When it premiered last year, the shorthand description for Sons of Anarchy was "Hamlet in a biker gang."
You had a vengeful son, his mother married to his father's possible killer, the dead father speaking to the son from beyond the grave.
But as the season finale reached its harrowing conclusion Tuesday night, I found myself thinking more about a different Shakespearean tragedy: Romeo and Juliet, in which the children are the victims of a conflict started by their parents.
Poor little Abel is the most obvious example, kidnapped by Cameron Hayes in (misguided) revenge for his own son's death. Polly Zobelle was killed by Gemma. Even Half-Sack, killed by Hayes while trying to protect Abel, was still a kid compared to the rest of SAMCRO.
Of course, unlike Romeo and Juliet, none of these people -- aside from Abel -- were innocent in the conflict. And I doubt SOA creator Kurt Sutter had R&J in mind when he wrote the finale.
But what an interesting way to end the season. Sutter managed to get rid of this year's main threats (with Jax killing Weston and Zobelle fleeing the country, his plan to take over Charming in ruins). At the same time, Abel's kidnapping -- and Gemma's fugitive status -- make it harder to return to the Jax/Clay conflict that formed the backbone of the first season (and nearly all of this one).
And that's an exciting way to go into season three, with all these possibilities ahead of us. Other thoughts:
- Back to my original point: It's interesting how concern for children was all over this episode. Zobelle won't leave town without his daughter, waiting until the last possible minute, a move that allows the Sons to rally their forces and almost gets him killed. He only survives at the end because there are kids all over the deli he's holed up in, and because Abel gets kidnapped. Plus, Jax has a harder time getting to Weston because of Weston's son.
- This is twice now that Agent Stahl's treachery has gotten someone killed (first Donna, now Half-Sack.)
- And a moment of silence for poor Half-Sack, who I figured was doomed as soon as Hayes started tailing him, and I remembered the scene last week when Clay suggests that maybe it's time he become a full-blown member.
- Also, take a bow Henry Rollins, for showing us a glimpse of humanity underneath Weston's hateful tattooed skin tonight. He really loved that vicious, racist little son of his.
- That's it for tonight. Well done, Sons of Anarchy. You really came into your own this season. Here's to year three: The Sons!
Tom Coombe
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