potlatch"
The good:
Nutical!
the Pandora’s box that opened with the break-in at Caracara
Chucky’s back, sans 8 digits (“I accept that“)
The “Irish bitch” is back, we meet Mrs. Chibs
This time around, Tom Arnold is wonderfully sleazy as George Caruso
Walking into a Mayan ambush at LaRoy’s
tension within the ranks of the League
Tara’s worlds in a power struggle
Zobelle’s logic in supplying guns to the Mayans
the rift within SAMCRO gets just that much wider
The not-so good:
Ah, Luanne…we hardly knew ye
only 5 episodes left this season!
Sons of anarchy news
Ratings: TV by the Numbers reports that SoA is a hit with adults in the 18-49 and the 18-34 age bracket, being the only scripted drama in both top ten lists of shows.
File this under my own personal excitement: apparently another “Deadwood” alumni (and recently of Lost, playing Jacob’s enemy), Titus Welliver, will be joining SoA for a few episodes. The other alumn is, of course, Dayton Callie who plays Chief Unser.
Titus Welliver & Dayton Callie from HBO's now defunct "Deadwood"
I have to give a shout-out to Michael Ornstein, who plays Chucky and is a fellow MA resident. From Boston.com:
Here’s a good reason to watch the FX biker show “Sons of Anarchy’’ tonight – one of the show’s guest stars is one of our own, a resident of the Barnstable village of Cotuit. Actor Michael Ornstein, who moved with his family to the Cape a few years ago, appears in the show for the second season in a row as Chuck Marstein, an accountant with an unusual sexual issue. “It’s a very unique tick,’’ Ornstein explains with a giggle. “It’s a big problem.’’ Ornstein, 46, tells us he’ll play Marstein in four episodes this season. The work on “Sons’’ has had him traveling between the Cape and Los Angeles, but he says he’ll be home in the Bay State to watch the show tonight. “Maybe my kids can stay up a little late to watch,’’ he joked.
The Watcher voted SoA’s theme song one of the best on tv:“This Life” from “Sons of Anarchy” – Curtis Stigers is better known as a jazz saxophonist and vocalist, but he does a great impression of an old-fashioned blues singer here. The song is a perfect fit for the show, but it stands on its own, too.
SoA theme song voted one of the best on tv today
The big buzz of the week past is how SoA beat out (actually, I believe the adjective I saw used was “crushed“) Jay Leno in the 10 o’clock time slot for Tuesday night . Seems like lots of folks in “the industry” are shocked by this fact, although I can’t really figure out why. Kurt Sutter sounds off as to why it ain’t Jay’s fault on his blog at SutterInk.
Women's Sons Of Anarchy 'SAMCRO' T-shirt
And if you want to show off your love for the show, there is now official Sons of Anarchy merchandise for sale. The official store has t-shirts, pint and shot glasses, hats and much more to choose from.
Next week: Episode 2.9 “Fa Guan”
When SAMCRO’s adult-film business becomes a hindrance to the club, Clay seizes the opportunity to revive the gun-running cartel. As Jax and Clay continue to clash over club activities, their relationship reaches a new level of antagonism.
In this day and age, it’s hard to believe that particular views of subcultures are still kicking around. While looking for something new & interesting in regards to motorcycle fashion, I found this article. Just by the title alone I let out a groan, anticipating how effectively the author, Rachel Spohn (a freelance writer for Ezine Articles), could facilitate the dumbed-down views of the “biker chick” stereotype. Turns out, she was very effective.
I got your biker chick right here...
But read for yourself:
The Basics of Biker Chick Fashion
Part of being a motorcycle owner means induction into a select society. And as is the case with any culture, there are a few wardrobe requirements that set its members off from the rest of society. Female bikers have a lot of versatility when it comes to their wardrobe, but some basics never change. Here are some simple steps to help you look the part and master the art of biker chick fashion.
First, remember that you can never go wrong with, or have enough, leather. Long hailed as the hallmark of any motoring outfit, leather pulls double duty in that it keeps you safe on the road and helps you look your biker best. Buy pieces such as a vest, boots, belt, a pair of tight pants, and most importantly, a jacket. The traditional color is black, but feel free to branch out to a little red or hot pink here and there.
If possible, get yourself inked. A tattoo–or three–shows your tough biker side. Popular options more biker chicks include classic pin-up girls, thorny roses, and sword impaled hearts. Tattoos are not just for men, and the themes you can choose from are endless.
Next, wear dark sunglasses. Like leather clothes, sunglasses not only make you look cool, but they are also functional. Shades protect you from the sun, wind, and bugs, and they help preserve your eye makeup.
