Filthy Review - 'Sons of Anarchy: Season 5'

Sons of Anarchy: Season 5 (2013)

Review by Jude Felton

Sons of Anarchy is one of those shows that, due to its schedule and mine, I have missed a fair bit of. I caught all of the first two seasons, but only bits and pieces of three and four. This could prove to be a slight hindrance; however, that is not the case with my viewing of season 5. Hell no, not in the slightest. This is one bad-ass show, and season 5 takes that to an even higher level.

There’s so much going on in season 5, that to go into depth about the plot would an epic procedure. However, the main story focuses on Jax (Charlie Hunnam), who has recently taken over the presidency of SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original Charter), and his job is not an easy one.

Businessman, criminal and all around scary SOB, Damon Pope, is laying down the law, with ruthless efficiency, Jax’s mother, Gemma (Katey Sagal), has her own hidden agenda, part of which involves hooking up with Jimmy Smit’s character, Nero, Clay Morrow (Ron Perlman) is hobbling around with an oxygen tank, as the result of a shooting in season 4 and Jax has to stay on top of everything. This is no easy feat, of that you can be sure. Of course, there is far more, but why should I spoil your enjoyment?

One element of season 5 that really surprised me is the jaw-dropping scenes of violence. No one is safe in this season, and you can rest assured that when someone gets taken out, and many do, it’s with extreme prejudice. Folk are set on fire, whilst swimming in a pit of body parts, pipes are cracked around skulls and a lot of people get shot. The blood flows, the threat of violence is always present and everyone is always on edge.

However, despite the violent, and sometimes sexual, content of Sons of Anarchy season 5, the creators never let the writing suffer. Sure, you are guaranteed at least one or two beat downs per episode, but the story is absolutely riveting. This show will suck you into its web of treachery, and will not relinquish its grasp. I spent many a late night watching this season, and it was with great reluctance that I would turn it off and trundle up to bed.

As you might expect, the Blu-ray edition, which I viewed, was absolutely wonderful in all departments. I chose to watch it in Season Mode, which allowed me to turn it off and on at will, but always return to where I left off once I returned to it. There are also Creator’s Cut episodes, which if you watch in Season Mode, you will automatically watch.

As well as these features, you also get commentaries on select episodes, deleted scenes, a gag reel and a few other worthwhile extras. It really is an excellent package, one that does this wonderful show complete justice.

If you’re a fan already, I expect you have already watched this season. However, there’s more than enough on here to warrant a purchase, which I recommend you do. If you are new to the show, I would suggest catching up on previous seasons first, but this is not absolutely necessary, as I found out, and won’t spoil your enjoyment.

Recommended? Hell yes! There’s no need to take a vote on this question, just set aside the 14 or 15 hours required (excluding the extras) and enjoy the ride.

Sons of Anarchy: Season 5 is available on Blu-ray and DVD now from 20th Century Fox. Season 6 starts on FX on September 10th.