Sons of Anarchy
Episodes 9-11
Starring Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman, Katey Sagal
Wednesdays @ 10pm – FX Network

There are many thing I love on good episodic TV. I love it when brings two love interests together, only to rip them apart in necessary fashion. I love how out of nowhere a character dies suddenly making you realize just how important this person was to the show but most of all. I love it when a good show finally goes and heads in the direction of a great show. This is exactly the case with this next set of episodes of FX Network’s Sons of Anarchy.

Sons of Anarchy tells the story of the inner workings of a biker gang with a iron grip over a small California town named Charming. The gang is led by Clay Morrow (Ron Perlman) and his step-son Jackson “Jax” Teller (Charlie Hunnam), who has a crisis of faith after his son is born. He is unsure of the path his life is headed in and those sentiments are cemented once he discovers his father’s lost journals. Turns out, when Jax’s father created Sons, he had whole different purpose for the gang. So as Jax fights the demons within, he leads the Sons in battles against rival gangs, local and federal law enforcement, and even those within his club.

What I like about these sets of episodes is that it brings all the storylines that have been slowly cooking to a full boil. There is the storyline that deals with the very soul of Jax, which takes a big leap forward. After the events of episode 8, Jax questions his morality and just when you think you know the path he will take, he goes and surprises you. Hunnam gives a solid performance seems to be growing into the role of Jax with every episode.

Another storyline, this one involving the ATF slowly building a case against the Sons, also shifts into high gear with great results. For weeks, ATF agent Stahl (Ally Walker) has been trying to tie Sons to their criminal activity and just when she thinks that she has them, the Sons strike back with both physical and mental blows. In this week’s episode, Stahl retaliates and The Sons of Anarchy all feel her wraith. Walker’s Stahl oozes with such righteousness that she is the perfect villain amidst the morally ambiguous individuals she is trying to apprehend. You almost root for her to be taken out by The Sons.

As usual, these three episodes are pretty solid, with great acting from the cast and sharp dialogue. Best of all, these three episodes have not relied solely on shock value to propel the story to new heights. I have said in previous reviews that the show tends to rely on shock value rather than good storytelling to bring fans back for more but these episodes prove that the show does not need over the top violence and sexual situations to keep the story fresh and exciting. My only complaint with these episodes is the over-sexed nature of Jax’s mother Gemma. I may be just me but the sexual vibes she exhibits with several of the female characters is as subtle as a sledgehammer. Like any honest fella, I am not about to turn away in the presence of girl on girl action, as long as it fits with the story. If it is there just there to titilate then it should not be there in the first place.

Overall, these three episodes will satisfy Sons fans. The dialogue and story is on par with previous episodes and all the acting among all the actors are top notch. If you can overlook small flaws, there should be no reason why you would not enjoy them.