Sons of Anarchy episode 4.11 "Call of Duty"

Opening scene in Tara’s hospital room. It appears to be a new day as Jax is wearing different clothes. He’s scribbling in his little pocket notebook when Tara wakes up. She apologizes for freaking out of him, explains that she feels like she’s in this position because she’s stayed in Charming waiting him and now she doesn’t know what to do. He says they’re sticking to their plan of fleeing Charming, but she says there is no plan because no hospital will want her. But he’s adamant about them starting over. She says ok but doesn’t seem convinced.

Gemma pours a cup of coffee in her kitchen. Unser has stayed over on the couch to be there for her. “What should I do here, Gemma?’ She tells him to finish pointing Piney’s death towards the cartel because it’s about the club now. He clearly doesn’t approve but will do as she asks. “What are we gonna do about Clay?” he asks. She says she’ll handle it. He tries to stress how unpredictable Clay is but she assures him that she knows Clay wouldn’t hesitate to kill her and she isn’t about to let that happen.

Tig tells Clay that Kozik is back with the guns and Jax is going to meet them at the warehouse. Tig treads lightly, asking Clay if he got into it with Gemma. “You don’t need to know,” is Clay’s stock answer these days. Finally, Tig has had enough and asks Clay what his problem is. “You don’t wanna talk about nothin’ no more” he says, “you cut me off. I got no idea what’s going on with you.” Clay makes a smart ass remark about not being married to Tig and that he and Bobby are acting like a couple of chicks. But Tig insists that they actually are kind of married. Reminds him that he is Clay’s right hand. “I’m the guy by your side, that steps between you and the shit that tries to kill you. I’M your right hand, Clay.” But because Clay’s an asshat he cuts Tig down. Tig enlightens Clay that the reason he’s losing the club is because he shuts all of them out. Chew on that!

Gemma enters the hospital with a hat and a pair of large sunglasses on. Margaret sees her, asks what happened. “Flew my broomstick into a wall.” This will go on the list of classic Gemma lines. Margaret is concerned and says this is why Tara needs to get out. Gemma insists that her son would never do that (although he did slam Ima’s face into the table at Gemma’s urging, ahem…) Margaret’s rebuttal: “I’m sure Clay’s mother said the same thing about him.” Gemma tells Margaret that she loves Tara. Margaret replies, “Then don’t stop them from leaving.” Turns out she worked a little magic for Tara. Providence Hospital still wants her and is willing to wait for her to recover. Margaret tells Gemma if she loves Tara she’ll let her take this job, then she walks off humming “You Dropped a Bomb On Me.”

Jax flips when he sees Gemma’s face. She pulls him into the hospital chapel. He’s almost vibrating with anger when he asks if it was Clay. She says it’s been building up, shit with the drugs & cartel, she crossed the line. He’s ready to go pound on Clay immediately but she asks him to let her handle it. He is devastated when he looks back at his mother’s face and apologizes. He expresses remorse and naivety about the idea of them being able to get out clean. She tells him he’s a better man than her husband. She asks him about leaving Charming. He painfully admits it. This is some really great acting from Charlie Hunnam. He explains that it’s about his sons and Gemma says “It always is.” Interesting reply.

Tara gets a visitor that isn’t Gemma and whoa, it’s Wendy! Wendy sets down a vase of flowers next to the bed. Tara is definitely rocked by her appearance. Wendy is way more sober and coherent than we’ve ever seen her. She explains that she’s running on a program with the hospital’s HR department. She explains that she’s been recovering in sober living and has begun doing a lot of programs in hospitals. The small talk is painful and forced. Tara giggles awkwardly. “I’m not sure what to say here.” Wendy finally spits out that she wants to see her son. Tara’s hackles raise up. “I’M his mother. I’M the one who raised him when you walked away.” Wendy, despite giving up her rights to raise him legally, still wants to get to know him and for him to know that she is his mother. She leaves and Tara is left to stew in those juices. Her chest rises and falls dramatically with each breath because some thought is building up in her head. Ultimately, she screams in frustration and slams the flowers off the table with her broken hand and continues to slam it down on the table.

