Sons of Anarchy is an American television drama series created by Kurt Sutter that premiered on the cable network FX. Making its debut on September 3, 2008 with the series' premiere episode, "Pilot", in the series' first season, the show aired its first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons, and ended on September 9, 2014 with the series' finale episode, "Papa's Goods" in the series' seventh, and final, season.
A spinoff series, Mayans MC, was created which occurs two years after the events seen in Sons of Anarchy. Creator Kurt Sutter refers to it as the second chapter of a four-part story.
Sons of Anarchy MC, is a motorcycle club that operates both illegal and legal businesses through its many charters in various U.S. states, some Canadian provinces and at least three charters overseas. Specifically, the MC's mother charter, Redwood Original (aka SAMCRO) combines arms dealing with an automotive garage, plus involvement in the pornographic and prostitution industries. Residing in Charming, CA, SAMCRO acts as the unofficial protector of its small town and holds the respect of its people. The charter however is not as united as it may outwardly appear. President, Clay, likes it old school and violent; while Jax, his stepson and the club's VP, has thoughts about changing the way things are, based on his dead father's manuscript & intentions for the club he founded decades ago. Their conflict has effects on both the club and their personal relationships.[1]
SAMCRO is an Acronym for 'Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original'.
Reception[]
The third season of the series attracted an average of 4.9 million viewers per week, making it FX's highest rated series ever, surpassing FX's other hits The Shield, Nip/Tuck, and Rescue Me. On February 3, 2012, Sons of Anarchy was renewed for two additional seasons, a fifth and a sixth. After the release of the 5th and 6th season Kurt Sutter announced the seventh season stating it would be the last season of the series and that Sons of Anarchy would end in a "big" way. The first episode of the seventh season of Sons of Anarchy aired on September 9, 2014 the last episode aired on December 9, 2014.
When a rival club cleans out and then destroys their illegal arms warehouse, SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original) executes their own sense of justice in retrieving their guns. Meanwhile, family issues take center stage with a medical emergency involving Jax Teller's newborn son.
As the club deals with the aftermath of their illegal arms warehouse attack, the Deputy Chief of Police poses a new threat to SAMCRO's reign over Charming. Jax continues to worry about the fate of his newborn son and begins to question the club's rough way of doing business. Opie's financial struggles leave him with a difficult choice.
When the young daughter of a prominent Charming family is assaulted during a visiting carnival, SAMCRO races the authorities to capture the assailant. Meanwhile, a new shipment of guns arrives from their IRA connection with an additional price. Tara's ex-boyfriend arrives in Charming.
The club travels to Nevada to store arms with a brother club, The Devil's Tribe. When the Mayans pose a threat, Clay decides to "patch-over" the tribe, making them an official SOA charter. Tara's ex, ATF agent Kohn, begins investigating SAMCRO.
Gemma hosts a town fundraiser, which brings the ex club member who was responsible for Opie's arrest back to town and into direct conflict with Jax and Opie. Clay deals with protecting a perverse parolee who can lead to a big payoff. ATF agent Kohn continues to investigate SOA.
When old bones are discovered on the outskirts of Charming, Clay is forced to deal with secrets he buried long ago. Meanwhile, the club sets its sights on prize money, backing Half-Sack in a bare-knuckle brawl. ATF agent Kohn's investigation turns personal when his true intentions are revealed.
With the IRA gun payment looming, SAMCRO scrambles to come up with the cash. The Mayans and Nords take a drastic step in strengthening their alliance. And Jax finds himself in a dangerous position with Tara.
SAMCRO plans retaliation on a rival biker club while dealing with a wounded Cameron Hayes in the clubhouse. Meanwhile, Jax, Bobby, and Opie aim to put an end to the gun debt for good.
With ATF agent Stahl pressing the women of SAMCRO, Jax sees Chief Unser as the key to the club's salvation. Tara still reels from the Kohn situation. And Cherry reveals some interesting information about her past to Gemma.
When one SOA member is arrested for murder and another goes missing, Jax must choose between friendship and the club. Meanwhile, Abel grows stronger and is soon to be released from the NICU, but he's not the only one coming home.
In need of cash to fund Bobby's defense, Clay's solution leaves SAMCRO in a vulnerable position. What's supposed to be a happy homecoming for Abel ends in more turmoil for the club.
With the club divided in the wake of Donna's death, Clay sets up a new gun deal with the IRA. Meanwhile, a white separatist group takes root in Charming and threatens more than just Samcro's control over Charming. The L.O.A.N gang kidnaps and rapes Gemma and tells her to stop Samcro from selling guns to blacks and other non-white gangs.
Following a traumatic event, Gemma finds herself unable to tell either Clay or Jax about it. Meanwhile, a rival porn producer (Tom Arnold) moves to put Luanne out of business; and Clay takes exception to Jax's hasty decision making.
Zobelle (Adam Arkin) cooks up a "temporary problem" for Hale to solve as a way to undermine Samcro; Gemma's rape is undermining her relationship with Clay; and Jax's involvement in Luanne's porn business is getting to Tara. Meanwhile, Clay tells Bobby, who needs a job, to run the business end of Luanne's business.
