Sons of Anarchy (season 3)
Sons of Anarchy (season 3) | |
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Country of origin | United States |
No. of episodes | 13 |
Release | |
Original network | FX |
Original release | September 7, 2010 | – November 30, 2010
The third season of the American television drama series Sons of Anarchy created by Kurt Sutter about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in California's Central Valley. The show centers on protagonist Jackson "Jax" Teller (Charlie Hunnam), the then–vice president of the club, who begins questioning the club and himself.
Sons of Anarchy premiered on September 7, 2010, on cable network FX. Season Three attracted an average of 4.9 million viewers per week, making it FX's highest rated series ever at the time, surpassing FX's other hits The Shield, Nip/Tuck, and Rescue Me.
Contents
Plot
Days after the events in the season two finale, Gemma is hiding up north in Rogue River, Oregon with Tig, while the club tries to sort things out in Charming. The club tries to close in on Cameron's trail, but find that he has liquidated his assets and apparently fled the country. Gemma and Tig visit Gemma's father Nate (Hal Holbrook), who suffers from dementia. During that time, Nate walked in on Tig and the caretaker being intimate. Nate thought it was his late wife and shot Tig in the back of the arm. The caretaker was spooked about the gun and did some research on Gemma and saw that she had a $25,000 reward for any information about her. Gemma had to tie her up in the basement or else she would have told the police. Tara comes up to patch up Tig and sees what Gemma did to the caretaker. Like an attentive doctor she releases one wrist to get the blood flow back. The caretaker then hits her over the head with an oxygen tank and escapes upstairs with a knife to go after Gemma. Tara wakes up and hits her over the head with a statue and then Gemma pushes her against the wall, but accidentally the knife stabs the caretaker and she dies. Tig has to call a guy to clean up the body so Jax does't find out. At the end of Half Sack's wake, masked men commit a drive-by shooting and fatally run down Deputy Hale.
Having fled to Belfast with Abel, Cameron confesses his sins to his cousin Father Ashby, an intermediary between Jimmy O and the True IRA Council. Ashby subsequently has Cameron killed, and suggests he will give Abel up for adoption.
The Sons hire a bounty hunter to try to track down Abel, and they believe he and Cameron are in Vancouver. SAMCRO has an upcoming bail hearing for the weapons charges, but they agree to jump bail. SAMCRO receives an email showing Cameron dead in Belfast.
After Jax consults Jimmy O, SAMCRO believes Abel remained in Vancouver when Cameron left for Belfast. Gemma struggles when she takes Nate to his new assisted living home, and returns to Charming to reunite with her grandson, still unaware he has been kidnapped. Father Ashby's sister Maureen contacts Gemma, at Ashby's request, to tell her Abel is safe in Belfast. Upon learning of her grandson's abduction, Gemma suffers an arrhythmia and collapses in the Teller-Morrow lot. Tara confides in Gemma that she is six weeks pregnant with Jax's child. Jax makes a deal with Stahl behind SAMCRO's back. In exchange for his mother's freedom and the downgrade of the pending weapons charges against the club, Jax will deliver Jimmy O and his IRA contacts. Oswald agrees to smuggle the Sons to Belfast. Jax breaks up with Tara and the next morning, Tara walks in on Jax in bed with pornstar Ima.
The recently ousted and humiliated former president of the Calaveras MC, Hector Salazar, begins surveiling Jax and Tara. After discovering John Teller had an affair in Belfast that produced a daughter, Gemma escapes from police custody with the help of Tara and Tara's boss, Margaret. Tara and Lyla both make appointments at an abortion clinic. Gemma leaves with SAMCRO on their trip to Belfast to find Abel, where Jimmy O already anticipates their arrival.
On SAMCRO's arrival in Northern Ireland, Ashby tells Jax that the IRA are tired of Jimmy's profiteering ways, and suggests Jax kill him in exchange for Abel.
Stahl helps Jax uncover information on Ashby and SAMBEL, and warns Jax not to kill Jimmy O. SAMCRO plans to surprise Jimmy O on a protection run, but he is forewarned and attacks the Sons with a planted bomb that kills several SAMBEL members. SAMCRO tortures Liam until he reveals that he was privy to Jimmy O's plans, as was McGee. Jax kills Liam, and shortly afterward Clay pushes McGee from a rooftop; both are revealed to SAMBEL as traitors. Ashby tells Jax Abel's location, but suggests Jax allow him to be adopted so he will not be forced into the club life. Jax chooses to leave the child with the family, until Jimmy O kills the adoptive parents and abducts Abel, intending to exchange him for safe passage to America. Abel is returned to Jax after Ashby trades himself for the baby.
