Spoilers for episode three of "Sons of Anarchy" coming up just as soon as I put on an industrial-strength cup..."Fun Town" shows that Kurt Sutter not only borrowed the frenetic plotting of "The Shield," but that show's tendency for "it's so wrong" wince-inducing scenes and stories. I had to look away for a good portion of the scene with the captured rapist, because even though I felt confident the dad wouldn't go through with it, I also felt reasonably confident that Clay would.
Still more "Shield" parallels: like Vic Mackey, Clay justifies his crimes as being in service to the greater good. He sees the gun-running as financing the Sam Cro lifestyle, which in turn protects the quaint lifestyle of Charming. In reality, both men are largely hypocrites out for personal gain and the inflation of their own egos -- each is convinced their town can't survive without them -- but it makes for a pretty bit of self-rationalization.
And, of course, we get the first appearance by Jay "Dutch" Karnes as Tara's stalker ex-boyfriend, who conveniently happens to be an agent for the one branch of the government that Sam Cro fears most of all: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. How much hell do you think he's going to unleash on Jax as part of his crazy attempt to win Tara back? And how badly do you think Jax is going to get hurt when Clay realizes this is all because of the young prince's ex-girlfriend?
I still, unfortunately, don't find Jax to be that compelling a central character, but there are enough interesting things going on that I'm going to stick for a while.
What did everybody else think?
This show definitely grows on you. I don't watch "The Shield" (I know... I know. I'll have to catch it on DVD), but someone mentioned that the gang that appeared in the SOA pilot, the One-Niners, are originally from "The Shield". True?
ReplyDeleteI agree that Jax isn't interesting enough yet as central character.
ReplyDeleteI find Kim "Tig" Coates demented yet very entertaining.
I don't find myself on the edge of my seat like when watching "The Shield", but I am highly entertained by these characters and their conversations & interactions.
I see a lot of parallels of SoA with the Shield & the Sopranos, and I love it all.
I hope FX is as happy with this show as well.
tony dayoub:
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was the one that posted that comment. The LA gang One-Niners is in both The Shield and Sons of Anarchy. I think that's a pretty cool cross-over.
Ellis Rezian was mentioned too, right? Pretty fascinating if there's a shared universe.
ReplyDeleteJax has the makings of a great central charactor, i think he already is one. You also have to remember that the series is only a couple of shows "new" so it, like any other series, is going to take a bit of time to get all of the kinks worked out, and do not forget that Jax is being pulled in several different directions at the same time, so naturally he is not set on any one course as of yet, so just be patient.
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