Sons of Anarchy: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 577 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	Your Score
8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 577 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

FX | Season Premiere Date: September 3, 2008

Starring: Dayton Callie, Robert Patrick, Katey Sagal

Summary: The lives of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club are explored in Kurt Sutter's new drama.

Creator: Kurt Sutter and Kurt Sutter

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. The Revelator
Air Date: November 26, 2008
tbd
S1:E12. The Sleep of Babies
Air Date: November 19, 2008
tbd
S1:E11. Capybara
Air Date: November 12, 2008

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Tim Goodman

Few series have exploded onto the scene with such a rich array of potential stories and inherently interesting characters. Read full review

Verne Gay

Trade press has labeled this "'Easy Rider' Meets 'The Sopranos,'" which seems apt. Show comes from Kurt Sutter, longtime co-executive producer of "The Shield" (and married to Sagal) so that should give you a sense of tone and texture - violent, taut, well written. Read full review

Glenn Garvin

Sons of Anarchy is bloody, disturbing and maniacally addictive. Read full review

Robert Lloyd

There are moments that require you not to think too hard, and some of the black humor doesn't overcome its fundamental nastiness. But on the whole, it's a superior package, intelligently constructed and handsomely executed. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Well-made, but heavy-handed and hardly inviting. Read full review

Maureen Ryan

For all its ferocity, and despite some excellent supporting performances, there’s a curious hole at the center of Sons of Anarchy. The character we’re supposed to be most interested in is something of a blank slate. Read full review

Robert Bianco

Sons wants us to care about their hopes and struggles, but gives no clue as to why we might do so. Read full review

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User Score

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8.5

User Reviews

JennetP.

Nov 5, 2008

One of the few shows that pose moral questions, instead of illustrating moral certainties. (Note to USA Today: those of us who aren't lost don't need a compass.) And though it may not replicate every last detail of the MC lifestyle, SOA absolutely nails the outlaw spirit that One of the few shows that pose moral questions, instead of illustrating moral certainties. (Note to USA Today: those of us who aren't lost don't need a compass.) And though it may not replicate every last detail of the MC lifestyle, SOA absolutely nails the outlaw spirit that animates many American subcultures. Individual characters are beautifully drawn, each distinctive yet archetypal, the product of writers, actors, and directors at the top of their game. But, as good as they are individually (Katey, dust off that award shelf, your Golden Globe is finally on its way!), collectively they are even better. There is genius in the casting of this show, so much that, when characters claim that separation from SAMCRO would be worse than death, the sentiment seems perfectly reasonable, even self-evident. My favorite new show, hands down.… Expand

9 of 9 users found this helpful

Tss5078

Mar 14, 2015

Some shows just don't sound that interesting, and I admit when I heard about this new show, featuring an outlaw motorcycle club, I wasn't interested. Similar to shows like Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy gained it's reputation by word of mouth. Once word got out about just how well writtenSome shows just don't sound that interesting, and I admit when I heard about this new show, featuring an outlaw motorcycle club, I wasn't interested. Similar to shows like Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy gained it's reputation by word of mouth. Once word got out about just how well written this show was and how deep the character development was, it gained a following, and by the end, it was one of the highest rated shows on cable.

For over 20 years, SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Originals) and Sheriff Wayne Uncer (Dayton Callie) have kept the small town of Charming California safe, a suburban paradise in an otherwise corrupt world. A series of events start to change all that, and SAMCRO is forced under the microscope. A shift in attitude, an ambitious young sheriff, and the ATF all threaten to destroy Charming and SAMCRO. Left with few options, the club must form new alliances and carry on business as usual if they hope to survive.

I'll be the first to admit that I was wrong about this show, I just couldn't wrap my head around it. How could a show about a motorcycle club be any good? It turns out that it was more than good, due to a combination of complex characters and tremendous writing. No one would have ever imagined just how in depth and shocking this show would become, and it's a real tribute to Creator, Kurt Sutter, who always had another trick up his sleeve. Just when it seems like there is nowhere else to go, the show changes direction, characters change, and the story evolves. Sons of Anarchy seemingly gets better with every season, but it's not just due to the writing, it's the actors themselves.

