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Friday, May 14, 2010

REDWOOD ORIGINAL AND BELFAST, SOME MYTHOLOGY



By now, most folks know we are doing an Irish storyline this season.  I won't spoil anything with details but I wanted to share some mythology with fans.  This is information that has either already come out through character or will be alluded to this season.  Again, it's nothing that will spoil your viewing but if you are reading my blog, or reaching out to me on Facebook or Twitter, it gives you some inside dope others won't have.  And I'm sure I don't have to say this, but just for the folks in legal -- the following mythology is not based on real events or facts.  It is all a machination of my disturbed little mind.  Any likeness or similarities to real events or people is purely fucking coincidental.

Gemma, Jackson and Thomas Teller were all born with the family flaw.  Varying degrees of congenital heart disease, CHD.  Jax's condition was very minor and he eventually outgrew his issue.  Although he needs to be aware of his genetic predisposition for heart disease, it's nothing that impacts his day-to-day life.  Such is the case with Gemma as well.  Thomas was not that lucky.  Jax's younger brother was born in distress, his CHD was much more serious.  (Abel was also born with CHD, but his condition, like Jax, is minor.  Abel's birth distress was due to the Gastroschisis - intestines are outside of the body - an unfortunately common occurrence of children born of drug-addicted mothers).

Thomas' childhood was a series of tests, treatments and hospital stays.  Not only did it have an emotional toll on John and Gemma, it created a huge financial burden as well.  Up until that point, the Redwood Original charter had been involved in some illegal enterprises, but not guns.  A member of the First Nine, McGee, was born and raised in Belfast.  He knew that the IRA was looking for distribution to the states.  Both McGee and Clay convinced John that assembling, customizing and selling guns could be a lucrative enterprise.  John, desperate and already slightly broken, agreed.  An Irish Catholic by birth, John Teller went to Belfast and made a deal with the Irish Republican Army.  And so the gun business was born.

McGee stayed in his homeland and began the Belfast charter of the Sons of Anarchy.  Sons of Anarchy Belfast (Sam Bell) became a mercenary arm of the IRA.

89 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love this Kurt. The background info to the plot is really appreciated. Can't wait for Season 3... Long Live SAMCRO...

Rob Estoker said...

Very cool story line. You have done such an awesome job on this show !!! Keep up the great work !!!

Anonymous said...

I'm so looking forward to season 3!! And that Sam Bell thing sounds great!!

Thank you for creating such an amazing show, as an aspiring writer I hope someday I can create something as good as SoA

Kellie said...

Thanks for the input....I love the Irish storyline...Can't wait to see what happens with Able.
Love the show and can't wait for the new season!

Chief said...

Good post Sutter. Thanks for the background.

TrudiBeachGirl said...

Thanks for sharing this insight, as well as your other opinions on things. Didn't think I could be, but I'm even more excited for Season 3.

Unknown said...

SOA is definitely the best show on television and this syopsis just shows your brilliance in writing. I can't wait for season 3. Kurt Sutter for president!

BreeK said...

Thanks for this! Love it when you give any additional insight into the show or how you think, even with your "disturbed little mind". SOA is my favorite show these days, and Ireland is my passion, so to bring the two together gives me an extra treat in watching an already awesome show!

Lilac Cerilisne said...

It sounds like another exciting season. You are doing such a great job with this show that I hope there will be more seasons to come.

Scott L said...

Love the backstory. Alot of writers don't seem to care enough to share stuff like that with the fans, or even think about it beyond the bare minimum. I love what you've created with SOA and I can't wait to see what comes next.

Also, any chance Vic Mackey became a member after his 3 years with ICE was up?? LOL

Anonymous said...

That's so fucking cool, I got a chubby just reading it. Can NOT wait for season 3, man!

Dani W. said...

Oh you tease! I can't wait for season 3 to start!

Unknown said...

WoW! Thanks for the info. Can no wait for season #3.....

Jesse Burns said...

My wife and I are HUGE fans!!! This is easily one of the best shows thats on. Please keep up the GREAT work! Cant wait to see SAMCRO burnin it up in Ireland!!!!!

kateinva@aol.com said...

I love getting bits of backstory like this. It makes me wish there was a show about the early days of SAMCRO, but I guess I'll just have to leave most of that to my imagination.

September can't come fast enough. Thanks for creating something that's really worth getting invested in.

