Sons of Anarchy’s Darkest Jax Teller Episode Is Still a Masterpiece From Start to Finish

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Throughout its run, the main character of Sons of Anarchy went through many difficult times, especially towards the end of the series. The show intentionally mirrored the tragedy of Hamlet, and Jax Teller’s storyline was one of the most emotionally challenging ever shown on television. As a tragic story, his struggles reached their peak with the death of his wife, Tara.

The darkness within Jax wasn’t a late-season development; he was born with a capacity for it and quickly discovered his talent for it. We first see hints of how far he’d go for those he loves in Season 1, when something precious to him was at risk. The eighth episode of the first season, “The Pull,” is a particularly well-written example of how destructive love can be.

“The Pull” Was a Game-Changer for Sons of Anarchy

Having first gained experience on The Shield, writer Kurt Sutter wanted to create a new show based on the complex family relationships in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This led to Sons of Anarchy, which followed Jax Teller, a conflicted Vice President of a motorcycle club, as he searched for meaning. Starring Charlie Hunnam as the good-hearted biker, the series captivated audiences for seven seasons.

While not as dark as The Shield, Sons of Anarchy dealt with difficult issues like sexual assault, murder, and corruption. The series immediately focused on Jax, who was anxious about the upcoming birth of his son with his former partner, Wendy, who struggled with drug addiction. Things became even more complicated when Tara Knowles, Jax’s high school sweetheart and the woman he always loved, unexpectedly returned home as a doctor specializing in newborn care.

The initial episodes carefully established the complicated relationships between the characters, including the queen mother figure within the motorcycle club. She was a harmful influence on Jax, and deeply disliked Tara, seeing her as a threat. These tensions simmered in the background until Episode 8, “The Pull,” which brilliantly brought all the season’s conflicts to a head in a truly memorable hour of television.

The first part of the episode focused on Jax’s personal struggles. He was finally able to hold his son, Abel, after the baby had spent months in the hospital’s incubator. At the same time, Jax risked his safety to earn money for the club, while also dealing with disapproval from his stepfather and others.

The latest episode of “The Pull” took a shocking turn when Tara was attacked shortly after Jax visited her. Tara had been worried for weeks about her dangerous ex-boyfriend, Josh Kohn, who also works for the ATF, and her fears came true. Kohn waited until Jax was gone before trapping Tara inside her home.

Tara narrowly escaped an attack and immediately called Jax for help. When he arrived, the situation spiraled out of control, and Jax impulsively killed Kohn. While Jax had previously used violence to protect the club, this act felt different. It offered no benefit to anyone and drastically altered the course of his life. Driven by intense anger, he killed the man who threatened Tara, without considering the repercussions. This single moment set Jax on a destructive path that ultimately led to his downfall.

Sons of Anarchy’s Season 1 Episode Was Incredibly Risky

Generally, Sons of Anarchy followed a pretty standard crime drama formula, with occasional edgy scenes, but it usually played it safe for television. However, the creators recognized this season would be a turning point and took a big risk with this particular episode.

The final act of the episode largely consisted of a single, lengthy scene featuring strong performances from Jay Karnes and Maggie Siff, who played Kohn and Tara. In the episode’s DVD commentary, creator Noah Sutter admitted he wasn’t sure if this extended scene would work, especially coming after so much continuous action.

The showrunner explained they were facing a high-stakes situation: the episode would either be a complete failure, feeling disjointed and broken, or it would succeed. Thankfully, it turned out to be a powerfully written episode that explored the characters’ deepest insecurities. The actress, Siff, admitted it was difficult to watch, as it mirrored her own struggles for survival.

When Kohn threatened to attack, Tara quickly tried to calm him down by pretending to agree with his desires. She acted like she was reconsidering a relationship with him, all to avoid being hurt. This showed a sharp change in Tara, as she became focused and determined to survive the situation.

Filming the intense confrontation took six hours, including two hours of rehearsal. While the scene’s length contributed to the time, the emotional weight was significant for both the actors, Karnes and Siff, who brought their theater experience to the roles. The scene unfolded with Tara, wounded and partially dressed, having just shot Kohn to protect herself. This immediately angered Jax, but when he overheard Kohn verbally abusing Tara while she was injured, he lost control. Fueled by rage over Tara’s suffering, Jax immediately killed Kohn.

Despite his swift reaction, this was different. This murder stemmed from raw emotion, not a calculated business decision, and Jax understood he’d crossed a point of no return. The intensity of the moment also forged a surprising connection between the two characters involved.

The shared trauma of the event brought Jax and Tara together, leading to them becoming physically intimate near Kohn’s body. This marked their first time together since Tara’s return and deeply shaped their relationship throughout the rest of the series.

Jax Was Always Meant to Be Tragic in Sons of Anarchy

Jax consistently acted as the show’s villain, and his behavior ultimately led to his downfall. The events in “The Pull” were the first sign of a troubling pattern. The key takeaway from that episode is understanding how far Jax would go to protect Tara. While the first season didn’t delve deeply into Jax and Tara’s past, it was clear their relationship was extremely passionate. That passion didn’t fade over time—it grew into something dangerous, even leading to murder. Tara Knowles was Jax’s biggest weakness.

Jax was fiercely protective of Tara, even willing to kill to keep her safe. Although he briefly pushed her away, claiming it was for her own good, he couldn’t stay apart when she was truly in danger. The fact that Tara was taken hostage ultimately ended any distance between them, solidifying their relationship permanently.

Tara’s death tragically sealed the destinies of both her and Jax. Her dedication to Jax and their children led to a heartbreaking end, and it felt like a fitting, though devastating, conclusion to the series – a core reason why Sons of Anarchy remains a tragic story. Kurt Sutter explained to TV Line that this choice was intended to be the catalyst for Jax’s ultimate journey.

Sutter wanted to take away Jax’s guiding principles, believing he needs a significant internal change. We’ll see where that leads him in the next season. The question is, what happens to someone like Jax now that he’s lost the two people who kept him grounded – Opie and Tara – and is completely on his own for the final season.

Looking back, it’s heartbreaking to see how Jax changed after Tara was gone. He really spiraled, and I think it’s because she was the one who kept him grounded. Without her moral center, he was easily led astray, especially when he found out the truth about her death – that it wasn’t a random act of violence, but something far more personal and connected to his own family. It wasn’t just grief; he was manipulated into believing a false narrative about what happened, and that really broke him.

Jax misused the information he had, and it caused him to lose control. The show’s ending felt inevitable, solidifying the tragic path he was on. His relationship with Tara was always marked by violence, making a happy outcome impossible.

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2026-01-19 03:16