Review:  Sons of Anarchy – Season 4, Episode 14 – “To Be, Part 2”

Air date: Tuesday, December 6, at 10pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

Sons of Anarchy fans have been riding a powerful roller coaster since September. Season 4 has been intense with unexpected flips and turns but does the finale please the high expectations of viewers?  Will the ghost of John Teller continue to haunt those who did him wrong? And does anyone really believe Jax is ever leaving Charming?

There is a lot to be covered in “To Be, Part 2” as Sutter and crew take viewers immediately into the action. Although I suspected Romeo (Danny Trejo) and Luis (Benito Martinez) to be rats for a while, it is pretty awesome to see them personally shutting down the RICO operation. Not only do they have power but they most definitely have the cojones to do it.

Lincoln Potter (Ray McKinnon) pulls off some interesting theatrics during a Charming City Council meeting.

With his official business in Charming over, AUSA Lincoln Potter (Ray McKinnon) finally shows his true colors—he’s a decent guy after all. McKinnon shares a great scene with Rockmond Dunbar in which their characters re-establish their respect for one another in a somewhat humorous manner. But Potter has saved some of his best theatrics for someone he’s disliked for a while – Jacob Hale (Jeff Kober). Seeing Potter barge into the City Council meeting with a duffle bag filled with sex toys to ruin Hale’s Charming Heights deal is pure comedic gold. McKinnon shows his flair for dry comedy while revealing how deep of a façade Potter puts on for his job, as well as his caliber as an individual. In spite of his dislike of people in general, Potter’s commitment to public service and the greater community is very real.

When Jax fails to convince the perceptive Galen O’Shea (Timothy V. Murphy) to close the deal with the Cartel, Romeo and Luis apply pressure on him. In an ironic twist, it’s them (not Gemma) who force him to take on the SAMCRO presidency. I have to agree with Potter in that the Galindo guys are not only the bad guys, they’re the winners of this round.

Clay (Ron Perlman) wakes up to a knife at his throat as he hears the words he never wanted to hear: “I’ve read the letters. I know you killed my father, Piney, and tried to kill Tara.”  Jax dictates the new lay of the land and how the club will be under new management. It’s weird seeing Clay basically defenseless and Perlman’s stellar acting abilities make obvious his sense of defeat (for now). Hunnam, whose character carries the brunt of the emotional burden of this episode,  delivers an Emmy^®worthy performance showcasing his full range as an actor as he goes  through the full  spectrum of pain, resentment, rage and near super human restraint to avoid  killing Clay. After Jax’s hospital scene with Clay and Gemma, was anyone else sickened to see Clay and Gemma continue to focus on saving their necks and what they want or need?

Jax’s loyalty to the club is admirable and his apology to his father – even if in spirit – is touching. When he puts on the rings, I take it as his way of accepting his role, destiny or whatever you may want to call it. He calls for all MC members to meet but before he heads to the clubhouse, he has two emotional conversations with two of the closest people to him: Tara (Maggie Siff) and Opie (Ryan Hurst). The topic of transparency among couples has been a constant debatable topic in the series but after all he’s been though, Jax is done with lies and secrets. He tells Tara everything in a heartbreaking scene during which what they don’t say is as important as what they do. What a testament to Siff’s and Hunnam’s acting abilities! Seeing his club being ripped apart is killing Jax but letting his family go is even worse for him. Hunnam manages to make the pain feel real yet manly.  Then, in spite of Jax’s assurances, Opie asks all the right questions about Jax’s decision to stay. Given that Opie still wants Clay dead, will Jax and the rest of the club prevent him from going rogue next season? Hurst needs to be commended—he’s been solid all season long and has perfectly portrayed Opie’s rage, hurt and disappointment at being let down by the only family he’s known.

Jax (Charlie Hunnam) promotes Chibs (Tommy Flanagan) to a SAMCRO officer

As Jax make his way to ‘Church,’ the episode slows down in tone. To me, this is done to give the proper respect for a moment that has been in the works for four seasons. In my recent interview with Bob Thiele, he discusses the finale’s limited dialogue nine minute ending sequence and how it would include a powerful song that propels the narrative (what I’ve been calling the ‘Classic SOA style’).  Let me tell you, Thiele was right on point. The White Buffalo & The Forest Rangers’ “House Of The Rising Sun” cover is truly magnificent. The song’s lyrics, as well as the images, bring resolution to the SAMCRO members, friends and families as a new order is established. I had to grin at how at home Wayne (Dayton Callie) looks in the Teller-Morrow dining room in the video vignette. A sign of things to come?

When Jax takes his rightful place at the head of the table, it is reminiscent of a superhero accepting his fate to do what’s best for mankind. Tig (Kim Coates), the only remaining member of Team Morrow, doesn’t openly challenge the changing of the guard at least for now —  confirming how brotherhood overrules personal differences. Opie’s name is not brought up but his absence is strongly felt.

Sutter has repeatedly said he wouldn’t do flashbacks in the series but his crafty use of photographs to bring the past into the present is brilliant. At first, I thought the photos were intended to help Gemma solidify her decision of distancing from Clay. But one particular photo of the two of them sitting at the gavel is key as it ties to Jax taking over the club.  I also think it reminds Gemma of all she’s lost, including her probably one true love, John Teller, and now possibly her son.

As many suspected, Romeo Parada (Danny Trejo) is on the CIA payroll.

Ultimately, Gemma gets her way. Her son is sitting in the SAMCRO President’s chair but something in her cryptic expression tells me she’s not fully pleased at the unfolding of events. Does she finally realize there is a price to be paid for bending people’s wills her way? And now, she has some loose ends to be worried about: Clay isn’t dead and there’s the possibility Tara may tell Jax about the content of the rest of the John Teller letters. I also think Gemma sees the writing on the wall—she won’t easily be forgiven or trusted again by Jax. But it’s a matter of time before the well-oiled wheels concoct a plan for her to get back in Jax’s good graces and I’m willing to bet it’s going to come at Tara’s expense. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Gemma sporting a Team Wendy shirt during Season 5.

As the younger Tellers strike an almost identical pose as in Gemma and Clay’s photo, I think the idea of destiny and the part it plays in shaping people’s futures is at the heart of these scenes – hence the title of two-part finale.  Will history repeat itself?  Personally, it looks like parallels are being drawn from one couple to another but I think it’s a mirage by Sutter. I don’t see this finale’s ending as history repeating itself, but more like the same issues never being resolved and impacting the next generation.  John Teller was the founder of the club and he attempted to redirect it from going down what he considered to be the wrong path. Now, his son is burdened with this same responsibility.  Jax possesses the traits to make it happen and contrary to his old man, he’s with a woman who stands by him. Jax (but especially Tara) looks more determined than Gemma and John do in the old photograph as they appear uncertain as to an unknown future. In spite of their strong bond as a couple, ‘Jara’ will have to content themselves with some serious external threats to their relationship and their lives next season.

Overall, my guess is “To Be, Part 2” is probably not the episode viewers were expecting. Based on how violent and murderous Season 4 has been, I bet most people were anticipating an explosive action finale. I think this one still is but more on an emotional level as SAMCRO has gone through a purging. Last season, I really struggled with the storylines and was able to predict most of the finale’s events. I consider this to be the best Sons of Anarchy season and finale since the first one. Season 4 has kept me intrigued as I was never fully sure of what was about to happen.

In conclusion, Jax and Tara appear to be at a crossroads in their lives. I wonder if the storyline is really moving into Hamlet territory or if it’s only a mirage with this ‘new’ beginning. Regardless, it’s going to be long wait for Season 5.

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