It looks like Ethan is going to be even more direct trouble than I expected. Arkin had played the role like he was going to orchestrate events in a subtle manner to achieve his goals.
This episode, by approaching Hale directly with his latest scheme to eliminate SAMCRO from Charming, he proved that his arrogance has him feeling completely above the law. I’m surprised Hale was so supportive of SAMCRO, but perhaps it’s “the devil you know.” He wants to get rid of them, but there are acceptable ways to achieve that.
And yet, Ethan goes ahead and starts selling drugs in Charming, something that the Sons explicitly forbid. And it goes about as well as you’d expect. Both groups are so headstrong and amoral, this is going to be an explosive climax when we get there.
The addition of this white supremacist issue has really pushed the Clay/Jax friction to the back of the show. I expected that to stand front and center, and the fissures are definitely still growing, but they’ve got other distractions.
Speaking of those other distractions, how astounding is the performance that Katey Sagal is giving as a now rape victim? Her skittishness around everyone, and the way she’s pushing Clay out of her intimate life are presented so realistically it’s difficult to watch. The torture on her face, and her reactions to everything are starting to affect everyone.
You know it’s going to come out soon. Clay knows something’s wrong and now Jax knows that something’s wrong in their relationship. The scene of violence with Clay destroying her car and her flinching reaction to his rough grab were simply flawless for both of those characters.
Clacked by Jason Hughes 
on Sep 25, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
