By now I’m assuming everyone has seen the conclusion of the “Sons of Anarchy” fourth season finale, “To Be, Act 2.” And judging by the reactions, none of you are quiet about it either. The biggest shock of all was that there was, arguably, nothing shocking about it. Clay and Tara both survived. Jax decided to stay in Charming. And Lincoln Potter was forced to drop the entire RICO case like that. Was an entire season’s worth of plot development completely erased? What does this mean for season five? Well, let’s go straight to the source — creator, showrunner, writer, and all-around gift to television Kurt Sutter.
First things first. Why is Clay still alive? Says Sutter, “That would just be too easy.” In his words, having Clay survive, knowing that Jax knows his secrets, and having been demoted from his presidency, just creates better stories for the show. The ongoing tension between those two guys is something he (and, quite frankly, I) want to see play out next season. Sutter compares the dynamic to his former writing gig on “The Shield” – when Vic was aware of Shane’s responsibility in the murder of Lem. “You have these guys having this immense sense of betrayal, but then have to suit up and go to work every day,” describes Sutter. So, be prepared for some more internal club turmoil next season. However, unlike this season’s nonstop blow-ups – where “every character ends each episode seemingly out of breath” – next season the internal conflict “will probably be more of a slow boil,” says Sutter.
And what of Tara’s survival? Explains Sutter, “It would be difficult to maintain Jax and have him tell his story if he didn’t have Tara.” Additionally, Tara’s injuries and employment situation add a new twist in her story. “It’s more interesting to see with Tara that she’s a healer and what will happen when you take that away.” I think we’ve already begun to see what happens – she turns into Gemma. This was a very conscious decision on the part of the writers. Sutter says that he and the writers had conversations with wardrobe and hair as early as season two about slowing morphing Tara into a more Gemma like character – gritty, independent, and calculating. Gemma made a decision to groom Tara into what she wanted and needed her to be, but in the end she created “some sort of Frankenstein,” as Sutter says. Tara became exactly what Gemma wanted, but Gemma wasn’t prepared for what outcome that would bring. Gemma never thought her son would be at the head of the table with someone other than his mother standing behind her, pulling the strings.
Jax was supposed to leave Charming and leave the club, the club that was tearing apart his family (and Opie’s). But yet, here he is at the head of the table, more dedicated to the club than ever. So, we have to ask, just why are all these guys still so loyal to a club that keeps destroying them? To put it bluntly, Sutter says it’s just because that’s all these guys know. “It’s the crux of the drama with Jax. He was raised in this world. Can he leave it, can he abandon it? And if not, can he fix it?”
Now, if there’s anything left of the club to fix has yet to be determined. The finale ended with what we assume to be the beginnings of a gang war between the Sons and former business associate Laroy’s now-dead girlfriend’s father, who just happens to be a major kingpin. “He’s a few steps above the club, in terms of influence and connections,” Sutter says nonchalantly. “I’m setting myself up for a new story next season. In some sense, [the conflict is] creating this thing hanging over Jax’s head. … He’s sitting at the head of that table, and he doesn’t even know what he’s gotten himself in to.”
Inquiring minds want to know, Kurt, what’s Jax’s vision for the club? To follow his father’s path, or has Clay too deeply infiltrated the club and Jax’s mindset? Says Sutter, “That will be something we see Jax go through. The question for Jax is: can he replace Clay without becoming Clay? If he tries to run the club the same way his father did, will he suffer the same fate his father did? Will he be his own man, can he effect change, will he stay true to who he is? Can he still be the visionary of the club? For me, that’s what we get to play out next season.”
“Sons of Anarchy” enjoyed its highest ratings ever this season and the network and the whole crew seems to be riding high. Sutter says the complete story will take seven seasons to tell, and with the growing fan base and growing ratings, that should be easily attainable. If FX wants to continue the show past that, Sutter says he’s open to it. But, for now, if this is a seven-season story, we’ve just passed the halfway mark. So, if anyone is thinking any of these big conflicts are near resolution, you might want to give yourself a reality check. Season five should be anything but boring.
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