Jacob Hale, Jr. uses intimidation tactics to continue urban development in Charming. Salazar abducts Tara and Margaret on their way to the abortion clinic. He informs Piney that he will return them in exchange for the murder of Alvarez and $250,000.
Under the influence of Jacob Hale, Jr., the San Joaquin Sheriff's Department will soon take control of the Charming Police Department. Tara attacks Salazar's girlfriend and negotiates Margaret's freedom. Later, Salazar's girlfriend dies.
With the hearing for weapons charges looming, SAMCRO returns to Charming, with the task of finding Tara. Gemma threatens to reveal Stahl's murder of Edmond unless Stahl ends her dealings with Jax. Salazar takes Jacob Hale, Jr. hostage along with Tara. Unser indicates the need for Salazar to be captured alive to implicate Hale and save the Charming Police Department, but during a stand-off, Jax kills Salazar. Amidst the chaos, Stahl intentionally shoots her partner Tyler to protect her lie. Opie proposes to Lyla. Now in the USA, Jimmy O seeks the help of the Russian Mafia to aid his escape to South America. Stahl falsely tells Internal Affairs that Agent Tyler shot Edmond and framed Gemma, admitting that Gemma was wrongfully charged.
Jax and the Sons meet the Russians and pay $2 million for the exchange of Jimmy O, although most of the money is counterfeit. Jax tells Stahl the location of the exchange so she can intervene and arrest Jimmy, but Jimmy is moved to a different location before she can. Jax assures her that he will give her Jimmy if she reduces their prison sentence, to which she agrees. Stahl arrives at the clubhouse to arrest Jimmy. When Clay asks how she knew he was there, Stahl indicates that Jax is a rat, which outrages the club, whose members call Jax a "dead man". SAMCRO is arrested and loaded into an ATF van, with Jax isolated from the other club members.
Unser stops Stahl on the roadside as she transports Jimmy and warns her of an IRA threat further down the road. Her fellow agents leave to investigate, leaving her alone with Unser and Jimmy. Soon afterward, Piney, Chibs, Opie and Kozik arrive. Chibs gives Jimmy a Glasgow smile, and then kills him. Opie kills Stahl in the same way his wife died, with an SMG burst to the back of the head, after reminding her that she was responsible for Donna's death. Proof of Jax's dealings with Stahl is destroyed, leaving the club with the documents provided by Stahl to reduce their sentence. The scene is set to look like the IRA is responsible. In the ATF van, Jax learns of Stahl and Jimmy's demise as the prospects following the ATF van ride past and beep a Morse code signal "A-F-F-A" ("Angels Forever, Forever Angels", a tribute to Sonny Barger, who plays Lenny the Pimp). He smiles, as do the rest of SAMCRO, revealing the club knew of Jax's plan from the beginning. Tara, meanwhile, finds and reads the letters Maureen had put in Jax's bag. In them, John Teller writes to Mo of his awareness of Gemma and Clay's closeness and his fear that they will soon murder him. The season ends with Jax rejecting his father's original vision for SAMCRO and embracing Clay's rule.
Cast and characters
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Sons of Anarchy is the story of the Teller-Morrow family of Charming, California, as well as the other members of Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original (SAMCRO), their families, various Charming townspeople, allied and rival gangs, associates, and law agencies that undermine or support SAMCRO's legal and illegal enterprises.