Another important aspect of biker chick fashion is the hair. If you aren’t already blonde, bleach your hair and hold it back with an American flag bandanna. Keep your hairstyle simple, but something that looks good when you take off your helmet. Keeping a comb and hairspray in your saddle bag ensures a quick fix when the helmet comes off.
And finally, accessorize your look with silver jewelry, leather wristcuffs, a big belt buckle and red fingernail polish.
Once you have these basics down, you are ready to move on to making a biker fashion of your own!
Debunking the stereotype, one article at a time
I will say the article started off ok: it’s true that some of the basic fashions we, as bikers, wear are out of necessity to protect ourselves. Leather, no matter what color it is, is a staple to keep us warm in cool weather and to protect our skin if we happen to dump our bikes. It just also happens to have it’s place as being “fashionable” in some circles.
But as I read on, I could feel my lip begin to curl into a snarl of distaste.
Tattoos are deeply entwined in biker culture, but “classic pin-up girls, thorny roses, and sword impaled hearts“…um, really? If she had actually done some homework to familiarize herself with tattooing as an art form, she wouldn’t be so dismissive about what bikers (and non-bikers) adorn their bodies with. Sure, some people will go into a tattoo shop and pick something off of the wall, but the majority of people take their tattoos very seriously and put a lot of thought, money and effort into what they get inked on their bodies.
Sunglasses are worn for basic eye protection. Sun, bugs, wind burn and road grime are all hazards the eyes can be exposed to while riding. Wrap around glasses provide even more protection then regular design glasses. They also just happen to “look cool.” And I know from experience that sunglasses don’t do crap to preserve eye makeup. If you wear makeup while riding, waterproof makeup holds up better than regular.
Apparently I didn’t get the memo that all biker chicks should bleach their hair out blonde and wear American flag ‘do-rags. Did you guys? How come we aren’t riding around together in packs of bleach-blondness, wearing lots of silver jewelry with our red fingertips? PUH-LEEZE.
Maybe this was intended to be a fluff piece for her to show of her writing skills. If her goal is to be a fashion writer for some junky magazine, obviously doing the work to get the real facts about the topic is not important. But for those of us who are so deeply passionate about our culture, it’s hard not to take articles like this personally.
Bikers are drawn to skulls. More specifically, bikers are drawn to skull jewelry. This is why I’d like to call your attention to the talents of Nino925.
Nino925 was established in 1989 by designer/owner Frank Zubieta and specializes in superior, handcrafted custom jewelry. Nino has a commanding presence in the biker world and is being worn by celebrities, movers and shakers in the music industry and celebrity bike builders. The Nino925 brand has also become a fixture at biker events across the country. You may have even seen some him featured in motorcycle magazines like Easyriders and V-Twin.
I’ve been collecting skull rings since I was a teenager. These are the kind of rings that I would have dreamed of owning to adorn my fat little fingers! They are the kind of rings that any quality collector would want to have.
And more than just rings, there is a nice selection of heavy, sterling bracelets to choose from as well.
Oh, let’s not forget about the pendants and necklaces…
If skulls aren’t your thing, don’t fret: Nino925 has a few non-skull designs with a flair of rockabilly/tattoo design influence.
I first heard of Nino925 from my friend, ArtBiker, who has not only been a longtime supporter and collector, but recently commissioned a custom piece based on his own logo design. Even from the photo alone you can see the quality of this piece.
Custom designed ring for ArtBiker by Nino925
For more information on Nino925 (or if you’re interested in shopping his online catalog), visit www.Nino925.com.
From the Scriptures, “Gilead” means hill of testimony or mound of witness, a mountainous region east of the Jordan River, situated in the present-day Kingdom of Jordan.
“You know, this club needs a healing, brother. And you’ve got to be the one to deliver it.” -Bobby to Jax
The boys are locked up in the slammer with no friends to watch their backs. Opie’s up to his elbows holding down the Teller-Morrow fort, trying to fulfill Clay’s requests & on top of it, his own kids. Gemma struggles to find solace while doing whatever she can to get her boys out of jail. Everyone is trying to make sense of it all and find some inner peace. **Spoilers ahead**
Jax in episode 7 "Gilead"
Clay in his prison duds
The good:
the vulnerability of SAMCRO in jail
Helloooo Agent Stahl
the Zobelle/IRA connection: guns
Juice’s comical “romantic” endeavors
Gemma calling in the favor on Elliott Oswald & the really sweet interaction with his daughter, a rape survivor
Opie stepping up to the plate for the club
Tara calling Lyla “porn girl” (it made me snicker)
Agent Stahl’s tactics putting a bigger rift between Clay & Jax, leading to the inevitable blow-out
the palpable tension and parting of ways when the guys get home, leaving Gemma & Tara perplexed
The not-so good:
Juice getting shivved for his troubles
Plan backfired and Sheriff Trammel getting popped.
