When a new season of a show starts up, my brain usually spends the first few minutes trying to remember all the stuff that happened last season. It’s funny how it all comes rolling back once you start getting into the new show. The club’s international travel to Belfast last season was met with mixed reactions by a lot of fans, so this season we can be confident that things will a lot of discourse will happen from protagonists close to home in Charming, as well as internally within the club.
Per usual I’ll be going into the episode in depth so if you don’t want to know, stop reading. Gaze into Charlie Hunnam’s baby blues instead…
Sons of Anarchy: season 4
Sons of Anarchy: season 4
Episode 4.01 “Out”
It’s 14 months since we left off and a shirtless Jax sitting in his cell. He has to be shirtless so we can see the new scars that adorn his perfectly chiseled midsection. Those who’ve watched the appisode “Pay Phone” know that a few weeks after entering prison, Jax was shivved by a Russian. Nothing personal, just business. A guard approaches. It’s time to go home.
Opie greets Jax as he leaves prison, episode 1 "Out"
Montage time to get us familiar with what’s going on: a preschool aged Abel is coloring with crayons, Tara is sitting at her desk (in her own practice?) still reading those letters that JT sent to Maureen. She promptly shoves them in her bag when someone knocks on the door and Abel promptly grabs a page to scribble on when she’s not looking. The guys go through the steps of getting out of jail, Gemma tends to little Thomas (who we met in the appisode “Second Son” along with Tara’s giant boobs). Back in jail to Big Otto in solitary, who’s morning breakfast consists of a hard-boiled egg with a toy surprise inside, a shiny new razor blade. Minutes into the episode and things are getting serious.
Back to the guy’s getting out, it’s a happy reunion for all. They climb on their bikes and give Stockton a one-finger salute as they head back to Charming. A purposeful pool of blood has formed outside of Otto’s cell (my husband at this point gets concerned that Otto has killed himself, but I know better because this is Sons of Anarchy and I’ve watched all of the WTF Sutter’s on youtube and know that Otto shows up later in the season). But Otto can’t be dead, he’s a useful tool inside the Big House and as a man who hasn’t got a whole lot more left to lose, is willing to do just about anything for the club.
The boys as they head out to go back to Charming.
As the boys enter Charming they see that Evil brother Hale’s plan of real estate development has been put into action, with noted Oswald as a partner. Uh oh. The new sheriff, Roosevelt, is getting a haircut and just from looking at him you can tell he’s a take-no-shit kind of guy. And he has a special welcoming committee waiting. But there’s also a mysterious new cat hanging out in wait as well. He sticks out quite a bit actually with his euro-moto clothes and riding a *gasp* Triumph.
Roosevelt informs the newly released, “The conditions of your release state no gang colors or identifying clothing may be worn in public.” and according to the government they qualify as a gang, so no cuts allowed.
And all this before opening credits.
•At the Teller-Morrow garage, Piney approaches Tara. ”History’s dead, sweetheart. It’s got to stay that way.” This alludes to the exchange in the appisode “Tara and Piney” in which she approaches Piney about the truth behind John Teller’s death. There’s also a kind of sweet exchange between Gemma and Tara, who seemed to have really bonded while the boys were gone. Now that they’re out, we know that won’t last.
•Happy reunion time with some things of note: Unser is absent, Chucky has weird finger prosthetics cuz he was freaking Gemma out and Gemma handed off a mysterious item to Jax.
•In Sheriff Roosevelt’s office, the peculiar Triumph rider is introduced as assistant U.S. attorney Lincoln Potter and boy, he is odd (and I like that). In a roundabout way he tells Roosevelt that he wants to discuss something with him, but it’s the way he says it makes Roosevelt a bit uncomfortable. Cue Darth Vader’s theme song and Mayor Hale pays a visit, concerned with the newly released members of SAMCRO. There’s a bit of a weak stream pissing match between the two and Roosevelt reiterates that he’s got it under control (for now) before Hale poofs away in a cloud of smoke.
•Church is in session: back payment in the form of stacks of envelopes are handed out to the jail birds. In conversation we’re reminded that gun trading is the means of payment these days, even with small percentages coming their way. Clay steers convo to what’s going on with Hale’s real estate shenanigans and Opie explains “Hale’s got a shitload of presales and just needs a few more investors before he starts swinging hammers.” And what happened with their buddy Oswald? Well Hale screwed him over, of course, by pushing through a new on-ramp to Highway 99, then used the ramp as an excuse to seize Oswald’s land under eminent domain. Since Oswald lost millions of dollars, he’s has to earn it back by providing lumber and labor to the development. The town is ok with the plan because it’ll provide jobs, although only temporarily. And it seems only Clay realizes that the end result will be a housing market most long-term residents won’t be able to afford, himself included. He intends to do something about that.
