Sons Of Anarchy Season 7 Episode 13 Recap: The End Of The Road (Series Finale)

After seven years, we've reached the end of "Sons Of Anarchy". I thought "Papa's Goods" (along with the previous episode) did a nice job of wrapping everything up succinctly. Do you agree? Please leave your comments below.

Let's hit the highlights (in no particular order):

I Miss You Tara

Jax wakes up next to Wendy. She knows something is wrong since he's acting strangely. He goes to the storage unit and rummages through some old papers (pictures of his parents, etc) He burns everything (include his father John's manifesto and his journals) in a drum. He leaves the garage/house deeds and birth certificates for Wendy. He leaves his interest in Red Woods to the club. Jax finally visits the grave of Tara. He leaves his wedding ring on her headstone He also visits Opie's grave and leaves his SOA rings. Break all ties to the past- CHECK.

Jax goes to Barosky's shop and shoots him point blank. Then he goes to the courthouse and waits for Marks.The homeless woman we see on occasion gives him her blanket. Jax says "who are you?" I would like to know too. She just says "its time". So she is the Grim Reaper correct? She always shows up before someone dies. Jax hides under the blanket outside the courthouse and kills August as he walks by. OK I'm glad he's dead but that was pretty laughable. Are there so many homeless people there that they dont even notice him? You're not invisible ya know! Other business with the IRA and other clubs is cleared up and there are more deaths (but I dont really care about that stuff). Kill rest of enemies- CHECK.

Jax tells Nero the truth about what happened in Oregon. Kill mother- CHECK. Jax tells Nero he's going away. We all know what that means. Jax does not want his sons to grown up around the motorcycle club. I will take this moment to point out that Jax is leaving his sons with a drug addict and an ex-pimp (so I'm not sure how much of a better life they'll have). Jax says goodbye to Thomas and Abel. That was a heartbreaking scene. Say goodbye to boys and make sure they're taken care of- CHECK.

Jax visits Patterson and tells her the specifics of what happened (the Chinese did not kill Tara, etc) and where to find Gemma and Unser's bodies. Come clean to the police- CHECK.

In related news we see that Jarry and Chibs have broken up. Chibs threatens her. I never really believed those two as a couple anyway. Tig and Venus share a quiet moment. I really enjoyed the Venus character but, sorry, dont buy that a hardened motorcycle gang member would get together with a transexual. I'd like to think they were more enlightened... but no. Quickly highlight other miscellaneous characters on the show- CHECK.

Remember When?

The club votes on what they should do with Jax. After a lot of soul searching they agree he should meet Mr Mayhem (ie be killed). Jax joins them in a warehouse. He takes off his presidents patch and gives to the Chibs. Chibs takes off his VP patch and gives it to Tig. The club had already previously voted in T.O. as a member (this breaking the race barrier). Leave SAMCRO in better shape than you found it-CHECK.

Instead of killing Jax, they shoot Happy in the arm (to create an alibi). Jax visits the spot on the side of the road where his father most likely committed suicide. He says he now understands his father and why he did what he did. You cant be a good father and a good outlaw at the same time. Note: he's also been riding his father's motorcycle this whole episode. Commune with dead dad one last time- CHECK.

The End Of The Road

Jax goes on a high speed chase with what appears to be the entire Charming police force behind him. I did enjoy the cinematography here (especially the crows flying overhead). Jax sees a semi coming around the corner. It's Milo driving a "Papa's Goods" truck. Remember he's the guy that gave Gemma a ride to the nursing home last week. Jax takes his hands off the motorcycle bars and outstretches them. He then drives straight into the truck. He dies on the same stretch of road as his father. And we have come full circle. Commit suicide- CHECK.

Favorite Quotes:

"I’m not a good man. I’m a criminal and a killer. I need my sons to grow up hating the thought of me.”- Jax to Nero.
"You cant be a good father and a good outlaw at the same time."- Jax.

Grade: 4 3/4 Monsters (out of 5). The ending did a nice job of wrapping everything up. Taken as a whole, I really enjoyed "Hamlet on Harleys". We got a glimpse of what it might be like inside a motorcycle gang. There were some great dramatic moments over the years. I only have two gripes with the show though (besides the super long running times).

One is the motivation behind the characters. I understand that the club means everything to these guys. I understand why they're emotional when saying goodbye to Jax (because it's final). What I dont buy is the significance of the patch ceremony (when Jax gives his patch to Chibs, who gives his patch to Tig). Seriously, you guys are a bunch of thugs and pornographers. Dont try to make it seem all noble. It's not like you're protecting the future of mankind or something.

Two is the religious imagery in this episode. We have Jax dying with outstretched arms. And Milo the truck driver yelled "Jesus" right before he hit Jax. We also have the homeless lady leaving some bread and wine after she gives Jax the blanket (which he later used to killed Marks). Jax is no savior. Even he recognizes that and says "I'm a criminal and a killer. I need my sons to grow up hating the thought of me".

But otherwise, I'm completely satisfied with the ending. It would also be fun to check in on the Teller boys in another 20 years and see what's become of them (especially since Abel seems very fond of the "Sons" ring that grandma gave him).