Sons of anarchy news
Ratings: TV by the Numbers reports that last week while Sons of Anarchy didn’t make the weekly cable top 40 by viewers (it was 49th, 3.312 million) it was the number three show with adults 18-49 on cable, trailing only ESPN’s Monday Night Football, and TBS’ coverage of game one of the NLCS between the Phillies and the Dodgers.
Sons of Anarchy was the only scripted show in the 18-49 top 10 last week and was also the only scripted non-animated show with adults 18-34 last week, coming in 8th.
Charlie Hunnam on Carson Daly
Kurt Sutter posted this video interview on his site last week. Somewhere in the swirling voids of my mind I knew that Charlie was English, but hearing him speak normally threw me off a little!
And speaking of…here’s an eyeful of man candy featuring young Mr. Hunnam for you ladies! Aww…so cute!
Next week: Episode 2.8 “Potlatch”
Zobelle’s business dealings with SAMCRO rivals exacerbate divisions in the club, which is already riven by the Jax-Clay split. And complicating matters further, Georgie Caruso’s (Tom Arnold) thugs attack Luanne’s studio. Meanwhile, Clay comes to an agreement with Elliott Oswald; and Chibs’ estranged wife shows up at his hospital bedside. Tara’s professional and personal lives begin to collide.
As a sucker for interesting and fun graphic design, I couldn’t help but to get drawn in when I saw the helmets from the french company, Ruby Helmets (or Les Atelier Ruby as they are officially known). Sleek and unique are the words that come to mind when I perused through the collections, which creator Jérôme Coste describes are “inspired by Steve McQueen, science fiction, mechanical beauties and Tokyo biker gangs.”
All Ruby helmets are made of carbon fiber, Kevlar and fiberglass and all of the screws are made from aluminum & titanium, guaranteeing strength while being lightweight. All helmets have a red inner lining that is padded with foam of different densities and the outer layer is made of claret-colored lambskin. And inside is a little bonus: the presence of your potential guardian angel, Lady Ruby. Each helmet comes in a traditional, protective red box. According to them, their helmets are DOT approved.
Guardian Lady Ruby
The Ruby red box
There are currently two different featured styles in the Ruby Helmet collection:
The Pavillion
The Pavillion is an open faced helmet of retro design and also the flagship model of Ruby Helmets.
Pavillion by Ruby Helmets
Pavillion's many styles
Pavillion styles and colors
The Belvedere
The Belvedere’s design is based on the Pavillion, but has the option of incorporating a full face visor, giving it a retro-futuristic style.
Belvedere by Ruby Helmets
Belvedere's different styles
These definitely fall into the “luxury” category (if one exists for helmets) as they will hit you in the wallet for upwards to $1000 USD.
The designer in me appreciates the visual appeal and general “coolness” of these helmets. In theory, if someone had the right style bike, this helmet would be a great compliment to it. However, the realistic biker in me knows that if a “typical” biker saw someone wearing one of these helmets, they would think they were a hipster wannabe and would probably kick that person’s butt!
Falx Cerebri: n.
The scythe-shaped fold of dura mater in the longitudinal fissure between the two cerebral hemispheres.
“I got a bad feeling we’ll be walking right into a trap.”- Jax
A fortuitous quote in the first 5 minutes of the show. This episode’s title is representative of the conflicting leadership styles of Clay & Jax: Clay’s hellbent, emotive retaliation efforts vs. Jax’s strategic, overly-thought out plan. This time around, Clay wins out and sends the club out on a duck hunt for Zobelle & Weston. **Spoilers ahead**
episode 6: Falx Cerebi
The cop & the criminal
The good (and SO much of it!):
Chibs is ok
The Hale/Jax connection
Tara’s look of realization as to why someone planted the car bomb
Radioactive pee
Seeing more of Polly Zobelle this week and realizing the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
Weston’s brain-washed kids
Could I love Gemma any more? Taking Tara under her wing, the hatbox collection (and the toy surprises inside!) and shooting up Trampy McTramp’s car
Hale blackmailing Polly
The well-planned ambush of SAMCRO
The not-so good:
We’re just about half-way through the season!
Sons of anarchy news
Ratings: TV by the Numbers reports that ratings stayed flat from last week (3.763 million) but up with adults 18-49, completely beating the pants off of ABC’s “The Forgotten.”
