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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

HAMLET MAYBE


As I close in on writing the last three episodes of the season, I am beginning to clearly see the final act of Sons.  This awareness took me back to the Hamlet archetype that inspired the show and I'm trying to envision how much of the series will eventually come back around to that homage.

Some.  I think.

There are big character shifts in season four.  We knock people off the fence and we make them choose.  The finale for season four will feel like a series end in a lot of ways, but the truth is, it will create a new beginning.  The beginning of the end.  Season five and six, if I'm lucky enough to get, will explore that new dynamic.  Season seven will be all about the fall of heroes and the rise of men. 

As far as potential shit I may actually steal from the Bard, it comes down to themes.  I will definitely continue to play out the ghost of Hamlet's father theme, the conflicted son theme and the plotting mother theme.  As well as some others.  And there may even be a few narrative lifts from the Shakespearean playbook as well.  I won't spoil those.  I can tell you this, the show doesn't end in a pool of blood with all players dead.  

That will happen in season six... just kidding.  I think. 

And in light of my recent social media extraction, I thought I'd leave you with this from Act 1, scene 3:

"Give thy thoughts no tongue."


26 comments:

Helena Hanbaskett said...

As in ZIP IT? Got it.

Anonymous said...

Would u ever go more than 7 seasons if the cast and network was willing..?

Sara Castonguay said...

but it's such an eloquent tongue...

Velease said...

I am a Blog and Twitter virgin-you are my first. I would have never guessed I had any type of obsessive behavior until I watched the Pilot episode of SOA. I am sure I am not what the researchers and trackers would consider your target audience. But reading post from people on FB and your blog I think your fans cover the spectrum of race, age, and ethnicity. You have created the perfect mixture of family, drama, necessary violence, sex, complexity in relationships, and friendship in your writing and rolled it all up into the perfect Cast. There is no other way to describe what you have done other than GENIUS!! You are a rare individual and I hope you never lose sight of your gift and why you do what you do. I don't think you owe fans anything other than what you give us now. I believe most if not all of your fans have connected with this show in a way that is hard to articulate. I would however, request, plead, beg and/or whatever else is necessary, as a fan of your writing, the actors of this show; that if you are considering ending the show in 7 seasons to reconsider out of reciprocated loyalty to your fans. I cannot imagine your gift of SOA being half way over. There is so much junk on TV-SOA is a rarity, the only true drama on TV with quality actors. Please continue as long as you have a creative drive and passion for SOA. Thanks.

kkgherardi said...

Here in the UK we are half way through Season 3 of SOA. It is the first airing of that season. For some reason there was a huge gap between Season 2 and Season 3. Is there any way that you could influnce the powers that be over here to show Season 4 sooner? For some American series we see the episodes within a week of them airing in the USA. Thanks.

brittany kipplen said...

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO STOKED FOR SEASON 4 TO START!!! Kurt, you are AMAZING!!

dawn said...

BRAVO!!!

Laura Federico said...

Your ideas sounds very interesting. I cant wait to delve into the characters and see what makes them who they are today. You are a very talented man. I find you intriguing. Your creativity continues to impress me. Keep up the WTF Sutter "even if you dont know what number you on) because it gives fans an insight to who you really are. Almost like we are part of the show. All the best.

Anonymous said...

WELL I CAN DEFINITELY SAY ...YOU WILL ALWAYS MAKE THE STORY LINES VERY INTERESTING!...I CAN SEE THAT FROM PREVIOUS EPISODES UP TO NOW!!!...ALL I CAN TRUELY SAY AT THIS POINT, KURT IS ...KEEP THAT GREAT IMAGINATION OF YOURS TURNING AND KEEP UP THE QUALITY OF WRITTING YOU DO SO WELL!...WE WILL ALWAYS BE WATCHING!...AND THANKS FOR THE UPDATES!

CHEERS
(ONTHEMARKSTUNTS)

BRYAN

FunkDem said...

But, ask yourself, it is really a good idea to take advice from a guy like Polonius?

gacanefan said...

I'm looking forward to season 4. I really enjoyed the clips between season 3 & 4 on FB. Your show is the only thing I am going to watch this fall, besides football.

Anonymous said...

You're a fucking genius. So whatever you gonna come up with for the next seasons is gonna be AWESOME! And just so you know:
I'm fine with everyone dying IN THE END except for Jax and Tara. But you wouldn't do that, right??

Anonymous said...

PLEASE don't kill Clay!!!!! (Unless you're freeing him up to play Hellboy 3). Give my love to Ron ;) I've been a devoted fan for 25 years.

Alycia.CapeCod said...