Jax asks about “black and proud” Sheriff Roosevelt. He’s got an anti-gang background,been on the job 10 months and Opie says, “He’s let us know he’s here, but this is the first time he’s whipped his dick out.” Piney’s two cents is, “You’re not going to get the sheriff on your payroll. This boy’s a straight-up cop.” Gone are the days of Unser and David Hale.
It’s a busy day, apparently, because they have to head off to a meeting with the Russians at a strip club (and a very funny exchange at Tig and Happy’s expense occurs), not to mention by the way, that Opie and Lyla are getting married that night. “I know how much is in those envelopes,” Opie says, “so those wedding gifts better not be bullshit.”
•Predictably, the local law is tailing SAMCRO. Insert car/motorcycle chase scene in which they outsmart the eager deputies.
•Roosevelt heads up to Lincoln Potter’s office and is met with a stack of confidentiality agreements to sign. Lincoln Potter explains that he has trust issues. “That way, you say anything about what you see, I strip your badge and throw you in jail,” Potter shrugs. Two secured doorways later the men enter a SAMCRO decorated war room. All of the clubs friends, family and known associates (the russians and RIRA) are up on that wall and we have to remember that they are bad dudes. Curiously at the bottom of the SAMCRO photo spread is a the sign “Plan B,” and both Otto and Juice’s mug shots are there. Wonder what that is…
Potter starts to lay things out to Roosevelt: He’s going to use RICO to take down SAMCRO now that they’re dealing guns. He’s working with the CIA, the FBI and ATF. He explains that because the Russians were pissed when SAMCRO screwed them over at the end of last season, they had Jax shivved while in prison. Clay brokered a deal in which the Russians got a large percentage of the gun sales while SAMCRO was on the inside. But now that SAMCRO’s out that deal will change. There’s an FBI agent who’s been undercover in Putlova’s crew for over a year now and is in line to become the number two guy. The idea is that the agent is inside will be able to get Putlova on tape buying and selling arms. And in one broad stroke will take down the R.O.C., the Real IRA and the Sons of Anarchy. Roosevelt realizes he’s brought in because it’ll be happening in his backyard.
•Cue Clay’s meeting with Putlova, with undercover FBI guy standing menacingly and attentively behind them, as they reiterate the deal as it goes forth from here. They shake on it with a shot of vodka and since local PD is on Clay’s tail they can’t sample the merchandise at this time. But hey, why don’t you guys come to Opie’s wedding, it’ll provide good cover to check out the operation. Doesn’t seem strange at all…
•We get our answer to what’s going on with Unser. He’s holed up in a shitty, run down trailer his life is in shambles. He’s got no job, no wife, no business and not even his health to rely on. Good thing Gemma is around.
•Jax and Tara have a much needed nekkid-type reunion while the boys are napping. Which cuts over to Gemma and Clay pretty much doing the same, although it’s more of a wham, bam thank you ma’am situation. Pillow talk reveals that Clay’s arthritis is getting much worse and he doesn’t have a whole lot of time left, but he expects to be banking some big money before he’s done. Gemma kills the dreamy thoughts by telling Clay how dire Unser’s situation is.
•Opie and Lyla before their pending nuptials. He’s excited and looking forward to growing his family with her. Cue guilt ridden face of Lyla as she remembers that she’s already had an abortion. Yawn.
•Back to Jax and Tara. They know they need to talk about stuff but the baby starts crying and Jax offers to go get him. Out comes the package that Gemma handed to Jax and at this point it’s obvious that it’s an engagement ring. Tara finds it in the baby’s grip, remarks how lovely it is then quizzically looks at Jax, who says, “We should get married … I love you, Tara. I’ve loved you since I was sixteen. You stayed when anyone else would have bailed. You’ve given me a beautiful son, taken Abel on as your own.” She happily says yes, but all of the issues against them come flooding out. Jax has a plan for the future and it doesn’t involve SAMCRO. But much like Clay, they need to ride it out a bit longer for a big pay off. She tries to assert herself, she’s a successful surgeon that makes good bank. But he won’t hear of it. He doesn’t want to live off of his wife.
Jax tells her, “Clay’s hands are going. His days are numbered. When he steps down, he loses sway. That’s when I get out. And Gemma … she’s just an old lady. You’ve got to trust me. This is all I’ve been thinking about for the last fourteen months. I’m going to finish up with SAMCRO, and we’re going to take our boys, and we’re going to get the hell out of here. Start fresh somewhere, be a real family.” We’ve heard this all before from him and it sounds good in theory.
