Sons of Anarchy Fallout: Kurt Sutter on Major Death, Effect on Jax
Sons of Anarchy lost one of its own last night, as Opie took a permanent one for the team when he volunteered to have his brains beaten in by The Niners in order to even up their feud with SAMCRO
Why did the FX thriller go down this dramatic path? What effect will it have on Jax?
I just got off the phone with Kurt Sutter, who offered the following explanation for this storyline and teased how its fallout will play out in Charming...
Why did Opie make this fateful decision?
"We had done so much damage to Opie and his family over the course of a few seasons," Sutter said. "And I couldn't wrap my brain around bringing him back to the table at the end of last season… and there is a sense of him having this tremendous loss. So he's thinking: 'Here's an opportunity for me to go out doing the right thing, this is how I can be of best service to my club and even to my family.'
"I wanted Opie to go out a warrior, with nobility and a sense of protecting the people [he still loves]."
How will Jax react to the loss of his best friend? That's the crux of the death, Sutter says. The show is the President's journey, after all.
"Jax needed that emotional upheaval, that one event that happens in a man's life, that can change the course of his destiny… he will be greatly influenced by the death of Opie and that loss, that emptiness will color him for the rest of the season."
Viewers can also look forward to a "new dynamic between Tig and Jax and the Pope of it all," following Jax's maneuvering to free Tig from jail.
"The betrayal [between Tig and Clay] is real. An interesting shift will take place that parallels what happened in Season 2 when Opie moved closer to Clay as a result of his riff with Jax," Sutter teased.
Finally, what does the creator have to say to fans who are still coming to terms with the loss of this favorite?
"I don't do things arbitrarily or just for shock value… yes, it's incredibly sad, but the death of Opie will color the rest of the series. It's not a death that will happen in vain...
"Of course there’ll be a sense of vengeance, something that drives our guys to retaliate, but also the emotional impact that his death will have on the rest of the characters will always be there.”
Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.
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October 10th, 2012 6:36 PM
Best show on tv and I'm in the bizz a propman this show just gets better and better hats offto everybody Opie is my favorite actor on the show from the start my wife's to but it makes the show even better is it Tuesday yet? There's nothing better then a good old ass woopen in charming.
October 10th, 2012 1:46 AM
Huh huh what we have to say here is something to finalize these recent notes and yes some Major Major seat is coming in on these also OH YEA!! HERE WE GO WILLIAM M. GAINES "BACK DOOR 42873-112" UNCLE ANDY UNDLE JOHNY AND PRODUCER KURT SUTTER ALL CRACK GONE!!
October 8th, 2012 12:27 AM
I have that Judge Freak ******** and her Gangster's out on that UZI Guy from the BOYZ N THE HOOD SPRAYING,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,2000 CHARACTERISTICS!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 28th, 2012 2:38 PM
Will Kurt ever address the way Juice ratted on the MC last season? It seem s that he sohould have died instead of Opie
September 27th, 2012 10:46 PM
well it looks as if Opie went out for his club and especially his best friend jax. I took this as a way for him to show his love for Jax after all he was not supose to go to prison anyway. he went there to protect jax and to be by his side. Opie was going through a lot anyway with the lost of his father and family he was on his way to a major break down. way to go Opie RIP.
September 27th, 2012 7:00 PM
Uh... So he says that opie did the right thing for his club and family... Uh, he has KIDS and left them with a porn star!!!! Hello, wake up this death was stupid and horrible and selfish!!!
September 27th, 2012 11:15 AM
It was a heartbreaking episode! RIP Opie! However, I was very glad to read Kurt's explanation and now that the intial shock is over I understand what he is talking about. Awesome Show...Ryan Hurst you will be missed!!
September 27th, 2012 7:34 AM
man i dont believe this!!! opie? killed off.i will have trouble wathing the rest of the series.opie was one of the stong actors.i feel this is the downward spiral of the show,happing before our very eyes.
i dont want it to but,there are alot my friends that ee it that way.
September 27th, 2012 1:16 AM
Diane or should I call you Chuck Zito? I write better with my fist but the USA hells angels hate being the paper so they fly fly fly away like frightened filthy fowl flying freaks .
Diane or whom ever you are you supporting Kurt sutter who is paying criminal gang members you may as well go along with the flock of USA hells angels freaks and enjoy harming raping molesting and murdering the women and children. When you get tired of that you can help collect and itemize the child porn with personal greetings then you can help transport it.
You are a true American patriot.
September 26th, 2012 6:55 PM
brilliant, gutsy writing kurt!! it was heartbreaking to lose opie but that kind of thing is what makes this show stand out - it's fearless and doesn't do what's popular. totally made a fan of me all over again.