Cable’s Salvation: Motorcycles, Guns and Drugs

By Bobby Rice

Arts & Entertainment Editor

The motorcycle has always been a symbol of the freedom of the open road, the possibilities of the American dream, outlaws, brotherhood and violence. In the second season of FX’s “bike-drama” Sons of Anarchy [SOA] the motorcycle myth remains, with a stronger focus on the outlaw, brotherhood and violence attributed to the American bike.

Best described by the writer and series’ creator Kurt Sutter [the Shield], SOA is a West Coast version of “The Sopranos”. Although Sutter’s take an assertive stance by comparing his fairly new series to a legendary institution of television, the idea, concept and content of SOA does have a similar feel, even on cable television.

Now, two episodes into the second season, SOA’s grit, ferocity and moral dilemmas create a fast paced, hard hitting, thought provoking program much like a Hunter S. Thompson encounter with the Hell’s Angels. However, in SOA the central story revolves around the motorcycle gangs’ President, Clay [Ron Pearlman] and Vice President and main character Jackson “Jax” Teller [Charlie Hunnam].

SOA’s initial connection to the audience stems from the romanticism of an outlaw biker gang and the comradery that appears inherent among them. Then comes the violence associated with outlaw biker gangs, illegal gun deals, vigilante justice, public shootouts and the murder of rival biker gangs.

This simple recipe of all things bad ass is not what makes SOA effective. Unlike other FX series such as [Nip Tuck and Rescue Me], where the drama is usually the centerpiece of the show and normally outlandishly improbable, SOA slowly builds upon the shows’ internal conflict between Clay and Jax over their departing views on the clubs’ moral and business stance.

SAMCRO, an acronym for the gangs real name, Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original, is portrayed as the series’ righteous group of characters. However, this is only a relative portrayal based on the characters that surround SAMCRO: other outlaw motorcycle gangs, white supremacists, meth-dealers, crooked cops, pedophiles and terrorist weapons dealers.

Yet the internal moral drama begins when Jax discovers a manuscript belonging to his dead father and SAMCRO founding member. Jax seems to obtain his moral order through his father’s fears of SAMCRO’s transformation from its’ original purpose as a “Harley-commune” and attempt at “social rebellion” to the violent, criminal organization it has become under Clay’s leadership.

From the start of the second season it is obvious that Jax, although a gritty, violent and loyal leader of SAMCRO is beggining to turn against Clay’s criminal and murderous idea of the club.

Jax’s novel righteousness appears directly spawned from his father’s writing, however, being the father and sole acting parent of a newly born baby with his methamphetamine addicted ex-girlfriend Jax attempt at diplomacy points to an unconscious attempt to turning his life and motorcycle club into a legitimate and safe enterprise.

With his hands full with SAMCRO, Jax’s mother, Gemma [Katey Sagal], contributes as the sensual and ruthless female ingredient of the club. Gemma, who is not only married to Clay, the primary caregiver to Jax’s son, but is also the cutthroat, laissez-faire leader of SAMCRO who is meant to ensure the club’s outlaw purpose.

As the second season of SOA continues to unfold the complexities brewing conflict within the leadership of SAMCRO, as well as the escalating violence becomes ever more pertinent to the gangs’ personal and business lives.

With cable television lacking in compelling, violent and idealistic dramas, SOA has filled the large void left after Sopranos. This is the show to get into, now, before anymore action or plot unfolds, which can be easily done.  The entire first season can be watched online, for free and new episodes that air Tuesdays, at 10 on FX.

Tags: FX, Sons of Anarchy, Television