Sons of Anarchy is an American series devoted to the world of bikers… With over 7 seasons under its belt, it tackles many themes, including the Northern Irish question: season 3 even takes place over several episodes in Belfast, against a backdrop of conflict and arms sales on behalf of the Real IRA! It’s the perfect way to keep biker history buffs interested, while delving deep into the heart of Irish culture and soul!
Sons of Anarchy
On paper, the Sons of Anarchy series might seem a little easy… The story follows the criminal misfortunes of a biker gang in the fictional town of Charming…
Far from being a simple group of motorcycle enthusiasts, the “Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original” (abbreviated to “SAMCRO” for those in the know) makes a living from arms trafficking, drug dealing and petty theft of all kinds… These activities are far from easy in a city rife with identity conflicts, gang wars and other power struggles.
In Charming, the gang, led by Clay Morrow and Jax Teller, endures difficulties and situations with great violence… The violence is even more intense when the tight-knit gang has its own share of passionate, amorous intrigues, betrayals, lies and other latent internal conflicts.
So much for the story. Admittedly, the result could quickly have been a disaster, so simplistic can the story seem.
But that was without counting on the talent of director Kurt Sutter, who has succeeded in imposing a rather lively narrative, rich in twists and turns and alternating crime and melodrama. It has to be said that the director has understood everything: he has built his story on characters who are as fascinating as they are endearing. Men and women who are deeply human, but also driven by dark impulses that can lead them to betrayal and crime.
Between power struggles, family infighting and criminal activity, it’s impossible to get bored with the Sons of Anarchy!
And it’s thanks to this cast of characters that the series really comes into its own!
Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy
Starting with Jax Teller (played by Charlie Hunnam), the show’s real hero, who spends his 7 seasons torn between the desire to see his gang through to the end, and giving up everything for his wife and sons. Torn by power struggles with his father-in-law, Clay Morrow, he strives to save his gang… plunging inexorably into violence.
He is closely followed by his mother, Gemma Teller (played by Katey Sagal). A strong woman of character, used to dropping her bikers as she sees fit. A figure of both authority and love, she seems ready to do anything for her gang, whom she considers to be her family. She’s unstoppable: murder is even one of her options in case of trouble!
Other show stars include the great Clay Morrow (played by Ron Perlman). The latter is Jax Teller’s father-in-law. He runs the gang at the start of the series, imposing his interests and those of the gang with one objective: to make a profit and keep Jax Teller out of SAMCRO’s management as much as possible.
Sons of Anarchy in Northern Ireland
But let’s move on to what interests us most. As a site about Ireland, we’re immediately going to introduce you to season 3 of the show, which has the particularity of setting its action in Northern Ireland, and more specifically in Belfast.
SAMCRO’s gang has made no secret of its special connection with Northern Ireland, right from the very first season. There are numerous references to Belfast’s Sons of Anarchy, a gang affiliated with Charming’s, and which seems to be closely involved in the American gang’s arms trade. For several seasons now, Jax’s gang has been transporting weapons to Northern Ireland… An activity which, according to them, supports the Northern Irish struggle.
But here goes. At the end of season 2, everything changes: Jax Teller’s son is kidnapped by the Real IRA, and taken to Belfast. Devastated, Jax decides to do everything in his power to find him. Assisted by their brothers-in-arms, the Sons of Anarchy gang board a plane to find the baby… and land in Belfast, a city still landlocked and marked by sectarian and identity conflicts.
The latter are welcomed by Belfast’s Sons of Anarchy, some of whom are in collaboration with RIRA… Between manipulation, lies, betrayal, and arms dealing in the dark districts of Belfast, the Sons will eventually get their child back, and lay the foundations for their collaboration with the Real IRA!
While the third season is a pleasure to watch, it doesn’t avoid a few pitfalls. The series depicts a particularly bleak Belfast, marked by poverty, the Northern Irish conflict and Catholic religious interference.
These traits are sometimes pushed a little too far, and tend to distort the face of today’s Belfast, a city in the throes of renewal, which is trying as best it can to sweep away centuries of conflict and violence through the Peace Process, signed in 1998 and which has made it possible to ease tensions.
But rest assured: despite this shortcoming, the season is ultra fun to watch. The plot is gripping and well-crafted, and the credits themselves have been changed to reflect Irish time (the soundtrack features traditional Irish instruments for added authenticity. A nod to Ireland and its culture!) The plot unfolds throughout the season in Belfast, with occasional scenes in the USA. The result is a punchy rhythm that highlights the cultural differences between Ireland and the United States, as well as their deep-rooted ties.
In short: a great time to be had, if you like biker stories and Ireland!
3.33/5 (6 votes)