Tensions between Jax and Clay escalate when they disagree over strategy for rescuing Tig after he's captured by bounty hunters on a gun-running mission. Back in Charming, Gemma is rattled by a graphic reminder of her attack, and she sets out to do something about it.
Charming and its small-town appeal become vulnerable to The League, which finds new ways to provoke SOA members. Tara's compassionate efforts to help a distraught Gemma don't go unpunished.
Incited by Zobelle, Clay sets a course for retaliation, forcing Jax to turn to an unlikely source to save the club from destruction. Gemma shows Tara how an old lady handles her anger.
Since The League has SAMCRO members behind bars, the club must make new alliances in prison to survive. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agent Stahl uses this imprisonment to test Clay and Jax's relationship.
Zobelle's business dealings with SAMCRO rivals exacerbate divisions in the club, which is already riven by the Jax-Clay split. And complicating matters further, Georgie Caruso's thugs attack Luanne's studio. Meanwhile, Clay comes to an agreement with Elliott Oswald; and Chibs' estranged wife shows up at his hospital bedside.
When Samcro's adult-film business becomes a hindrance to the club, Clay seizes the opportunity to revive the gun-running cartel. As Jax and Clay continue to clash over club activities, their relationship reaches a new level of antagonism.
Agent Stahl takes notice at the handsome profits Samcro is reaping from the repo business. Meanwhile, the Jax-Clay standoff forces Gemma to make a difficult decision.
Chibs contemplates making a secret deal with agent Stahl in order to protect his wife and daughter. Deep in emotional turmoil, Opie seeks both revenge and reconciliation.
The entire SAMCRO family goes on lockdown inside the clubhouse as Jax and Clay prepare to battle The League. A.J. Weston learns the truth about Ethan Zobelle's business dealings in Charming. Applying what she has learned from Gemma, Tara ensures her position at St. Thomas Hospital.
The aftermath of Abel's kidnapping has the Sons reeling, especially Jax; Gemma, who is still on the lam, gets hit with some unexpected news from her past.
Tara is held hostage and Jax must choose between revenge and the good of Charming. Jimmy O has also returned from Ireland and finds himself in a precarious position with Russian gunrunner Putlova.
The incarcerated SAMCRO members (including Jax and Clay) are released from prison after serving 14 months for federal weapons charges. They return to Charming and encounter a new sheriff, Eli Roosevelt, and an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Lincoln Potter. Roosevelt and Potter set up a secret task force to indict the club for their weapons dealing. Opie and Lyla get married and Jax proposes to Tara.
Clay and Jax make a deal with Gallindo drug cartel representative Romero Parada. They agree to supply weapons to, and transport cocaine on behalf of, the cartel. Clay asks for Jax's support in the club's vote on the deal, Jax agrees begrudgingly in exchange for the freedom to leave the club when Clay eventually steps down as president. Gemma finds a note from John Tellerin Tara's things, and takes it to Unser. After the clubhouse has been destroyed in a show of power by Roosevelt, Tara manages to change the mood by announcing her engagement with Jax.
SAMCRO makes a run to Tucson to set up their cocaine and weapons routes. They find that the SAMTAZ charter has begun manufacturing and selling methamphetamines and investigate the circumstances that led the charter to become involved in drugs. Gemma befriends Roosevelt's wife.
Police Chief Roosevelt threatens to tell SAMCRO of Juice’s African American ancestry and forces Juice to take a sample of the cocaine that SAMCRO is transporting for the Gallindo drug cartel.
Juice scrambles to survive as the theft of cocaine from the club is discovered. Tig's daughter Dawn comes to town looking for financial support. Lyla discovers Opie's infidelity.
The rival Lobos Sonora cartel attacks the Mayans cocaine distribution operation and SAMCRO retaliates. Tara finds a death threat and fearing further attacks from the cartel the club goes into lockdown. Bobby calls a vote to replace Clay as president. Under increasing pressure from Roosevelt, Juice hangs himself from a tree.
Juice survives when the tree branch snap but Chibs finds out about the suicide attempt. The Lobos Sonora cartel attacks the Teller Morrow compound just as SAMCRO begin the leadership vote. When they discover that Lobos Sonora are using a Mayans member as an informant SAMCRO postpone the vote and attempt to set a trap but the cartel remains a step ahead. Clay murders Piney before he can reveal JT's letters. Tara resolves to leave town for the safety of her family.
The Niners have made a new alliance that affects SAMCRO's agenda. Gemma and Unser see the fallout from Clay's actions. Tara plans a trip to Oregon to clear her head, with Jax deciding to escort her up. The Gallindo Cartel gives Clay a means to take out Tara once and for all.
Jax and Tara discover the peaceful possibilities of life outside of SAMCRO, but the harsh reality of their inability to leave the rest of the group behind quickly makes itself known to the two of them.
SAMCRO is in jeopardy of being muscled out of their own business when a formidable adversary arrives and quickly manages to pose a threat to their already fragile business relations with the Cartel.
