S07.E07: Greensleeves

[missy jo]

Was it in any way vague enough that Gemma could somehow believe that she did so accidentally?

 

She did it because she was under the false impression that Tara ratted, so it was an "accident."

 

I admit I was pleasantly surprised that it was Devil Child Abel who overheard Gemma's confession, because at least it wasn't predictable, but I don't look forward to the worst child actor ever becoming a bigger part of the story. If he was going to play a significant role in it, they should have gotten a better actor.

 

Thanks La Tortuga for your wrap-up of the gang wars. I read it twice, and I still don't understand why Jax is trying to take out August Marks. I've kind of given up trying to understand Jax's convoluted reasoning.

[La Tortuga]

I'm curious what Abel's school thinks of the parade of Crow Eaters who come in to pick Abel up. Technically the teachers shouldn't be releasing any of Abel's information to anyone but Jax and Abel's other legal caregiver (which I suppose must be Gemma). They probably shouldn't even be releasing Abel himself to anyone who's not on a list of adults authorized to get him. The child is obviously deeply troubled and they know he just lost his mom, so why aren't the teachers or administrators calling Jax or Gemma to talk about Abel's behavior? Isn't he in some exclusive private school where the teachers give the kids more attention because the parents pay expensive tuition, or did he wind up in public school after all? Has the school itself already come to the conclusion that Abel's family doesn't give two shits about his mental and emotional health?

 

Since Abel's anger seems to be letting itself out at school, not just around the club, I think we may see some creepy drawings coming home in his backpack now that he has some idea of what Gemma did to his mother. If Gemma's lucky, that's the worst of what he'll do. It would not surprise me if Abel was the next child to shoot up his school on this show.

[BetyBee]

 

He obviously knows that people are getting hurt and disappearing, that would explain the thing with the hammer.  Plus I think dad basically disappearing for a time right after mommy died and then you probably can't even go back into your own house because it is a bloody crime scene would be an uncommon experience for a lot of kids. Add to the fact the other people disappearing, and him probably not getting any explanation (I mean what would they tell him about what happened with Clay?) and the clubhouse that is his home away from home blowing up and that would be a lot for a little kid to process.

This.  Kids pick up on everything and no one acts normal around Abel. Even when Tara was around, she was all tense and fearful and making plans to leave and packing them up on a moment's notice and staying in a motel with them.  Then since she died (his mother that he loves DIED), he has a stream of different caretakers, whatever hooker, crow-eater or porn actress is available to make him a sandwich.  Dad is distant, Grandma is keeping her distance. His life is a disaster.  Poor kid, the one all these idiot Tellers claim to be doing everything for.  It's disgusting. 

[Lonesome Rhodes]

 

At this point I really don't understand why Jax wants to go to war with Marks.

Because he backed himself into a corner, as alluded to above by another poster.  

 

So, when would you choose to take on Marks?  Do you wait as your new allies drift away to do their own things since the current war would end?  Or, do you strike while you still have them on your side on a war footing?  Jax knows full well that SAMCRO is in no position whatsoever to handle alone what Marks can bring.  Also, Marks is only going to get stronger now.  It really is now or never for SAMCRO's survival.

[leisawoo]

I wonder if Jax will pick up little clues ... like the issue over Gemma being freaked out about going to the cabin ... and never put it together until Abel happens to say, "Grandma killed mommy, she said so." Then it hits Jax with the force of a thousand bricks and he staggers with the realization.

I really hope that's all that happens when/if Abel is the one who reveals the truth. It seems too moild for Sutter, esp. This season. So, "I've got a bad feeling about this"' if Abel is the truth speaker. I think he's the only one on the show besides Thomas, we haven't seen lie? Or is it just Thomas?

[Kel Varnsen]

I don't think Abel has every had much of a secure life. He won't remember being kidnapped as a baby, but it would have interferred with his bonding and feeling safe with his parents. He now has multiple caregivers, none of whom care about  him except Gemma and Wendy when she is around. He spends the majority of his time with hookers, junkies and Chuckie. I think he will repeat what he heard to Wendy, which will probably get her killed.

Not only has no one in Abel's family really made any effort to make him feel safe, but really when was the last time anyone tried to make him feel happy or have fun with him? Especially has dad? I think it was long before Tara died. And now it is basically just people keeping him fed and alive rather than actually caring about him and wanting him to be happy.

 

The whole cabin scene with Gemma seemed off to me. Since when does Jax order Gemma to do something without personally asking her? I also don't see why she would be all that helpful in the situation; she is far from the nurturing type. I would  think Lyla or one of the hookers would be better. Of course  it was to show Gemma breaking down, but too heavy handed.

 

 

 

The whole cabin thing was super contrived. I mean there was no real reason that Jax couldn't ask Gemma himself. And if he had to use Happy and Rat, why the secrecy? Why couldn't they just tell her why they needed her rather than the "club business stuff".  For that matter why even ask Gemma, when Wendy is a former drug addict who if I remember was working to become a drug counselor. 