Unknown said...

This is awesome! Thanks Jurt!

laura said...

I love the story line Kurt. Thanks for the background story, I started watching the show during the first season and didnt have all the info. I love Jax, he is my favorite character.

Anonymous said...

i can not wait!!!!!!! it is killing me! you've got me addicted to the sons and if i don't at least get season 2 on dvd soon i will slowly sink deeper and deeper in to men of mayhen withdrawl! fuck! you rock, but fuck!

Unknown said...

That's so cool. I was also wondering, what did Otto do to wind up in jail? Anyone remember?

Pandora said...

I have been a fan from the first episode...my hubby is a biker and we really identify with the characters and story...waiting impatiently for the new season...

Niall O'Cuain said...

Sounds interesting....would be cool to see some of this shot in Ireland...look forward to seeing the Belfast Chapter...

Cluricaun said...

Outstanding. Season Three is going to be intense and riveting, just like seasons one and two, but on a whole different level. Keep up the good work.

paradigm said...

fuckin dope. great mind

Unknown said...

Oh brother, my mind is racing where this is going.

Unknown said...

I can't wait for season three. Great background done on this. This show is the best thing on TV right now.

Unknown said...

love it I really cannot wait for season 3 to start up

Anonymous said...

As someone that never even was interested in motorcycles...I'm shocked to say I have absolutely fallen in love with SOA. Watched season 2, watched it again, now watching season 1 again. So eager for season 3. Keep up the fabulous work.

Anonymous said...

Awesome show man and thanks for the info on the Teller medical history. I can only imagine what is in store for us this fall. Keep up the good work and may God be with you during your mourning process. PEACE

Unknown said...

Is cool to know about these details, keep comin'!!!

John said...

Motorcycling in Ireland and Northern Ireland is extemely NON politically/sectarianally divided but its a crackin show none the less...

Unknown said...

very,very cool...Must.have.moar!!! ;-)

Indianacat said...

Tremendous backstory, and a good way to let us know why there is so much Irish-Catholism coming into Season 3.

Glad to know that Abel's CHD is not going to be as bad as Thomas', especially with him being in Hayes' clutches at the moment.

Something I am interested in knowing, in S2 (and I forget the episode name right now), Jax mentioned that his kid needed glasses. Is this something that will be followed up during S3 when Abel is returned to his family?

BTW, as a Preacher's Kid, I think it's way cool that Gemma turns out to be a PK as well.

Finally, if this kind of great work can come from a 'disturbed little mind', we should all enjoy such a condition! You do good work!

Anonymous said...

I am stoked for next season. Best show on TV!

Anonymous said...

Fucking cool dude, fucking cool...

Padre said...

this is just briliant.
as there's no webisodes that kind of info just great for keep us fans going.
and most of all
I just love the Sam Bell.

Anonymous said...

AWESOME background on the upcoming storyline!!! I love it! Can not wait until September (I have watched seasons 1 & 2 several times already). I am a SOA junkie!

dorothy mcguire said...

I'm very proud that you film in my local area. It's good for our quiet little town & exciting!
Keep Entertaining, You do it oh so well...Thanks =D

Outsider said...

Sam Bell...I like the way that bell Tolls...
a tintinabulation that takes it's Toll

Jakal said...

Love it.

Eric kenney said...

Amazing Show Kurt! I was hooked from episode 1. I love the fact that the characters are so well defined. You don't find many shows where the character feel like real people. Keep up the great writing and amazing story lines.



Long live the Redwood Originals

P.S. itwas good to see Big Otto get his payback, but I'm curious to see how he's going t react about Luann's death.

J Kappel said...

THIS is why I am a fan! I can't wait for the new season!!

John said...

Like always you level to detail in your story really shows.

You can see how Clay could have pulled that off back then with how you write today.

Its clear Clay wanted a true biker club but John wanted something simple and Clay used him.

Clay is still playing those games today but he is running out of brains.

IT would be nice in season 3 or 4 we find out how John really died!

Jason Wild said...

Really enjoying the new shows over here in the UK. I reckon Clay had something to do with the death of John.

Unknown said...

Thank you Kurt. I feel like you whispered into my ear and I'm all giddy!! Looking forward to season 3!

(I almost shit my pants when SOA was a Jeopardy question the other night!)

A less famous Kurt said...

