Our opening montage opens on the wounded PD newbie, Eglee in the hospital before cutting to a desolate roadway… The same desolate roadway where we see a very pissed off Gemma trudging down towards a lonely truck stop. Given the scenario that we left her in, it’s harder to know which is more of a surprise. That she’s alive or that she made it through the desert in heeled boots (and without a horse with no name).
The focus shifts to the club, who are at Diosa North, or what’s left of it. Tig slides behind the bar and pours everyone a shot of tequila. With grim faces, the club toasts the memory of the dead girls, claiming that they have avenged the murderous rampage of Henry Lin. Jax mutters an apology as he downs his shot.
In Stockton at Redwoody, Bobby sees Wendy sitting in the morning sun and bums a smoke. Wendy asks how much longer her and the boys are going to be stuck living at the docks. Bobby assures her that by the end of the day or so, they’ll be back at Gemma’s. He asks Wendy how things are going with her new found nanny-dom and that it has to feel good to be around her biological son, Abel. Wendy nervously asks about SAMCRO’s future. Bobby says he doesn’t know but that the club is unified behind Jax. He comments that unlike so many of his outlaw brethren, Jax has no veil over his feelings to mask his inner turmoil. His heart is in the right place however and Bobby believes that ultimately will win the day.
Seeing the turmoil that is in Wendy’s face, he discovers what’s been obvious to us Crow Lowers for a while… Wendy is still carrying a torch for Basic Cable’s favorite outlaw. Wendy doesn’t bother to deny his observation. Bobby sympathizes with a hug… Which leads us to remember a similar heart-to-heart with Tara last season… We know how that turned out.
Back at Diosa, the club is engaging in some half-hearted clean up of the premises. Chibs gets off the phone and says that the ABs are ringing about finishing their drug deal. Jax gives the go ahead for the meet up when a clearly disturbed Nero shows up. He relays that a nervous Tyler is trying to get ahold of the MC. While he plops down, Jax brings up the subject of a Diosa reboot. Nero is reluctant to agree. His worries are increased when Tig makes the insensitive observation that most of their clientele wouldn’t care if they had to get serviced with the dead hookers still in the room. Jax wisely takes the talk into the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Nero and Jax talk about the fallout from his war with Henry. Nero opines that Henry’s men will scatter now that the Big Boss is down. He also believes that his connected Triad groups in the Southland will steer clear for the moment. He also relays that the Maya are holding steady, waiting to see what will happen next. When the conversation turns to Nero’s personal safety, he deflects with the patented SOA indifference, but in the excellent Jimmy Smits acting method, his silence speaks volumes.
Jax reiterates that SAMCRO has Nero’s back. Hell, he jokes that he may even be calling Nero “step-daddy” sometime soon. That brings a grim laugh from both men, given Gemma’s relationship track record.
On the streets, we see Juice, in Gemma’s SUV, pulling up to a convenience store, grabbing a few suckers and asking the clerk for a pack of smokes. When the poor bastard turns his back, he gets a wack on the head. As he goes down, Juice cleans out the register.
After the open, we see that Tyler is at the TM, along with the Grim Bastards. The One9er leader is clearly between a rock and a hard place as word has come down that Marks is done messing around with SAMCRO because of their actions against Lin. Jax sells Tyler on a rear action attack on Marks, by taking down one of his loyalists, a street soldier named Dulane, who just happens to be the dude who took down the GBs in the season opener.
As the meeting breaks up, Jax hits up Quinn, the GB’s leader. He’s rightfully discouraged about the state of the satellite MC, as he is down to seven, not-so-good men (which now includes series TV vet, Malcolm Jamal Warner, in a fully credited role, following up his cameo two weeks ago. Somewhere, Bill Cosby is making a disapproving face as he eats his Jello). Jax floats the idea of the GBs patching in to the Sons. Quinn, of course, is doubtful that the rest of the club will easily abandon forty years of racial exclusion to accept the GBs. Jax tells him to not sweat it yet, but lets it be known that he may be prepared to become outlaw version of Branch Rickey if Quinn is ready to be Jackie Robinson.
While this moment of thug life diversity is touching to the soul, Jax is quickly distracted by the presence of Unser, who he believed was off to Oregon to watch Gemma’s back. Unser spins a quick tale of Gemma wanting to see her dad alone and that he is now meeting up with her after her car broke down. Amazing, in the twisted world of SAMCRO, it’s almost close to the truth as Gemma has called him from her truck stop (where exactly are the pockets on Gemma’s outfits, given she dresses like a fetish madam?). Unser relays that he and Wendy are off to meet the stranded Den Mother.
