Sons of Anarchy

Hamlet (there is everything; mother whisperer Gertrude/Gemma, uncle-poisoner Claudius/Clay, Ophelia/Tara, Hamlet/Jax himself and the talking ghost in the form of Dad's diary and all the people/gang around (perhaps only Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are absent) incorporated into the world and the business plan of the criminal biker "like Hells Angels" gang? Why not, especially when by doing so, the FX station is making a substitute for their already finished The Shield (still the roughest and, after all, the best crime movie ever) in the form of a harsh crime movie with tough guys, with the only difference that it is captured from the other side of the barricade. So far, on paper it looks good and pure. If they combine it with the wars of the Irish-Mexican-Nazi gangs, carefree motorcycle "live free" ignoring everything lifestyle, outsmarting official authorities or problems with arms smuggling, it looks damn good. The problem, however, is that it often really only looks good but it should have been good more often. The reason is the absurdly over-the-top macho roughness and cheap effort to shock at all costs. While in other series similar patterns of character behavior can be understood, but not necessarily approved, they cannot even be understood here. The characters do what the screenwriter want them to do, i.e. be harsh, shocking, and raw no matter what the situation they are in or what is really going on. Mostly you don't believe that the character would behave like that. You will think they are just pretending. And it's not just about those bikers, but about everyone; typically a female agent from the first series. She is so rough in a way that says nothing about the character and is such not because the circumstances would make her so, but purely because, according to the writers, this is the way how a rough woman behaves in the world of rough men. Simply put, you can watch but it gives you nothing. However, the cast is excellent and they do their best to portray shallow characters. Is often seen that the concept itself is good and stimulating and that if it had been better grasped, it could have been exactly what it is trying to be. Of course, there are also moments when it is exactly what it is trying to be. But when it soon starts pretending again, you will be disappointed. S1 3/5: (under) The average essence of all the above problems, which is partially made up for by an excellent trio of final episodes. These episodes give us some hope that it would not be a waste of time in the future. However, the first season is rather a waste of time. (26/11/2014)

If I had to kick off my thoughts on this biker series, I’d start by saying I’m definitely not cut out to be a biker. I mean, I have no desire to be that guy who hooks up with sketchy people, thinking he’s tough just because he’s rocking leather pants hot enough to fry eggs and a denim vest that doesn’t even close. But I think the real issue here is that that lifestyle seems exclusive to the Sons of Anarchy crew. And honestly, that explains a lot. (12/05/2011)