Very cool look in to the backstory of the belfast chapter. can't wait for the 3rd season.

Dominic Toner said...

This just gets me more revved up about the upcoming season.
You got some serious fucking tallent Kurt. Keep it coming man..
I just hope it keeps coming for more than 3 seasons..

Anonymous said...

Sam Bell... from Belfast... fantastic!!!

suzankar45 said...

Thanks Kurt.I always wanted to know how the Belfast chapter/gun running started.This written blog alone is better than 99.9 of network tv.

Missy said...

Can't wait for the season to begin! Again, I am such an avid viewer

(...and I am not an easy one to make, by the way, I can be such a boldfaced TV insolent)

...but
I am going to put excerpts, etc, once again in the sidebar of my blog, and sing it's SOA's praises across my 3300 follows on Twitter.

Roar on.

Dana Kaminski


________You can delete the following if it's not within your posting rules:


www.HollywoodActorPrep.com

Hello+ congrats... to Jehn's old boyfriend, Mark Boone Jr!

Lisa said...

a huge 'A-HA!' explains a few things. its nice to hear that john was broken before he agreed. have to admit watching my fave show (SOA) you find yourself not wanting to, but falling on the side of the 'charming' (exscuse the pun) gang. but the one, ONE, thing i still grit my teeth a little at is their sympathy fo the IRA..touchy subject here. (uk)i'll tun a blind eye to the other activity but aiding the ira i just wanna give em a shake LMAO.

nettles said...

Wow!! Its great to get sum background info, i have to be the most addicted irish fan of the sons, are there any scenes shot in Ireland?? Id love to be able to catch a glimpse of some hot Sons!!!

puddleduck!! said...

Ohhhkay...before I was being pateint with Season 3. But now it want it immediately. Now! Now! Now!

Oh, fine. I'll wait. But I'm gonna stand here and pout until September.

CarlosFandango said...

The Devil's in the detail... ;D

Tom Farley said...

What a great backstory! I just love that the Belfast chapter is Sam Bell.

Anonymous said...

I honestly dig the down-to-earth reality of the show.

Most of us have to live by society's rules, marriage rules, traffic rules etc and then when you join a club you have a whole new set of rules ! Good to see some of the rules come into the light.

Having actively ridden bikes for the last 36 years I didn't think I'd EVER see a regular show about 'the life' and yet here we are blessed with SOA. Thanks Disturbed One ... hahaha

Devo

Australia

vivbryan2009 said...

hi thought this wouldn't be up to much,how wrong was i,this show is awsome cant wait till season 3,my all family are fans of this show now best viewing i,ve had in long time keeps you on edge of your seat through every episode keep up great work may samcrow live forever x

Never Too Busy said...

Thanks for the insight Kurt. Can't wait for the new season of SOA!!!

DAWN MILLER said...

OMG! CANNOT WAIT FOR SEASON 3! SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT STORY LINE. IMPATIENTLY WAITING FOR SEASON 2 ON DVD... LOVE THE SHOW, AMAZING TALENT ALL AROUND...KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB! :)

lici2 said...

Good to know. Thanks. Can you tell us why Gemma left Charming? (Could it possibly be because of some botched relationship with a prominent Charming business man?) Cheers Kurt, Love your work!

lici2 said...

ok so just realised that at the end of Season two Gemma is running? We're only up to ep. 10 in Oz, so my previous question was about when Gemma left town when she was 16? Sorry.

AlexAndra said...

Okay, so it's Friday night and I just got home from a night out at the bars with some really good friends. I'm fantastically wasted, and I open up my computer just hoping for an entertaining blog entry by the one and only kurt sutter, and BEHOLD.. What a fabulous fucking tease! if I were a guy I would have the grandest case of blue balls on the planet! That got me sooo pumped for season 3. i feel so connected to the show, to you and the cast... It must be a wonderful feeling to know that sooo many people love and admire your work. Thank you for all that you do for us, ur fans. You MADE my evening! I feel like I can now go to bed (in a perfectly drunken stupper of course) with the satisfaction of knowing that my baby SAMCRO is being taken care of.

Lady R (Di) said...

I love it when you tell us little secrets! I'm hoping that one day, we can read John Tellers Journal... hmmmmm??

Great show! Thanks for bringin' it to us!

AbsolutionBlues said...