Kurt Sutter tweeted about the overall numbers for Season 2: “Sons of Anarchy season 2 avg. 3.7 million P2+ and 2.6 million A18-49, gains of +68% and +77% vs. season 1. Very impressive.”
**Spoilers**
E!Online is reporting that someone on the show is gonna get whacked in episode 8, “Potlatch”:
Brace yourselves, Samcro fans, because in an upcoming episode of FX’s ultragritty family drama Sons of Anarchy, someone close to the club gets dead. Majorly dead. Blood and brain matter dead. And when you learn who it is, your heart is going to break a little. So is it Chibs (Tommy Flanagan), who just took a car bomb to the head…or could there be someone else on the chopping block?…The good news is the death ain’t Chibs. The bad news is that it’s somebody else about whom the club cares deeply.
A lot of people are guessing that perhaps the unfortunate soul is Unser, but according to E!Online’s Spoiler Chat: We don’t want to give away the farm too early, but here’s another big hint: If you guessed a man in uniform, you guessed wrong. Uh oh.
Next week: Episode 2.7 “Gilead”
Since The League has SAMCRO members behind bars, the club must make new alliances in prison to survive. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agent Stahl uses this imprisonment to test Jax and Clay’s relationship.
Kurt Sutter tweeted yesterday: “next week’s ep 7, gilead, probably my favorite of the season. clearly “oz” was my favorite show. i think fontana is a genius. i aspire…”
I have to say thanks to my friend ArtBiker for calling this to my attention only yesterday! I wish I’d known about it sooner. You still have two days to vote on the new slogan!
Top 10 Semi-Finalists Selected for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation “Ride On! Write On!” Contest. Public Vote Will Determine Winning MSF Slogan.
The MSF “Ride On! Write On!” slogan contest.
After reviewing over 550 submissions to its Ride On! Write On! contest, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has selected the top 10 semi-finalist slogans. The public is invited to vote online at msf-usa.org to determine the winning slogan. Votes will be accepted until 6:00 P.M. (Pacific Standard Time) on October 15, 2009. One vote per person. See website for details.
Top Ten Semi-Finalist Slogans
1. Real Divas Ride Smart
2. New Rider, New Skills, New Confidence, New Friends, New Woman
3. A good foundation isn’t just for your face
4. Save a marriage, let a professional teach you to ride. MSF saving marriages since 1973.
5. Mom taught me about life … MSF taught me about riding
6. Your curves look better when trained. Take an MSF class!
7. Unleash your Inner Biker Chic! Take A MSF Course Today!
8. Women on motorcycles are positive female “roll” models. Strike a pose!
9. MSF RiderCourse, a women’s ignition to confidence, independence and inspiration
10. Female motorcycling – The essence of independence! Learn how at www.msf-usa.org
The goal of the contest is to generate a slogan that will be used primarily for women’s shirts, as well as other items the MSF may choose to make available for sale.
The top three winners will receive gift certificate prizes from Whitehorse Gear: 1st Place is $599, 2nd Place is $400 and 3rd Place is $300. Winners will be announced on or after October 16, 2009. Rules and restrictions apply. See the MSF website for details.
I, like the rest of the world, use Twitter quite a bit. So, if you’re one for instant gratification, then follow me to get the latest info and ramblings from! If you’re not familiar with Twitter, well isn’t now as good a time as any to do so?
SPS to build two new giveaway bikes including “Flo’s Flyer,” SPS’s submission to Artistry in Iron
Sucker Punch Sally’s, the premier old school motorcycle builder known for producing the best stripped-down bobbers and choppers, is continuing its partnership with Progressive Insurance, the country’s number-one motorcycle insurer.
Highlights of last year’s partnership included building two Progressive Insurance bikes; designing a co-branded giveaway t-shirt; designing a 28-foot trailer featuring both Progressive and SPS; and appearing together at all 11 IMS Cycle World Motorcycle Shows. Sucker Punch Sally’s owner Christian Clayton also appeared in a print ad with Flo from the Progressive commercials.
Next year will feature an even bigger, 50-foot trailer showcasing the Sucker Punch style and Progressive. The trailer, along with two new giveaway bikes, will be the centerpiece of the Progressive Insurance booth at the 11 IMS shows across the country. While the booth will be twice as big as last year’s, it will still have a lounge atmosphere where bikers can relax, enjoy the bikes, and learn about SPS and Progressive.