SAMCRO negotiates with the Irish Kings to secure the club's future. Jax confronts Wendy over her return to Charming. Clay tries to make a deal with Tara. Meanwhile, Otto's deal with Potter goes through, much to Bobby's dismay. Opie's trust in Jax and the club is broken as he seeks revenge and reconciliation. On Gemma's request, Unser tries to undo the damage he's done. Opie shoots Clay twice in the clubhouse to avenge his father's and first wife's deaths.
In the aftermath of Clay's shooting, Jax's cover up puts Tig on the hunt and Laroy in danger. While on the verge of the Irish/Cartel meeting, Juice and Bobby's disappearance puts the club on edge. Gemma reveals family history in an attempt to pull Jax closer, while Tara makes certain of her family's departure from Charming.
History repeats itself when Jax's future in Charming and with the MC is finally determined. Potter's RICO case takes an unusual turn when the Gallindo Cartel reveals its true intentions. The vote is made on Hale's Charming Heights proposition. SAMCRO makes a shift in its member's rank.
Jax and Tara take their place as president and queen of SAMCRO while Tig faces the aftermath of the ordeal with Damon Pope's daughter and Bobby takes over his position in the SAMCRO ranks.
Jax and Chibs hide out at Nero's escort offices while planning their next move. Tig and the club scour Oakland for Fawn. Clay makes a move that surprises Bobby and Opie. In the midst of chaos, Jax and Tara have an abrupt wedding ceremony. Nero begins to develop an alliance with Jax and a relationship with Gemma.
As Jax, Chibs, Tig, and Opie struggle to stay alive during their time in County jail, Bobby finds out from Luis that the cartel is looking to secure a backup plan. Gemma turns to an unlikely source as Tara continues to maneuver Thomas and Abel away from her. Meanwhile, Clay uses Nero's escort services to get a rise out of Gemma. Damon Pope gives Jax his terms and conditions, which could effectively change the entire dynamic of SAMCRO. Opie is killed so the other members can be released.
The police raid on Nero's brothel leaves Nero and Carla without an office space. Meanwhile, Jax and Chibs try to protect the escort the Byz Lats believe is responsible. Wendy tries to come to honest terms with Tara while Gemma makes a move to get Tara back on her side. Opie's wake is held, with all of SAMCRO in attendance.
The club votes on getting into the companion business with Nero. Meanwhile, Jax begins to build bridges by getting Jacob Hale's Charming Heights development back on track. The Gallindo/Irish Kings meeting finally happens. Gemma confronts her son over her relationship with Nero. Roosevelt's wife shoots herself while she is pushed to the floor during a home invasion. A transvestite hooker does a favor for SAMCRO.
SAMCRO's drug hauling arrangement with Damon Pope and the Cartel takes a riskier, more profitable turn; bringing the Niners, Lin's Triad and the Mayans together in an uneasy pact. Back at Charming hospital, Rita Roosevelt dies of wounds sustained thanks to the home invasion. Jax learns the identity of the County Jail officer who led Opie to his death and takes bloody revenge. Tara tries, but fails, to convince Otto Delaney to reverse his testimony against the club.
The club begins to connect the dots on the series of home invasions. The nomads are believed to be somehow involved and sheriff Roosevelt knows the club brought on the attacks, although Jax had nothing to do with it. Clay is behind the attacks and sends the nomads to kill Unser who is getting close to the truth, but double crosses them, thwarting the attack on Unser, killing two of the Nomads, one remains at large. Gemma falls asleep at the wheel and is involved in a car accident while taking Jax's kids home. The accident appears to have one fatality. At the same time Jax and Chibs are run off the road by two masked men in a van, Jax shoots one and they unmask him; he is black.
In the aftermath of Gemma's car accident, Clay and Nero have different approaches on how to help her out of trouble with Jax and Tara. The Sons try to find out who was behind the attack on Jax and Chibs. Meanwhile, Roosevelt promises to give Jax the member of the club that has been informing on them for the RICO case in exchange for Frankie Diamonds. Juice finally lets someone in on all of the secrets that he's been hiding from the club. And Jax devises a plan trap Clay, which involves manipulating his mother.
Jax and the club go on the hunt for Frankie Diamonds, while Clay and Juice follow up on their own leads in an attempt to get to him first. Gemma and Nero share a tender moment as he buries his sister. Tara gets more than she bargained for as she makes a second attempt to get Otto to recant his story. Roosevelt and Jax's deal comes to a head, but neither is too thrilled with the results.
After confronting Juice about his betrayal of the club, Jax offers him a path to redemption. Avenging Opie's death proves difficult when one of the perpetrators turns up under the protection of the Grim Bastards, leading to a disagreement between Jax and Bobby. As Gemma attempts to get closer to Clay, Tara performs one last favor for Otto—with bloody results.
Jax strikes a new deal while ridding himself of old problems, Jax and Tig kill Pope and frame Clay for the murder, and Tara is arrested for conspiracy to commit murder.
Just days after Clay Morrow and Tara Knowles were imprisoned, much has changed within SAMCRO: Chibs Telford is now Vice President, Happy is the new Sergeant-at-Arms, Bobby Munson has distanced himself from SAMCRO and is considering going Nomad, and Juice Ortiz's status in the club is in question.