Sons of Anarchy (season 3)
The third season of the American television drama series Sons of Anarchy premiered on September 7, 2010 and concluded on November 30, 2010 after 13 episodes aired on cable network FX. Created by Kurt Sutter, it is 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 in the aftermath of his infant son's abduction.
Sons of Anarchy | |
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Season 3 | |
DVD cover | |
Starring | |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of episodes | 13 |
Release | |
Original network | FX |
Original release | September 7 – November 30, 2010 |
Season chronology | |
Season three attracted an average of 4.9 million viewers per week, making it FX's highest rated series ever at the time, surpassing FX's other hits The Shield, Nip/Tuck, and Rescue Me.
Sons of Anarchy is the story of the Teller-Morrow family of Charming, California, as well as other members of the 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.
In 2018, Universo announced the season 3 premiere of Sons of Anarchy in Español on 29 October 2018.[1]
Plot
Gemma has been hiding in Rogue River, Oregon with Tig at the home of Gemma's father, Nate (Hal Holbrook), who suffers from dementia. Gemma struggles when she takes Nate to his new assisted living home, and he pleads to be taken back to his house. She returns to Charming to reunite with her grandson, unaware he has been kidnapped. The return of A.T.F. agent Stahl twists the facts about the murder of Donna, Stahl attempts to make a deal with Jax behind the club's back. Father Kellan Ashby's sister, Maureen, contacts Gemma at Ashby's request and tells her Abel is safe in Belfast. Upon learning of her grandson's abduction, Gemma suffers a cardiac arrhythmia and collapses in the Teller-Morrow lot. After the club returns from Ireland and brings home Abel, agent Stahl double crosses Jax and tells the club about the side deal Jax made with her, unaware that Jax and the club had it planned all along knowing Stahl would back out of the deal. Jax, Clay, Bobby, Tig, Juice and Happy are hauled away to jail. While Opie, Chibs, Piney, and the Prospects are all en route following Stahl. Chibs finally gets revenge on Jimmy by killing him and Opie kills Stahl as revenge for the death of his wife, Donna.
Cast and characters
Main cast
- Charlie Hunnam as Jackson "Jax" Teller
- Katey Sagal as Gemma Teller Morrow
- Ron Perlman as Clarence "Clay" Morrow
- Mark Boone Junior as Robert "Bobby Elvis" Munson
- Dayton Callie as Wayne Unser
- Kim Coates as Alex "Tig" Trager
- Tommy Flanagan as Filip "Chibs" Telford
- Ryan Hurst as Harry "Opie" Winston
- William Lucking as Piermont "Piney" Winston
- Theo Rossi as Juan-Carlos "Juice" Ortiz
- Maggie Siff as Dr. Tara Knowles
Special guest cast
- Paula Malcomson as Maureen Ashby
- Ally Walker as Agent June Stahl
- Kenny Johnson as Herman Kozik
- Mitch Pileggi as Ernest Darby
- Stephen King as Bachman
- Sonny Barger as Lenny "The Pimp" Janowitz
Recurring cast
- David LaBrava as Happy Lowman
- McNally Sagal as Margaret Murphy
- Jose Pablo Cantillo as Hector Salazar
- Michael Marisi Ornstein as Chuck Marstein
- Titus Welliver as Jimmy O'Phelan
- James Cosmo as Father Kellan Ashby
- Jeff Kober as Jacob Hale Jr.
- Zoe Boyle as Trinity Ashby
- Winter Ave Zoli as Lyla Winston
- Andrew McPhee as Keith McGee
- Arie Verveen as Liam O'Neill
- Pamela J. Gray as Agent Amy Tyler
- Marcello Thedford as Lander Jackson
- Michael Beach as T.O. Cross
- Joel Tobeck as Donny
- Hal Holbrook as Nate Madock
- Patrick St. Esprit as Elliott Oswald
- Darin Heames as Seamus Ryan
- Q'orianka Kilcher as Kerrianne Larkin-Telford
- Bellina Logan as Fiona Larkin
- Emilio Rivera as Marcus Alvarez
- Jamie McShane as Cameron Hayes
- Monique Gabriela Curnen as Amelia Dominguez
- Kristen Renton as Ima
- Taryn Manning as Cherry/Rita
- Michael Fairman as Lumpy Feldstein
- Robin Weigert as Ally Lowen
- Marcos de la Cruz as Agent Estevez
- Taylor Sheridan as Deputy Chief David Hale
- Tory Kittles as Laroy Wayne
- Kenneth Choi as Henry Lin
- Kurt Sutter as "Big" Otto Delaney
- Keith Szarabajka as Victor Putlova
Guest stars
- Leo Fitzpatrick as Prospect Shephard
- Bob McCracken as Brendan Roarke
- Dorian Missick as Pony Joe
- Olivia Burnette as Homeless Woman
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.[2] 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.[3]
Reception
Some critics felt the third season was dragged down by the previous season's cliffhanger.[4][5] On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an approval rating of 90% based on 20 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads: "Sons of Anarchy returns with risk-taking writing, thrusting its characters into fascinating and unexpected turmoil." James Poniewozik of TIME called the season three premiere "breathtaking" and praised Sagal's performance with Holbrook.[6] He later stated that Abel's disappearance helped return the show to its central problem: Jax's allegiance to the club.[7] Entertainment Weekly’s Ken Tucker agreed that Holbrook and Sagal’s scenes were "beautiful". He also commented that the series handled themes of loyalty and family especially well.[8] Maureen Ryan commented that the third season divided critics and fans alike, suggesting the expanded Belfast cast made it harder for the audience to invest in the characters' journeys.[9] Ryan later questioned the credibility of Hector Salazar's story, noting that he was inferior to other villainous characters such as Stahl, Zobelle and Weston. However, she praised Ally Walker's performance, comparing her character to The Shield's Vic Mackey.[10] Critic Alan Sepinwall said the season was "interesting but uneven", noting that the plot gained traction in later episodes.[11][12] Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter said "Sutter should be applauded for shaking things up", calling the slower pace a "creative necessity".[13]