Kurt you are a genius...keep writing, keep blogging and in the words of my father "DONT LET THE BASTARDS GET YOU DOWN"
I have been a fan since s1e1, i watch the wtfsutter videos and read your blogs and I am so looking forward to seeing how the boys made it through the 14 months. Please know that you "a fucking writer" are followed even on Cape Cod..across the country in Massachusetts...and hopefully you will retweet before 2027! Good luck and keep the thoughts coming!

Gigi said...

"Nor any unproportioned thought his act. Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel; But do not dull thy palm with entertainment Of each new-hatch'd, unfledged courage. Beware Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in, Bear't that the opposed may beware of thee."

UnHoly Diver said...

Ah, but here's the real question; will Jax ever tell Tara to get her ass to a nunnery?

Mita62 said...

I love POLONIUS. I play him twice before becoming a designer full time.

If you take that to the end you get "This above all: to thine ownself be true". I for one am glad as a fan that you pulled yourself out of twitter and what not. It will let you focus more on your work and not way life. It also is letting you put more into this blog. I like getting to read more that 140ch.

thanks for giving us some good edge Drama.

theorossiLOVER said...

i personally think that you should do way more episodes than just 7 ur puttin us in suspence kurt! YOU KNOW WE LOVE YOU



xoxo
@theorossiLOVER

Librarychic1 said...

I am not surprised that your wise words and thoughts are partially derived from the historical classic 'Hamlet'. It seems so outlandish to compare SOA to Hamlet, but stripping it all down to the core they do have the same foundation.
I am reading John Steinbeck right now and his writing reminds me of your words, damn I wish I had that vocabulary! Maybe oneday you should write a book?!
I am kind of scared to see season 4 now, I always want the cliche happy ending with stories (pathetic I know, but I am a woman!) but the whole reason that I am sucked into SOA is because of the exceptional and unparalleled story and non stop action.
Whatever it is don't stop, keep going, SOA rocks!

Laura said...

Kurt;
Have you ever thought about the psychological interplay in the show...I find it fascinating as hell, on occasion, I thought maybe a character mis-stepped based on how the character had been portrayed previously, then discover you "explained" it up in an another scene/episode. Watching it from the point of view of an old psych student, and an avid people watcher, shit stirrer (just to see what will happen) SOA fascinates the shit out of me, as do the writers minds. I hope when the show does end (as they all do), that you are able to finish it up in the way YOU want. Keep up the good work,(and stay offa twitter, it IS the AntiChrist....LOL)

Anonymous said...

Only twits tweet on twitter :) Now, say that really, really fast, lololol!

Luvs ya Kurt and LUUUUUVS SOA!

I know exactly where I'll be 9/6 @ 10pm ;)

J said...

I've watched SoA from the beginning, and even then, I was worried about this Hamlet-archetype thing. My main concern, which really this post did nothing to assuage, is that all of the main characters we (the audience) have invested in will be dead by the end.

Honestly, I really haven't a clue how S7 (crossing fingers) and the series should end. How could Jax leave the Sons? What will happen to Abel and Thomas (and any future children Jax and Tara have) if they also grow up in the life?

There is so much potential for Jax as a character, I would really hate to see a bloody ending for him (and really, really hate if his children ended up fatherless). And Tara, she's the strongest character in this show. There is so much Tara-Hate out there in the "internets." But, let's be honest. She's the only character who was strong enough to leave, strong enough to change herself, and now, strong enough to stay and see things through. I'm so grateful to have a female character portrayed with so much grace, class, and willfulness. With all the Snooki's of the world monopolizing our channels, it's nice to watch a show that values the courage of women.

KateL said...

I am very fascinated by the Hamlet theme, though I admit I need to read it again (it has been awhile). As a viewer it is very apparent that not only do you have a larger concept for the show but that each story line is carefully crafted. The dialogue is always witty and riveting. Not to mention the talent of your cast – all the actors take the material and breathe such amazing life into the characters they play it is fucking great to watch!

lici2 said...

I think Hamlet I think Kenneth Brannagh. That makes me think of Emma Thompson which in turn makes me think of Kate Winslet. Kate makes me think of Alan Rickman and now I get excited. Alan makes me think of evil in a dark sexy scary type of way and that rounds out a combination of Tig and Gemma and now I think "fuck, I have too much time on my hands while Im waiting for the new season"

Chris Squad said...

I come from Australia, where the concept of Shakespearean thematics in a tv show is about as alien as the nostromo.

This show, and your work on the Shield before it, are exceptional Kurt.

I just wish I'd have posted here more instead of purely reading, I'd love to watch ep 410 with you. I will do my darndest to change that.

wlmccullough said...

I think Jax should have a "bastard" half brother up in the Rogue Valley chapter. John teller was a free lovin guy! Jax has a 1/2 sis in Ireland why not a 1/2 brother that sides with Clay and challenges Jax from their Oregon chapter.
Yes this is Bill, up here in Or.!!!