At the warehouse Kozik is walking Clay through the steps they took getting the guns through, with the help of the Tacoma Sons. Kozik also tells Clay that the Irish are worried about the beef between the cartels. Jax shows up and is none too happy with Clay. “You want to pull off this exit strategy of yours, you better stop focusing on my domestic life and start focusing on the issue at hand.” Clay tells him that maybe Romeo has found the guys who went after Tara. He says, “I need you to keep your head in the game on all fronts. You understand?’ Jax sneers and says, “Oh, I’m focused. And this ain’t finished.” Clay saunters off, unconcerned.

Jax and Kozik in Call of Duty

In the barn, Kozik is going over the gun inventory: long-range sniper rifles, 50-caliber machine guns and rocket launchers (of which Kozik makes a point that the Irish basically said “don’t touch”) Juice states that the only time he’s seen guns like these are in video games. “That’s Call of Duty shit.”

Gemma gos to Tara’s room and finds her gone and discovers she was rushed back into surgery. Lunk-head Phil tells Gemma that things were fine until she got a visit from “some chick”. Gemma finds a card that went with the smashed flowers on the floor and realizes who the chick was. Phil asks who she was, leaving Gemma to mutter, “Junkie whore.”

Romeo and Luis try to placate Jax by showing him two fried Latino-looking bodies in the back of their truck. Jax’s only comment, “There were three of them.” Luis face says you’re welcome, but instead he says that they’re looking into finding the others. Romeo builds on the story claiming that these two guys gave up the remaining dude as well as the remainder of the Lobos in NorCal, so things will be all set once they take care of business. Luis checks to Jax to see if picks up what they’re puttin’ down, and he does. Clay jumps in and tells Jax that he can get his revenge and the club can provide some reassurance to the Irish if the club accompanies Galindo to snuff out the remaining Lobos.

Back at the clubhouse Jax is laying in to Clay that going after Lobo Sonora is a personal, not business matter and to let him go and take care of it. Tig disagrees. “This isn’t just about Tara. This about hurting those assholes who shot up our clubhouse and killed Armando.” Clay, however, agrees with Jax and states that the body count has gotten a wee bit out of control and he didn’t see it coming. Cut to the I-told-you-so look on Bobby’s face. Everyone chimes in that they’re not going to let Jax go alone. It’s a bonding moment that I’m sure is not lost on Jax.

As the guys head out to saddle up, Osborne pulls in to deliver some bad news: Charming Heights is a go due to a large influx of Asian investor money. Clay’s all, WTF?! because the reason they left Georgie walking around was to dangle the possibility of Asian investment, not an actual deal. Bobby and Tig step up to handle the situation, with Opie, who plans to tap Lyla for info. Clay pulls Tig aside to tell him that Georgie is no longer of use to the club. Message received.

Potter is sitting in a visitor room at Stockton. He hums while he waits for Otto, who initiated the meeting. Otto comes in and as Potter launches into his spiel, Otto tells him to stop talking. “Answer my questions, and if I think you’re lying, the conversation ends. Who are you?” Potter tells him who he really is. Otto asks what he wants from him. Potter explains, “I’m building a case against the Real IRA and the Galindo cartel. The Sons of Anarchy is my way in.” Otto may have gone a bit crazy, but he’s not stupid. He deduces that Potter needs Bobby to establish history for his RICO case. “This is what I want. And, uh, you should write this shit down.” Potter takes out pen and paper and Otto starts his list. “I got money in three bank accounts. It’s not a lot, but I want it to go to Luann’s sister. I want to see an eye doctor, get some new glasses so I can read better. I want Lenny Janowitz to get some privileges back, like visitation or yard.” Potter interrupts to say that one might be difficult. “This isn’t a negotiation,” Otto says. “And I want you to move up my execution date. I’ll waive my appeals, I want to go as soon as I can.” Potter looks at Otto when he says this. The only reason Otto is talking is because he’s got nothing left to live for. His wife: dead. And his club: disloyal. Oh and one more request: “I got to be the one that tells Bobby I gave him up. Me. Face to face.” Potter asks “”May I speak?” He goes on to tell Otto that he will need to document Bobby’s involvement in selling guns. Otto can do that. He wants his conditions put in writing (in large print. Potter says that he’ll also have to put Otto in protective custody because now he knows too much. “Fine with me. Better food,” Otto jokes and begins laughing.