Episodes
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
27 | 1 | "SO" | Stephen Kay | Kurt Sutter | September 7, 2010 | 3WAB01 | 4.13[14] |
The aftermath of Abel's kidnapping has the Sons reeling, especially Jax; Gemma gets hit with some unexpected news from her past. Stahl continues with her coverup while Tara finds it difficult to return to work. Cameron makes it back home. | |||||||
28 | 2 | "Oiled" | Gwyneth Horder-Payton | Kurt Sutter & Dave Erickson | September 14, 2010 | 3WAB02 | 3.37[15] |
To get intel on Abel's whereabouts, Jax and the club help a bounty hunter track down a skip. Gemma deals with her family issues, along with a suspicious caregiver. In Ireland, Cameron seeks council with the IRA. | |||||||
29 | 3 | "Caregiver" | Billy Gierhart | Chris Collins & Regina Corrado | September 21, 2010 | 3WAB03 | 3.48[16] |
The club exploits its porn connections to entertain Henry Lin's clients, which does not sit well with Opie. Tara, Gemma, and Tig turn to an unlikely source when the situation with the caregiver goes sideways. Jax and The Sons receive disturbing information about Cameron Hayes. Stephen King guest stars as Bachman, a "cleaner." | |||||||
30 | 4 | "Home" | Guy Ferland | Kurt Sutter & Liz Sagal | September 28, 2010 | 3WAB04 | 2.98[17] |
Jax and Clay head down to Nate's home to pick up Gemma. The rest of SAMCRO goes north to help Happy with a pharmaceutical favor in redneck territory. Tara's honesty with Jax comes at an inopportune time. As Gemma puts old family matters to rest, new issues reveal themselves to her. Maureen reaches out to SAMCRO. | |||||||
31 | 5 | "Turning and Turning" | Gwyneth Horder-Payton | Dave Erickson & Marco Ramirez | October 5, 2010 | 3WAB05 | 3.12[18] |
To help his mother, club, and son, Jax conspires with an unlikely source. In order to get more information on the Mayan's drug trade, SAMCRO puts Chucky and Tig undercover. Gemma confronts Tara about the secret she's been hiding. | |||||||
32 | 6 | "The Push" | Stephen Kay | Chris Collins & Julie Bush | October 12, 2010 | 3WAB06 | 2.85[19] |
In order to raise money to get the Sons to Belfast, Jax is forced to involve Tara in their latest dealing. To gain the friendship of the Mayans, SAMCRO must handle a rat at St. Thomas. Kozik's vote to get patched in hits a roadblock. | |||||||
33 | 7 | "Widening Gyre" | Billy Gierhart | Kurt Sutter & Regina Corrado | October 19, 2010 | 3WAB07 | 2.59[20] |
The Grim Bastards have a problem that could jeopardize SAMCRO's new business arrangements. As The Sons prepare for their departure to Belfast, Gemma learns of a dark secret from John Teller's past. Tara gets support from an unlikely source after her breakup with Jax, while Lyla and Opie hit a snag in their relationship. | |||||||
34 | 8 | "Lochan Mor" | Guy Ferland | Dave Erickson & Liz Sagal & Kurt Sutter | October 26, 2010 | 3WAB08 | 2.67[21] |
When SAMCRO pays a visit to another charter, not everyone is happy to see the mother charter. | |||||||
35 | 9 | "Turas" | Stephen Kay | Story by : Kurt Sutter Teleplay by : Chris Collins & Brady Dahl | November 2, 2010 | 3WAB09 | 3.35[22] |
The club embarks on a protection run, the likes of which they have never seen before. | |||||||
36 | 10 | "Firinne" | Gwyneth Horder-Payton | Kurt Sutter & Vaun Wilmott | November 9, 2010 | 3WAB10 | 3.18[23] |
The IRA wants proof that one of their own has flipped and SAMCRO intends to give it to them. | |||||||
37 | 11 | "Bainne" | Adam Arkin | Dave Erickson & Regina Corrado & Kurt Sutter | November 16, 2010 | 3WAB11 | 3.40[24] |
While the club's on a manhunt, Jax faces the toughest decision of his life. | |||||||
38 | 12 | "June Wedding" | Phil Abraham | Story by : Kurt Sutter Teleplay by : Chris Collins | November 23, 2010 | 3WAB12 | 3.27[25] |
With Tara held hostage by Salazar, Jax is forced to choose between revenge and the good of Charming. Jimmy's faith in his comrade is tested when he reaches out to the Russians. As Gemma tries to intervene in her son's dealings, Stahl makes a play to fulfill her bargain with Jax, turning on one of her own in the process. | |||||||
39 | 13 | "NS" | Kurt Sutter | Kurt Sutter & Dave Erickson | November 30, 2010 | 3WAB13 | 3.59[26] |
While The Sons figure out a way to have the Russian Mob hand over Jimmy, Jax and Stahl's deal comes to a head. SAMCRO begins to heal old wounds. Meanwhile, just as Tara and Jax have solidified their relationship, Tara discovers more about Teller family history than she could have ever imagined. |
Home media release
The third season was released in the United States on DVD and Blu-ray on August 30, 2011.[27]
References
- Villafañe, Veronica. "Can NBC Universo Replicate 'Sons Of Anarchy's' Success In Spanish?". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-10-22.
