SO (Sons of Anarchy)

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"SO"
Sons of Anarchy episode
Episode no.Season 3
Episode 1
Directed by Stephen Kay
Written by Kurt Sutter
Production code3WAB01
Original air dateSeptember 7, 2010 (2010-09-07)
Running time60 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"Na Trioblóidí"
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"Oiled"
List of episodes

"SO" is the third season premiere of the FX television series Sons of Anarchy . It was written by Kurt Sutter, the original series creator and directed by Stephen Kay. It originally aired in the United States on September 7, 2010.

Contents

This episode marks the last appearance of Taylor Sheridan (Deputy Chief David Hale), and the first for Paula Malcomson (Maureen Ashby) and James Cosmo (Fr. Kellan Ashby).

Plot

Jax is distraught in the wake of Abel's disappearance. Hale is moving into the office of the chief, a position that he states will soon be official. His brother, Jacob, apologizes for bringing Zobelle to Charming, and states that he never intended things to escalate as far as they did. Jacob also tells Hale that he is continuing with his campaign to be mayor of Charming, and asks for "the support of the chief." Hale agrees to support his brother. As the Sons go out to look for Cameron, he remains neutral. Jax attempts to break up with Tara because he believes he is ruining her life, but she remains loyal to him and refuses to leave. SAMCRO buries Half-Sack with over 50 full-patch members from California, Washington, Nevada, and Oregon as well as numerous former military colleagues in attendance. A three-piece kutte is draped over his casket during the service, implying that SAMCRO posthumously patched him in. At the wake, Clay tells Jax that he has to be strong to inspire his SAMCRO brothers. Hale keeps vigil over Half-Sack's funeral which is being attended by numerous Sons Of Anarchy members and associates. Jacob meets him there and reiterates his disgust for the gang and the apparent outpouring of support for them. Hale explains that people, including those in Charming, don't like to see SAMCRO vulnerable since it makes everyone uncomfortable. Later into the funeral, an unknown party, later revealed to be the Calaveras MC, commits a drive-by shooting, injuring and killing several attendees. Hale tries to stop them by getting in front of their van and firing at the driver, but is killed when the vehicle runs him over. Jacob and Unser both futilely rush towards his bloodied body as the van speeds off. When a woman's son is shot in the drive-by after the wake, Jax finally loses it and continually bashes the gunman's head into the pavement until his fellow Sons pull him away.

Production

In an interview, series creator and executive producer, Kurt Sutter, explained that the decision to kill off Hale in the episode was motivated by Sheridan's desire to move on to another project. [1]

Reception

Some critics felt the third season was dragged down by the previous season's cliffhanger. [2] [3] James Poniewozik of TIME called the season three premiere "breathtaking" and praised Sagal’s performance with Holbrook. [4] He later stated that Abel's disappearance helped return the show to its central problem: Jax's allegiance to the club. [5]

IGN gave So an 8.5/10.0 rating, stating: "'So' was a very good episode with a few bad scenes... [and] has the potential to be a very good season for Sons." [6]

Zach Handler of The AV Club gave So a perfect A rating. [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>Sons of Anarchy</i> American crime drama television series

Sons of Anarchy is an American action crime drama television series created by Kurt Sutter for FX. Originally aired from September 3, 2008, to December 9, 2014, Sons of Anarchy follows the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in California's Central Valley. Charlie Hunnam stars as Jackson "Jax" Teller, who is initially the vice president and subsequently the president of the club. After discovering a manifesto written by his late father, John, who previously led the club, he begins to question himself, his relationships, and the club. Themes throughout the show include love, brotherhood, loyalty, betrayal and redemption. It explored vigilantism, government corruption and racism. The show's plot depicted an outlaw motorcycle club as an analogy for human transformation. David Labrava, a real-life member of the Oakland chapter of Hells Angels, served as a technical adviser, and also played the recurring character Happy Lowman, the club's assassin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clay Morrow</span> Fictional character

Clarence "Clay" Morrow is a fictional character in the FX television series Sons of Anarchy. He is played by Ron Perlman. Morrow is one of the original "First 9" members of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original (SAMCRO), but is not a founding member. He is the former International President of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, However, during the fourth season, Clay involves the club in drug smuggling with the cartel for his own protection, wavering in his allegiance, and gradually reveals himself to be one of the story's antagonists. His character is based on King Claudius; the King of Denmark and Prince Hamlet's uncle and father-in-law from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jax Teller</span> Fictional character in Sons of Anarchy

