SONS OF ANARCHY: Season Two
20th Century Fox
Release date: August 31, 2010
MSRP: $59.98
The tag line on the box of Season Two of FX’s terrific series Sons of Anarchy reads: “Hang on for this high-octane thrill ride that goes even deeper into the gritty world of an outlaw motorcycle club.” While strong, these words barely begin to describe the kick-ass show that is about to take over your DVD player.
Ron Perlman and Katey Segal star in what has aptly been described as The Sopranos for the biker generation. Much like that HBO series, Sons of Anarchy has a cast of rich and developed characters, whose motivations are often untoward, yet we cheer them on in each of these 13 episodes. In this season they face a murder within their gang and a crackdown from authorities. Adam Arkin also joins the cast as the leader of a white separatist group that threatens the outlaws. It’s a season jam-packed with thrills and surprises, often putting the gang in conundrums that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
It’s amazing to me that such a great show was unjustly ignored when Emmy season rolled around this year. The Academy rewarded The Sopranos many times over despite being a foul, often morally bankrupt series, thanks to its superb writing and performances. Sons of Anarchy is equally entertaining, but lately they have responded more favorably to shows that pander to a much wider audience (The Good Wife) or kindle a kind of nostalgia for bygone eras (Mad Men). Just ask the creators of The Wire, another groundbreaking drama that is just a bit too gritty for voters.
Emmy or no Emmy, this is one bloody awesome show that deserves its rightful place in your DVD collection. One can only hope things keep ramping up into Season Three, and then you better buy that one as well.
Probably suffers from too small an audience.
Season 2 of SONS reminded me a lot of Season 2 of Deadwood (the notion of ruling themselves or being part of something bigger, the central 'villian' being –basically– someone who wants to modernize the town and the increasing sense that the center will not hold.)
I still find it a little lightweight, but a good watch nonetheless.
This new season of SOA definitely opens and shows a lot of potential to up hold the reputation of the show. I am just happy to be a DISH Network customer/employee so I don’t have to worry about if I will be able to watch the next episode or not, unlike the Directv customer. I really feel bad for them since Directv’s contract with FOX is going to end soon, which means they will lose all FOX channels. Hopefully for Directv this gets worked out soon or they may have an angry mob on their front yard.