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Sons Of Anarchy Review: “Playing With Monsters” (Season 7, Episode 3)

Although SAMCRO has sidestepped their plans to become a legitimate organization, they haven't left the porn industry behind. "Playing with Monsters" started by showcasing the more "normal" aspects of Jax's (Charlie Hunnam) life, before throwing viewers directly back into the mayhem. Sons of Anarchy also used Cara Cara as the backdrop for some far less amusing scenes later on in the episode, those of which became the catalyst for a meet-and-greet with the new sheriff in town - an event that took a surprising and altogether confusing turn.

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Image via WGTC

It remains to be seen whether push comes to shove, Jax would actually have the stomach to kill one of his own brothers after losing so much already. If this was a few years ago, he may have been able to brush it off, but after all his recent personal turmoil, it’s a toss up.

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Since Tara’s death, there’s also been an emphasis on interactions between Gemma (Katey Sagal) and Abel. Before this, Jax’s children were visible, but didn’t have much in the way of dialogue. Now that Abel is getting older and the consequence of Jax’s actions are hitting closer to home, it makes sense that their would be a spotlight on this area of his life. It’s amazing how comfortable Gemma is with violence.

At the close of “Playing with Monsters,” she not only stands by as Jax defends her honor with his fist, but she facilitates it with a delicious offering of pineapple upside down cake. It’s no wonder that Jax has such an affinity for this type of aggressive behavior. He has been surrounded by it his entire life. I doubt any attempt to shelter him from it was successful, very much like what is happening to Abel in the present. Fans of the show have the entrance of Courtney Love, Abel’s preschool teacher, to look forward to.

Sutter is setting the scene for Jax to take a substantial fall. Since Tara’s death he has been on auto pilot and now Jax has started a war that I’m not sure he actually has a chance to win. We’re only three episodes in the body count is staggering, how many more can either side really afford to lose? If there’s one thing that’s for sure, it’s that Sons of Anarchy is definitely making good on its promise for a bloody season.

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