SAMCRO and Galindo are going after and surprise some of the Lobo Sonora guys on their turf. They’ve encountered their first line of Lobo, but realize that the main camp is further into the woods. Romeo executes the guys on the first line. Jax and Kozik exchange looks. Romeo says that Luis is going to take a unit into the woods, while he protects them from the rocks. SAMCRO splits up, Chibs and Happy stay with Jax, Kozik and Juice are with Clay, who is with Luis, and they all go into the woods. Luis and Clay’s group moves through a clear area when there is a click and a high pitch whine. Clay yells, “Shit. Stop! MINES!” The mine blows and everyone hits the dirt. Gun fire starts. Galindo red shirts are dropping like flies. Kozik takes a step and we hear the click, whine of a mine. “You’ve got to be shitting me…” then BOOM! He explodes. (And here we’re cued, from Sutter himself, to say “Oh my god, you killed Kenny! You bastards!” Kenny Johnson was offered a spot on a network show, which subsequently was pulled the day he was killed off. Total bummer…)

No more Kozik. Clay watches the explosion and Kozik’s arm drops right next to Juice. If he lives through this season, Juice is going to have a MAJOR case to PTSD. Everyone is sort of stuck where they are. Jax grabs Luis’s satellite phone to call for help, “I’m ordering a pizza. A big, Irish pizza.”

Jax in Call of Duty

Opie is talking with Lyla, who’s all dolled up for work, at Caracara. She doesn’t hesitate to tell him where to find Georgie. Bobby and Tig sense the tension between them and occupy their time looking at lots of porn starts dressed as Catholic School girls mulling around a giant jungle gym. The conversation between Opie and Lyla ends with the realization that they’re marriage is over. Lyla tells him that it won’t work until she’s dead, something that he pretty much already knew.

The three of them head over to Georgie’s studio, where there’s a photo shoot to promote the “real doll” versions of porn stars. Bobby tells him the Asian investors actually cut Hale a check for Charming Heights and Georgie claims to be surprised. Tig strolls over to one of the adult dolls and pokes it in the face (lest we forget he’s got a thing about dolls). Bobby pulls Georgie out of the room to chat. Opie calls to Tig, “Hey! You all right?” Tig answers softly, “I’m terrified. But I’m totally erect.” Opie rolls his eyes.

Jax’s “Irish pizza” arrives, presumably in 30 minutes or less. Jax and Chibs lock and load and start blasting everything they can. Since all shooting has ceased, we presume that they have just obliterated the NorCal cell of Lobo Sonora. Now the rest of the guys have to walk out of the mine field with getting blowed up. Clay starts to explain that he can retrace his steps, but before he can finish Juice traipses through, causing everyone to raise an eyebrow. Clay looks a little horrified. When Juice gets across without incident he nonchalantly yells, “Clear” and strolls away. Chibs and Jax exchange a knowing look.

Georgie is insisting to Bobby and Tig that he had no idea the Asians actually invested in Charming Heights. Georgie keeps talking talking taking. Bobby nods his head, Tig pops the trunk, then Opie socks Georgie, causing him to spill into the truck.. Bobby sighs, “There’s only one way I’m not going to kill you. You’re going to tell me the truth about Luann.” At first Georgie says he knows nothing, until Bobby puts a gun into his mouth. Georgie spills the beans. He sent some guys to rough Luanne up. She fought back and the beating went too far, causing her to die from her injuries. Bobby has a hurt look on his face and we didn’t already know from his actions leading up to this, it’s obvious that he did love Luanne. He shuts the trunk lid on Georgie, Tig and Opie start shooting into it, turning it into Swiss cheese. Bye, bye Georgie.

After a day of playing Call of Duty IRL, Clay, Jax and the rest who are alive show up at their compound. Clay arranges for Kozik’s cut to be sent back to Tacoma and for any family he had to be notified. Jax is pissed. “He almost made it out.” Clay doesn’t have a retort since he sees Unser pulling in. Jax grabs Chibs and tells him to talk to Juice. “He’s making me very nervous.”

