Somewhere along the line, FX dramas became some of my favorites on TV – The Shield, Rescue Me (especially), Nip/Tuck, Damages, they are all pretty incredible. Last year, a gritty, dark, dangerous show, a replacement of sorts for The Shield, premiered and I was instantly hooked. Sons of Anarchy quickly became one of my favorite shows on TV. Season 2, following the ongoing troubles of SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original Charter), and if you thought it wasn’t possible to get darker than Season 1, just you wait!
In the first 5 episodes that FX sent out for review, so much happens, that I’m almost unsure I can be shocked anymore! By the end of season one, Ron Perlman’s Clay Morrow is at odds with his stepson, Charlie Hunnum’s Jax Teller, with Jax wanting to take a much less murderous road with the club. The lovely Katey Sagal is strong and brilliant as Jax’s mom and Clay’s wife, Gemma, who doesn’t want Jax to do anything to hurt the club. All of that is still happening, ten fold, by the beginning of season 2, but now it’s amped up by a billion! The struggle continues, and the new kids on the block, the eerily frightening Adam Arkin, and straight up crazy Henry Rollins, only make everything more difficult.
As far as the supporting cast goes, Tara (Maggie Siff) and Jax are 100% together. Their relationship takes some hits, but I think she’s in it for the long haul. Opie’s gone off the deep end a bit since Donna’s death, to the point where he wants revenge, no matter what the cost to him or his family. There is some great humor, too, with Bobby, Tig, and Half Sack. The new struggles, the new characters, they only add another brilliant layer to a show I’m completely addicted to.
It’s dark, it’s dirty, it’s scary, it’s ballsy, and that’s the first hour. And did I mention an almost naked Charlie Hunnum? Because that happens, too! If it wasn’t your thing in Season 1, I can’t say Season 2 will change that, but if you loved it like me last year, you’re going to be obsessed with this show!
Premiere: Tuesday, September 8th on FX 10/9c