- "Sons of Anarchy Filming Locations". Internet Movie Database.
- "First pictures Sons of Anarchy". Chicago Tribune. June 8, 2010.
- "Sons of Anarchy's Battle for Control". Pop Matters. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- "Sons of Anarchy – "NS" review". AV Club. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- "TV Tonight: Sons of Anarchy restarts its engines". TIME. September 7, 2010.
- "Sons of Anarchy, Bainne: Blood Begets Blood". TIME. November 17, 2010.
- "Sons of Anarchy 2010". Entertainment Weekly. September 1, 2010.
- "Sons of Anarchy Season 3 Episode 9". TV Squad.
- "Sons of Anarchy Season 3 Episode 12". TV Squad.
- "Sons of Anarchy Lochan Mor, SAMCRO Vs. SAMBel". Hit Fix.
- "Sons of Anarchy Firinne, Sins of the Sons". Hit Fix.
- Goodman, Tim (December 20, 2010). "Top 18 Tv Shows of 2010". Hollywood Reporter.
- Seidman, Robert (September 9, 2010). "More Tuesday Cable Ratings: Teen Mom Tops Night + Warehouse 13 & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Gorman, Bill (September 15, 2010). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Covert Affairs' Finale; 'Warehouse 13,' 'Teen Mom,' 'Sons Of Anarchy' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Seidman, Robert (September 22, 2010). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Teen Mom,' 'Sons of Anarchy' Top Tuesday; 'Warehouse 13' Down Slightly". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Gorman, Bill (September 29, 2010). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: Teen Mom > Sons Of Anarchy, Plus Stargate Universe, Bad Girls Club & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Seidman, Robert (October 6, 2011). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: Teen Mom Tops; Caprica Returns Small; Sons Of Anarchy Flat Despite Dish Network + Stargate Universe & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Gorman, Bill (October 13, 2010). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Teen Mom' Finale Way Up; BET Hip Hop Awards, Sons Of Anarchy, Caprica & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Seidman, Robert (October 20, 2010). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Sons of Anarchy' Drops; Teen Mom Special Second-Best to Yankees/Rangers; Stargate Universe, Caprica Weaken & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Gorman, Bill (October 28, 2010). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: Heat/Celtics Slam Dunk; 'Sons of Anarchy' Steady; 16 & Pregnant, Caprica, Stargate Universe, Millionaire Matchmaker & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Seidman, Robert (November 3, 2010). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Sons of Anarchy' Rises; 'Stargate Universe' Steady + 'Dirty Jobs,' '16 and Pregnant,' 'In Treatment' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Gorman, Bill (November 10, 2010). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Sons of Anarchy' Dips, Tops Cable; 'Stargate Universe' Steady + 'Dirty Jobs,' '16 and Pregnant,' 'In Treatment' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Seidman, Robert (November 17, 2010). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Sons of Anarchy' Rides Higher, Tops Cable; 'Glory Daze' Modest in Premiere; 'Stargate Universe' Steady & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Seidman, Robert (November 24, 2011). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Sons of Anarchy' Rides Steady, Again Tops Cable; 'Stargate Universe' Inches Higher; 'Glory Days' Slides & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Gorman, Bill (December 1, 2010). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Sons of Anarchy' Finale Rises; 'Stargate Universe,' "Glory Daze' Steady; '16 and Pregnant' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Lambert, David (August 24, 2011). "Sons of Anarchy - Fox's Final Formal Details in the Press Release for Season 3 on Blu-ray and DVD". TV Shows on DVD. Archived from the original on August 29, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.