Review:  Sons of Anarchy – Season 5 Premiere – “Sovereign”

Air date: Tuesday, September 11, at 10pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“Previously on Sons of Anarchy” are words many have longed to hear since season four wrapped up following an effervescent escalation of conflicts. With everything that happened, I’m anxious to know several things: Will Jax’s (Charlie Hunnam) personal agenda impact his leadership as the new club president? Will Gemma (Katey Sagal) and the SAMCRO members adapt to the changes in the club? With enemies closing in, can SAMCRO survive the shark-infested waters? Fortunately, “Sovereign” doesn’t waste time tackling these questions.

An introspective Jax writes at the beginning of the episode: “The things that try to kill you make you angry and sad. Strength comes from good things: your family, your friends, the satisfaction of hard work. Those are the things that keep you whole; those are the things to hold onto when you’re broken.”

The use of journaling to push the plot forward isn’t uncommon but here, it allows viewers to turn the page from last season while reminding the audience where the show left off, introducing the new world order and re-connecting them with the story’s main hero. Hunnam continues to be solid in humanizing Jax’s struggles but it’s the emotion he injects in the superbly written dialogue that makes this a strong opening scene.

We don’t have to wait long for the action to commence. Pope (Harold Perrineau) isn’t happy the Niners sabotage the Sons’ weapons delivery and although Jax’s leadership saves the day, we all know Pope is just getting started. The scene’s intensity is fueled by Frankie Perez & the Forest Rangers’ song, “Higher Ground” (available in itunes). With it, Bob Thiele continues to showcase his mastery of the Sons’ signature sound with more great music. (Be on the lookout for my interview with Thiele very soon!)

Damon Pope (Harold Perrineau) may be the most ruthless enemy to threaten SAMCRO.

“Sovereign” not only efficiently introduces us to new characters but the cast additions greatly enrich the new storylines. Nero Padilla’s (Jimmy Smits) “Rico Suave routine” had to be my favorite. The way Padilla meets Rose—I mean, Gemma (ha!)—and the entire post-coital sequence is hilarious, especially when they’re interrupted by Carla (the fabulous Wanda De Jesus). How the truth is slowly unveiled about who got shit-faced, who picked up whom, and how (or should I say, how many?) is quite amusing.

“I’m a companionator I get folks together, I’m all about the love,” Padilla says, selling his pimp job as if he worked for some sort of community service project. While it’s cute, something smells rotten to me, and it isn’t Padilla’s so-called spa aromatherapy sessions. There’s more to him than he’s letting on and I hope it doesn’t bite SAMCRO badly.

The Galindo crew continues to push Jax hard for the IRA deal but with Luis (Benito Martinez) and Romeo (Danny Trejo) doubling up as Feds, Jax earns some leverage but for how long?

The club gets a few reasons to cheer: nomads are voted into its chapter and Bobby (Mark Boone Jr.) is out of prison. Bobby is about to play a key role in the club, which could lead to some interesting dynamics. He’s also one of the few MC members who have kept what’s best for the club in perspective.

As much as I hated Clay last season, his present pitiful state almost makes me feel bad for him–a true testament to Perlman’s acting abilities. Although his body struggles to recover from the shooting, don’t be fooled: Clay’s grey cells continue to scheme.

Billy Brown excels in showcasing the efficiency and coldness of August Marks, one of Pope’s Associates.

The tension between Tara (Maggie Siff) and Gemma can be cut with a knife as they adjust to their new roles. If it wasn’t for their love for Jax, Thomas and Abel, I doubt they’ll would attempt to co-exist. I continue to enjoy the chemistry between Tara and Jax, who make their on-screen relationship feel very real. Their family bliss provides a bright spot and brings hope to a violent storyline that is about to fire up in a very dark manner.

A day of disappointment turns into something worse for Tig (Kim Coates) as he faces the consequences of his most recent mistake. On a related note, Pope is a ruthless enemy who will do anything to uphold the legitimacy he’s worked so hard to achieve. He’s also surrounded by capable but calculating associates, such as August Marks, played splendidly by Billy Brown.

Pay attention to the recent wave of violent home invasions in Charming. Is it coincidence all of the victims are connected to SAMCRO?

From an overall standpoint, “Sovereign” kicks off the season in a satisfying manner as it’s a loaded episode in which interest and tension are systematically built up.

As I look forward to the rest of the season, there are two storylines I’m uncertain about. A multitude of questions plague me and I worry details may fall through the cracks as the already busy Charming canvas gets more crowded and complicated:

• Tara has decided to stay with Jax but with more dangers unfolding, the club spreading thinner, and her professional options, will it be unrealistic if she never packs up and leaves town with her two kids?

• Does Jax really need Clay alive for the highly anticipated cartel deal to happen?

Charlie Hunnam rises to the challenge of portraying Jax as a determined leader.

I get that Tara loves Jax and vice versa, but the pragmatic side of me knows a professional woman with her education would have left Jax ages ago. Then, regarding the cartel deal, with everything Jax has seen and learned; shouldn’t he know this is a shark-eating-shark scenario? He’s got limited options available but since he’s repeatedly said the club is a part of him, does it trouble him to know his ‘freedom’ will come at the expense of others’ lives (if and when he makes it out)? I can’t help but wonder about the very important question Opie raised about Jax: will “the gavel turn shit around”?

I’m aware the answers to these questions have all been hinted at in “Sovereign” but I need more details to substantiate these storylines in my head. My wish is also to see these inner conflicts explored beyond issue mitigation.  Please do not think of me as merely nitpicking; these are important pieces of the puzzle as the storylines gear up towards the series’ conclusion. I strongly believe exposing additional details to these questions will enrich the central theme of the show: Jax’s journey.

As the episode ends, it appears Jax will continue to coast with his personal plans as most of the SAMCRO members are consumed by their own personal issues and the club’s ongoing string of at-large fire drills. However, it’s clear there are two people Jax will specifically need to keep a close eye on: Opie (Ryan Hurst) and Clay. They’re the ones who fully understand what’s at stake for the club and could help (or hurt) things in the long run. As these dynamics circle back to the title of the episode, “Sovereign,” it appears this season will be all about holding one’s sovereignty to be able to exist among others. Whether that refers to one specific individual within the MC or to SAMCRO surviving among a sea of enemies (or both), we’ll have to wait and see.

Tune in to Sons of Anarchy Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT, only on FX. For more on the show, visit http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/soa/.

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