Sons of Anarchy (season 1)
Sons of Anarchy (season 1) | |
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Season 1 DVD cover | |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of episodes | 13 |
Release | |
Original network | FX |
Original release | September 3 – November 26, 2008 |
Season chronology | |
The first 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 3, 2008, on cable network FX.
Cast and characters
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 (12 episodes)
- Kim Coates as Alexander "Tig" Trager (13 episodes)
- Tommy Flanagan as Filip "Chibs" Telford (13 episodes)
- Johnny Lewis as Kip "Half Sack" Epps (10 episodes)
- Maggie Siff as Dr. Tara Knowles (12 episodes)
- Ron Perlman as Clarence "Clay" Morrow (12 episodes)
Special guest cast
- Drea de Matteo as Wendy Case (6 episodes)
- Ally Walker as Agent June Stahl (6 episodes)
- Tom Everett Scott as Rosen (2 episodes)
- Brian Van Holt as Kyle Hobart ("Giving Back")
Recurring cast
- Dayton Callie as Chief Wayne Unser (13 episodes)
- Theo Rossi as Juan-Carlos "Juice" Ortiz (13 episodes)
- Ryan Hurst as Harry "Opie" Winston (10 episodes)
- Taylor Sheridan as Deputy Chief David Hale (10 episodes)
- William Lucking as Piermont "Piney" Winston (9 episodes)
- Dendrie Taylor as Luann Delaney (8 episodes)
- Sprague Grayden as Donna Winston (7 episodes)
- Jay Karnes as Agent Joshua Kohn (7 episodes)
- Mitch Pileggi as Ernest Darby (5 episodes)
- Emilio Rivera as Marcus Alvarez (5 episodes)
- Tory Kittles as Laroy Wayne (4 episodes)
- Taryn Manning as Cherry/Rita (4 episodes)
- Keir O'Donnell as Lowell Harland, Jr. (4 episodes)
- Glenn Plummer as Sheriff Vic Trammel (4 episodes)
- Julie Ariola as Mary Winston (3 episodes)
- Jamie McShane as Cameron Hayes (3 episodes)
Guest stars
- David LaBrava as Happy Lowman ("Hell Followed" + 4 as co-star)
- Patrick St. Esprit as Elliott Oswald (2 episodes)
- Kurt Sutter as "Big" Otto Delaney (2 uncredited)
- Olivia Burnette as Homeless Woman (2 episodes)
- Michael Shamus Wiles as Jury White ("Patch Over")
- Kenneth Choi as Henry Lin ("Giving Back")
- Michael Marisi Ornstein as Chuck Marstein ("Giving Back")
- Marcos de la Cruz as Estevez ("The Sleep of Babies" + 1 uncredited)
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]
Originally, Scott Glenn was cast in the role of Clay Morrow and an entire pilot episode was filmed with him. However, series creator Kurt Sutter decided to go in a different direction with the character and re-cast Ron Perlman in the role, and Clay's scenes were re-shot.[3] Additionally, Emilio Rivera was originally cast as a Sons of Anarchy club member named "Hawk," who eventually evolved into the character of Tig Trager.[4] Also, the One-Niners street gang who buy weapons from SAMCRO first appeared in The Shield, which Sutter produced.
