The last episode of Sons of Anarchy, titled “Papa’s Goods,” ends with Jax Teller’s deliberate suicide, riding his father’s restored Harley Davidson into an oncoming semi-truck, effectively ending the cycle of violence and criminality that had plagued his family and the SAMCRO motorcycle club. This final act of self-sacrifice secures a better future for his sons, Abel and Thomas, allowing them to escape the legacy of outlaw life.
The Final Ride: A Descent into Self-Destruction and Hope
The series finale is a culmination of seven seasons of betrayal, violence, and moral compromise. Jax, having unravelled a tangled web of lies and conspiracies, realizes that the only way to truly protect his sons from the life he inherited is to remove himself completely. This isn’t a simple act of despair; it’s a calculated decision driven by a twisted sense of love and duty. The episode meticulously details the steps Jax takes to ensure his family’s safety and the club’s future before accepting his fate.
The Necessary Sacrifices
Jax begins by tying up loose ends, ensuring that the remaining enemies of SAMCRO are neutralized and that a new, more legitimate direction is established for the club. He orchestrates the killing of August Marks, eliminates Jury White (who was responsible for the death of his father figure, Piney Winston), and ultimately, confesses to all his crimes to DA Tyne Patterson, thereby absolving SAMCRO of any future culpability linked to his actions. This confession necessitates his death, as the Grim Bastards, now under SAMCRO charter, are contracted to carry out his execution.
A Promise of a Different Future
Before his final ride, Jax visits Wendy and his sons, offering a heartfelt goodbye. He entrusts them to Nero Padilla, a former gangster who represents the possibility of a better, more honest life. This scene is particularly poignant, underscoring Jax’s desire for his children to escape the darkness that has consumed his own life. He leaves Abel with John Teller’s manuscript, “The Life and Death of Sam Crow: How the Sons of Anarchy Lost Their Way,” a stark warning against repeating the mistakes of the past.
The Embrace of Fate
The final scene is visually powerful. Jax, wearing his father’s original kutte, rides John Teller’s restored motorcycle, a symbolic return to his roots and a final embrace of his destiny. The wide shots of the open road juxtaposed with the approaching semi-truck create a sense of both impending doom and liberation. As he rides towards the truck, he smiles, suggesting a sense of peace and acceptance. The death is not glorified; it is depicted as a tragic consequence of a life lived in violence.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Finale
Q1: Why did Jax kill himself instead of going to prison?
Jax chose suicide for several reasons. Firstly, he believed it was the only way to definitively break the cycle of violence that had plagued his family and SAMCRO. Prison wouldn’t guarantee his sons’ safety or the club’s reformation. Secondly, his confession to DA Patterson meant he would likely face a long prison sentence, keeping him within the criminal justice system and potentially making him a target. Finally, he felt responsible for the deaths and destruction caused by his actions and believed death was the only fitting punishment. He wanted to be sure SAMCRO could become legitimate after his death.
Q2: What happens to Abel and Thomas after Jax’s death?
Abel and Thomas are left in the care of Wendy Case, Jax’s ex-wife, and Nero Padilla, who has become a father figure to them. Nero promises to take them far away from Charming, giving them a chance to grow up outside the influence of SAMCRO and the outlaw lifestyle. The hope is that they will have a normal upbringing, free from the violence and criminality that characterized their father’s life.
Q3: Does SAMCRO become legitimate after Jax’s death?
The possibility of SAMCRO becoming legitimate is left somewhat ambiguous. Jax orchestrates a power shift within the club, with Chibs Telford taking over as President and Tig Trager serving as Vice President. He also ensures that the club terminates its contract with the IRA, removing a significant source of its illicit activities. While the finale doesn’t explicitly show SAMCRO transitioning into a legitimate business, Jax’s actions lay the groundwork for a future where the club can move away from its criminal past.
Q4: What is the significance of Jax riding his father’s motorcycle at the end?
Riding John Teller’s motorcycle is a powerful symbol of Jax’s acceptance of his fate and his connection to his father’s legacy. The motorcycle represents the cycle of violence and the burden of the Teller family’s history. By riding it into his death, Jax is both embracing and ending that cycle. It also signifies his acknowledgment that he has become the man his father warned against, driven by violence and vengeance.
Q5: What happened to Tara’s sons from her first marriage?
Tara Knowles, Jax’s wife, had no biological children from a previous marriage. She only had two children with Jax: Abel and Thomas Teller. Perhaps you’re confusing the storyline with another show!
Q6: What was the meaning of the woman Jax sees at the end of the show?
The woman Jax encounters on the road before his death, resembling the homeless woman who appeared throughout the series, is interpreted by many viewers as an angel of death or a symbol of the inevitable consequences of his actions. She offers him a piece of bread and wine, mirroring the Christian sacrament of Communion, suggesting a final offering of grace or absolution before his death. Her presence reinforces the theme of fate and the inescapable consequences of choices.
Q7: How did Chibs become the President of SAMCRO?
Jax meticulously planned Chibs’ ascension to President. He knew that Chibs was the most level-headed and loyal member of SAMCRO, someone who could be trusted to lead the club towards a more legitimate future. With Jax’s imminent death, he orchestrated the necessary votes within the club, ensuring that Chibs would take the helm and guide SAMCRO in a new direction. Chibs also has a close working relationship with Tig who will serve as his Vice President.
Q8: What happens to Unser in the finale?
Wayne Unser, the former Chief of Police and a longtime protector of Jax and SAMCRO, is killed by Jax in the penultimate episode. Unser attempts to arrest Jax to prevent him from killing Gemma, Jax’s mother, who confessed to murdering Tara. Jax, however, sees Unser as an obstacle to his revenge and makes the difficult decision to kill him, solidifying his descent into darkness.
Q9: What is the significance of the raven imagery throughout the series?
Ravens are a recurring symbol in Sons of Anarchy, often associated with death, fate, and the consequences of violence. They serve as a visual reminder of the dark undercurrent that runs throughout the series and foreshadow tragic events. In the finale, the raven appears again, reinforcing the sense of impending doom and the inevitability of Jax’s fate. The raven follows Jax to his death.
Q10: How did Gemma die?
Gemma Teller-Morrow, Jax’s mother, is killed by Jax himself in the penultimate episode after confessing to murdering Tara. This act of patricide is the final catalyst that pushes Jax towards his self-destructive path. Gemma’s death represents the complete unraveling of the Teller family and the tragic consequences of their involvement in the outlaw life.
Q11: What was the role of the IRA in SAMCRO’s activities?
The IRA (Irish Republican Army) was a significant partner in SAMCRO’s illicit activities, primarily dealing in firearms and other contraband. Their relationship was mutually beneficial, providing SAMCRO with a reliable source of income and the IRA with access to the American market. However, this alliance also brought SAMCRO into a web of international intrigue and further entangled them in the world of organized crime. Jax severed ties with the IRA prior to his death.
Q12: What is the overarching theme of the Sons of Anarchy finale?
The overarching theme of the Sons of Anarchy finale is redemption through sacrifice. Jax’s self-sacrifice is an attempt to break the cycle of violence and criminality that has defined his life and the lives of his family members. He chooses to die so that his sons can have a better future and SAMCRO can potentially move towards a more legitimate path. The finale explores the complexities of morality, the consequences of violence, and the lengths to which a parent will go to protect their children.