Sons of Anarchy episode 4.12 “Burnt and Purged Away”

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…

Opie, Sons of Anarchy

It’s morning in Charming again. It’s interesting how every episode this season has started off with the beginning of a new day. Gemma is sitting at the table pushing food around on her breakfast plate. Opie shows up at her door, presumably to check out her face and see if what Unser said about Clay beating on her was true. He seems a little surprised at what he sees. He’s looking for Clay, wants to know why Clay hurt her. “Heat with the club. When that hits a point same time as family shit, that’s just a bad combination.” He wants to know more but she swats it away like an annoying fly. “So what happens now? You and Clay?” She answers, “I do what I always do. I take care of my family.” He walks out without a word.

Clay and Tig are leaning against their bikes in front of the coke barn when the Irish gents roll up. Jax pulls up a few minutes late and apologizes. Galaan, with the tone of a Catholic school teacher, says “Guess you had more pressing business?” Jax replies, “The mother of my son in the hospital.” There are some empathetic apologies from the Irish gents. Galaan points out, “Unfortunate events such as yours – this is why this cartel deal worries us.” Inside the barn, discussion continues. Galaan continues to voice his concerns about the cartel and Jax has to defend all of the bloodshed, leading Galaan to scold him like a school boy again. He has some choice words about getting into business with the Mexicans, until Clay pipes up. “Look. You trust me. I trust Galindo. We’re talking about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here.” Bobby has a smug look on his face watching Clay defend his bad decisions. Jax tries to help, but it’s Chibs’ magical Irish brogue that helps make the deal happen. As they set up the time for Galindo and the Kings to meet, Juice is nonchalantly taking notes in his head.

inverted Lincoln Potter

In the Feds war room, Potter is hanging out on an inversion table. One of his flunkies is complaining about trying to get Lenny’s privileges approved in jail, when a female flunkie comes over to tell him that they just got a text. He pops off the table, with crazy eyes and hair “Juan Carlos just locked down our Irish-cartel gun meet.” Juice glares at himself in the mirror of the clubhouse john after sending the text. Chibs bangs on the door and calls for him. Bobby speculates that maybe they’ll all get out of the situation alive and Chibs says, “Shit’s in the rearview now, boys.”

Gemma shows up in Tara’s hospital room. It’s the first time Tara has seen Gemma’s busted up face and when asked what happened, Gemma tells her “Fell down some stairs,” which is code for, Clay beat the ever lovin’ shite outta me. Talk quickly turns toward a shared nuisance, Wendy. Gemma tries to get some more information, but Tara circles her wagons, telling her it’s not her business. Gemma sets her straight. “Jax doesn’t need another problem. You keep him clear of it.” Tara snips, “Why? Are you afraid it’ll give us another reason to run from Charming?” I’m afraid it’s another thing that will break his heart.” Tara snaps, “I can take care of his heart.” Oh, we’re having a little tug of war over Jax.

As Gemma is leaving the hospital room she runs into Jax. She asks if Opie connected with him since he came by her house that morning. Jax says he hasn’t, asks if Piney was with him and mentions that Opie went up to the cabin to check on Piney. Gemma, knowing now that Opie has discovered his gunned down father, lets out a curt, “Oh. No he was alone.” She tasks Filthy Phil with finding Opie for her, knowing that he’s probably a loose cannon.

Jax and Tara talk about her release from the hospital. He asks what happened and because they have a full disclosure policy, she tells him that Wendy came to see her and is pushing to see Abel. He, of course, didn’t know and she stresses that those boys are hers and that Gemma didn’t want her to tell Jax about the visit. Jax says he’ll deal with Wendy and Gemma. As he leaves her room I wonder if he can feel Tara’s eyes burning a hole in his back. There’s definitely a darker side of Tara coming to light.

In the hallway, Jax tasks Phil to find his ex-wife, even though Gemma already gave him orders. Poor Phil.

