Season 6, Episode 3
Air date: Tuesday, September 24, 2013, 10pm ET/PT on FX
Rating:
“Secrets is what I do.” – Gemma
Toric convinces DA Patterson to let him officially join the school shooting investigation
The Charming community is shaken by the school shooting and with San Joaquin County District Attorney Tyne Patterson (CCH Pounder) hell bent on finding out how a deadly weapon found its way in the hands of a child, SAMCRO is feeling the heat. With Clay’s (Ron Perlman) parole violation hearing coming up and with growing concerns of him becoming a rat, Jax (Charlie Hunnam) and SAMCRO must weigh their options as Lee Toric (Donal Logue) closes in.
The highly anticipated meeting between Jax and Clay finally happens at the county jail. Clay apologizes “for all of it” but just like Jax, I’m not “buying the mea culpa.” I’m not sure what Clay is attempting to do but their conversation is disappointing and anti-climactic, especially given the episode promos.
Clay finally makes it to Stockton and loses his private cell privileges
Although I’ve been critical of Jax as a leader this season, he makes the right call in warning his crew about Toric. However, I don’t agree with how easily he discounts reaching out to Bobby (Mark Boone Jr.). With all the issues the club is facing, Jax should be seeking loyalty to the club from every person he knows. Bobby now has the numbers to reinstate the Nomad chapter so I’m curious about how Jax will take the news. In contrast, Jax has no issues reaching out to Colette (Kim Dickens) and I think I know why —they have bonded over their preference for flip phones! On a serious note, I don’t accept getting the Diosa Norte papers signed as an excuse to see her but the feminist in me clapped when Jax busts Colette “doing” Charles Barosky (Peter Weller). Can you say reality check for Jax?! Does anyone else think Jax seems a bit too eager to impress Barosky at the expense of his crew? The madam and Barosky appear to have a history together and I don’t trust them.
When SAMCRO and Nero Padilla (Jimmy Smits) meet with Colette and Barosky, they’re showered in bullets because Amir Ghanezi (Anthony Azizi) believes his brother was killed by the MC. Everyone is surprised, except for Tig (Kim Coates) as once again, his reaction comes back to haunt the MC. The situation gets diffused when Barosky proves why he’s the top dog at the Stockton docks. I fully expect Barosky to cash in on the favor.
The Iranians pay a “social visit” to SAMCRO and Barosky
Barosky also knows there is something off about the disappearance of the other Ghanezi brother and calls Jax out: “If you can’t trust your crew, I can’t trust you.” When Jax fails to provide an adequate answer, Barosky warns him he owes him one. This is an unexpected blow to Jax so he confronts Tig, who fails to come clean. Because of this, Jax decides it’s ok to set Tig up so August Maks (Billy Brown) can kill him. I support Jax’s decision; Tig’s chronic pattern of unacceptable behavior is a huge liability for SAMCRO. On the other hand, Jax has to lie to cover Tig’s mistake so if the Iranians regroup and strike the club again (my bet is they will), Jax’s lies to Nero and the MC will be exposed.
Here is my roundup of some key happenings worth keeping an eye on:
The Relentless Lee Toric
If anyone had doubts about what Toric would do to get the MC, doubt no more. The guy is ingeniously wicked; only he can turn a screw up into a power play to set up Nero in a way that would make Machiavelli grin. I was nearly hypnotized by the chain of events after Erin (Suzanne Schmidt) gets out of the shower with DA Patterson right outside Toric’s door. Boy, did he finish Erin quickly! Toric remains collected and smoothly transitions into a work discussion with Patterson. Just like his other exchanges with her, he manages to be the embodiment of professionalism and competency – which is a total crock!
Next, Toric ruthlessly presses Clay not only to sign Patterson’s affidavit and roughs up Arcadio’s (Dave Navarro) former associates so Toric can pick up their trail after their disappearance. Such level of intensity can’t be sustained forever and Toric is showing signs of breaking. He isn’t in control of the situation as much as he thinks he is. Toric’s overconfidence is one of my favorite character flaws as it yields opportunities for others. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.
A Remorseful Clay
The episode’s title is a Latin word, which, according to the JM Latin English Dictionary, means penance or contrition, and obviously relates to Clay. But is his contrition real? Sutter is known for his twists but Clay has never been a straight shooter. He’s the kind of man who will do the right thing only if it suits his personal agenda. We’re going to have to wait to see what the deal is, and whether Clay will surprise us.
What is Wendy plotting?
Is Gemma off her Game?
I love that Tara (Maggie Siff) is keeping up her charade of business as usual with Jax. The moment Tara deflects Gemma’s (Katey Sagal) attention by disclosing her pregnancy is priceless! Tara isn’t a dummy and considering how much of a shit Gemma has been to her in the past, I wonder how she manages to keep a straight face.
Wendy (Drea de Matteo) tells Gemma about her attack by a stalker from her AA meetings and Gemma kicks into mother hen mode. She gives Wendy a gun for protection that “can never be traced to you.” Red flags went up all over the place because my guess is this won’t be the last time we see this gun. And when Wendy wipes the fake bruise off her neck, I was screaming at my TV: “I knew it!” How very interesting that Jax’s ex-wife and current wife are simultaneously playing Gemma. I love it!
What’s on my Radar?
- Gemma is getting attached to Nero but the poor man keeps on digging himself deeper and deeper into issues thanks to his partnership with SAMCRO. Will he get to the point when he’s had enough and what is it going to take for him to get there?
- One of my favorite moments is the kindness and compassion Wayne Unser (Dayton Callie) shows Tara when he comforts her. “You’re going to be okay, sweetheart.” Knowing how purposeful Sutter is, I suspect this is heading somewhere and I’m looking forward to where it goes.
- Should SAMCRO members like Juice (Theo Rossi) and Tig be concerned if Jax says, “I love you brother?” Is it just me or is it starting to sound as if they’re on his shit list?
Chibs continues to be challenged by balancing his loyalty to Jax and the MC
By the end of “Poenitencia,” Jax asks Maks to keep Clay alive to help navigate through a messy breakup with the IRA, and also gives up Tig. When Jax finally gets home, I’m relieved he doesn’t pick up Colette’s call. He finds Tara’s pregnancy results and as they embrace, I hope this means he will shift his priorities to his family. Could he perhaps even save it? Tara’s expression is concerning, though. As she hugs Jax, she’s in deep thought. I’m doubtful she’s pregnant but judging by her tears, I’m willing to bet her machinations are taking a toll on her. I don’t think she likes what she’s plotting but feels she has no choice for the well-being of her boys. Last but not least, Eli Roosevelt (Rockmond Dunbar) finds Erin’s body and an anonymous 911 caller reports seeing a Ford pick-up truck. That opens a whole other can of worms!
“Poenitencia” is a transitional episode that adds traction and fuel to upcoming storylines. As a heads-up, I have already watched next week’s episode, “Wolfsangel,” and I urge you not to miss it. It’s my favorite so far. Let me just say Paris Barclay was right on the money when he told me during the premiere red carpet interviews that episode 604 was one of those “benchmarks where things happen.”
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Photos © 2013 FX Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
elleL
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1 comments
First off, I love your articles! They are well thought and well written. I like the fact that you get into this show as much as, or possibly, more than I do. I think you are on the right track with every aspect of the show. My one concern here would be a matter of grammar/spelling. I’m pretty sure it’s August Marks, not August Maks. Keep writing them girl and I’ll keep reading them!