Sons of Anarchy has some of the best writing I've seen in a television show and the characters (while on the surface are nothing more than outlaw bikers) are so complex and interesting that I was hooked after just a few episodes. This show is as addicting as it gets, because everything seems to fall into place and it just work. From the casting, to the comedic moments, there isn't anything about this show that I could possibly complain about, as it earned it's reputation for being one of the best shows on cable. Sons of Anarchy, if nothing else re-enforces the old theory that you most certainly can't judge a book by it's cover.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

KevinM.

Oct 2, 2008

This show is one of the ones I look forward to watching every week. It is controversial, yet at the same time thought provoking. If the idiots that did the reviews had ever been through a rough period in there life instead of being silver spoon b!tches then I'm sure they would This show is one of the ones I look forward to watching every week. It is controversial, yet at the same time thought provoking. If the idiots that did the reviews had ever been through a rough period in there life instead of being silver spoon b!tches then I'm sure they would appreciate the show more… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

vivped

Sep 7, 2011

OMG a total 10!!!!! It totally delivered can not wait to see how Season 4 plays out. I hope they get rid of the mayor like they did with Stal he needs to go!!!!!!

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Theurgic

Feb 21, 2019

This website's "critics" are so detached from audiences it's insane. No wonder why this site is so unreliable. 8.4 is a very fair rating for this show but not 6.4. That is setting the bar way lower than what it should be. The show has it's flaws like any show. A personal thing I dislikeThis website's "critics" are so detached from audiences it's insane. No wonder why this site is so unreliable. 8.4 is a very fair rating for this show but not 6.4. That is setting the bar way lower than what it should be. The show has it's flaws like any show. A personal thing I dislike about it is that everyone talks in a deeply low voice during every conversation. There are other things like characters making unrealistically poor choices and majority of everyone in gun fights have storm trooper aim. However I was able to get past these flaws in the show once I realized what the foundation of the show was. It's a group of people who are outlaws that treat each other like a family. To me I compare it to the story of RDR 2 but just not as intense. RDR 2 outlaws don't have as many resources and doesn't nearly have as many members considering the gang spans across Western United States. Despite the differences the character development in the show is like that of a modern RDR 2. The show has a lot of similarities in this aspect. There is betrayal, conflicting ideas on what's best for the gang, and a constant threat lurking about that slowly diminishes their numbers that typically happen because the guy who's leadership is in question makes a bad call. It's a great show and it's even more entertaining when you compare it to the gem RDR 2.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

kevtheobald

Jan 15, 2015

I just watched all six seasons in about a three week period. It is a good show that boils down to the concept that lies and impulsive actions often lead to bad things. There were times when the show was using commonly used story lines, but then they would do a slightly unique spin.
I cannotI just watched all six seasons in about a three week period. It is a good show that boils down to the concept that lies and impulsive actions often lead to bad things. There were times when the show was using commonly used story lines, but then they would do a slightly unique spin.
I cannot say the series was truly original, but it was well executed. If you want a more original series that has drugs and gangs in the storyline, Breaking Bad is the better option. They did a great job casting and they managed to make you see the human side of some of the worst of characters.
If you are a fan of gangster style shows, such as The Sopranos or Boardwalk Empire, you will likely enjoy this series. It is six seasons long, so there is ton of shows to take in. Currently, the entire series is on Netflix.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BrianM.

Sep 3, 2008

What a flop, what a waste of resources, I turned it off after the first 20 minutes felt like 2 hrs, cancel this and not the Shield.

1 of 8 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 111 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

75

Series Overview
Season 7

68
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: September 9, 2014
Season 6

74
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: September 10, 2013
Season 5

72
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: September 11, 2012
Season 4

81
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: September 6, 2011
Season 3

84
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: September 7, 2010
Season 2

86
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 8, 2009
Season 1

68
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 3, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E13. The Revelator
  Air Date: November 26, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E12. The Sleep of Babies
  Air Date: November 19, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E11. Capybara
  Air Date: November 12, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E10. Better Half
  Air Date: November 5, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E9. Hell Followed
  Air Date: October 29, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E8. The Pull
  Air Date: October 22, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E7. Old Bones
  Air Date: October 15, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E6. AK-51
  Air Date: October 8, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E5. Giving Back
  Air Date: October 1, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E4. Patch Over
  Air Date: September 24, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E3. Fun Town
  Air Date: September 17, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E2. Seeds
  Air Date: September 10, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: September 3, 2008