 

So, when would you choose to take on Marks?  Do you wait as your new allies drift away to do their own things since the current war would end?  Or, do you strike while you still have them on your side on a war footing?  Jax knows full well that SAMCRO is in no position whatsoever to handle alone what Marks can bring.  Also, Marks is only going to get stronger now.  It really is now or never for SAMCRO's survival.

Why take on Marks at all?  It seemed a big part about going against Marks was the fact that he wanted to take out Lin against Marks's wishes and needed support from the Mayans. If Jax could use a bit of a brain why not wait until Marks is ok with taking Lin out.

[Disraeli Ears]

Biggest reason I disagree with this, Disraeli, is that I think there's exactly zero chance that Sutter is gonna let pass the opportunity to give Gemma a huge death scene. This'll be his valentine to his wife, and her Emmy reel, count on it.

Fair enough. But I could also see her being attacked/shot by someone and having a big death scene and dying with her secret (provided Juice dies first); Abel would be a wild card. Or perhaps, as she is dying, she confesses to Jax and he has no recourse.

Still, I could see Sutter purposely pissing people off by letting Gemma off. But I don't doubt he will give her plenty of time to show off beforehand.

Edited October 24, 2014 by Disraeli Ears

[larapu2000]

Did August Marks buy an iPad just to film Bobby's eyeball removal?  I mean, that's presentation, SAMCRO!

[Artsda]

I'm quite surprised they knew how to use the iPad. They don't seem like the Apple users. lol

[Lonesome Rhodes]

 

Why take on Marks at all?

Because Jax has betrayed Marks and Marks knows it.  Also, Jax knows he already promised to take the Irish guns biz away from Marks.  Sooner, or later, Marks would move to squash SAMCRO like a big on a windshield.  There is no possible way to avoid it now.  The only question is when, not if.  As quickly as Marks has already moved, Jax' decision was affirmed.  

Edited October 24, 2014 by Lonesome Rhodes

[La Tortuga]

I would like to add that "Greensleeves" is the stupidest pimp street name I have ever heard. I get the reference--Sutter beat us over the head with it. But if you assume the guy with the nickname wasn't very likely to understand the historical reference, or didn't expect most of his girls or their johns to understand it, then analyzed on its own aesthetic merit, the phrase "green sleeves" doesn't sound badass or fearsome or suave or sexy or even remotely appealing in any way. I don't understand why Jax and his guys weren't laughing just from saying it out loud.

[larapu2000]

I'm quite surprised they knew how to use the iPad. They don't seem like the Apple users. lol

 

They barely seem like flip phone users.  They can probably operate a pay phone okay.

[Kel Varnsen]

Because Jax has betrayed Marks and Marks knows it.  Also, Jax knows he already promised to take the Irish guns biz away from Marks.  Sooner, or later, Marks would move to squash SAMCRO like a big on a windshield.  There is no possible way to avoid it now.  The only question is when, not if.  As quickly as Marks has already moved, Jax' decision was affirmed.  

Oh I get that. I just think it was a really stupid play (even by SAMCRO standards) to betray Marks in the first place. And it all seems like it stemmed from the fact that he couldn't wait like a week to kill Lin. That said if there is an all out war between the Sons and Marks I totally want there to be a scene where Jax puts out a call to all of the SOA charters and there is a montage of like 100's of guys in cuts arriving in charming by bike and at the airport.

[La Tortuga]

I don't think it was *just* that Jax couldn't keep it in his pants for a week or so before killing Lin. This was also his way to broker a peace with the Mayans, with whom he'd had peaceful relations before. But yeah, largely it was probably because Jax has no patience for anyone who doesn't give him what he wants when he wants it.

[Empress1]

Not only has no one in Abel's family really made any effort to make him feel safe, but really when was the last time anyone tried to make him feel happy or have fun with him? Especially has dad? I think it was long before Tara died. And now it is basically just people keeping him fed and alive rather than actually caring about him and wanting him to be happy.

Exactly. Does Abel just get a string of normal days where he wakes up, eats, plays, eats, gets a bath and story, and goes to bed, and the same the next day? Kids need routine. It's been lockdowns and explosions and car accidents and hospital stays and secrets and tension and tears for him. The adults in his life are constantly in crisis. Kids pick up on that. His mother dying suddenly would be traumatic enough (and he said something to Gemma about "mommy going to heaven," so I guess that's how they explained it), but with everything else, damn right the kid's a mess.

(I think the actors playing him are just bad/little, but that's another story.)

[Kel Varnsen]

Exactly. Does Abel just get a string of normal days where he wakes up, eats, plays, eats, gets a bath and story, and goes to bed, and the same the next day? Kids need routine. It's been lockdowns and explosions and car accidents and hospital stays and secrets and tension and tears for him. 

I wonder what they tell him when they have a lockdown? I mean kids ask a lot of questions. And being forced to suddenly leave your home and be stuck in a weird place where there are big scary dudes with guns would be scary. Especially if no one could give you a straight answer as to why you are there, where your dad is, or when you are going home. I mean telling him the truth would be traumatizing as would any kind of fake story they could make up. Maybe that is why he never talks, like when he walked by Happy this episode.

