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| Title: | Sons of Anarchy: Season 6 |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Starring: | Charlie Hunnam, Ron, Perlman, Maggie Siff, Katey Sagal, Peter Weller, |
| Certificate: | US: Not Rated UK: 15 |
| Picture: | 16:9 (1.78:1) |
| Audio Format: | Dolby Digital 5.1 |
| Subtitles: | English |
| Runtime: | 13 Episodes, 13 Hours 14 mins |
| Extras: | Featurettes, Audio commentaries, Season mode. |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment |
| Release Date: | USA: August 26 2014 UK: September 1 2014 |
| See If You Like: | The Shield, Deadwood |
Multi-award winning FX drama Sons of Anarchy is back with its sixth season; a glorious indulgence of gasoline, girls, guns, gangs and gossip centering around the fictional biker gang known as the Sons of Anarchy; which could just be the Sons’ finest season to date.
Despite the incarceration of a close family member, the death of a business partner, and a former club president being framed for murder (all within the final episode of season 5), we join our outlaw biker-clan during a period of relative calm at the beginning of season six; knowing for certain it’s not to last.
As Jax (Charlie Hunnam, Pacific Rim) makes moves to take SAMCRO (Sons Of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original – to give the founding charter of the club it’s full name) out of the gun-running business, and thoroughly annoys the Real IRA and really in the process (stirring things up in the underworld, and putting a lot of new pressures on the club), his business ventures with the local pimp Nero (Jimmy Smits, Dexter), who just happens to be bedding Jax’s mother Gemma Teller (Katey Sagal, Married With Children), shows both signs of expansion (by joining forces with a crooked ex-cop played by original RoboCop Peter Weller, and setting up a new brothel to be run by Deadwood alumni Kim Dickens), and tension as Jax and Nero start to disagree about a number of rather important issues.
Things are even worse at home, as Jax’s wife Tara (Maggie Siff, Push) is in the midst of her own club-orientated legal battle, but continues to work behind the scenes to get her and her boys (Jax’s sons) away from Charming (the fictional town in which SOA is based), their father, and the club forever; weaving a twisted web of intrigue which is so selfish, devious, and diabolically clever it has to be seen to be believed, and ends up transforming the former good-girl into an even more despicable character than the new legal-baddie, Lee Toric (Donal Logue, Blade), an ex-lawman who’s not above planting evidence, and even framing people for murder, in order to seek vengeance for the murder of his sister (which he blames entirely on the Sons).
Clearly there’s plenty going on this season (despite where he ended up last season Ron Perlman still has a huge part to play, particularly where the Irish are concerned, as Jax’s step-father Clay Morrow, both the White Supremacists and the Aztec biker gang make a return this season, and there’s a good deal of influence stemming from a couple of other notable street gangs as well), yet with all the drama, all the tension, backhanded deals, scheming, plots, murders, and intrigue, there’s still time for a cool down in certain episodes, and we finally get to see the Sons go back to their roots in season six.
Despite constantly upping the levels of tension and intrigue since the show’s outset, Sons of Anarchy seems to have been calming down of late (in the best possible way, since the plot in season four went a touch too far), and whilst there’s just as much drama and tension as ever (everyone is under threat constantly), Kurt Sutter (the show’s creator, and also the man who played the imprisoned Son Otto Delaney) and his fellow writers manage to make the show properly fun again, by introducing more humour (often to dark elements of the show), showing us more motorbike riding than we’ve had for a while, and bringing back the wonderful throwaway threads we grew accustomed to back in season one; an excellent highlight of both coming when the Sons go for a ride, and run afoul of some rather crooked cops, leading to a fun chase, some terrific quips, and generally having little else to do with the main arcs other than being enjoyable TV.
