Previously on Sons of Anarchy: Clay shoots Piney because Piney knew about the letters which reveal the truth about how Jax’s dad was actually killed by Clay and Gemma which led to the Sons gun running which The Galindo Cartel want a piece of but actually they are secretly CIA and try to abduct Tara but was actually an attempt to bring her in protective custody from the Russians but they accidentally break her hand instead however Opie finds Piney dead which prompts Opie to shoot Clay but Jax shoots Opie in the hand which makes Tig kill Veronica Pope because he thought the Niners shot Clay but Veronica’s father tries to kill Jax so now Jax want so kill Clay but the IRA don’t want Clay dead and neither does the CIA since they are subsidizing the IRA’s gun deals.

Sovereign

Season 5 Episode 1

Written by Kurt Sutter

Directed by Paris Barclay

Jax is waxing poetic about riding a bike at 92mph which actually sounds like a commercial for Harley Davidson…I cam thisclose to actually considering buying a motorcycle just now. The last time I was on anything with two wheels I was in middle school. I still have the scar on my elbow from when I slid on a sandy patch. From then on I swore I would never ride anything with less than four wheels. But damn that Jax is a wordsmith. He happens to be writing this in a letter to Abel, just like his father wrote to him. We all want to leave our ghosts behind. We hear his thoughts as we do the montage under his voiceover.

Juice and Chuckie are helping Clay move into his new place.
The camera pans across a room with sleeping, nude ladies strewn about. Somebody is claiming his third victim…its Jimmy Smits, he’s Senator Prestor Organa, Princess Leia’s adoptive father. Wait, if he’s a Senator, how is she a princess….never mind. Who is he having sex with as I try to erase the image of Smits’ naked butt from my eyeballs…it’s HEEY!!! Gemma?

Tara takes a cozy refreshing bubble bath while toking on a joint with a gun at her side.

The Sons are picking up some stuff as Tig and Chib ponder what Jax is writing about, children’s book Chib surmises.

Aerosmith do their rendition of “Higher Ground” as SAMCRO ride off when they are spotted by Niners. They drive the truck off the road that is being driven by Phil, the fat probie who has earned his patch. Niners shoot at the truck and the Sons fire back. Despite the automatic weapons nobody lands a shot on anyone from three feet away.

They save the haul but the truck is wrecked…no what? Stash it in the woods until tomorrow. Jax looks down the road and at the burning truck. As if it’s a metaphor for what he has to face on the road ahead.

Credits.

Miller tells me I should have friends over to enjoy the show, no thanks. I like watching my SoA with whiskey, soothes the nerves.

Morning at the Tellers as they discuss the previous days business of gun running, memorials for members and training hospital replacements. Tara decided to leave the babies at the hospital day care but Jax is concerned how Gemma will handle it.

Speaking of Gemma she wakes up in Smits’ room without a clue as to how she got there. We’ve all had nights like that. She pulls her gun on Smits because she hasn’t got a clue as to who he is. He wonders if the gun is a commentary on his love making technique. Another woman walks in. She seems nonplussed by the naked woman pointing a gun at Sisto, must be another typical Monday morning for Sisto. She is there to retrieve the other two nude ladies, Jeannie and Liz, who have to go to work, morning dates. They must have rehearsed this scene a million times as Jeannie and Liz cleverly move their arms to show every inch of breast possible except for the nip on TV. Gemma asks if Sisto is a pimp, he clarifies that he is a companionator, its all about the love. Gemma, tasting something else other than morning breath in her mouth, surmises that a lot more other than cuddling went on between her and Sisto the night before. He responds in the affirmative and explains this was all consensual. Exchanging racial epithets they move on from the awkward morning after, he offers her coffee and Advil and a shower and his business card with the address so she can call a cab. That’s class. He bids Rose adieu as Gemma wonders who the hell is Rose?

Tig checks in on Clay who is taking to someone about the Niners. A side note about the One Niners; they also appeared in the TV series The Shield. Tig knows it was retaliation. They are going to bring it up at the meeting with Jax. Clay is sitting out Piney’s memorial to Tig’s surprise since Piney was an original founding member.