At the cabin, Unser is overseeing as Skeeter (from waaay back in Season 1), who we find works in a crematorium, is dragging the 300 lbs of Piney out the door. Opie must’ve called in a favor since he tells Unser that the crematorium closes at six and he can come by then.

Jax pulls up to Teller-Morrow as Juice is leaving, saying he’s heading to the weed shop. Jax tells him not to carry. Jax, Bobby and Clay have a chat. Jax says, “After this deal goes down tomorrow, we put a ticking clock on the blow. Tell Romeo we’ll still run his guns, but he’s got to find someone else to mule. We’ll blame it on the Irish, tell Galindo they’re going to bail if we keep trucking powder.” Clay says it’s too soon, Jax claims it’s too late. Bobby looks like he’s about to scream “neener neener neener” at Clay. Jax goes on to state that they’re going to make a shit ton of money and he’s cutting and running after that. Then to Clay, he says, “You were right. Ope ain’t fit to lead. When you step down, gavel should go to Bobby. Chibs is your VP. If Tig ain’t going to carry it, I think the sergeant’s patch should go to Happy.” Bobby nods in approval. “You really going to do this?” he asks. Jax replies, “I love this club, Bobby, but I love my family more. I gotta put some distance between the two.” He goes on to say that close out the cartel business before he makes his plans known, not wanting everyone else to be distracted.

Speaking of distracted, Bobby announces he’s going to see Otto, who has reached out. Everyone assumes that he’s going to tell Otto that they’ve cleaned up the loose ends with Georgie and can finally put Luann to rest. However, Bobby has already screwed that pooch and he knows it. Jax, Chibs, Tig and Happy are off to provide Galaan some back up for one of his errands and Clay is off to meet up with Romeo.

In the sheriff’s office, Hale is busy preening about how Charming Heights’ progression, while Roosevelt politely listens. Hale wants Roosevelt show up at the next night’s city council meeting to talk about potential law enforcement in that community. He is cut off though, when Roosevelt’s attention is diverted to something behind Hale. As Hale turns around he sees quirky Mr. Lincoln Potter smiling through the window. Potter lets himself in, Roosevelt dismisses Hale by telling him he’ll be at the meeting. Potter is amused when he finds that Hale got his investors. Conversation turns toward the RICO sting at Wahewah. Potter asks Roosevelt for backup, and he seems surprised and a little disappointed to discover that Juice pulled through. When Potter calls him on it, he states that he will be there. Potter leans forward and say, “I couldn’t have done this without your help, you know.” Roosevelt gives a sarcastic smile and says, “Yeah, well, I’m all about the help, you know.” Potter then inquires where the city clerk’s office is so that he can “get the details on Mayor Quimby’s housing proposal.” Score on the Simpson’s reference, btw. When the sheriff asks why, he merely says “I’m the most curious of fellows.”

Clay is discussing the concerns of the Irish gents with Romeo, who’s comment is “I find that large stacks of cash have a very tranquil effect on people.” Clay also tells them they’re going to need a little diplomacy, too. Luis answers, “We’re very persuasive.” “Yeah, I noticed.” Clay mumbles. Romeo asks about Mission Impossible: Kill the Doctor. Clay says they need to tread lightly since the Irish are a bit skittish and says they should let him handle it. Romeo nixes that idea, that Clay is too close. “We’ll finish it this time. Let us know when she’s released. We’ll make it look like an accident. No mistakes this time.”

At the cabin Gemma comes storming in while Unser is there. She asks where Piney is and he can’t resist the wiseass crack, “Turns out he wasn’t dead. Got up and walked away.” She asks what happened with Ope. Unser says, “I knew he was coming and I followed him … wasn’t really sure until I got here. Saw the pain in the boy’s face.” She presses for details, he says he told Opie that Clay killed his old man. “After Donna, he’ll kill Clay!” she exclaims. “My intent, Gemma,” Unser says. No duh, Gemma. She wants to find Opie, Unser tells her about the plan for the crematorium. She wants Unser to stop Opie from killing Clay. He asks what she’s up to and she says, “I am protecting what it took me 20 goddamn years to build.”