Yet these moments of fun are simply the icing on the cake of a series which is as fast as the bikes it showcases, and extremely well written throughout. After jumping straight into the action with the first episode (and closing the season premiere with an event so shocking and controversial you just have to see where it’s going). With dozens of interwoven plot threads and potential outcomes for the season the writing manages to stay spot-on, and is so good it continues to constantly find new ways to shock and amaze fans throughout; as even after hitting a wonderful high-point with the mid-season sixth episode, there’s simply no slowing down; you’ll think Sons of Anarchy has peaked, before you’re amazed at the way in which it continues to raise the bar, episode after episode (in terms of shocks, humour, action, and emotional impact), right through till the closing of the immensely satisfying season finale.
Aside from the gun-running business, the big bone of contention this season has to do with Tara’s plot to leave Charming, and given the way things go towards the latter third of the season (both with Tara, and the gun-running), you’ll be left wondering where the show can go, yet just as it looks to be closing with a wholly unsatisfying ending a series of events transpire which are so unexpected, and so brilliant, your jaw will drop three times in a minute, and you won’t be able to pick your jaw up off the floor for the closing 15 minutes of the fantastic 1 hour 20 minute long season finale.
Yet the fact Sons of Anarchy proves to be so gripping, so relatable, so affecting, and so mesmerising for so many viewers is a testament to not only the writers, and the directors (who each put their own little slant on things and continue to find new and inventive ways of making motorcycle chases fun to watch), but the high-quality of the actors involved as well.
Aside from Charlie Hunnam (who gets a few chances this series to deliver some real emotional feeling; and succeeds at every hurdle, proving he’s a far better actor than he’s often given credit for), and the rest of the gang (Kim Coates and Theo Rossi being two stand-out members who deliver heart-wrenching sadness and deep, withheld, depression respectively, both gaining real empathy), the supporting players also fare well; Jimmy Smits is as capable as ever (appearing believably broken as the ageing gangbanger Nero), Kim Dickens is more than apt as the attractive madam of the new brothel (continuing Sutter’s quest to hire the entire cast of Deadwood), and CCH Pounder (also continuing the ever-growing list of actors from The Shield appearing in Sons of Anarchy) is as strong, present, and officious as ever as the new District Attorney (so much so it’s easy to see why the size of her role was increased following her casting).
Peter Weller (a long-time fan of the show, who’s even directed episodes in previous seasons) is also a strong addition, being strong enough, and just sleazy enough, to believably slot into the Sons’ world with ease, and showing us once again that he has a true presence on screen (stealing just about every single scene he’s in), and while Mark Boone Junior (Batman Begins) was basically absent for the first half of the season, and Katey Sagal delivers much of the same she has before (though despite the aggressive and conniving matriarch delivering much of the same, you’ll end up feeling very sorry for her as the season rolls on), several guest stars pop up in interesting and often affecting manners; including Robert Patrick (Terminator 2), and a returning Walton Goggins (a former Shield star who pops up as a transvestite hooker with a colourful past).
Yet one of the most intriguing new major cast members is that of Lee Toric (the ex-lawman with a grudge), who’s played terrifically well by Donal Logue though takes a number of surprising moves plot-wise this season, moving his character from understandable hard-ass, to a downright despicable, creepy, and loathsome individual; begging the question, why does every single law enforcement official in Sons of Anarchy have to be bad, bent, broken, or all three?
The fact every lawman is crooked (yes, even Unser was bent, and despite Sheriff Roosevelt’s generally stand-up nature even he’s made questionable decisions in the past) highlights one of several, though all somewhat negligible, problems inherent within the writing of the series, generally all stemming from the fact it’s a clichéd, overly masculine, misogynistic, male-orientated show which generally shows women in one of three ways; as goody-goodies not worth mentioning, matriarchal biker-groupies, or porn girls/hookers/general sluts; finds ham-fisted ways for making certain characters hang around (porn girl Lyla being the perfect example), and can’t help but glorifying the criminal nature of the outlaw biker gang, and some of their less savoury activities (even if it often has a detrimental effect to members of the group).
