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Sons of Anarchy returns Tuesday, September 11 – in case it is somehow possible that you care and you did not yet know. If you don’t care, The Aging Rebel’s annual review of Sons of Anarchy returns Wednesday, September 12. Most people find the review offensive, lame and ill-informed but some people enjoy it, too.
Sons of Anarchy, for those of you who have internet access but not basic cable, is an homage to the motorcycle outlaw ethos. That philosophy of life can probably be best summarized by the Hollywood logline: “Fuck you. I do what I want. Try to stop me.” Of course, because this is the basic cable television program that saved FX, it is much, much more than an attitude like that. Like, for one thing the show modestly compares itself to Hamlet. In this version Peg Bundy plays Gertrude, Hellboy plays Claudius and Nathan Maloney from the groundbreaking Queer As Folk portrays the ambivalent and conflicted Prince.
Suh-Suh-Suh-Uns?
The show is a ratings beast. Last seasons’ premiere episode was the highest rated hour in the history of FX which is impressive when you consider the network has been around since 1994 and only slightly less impressive if you know the network has only been airing original programming since 2002. Beast or not, last year’s ratings weren’t good enough so everybody connected in any way to this phenomena has been beating the old jungle drums for weeks.
Last Sunday two members of the cast named Theo Rossi and Kim Coates (think Rosencrantz and Ophelia) led a pack of real bikers from suburban Los Angeles to less suburban Los Angeles in the Boot Campaign’s Boot Ride and Rally. The ride was intended to benefit returning veterans. It was followed by a pep rally for the television show.
Hellboy, who rode to the rally in his car, explained that the Boot Campaign, “builds awareness for our boys who go out and sacrifice everything for us. This is a phenomenal opportunity for us to show our gratitude.” In this reimagining of Hamlet, Hellboy interprets Claudius as a Vietnam Vet so everyone knows his words were heartfelt.
Ophelia said, “It was good, other than hanging out with (Hellboy). (The ride) was fantastic. Any time we ride it’s a good day at work. It’s all about the ride, and we don’t ride enough on this show.”
Then in Scene 2 Polonius asked, “What do you read, my lord?” And Hamlet answered,
Words, Words, Words
Aware that FX’s target demographic is less moved by mere words than by newer, hotter, more happening media like video teaser clips the network has been releasing clips like that by the handful. So those few who came here looking for words will have to wait until September 12. If you just came here for the clips this is your lucky day. Here. Enjoy.