Outside the weed shop, Juice gets picked up by the Feds.

Bobby is escorted to a room at Stockton. He immediately notes that it’s not the usual visiting room and the fact that Otto is not there. He’s essentially told to shut up and sit down.

Jax, Chibs, Happy and Tig are with Galaan and they pull up to a big house. Jax asks for info, Galaan says, “Our American colleagues have put profit before protocol. We’re just here to enforce decency.” When they enter the house, Jax’s curiosity is piqued when he notices a lady carrying a baby upstairs. He follows her and BOOM. Black market baby factory. All hell breaks loose with the bikers delivering beat downs to the baby trafficking employees. Galaan walks in on the chaos, while all the kids shriek and wail.

At some point Clay has shown up and is refereeing the aftermath between Galaan and Jax. “You didn’t tell us we’d be dealing with the U.S. half of your black market baby ring.” Jax spits out. Hey, after spending the entirety of last season trying to find Abel, who could blame him for being so sensitive on this subject matter. The two of them have a round of “you say tom-ato, I say to-mat-o” until Tig tells Jax that Filthy Phil is on the phone for him.

Clay quietly apologizes to Gaalan for snafu. He explains that Jax, “almost lost his son to your Belfast house. Long story. Kellan, keeping some twisted promise to JT.” Gaalan replies, “I didn’t know.” Clay goes on, “So you understand why this pushes his buttons.” “Aye, but the boy’s got too many buttons, Clay” Galaan replies. “He’s hotheaded and unstable. Throw him into the mix with Mexicans? I have no faith it doesn’t turn bloody.” Clay resolves to keep Jax away from cartel business so that he’s the only point of contact, and asks if their services are still needed. Gaalan smirkily replies, “American Irish. Greedy bastards. Offering children to the highest bidder, some of them to Protestant families.” He says that they’ve managed to scare the piss out them and Clay cracks a joke, they both walk off chuckling. Clay walks over to Jax, who wasn’t happy that they were not told what they were getting into. Clay asks if he’s going to see Tara, and Jax says probably the best quote of the show. “Later. I gotta bounce someone’s head off 12 steps.”

At Stockton, Otto and Potter are going over the agreement. Potter recites some terms, “Lenny gets full visitation, yard privileges two days a week. Warden signed off.” Otto mutters, “yeah.” “Need your signature verifying everything you told us about your illegal activities with the Sons of Anarchy is accurate and true.” As Otto signs Licoln looks like he’s ready to titter with excitement, he’s ready to bust out of his skin because Plan B has worked. Otto wants to know when he can meet with Bobby. Potter tells him that Bobby is in the next room, as soon as the papers are processed he can talk to him and perhaps get some closure. Otto slowly turns his head around, eyes dead but his wit still lively. “Yeah. I’m completely at peace.”

Jax confronts Wendy about pushing to see Abel. I’m kind of annoyed by this story line. It doesn’t seem like the right time to bring her back into the fold. But whatevs. He asks her to stay away, she admonishes him for not telling Abel the truth, which seems really dumb to me because HE’S ONLY THREE. They argue about who’s more fit to parent, the ex-con or the ex-junkie. She says she’s not going anywhere. He smiles wryly and says “That’s okay. I am.”

Clay lurches down the hallway at the hospital. He tells Phil to take a hike, walks into Tara’s room (she’s sleeping) and attempts to lock the door, but ah there is no lock. Gemma enters the hospital, trying to call Opie, who is ignoring all calls because he’s moping next to Donna’s headstone. She runs into Phil in the hallway. ”Where you going?” she she asks. Phil answers, “Grab a soda. Clay’s with Tara.” Gemma’s alarmed. “He’s alone with her?” Phil nods and she takes off running, heels clacking on the floor.