•Clay goes to visit Unser and they chat about life as it is in modern day Charming. “Town’s upside down, Wayne.” Unser agrees: “I’m not sure which cancer’s worse. The one in me, or the one in Charming?” Clay tells Unser in no uncertain terms that he’s not allowed to wallow any longer because Clay needs him in order to stifle Hale’s plans for Charming Heights. Unser is in and Clay asks him to lend a catering truck for “wedding shit.”
•Big Otto isn’t dead. He’s in the infirmary and a Russian inmate (presumably the one who shivved Jax) is rolled in next to him. The guard hands Otto a scalpel.
•Opie and Lyla’s wedding guest list is one to rival many. The Mayans, the Niners, the Russians are all in attendance. Jax and Tara are the blissful couples witnesses and the ceremony is officiated by Randolph Mantooth (John Gage from the 70′s show Emergency). The local po-po are also keeping tabs on what’s going on and they dryly watch the catering truck that Clay arranged roll by them.
Gemma & Clay watch the wedding commence
•And now it’s a wedding SAMCRO style. Lyla’s dress is all slutty mini in the front (complete with white garter in full view and white sparkly stipper shoes) and long train in the back. Since the wedding is being held on the Wahewa, Randolph Mantooth launches into the Apache wedding blessing. Jax and Tara are cutely flirting. The couple say their vows. As Opie says “With this ring, I vow my love. I promise always to cherish…and protect you” you just know that the ghost of wife #1 is hovering there in his thoughts. It’s a heavy moment. “What else?” Jax nudges. Opie rolls his eyes, “And treat you as good as my leather, and ride you as much as my Harley.” Everyone laughs and the mood is light once again.
•The reception goes in full swing. Jax has snuck out and something is about to go down with Bobby, Chibs, Juice and Happy. They’re in the back of Unser’s truck. “If you get even a hint of a tail, abort.” he tells them before they drive away.
•At the reception Clay and Alvarez are conversating. Clay thanks him for keeping SAMCRO safe inside the joint and Alvarez says he was protecting his interests. The chat goes a bit cryptic when Alvarez says “Talked to our man yesterday. How’s it look for tomorrow?” Clay gives a quick download about the new sheriff and says that they’ll all be safe “once we’re inside.” Before we get any more info Alvarez is pulled away to dance with his leather minidress clad lady.
•Typical wedding stuff is going on. Gemma is dancing with Unser, Lyla is sort of swaying around by herself. Putlova’s gift to Opie is some sort of hand cannon (“best wedding gift ever” according to Opie) and as Lyla pulls Opie away to dance, Clay takes hold of it.
•A cover of “What a Wonderful World” sung by Alison Mosshart (of the Kills) kicks in as Opie dances with his bride. This is where all shit breaks loose. Clay, Putlova and cronies head off to the woods to test out the hand cannon, Chibs, Juice, Bobby and Happy are in a warehouse with undercover FBI guy and the rest of the legit Russians checking out the guns the Russians have. Cut over to Otto, whose restraints are no longer restraining him. He slips off his gurney and stumbles over to the Russian.”This is for Jax Teller,” he says as he plunges the scalpel into the Russian’s ear! Back at the warehouse the boys pick up the firearms and obliterate the Russians, including the undercover FBI agent. In the woods, Clay and the crew wipe out those Russians, except for Putlova, who Jax stabs repeatedly in the gut. “Just business,” he spats.
•A break in the mayhem shows Gemma in Abel’s room that night. He’s fast asleep in bed and she starts picking up the things that are littered on it. She notices the note from Maureen that he had scribbled on in with the mess and realizes that either Tara or Jax (or both) have read some incriminating letters from JT. Ruh-roh.
•SAMCRO sends a (not so) subtle message by dumping the Russian bodies onto Charming Heights. Back at the wedding the reception continues on. Clay smoking a stogie, possibly reflecting on his future happy days of retirement while Opie & Lyla and Jax & Tara slow dance. “It’s good to be home” Jax declares.
Tell me what you thought of the season 4 premier!
Next week’s episode: “Booster”
The Sons of Anarchy are forced to make a decision that could challenge the future of the club.
Be sure to read all my extensive Sons of Anarchy coverage here.
Did you miss the live pre-show chat with Kurt Sutter and the cast? Well, don’t fret, you can still watch. (It takes a bit of time up front to get going.)
Some quick news:
A lot of us have been lamenting the fact that Kurt Sutter had given up Twitter because he kept getting misquoted by certain media sources. On his blog he promised that if he saw a 10% jump in viewership during the S4 premier he’d come back (along with some other prizes). Well, last night’s premier drew a combined 7.25 million total viewers and 4.76 million 18-49. that’s up 28% & 24% from the S3 premiere. Holeeeee shiiiiit.
He’s baaaaack.
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Rippin-Kitten visits the set of “Sons of Anarchy” (right before season 3 aired)