The most exciting part of this episode was the bit at the very end where we got to see scenes from the next one. For an episode that hit somewhere around 14 hours long, it sure did leave chunks of important elements out.
We were shown a living, breathing, seemingly unharmed Gemma walking alone in the middle of deserted nowhere. Now, I didn't think Juice would kill her. No one thought Juice would kill her. That's not how television writing works; they're going to drag that morsel out. However, I spent the rest of the episode waiting for a flashback scene showing why or how Gemma got away completely unscathed, and got no more than a throwaway line about Juice not being able to pull the trigger. Well, yea, OBVIOUSLY.
Actually, I must correct myself. Perhaps "completely unscathed" isn't the right set of words to describe Gemma's current outcome. She did end up in a diner having a full blown conversation with the air. It seemed profound. It also lead to the introduction of GLEE's Lea Michele (who did not sing or even hum a little). She played Gertie, a cigarette smoking waitress with a heart of gold and apparently no sense of Stranger Danger at all. Maybe I'm just a terrible person, but I don't think I'd offer to let some grumpy-turned-apologetic stranger sleep in the back of my car. Yea sure, here's where I leave the keys, have at it. You were passed out in one of my booths, so clearly you just need a cat nap. NOPE.
Jax. Jax, Jax, Jax, Jax, Jax, Jax, JAX. Ugh. He is working with EVERYONE. I don't even understand it anymore. The Mayans, The Grim Bastards, The Niners, The Nazis, The Lollipop Guild. He's running around Charming making deals with all these different gangs, while killing members of other gangs; no one seems too bothered. Well, technically the Nazis aren't too pumped about working with those who have associated with others of Color. This is not the life Dr. Huxtable wanted to for you, Theo (Malcolm Jamal Warner). But even the Nazis get over it. They could all just merge at this point; become an LLC or something; rent office space. I'm not quite sure how deals are made with someone who makes no secret about turning on people. They're all so paranoid and yet unashamedly trusting. It makes no sense.
The best scene was Juice driving around in Gemma's SUV, sucking on a Blow Pop he got from a convenience store he robbed. He went to The Mayans to see if he could exchange information on SAMCRO for safe passage to Mexico. So now Juice is a rat and we can't help but sneer at that a little. Where's the loyalty, Juice? I was rooting for you. We were all rooting for you! In TV and film, it's often so easy to label someone a traitor, but why should he hold his SAMCRO allegiance anyway? If I had gone through the emotional rollercoaster, he had been through, I'm not sure I would've lasted much longer. You hear that everyone? Don't let me join your gang. The minute you threaten my life and/or tell me I should eat my own gun, I'll turn on you.
But no worries, because The Mayans turned on Juice. Ooo! They brought Jax and his boys to where Juice was waiting and there was an exchange of meaningful glances. Jax was angry. Juice was Bambi eyed. They took his cut (his MC vest) and it was sad. Seriously though, homesickness and longing for family aside, why was he still wearing that thing? The Mayans tossed Juice into a closet to hang out with Nero, who they had temporarily kidnapped while they waited to see if they could mend fences with SAMCRO. Nero has a habit of asking questions without any follow up ones. This could've been Juice's moment to expose Gemma, but instead - BECAUSE HE'S REALLY NOT A RAT - he didn't. After The Mayans and SAMCRO hugged it out and the SAMCRO fellas were gone, The Mayans released Nero who was mostly all "Bye Felicia!" to Juice. He did find out that Juice had arrived in Gemma's car though which lead to a few more questions, with no follow up. He did figure out that Gemma had been helping Juice and told her that he was now with Jax. Gemma looked like she was going to puke, and that was pretty great.
Other things happened, too; millions of other things because they had to take up hours of my life. Unser got Gemma to tell Jarry what she "saw" the night of Tara's arrest. Then she told Unser to take his cancer and his home on wheels off her property. Bobby (Mark Boone Junior) got Wendy to admit that she was still in love with Jax and assured her that there was still hope. Chibs let us know that after a night with him, he deserves thanks for his sexual prowess. Marilyn Manson popped up here and there. I wonder if he'll get to stand in an episode.
Scenes from the next episode show Gemma looking really freaked out and Jax handing Juice back his cut. It could be playful editing though; Kurt Sutter just toying with my need for retribution. Maybe Jax was just involved in a cruel game of Keep Away.
What did you think of Rachel Berry's SOA turn? Let me know in the comments below.
Get a sneak peek at next week's episode titled 'Greensleeves' below:
Photo Credit: FX
