Sons of Anarchy is a biker drama from the FX Network.  FX has prided itself on being the home of edgy and violent fare like The Shield, which is still its best series.  Before The Shield came along, FX was mostly known as a dumping ground for reruns of old Fox series.  Sons of Anarchy is the newest drama from FX and its a bonafide hit.  According to a recent article, as many as 97 percent of the viewers of the pilot come back each week for the latest episode.  It’s easy to see why.

Anarchy is well-acted, compelling, and sometimes even disturbing as when a biker who didn’t have his biker tattoo removed after leaving the gang, had it removed from his back by a blowtorch.  The effects were graphic and realistic and the scene was much talked about.  Critics seem to be complaining that the series is derivative of other crime sagas, most notably The Sopranos.  Sons is not the most original series in the world, but The Sopranos drifted into a void of self-importance long before it faded to black in a most unsatisfying fashion, while Sons (though its very early on) still feels vital and alive with conflict and drama.

The Sons of Anarchy are a gang of outlaw bikers who run guns (most of the police force), and the town of Charming.  Jax (the brooding Charlie Hunnan) is the club VP, whose father used to run the gang back in the day before his death.  He is the heir to the throne.  The club is run by a calculating sociopath named Clay (a sneering and perfectly cast Ron Perlman from Hellboy).  Jax’s Mom is Gemma (Katey Segal from Married with Children, riveting in the Lady Macbeth role), she loves her two boys (her son Jax and her husband Clay).  Complications ensue during gun runs and in recent weeks the actors have all gotten a chance to stretch, especially Segal.  Clay slept with a tart and Gemma is going through menopause, leading to some emotional depth and a terrific episode of Segal.  Jax is brooding over his father’s journals and he struggles with his desire to tone down the club’s fondness for ultraviolence. Sons of Anarchy is well-cast all around, though Hunnan seems too pretty to be a macho killer.  Jax is growing on me (slowly, but surely) but he still reminds me of Chad Michael Murray from One Tree Hill, except buffer and with slightly more complicated facial hair.

Sons of Anarchy is one of the best new shows on television.  It’s gritty, violent, and growing deeper each week.  A good mix of actors, solid dialogue, and some interesting character development has made Sons of Anarchy a must-see early in its run.  The series is available online at fxnetwork.com and fancast.com.  You can watch full episodes and catch up with the series which was just renewed for a second season of 13 episodes.  FX knows a good thing when they see it, and Sons of Anarchy will roll on for at least one more season after its first season concludes in a few months.

Grade: A-

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