Season 7, Episode 2

Air date: Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 10:00 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“Clarity settles all scores, pays back all debts.” – August Marks

I don’t think the crow is flying straight and in a perfect line these days. Jax’s determination to avenge the murder of his wife Dr. Tara Knowles (Maggie Siff) remains as resolute as ever, but the course he is following with the MC’s help is being corrupted by ever growing lies. Will a recent kill satisfy Jax’s thirst for vengeance or are we witnessing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the payback he has planned? Is it really clear to everyone that Henry Lin’s (Kenneth Choi) crew killed Tara?

Jax pushes forward with his plans to incite mayhem among criminal organizations.

Jax is at the execution stage of avenging Tara’s death and it’s interesting to note the morning sun doesn’t make things any easier for him from an emotional standpoint. The anger obviously remains deep within him, and with the version of the truth he’s been given and accepted, it’s clear there is no turning back. It’s quite telling to see that for Jax, the orders and advice of someone like August Marks (Billy Brown) doesn’t matter to him at all. And how scarily good is Jax getting at staring people in the eye and lying?

In the season premiere, when Unser (Dayton Callie) found Juice’s (Theo Rossi) bag at Wendy’s (Drea De Matteo), it triggered a series of unexpected events that will have rippling effects in not only “Toil and Till,” but in future episodes as well.

What’s on my Radar

• How quickly Wendy (Drea De Matteo) and Nero (Jimmy Smits) bond over Abel’s education through their conversations about staying in the “truth” and knowing and doing “the right thing.” Personally, I can’t wait to see how it plays out. Gemma (Katey Sagal) has reasons to be concerned about this connection although not in the way most people may think. Another interesting tidbit is Wendy talking about the MC as still being her “family.” Although, it is refreshing to see Wendy smile instead of her typical resigned frowns.
• The Sons’ mayhem-inducing actions lead them to having to handle drugs. Obviously, this complicates things. It will be interesting to see what crafty ways the MC will utilize to dispose of the drugs.
• Does Unser have more lives than a cat? After being let go by Juice, Unser goes on to have a nebulous conversation with Gemma regarding Juice’s reveal to him. Short term, this is the most important dialogue of the entire episode; it’s a loaded scene and in thinking where things will go next, it stresses me out! Let’s be clear, Unser’s admission to Gemma that Juice “told me you were helping him” moves him into the danger zone, although praising her for assisting Juice (the “it’s a good thing” assertion) might buy him some time. However, Gemma finding the investigator ID on his desk might not help Unser’s case in the long run. Working in this capacity will most likely turn out to be a double edged sword if Unser continues working with the MC while simultaneously dealing with Sheriff Althea Jarry (Annabeth Gish).
• And boy, does the conversation with Unser get Gemma edgy and all over Juice! “We can’t take any chances,” she warns him. “There’s nothing more to talk about. You’ve got to leave, now!” That exchange reeks of fear, anxiety, and danger. Juice would be wise to realize this isn’t a request; it’s an order. I’m glad to see we’re finally privy to the agreement of the version of the truth these two concocted. Sagal masterfully demonstrates Gemma’s gift as a con artist — the art of influencing others to make them believe whatever she needs them to, including herself. When she tells Juice the latest justification for the most recent death, it raised the hair on the back of my neck.
• 

  Bobby and Jax share details of their plans with others and this could come back to haunt them.

  The ultimate fate of the local muscle impacts the level of loyalty the Indian Hills’ chapter maintains for SAMCRO. It turns out “Uncle” Jury (Michael Shamus Wiles), Indian Hills president, had a much closer relationship to the local whore he so casually mentions. I expect the farm stand conversation among Jury, Jax, Chibs (Tommy Flanagan), and Bobby (Mark Boone Jr.) will come back to bite SAMCRO in more than one way. All of the “No one can know it’s us” comments can’t be helpful at all. Jax and the MC need to pay attention to details both in the planning and execution of any plan.

• Of all the leaders of the criminal entities, the one in the most dire situation, Lin, is the only one who suspects SAMCRO of foul play. (At last, someone surfaces who might be a MENSA member after all!) Given the pressure Lin is under, it will be interesting to see whether he digs deeper into this truth or is tipped off with some intelligence.
• Juice’s decision not to leave Charming and call Chibs instead — talk about a death sentence!
• Charles Barosky (Peter Weller) storing the guns SAMCRO takes from Lin’s Triads, I anticipate major issues at the port of Stockton.

Favorite Moments

• Chibs’ fierceness and ongoing loyalty to Jax. “Keep going,” he yells in spite of barely hanging on for dear life from a pick-up truck.
• Abel asking questions about his mom. The kid isn’t dumb and his questions rattle Gemma so much, she decides to keep him home for the day.
• Chucky (Michael Ornstein), Ratboy (Niko Nicotera), and Tigs (Kim Coates) infuse the episode with welcome laughter, keeping a fairly dark episode a notch lighter. Coates and Nicotera have great chemistry and comedic rhythm in their scenes. It’s great to see the latter getting more screen time this season, especially since Nicotera does such a wonderful job of showing why Ratboy is the only former prospect that remains alive.
• Happy’s (David Labrava) declaration of knowing “a thousand places to bury bodies” is my favorite one-liner.

Gemma isn’t pleased to find out Unser has taken up a new job.

“Toil and Till” is loaded with meaty conversations disguised as casual dialogue. This is an episode where it’s hard to find any drawbacks. Series creator Kurt Sutter strategically teases us with what might be coming up. Plus, moving as fast as the episode does, putting together and anticipating what lies ahead is exhilarating. And how about the sad but beautiful closing moments of “Toil and Till?” Are they a mere drawing of parallels between two fathers in very different situations, or is this Sutter’s way of showing us a glimpse of what the past and future looks like for outlaws? Time will tell but whenever two rough men hug their children while crying, it’s a moving moment.

Given the name of the episode and how this is Jax’s journey, one has to wonder if – just like Unser has been slowly doing – Jax will ever find himself in a situation of picking up clues or will he reap what he’s sowing? Considering the version of the truth that is driving the MC’s actions is a house of cards, and how many individuals are putting themselves on the line on Jax’s behalf, I cringed at hearing the term “blowback” from Jax. However, Nero’s assertion, “truth will work itself out,” gives me hope Jax will eventually see the real truth, although my gut tells me it’s going to come at a high price.

Ultimately and without dramatic proclamations, “Toil and Till” announces a full-scale war is being fought from Stockton to Redwood, all being incited by SAMCRO (under the cover of darkness). It appears Jax is done with the status quo and in true outlaw fashion, he’s done with being regulated by the established rules of outsiders. In the ‘go home or go big’ scenario, Jax clearly chooses to go big.

What did you think of “Toil and Till?” Do you agree with my review? Leave me a comment here or hit me up on Twitter @LutzElle.

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