Given the problems, this is still a fantastic series, and Sons of Anarchy Season Six is the best season so far; with fantastic opening and closing montages for many episodes (all wonderfully shot, poignant, and overlaid with excellent song choices) becoming series highlights, the aggressive rock tracks providing an awesome backdrop to the action, and acting so strong you’ll feel for, or hate, every character just as intended. Given the show’s simply stunning writing, you’ll also be shocked at every turn, amazed at how SOA continues to get better and better throughout the series, how it continues to find new places to go, and will leave you wanting more and more; because once you start, you won’t want to get off, as Sons of Anarchy Season Six is one hell of a ride.
Picture:
Presented via a 16X9, 1.78:1, aspect ratio, the digitally shot Sons of Anarchy Season Six Blu-ray looks impressively sharp, detailed, and rich; coming to home media with strong black levels, stable whites, solid contrast, and a slightly warm tone which still looks natural, and perfectly fits the mantra of the show.
While the Sons of Anarchy releases have always fared well in terms of video quality, season six is perhaps a touch stronger than pervious editions, and often helped by various directors tweaking saturation and hues for specific sequences (something which not only makes episodes seem fresh, and provides stand-out scenes, but can provide a slight mental boost to image quality), though it’s not all perfect, as over the course of the Sons’ 13 episodes there’s bound to be a little consistency, the odd dip in quality, and the occasional example of major ghosting was apparent, though overall it still remains a highly impressive release.
Audio:
Similarly strong is the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack accompanying the Sons’ latest Blu-ray; an omnipresent mix effectively filling the soundstage throughout the entirety of the series, bringing clean and crisp dialogue, a number of well placed effects, and a strong dynamic range; producing weighty bass (heard during many gunfights, and motorcycle rides), a decent dose of volume when needs be, as well as a booming rock-soundtrack, all presented with such clarity and vividness there’s really very little to grumble about with this mix (even if it once again includes distracting proof that Katey Sagal should stop singing on the SOA soundtrack).
Extras:
The first notable, best, and most useful feature included on the Sons of Anarchy Season Six Blu-ray is the welcome return of Season Mode (allowing you to seamlessly play every episode from the season in order, stop at any point, and have the player remember exactly where you are and restart from that point), but thankfully it doesn’t stop there; as just with previous releases, there are a number of high-quality bonus materials within the Blu-ray release, which thankfully don’t stop at the stylish-as-ever menus.
As well as audio commentaries (which SOA creator Kurt Sutter always makes interesting), a number of deleted scenes (some more watchable than others, though all worth a look as they were mostly cut for time issues), and a short but amusing gag-reel, there’s also two episodes of the aftershow Anarchy Afterword (which airs on FX directly after Sons) dissecting the premiere, and final episodes, of the season, and two featurettes covering both Sutter’s charity work during the aftermath of hurricane Sandy (well worth watching, to see some of the good work the Sons team have delivered), and an interesting and in-depth look at some of the major character deaths tis season. All combining to create a well rounded, fan-pleasing, array of special features which aren’t to be scoffed at.
The Bottom Line:
With excellent picture and audio quality, and a wealth of worthwhile special features, Blu-ray is definitely the way to go for the latest Sons of Anarchy release, and given that it’s an exceptionally well written show, filled with solid acting, shocking twists, and plot-lines which leave you begging for more, it’s also a true must-watch series.
Providing a welcome cooldown whilst also upping the ante in terms of both family drama, and threats from business associates, Sons of Anarchy Season Six is the most fun, the most enjoyable, and also the most gripping the show has been for years. New and old cast members alike gel perfectly well, and despite one or two extremely negligible gripes, the writing for the show stays superb throughout; providing so many twists, turns, and flat-out shocks you’ll just have to keep watching, episode after episode, until you realise that season six, is the best Sons of Anarchy has ever been.
Matt Wheeldon – @TheMattWheeldon.
