See Jane Clack – Sons of Anarchy vs. American Chopper

by Jane Boursaw

american_chopper_sons_of_anarchy

I recently checked out the Sons of Anarchy season one DVD, and absolutely fell in love with the gritty FX show about a dysfunctional motorcycle club and their goings-on. It’s like Rebel with a Cause meets The Sopranos meets American Chopper. Yes, I couldn’t help but think the Teutul family has a few similarities to the Teller-Morrow clan. Let’s see how they stack up:

Paul Teutul, Sr. vs. Clay Morrow. These two patriarchs both smoke cigars, sport scruffy mustaches, and rule their respective roosts with a combination of street smarts and tender moments. They even look a little bit alike, and both can curse like … well, like hardcore bikers.

Paul Teutul, Jr. vs. Jax Teller. These second-in-commands are both trying to do their best under the iron rule of their dad and stepdad. But there are issues. Lots of issues. Still, at the end of the day, they’re family.

Gemma Teller Morrow vs. … Mama Teutul? I keep thinking of Paul, Sr.’s mom, and even though she’s getting up there in years, you get the feeling she’s really the one who has all the answers. Remember when the boys went to shovel her driveway? Paul, Sr. might as well be five years old around her. The same can be said of Katey Sagal’s chisel-faced Gemma when she kisses Jax on the cheek and says she’s worried about him. Both of these strong women have not only managed to survive in the midst of tough guys, but they’re probably doling out all the answers and keeping their clans together.

Mikey vs. Opie. These two underdogs are really the stars of the show, in my mind. Mikey continually gets caught in the middle of Senior and Junior’s fights, and Opie … well, his name is Opie. What more is there to say? Yeah, I know he’s a killer, and Mikey would probably weep if he was forced to trap a mouse in the garage.

Orange County Choppers vs. the SOA auto shop. I’m not totally sure the Teutuls are running an illegal weapons business out of their garage, but you can never be too sure about these things. Likewise, we really don’t see a lot of what goes on in the Teller’s auto shop. The good thing is that both groups are, for the most part, concerned with the greater good of their community and will do whatever it takes to make sure things are running smoothly.

What else? Any other similarities?