Gemma comes downstairs to a nice clean office that looks like a high end orthodontist office rather than a brothel. She takes Smits up on his coffee, he re-introduces himself as Nero, and she re-introduces herself as Gemma. His tank top reveals a scar on his chest like Gemma’s. They share heart operation stories, which is how they presumably got to talking the night before and hooked up. She wonders why her since he is surrounded by young beautiful women. He doesn’t do his employees and prefers a little more patina on his ladies. Gemma wonders what Jeannie and Liz were doing upstairs if he doesn’t do his ladies. He goes on to explain that Jeannie and Liz was all Gemma. What the hell did she drink? Do me a favor, if I ever get that wasted where I black out and I wake up in the middle of a pile of dudes… As her cab calls she hands him back his card…with her phone number on it and a thanks for not being a dick. He looks genuinely excited that he got digits.

At the memorial service Ope and Jax have a heart to heart. Ope explains the memorial is for his kids not him and a chance to bury the lie. Jax says now is not the time for the truth and Ope still wants Clay in that hole. Jax declares his love for Ope and will always back him. But Ope has lost that loving feeling. Jax assures him that he won’t turn into Clay as President of the club. But Ope is actually afraid Ope will turn into Jax. Jax thinks all this is way too deep for him to understand.

Gemma comes home and sees Unser and Chuck, who is holding boxes and feeling awkward. Unser reminds her that she should be at Piney’s memorial. Whoops, her memory is really crappy lately.

Clay is in Gemma’s bedroom looking for the ring Rusty gave him. Apologetic, he explains his presence. She hands it to him and coldly says to not take any of the photos. He pleads to talk to her for two minutes. Clay knows she wants him dead but tries to explain all his motives were based on this narrow minded vision of his pursuing a pile of money. Clay promises to keep her involvement in John’s death to his grave. She breaks down as he declares his never-ending love her. Clay puts a hand on her shoulder but she takes him down because she’s lost that loving feeling too!.

Jax is conferring with the Romeo of the Galindo/CIA and asking for a face to face with Pope in order to smooth things over between the Sons and the Niners so the gun running can continue without an hitch. Romeo agrees to set up the meet, so Jax feeling like an indispensable commodity, swings his big stick and reminds Romeo that the CIA need him and the club so keep RICO off his back. Romeo restrains from swinging a machete but before things get heated, Bobby Munson is returned from County as promised.

Meanwhile, Roosevelt is sniffing around the clubhouse wondering if the Sons know anything about the up tick in violence in Charming. SAMCRO hasn’t heard a thing. Roosevelt says if he finds out that SAMCRO is involved he will make Pope look like an altar boy. That joke makes Chib chuckle. Bobby is home and they welcome him but Roosevelt reminds Juice that his secret is safe so he better let Roosevelt know if he hears anything.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Oakland is a very busy train yard. Harold Perrineau who played Michael in LOST exits a limo as Damon Pope. He reprimands Darnel for hitting SAMCRO’s truck because Veronica Pope’s boyfriend, LaRoy wanted to retaliate against the Sons and not look weak. Pope angrily reminds Darnell that Veronica wasn’t LaRoy’s girl; it was his daughter that was killed. Perrineau delivers this line with such intensity I jump back. Pope tells Darnell that he is extremely upset that he got a call from the military arm of the Galindo Drug Cartel (the CIA) demanding that Pope has to have a sit-down with Jax. Pope has worked very hard to distance himself from that element. But Darnell pleads that is all on LaRoy because he did not want to look weak. Pope just looks at him and August incredulously and walks away from Darnell wordlessly; he knew he was out of line. Pope reminds August that he is too close to this and doesn’t want any loose ends. As Pope leaves, August opens a hatch in the ground. He waves Darnell over to show him LaRoy…or what is left of him. Congratulations Darnell, you just got a promotion. Darnell protests but August pulls out the very motivational words, “With great power comes great responsibility” Darnell mutters that he ain’t no Spider-Man. Classic.

