Review: Sons of Anarchy – Season 4, Episode 9 “Hands” – The Dangers and Fallout From Speed Dialing
Rating:
Air date: Tuesday, November 8, at 10pm ET/PT on FX
“Something is wrong Wayne,” Gemma (Katey Sagal) confides to Unser (Dayton Callie). She’s certain that her husband Clay (Ron Perlman) is about to unleash something very bad.
Gemma is right and in spite of her investigative abilities, she’s unaware Clay has already released the Kraken via speed dial – meaning the thing that ’once it’s been set in motion, it can be stopped.’ In the meantime, Jax (Charlie Hunnam), his fiancée Tara (Maggie Siff) and their two children experience life outside SAMCRO via their mini vacation. As they leave a park, a group of Spanish speaking men drive up in a van and kidnap Tara. Jax kicks into superhero mode and thwarts the kidnapping. Gemma puts two and two together, but doing the ‘math’ will prove costly to her.
Jax (Charlie Hunnam) is on fire after the kidnapping attempt to fiancée Tara.
Hunnam and Siff relate to each other in such a natural way that makes them believable as a couple. Their uncoordinated rendition of the children’s song “This Old Man” is cute. After going through so much together, they remain positive as they make plans for the future. But for those of us familiar with series creator Kurt Sutter’s work, we know this is a set up. As soon as we spot the homeless lady (Olivia Burnette) on screen, we know we’re about to be punched in the guts. Since season one, she appears during troubled times and Sutter purposely keeps vague what she stands for.
The episode is titled “Hands” because Tara’s right hand is badly mangled during the attack and her career as a pediatric surgeon is in question. Siff has been the subject of ongoing criticism by fans due to her ‘controlled’ characterization of Tara (I’ve always thought she’s portrayed her as a level-headed and reserved woman). Tara’s jarring screams will change some of those critics’ mindsets or at least draw sympathy for the character. Her cries anchor us in one of those awful moments where people lose it after experiencing a major loss.
A drugged Tara (Maggie Siff) who knows Jax won’t be able to leave Charming.
Some aspects of the kidnapping are questionable to me and a diarrhea of questions soon floods my brain. Why do the contract killers bother to kidnap Tara? Isn’t it more effective to shoot her in the head Donna Winston (Sprague Grayden) style? When Jax shields Tara and screams at the kidnappers not to shoot, why do they comply? I lack Gemma’s investigative powers so I could be wrong but it seems to me someone wants Tara alive – for leverage, perhaps? There’s also the possibility that a different set of instructions were given after the usual suspects – Romeo (Danny Trejo), Luis Torres (Benito Martinez) or Clay – learn Jax accompanied Tara on the trip. Things that make you go hmm…
Some people have the ability to see the writing on the wall even when they are hospitalized and drugged out. Tara tells Jax she knows Gemma, the MC and Charming won’t let him leave town. Her words resonate deeply on his conscience and Jax comes clean to Opie about his deal with Clay and how he intends to leave the ‘life.’ This is a great scene between Hunnam and Hurst: an emotional Jax doesn’t hide from his best friend the heavy burden he’s carried from lying to him while Opie challenges him firmly, still taking the time to listen to his friend. As I watch and listen to their scene, I can’t help but feel an impending sense of doom.
The dynamics between AUSA Lincoln Potter (Ray McKinnon) and Sheriff Eli Roosevelt (Rockmond Dunbar) are another ticking time-bomb as these two are on a collision course. Eli, who stills bears bruises left from his confrontation with Juice Ortiz (Theo Rossi), sees Potter’s antics as bad policing and he makes Juice aware of his views. In my opinion, Eli is looking for a way out of the USDA situation and Potter has a lot to be concerned for.
In the middle of this ‘anarchy,’ it’s touching to see strong emotional bonds between characters and in unexpected situations. When Eli shows up looking for Juice, the Sons don’t hesitate to stand up to him. Hospital administrator Margaret Murphy (McNally Sagal), who is very protective of Tara, calls Gemma out on her master puppeteer ways and how her actions are to be blamed for Tara’s situation. Murphy’s words get to Gemma because she becomes fearful that her inaction could yield to fatal consequences for her loved ones, and by that I mean her precious son Jax and grandkids.
The action in “Hands” leads up to a violent confrontation between Gemma and Clay. It’s pretty gruesome and I will summarize it by saying Gemma will be reminded of her place in the food chain via some major heavy-duty Rocky Balboa action. It also marks the point of no return for both characters. The episode ends with a pot-smoking Gemma and Unser discussing his prophetic words from last week’s episode “Kiss” about Clay. One can’t help but wonder if in the same way that Gemma was drawn to Clay—when she considered John Teller had ‘lost his way’—if she’s going to turn to Unser, as they now see eye to eye.
“Hands” is a hell of an adrenaline ride. It has a film-like suspenseful thriller quality to it; when you think the worst has passed, something else happens. Therefore, it may not come as a surprise that the episode is directed by Peter Weller (Robocop). It’s worth mentioning that it’s written by Chris Collins, Kurt Sutter and David Labrava who plays Happy on the show. Sutter has mentioned on multiple occasions that the end of this season will feel like a new beginning for the show. I’m starting to sense how that is going to pan out.
Tune in to Sons of Anarchy, Tuesdays at 10:00 PM E/P only on FX.
Follow @SAMCRO_BLOGGER, @sutterink and @FXNetworks and tweet using the hashtag #SOAFX.
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Note: In case you missed it, YEC had the opportunity to talk to Rockmond Dunbar on November 2 and in the interview, he reveals there will be a twist for his character.
Photos © 2011 FX Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved
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elleL
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2 comments
Great episode! I really hope they have the guts to have Gemma’s statement come true and see Jax kill Clay this season!
Author
Hi Kyle – If Clay will be killed this season is the million dollar question, isn’t it? His actions really show his true colors which in my mind is that the only person that he trusts is himself! I always like to hear people’s predictions so if you have any, I would love to hear them. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.