What I'm Watching: Sons of Anarchy

Sons of Anarchy: Season 3, Episode 4 “Home” (B+)

So much for keeping the big secret. Make that two secrets, as Gemma just happens to receive an important call about Abel's whereabouts just as she arrives home and panics when she can't find him. This really is a volatile family, and it's hard to decide who gets angrier when they find out their partners have been keeping secrets, the boys or the girls. As Jax so lovingly and calmly puts it, “our old ladies whacked the caretaker!” Gemma saying goodbye to her father is a sad, moving event, and unfortunately Tara, intent on proving just how immersed in the club lifestyle she is, still isn't capable of keeping a close enough eye on the unpredictable Gemma. I'm getting pretty worried about the likelihood of Abel being safely returned to the custody of his family, especially after seeing that shot of him with the other babies at the very end of the episode. Maybe I haven't been paying attention, but I just realized that Maureen is played by Paula Malcomson, the same actress who plays Amanda Graystone on “Caprica.” The native Irish actress is infinitely better on this show, I must say. I doubt she'll be sticking around much longer, however, considering the latest turn of events. The members of SAMCRO always manage to get themselves stuck right in the middle of violent situations, like the one in this episode where they win by the factor of sheer numbers. Piney's line at the end of the episode is fantastically delivered: “We're the good guys.”