Sons of Anarchy 2.07 Gilead, Recap

Really, it’s the quiet moments that make Gilead so awesome.  Oh that and watching Clay and Jax beat the tar out of each other in a no-holds-barred cage match.  Literally, in a cage.   In fact, let’s get this out of the way straight off the bat and then I’ll get to the less bloody stuff.  Charlie Hunnam and Ron Perlman really deserve a big round of applause for the no-winner fistfight in Gilead.  We knew that Hunnam lost a tooth in a fight scene with Clay at some point in the season and thanks to Kurt Sutter’s Tweet, stating, “Charlie literally lost a tooth in that scene. His face smashing into the bars, not choreographed. Both actors totally committed,” we now know that Gilead was the episode.  And HOSHIT, did they ever commit.  Bravo, boys.  Bravo.  All of that mutual rage and frustration that has building below the surface came to a rapid boil in a totally authentic and believable way.  Even though nothing was resolved and I don’t know how much more of this tension I can take… BLARGH!!!  It was a fantastic fight sequence.

Since we’re figuratively still in the joint with our boys in SAMCRO, let’s stay here for a minute to talk about Bobby Elvis’s little conversation with Jax.  Bobby is basically going to push Jax (and I think Bobby Elivs intends it to be in a good way) into dealing with the big picture fight with Clay whether the Prince of Charming is ready or not.  Because, as Bobby Elvis says, SAMCRO is hurt and it needs a healing that only Jax will be able to deliver.   And Jax can deliver whatever healing he wants with his sparkly blue eyes.  Wait.  Did I think that or write that? 

So with the boys in the slammer, Gemma is trying to get them out on bail and hold them together.  I was no finance major in college but my take on it is that it will cost a cool $3 Million to get the whole crew out or a mere $300,000 to get a bail bondsman to spring the boys.  Have California’s home values become so piss-poor that Gemma and Tara’s houses not enough to spring all of them  - only Clay and maybe Jax. (Oh wait we need it not to be enough to bring in Elliott Oswald and his daughter Tristan.   I see what you crafty writers did there).  Btw, Tara is really fast-tracking it to Old Lady Town, isn’t she – first the house, then becoming the mother hen to frighteningOpie’s kids.

So while Juice gets shanked by an Aryan with a shiv on the inside – yes, apparently these are two separate things - Gemma does her damndest to get the entire MC out. Including paying a pleading visit to Elliott Oswald in church.  We see Gemma in church or praying A LOT these days.  In one of the best scenes of the episode, Gemma and Tristan, Elliott’s daughter, meet for the first time since the poor girl was raped in season 1.  Tristan (which I always thought was a boy’s name) seems genuinely happy to see Gemma.  The girl is like the light at the end of the tunnel for Gemma.  The ease with which Tristan helps baptize Able is heartwarming, and I hope, encouraging for Gemma.  Elliott essentially bails SAMCRO out of the clink because of Tristan’s affection for Gemma.  The whole thing is just so lovely, I can’t even snark on it. 

Gilead also marks the return of Agent Completely Untrustworthy Bitchface Stahl.   Nicetoseeya. I’ve said it before , but this character is so damn similar to Clay it frightens me.  Really, truly ruthless individuals who just so happen to be on opposite sides of the game.  We knew from the preview that she would attempt to divide Clay and Jax in order to conquer the club.  And any BS she gave Hale about not wanting to damage Charming was a complete lie.  Her little gab session with Clay was as expected until she let him know that not only Jax but Hale too knew about the hit on Donna.   (And just for the sake of continuity, the cage match to end all cage matches then ensues)    

A bloodied but otherwise seemingly unharmed Jax is then summoned to meet Agent Bitchface.  I swear this is the best scene of the episode.  (Btw, Charline Hunnam acts the shit out of this and it doesn’t even seem like acting.  He is Jax Teller in the moment – thoughtful, smart, and lethal.)  And when presented with the photos of the IRA gun connection meeting up with Principal Zobelle, Jax responds, “My son has given me a new pair of glasses.  I find myself thinking about the things I do The things I say. The ramifications.  I'm not as angry or reactive.” (THANK GOD.  But Really?  Really Really? I’m not sure how long this is going to last….).  Realizing that Jax has called her bluff, Stahl lets the Prince of Charming know that his bail has already been posted (kthnxbai).  Jax in turn, reminds her that it is dangerous to be a fed. 

Also:  Where the hell is Half-Sack? 

Also-Also:  Where the hell is Piney? 

Also-Also-Also:  Is Chibs even awake yet? 

Also-Also-Also-Also:  Thank God we had a Zobelle-free episode.

Simultaneous Best WTF Moment and Get Over Yourself Moment:  Ummmm, Opie, you’re just gonna hand your kids over to a coke snorting porn star?  Mmmmkay.  Wait, that may not be the worst decision since you frighten the shit out of me.  Or is that a judgment call too?

Best (No) Action Moment:  Um, yeah, of course that would be Juice acting as bait inside the lockup.  We now know the following about Juice:  (1) He’s shy in intimate situations; (2) He is willing to go all the way for the MC – thank goodness he didn’t have to; (3) He comes prepared with condoms.  

Can you hear me now?  ktd

SlideshowSons of Anarchy: Preview of Episode 2.07 "Gilead" Photos