In a random Charming parking garage, Chibs rolls up to meet Jarry with an escort. Yes Crow Lovers, romance is dead as Chibs is forced to take Jarry’s report without any benefits. Jarry says that Lin is has been hit with drug and murder charges and that SAMCRO is in the clear. Chibs asks how she knew to tip him off when the deal went down. She goes coy, protecting her link with Unser. She also relays that the newbie, Eglee, is looking like she will pull through. An awkward subject for Chibs.
Jax calls and says its time to roll. Chibs thanks Jarry. She asks if the comment refers to her tip or her sexual prowess. Chibs laughs and says she should be thanking him for the lay. Jarry hastily adds that Lin is being offered a states evidence deal from the prosecutor out of Oakland. Chibs swears under his breath. He knows that can only mean Marks is beginning his move against the club.
At the truck stop, Gemma is at a table, lighting up and wistfully conversing to an invisible Tara about the first time she knew that Jax was in love. A mystified Lea Michele comes over to pour her coffee and to ask her to snuff the cig. Gemma begins with her usual snarl, but relents as she senses that Michele’s Gertie (eeek!) is at heart, “a good girl.” Crow Lowers everywhere are just happy that Michele doesn’t suggest a sing-a-long to chase the blues away.
Back at the TM, Chibs relays the news of Lin’s possible deal right before the club has to leave to meet with the Aryans. Jax asks the GBs to roll with them to the meet as backup, proving that a drug deal with White Supes is just the thing to make all of God’s children join together in the bonds of brotherhood… Juice is cruising through the Maya’s ‘hood, the gears turning in his head, once more.
At Diosa, Nero and his distaff cleaning crew are interrupted by Alvarez and the Maya. Marcus wants know about his role in taking down Lin. Nero explains the personal threats against his son and the fictional Gemma murder plot. When Alvarez’s right hand man loudly insults Gemma’s integrity, Nero almost goes Nero… Until Alvarez and the boys make it clear that he’s going to be held as a surety against SAMCRO action against the Maya.
At the AB meet, the club splits from the GBs and meets up with the Aryans, who want their heroin. When Jax tries to offer guns instead of Henry’s lost H, the AB’s outside leader shuts it down, saying that Tully has already made deals with the promised poppy. Things get worse as a late arriving Aryan says he has spotted the GBs. The whole attempt at white unity goes into the toilet at that moment as apparently SOA has some quota to fill for fist fights (which almost leads to a joke. “A biker club and some Aryans went into a bar…”).
Back at the diner, a sleepy Gemma is nudged by Gertie, who asks if she wants to join her for a smoke. As the ladies puff, the waitress broaches the subject of who Gemma believes she is talking to. Gemma deflects, saying that she was talking to herself out of exhaustion. She then goes on to spill the beans about her role in Tara’s death, figuring that a waitress in a hick truck stop won’t have much impact on events. Gertie nods in seeming incomprehension at Gemma’s strange confession and offers her car as a place for her to sleep.
Michele is surprisingly effective in the scene… Or maybe, put more simply, she has a future in acting after all of her over-the-top voguing gets put to bed next year.
At the Maya’s garage, Nero gets locked in a closet (but fortunately there’s no sign of R. Kelly). But no sooner than Alvarez thinks he has a handle on things, then Juice shows up, asking for passage into Mexico and with a willingness to trade SAMCRO secrets.
After the break, the Mayas are waiting for SAMCRO at the front of the TM, saying that they have Juice. So much for Juice’s turn as a snitch…. It lasted all of three minutes.
At the diner, Wendy and Unser finally make their way in and find a rested Gemma eager to go. Unser asks what the hell happened and Gemma tells a half truth about Juice freaking out and shooting at her. When Wendy hits the facilities, Unser relays that Lin has gone down for Tara’s murder and urges Gemma to talk to the cops. While Gemma tries to hide behind the outlaw’s code, Unser insists that she talk to Jarry. With an imperious sweep, Gemma leaves the diner, sticking Unser with the bill.
At the Maya’s garage, Juice is on pins and needles, thinking Alvarez is having a table meet about his offer. No one is more surprised than he to see SAMCRO when they walk in the door. His heart sinks as he comes face to face with Jax for the first time since he got the kiss off. But instead of going Mr. Mayhem on Juice, he sits down to talk terms with Alvarez.