Jackson Nathaniel "Jax" Teller is a fictional character and the protagonist of the FX television series Sons of Anarchy, portrayed by Charlie Hunnam. A member of the titular outlaw motorcycle club, he spends the series as the Vice President and later President of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original (SAMCRO), charter based in the fictional town of Charming, California. The son of one of the club's founding members, his conflict between wanting to maintain the longevity of his father's organization by reducing the criminal element and his desire to become a law-abiding family man despite increasing levels of violence forms the central conflict of the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tara Knowles</span> Fictional character

Dr. Tara Grace Knowles-Teller is a fictional character on the FX drama Sons of Anarchy, played by Maggie Siff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gemma Teller Morrow</span> Fictional character in the FX television series Sons of Anarchy

Gemma Teller Morrow is a fictional character on the FX television series Sons of Anarchy, played by Katey Sagal. Gemma is the widow of John Teller, a founding member of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original (SAMCRO). At the beginning of the series, she is the matriarch of the club and wife of club President Clay Morrow and mother of Vice President Jax Teller. She is unapologetic about the lengths she'll go to in order to protect the club and is beloved by all of its members. Throughout the series, however, she has a tumultuous relationship with her daughter-in-law Tara Knowles, continuously affecting her relationship with Jax. Her character is based on Gertrude; the Queen of Denmark and Prince Hamlet's mother from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet.

"Pilot" is the pilot episode and series premiere of the FX television series Sons of Anarchy. It was written by series creator Kurt Sutter, and directed by Alan Coulter and Michael Dinner. It originally aired in the United States on September 3, 2008, and garnered 2.5 million viewers.

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<i>Sons of Anarchy</i> (season 1) First season of TV series Sons of Anarchy

The first season of the American television drama series Sons of Anarchy premiered on September 3, 2008, and concluded on November 26, 2008, after 13 episodes aired on cable network FX. It is also the only season to air on Wednesdays before the show moved to Tuesdays for the remainder of its run. Created by Kurt Sutter, it is about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in California's Central Valley. The show centers on protagonist Jackson "Jax" Teller, the vice president of the motorcycle club, who begins questioning the club and himself.

<i>Sons of Anarchy</i> (season 2) Season of television series

The second season of the American television drama series Sons of Anarchy premiered on September 8, 2009, and concluded on December 1, 2009, after 13 episodes aired on cable network FX. Created by Kurt Sutter, it is about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in California's Central Valley. The show centers on protagonist Jackson "Jax" Teller, the vice president of the club, who begins questioning himself.

<i>Sons of Anarchy</i> (season 3) Third season of the American television drama series

The third season of the American television drama series Sons of Anarchy premiered on September 7, 2010, and concluded on November 30, 2010, after 13 episodes aired on cable network FX. Created by Kurt Sutter, it is about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in California's Central Valley. The show centers on protagonist Jackson "Jax" Teller, the then–vice president of the club, who begins questioning the club and himself in the aftermath of his infant son's abduction.

<i>Sons of Anarchy</i> (season 4) Season of television series

The fourth season of the American television drama series Sons of Anarchy premiered on September 6, 2011, and concluded on December 6, 2011, after 14 episodes aired on cable network FX. Created by Kurt Sutter, it is about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in California's Central Valley. The show centers on protagonist Jackson "Jax" Teller, the then–vice president of the club, and is first shown as the new president here, who begins questioning the club and himself.

<i>Sons of Anarchy</i> (season 5) Season of television series

The fifth season of the American television drama series Sons of Anarchy premiered on September 11, 2012, and concluded on December 4, 2012, after 13 episodes aired on cable network FX. Created by Kurt Sutter, it is about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in California's Central Valley. The show centers on protagonist Jackson "Jax" Teller, the president of the club, who begins questioning the club and himself after the deaths of several SAMCRO members at the hand of former club president, Clay Morrow.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opie Winston</span> Fictional character on the FX television series Sons of Anarchy

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References

  1. Rob Owen 'Sons of Anarchy' shocker (spoiler for West coast). blogs.sites.post-gazette.com. September 7, 2010 [ dead link ]
  2. "Sons of Anarchy's Battle for Control". Pop Matters. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  3. "Sons of Anarchy – "NS" review". AV Club. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  4. "TV Tonight: Sons of Anarchy restarts its engines". TIME. 7 September 2010.
  5. "Sons of Anarchy, Bainne: Blood Begets Blood". TIME. 17 November 2010.
  6. Amitin, Seth (8 September 2010). "Sons of Anarchy: "So" Review".
  7. Handlen, Zack. "Sons Of Anarchy: "So"". TV Club.