Tara wakes up and is startled to find Clay standing stoically at the end of her bed. She looks like a cornered rabbit when she asks where Jax is. He tells her Jax is occupied and that’s why he’s there to check up on her. She thanks him. He goes on, “Sure. We gotta get you better, ready to go. You and Jax got yourself a plan, put all this violence behind. It’s a smart move. I’d hate to see something get in the way of that.” His menacing tone doesn’t match the endearment of the words. “I could make sure that this plan happens. Push some doors wide open, see that nobody gets in your way.” Tara asks, “even Gemma?” “I’ll stop her. Make sure she won’t run at you.” Tara replies, “Yeah, I saw how you slowed her down” she says with a twinge of venom in her voice. He brings up the real matter at hand, the letters. She is surprised that he knows about them, figures Gemma told him. She thought you were going to show them to Jax, create a shitstorm. But you’re a smart girl, Tara. You know what happens if Jax reads those letters. It’s the reason why he doesn’t have them already. Complicates your departure.” Clay wants the letters, she wants to know why she should give them to him. “Peace of mind. I want to be able to sleep at night. You can understand that. You give me the letters, I destroy them. You and Jax leave with the boys, everybody’s happy. And safe.” Tara asks, “And if I don’t give them to you?” He tells her, “I’m not sure you and Jax ever make it out of Charming.”

Gemma’s still running and she runs right into Clay as he leaves the room. He sees the look on her face and tells her “She’s fine.” He turns to leave and after she peeks in to see Tara, who’s shuffling to the john, she calls after him. “Opie found Piney. He’s certain you’re the one who killed him.” He asks how and she tells him it doesn’t matter, that he’d better watch his back. “Opie will wanna settle the score.” she tells him. He nods with a bit of sadness, maybe some regret. She takes his face into her hands and blandly says “I love you, Clay.” She kisses him on the cheek, but it reminds me of the “you broke my heart, Fredo” scene from Godfather 2. The kiss of death.

Gemma has switched gears as she helps Tara pack up her stuff to go home. She asks Tara what Clay wanted. He wants the letters. You didn’t tell me he knew. Is that why this happened?” Gemma explains, “I found that cover note. I panicked. I had to tell someone.” Tara nods as this new information sinks in. And then Jax arrives all happy-go-lucky because she’s been released. Jax tells both of them he talked to Wendy, much to Gemma’s disapproval. “I don’t give a shit about what anybody wants, including you,” Jax says. “We’re going. Tara has an offer from a hospital in Oregon. Day after tomorrow, we’re packing up our boys and we’re getting out of Charming.” He walks out of the room after his phone rings and Gemma is P.O’d. “You have no idea what I’ve done to protect you and Jax.” Tara rifles back, “Protect us from what? I just wanted him to know the truth.” Gemma replies, “Is that what you wanted, sweetheart? Truth? ‘Cause I got buckets of it. I can drown you in truth.”

Knock, knock. Phil tells them that Jax had to split. He’ll take Tara home.” In unison, Present Gemma and Future Gemma ask, “Where did he go?”

Clay enters the clubhouse and the only one there is Tig, oh yeah and three miscellaneous “croweaters.” Clay asks where everyone is and Tig tells him, “Chibs and Hap went home. Haven’t seen Bobby or Juice. I think Jax finally tracked down Ope, and Miles and Kozik are dead.” Thanks for the update.” Clay mumbles. He goes on to say that he got a bad vibe from the meeting with the Mexicans, felt wrong. “Wrong how?” Tig asks. “Wrong like, I may need another guy with a gun?” Tig silently sighs and decides his 3-way massage is more important and passes the buck to Rat. After all, he’s turned in his Sgt at Arms patch and is no longer the go-to guy, plus he’s giving Clay back and bit of the old medicine. Clay’s clearly bummed but shrugs it off, heading into church.

