Anyway...
As I said in a recent post, if the season three premier retains all the viewers we picked up between seasons one and two, I will be very pleased. I'm very excited about this season of Sons. It will be a different viewing experience for fans and I hope a very satisfying one. Creatively, I feel sometimes shows fall into a trap in season three. Writers and producers often figure out what works in season one, expand on that in season two, then try to do it again in season three. Unless you're working from source material like True Blood (whose third season was fucking awesome), repeating what works, ultimately generates storylines that feel derivative and familiar. It would be very easy for me to repeat what worked in season two -- create some internal beef that provided intensity and tension within the club (Jax and Clay), bring in another big nemesis (Zobelle), throw those two conflicts at each other (Gemma's rape) and watch the blood flow. Yes, I'm sure it would be okay and people would like it. But ultimately, I would be cheating my own creative process and your dedication as well. I've learned that devoted fans are very sophisticated viewers. They know when they are being fed leftovers. Yeah, they may eat them for awhile, but eventually, they'll get bored and leave to feed on something more tasty.
As an artist, I try to stay tasty. I constantly challenge my process. To do that, you must take risks. You must be willing to move away from anything that feels like formula. That approach is in complete contrast to the way many networks think. They want familiar, they want you to repeat what worked. The adage, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, fuels the network development process. Unfortunately that philosophy is creative death and counterintuitive to generating compelling television. My favorite shows never felt derivative. The Sopranos, The Wire, Homicide, Hill Street Blues; those shows took huge risks. Some worked, some didn't, but they all expanded the scope of the show and in the long run made them better. That's my hope for Sons -- to continue to push the boundaries of the narrative, the absurdity of the world and the emotionality of the characters. I have no delusions that SOA will ever fall into the category of the above mentioned dramas, I only hope that the series never be called, "lazy".
So on this season of Sons of Anarchy, we expand beyond the emotional/geographical boundaries of Charming and our primary beefs, to divulge deeper mythological conflicts. The mythology revealed this season will serve as gasoline for the familial fires that will ultimately set our antiheroes ablaze. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I've enjoyed making it.
Please spread the word and join us on September 7th. As always, I deeply appreciate all your support.