Now this is interesting: At the table is former boxer, Hells’ Angel, author, bodyguard and actor Chuck Zito. Back in June 2010, Zito had sued SoA creator Kurt Sutter and FX claiming they stole his idea for a motorcycle show he called Nomads that he pitched to the network in 2004. A judge ruled in 2010 that Zito did not have a case because Sutter had showed how he developed the idea and pitched it to other networks. Sutter spewed some venom on his blog and on Twitter calling Zito a delusional bitch. Now, you have to have some cajones to call Zito a bitch because if you know about him, you know that he would be king of the world if we were still in barbarian times. Despite their antagonistic introduction, Sutter and Zito have since buried the hatchet and Sutter offered him a part on SoA. Aw. Zito is playing Frankie Diamonds of the disbanding Nomad (wink, wink) charter. Joining Diamonds at the table is Gogo and Greg the Peg. They are being voted in when Clay walks in. Greg the Peg puts his peg leg up on Filthy Phil who good naturedly takes the teasing. It’s the only form of affection he knows. Next order of business; Jax appoints Bobby as VP but Tig questions that choice, expecting Ope to be VP. Chibs seconds it with none opposing. Clay raises his hand and Jax gives him the floor. He congratulates Phil on getting patched, which gives him segue to his confession. SAMCRO looks confused. He gives a half-truth confession of how had to kill a drunken Piney in self-defense before Piney killed Clay. Jax sits uneasily in his chair as the lies spread but he lets Clay continue. Clay explains why he put it on the Mexicans and that Opie somehow found out the truth causing him to go gunning for him. Tig, realizing he killed an innocent woman for no reason asks why he was lied to. Jax covers up saying Clay was protecting Ope. Clay asks SAMCRO to vote whether he stays or goes because he killed a Son regardless of whether it was in self-defense. Jax says they are going to have to live with this news for a day or two and adjourns the meeting before they vote. He asks Clay for a minute, Bobby is the last to leave the room but gives Clay a long look before he closes the door. Jax asks what he is doing, what the game is. Clay says he is all out of play and doing what is best for SAMCRO. Clay wants to know what Jax’s game is, he now knows about JT, how come Clay isn’t dead. Jax tells him that he is keeping the Irish happy and doing what is best for the club, throwing Clay’s words back at him. Gemma shows up pissed that her grandchildren are in daycare. We don’t let others raise our children, No; we kill their biological fathers and hide the truth from them for thirty years. Gemma sees Clay and basically asks Jax why Clay is still alive. Nero rings Gemma on her cell, checking in on her. He again offers his help in case he ever needs anything, and by help I’m sure he means helping him out with his training his employees again.

At the busiest rail yard in Oakland, August instructs everyone to put his or her weapons on the car. August does hand a gun to Darnell and instructs him to kill Teller in a show of strength and loyalty. The Sons show up and ask wonder where Pope is. August tells then to put their weapons on the hood of the car also. August tells Jax that Darnell is in charge and talk to him first before the talk to Pope. Jax offers Darnell his hand but Darnell offers Jax a gun to his face. He pulls the trigger but its empty. Jax recollects himself and scuffles with Darnell when they are pulled apart. August ventilates Darnell’s head, spraying what little brains he had all over another crew member. The Sons are also shocked by this violence. One of the Niners looks like he is about to cry. August asks him his name and he stutters T-T-T-Tyler. Well T-t-ttyler, tell the crew to back off the Sons or the turnover in leadership will continue.

Clay is looking at a photo album, hey Gemma said not to take those. Juice is finished with some chores and takes the moment to tell Clay he admires him for confessing and is sure no one will vote him out. Tig walks in and Juice is dismissed.

Tig reminds Clay he killed an innocent girl for him and that he had plenty of time to tell him the truth while he laid vigil at Clay’s bedside. Clay weakly apologizes for not knowing how to tell him or that he could care less if he ran a school bus full of nuns off the road.