Otto finally walks into the room where Bobby has been waiting. His greeting to Bobby is to throw down a pad of yellow paper. “Read it. Out load.” he demands. Bobby reaches into his pocket for his reading glasses and begins to read a laundry list of dates and offenses that Otto has committed while in prison. But Bobby’s still confused. “What is this?” Bobby asks. “Keep reading.” Otto says. Bobby reads on a little more.”Why am I reading this, Otto?” Otto replies, “It’s my list, brother. It’s all the things I’ve done for the club inside. Including the thing that got me life. The thing that got me death. And I only asked for one thing from SAMCRO: Take care of Luann.” Bobby says, “I know. And we did, Otto. I promise.” “No, you didn’t.”Otto replies, ” And now you’re going to feel that.” Bobby still doesn’t get it until Otto turns away and two cops come in and flank Bobby. “Otto, what did you do?” he asks over and over again, the volume and realization rising in his voice. “You ratted?” he growls as he’s being yanked from the room. Otto turns his back from Bobby when he reaches the door, no reaction on his face. I chuckled a little when in the middle of Bobby’s incoherent grunts and growls he clearly rumbles “SONOVABITCH.” Otto then says, “Time for you to start a list, Bobby.” Potter, standing in the doorway, looks at Otto for a moment, a shell of the man he once was.

Otto, the rat

Opie stands in front of the giant furnace watching his dad’s body burn up. Unser shows up, stands next to him. “I need to talk to you about something,” and Opie mumbless, “Not really in the mood to talk to you right now.” Jax comes in and surveys the situation, sees Opie holding Piney’s cut. “Oh, my God. What happened?” Opie says, “Found him at the cabin. Shotgun to the chest.” Jax tries to hug Opie, who is stiff as a board. Jax asks if it was the Mexicans. Unser is holding his breath but Opie just says “I’ll fill you in. I just wanted to say good-bye. I know that he’d want you here.” Unser decides to leave. Opie tosses Piney’s cut into the flames. He and Jax watch it burn. Jax looks bewildered, Opie has a slight sneer on his face and murder in his eyes.

Outside by their bikes, Jax asks “Want to tell me what happened to Piney?” Opie whips around, pointing his gun at Jax and tells him Clay killed his father. Jax is somehow surprised. “He killed my wife, now my father. Did you know??” he demands. Jax tries to placate Opie saying it’s a club issue to be solved at the table. “What table? You’re out, remember?” Then he shoots Jax’s tire and takes off. Jax grabs a hearse and goes after Opie.

Quick scene of Bobby being taken to a cell and of Tara at home looking miserable trying to feed Thomas with one hand. Gemma sits in a darkened kitchen, smoking alone.

Clay’s sitting in church puffing on a cigar when he hears a bike pull up. He gets up, gun in hand, when he doesn’t hear anyone come in and as he’s by the new double doors Opie kicks it in with brutal force. He pins Clay to the table, tosses his gun and aims his gun at Clay.”Sit. You’re going to die at the gavel.” Clay asks, “I get to say anything here?” Opie’s head looks like it’s going to explode. “My old man get to say anything before you blew a hole in his chest? Sit down!” Clay tells Opie that someone’s been lying to him. Opie screams about how he had Donna killed. “That a lie?” he asks. Clay seems surprised to be hearing Donna’s name at this moment. She was just an old lady, after all. “That score is settled.”

Opie screams that it’s not and orders Clay to sit down. Clay does so and then Jax shows up, gun drawn and aimed at his best friend. “Put it down. Please don’t make me kill you.” Jax begs. Opie is looking at Jax, incredulous that he is defending Clay. With his eyes still on Jax he grits his teeth and blam blam! Clay takes two in the chest. There is definitely blood, he’s not wearing a vest. Jax is in shock staring at Opie.

Next week’s episode: To Be Pt. 1

Jax is confronted with a new challenge that threatens his family and his club.

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

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Sons of Anarchy episode 4.12 “Burnt and Purged Away”

Next week’s episode: To Be Pt. 1