Clay walks over to Unser and there’s a bit proverbial chest bumping and back and forth about Gemma. Clay says, “Keep your secrets and I’ll keep mine.” Unser blurts out, “I know you killed Piney. I know you tried to kill Tara. My telling Jax what I know only hurts him. But I’m warning you, Clay– and may whatever shit God I still believe in be witness to this– you ever hurt Gemma again, I’ll kill you.” Clay shoots back, “I guess cancer gives a man a certain resolve, huh? Benefit of an end date. Nothing more dangerous than a guy who already knows he’s dead.” Unser’s face looks almost amused.

Wendy shows up at Jax & Tara’s house and Chucky answers the door as the “manny”. She’s there to see Abel and Chucky tells her Tara gave the ok. She comes in and runs to his bedroom, where she finds Gemma waiting for her. ”Why am I not surprised?” she asks out loud. “Because drugs dull the senses?” Gemma replies. Wendy smiles, “Not anymore.” Gemma tells Wendy that the boys are at her house. Wendy looks lovingly around the room. It’s a great little boys room (I especially liked the framed motorcycle pictures on the walls). Gemma informs her that Tara’s a REAL good mom. The two of them start laying into each other. Wendy tells Gemma, “I am clean and sober for over two years. I finished my B.A. I am now a certified substance abuse counselor. I have a two-bedroom outside of Altamont, I have a French bulldog named Ramón. I had my tubes tied, and I recently decided that I like women. What’s new with you?” “Absolutely nothing,” Gemma replies. Wendy repeats the sentiment that all she wants to do is get to know her son. Gemma says she’ll help her out but it’ll be by her rules and schedule and until then Wendy should not have contact with any of them. Wendy agrees, but states, “If you try to box me out, Gemma, I swear to God I’ll get a lawyer and make this shit loud and messy.”

Chibs finds Juice as he’s coming out of the bathroom. He promptly pushes him back in and yells at him for the day’s antics. At first Juice says he’s ok, but then admits that he was bugged out about Kozik. Chibs asks him gently, what is going on. “The sheriff found out some shit when he was digging into my profile and he’s threatening me with it. He says he’ll tell the club unless I start giving him intel.” Chibs asks “Tell the club what? What does he have on you?” Juice finally says, “My dad– he’s black.” Chib’s reply: “So?” Juice is as taken off-guard as we are. Chibs asks what box is checked on is birth certificate. Juice says Hispanic. “Hispanic.” Chibs says, “Then that’s what you are. Half of us don’t know who the hell our fathers are. The paperwork is the only thing that counts.” And at this point I think Juice’s brain will explode. “This is why you tried offing yourself? Jesus Christ, boy. You’re an idiot. All of this is going to be okay. Listen to me: You tell that sheriff next time you see him, he can suck your daddy’s big black cock. There’s not a damn thing he can do to you.” At that moment Juice’s phone alarm goes off. He says he has to take his antibiotics. Chibs tells him to buck up and move on, then exits the bathroom before they start to get funny looks from other people. After he leaves, Juice calls to check-in.

Bobby, Tig and Opie are at the clubhouse bar. They’ve learned that Kozik is gone and Clay tells them the Lobos have been eradicated (for now). Tig tells Clay & Jax that Charming Heights has indeed been funded. Clay skulks off to be alone in church. Bobby informs Jax that Georgie told them what really happened with Luann. Jax tells him he should go tell Otto pronto, but we already know that Bobby effed that up.

Meanwhile, Otto is reading the agreement that Potter has handed him. Other than the restoration of Lenny’s revoked prison privileges everything is in order. Potter signs on the dotted line. Otto says, “I’ll tell the stories, but I’m not signing off on any transcripts until Lenny gets his privileges.” Potter agrees then asks, “If you’re turning over the rest of your club, why the concern for Mr. Janowitz?” Otto shakes his head and says, “You wouldn’t get it.” Potterlightly laughs and says, “I wish that wasn’t true.”

