Ranu's Reviews

FX
10PM Tuesday

Season Four starts out a little slow, but things pick up in a big way before the first episode of the new season comes to an end.

The 411

SAMCRO has served their time in the clink and the show opens up with everyone’s favorite Sons leaving their jail cells behind. It appears that Jax has left something else behind—his hair! I mean this in the most heterosexual way, but I’m not really digging the short hair on Jax, but who knows—maybe in time it will grow on me.

The Sons realize rather quickly that the town of Charming did not stand still while they were behind bars. New luxury housing is being built (and financed by the mayor) and there is a new sheriff in town who isn’t on the Sons payroll.

What the Sons don’t realize (cue Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me”) is that Charming has a new resident and he just happens to be the Assistant United States Attorney. The Feds are wise to the Sons side business and are looking to close up shop.

The Good

Sons of Anarchy is one of the most well-written and best casted shows on television. It takes such a niche subject, like a motorcycle club and gives it mass appeal without losing any edge. And don’t think this show is just for men—women frigging love this show just as much as the guys and to me, that is a testament to just how good this show is.

After watching the first three episodes—this show isn’t slowing down one bit. As I mentioned, the first episode starts out a bit sluggish, but this is necessary as the table is set for the upcoming episodes of Season Four. The other two episodes chug along at the typical SOA pace and are jam packed with the same attributes that made all the episodes of the first three seasons such a pleasure to watch.

I don’t do spoilers, so you are just going to have to watch SOA for yourself, however, I will tell you that there are a lot of new cast members and familiar faces from other television shows. Not going to lie, I was concerned when I saw all the new editions to SOA, but I have to tell you that they mix beautifully with the current cast and really add value to the show so early in the season.

The Not-So-Good

My only gripe is that I was looking forward to seeing at least a few episodes of how the Sons coped with life in prison. Thought it would be cool to see, but no biggie.

The End Result

Sons of Anarchy continues to stay fresh and unpredictable after all these years. So far Season Four looks to be all about change and it will be interesting to see if SAMCRO deals with it or implodes. If you are a current fan of SOA then Season Four will not disappoint. It has all the grittiness of seasons past and the new cast members help strengthen SOA’s successful formula.

For more info, visit the Sons of Anarchy website on FX:

http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/soa/index.php.