Flo’s Flyer, one of the Progressive custom bikes built by Sucker Punch Sally’s, will be featured wherever Sucker Punch Sally’s is set up. A one-off boardtrack style motorcycle that’s completely hand made at SPS’s Arizona headquarters, Flo’s Flyer will be SPS’s submission to Artistry in Iron.
Flo’s Flyer
Flo’s Flyer, one of the Progressive custom bikes built by Sucker Punch Sally’s
“We have a great partnership with Progressive Insurance and are excited about continuing and expanding our role with the #1 motorcycle insurer in the U.S.A.” said Christian Clayton, owner of Sucker Punch Sally’s.
Founded in 2002, Sucker Punch Sally’s continues to stay true to their traditional biker values by providing the best stripped-down bobbers and choppers at the most reasonable prices. The old school no-nonsense style of bikes that started Sucker Punch Sally’s are the bikes they still build today, only now with the convenience of modern manufacturing practices. The Traditional and the 66 Bobber both received industry awards in 2007 and are the two models that the company was founded on. They have the capacity to build 100 bikes a month at their manufacturing facility in Scottsdale, Ariz., including the widely anticipated Swinger. Their model line has been built up to six different models, with the additions of the stealthy Slim and the retro-styled Hot Rod. Sucker Punch Sally’s continuously growing dealer network throughout the U.S. showcases the wide variety of bikes they have available, all of which exude SPS style.
“These guys…they’re monied and connected: both sides of the law.”
SAMCRO finally realizes how big of a threat the League is to them, not that they were being subtle about it. I don’t know how you guys felt while watching, but there were a lot of “holy shit” moments for me for sure. **Spoilers ahead!**
more headbutting between Clay & Jax
The MC is clearly divided between the two men.
The good:
The League’s tenacious ferocity towards SAMCRO
Poor Otto…
Tara’s ride: SWEET
Learning that the blond girl who lured Gemma is Zobelle’s daughter
Gemma reading an excerpt of John Teller’s book
Unser divulging to Hale what happened to Gemma
Jax letting Tara read The Life and Death of SAMCRO
The explosive end
The no-so good:
OPIE! I miss the Opie we knew last season. I know the evolution of his character is serving a purpose, but…
Sons of anarchy news
Ratings for last week’s episode “Eureka”
In last week’s update I mentioned that this episode was the second highest in ratings after the season premier. TV by the Numbers reports that SoA averaged 3.76 million viewers (up in viewers from the previous week’s 3.49 million for “Fix”). The show is beating FX’s other shows Damages and Rescue Me by a fairly wide margin. So, keep watching everyone!!
Full episode list for season 2:
Episode 1: “Albification”
Episode 2: “Small Tears”
Episode 3: “Fix”
Episode 4: “Eureka”
Episode 5: “Smite”
Episode 6: “Falx Cerebri”
Episode 7: “Gilead”
Episode 8: “Potlatch”
Episode 9: “Fa Guan”
Episode 10: “Balm”
Episode 11: “Service”
Episode 12: “The Culling”
Episode 13: “Na Trioblóidí”
Kurt Sutter attends Sonny’s 71st
Over the weekend Kurt Sutter attended Sonny Barger’s 71st birthday party and received permission to write a blog entry about it. Really interesting peek into a world I will never know.
A while back, I got wind that Sonny was a fan of Sons. My initial response was relief. Perhaps the same relief David Chase [creator of the Sopranos] felt when he got a gift basket instead of a dead fish from his Italian brethren.
My husband had met Sonny Barger a few years ago when he photographed a portrait of him at a bike rally. Knowing how things typically work around Mr. Barger, I feel comfortable in saying that Kurt Sutter is blessed to be welcomed into that circle with open arms.
Special Effects
From last week’s episode, the crew smashed thru a ratty motel to liberate Tig from the bounty hunters. Here’s a little tidbit of that event from behind the scenes. From the FX SOA production blog: “they got to build AND destroy one of the many sets you see in the show. It is oddly satisfying – so I’m told – to build something only to crash a flatbed truck right into it.”
I was sure satisfied while I was watching it…
And something to ponder: why are SO MANY people offended by the fact that Jax wears WHITE sneakers?
The amount of comments that fly around about the stupid sneakers is stunning to me. In fact, it has resulted as one of my highest commented posts on this site, and I have also seen it happen on other sites as well. I don’t get it!
Next week: Episode 2.6 “Falx Cerebri”
After the explosion, retaliation is a go as the tension between Jax and Clay begins to boil over. Despite best efforts, the rift between Jax and Opie widens as Clay further embraces him. Jax works with an unlikely partner in a last ditch effort to protect the club.
