Sons of Anarchy

Being a serial series consumer, I have now moved on to Sons of Anarchy, which is a series about motorcycle gang club (they absolutely insist on being referred to as a club) in the fictional town of Charming, (ya I know) in southern California. If you are watching the show you will hear reference to "Samcrow" over and over and you know they are referring to the club by the context, but if you are like me you won't know why- so here's the dope (no not me- I mean the lowdown). It is an acronym  for Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original or SAMCRO. Best to know this right out of the gate.

here is their cute logo

ya this is better

These outlaws have protective feelings for Charming and although they do run guns, have a porno operation, noise pollute by pack riding their Harleys up and down the street- (a very cool yet scary sight), severely beat up and even kill people- they also clamp down on drug dealing and prostitution, have Sunday dinners and run community events like annual fundraisers at the local school - kinda like the Haddasa bazaar. The president is Clay Morrow and the vp is his step son Jax Teller whose father was previously married to Clay's wife, Gemma before he died. Yes, intriguing. In fact there is some suggestion of a Hamlet theme in case you are trying to justify watching this violent soap opera. I don't bother.

Of course there is the whole host of MC guys (as distinguished from the McGuys (no space) those who work at McDonalds) with adorable nicknames like Piney (pronounced PINE-ee - one of the original founders), Tig (black curly hair and blue eyes, soul patch, little beard and not bothered by doing it with corpses- do you mind!), Chibs (he's an Irish lad with a serious scar), Juice ( he's got a Mowhawk and lovely smile -well they all do really), Opie, (always brooding, long beard and watch cap), and Half Sack- (so named because he only has one testicle.)

Tig, Bobby, Piney, Jax, ,Juice, Otto (he's inside), Opie and Chibs- quite the crew

The bestest and most handsomest is Jax, the lead, played by British actor Charlie Hunnam and watching him is worth the price of admission.

Jackson Teller- heir apparent 

In fact I have to admit after 3 episodes I called my sister, who lives in the US of A and complained about her S of A recommendation saying that I couldn't connect with any of the characters-- didn't like them even-- and she was aghast  "No- what about Jax- you gotta love Jax- even if he is a viscous criminal- when I see him beating up on someone I say- why can't he be beating up on me!"  I sort of get that.

I'm now at the penultimate episode of Season 2, and am good and truly hooked and have deep affection for all of the club members.

They certainly have enough affection for each other- there must be 4 or 5 hugging moments in every episode. Do you mind! What is with all the hugging? While there is traditional type hugging between a chick and a guy, the most hugging going on is guy on guy- it is bro hugging and they are wearing their kuttes (their leather jackets with the sleeves cut off- a really good look and sound because they do the hug and pat, pat, on the leather - sounds manly).

why can't Jax be bro-hugging me?

There are also many times in each show where one character will ask another "You Ok?"  which person will respond either "Yeah"  (even though they typically have criminal angst) or "No man, I'm not Ok." (which shows they are opening up a bit about their criminal angst).

Of course in  the mix is the bad cop, good cop gig, the Feds- The ATFs, the rival gangs- the Mayans (Mexican), the One-Niners, (an African American street gang) a meth dealing white supremacist named Darby, the IRA and the Chinese mafia Lin Triad- and that is just so far!

Part of the running theme is Jax's reading of his dead father's manifesto which poses whether the club has to go down this way or maybe there could be another way which causes Jax to question the club and even himself. Also Jax's old lady is a "docta"-  a surgeon actually (lucky too cause she and her trusty first aid kit are often on call)- pretty establishment- when it starts but.. I'll say no more.

We are constantly reminded that the club is a family and sometimes a member is requested to "take one for the club"-and it ends up being mostly weird sexual favours. I guess that is part of being in a family.

Also the background songs (and there are many per show) are outstanding and Episode Titles as in BB are worth noting.  Highly recommended if only for gawking at the pretty boy.