Sorry in advance if this review / recap is a little disjointed, only caught up with the series last night.
Review Guide:
Episode 7.08 The Separation of Crows - Review
Episode 7.09 What a Piece of Work Is Man - Review
Episode 7.10 Faith and Despondency - Review
Episode 7.11 Suits of Woe - Review
Episode 7.12 Red Rose - Review
Episode 7.13 Papa's Goods (Series Finale) - Review
Farewell Article - Series Review - Best Moments
Sons Of Anarchy - Separation of Cows
Last week we saw a confession from Gemma about her killing of Tara overheard by her Grandson Abel. We also had fan favorite Bobby captured, and one of his eyes removed to send Jax a message. Coming on the heels of such a great episode last week, you would expect for some more further shocking developments in this installment, but sadly for us the episode was merely covering the same ground, probably trying to save the best for the series finale which I am sure will be a bloodbath. This episode felt more a filler episode than anything else, which is crazy as the episode was 90 minutes long, and you would expect it to be an action packed episode, but it wasn't. With only 5 episodes left, you really wouldn't have expected the slow pacing.
The episode kicked off with our SAMCRO leader Jax reflecting on recent events. All the betrayals, and more notably Bobby's kidnapping. The episode begins in Sons of Anarchy fashion with a neat little tune leading us into the episode "All Along The Watchtower", was the song overhauling Jax sitting on the rooftop reflecting on recent developments. At this point Jax sitting on rooftops is familiar territory, he has been doing it for seasons now.
Things also get worse for Bobby after Jax underestimates Marks terms, by not agreeing to them in full,which ultimately results in Bobby losing his fingers. Jax really needs to stop with this, he still thinks he is in control, well he isn't. Normally he would have Bobby telling him what the right decision to make is, but now that person is gone he is making all the wrong decisions. I do fear now for Bobby, I don't know how much of him will be left by the end of the next episode, if anything. Over the seasons, Jax has made a lot of hasty decisions for the sake of the club, but I think this season every decision he has made has been the wrong one. Jax has become a loose canon, other people are paying for his bad decision making. This is the first time in seven seasons I am going to say this, but I think Jax now deserves to die.
Elsewhere, after overhearing Gemma say to Thomas that she is to blame for Tara's death Abel's behavior is becoming erratic. This episode is another example of just how bad he is getting. His latest outburst comes at school where he decides to hit a boy over the head with a metal lunchbox. It is clear that hearing what really happened is having a major effect on him, and I just hope someone will pay attention or Abel will tell his dad what he heard so Jax can deal with it as its not a burden a young boy should have. I did like how though Gemma got all defensive when Ms Harrison claimed that it's probably her who Abel gets his aggression from. I was actually laughing so much at this, mainly because it's true. Gemma has been shouting, loosing her temper in front of the kids for years now so its no wonder they picked up a thing or two. Had Tara still been alive today Abel would most likely be his normal self and wouldn't throw multiple temper tantrums, and would not display other violent tendencies. Gemma saw to that. Clearly by the end of the series or I'm hoping the next few episodes Abel will reveal what he has heard to someone or he may do something that puts blame on Gemma. I may go as far to say he could end up killing Gemma. (It's a bit strange saying a child could do this).
We also had Juice trying to make his way to Henry Lin to prove to SAMCRO that he is still on their side. Lin is being held in isolation in Stockton prison. When Juice meets with the sheriff to try to arrange a deal, that will get him closer to Lin so he can kill him, he promises information about the club to the sheriff. Wayne is none the wiser, and saw straight through Juice; he now is questioning his suspicions about Gemma even more. Even if Unser thinks Gemma is guilty of something he wont pursue it or he will and she will lie, and he will believe her like he typically does. I am fully expecting her to be found out though in the end, and I wouldn't be surprised if her name will be added to the death toll for the series. Gemma has deserved to die for seasons now, her control issues, and her personality are not nice parts of her. She makes irrational decisions without thinking, and they always end up coming back to haunt her, I think her killing Tara will become another thing that will haunt her.
Favorite Quotes
"This is about war and maybe tomorrow, next month, maybe ten years from now someone wearing a Reaper will cut your heart out"
“How could I not see this coming?”
“Next time I’ll make sure you’re the one he slams with a lunchbox.”
“It’s not like I got any hobbies…except waiting to die.”
As always , thank you for reading! Let me know in the comments what you thought of the episode!