Chris Bryant | On 09, Nov 2014

The title of Sons of Anarchy Season 7 Episode 9 alludes to both major events the episode contains. It also mirrors its success – brutal and darkly clever. Sutter and co. produce an episode that not only contains one of the biggest moments in the tale of SAMCRO but also serves as a loveable example of the show’s style and humour.

Billy Brown’s devil-in-disguise August Marks has gone from being a useful pawn behind Damon Pope in Season 6 to being the ruthless kingpin. Jax’s most formidable rival yet, Marks runs everything from commercial property to thugs in the ghetto and is twice as ruthless as Pope. Having kidnapped Bobby to leverage Jax, Marks is the first opposition the club have faced that seems genuinely unstoppable. Showcasing Marks’ strategic mind and wooden heart, Episode 9 sees Jax arrange to surrender something (too much) willingly for the first time. Sutter’s creation of the empire-wielding gangster is to be as much acclaimed as that of old adversaries Lincoln Potter or Agent Stahl.

The show’s hard-headed woman, Gemma Teller (played with soul by Katey Sagal), is continually sailing close to the wind. She seems destined to catch the suspicious minds of Unser and Jarry, but in a way that means the audience still can’t help loving her. All shook up from her fears of Juice talking, Gemma’s ordeal provides ample lip-trembling to contrast her usual cutting wit and rarely veiled threats. Naturally, Sagal revels in the opportunity and perpetually shines as one of the strongest female characters on television.

What A Piece of Work Is Man brings to the forefront a rawness from the show that, over the course of the final season, has taken a backseat to leather-clad politics and ever-surprising story arcs. The jokes are wittier, the family loves harder and the bikes sound louder. It’s desirably worrying to think that Kurt Sutter, Paris Barclay and the team are as comfortable pulling the trigger as they are blurring the motives. Good luck, Charming.

It’s episodes like this that have fans buying Harleys and Reaper tattoos in such volume. As we approach the exodus, the show is certainly tenser and truly unpredictable, but here it’s stylish and refined too. The Church of SAMCRO is a dangerous congregation to be in; while the cast may have you rejoicing, the crew are finding new ways to leave you crying in the chapel.

With only four episodes to go, Jax is forced into the same position as his creators: it’s now or never. While the turmoil of the outlaw life has Jax in the gutter, the audience is aware that he can still go down. Way down. If Episode 9 is any hint of what’s to come, Sons of Anarchy could wind up having as large an impact as Sutter’s previous show, The Shield. Totally unique, brilliantly murky and still constructing fresh, emotional conflicts seven seasons in, SoA is already a masterpiece.

Sons of Anarchy Season 7 is available on Netflix UK, as part of an £9.99 monthly subscription, and on Amazon Prime, as part of a £5.99 monthly subscription.

 

Where can I buy or rent Sons of Anarchy online in the UK?

For more information, see where can I watch Sons of Anarchy Season 7 online in the UK?

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