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Advance Review: Sons of Anarchy, Season 4 Premiere, Ep. 401 “Out” (Sex, Lies, and Retaliation)

Air Date: Tuesday, September 6, 2011 10:00 PM E/P on FX

Rating: ★★★★★ 

SOA = Sons of Anarchy

MC = Motorcycle Club

SAMCRO = Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original

After waiting nine months for the highly anticipated fourth season of this testosterone fueled series, I’ll be honest – I feel a little jipped. There are some great moments in “Out,” but overall the slow-paced episode feels very subdued and full of details to the point of overkill. What I love about Sons of Anarchy is the allure of mystery and dark secrets – something to riddle out, but “Out” is a bit too informative; and actually, it’s kind of boring in places. But, I’m a true fan of SOA and will not jump ship.

L-R: Katey Sagal as Gemma and Charlie Hunnam as Jax

When we left last season, Tara (Maggie Siff) finds the letters written by Jax’s (Charlie Hunnam) father telling Maureen (Paula Malcomson) his death would most likely be at the hands of his wife Gemma (Katey Sagal) and best friend Clay (Ron Perlman). This will become a very prevalent part of season four as Gemma discovers Tara has read these letters, which threaten the very fabric of Gemma’s relationship with her beloved son Jax. Tara hasn’t revealed the letters to Jax since he’s been in prison for the last 14 months but it’s only a matter of time.

The guys flip Stockton the bird as they ride off

As “Out” begins, Clay and the boys are getting out of prison just as a guard brings Otto (Kurt Sutter) a boxed breakfast. Otto finds a prize in his hard-boiled egg – a razor blade. It’s all part of a grander plan yet to unfold which I must give the writers credit for – it’s a stroke of genius. While Clay, Jax, Tig (Kim Coates), Bobby (Mark Boone Junior) and Juice (Theo Rossi) were in prison, Chib (Tommy Flanagan), Opie (Ryan Hurst), Kozik (Kenny Johnson), and Piney (William Lucking) were maintaining things back at the club house.

Season four brings in a few new characters as well as some returning ones. The new Mayor of Charming is the old pain-in-the-ass Jacob Hale (Jeff Kober). He’s been trying to take Charming into the 21st century while Clay and the boys have been away. Jacob’s brought in a new Sheriff, Eli Roosevelt (Rockmond Dunbar), from San Joaquin and Roosevelt is no one to be played with. He immediately sets the bar as he gives a warm welcome to Clay and the boys as they ride back into Charming. No cuts allowed. Seeing the guys abide by the rules – wearing plain black hoodies is very discouraging. It’s like Roosevelt just pissed in their beer and is making them drink it. I wonder how long this shit is going to last.

Lincoln “Linc” Potter (Ray McKinnon), the new AUSA (Asst. U.S. District Attorney), is the much more likable alternative to the conniving and manipulative Agent Stahl (Ally Walker). Potter is a unique character – very mellow. He knows his way around a Harley, too. He’s setting up shop in Charming because, like all the other Feds, he wants to uncover the IRA and Russian gun running operation and he knows SAMCRO is the only real link to exposing it.

Former Charming Chief of Police Wayne Unser (Dayton Callie) is back and Chucky (Michael Ornstein) has fingers! Gemma got a little tired of the “nubs.” I really feel for Unser. He looks awful. The cancer is really taking its toll on him. There is one very emotional moment with Gemma; it’s hard to watch a grown man cry like that.

L-R: Katey Sagal as Gemma and Ron Perlman as Clay at the wedding

There is also some good humor mixed in. I find it very refreshing that despite the 14 months away from their women, Clay handles club business first before any monkey business. Maybe it’s because Clay knows his days are numbered as club president. His degenerative arthritic hands probably won’t last more than another winter so he’s trying to make his bank now. But, after being without his old lady for so long, making love goes by quick. Oh and thank you for the quick ass-cheek shot of Hunnam – he buffed up this season! Nom, nom, nom!

Clay: “Damn, that was fast.”

Gemma: “Yeah, that’s ‘cause you’re used to speed banging Juice in dark hallways.”

Clay: “Hey, don’t turn what Juice and I had into something cheap and tawdry.” (LOL! Funny. By the way, Juice with hair is unsettling. I need the Mohawk back – fast!)

Before the end of “Out,” there’s a wedding, a lot of Russians die (side note – what Otto does in retaliation for the hit on Jax in prison is hardcore ruthless); and someone gets engaged. I love the wedding vow, “…and treat you as good as my leather and ride you as much as my Harley.”

While I understand “Out” is basically setting up the entire season, I wish it were a bit more action-packed and less detailed. However, I will say the action that finally comes is bloody. A sweet rendition of Louie Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” plays as the retaliation against the Russians is carried out. It’s a startling contrast but befitting of Sons of Anarchy style.

Tune in to the season four premiere of Sons of Anarchy, Tuesday, September 6, 2011 10:00 PM E/P only on FX.

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Photos © 2011 FX Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.