‘Sons of Anarchy': Full speed ahead, with a look back

Tony Maglio
Cast member Katey Sagal (R) speaks next to co-star Charlie Hunnam at a panel for the television series "Sons of Anarchy" during the FX portion of the Television Critics Association Summer press tour in Beverly Hills, California August 2, 2013. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

By Tony Maglio LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "Sons of Anarchy" returns Tuesday night with a bang — and it's not just kickback from a SAMCRO bike. We won't spoil the details, but it will be an episode that's going to be talked about. "This is a story that is not being done to be sensational," showrunner Kurt Sutter said at a summer's Television Critics Association panel. "I'm hoping that it's not spoiled and it's not leaked out in any capacity before the premiere, and that it is truly the catalyst for the final act of our morality play." But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's catch up on where the show left off. In the season 5 finale, SAMCRO's president, Jax (Charlie Hunnam), and Tig (Kim Coates) killed Oakland drug kingpin Damon Pope (Harold Perrineau). But dirty deeds didn't stop with a shot to the brain. The duo was also able to successfully frame Jax's stepfather, Clay (Ron Perlman), for the crime with a little help from Juice (Theo Rossi). Throw in some fraudulent testimony from Jax's mother Gemma (Katey Sagal), and you've got yourself an arrest. When SAMCRO's vice president, Bobby (Mark Boone Junior), figured out the real story, he left his V.P. patch on the table. Meanwhile, Jax's old lady and the mother of his children, Tara (Maggie Siff), was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder. Looking ahead to season 6, viewers will witness a politically uncontested Jax attempt to rebuild his club, moving away from the cycle of violence and greed that has been tearing it apart from the inside. That doesn't mean there won't be any violence. A glance at the season teaser shows that not everything in Charming is charming. Cast-wise, Jimmy Smits (who plays escort-agency proprietor Nero Padilla) will return for Season 6, this time as a series regular. Donal Logue (who plays former U.S. marshal Lee Toric) is expected to be in 5 episodes this coming season. Beyond familiar faces in new(ish) places, one evermore present mug will be participating heavier on-camera, though not on the show. Sutter's after-show, "Anarchy Afterword," will play out three times this year. It will debut following the premiere episode, air once more during the season, and wrap up after the season 6 finale. The "Sons" talk show will feature Sutter, cast members and other Hollywood types. It is being hosted by Chris Franjola ("Chelsea Lately"), and Sutter hopes that it will expand next season. The "Sons of Anarchy" season 6 premiere airs Tuesday on FX at 10 p.m.