Tig gets a call and is told that an Oakland detective picked up his daughter Dawn for DUI and has to go pick her up. Meanwhile, some witnesses come forward to the Charming PD fingering Teller and Chibs, (not that way you pervs! They picked their mug shots out of a book.) Other witnesses’ ID Tig as Veronica’s murderer. Roosevelt is suspicious, this is too much of a coincidence. Tig shows up at this very busy Oakland rail yard and is met by Oakland detective Goodman who draws on him and cuffs him. He takes him to Pope and chains him down so that he cannot move from where he is. Tig figures this is it for him and is about to be killed. Nope, Pope that is too easy. He opens the pit and bound inside is a tied up Dawn. August pours gasoline on her. Tig is all too aware of what is going to happen, Dawn pleads with her father to help…. Pope, smoking a cigar…. Tig begs for Pope kill him instead, please spare Dawn. Pope tells Trager to know his pain as he throws his lit cigar in the pit…flames erupt from the pit as Dawn cries for her daddy…I need a moment…

Sidebar. My buddy Ed warned me that this episode will hit too close to home and I may not want to watch. I didn’t know what Ed was referring to at first since I am not in a motorcycle gang. Apparently, he was talking about this scene, since I have teenage daughters. Thanks Ed for the warning. I will be sure not to run over the daughter of rival gang members so that they do not immolate my daughters in retaliation. Lesson learned.

Pope reminds Tig that he has another daughter in case he decides to tell anyone about this vivid memory on the way to County. Tig promises to cut off Pope’s head but Goodman settles him down with a kick.

A tiny coughs from Thomas’ crib while Gemma and Tara fight over what is best for the kids. Tara tells Gemma she doesn’t trust Gemma because of the smell of weed and alcohol on Gemma in the morning. I hope Tara used air freshener in the bathroom before she said that to. Jax come home with Chib and Bobby, who is affectionately greeted by Tara and Gemma. Jax senses the tension between his old ladies. Unser calls and tells Jax that he heard from his guy in Lodi PD that arrest warrants are issued for him, Chibs and Tig for the murder of Veronica.

Clay meanwhile falls off his bike in the garage.

At the busiest rail yard on the West Coast, Detective Goodman gets his Cleaner to clean out the pit, who shows up in overalls and maybe a sponge. I think it’s going to take a bit more than that and scrubbing bubbles. But Tig unwraps himself from the chains and uses it to strangle Goodman and then use Goodman’s gun on the poor hapless Cleaner. Oh and the closed captioning forgot to spell out the racial epithet mumbled by Tig.

Meanwhile back at the Teller Fugitive Planning Committee, Jax figures that they are going to jail so that the can be shived and it won’t go back to Pope, Tara and Gemma argue over the plan, Tara wants to go legit and prove their innocence. Gemma says to go under in hiding. They decide to in to hiding, Gemma knows where to take them. Chibs gets a call and is told sheriffs were at the clubhouse and they will be at their house next. They have to run now despite Tara’s protests.

Unser goes through the remains of the day by feeding his bird. Music montage time; Thomas crying and Tara shutting off the baby monitor, Clay by his fallen bike, Opie outs a for sale sign on his bike while members of SAMCFO watch, Tig sobbing over his daughter’s body, Damon Pope giving away ice cream to neighborhood kids while August looks on approvingly, Nero opens the door to Jax, Bobby and Chibs. I’d love to hide out in an escort house, thanks Mom. Unser shuts the lights by the kitchen door when suddenly two masked intruders come in and beat up Unser. The camera zooms in to show that one of them has a peg leg…waitaminnit.

This season on SOA: Jax tells Romeo to keep him alive so their relationship will run smoothly because if Jax is dead then their relationship will…well, there isn’t a relationship then, is there however Pope wants a dead Jax so August will have the cops flush him out while Roosevelt asks Opie where they can find Jax and then guns are drawn on the Sons however Ope asks Clay what the hell this is while Nero and Gemma get cozy behind a door and that makes Jax looks forlorn because Clay reminds us this is history escalated as exemplified by Jax and a maniacally laughing Nero peeling out in a truck somewhere and then Gemma throws Tara against a wall asking if she is going to kill her whis she not but her son might then there’s big guns and explosions and a screaming Chibs and Jax weaving through traffic while someone kicks a door in when Jax tells someone that could be Nero that maybe that they will turn themselves in to the DA right now but Bobby tells me this is not about payback because Clay checks his gun then we see Jax and the Sons in prison just before they take on a Niner in the prison yard, and Jax says he has no “idear” how to keep everyone alive as he slams his hand against wire mesh glass. #SOAFX