Sons Of Anarchy Review: “To Thine Own Self” (Season 5, Episode 11)

Even the “epic shit” Jax put into motion in this week’s episode to save himself and get the CIA off his case wasn’t entirely unexpected. I mean, did anyone seriously believe he was about to be taken out? It’s like when you’re watching Doctor Who and they, say, tease the Doctor somehow dying for good. Sure, Sons of Anarchy isn’t named after Jax’s namesake, but it might as well be.

He might die eventually, and in fact probably will, but not until the series is winding down. So anyone watching knew he was under no real threat of being killed. As a result, I had a hard time caring one way or the other. I was mostly just waiting for Jax to pull a rabbit out of his hat and slip out of there without a scratch on them. Which is precisely what he did. I had little interest in how he went about doing that.

Likewise, I can’t be bothered to care much about the new character played by Donal Logue (Terriers). I have no problem with a writer adding a certain sense of mystery, but there’s that and then there’s Lee Toric, an enigma in every sense of the word, at least thus far. What are we to make of him? After one episode, I haven’t the faintest idea, nor do I particularly care to find out.

I can almost see Sutter behind the scenes giggling maniacally at how fantastic a job he did throwing his viewers for a loop with this character. And that’s what makes this more than an “air of mystery.” It’s as if he’s trying desperately to keep viewers from getting a read on the character rather than letting it come more naturally.

But that’s Sutter (and Sons of Anarchy) for you. He paints with only the broadest of brushstrokes and the end result is a big picture that lacks subtlety. You’d be misguided to expect anything more. Still, that won’t stop me from hoping Sutter manages to prove me wrong with these final three episodes. I just wouldn’t bet on it, is all.

Bits and Bobs:

• Guess Tig didn’t disappear. He might as well have, though, because I’m at a loss for where Sutter is going with his character.
• Jax told Bobby, who’s always been against Clay and for Jax, about everything Clay’s done and he wants to help keep him alive? Is Sutter even trying to make sense anymore?
• Where does Sutter go with Juice from here? Will he find another excuse to keep him around or will Jax follow through on his promise by telling the club about what he did?