Main cast
- Charlie Hunnam as Jackson "Jax" Teller (13 episodes)
- Katey Sagal as Gemma Teller Morrow (13 episodes)
- Mark Boone Junior as Robert "Bobby Elvis" Munson (13 episodes)
- Dayton Callie as Wayne Unser (11 episodes)
- Kim Coates as Alex "Tig" Trager (13 episodes)
- Tommy Flanagan as Filip "Chibs" Telford (13 episodes)
- Ryan Hurst as Harry "Opie" Winston (13 episodes)
- William Lucking as Piermont "Piney" Winston (10 episodes)
- Theo Rossi as Juan-Carlos "Juice" Ortiz (12 episodes)
- Maggie Siff as Dr. Tara Knowles-Teller (13 episodes)
- Ron Perlman as Clarence "Clay" Morrow (13 episodes)
Special guest cast
- Paula Malcomson as Maureen Ashby (7 episodes)
- Ally Walker as Agent June Stahl (7 episodes)
- Kenny Johnson as Herman Kozik (7 episodes)
- Mitch Pileggi as Ernest Darby (3 episodes)
- Stephen King as Bachman ("Caregiver")
- Sonny Barger as Lenny "The Pimp" Janowitz ("NS")
Recurring cast
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- David LaBrava as Happy (11 episodes)
- McNally Sagal as Margaret Murphy (9 episodes)
- Jose Pablo Cantillo as Hector Salazar (9 episodes)
- Michael Marisi Ornstein as Chuck Marstein (9 episodes)
- Titus Welliver as Jimmy O'Phelan (9 episodes)
- James Cosmo as Father Kellan Ashby (8 episodes)
- Jeff Kober as Jacob Hale, Jr. (8 episodes)
- Zoe Boyle as Trinity Ashby (7 episodes)
- Winter Ave Zoli as Lyla Winston (7 episodes)
- Andrew McPhee as Keith McGee (6 episodes)
- Arie Verveen as Liam O'Neill (6 episodes)
- Pamela J. Gray as Agent Amy Tyler (6 episodes)
- Marcello Thedford as Lander Jackson (5 episodes)
- Michael Beach as T.O. Cross (5 episodes)
- Joel Tobeck as Donny (5 episodes)
- Hal Holbrook as Nate Madok (4 episodes)
- Patrick St. Esprit as Elliott Oswald 4 episodes)
- Darin Heames as Seamus Ryan (4 episodes)
- Q'orianka Kilcher as Kerrianne Larkin-Telford (4 episodes)
- Bellina Logan as Fiona Larkin (4 episodes)
- Emilio Rivera as Marcus Alvarez (4 episodes)
- Jamie McShane as Cameron Hayes (3 episodes)
- Monique Gabriela Curnen as Amelia Dominguez (3 episodes)
- Kristen Renton as Ima (3 episodes)
- Taryn Manning as Cherry/Rita (3 episodes)
- Michael Fairman as Lumpy Feldstein (3 episodes)
- Robin Weigert as Ally Lowen (3 episodes)
- Marcos de la Cruz as Agent Estevez (3 episodes)
- Taylor Sheridan as Deputy Chief David Hale ("SO")
- Tory Kittles as Laroy Wayne ("SO")
- Kenneth Choi as Henry Lin ("Caregiver")
- Kurt Sutter as "Big" Otto Delaney (1 uncredited)
Guest stars
- Leo Fitzpatrick as Prospect Shephard (2 episodes)
- Bob McCracken as Brendan Roarke (2 episodes)
- Dorian Missick as Pony Joe ("SO")
- Olivia Burnette as Homeless Woman ("Bainne")
Production
Although Sons of Anarchy is set in Northern California's Central Valley, it is filmed primarily at Occidental Studios Stage 5A in North Hollywood. Main sets located there include the clubhouse, St. Thomas Hospital and Jax's house. The production rooms at the studio used by the writing staff also double as the Charming police station. External scenes are often filmed nearby in Sun Valley and Tujunga.[1] Interior and exterior scenes set in Northern Ireland during season 3 were also filmed at Occidental Studios and surrounding areas. A second unit shot footage in Northern Ireland used in the third season.[2]
Episodes
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No. overall |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
27 | 1 | "SO" | Stephen Kay | Kurt Sutter | September 7, 2010 | 3WAB01 | 4.13[3] |
The aftermath of Abel's kidnapping has the Sons reeling, especially Jax; Gemma gets hit with some unexpected news from her past. Stahl continues with her coverup while Tara finds it difficult to return to work. Cameron makes it back home. | |||||||
28 | 2 | "Oiled" | Gwyneth Horder-Payton | Kurt Sutter & Dave Erickson | September 14, 2010 | 3WAB02 | 3.37[4] |
To get intel on Abel's whereabouts, Jax and the club help a bounty hunter track down a skip. Gemma deals with her family issues, along with a suspicious caregiver. In Ireland, Cameron seeks council with the IRA. | |||||||
29 | 3 | "Caregiver" | Billy Gierhart | Chris Collins & Regina Corrado | September 21, 2010 | 3WAB03 | 3.48[5] |
The club exploits its porn connections to entertain Henry Lin's clients, which does not sit well with Opie. Tara, Gemma, and Tig turn to an unlikely source when the situation with the caregiver goes sideways. Jax and The Sons receive disturbing information about Cameron Hayes. Stephen King guest stars as Bachman, a "cleaner." | |||||||
30 | 4 | "Home" | Guy Ferland | Kurt Sutter & Liz Sagal | September 28, 2010 | 3WAB04 | 2.98[6] |
Jax and Clay head down to Nate's home to pick up Gemma. The rest of SAMCRO goes north to help Happy with a pharmaceutical favor in redneck territory. Tara's honesty with Jax comes at an inopportune time. As Gemma puts old family matters to rest, new issues reveal themselves to her. Maureen reaches out to SAMCRO. | |||||||
