Season Two of FX's Sons of Anarchy wrapped up a stunning season last night, but for those (ahem, me) looking for an explosive finale, the closer didn't match the intensity we saw throughout the middle of the season.
Spoilers ahead!
That's not to say "Na Trioblodi" wasn't good, but I suspect fan reactions will be all over the place on this one. The biggest point of contention from the episode has to be the scot-free exit that archvillain Ethan Zobelle got away with. I think I speak for everyone when I say there is no person in the world who didn't want to see this guy die a gruesome, horrible death involving a honey enema and a pack of ravenous fire ants. But showrunner Kurt Sutter (The Shield) let him go—albeit without his buxom daughter, whom Gemma (Katey Sagal) disposed of in the episode's best scene.
All told, I'm not that disappointed Zobelle got away (I loved seeing The Wire's bad guys get back on the street during finales). I'm more disappointed in how he got away. Cornered and all but dead, Zobelle was saved by the confusing actions of an Irishman and a well-timed phone call. In kidnapping Jax's son Abel, Cameron was transformed from periphery character to catalyst for one of this season's biggest events (which will also fuel next season's big storyline). We saw this happen last season—with much greater effect—in the awesome second-season finale of Breaking Bad (I don't want to give it away for those who haven't seen it), but in SoA's case it came out of left field.
Though Zobelle got away, Weston did not, taking six or seven shots to the face by "good son" Jax. Ditto for Zobelle's daughter and her Irish lover, who said goodbye in rapid-fire turns of events. And a very sad farewell to Half-Sack, the SAMCRO pledge who was moments away from getting patched when he was skewered while trying to stop Abel's kidnapping (that always seems to happen, doesn't it?).
Between the barrage of deaths (showrunners take note: We want to see people die in season finales!), getaways, and cover-ups, I did notice something that had evaded me for a while: a real undying sense of familial loyalty among the rough bikers. We've always been told it was there and took it at face value, but "Na Trioblodi" conveyed it spectacularly. These are guys you want to invite to your wedding.
It isn't common for a show to peak during the middle of the season, but that's just what happened with Sons of Anarchy this year. For me, the Jax-Clay father-son battle, the secret of Opie's wife bottled up like pissed-off hornets, and Zobelle becoming public enemy number one were the highlights of the season. The final episodes wrapped things up with lengthy revenge scenarios and introduced possibilities for next season, but they never really provided the same intensity of their predecessors. Still, as I hang my SAMCRO jacket in the closet to rest until Season Three, I remember Season Two as being one of 2009's television highlights.
Comments (11)
I pretty much agree with everything Tim said. The ending wasn't terrible, and it would have been crazy to try and top some of the episodes in the middle (for me "Service" was some of the best television I've ever seen). The thing that bothered me about the whole episode was the loose ends. I get Sutter's argument that amidst the chaos, everyone drops everything once the kid is stolen, but really, there was nothing really "final" about this finale except Jax's execution of Weston. I still liked the episode in the grander scheme of the show, but a little bit more closure should have been shown besides the end of L.O.A.N. in Charming.What I think is the real disappointment is Johnny Lewis (Half Sack) wanting out of the show and Sutter having to kill him because of it. It doesn't tear the group apart really, and it just makes the club (and thereby the show) older and older. I hope they bring in a new prospect exactly like Half Sack.moreless
Actually this was what I wanted to see in a season finale and I wouldn't expect Kurt Sutter to leave everything happy with a nice bow around the problems SAMCRO has faced this season. Mext season will be epic, and I'd really like to see some of the Belfasts Sons.
I loved the finale. I think with Zobelle... his reputation in the US is ruined, his daughter's dead, his deal with the FBI is pretty much over now, his support is gone... It'd be nice if he died, but he's been pretty thoroughly destroyed. And I don't think it's too hard to believe that Clay was more focused on Abel getting kidnapped and possibly killed then finishing the job.I loved Stahl, though. I like her character and I think the actress playing her does an amazing job with it. Yeah, she'll probably meet a bad end (only the characters who are evil a hundred percent of the time get away cleanly), but she's a blast to watch.And Breaking Bad's season finale was awful. Kind of forgot about the show and gave up on it after watching that.moreless
The biggest antagonist of the series is ATF agent Stahl. She's the one who causes all the deaths everywhere. I'd really like to see her cut into pieces and fed to cancerous rats next season.
I agree with the comments about the oddness of the whole Irish crisis, though something has been comming all season. However, I liked the choice it provided. At the begining of this season we saw Jax and Clay on a path of destruction, both headed to a confrontation. Mid-season and the prison fight sees us knowing that the two of them can not ever reconcile and now...now Clay is presented with the decision: Stay and kill the bastard who raped the woman he loves, his queen or go letting the guy escape and save the son of the boy who has been poking at him all year. Clay hesitates for one heartbeat and then off they go to defend the family. I think its a fantastic redemption of Clay, this entire season has been. Season one saw the King damned by his word and deed. He kills Donna, he drives the Club deeper into irrational crime, he seems to be doing everything counter to the SAMCRO ideal. Season two takes us into his world and we become more and more sympathetic to him until by the time Gemma tells Clay and Jax about her ordeal, we feel as much for Clay as we do for Jax and Gemma.
When Jax decides to pull in behind him and get in line while in turn he decides to use the young prince's brain, the two of them make a fantastic team and begin to see a common ground. I think that Clays growth has been masterful and we are at a point now where I could actually see him stepping down sometime in the future in favor of Jax. I think Clay has always been alittle worried that Jax didn't have the stones for the President Patch. This season has proven to the King that the Prince will be able to rule. I hope we see SAMCRO going to Ireland to get the grandson back and sort out the Chig's problems. I want the DEA...lady to get her just deserts. She's got 'em commin. But most of all? I want Clay to either die soon or else step down in favor of Jax. The Prince has made his Bones. Time for the old wolf to get some sleep. And I think that will be a huge dramatic moment. I am also worried about the Doc. This was a seriously traumatic moment for her. I hope she can pull it together. Poor Half-Sack. Stupid DEA. Thats the second SAMCRO death we can indirectly lay at her feet. Donna first, Sack second. She got a hurt commin. Though frankly, she needs to leave Charming. It's got to be hurting her career.moreless
It was a good season of Sons of Anarchy.
i liked the ending it leaves us asking what will jimmy o do to camron and will he turn him over to SAMCRO. a shame to see half sack get what he got i mean that kid went thru alot of stuff the past seasons. i know for sure the 3rd season will not disappoint it sucks we all have to wait so long for it tho
It was a good season and solidifies the SOA as must see TV. One of the best shows of the 09', and that’s a short list.
I felt this finale was overdone too. Once Gemmma killed Zobelle' daughter it was all down hill. How is she going to get out of that? Cause she really can't get out from Stahl's grasp even if she's the SOA queen.
I didn't really like the "Breaking Bad" finale either, but at least it was well put together. They obviously had season 2 planned out, and SOA felt like they just threw it together at the last minute.
Didn't particularly liked the finale either.
I liked season 2 of Sons of Anarchy, however I was really disappointed in the way Clay got away with murdering one of his own's wife. It doesn't matter it was suppose to be Opie. It was like his wife got raped by the enemy, so let's just chalk what you did Clay up as a minor mistake. I didn't like the agent either, but she didn't pull the trigger. I want season 3 to hold Clay's feet to the fire, and I want Jax to be the one to do it. The fact Zobelle got away was expected. Alan Arkin did such a great job being bad, who won't want him to return as an adversary in the future. All in all liked your run down of last night's events.moreless