Summary
- Jax Teller's journey in "Sons of Anarchy" led to a tragic and poetic end with his suicide to end the cycle of violence.
- Deaths of key SAMCRO members like Clay, Opie, and Bobby showcased themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the deadly consequences of club life.
- From Juice's final betrayal to Bobby's heartbreaking end, each death in "Sons of Anarchy" further deepened the show's narrative and character arcs.
The Sons of Anarchy deaths across its seven seasons helped the show maintain its connection with the Shakespearian tale on which it was based. Created by Kurt Sutter, Sons of Anarchy premiered in 2008 and ended in 2014. It was successful from the beginning, praised for its tone, performances, and the themes it addressed, such as racism and corruption. SOA tells the story of Jax Teller, VP of the motorcycle club Sons of Anarchy, based in Charming, California.
When Jax finds a manifesto written by his late father, he goes on a personal journey that makes him question his path, role in the club, and relationships. His father’s ideas and goals for the club differed from those of the current President, Clay Morrow, which paved the way for a lot of drama and conflict inside the club, the effects of which were felt throughout the series. These conflicts came at a high price, and various members of the Sons of Anarchy MC were killed throughout the series.
Sons of Anarchy: Why Jax & Clay Both Failed As SAMCRO Leader
The Sons of Anarchy club was led by two people throughout the series: Clay Morrow and Jax Teller, and both failed as leaders. Here's why.
Kip “Half-Sack” Epps
Cameron Hayes Stabbed Him And Kidnapped Jax's Son
Kip Epps (Johnny Lewis), best known as Half-Sack, was a prospect in seasons 1 and 2 of Sons of Anarchy. Given his position in the club, he was often asked to do things the other SAMCRO members didn’t want to, such as cleaning around the clubhouse, but he also took part in many of the club’s big jobs. In season 2, he was tasked with watching over Gemma (Katey Sagal) and Tara, but Gemma left to go after Polly Zobelle.
On his way back to Jax’s home, Half-Sack was followed by Cameron Hayes, who entered the house and threatened to kill Maggie Siff's Tara and Abel, Jax’s son. As Cameron was about to kill Abel with a knife, Half-Sack jumped to stop him and was stabbed and killed by Cameron, who then took Abel with him to Ireland.
Eric Miles
Juice Killed Him To Cover For His Betrayal
Following Half-Sack’s death, three new prospects, including Eric Miles (Frank Potter), joined the club. Eric was patched into SAMCRO in season 4, and later on, he discovered that Juice (Theo Rossi) had been stealing bricks of cocaine from the warehouse. Juice attacked him, and as Eric pulled out a knife, Juice shot him in the face several times and then framed him for the theft.
Eric was stripped of his patch and excommunicated, and it wasn’t until season 6 that his name was finally cleared. Miles' death not only showcased the extent to which Juice would go to protect his own secrets but also highlighted the internal strife within SAMCRO during this period. The betrayal and tragic loss of Miles created a lasting impact on the club and underscored the dangerous consequences of unchecked ambition and deception within their ranks.