Alvarez is open to talk. And Jax, always light on his feet, spins a new offer to the Maya. Help him out with the heroin trade to the Aryans and Jax will cut Marks out of the gun buying business, as that short-lived alliance is quickly coming to an end. Alvarez takes a moment to coolly consider a tie to a man he has tried to kill more than once. But, since this is SOA, money trumps all other considerations. A deal is struck and Brown becomes the new Black, with apologies to the ladies on Premium Cable.
The new deal done, the club turns their attentions to Juice. After a quick rough up and patch removal, they let the Maya throw in in to the closet…. With, of course, his best friend, Nero. The two men have an awkward reunion, mitigated by the fact they are in a Maya broom closet. After exchanging stories, Juice is strangely stoic, spilling nothing of Gemma’s involvement in his predicament and stating that he deserves whatever is coming. With a deal done between the two MCs, Nero gets kicked. He gives one more sad look to Juice as the door closes on him, Coppola-style. On his way out, however, Nero spots Gemma’s stolen SUV.
At county lock up, Jax and Tully meet, with Jax hoping that the canine code they were using last time isn’t needed. Tully assures him it won’t be. Jax relates the new deal with the Maya and the ability to get the Peckerwoods their heroin. He also asks for the ABs’ help in hitting LIn on the inside Tully gives the go ahead but says that Jax has to mend fences with Aryans on the outside. When Jax asks how, Tully says he’s a “smart white boy” and that he will figure it out. He also says that when it comes to how to get to Lin ” he’ll burn that cross when he gets to it.” You just know that Sutter’s been waiting the whole series to work that one-liner in.
Back at the TM, a returned Gemma pow wows with Jax. She relates Unser’s demand to talk to the cops. Jax supports the idea, still sucked into Gemma’s cover story. Gemma reluctantly agrees to go through with the idea. Bobby breaks in with the news that Marks’ man, Dulane, has been found.
Down at Charming PD, Unser sits and waits for Gemma to finish her statement to Jarry. No sooner than Gemma comes out of the office, she tells Unser that she wants his trailer off the TM, double pronto. Unser is left speechless. Jarry comes in to tell him that Eglee is calling for him at the hospital.
In Oakland, the GBs roll up and light up a house with a blue Impala in the front. They take off with the survivors coming in hot pursuit. The chase takes them to a row of warehouses, where SAMCRO is waiting. A brief firefight follows, which leads to Dulane being pulled out of the Impala. After being sure they aren’t shooting up some freaky pastors again, Quinn caps Dulane while the other OGs look on. Jax coldly offers a cigarette to one of Dulane’s men, who refuses out of puzzlement. Jag shrugs and orders the rest of the crew gunned down.
Back out in the boonies, the club rides up to meet the Aryans with a van in tow. Their street leader balks about dealing once again with such a racially uncommitted group as SAMCRO. Jax opens up the van and shows the stunned Aryans his stack of dead black men. Impressed by his dedication to the cause, the ABs make the deal.
Back at the TM, Nero confronts Gemma about her car being in Juice’s hands. He knows she was helping him. A flummoxed Gemma asks how he knows about Juice’s whereabouts. Nero relates that Maya are holding him for SAMCRO. This leads to another Gemma meltdown as she begins to rave about Juice telling Jax what he knows. An interested Wendy stands nearby.
At the hospital, a weary Unser sits bedside next to Eglee. She wakes and starts to tell her story… At Mark’s newest building project, the club dumps the bodies of Dulane and his men… And send a message.
At the Maya’s garage, the new alliance is being toasted and celebrated. Alvarez relates that even if they had never reached a deal, he would have never taken Juice’s offer. “A rat” is still a bad thing to be, unless we are talking Ratboy, of course.
The Maya take Juice from his closet and give him over to the club. The whole thing has an air of an execution. A fitting stage for the Reaper to make his bow.
Man, Crow Lovers, this ep has brought some unexpected twists! Is Juice saving his info on Gemma in desperate last attempt to save his life? Will Eglee’s story finally break Unser’s ties to the club Was this ep. Kirk Sutter’s strange attempt to win an NAACP Image Award? And just where are Gemma’s pockets? Be back here next week to find out… Until then, be like the Crow and Fly Straight.
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