[leisawoo]

I don't think it was *just* that Jax couldn't keep it in his pants for a week or so before killing Lin. This was also his way to broker a peace with the Mayans, with whom he'd had peaceful relations before. But yeah, largely it was probably because Jax has no patience for anyone who doesn't give him what he wants when he wants it.

And, we all know what a problem Jax has keeping it in his pants.

[Insomnia]

I'm having a hard time remembering, honestly. There has been a sad lack of male nudity as of late.

 

Yes. I'm complaining. I'm shallow and want my eye candy, dammit! I won't really care how things are resolved as long as Juice or Jax is naked, when it's resolved.

 

*splashes around*

[leisawoo]

Yeah, there would not be a problem with it, here, either. I know some like Juice but he does NOT do it for me. I think fuzzy what a colossal fuck up he is. Jax, though, is not at all required to keep it in as far as I'm concerned. I gotta say, too, I am both surprised and pleased that he hasn't gone looking for comfort sex. I guess he can be faithful to Tara's MEMORY, just not while she was actually here, lol. not sure how long that will last.

[Empress1]

I gotta say, too, I am both surprised and pleased that he hasn't gone looking for comfort sex. I guess he can be faithful to Tara's MEMORY, just not while she was actually here, lol. not sure how long that will last.

Me too. Frankly, given his tendency to turn to women for comfort when things don't go his way, I assumed he'd be boning right away. (Also I think it's fairly common to seek that kind of comfort when faced with death.) He would be boning Collette, I think, had she not gotten killed. I'm sure it's only a matter of time. We COULD get a back shot of him in the shower in the meantime though. I'm not even an ass girl, but Charlie Hunnam has a great ass.

[leisawoo]

Yes, he does. He's probably gonna blow a fuse and it will culminate in an orgy that puts the Roman orgies to shame. I will watch it, too!

[Ohwell]

I'm quite surprised they knew how to use the iPad. They don't seem like the Apple users. lol

Yeah, see, that's what's got Jax all jammed up right now--"misunderestimating" your opponent.  Seriously though, Jax was thinking he was dealing with a bunch of dumb black guys (possibly with the exception of Marks).

[shanndee]

That and Jax definitely suffers from an "I am the smartest person in this situation" mentality. He really believes that his plans are the perfect answer to whatever problem they are facing.

 

However, this time he was shown in no uncertain terms that someone else can see through his schemes and act in a way that not only blocks his play but hurts his club as well.

 

It never ceases to amaze me how he always appears surprised when his opponents don't just sit back and wait for the Sons plans to have their desired effect. At this stage he really should have figured out that others have their own plans, and putting the brakes on SoA momentum can only be good for them.

 

"Brains Before Bullets" indeed! :lol:

[NoWillToResist]

The dumbest thing Jax said tonight was “Why” when Nero said he wanted to get out of business with him.

 

Right? I mean, who wouldn't want to stick with the Sons?! It's not like they are all fucking broke, constantly in fear of their lives, losing friends and loved ones and investments....oh, wait a minute...

 

I loved it when Wendy was all "Abel's acting weird" and Gemma just goes "he'll be fiiine." I yelled at my tv: "No, he isn't fine! Are you that deluded?" So will Abel kill Grandma?

 

I screeched at the tv when I realized that Abel had overheard her. I had joked to my husband that the kid would figure it out before any of the adults! At first I thought Abel would say something to tip off Jax or Wendy, but I think it will actually be Gemma who figures out that Abel knows. That will have more narrative impact, IMO. We already know she will kill to protect herself, so what happens when the one thing she wants to keep with her (Abel) is the one thing that can take it all away from her?

 

She really did a terrific job. Her eyes seemed to drain of their color, she was so terrified. I think Gem's crumbling because she knows she a) brought all this on herself and b) what she fears more then anything is Jax seeing her for what she really is. She can't lose that last illusion of somebody worshiping her a queen. 

 

Yeah, she did a great job showing her fear and it was a good look on her. However, it kills me that no one can put the pieces together. Unser and Nero have enough now that they should be able to come to the truth. In order for Gemma to help Juice - something which was in direction opposition to her beloved club - he must have something on her. What the hell could it be? And it was so bad that she was literally in tears, thinking that if Juice told Jax, HER SON WOULD KILL HER. Considering that Tara was recently murdered and Nero scoffed at the idea that Lin was behind the hit, why can he not connect the dots???

 

Not only has no one in Abel's family really made any effort to make him feel safe, but really when was the last time anyone tried to make him feel happy or have fun with him?

 

 

Actually, quite often I've seen Chuckie (?) (guy with the fake hands) playing with the kid. So, Chuckie is on my 'I'll be ok if you live" list.

 

So Nero wants out again? Well, guess that's his death knell. Nice knowing you, dude. Too bad you stuck around for Gemma.

 

Happy demonstrates more intelligence than Jax by acknowledging that he is afraid of Gemma. :)

 

I couldn't believe that Gemma called Nero to the cabin when she thought she was going to be murdered, but didn't call him to say "nevermind, crisis averted!" when she realized she was ok.

 

Gemma's guilt is cracking her. She's talking to dead Tara, she's paranoid...she might just slip up at this rate.

Edited December 1, 2014 by NoWillToResist