Parenthood & Sons of Anarchy

Parenthood's season premier made me remember both what I like and dislike about this show.  I think the show is a great family drama, and it has a lot of heart.  That's what I like.  What I dislike is that, if this was my family, I would have run away and never looked back.  There's so much chaos, emotional baggage, and tension mixed in with all the love. 

I also have a really difficult time remembering everyones' names, even after watching all of last season.  The cast is so large, and I may not care enough to have learned their names.  It's not that I don't care about their individual arcs, but for me it's more about the family collective.  Wow, as I read this, I wonder why I watch this show at all!  I started watching because I love many of the cast, and keep coming back because the family pulls me in.  But, it is the family as a whole, not one member or another.  I am glad Adam admitted to Sarah that he basically stole her idea, and gave her a job as a result.  I am also glad Zeek and Camille are in counselling and he is trying to be more engaged with her, and with his whole family.  And yes, I did have to look up all their names!

Sons of Anarchy's second episode of season 3 didn't disappoint.  I do have one issue with the show this year, and I am afraid it's going to be a continuing issue all season.  I am having a really difficult time understanding the Irish accents on the show, especially Jimmy O's.  Titus Welliver is doing a fantastic job with the accent,, but it may be too good, because there are times it is nearly unintelligible.  I had to watch it twice specifically concentrating on the Irish scenes.  A friend of mine is using closed captioning for the scenes with the Irish characters!

Tara and Jax still aren't communicating:  She didn't know he was being released from jail, he didn't know she beat the stuffing out of the hospital HR rep last season and asked for a leave of absence in this ep.  He also said she shouldn't go to Gemma, and they had to finish their conversation, and the minute he left, she headed to Gemma's aid.

Speaking of that, as soon as Nate saw Tig and his caregiver going at it, I knew Tig was going to end up getting shot.  I would have been shocked at any other outcome.  I actually expected Nate to shoot Tig in the ass instead of the shoulder!

I think SoA is doing something unexpected and fairly unprecedented this season, and I am really enjoying it.  It's great storytelling, going in an entirely different direction than last year, and I appreciate what they are doing.  I think spending time in Ireland, with the IRA element, exploring that life and the connection between the IRA and Samcro is a really interesting path to explore.

Next week two of my favorites come together in a collision of pure awesome.  SoA, my favorite drama on television right now, and Stephen King, my favorite author of all time!  Yes, Stephen King is doing a guest cameo next week, and I absolutely cannot wait.