TV Review: Sons Of Anarchy 4.4 - Una Venta
rating: 3.0/5
This weeks episode of Sons of Anarchy was both the least eventful and weakest of the season so far, making it something of a disappointment. That's not to say it was awful - but with the early episodes getting off to such a good start, this was the first episode which felt like it was acting as mere padding for the rest of the season. Also distracting was the notable absence of many characters - including Unser (Dayton Callie), Opie (Ryan Hurst) and Sheriff Roosevelt (Rockmond Dunbar) did someone mess up vacation bookings ? The previous episode did a good job of establishing many crucial threads for this season, such as the increasing tension within SAMCRO over the drugs, Clays (Ron Perlman) worsening arthritis and Gemmas (Katey Sagal) fear over the letters from John Teller. All of these were simply reiterated this week, alongside a main plotline involving a clunky warning sign of SAMCRO's actions, with the introduction of a Tuscon charter of the sons in Arizona. With a truck load of guns ready to be given to Romeo (Danny Trejo), a meeting between the two charters acted as a bridge for the deal in Arizona, but soon became fraught with conflict with the discovery that the Tuscon charter had been dealing crank. Clay and Jax (Charlie Hunnam) predictably reacted to the news with anger, blissfully unaware of the similarities to their own actions.
Clay was particularly contradictory, even remarking at one point that the charter was using the MC for their own ends without even a hint of irony. Thankfully there was some sense within the club, courtesy of Bobby (Mark Boone Junior), who argued that there was no difference between the drug activities of either charter. Sadly the whole storyline often felt like it simply acted as a cautionary tale especially with us never before being introduced to the Tuscon charter. Gemmas storyline also suffered this week, with her becoming acquainted with the owner of a flower shop named Rita (Merle Dandridge). It soon became apparent as to why Gemma was interested in Rita, being both the head of committee to prevent the Charming Heights development and Sheriff Roosevelts wife two birds with one stone. Gemma and Clay have already signified their desire to prevent the development in earlier episodes, but theres also defiantly an ulterior motive here as well. This storyline also marked Lincoln Potters (Ray McKinnon) first contact with the club itself, confronting Gemma under the guise of a member of the zoning committee. He also gave the fake name of Nick Stackhouse which, well. Was a little male porn star-esque. 
Im sure this is building towards something significant especially with Potter making an early impression on Gemma and the forced involvement of Tara (Maggie Siff) in backing the comittee - but in the episode itself, the whole thread felt clumsy. Rita and her flowershop seemed shoehorned without any real establishment towards this storyline but hey, at least it wasnt another week of Gemma snooping through Taras belongings. Tara herself had a new problem this week (she should really lock the door to her office), with Piney (William Lucking) also eager to read the content of the letters from John Teller. Piney himself seems assured that the letters contain some important information, furthering the possibly that Tellers death was an act of foul play. This lead to Gemma threatening Piney telling him to back off before it kills you Perhaps a little more subtly might be needed as apposed to essentially threatening to murder club members. Agent Potter continues to be my favourite character of the season, and was probably given the best moment of this episode. Visiting a confined Otto (Kurt Sutter), Potter suggested that DNA evidence had been discovered linking his wife LuAnnes murder to Bobby continuing to try and destroy the club from within following the threats made to Juice (Theo Rossi) in the previous episode by Roosevelt. 
Otto didnt react with anger or regret, simply laying still and clutching one of the photos of his deceased wifes beaten corpse, purposefully left by Potter creating a pretty powerful image. As great as this scene was, it wasnt quite as powerful as that of Potter doing a strange little one legged dance while standing on a table in the FBI offices earlier on. There was another stand-out moment later on in the episode, with SAMCRO receiving the shipment of cocaine from Romeo and having a collective moment of quiet shared panic at the magnitude of thier new business direction. The look on their faces suggested that even those who voted in the partnership with the cartel in couldnt help but feel well out of their depth. Danny Trejos return as Romeo wasnt quite as memorable this week, even outdone by his sidekick Luis played by Benito Martinez. As a fan of The Shield, I couldnt help but laugh when a picture was shown of the actor all kitted out in military gear. Luis is a far cry from the suited beuorcrat David Aceveda whom he played in the previous FX series. Its also becoming more obvious that the two gangs wont stay friendly for long, with a suggestive exchange between Romeo and Luis around their ambiguous trust towards SAMCRO. 
I remain faithful that this season still has the potential to become one of the strongest yet, but this episode wasnt particularly great. The ties to the Tuscon charter and the obvious warning signs failed to raise interest, while other elements just felt like obvious padding for the next episodes. I liked lots of individual moments the opening with its acoustic Bob Dylan cover, added Chuckie (go wait in the car) and Potters interaction with Gemma and Otto. Yet I found myself watching Una Venta and asking myself why I wasn't enjoying the episode as much as usual. Heres hoping that it'll prove its worth by contributing to the overall story, and that Kurt Sutter and his writers can get back on track with an otherwise strong fourth season. ____________ Best Bit: Potters sardonic meeting with a confined Otto Worst Bit: Clay and SAMCROs contradictory condemnation of the actions of SAMTAZ Quote of The Week: What are we, George and Gracie now ?!? Gemma reacts to a sarcastic Chuckie. Sons of Anarchy continues on FX (U.S) on Tuesday nights at 10pm