31 | 5 | "Turning and Turning" | Gwyneth Horder-Payton | Dave Erickson & Marco Ramirez | October 5, 2010 | 3WAB05 | 3.12[7] |
To help his mother, club, and son, Jax conspires with an unlikely source. In order to get more information on the Mayan's drug trade, SAMCRO puts Chucky and Tig undercover. Gemma confronts Tara about the secret she's been hiding. | |||||||
32 | 6 | "The Push" | Stephen Kay | Chris Collins & Julie Bush | October 12, 2010 | 3WAB06 | 2.85[8] |
In order to raise money to get the Sons to Belfast, Jax is forced to involve Tara in their latest dealing. To gain the friendship of the Mayans, SAMCRO must handle a rat at St. Thomas. Kozik's vote to get patched in hits a roadblock. | |||||||
33 | 7 | "Widening Gyre" | Billy Gierhart | Kurt Sutter & Regina Corrado | October 19, 2010 | 3WAB07 | 2.59[9] |
The Grim Bastards have a problem that could jeopardize SAMCRO's new business arrangements. As The Sons prepare for their departure to Belfast, Gemma learns of a dark secret from John Teller's past. Tara gets support from an unlikely source after her breakup with Jax, while Lyla and Opie hit a snag in their relationship. | |||||||
34 | 8 | "Lochan Mor" | Guy Ferland | Dave Erickson & Liz Sagal & Kurt Sutter | October 26, 2010 | 3WAB08 | 2.67[10] |
When SAMCRO pays a visit to another charter, not everyone is happy to see the mother charter. | |||||||
35 | 9 | "Turas" | Stephen Kay | Story by: Kurt Sutter Teleplay by: Chris Collins & Brady Dahl |
November 2, 2010 | 3WAB09 | 3.35[11] |
The club embarks on a protection run, the likes of which they have never seen before. | |||||||
36 | 10 | "Firinne" | Gwyneth Horder-Payton | Kurt Sutter & Vaun Wilmott | November 9, 2010 | 3WAB10 | 3.18[12] |
The IRA wants proof that one of their own has flipped and SAMCRO intends to give it to them. | |||||||
37 | 11 | "Bainne" | Adam Arkin | Dave Erickson & Regina Corrado & Kurt Sutter | November 16, 2010 | 3WAB11 | 3.40[13] |
While the club's on a manhunt, Jax faces the toughest decision of his life. | |||||||
38 | 12 | "June Wedding" | Phil Abraham | Story by: Kurt Sutter Teleplay by: Chris Collins |
November 23, 2010 | 3WAB12 | 3.27[14] |
With Tara held hostage by Salazar, Jax is forced to choose between revenge and the good of Charming. Jimmy's faith in his comrade is tested when he reaches out to the Russians. As Gemma tries to intervene in her son's dealings, Stahl makes a play to fulfill her bargain with Jax, turning on one of her own in the process. | |||||||
39 | 13 | "NS" | Kurt Sutter | Kurt Sutter & Dave Erickson | November 30, 2010 | 3WAB13 | 3.59[15] |
While The Sons figure out a way to have the Russian Mob hand over Jimmy, Jax and Stahl's deal comes to a head. SAMCRO begins to heal old wounds. Meanwhile, just as Tara and Jax have solidified their relationship, Tara discovers more about Teller family history than she could have ever imagined. |
Reception
Some critics felt the third season was dragged down by the previous season's cliffhanger.[16][17] James Poniewozik of TIME called the season three premiere “breathtaking” and praised Sagal’s performance with Holbrook.[18] He later stated that Abel's disappearance helped return the show to its central problem: Jax's allegiance to the club.[19] Entertainment Weekly’s Ken Tucker agreed that Holbrook and Sagal’s scenes were "beautiful". He also commented that the series handled themes of loyalty and family especially well.[20] Maureen Ryan commented that the third season divided critics and fans alike, suggesting the expanded Belfast cast made it harder for the audience to invest in the characters' journeys.[21] Ryan later questioned the credibility of Hector Salazar's story, noting that he was inferior to other villainous characters such as Stahl, Zobelle and Weston. However, she praised Ally Walker's performance, comparing her character to The Shield's Vic Mackey.[22] Critic Alan Sepinwall said the season was "interesting but uneven", noting that the plot gained traction in later episodes.[23][24] Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter said "Sutter should be applauded for shaking things up", calling the slower pace a "creative necessity".[25]
Home media release
The third season was released on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1 on August 30, 2011.[26]
References
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External links
- Sons of Anarchy at FXNetworks.com
- Lua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 28: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). Sons of Anarchy at IMDb
- Sons of Anarchy at TV.comLua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 28: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).