Episodes
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
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1 | 1 | "Pilot" | Allen Coulter & Michael Dinner | Kurt Sutter | September 3, 2008 | 1WAB79 | 2.53[5] |
When a rival club cleans out and then destroys their illegal arms warehouse, SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original) executes their own sense of justice in retrieving their guns. Meanwhile, family issues take center stage with a medical emergency involving Jax Teller's newborn son. | |||||||
2 | 2 | "Seeds" | Charles Haid | Kurt Sutter | September 10, 2008 | 1WAB01 | 2.20[5] |
As the club deals with the aftermath of their illegal arms warehouse attack, the Deputy Chief of Police poses a new threat to SAMCRO's reign over Charming. Jax continues to worry about the fate of his newborn son and begins to question the club's rough way of doing business. Opie's financial struggles leave him with a difficult choice. | |||||||
3 | 3 | "Fun Town" | Stephen Kay | Kurt Sutter | September 17, 2008 | 1WAB02 | 2.10[5] |
When the young daughter of a prominent Charming family is assaulted during a visiting carnival, SAMCRO races the authorities to capture the assailant. Meanwhile, a new shipment of guns arrives from their IRA connection with an additional price. | |||||||
4 | 4 | "Patch Over" | Paris Barclay | James D. Parriott | September 24, 2008 | 1WAB03 | 2.25[6] |
The club travels to Nevada to store arms with a brother club, The Devil's Tribe. When the Mayans pose a threat, Clay decides to "patch over" the Tribe, making them an official SOA charter. An ATF agent begins investigating SAMCRO. | |||||||
5 | 5 | "Giving Back" | Tim Hunter | Jack LoGiudice | October 1, 2008 | 1WAB04 | 2.19[5] |
Gemma hosts a town fundraiser, which brings the ex-club member responsible for Opie's arrest back to town and into direct conflict with Jax and Opie. Clay deals with protecting a perverse parolee who can lead to a big payoff. ATF agent Kohn continues to investigate SOA. | |||||||
6 | 6 | "AK-51" | Seith Mann | Nichole Beattie | October 8, 2008 | 1WAB05 | 2.09[5] |
A small favor for Piney's old war buddy turns into a big problem for SAMCRO. With Clay detained, Jax must step up to handle the situation. | |||||||
7 | 7 | "Old Bones" | Gwyneth Horder-Payton | Dave Erickson | October 15, 2008 | 1WAB06 | 1.87[5] |
When old bones are discovered on the outskirts of Charming, Clay is forced to deal with secrets he buried long ago. Meanwhile, the club sets its sights on prize money, backing Half-Sack in a bare-knuckle brawl. ATF Agent Kohn's investigation turns personal when his true intentions are revealed. | |||||||
8 | 8 | "The Pull" | Guy Ferland | Kurt Sutter & Jack LoGiudice | October 22, 2008 | 1WAB07 | 2.14[5] |
With the IRA gun payment looming, SAMCRO scrambles to come up with the cash. The Mayans and Nords take a drastic step in strengthening their alliance. And Jax finds himself in a dangerous position with Tara. | |||||||
9 | 9 | "Hell Followed" | Billy Gierhart | Brett Conrad | October 29, 2008 | 1WAB08 | 2.06[5] |
SAMCRO plans retaliation on a rival MC while dealing with a wounded ally in the clubhouse. Meanwhile, Jax, Bobby, and Opie aim to put an end to the gun debt for good. | |||||||
10 | 10 | "Better Half" | Mario Van Peebles | Pat Charles | November 5, 2008 | 1WAB09 | 2.14[5] |
With ATF Agent Stahl pressing the women of SAMCRO, Jax sees Chief Unser as the key to the club's salvation. Tara still reels from the Kohn situation. And Cherry reveals some interesting information about her past to Gemma. | |||||||
11 | 11 | "Capybara" | Stephen Kay | Kurt Sutter & Dave Erickson | November 12, 2008 | 1WAB10 | 2.22[5] |
When one SOA member is arrested for murder and another goes missing, Jax must choose between friendship and the club. Meanwhile, Abel grows stronger and is soon to be released from the NICU, but he is not the only one coming home. | |||||||
12 | 12 | "The Sleep of Babies" | Terrence O'Hara | Kurt Sutter | November 19, 2008 | 1WAB11 | 2.46[5] |
In need of cash to fund Bobby's defense, Clay's solution leaves SAMCRO in a vulnerable position. What is supposed to be a happy homecoming for Abel ends in more turmoil for the club. | |||||||
13 | 13 | "The Revelator" | Kurt Sutter | Kurt Sutter | November 26, 2008 | 1WAB12 | 2.48[5] |
In the wake of a great tragedy, the club must reevaluate their bonds of brotherhood. |
Reception
The first season received generally positive reviews from industry critics. Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe said the first season had "real potential".[7] The New York Times’ Gina Bellafante spoke highly of the cast's acting ability, particularly Sagal’s portrayal of Gemma. Brian Lowry of Variety gave a mixed review, admiring Sutter’s creation of the club and the town of Charming but observing the early episodes lacked direction.[8]
Home media release
The first season was released on DVD on August 18, 2009.
References
- ↑ "Sons of Anarchy Filming Locations". Internet Movie Database.
- ↑ "First pictures Sons of Anarchy". Chicago Tribune. June 8, 2010.
- ↑ Hunnam, Glenn and Sagal in FX's Anarchy
- ↑ Emilio Rivera Talks SONS OF ANARCHY, a Guest Spot on THE MENTALIST, and Feature Projects
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Berman, Marc (January 30, 2010). "Sons of Anarchy Ratings". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on April 18, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ↑ "FX Orders A 3rd Season Of Sons Of Anarchy". Seat42f. December 3, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Biker Gang Saga Anarchy, has Sopranos Appeal". Boston Globe.
- ↑ Lowry, Brian (August 29, 2008). "Sons of Anarchy". Variety.