It’s night now and Jax and Opie meet up outside the clubouse. Jax tells Opie that Tara freaked out on him yesterday. Opie says sorry, but he’s sort of wrapped up in the reality that his marriage is over. Jax says he’s sorry about that and Opie jumps down his throat. Jax asks what’s up, and Opie says, “When Donna wanted me out, I didn’t stay ’cause of what you said. I stayed because I knew that trying to be anything else would be a lie. And that’s the worst thing a guy can do to his family.” Jax is quiet for a moment, “I didn’t plan this, Ope. It just played out this way. I’m sorry. I never meant to lie to you.” “And I’m sorry I believed you,” Opie says. He then storms over to the office and yells to Unser to toss him the keys to the tow truck. He’s going to go grab his dad. “I have a feeling he’s in no condition to ride.” Unser follows him and Tig watches them both leave.

Gemma them pulls in. Jax hugs her, still sad when he sees her beat up face. She tells him that Tara smashed up her hand, but neglects to tell him it was because of Wendy’s visit. He high-tails it out to go to the hospital. Tig comes over to Gemma and he stops dead when he sees her. As he gets closer, Gemma looks down. Tig strokes her hair, whispers, “Gem, Gem…this was Clay.” Gemma says, “Not now, Tiggy.”

Tig storms into the clubhouse apartment where Clay is. He’s taken off the Sergeant at Arms patch from his cut. He hands it to Clay and says, “You’re right. This ain’t the way it works.” Tig walks out leaving Clay rocked.

Jax goes into Tara’s hospital room. She’s sleeping, he strokes her hair, takes off his hat and curls up next to her in bed.

Clay stands in the door of the clubhouse and watches Tig leave. Across the parking lot Gemma is standing in the door of the office, watching him. She gives him a look and then closes the door. Clay closes the door nd leans against it, a single tear runs down his face. That last part infuriates me because, dammit, I’m pissed that I am feeling pity for him. Heavy hangs the head that wears the crown. Asshole.

Opie arrives at the cabin. He sees his dead father on the floor and drops down to him. It’s heart-breaking to hear him, “Oh, God! Pop. Dad? DAD? Oh, shit! Dad?” Unser shows up and Opie pulls his gun, his face is twisted and tear-streaked. He wants to know why Unser’s there and what he knows. Unser stays cool as a cucumber. He tells Opie he knows who killed Piney, that’s why he followed Opie to the cabin. “Clay killed your old man. Clay killed him,” Unser says. Opie says, “That’s bullshit.” “I wish it were,” Unser says, “Piney had some kind of leverage on Clay. He was using it to get the club out of the cartel deal. Clay came up here to change his mind. Things went south.” Opie asks how he knows this. Unser confesses that Gemma told him and she wanted to make it look like a cartel hit. Opie asks why Unser is telling him this. Unser fudges the truth, “Gemma confronted Clay about Piney. He almost killed her. Beat her bloody. Clay’s out of control. You’re no stranger to that. He tried to kill you and killed your wife.” Opie is rocking back and forth trying to cope. Unser continues,”If you don’t believe me, go see Gemma’s face, Ask her who did it.” Opie’s face is a mirror of his emotions, he’s ready to snap–which is what Unser is banking on. “Clay’s got to go, son. Before he kills someone else you love.”

Next week’s episode: burnt and purged away

SAMCRO negotiates with the Irish Kings to secure the future of the club.

OK, Shakespeare buffs, be sure to read this excerpt from Hamlet.

Ghost: So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear.

HAMLET: What?

Ghost: I am thy father’s spirit,
Doom’d for a certain term to walk the night,
And for the day confined to fast in fires,
Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature
Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid
To tell the secrets of my prison-house,
I could a tale unfold whose lightest word
Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood,
Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres,
Thy knotted and combined locks to part
And each particular hair to stand on end,
Like quills upon the fretful porpentine:
But this eternal blazon must not be
To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, list!
If thou didst ever thy dear father love–

HAMLET: O God!

Ghost: Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.

HAMLET: Murder!

Ghost: Murder most foul, as in the best it is;
But this most foul, strange and unnatural.

Be sure to read all my extensive Sons of Anarchy coverage here.

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Sons of Anarchy episode 4.11 “Call of Duty”

Next week’s episode: burnt and purged away