Sorry if this is against the rules but I have to tell.
A lot of shit happened to me and I was sick and tired of living. A good friend of mine told me to write down a couple of reasons, even small things, not to give up. The first one was "SoA season 3". So thank you man, your show saved my life.

Sweeney said...

Sounds great! Looking forward to Season 3 and all that the Irish adventures might bring us! Incidentally, I read the other day that Stephen King will have a small on-air role this season. Care to expound on that?

Unknown said...

Best show since the Sopranos...who knows, when all is said and done, may be better...Sam Bell? AWESOME!!!

lalaland said...

I have just watched the whole 2 seasons of sons in the past 4 days - i was hooked from the outset - thanks for creating such a fabulous show!

I am so excited to read that season 3 will involve my hometown of Belfast. Please let us know if you plan on filming there - that would just be fecking amazing.

Unknown said...

Just wanted to say the show is awesome and the cast is really talented! Please more tommy flanagan his character chibs really adds something to the show.

Anonymous said...

Really Great Storyline I have watched season 1 and 2 over and over again I can't stop Can't wait for season 3

holymotherofgod said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
therealzenobia said...

Watched the end of The Shield instead of Lost. Wow - nice. The cubicle as the ultimate punishment - white wall, AC and fluorescent light, the ultimate fires of hell. Did get a giggle out of your throwing in a car chase a couple of eps earlier, too.

Whether Chase said Fuck You to his fans or not, after living with it for awhile, I started to appreciate it as a comment on the place of the show in pop culture, which ultimately is something bigger than story. But I agree that in literary terms, the ending of Sopranos is just cop out from a burn out. An artist of the quality we may have originally assigned to Chase could have done an ending that was both literary and meta, but a perfect, purely literary ending cannot be beat.

joe one-leg said...

its our favorite show and we're all looking forward to season 3
keep up the good work
kurt

carlos from davie , fl said...

just got to tell you . You have done an incredible job to the point where a 3 second commercial will get the heart racing . Great character depth and fantastic storyline is a staple of pure genius !

Anonymous said...

Just announced on the FX web site:
Season 2 DVD set - official one - will be available for purchase on 8/31/10. Pre-orders accepted beginning on 7/21/10.

Thanks for a GREAT show. Looking forward to S.3

Anonymous said...

Just want to say that I think SOA is some of the best story telling on TV today. I hope you get to play all 7 seasons of this story out. What I really like is watching Jax considering John's manifesto and trying to figure out how to bring that change to the gritty reality he's living in. Jax is smart enough to be patient, and strong enough to deal with the violence. I love watching him struggle. there are a lot of concepty shows about the battle between good and evil on TV now but SOA takes a page from shaykh'sPir, the old bard, and drives straight at the human guts of the fight...and we get to watch. so thanks for that.


p.s.-I've heard chatter about Katey getting an Emmy nod this year. I hope so. Good Luck.

Unknown said...

Now we will be wondering about Gemma's well document scar. The opening credits reveal Gemma's clevage but also her Achille's heal. With all of her stress and turmoil, some of us followers have expected her to have real cardiac issues.
I am amazed how many were so drawn to the Soprano's and are shocked they can intimately relate to a group of "mechanics and motor cycle enthusiasts". Your charatcers are much more human, believable and easy to relate to. The necessary evil that the MC represents is easy for many to identify in an urban or suburban setting, even if they hate to identify or admit it. For those of us who have been touched or influenced by "gangs", "societies", "brotherhoods", or MC's have had to tell others how SOA has documentary-ish under and overtones.
Many feel the duality of the good cop bad cop that was so clear in Unser's character has been seeping out of Hale. Your characterizations crush the over done cop show's ability to portray the inherant problems of legally wrong and morally right.
June Stahl is the power bitch we all have worked for or with!She is so easy to hate and not feel an ounce of compassion for, even as her face was smashed into that table.(Great acting, Kurt!) I think I can speak for thousands when I say we eagerly await to see how she is handled in season 3.
If you need a female Irish Catholic type character with a connection to the Great Lakes charter, Here is an Ohio girl who volunteers!!Especailly if it means getting to do something Tig-like!
I know it takes a lot of time, thought and effort to write the tangled web of storylines. If the adage is true that "good things come to those who wait", Kick ass SOA is worth an waiting an eternity.

Jamie said...

