Nomad no more.
The votes were tallied. Jax was given permission to leave the charter and enter club pergatory. But, Gemma had an ace up her sleeve. In what may be the most endearing scene of Sons of Anarchy to date, Gemma recounted the story of her rape.
The dramatic scene was laid out amidst a montage of images of club members and their families: Opie with his new family, Bobby hanging with the club, Chibs on the periphery feeling abandoned by his family, Tig alone looking for forgiveness for his killings and Piney staring at a gun and a drink - seemingly contemplating suicide.
When the scene ended, Jax (Charlie Hunnam) and Clay showed contrasting displays of sadness for the mother and wife they love. Jax showed anger by slamming his fist against the table, while the stolid Clay finally broke down with a tear gracing his eye. Never before have I seen Ron Perlman in such an emotional scene. Without so much as a word, he captured the audiences attention through the subtleness of his facial expressions. Every word that Gemma spoke was immediately reflected in the eyes of Jax and Clay. Hunnam and Perlman delivered a gripping performance that I couldn’t help but watch again.
For a while we’ve seen religious references to Jax as savior. In Season 2 Episode 10, “Balm,” after Jax hears the story, he doesn’t hug his mother. Instead, Jax goes up to her and takes both hands in his own and kisses her hands. The scene was reminiscent of when religious patrons kiss a Cardinal or the Pope’s hands. Gemma is SAMCRO’s leader and moral compass. To commit a crime against the Gemma is to instigate a holy war.
Jax is back in the club one-hundred percent and there will be hell to pay. When he put his hand on Clay’s shoulder, Clay grasped it with the fatherly affection he had recently forgotten. In one instant, the two tossed aside their differences to face the greater evil of Zobelle.
You’ve got to admire the writing on Sons of Anarchy. Everyone knows that Jax couldn’t go nomad. There wouldn’t be much of a show without him. The creative staff could have easily squashed the family differences after the fight in prison. They could have also had Clay say, “No, I want you to stay in the club.” But, Clay didn’t. This family healing was earned and well deserved. And, if I said it before, I’ll say it one more time: Katey Sagal deserves an Emmy. If you agree, chime in. If you don’t then you probably don’t watch Sons of Anarchy.
It touched me deeply. I have a husband and teenage son that I love more than life itself and they can be at odds. As a mother you do whatever you can to keep them close and connected. My highest applause to Gemma she did and outstanding job and I cried my eyes out.
The song at the end of episode 10 was “Mary” by Patty Griffin. I’ve been listening to it over and over since watching this excellent episode.
They all deserve emmys — Katey Sagal especially — and what was that incredible song played all the way through in the background of those last scenes of “Balm” ?? I tried to read the credits as they rolled by at the end but they were too small — the TV geniuses insist on splitting the scene at the end of most programs so you can’t read credits any more.
“Balm” was not only well-written, the acting brought it to an even higher plane of excellence. Bravo!
This episode was fantastic. I laughed. I cried. Just evoked a whole spectrum emotions. The next episode is sure to be bloody. Hands down the best show on television. Katey Sagal undoubtably deserves an Emmy.
Did Chibs fuckin turn pidgeon? That’s wack! They need to go over his history with his wife and kid and all that shit because i dont see why he’s giving up all everything to help em when it looks like she dicked him over.
final see was hotness. str8 hotness. Katey gets an Emmy from me any day.