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One Night Stands and Dirty Deeds. Review: Sons of Anarchy, S5 “Toad’s Wild Ride”

 

Review: Sons of Anarchy, S5, Ep. 507 – “Toad’s Wild Ride” (One Night Stands and Dirty Deeds.)

Air Date: Tuesday, October 23, 2012 10 PM E/P on FX.

Rating: ★★★★★

NOTE: I’m filling in for your regular SOA reviewer ElleL. (@LutzElle). She’ll be back soon.

Can there be any more tension between Jax (Charlie Hunnam) and Clay (Ron Perlman)? And Gemma (Katey Sagal) too, for that matter? Jax is on a mission and if you’re standing in his way, be prepared to be knocked the fuck out. “Toad’s Wild Ride” takes us all for a little spin on the Charming train. I thought this episode was excellent. From Gemma’s memorable one night stand to Clay’s audacious lies, you will be glued to your TV and fear blinking because you won’t want to miss one second.

Observations:

SONS OF ANARCHY–Toad’s Wild Ride — Episode 507 (Airs Tuesday, October 23, 10:00 pm e/p) — Pictured: (L-R) Kim Coates as Tig, Charlie Hunnam as Jax, Tommy Flanagan as Chibs — CR: Prashant Gupta/FX

Jax is fed up. He’s sick of his mom’s crap. When Gemma calls Nero (Jimmy Smits) to help her after her car is stolen by Warren (guest star Joel McHale), her one night stand, instead of coming to her rescue alone, he calls in the troops. Did every member of SAMCRO show up at this motel? I kind of chuckled at how many guys came to Gemma’s rescue. It’s not like she was hurt; well, maybe her pride was, but her SUV was stolen. These guys sure do stick up for each other, no matter what. That’s devotion. And I love how Gemma whines to Nero about him calling in the troops. Well Gemma, maybe if you weren’t acting like such a slut you wouldn’t need to call anyone. The conversation among Jax, Gemma, and Nero is very interesting.

Jax (shaking a half empty bottle): “Since when do you drink banana vodka?”

Nero: “What happened?”

Gemma: “I, um, woke up to take a piss and uh, he stole my wallet and my SUV. (She turns to Jax.) I don’t remember his name.”

Jax: “Jesus Christ. Who are you?”

Remind me again, who’s the parent? Gemma is really going off the rails. Ever since Clay used her face as a punching bag, she’s just not right. Well, there are a lot of other factors that play into her recent downward spiral but sadly, it’s getting worse…much worse.

***

Gemma—what a train wreck! I have no sympathy for her when she drives stoned with her two grandsons in the car. What the hell is she thinking? While she usually drives stoned when she’s by herself, I just can’t believe she would get behind the wheel knowing she’s got the kids with her. Let’s hope little Abel is ok. Baby Thomas is crying his little lungs out but Abel is slumped over after the car crash. Hasn’t that boy been through enough already? He’s got more crap under his belt than some adults I know—born an addict; kidnapped and taken to Ireland; and now this. Who else wants to smack the shit out of Gemma? (Raises both hands). The title of the episode refers to baby Thomas’ stuffed little frog, who also gets a wild ride when Grandma Gemma is behind the wheel. Poor froggie. Let’s hope he’s ok too.

***

Unser (Dayton Callie) ain’t no dummy. He may have been a crooked cop, but he’s nobody’s fool. He uncovers compelling clues about the recent home invasions in Charming, and all roads lead to it being an inside job. When Unser asks Jax, “Who’s new,” Jax replies, “Nomads.” Unser also brings up a valid point – who stands to gain from an uprising within the inner sanctum of SAMCRO? The answer is simple—Clay. That “I’m on borrowed time” bullshit is getting old. Besides, we know he’s on the mend and doesn’t need that oxygen anymore.

***

I think we all knew early on that the Nomads were doing the home invasions. When Unser was attacked at Gemma’s house, we saw Greg the Peg’s (Kurt Yaeger) prosthetic leg. The question was, why? Why were they doing it? Again, the answer is simple—Clay. He used the Nomads to stir up trouble to make Jax look like a weak club president. But things took a nasty turn when they killed Sheriff Roosevelt’s (Rockmond Dunbar) wife. Things are just getting crazier and crazier, and I love it. The twists, turns, and upheavals make for exciting and enthralling television. Clay is getting himself caught up in his own web of lies, and eventually, things will come undone.

***

Don’t you love that Gemma and Unser smoke a joint together instead of a cigarette? And, they’re blazing it up right around the corner from the police investigation following the shooting at Unser’s place. Two Nomads down, one to go. And Frankie Diamonds (Chuck Zito) is on the run.

***

SONS OF ANARCHY–Toad’s Wild Ride — Episode 507 (Airs Tuesday, October 23, 10:00 pm e/p) — Pictured: (L-R) Charlie Hunnam as Jax,Jimmy Smits as Nero Padilla, Kim Coates as Tig, Joel McHale as Warren, Tommy Flanagan Chibs — CR: Prashant Gupta/FX

I loved the scene when Jax, Chibs (Tommy Flanagan), Tig (Kim Coates), and Nero and his boys are chasing down Warren, who’s stupidly took Gemma’s SUV to a local chop shop. Soundgarden’s “Been Away Too Long” fuels the high-octane chase which gets my pulse racing. Cheers to the people responsible for the music choices for the episodes. They always manage to pick excellent and befitting songs to coincide with whatever shenanigans are happening.

***

Who else is worried about Juice (Theo Rossi)? He knows Clay is up to something and he can hardly contain himself every time they get an update about the home invasions. I don’t know if it’s loyalty or fear keeping him quiet about Clay…maybe a little of both. Whatever it is, I hope it doesn’t get him killed.

***

Another gripping episode; I just wish there were better episodic photos we could have gotten. This was all they had. But, I can’t wait for next week! It’s good!!

 

Tune in to Sons of Anarchy, Tuesdays at 10:00 PM E/P only on FX.

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Photos ©2012 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.