WOW I must say I really enjoy the show and am glued throughout the entire season.The only consolation to it being the end of the season is that spring will soon be upon us and I'll be firing up the softail for another riding season myself although not as eventful as the sons.Thanks for a awesome action packed show.

Unknown said...

I have to agree with all the comments here.I am catching up with Season 2 after speed watching series one! Excellent series and not afraid of telling it how it is.Makes me want a harley more than ever! Someday Soon Hopefully!!! SOA For Life

Christian - Shady - Ryan

Anonymous said...

LOVE this concept and show Kurt! I think it'd be really cool if someday it can be rolled up into a novel with back stories and all. In the mean time looking forward to another kick-ass season.

Anonymous said...

I am a huge fan of this show. In fact, it's the only show I actually make a point of watching. Being an avid motorcyclist and a member of the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Unit as the Sergeant At Arms for the Battle of Britain in Cold Lake, Alberta and now, the Road Captain for the Passchendaele Unit in Oromocto, New Brunswick, I find the lifestyle of outlaw bikers very interesting. Even though, being a member of the military, I cannot be a member of an MC, I live vicariously through SOA. Thanks for that.

Dave G
Road Captain,
Passchendaele Unit,
Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Unit
Oromocto, New Brunswick
Canada

Tots said...

being from northern ireland the storyline for season 3 really sounds great, cant wait for it.
was there any filming in belfast?
since i started watching SOA i've really wanted to get my own harley lol.
keep up the good work kurt
SAMCRO

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed the first two series and an looking forward to the next.

As a biker and an Irish Republican living in Belfast I really hope that the storyline and depiction of live in Northern Ireland isn't the usual crap that we get with American shows which seem to show us here as one dimensional characatures.

john k said...

well, as a biker, an ex british soldier and a fan (so far) ref anonymous post, the one dimensional characatures are always (99.9%) with a lean toward 'the cause' and nationalism/republicanism. Americans tend to think you had the monopoly on poverty,poor housing and paramilitaries destroying neighbourhoods.We all know that aint true, but when has truth sold a good story in Hollywood? They always get 'tweaked'.I think SOA has done the same, which is a shame, but understandable. Who knows though...im hoping the storyline will come about face and oust a few myths about 'the cause' and what it means to ordinary people. murdering policemen and soldiers, rackateering,drugs and punishment beatings. I doubt it though. As much as i like the show, i doubt American audiences want to see the truth of what a high percantage has funded for 40 years.
jk

Anonymous said...

Just to reply to the last post,john k.
First and foremost i do not condone anyone being murdered as we are all someones son or daughter.
But as an irishman and damn proud to be i think you are going way off the mark about leaning towards the cause,because as you said (a good story in hollywood)is what we are all enjoying and i think you are going way off track.
Ordinary people murdering policemen and soldiers,policemen and soldiers murdering ordinary people its a double edged sword that i dont think should be brought into a blog about probably the best show to hit tv in years.
We could go on about this for ever and keep going around in circles its going to nobody anygood only raise animosity.
Its an absolute brilliant show and for fuck sake just let everybody enjoy it for the great storylines
that keep us all waiting for next week.
Thanks again.

Outlaw said...

Great work! Can't wait for season three. Makes me long for the old days!

Mae said...

We are active members of ABATE of Indiana and many of our biker friends all LOVE the show. Cant wait for the new season to start. I don't know how many people notice but I try to watch around in the background of the scenes for little extras going on. I noticed little things like at the Carnival there were lots of extras ( towns people ) that were wearing Save Otto t-shits. Love the background info and the small touches. Keeps us on our toes. I love that I watch this show and it is as accurate as possible and not a campy, cheesy, false portrayal of clubber life style. Keep her going and I hope for many more seasons ahead. imm

weaverhchrist said...

Shit, you do have a "disturbed little mid" AND I LIKE IT!

Dogshit said...

Drinkin, Fuckin, Fightin.............Ride on

Anonymous said...

reference to john k and the anon poster most hollywood storylines do tend to lean towards what they see as the better story which nearly all the time is from a republican view and hope the actors used use a belfast accent because we do have a distinct accent and not generalise us as having an irish accent, but i might be mistaken but was it some SOA scences being shot in some of the run down areas of east belfast

cant wait for the new season to air love the show

Bruce said...

thanks for the back ground info.you have keptme on the edge of my seat since the pilot! havent missed episode! keep up the good work!