Show: Sons of Anarchy (FX)
Episode: “Seeds” – Series Premiere (Season 1)
Premiere Date: Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008
Rating: 3.5 out of 4 Stars
Quick Synopsis: A son is starting to question things about his past and future.
Long Synopsis: A rival club breaks into the SAMCRO’s (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Original) illegal warehouse full of weapons, takes the guns and burns it down. They set out to retrieve their stolen merchandise. During all this, a family medical crisis arises.
Review: Sons of Anarchy takes you inside the world of a gunrunning California motorcycle club. It looks like FX has another hit on their hands. Other than a minor quibble with the opening sequence, I thought the episode was fantastic.
In a series premiere, you want to learn about the characters, but also have a compelling story that draws you in. This first episode does just that. By the end of the episode you know where everyone stands and what will drive the drama going forward.
Most notably, Jackson “Jax” Teller, played by Charlie Hunnam (Undeclared), a son and heir apparent to presidency of the club. He begins to question the direction of things. Others don’t want to see things change. The who that wants to keep the status quo will make for an interesting dynamic not usually seen on TV.
The cast is absolutely outstanding. The club is headed up by one of its founders, Clay Morrow, played by Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Beauty and the Beast). Katey Sagal (8 Simple Rules, Married…With Children) plays Jax’s mom. Drea de Mateo (Joey, The Sopranos) plays Jax’s pregnant junky ex. Mitch Pileggi (The X-Files) plays the leader of a gang of skinhead drug dealers. Along with a lot of other faces you will probably recognize, like Sprague Grayden for you Jericho fans out there or Ryan Hurst who became a favorite from his stint on the short-lived Wanted on TNT.
The standout in the cast is Sagal. While she is still playing a mother, it is 180 degrees from the comedic ones she is known for playing. Gemma is someone you don’t want to get on the wrong side of, especially if it involves her family.
Overall, I was drawn into this world and will continue to visit. On Wednesday nights, it bests everything the networks have to offer in the third hour of primetime. If forced to choose only one show to watch in that timeslot, I would choose it over Dirty Sexy Money on ABC, CSI: NY on CBS, and Lipstick Jungle on NBC, which are all shows I watch.
Sons of Anarchy premieres tonight, Wednesday, September 3rd on FX.
Read interviews with series stars Ron Perlman & Katey Sagal.
