Two shows at least partially defined by the carnage
inflicted by their protagonists return next week for final seasons: HBO’s
marvelously detailed “Boardwalk Empire” and FX’s adrenalized “Sons of Anarchy.”
“Boardwalk” is ending on something of a down note commercially, failing to
maintain the buzz of its first two seasons through subsequent outings that too
many critics and even more viewers found lacking (not this one; I think season
three of “Boardwalk” is its best and four is phenomenal as well). On the other
hand, “Sons of Anarchy” is going out at a peak of popularity that I doubt its
creator, the remarkably talented Kurt Sutter, and even its network could have
predicted. After a relatively rocky start (and truly rough third season), “Sons of Anarchy” never looked back and found a way to blend modern drama with Greek tragedy in a captivating, fascinating way.

No matter where they stand in the zeitgeist, it truly feels like
both programs have reached the right end point, not dragging their narratives
out past the breaking point (see “Dexter”) but not ending at a point that
anyone could really argue is “too early.” We’re saying goodbye to Jax Teller
and Nucky Thompson at just the right time, and, given their propensity for violence, we may be zipping both into body
bags.

That’s the big question, isn’t it? How does a TV creator end
the arc of a violent man? Some of the best series finales of all time,
including “The Sopranos” and “The Shield,” have found a way to leave their
anti-heroes in purgatory, realizing that ending with a period is nowhere near
as interesting as ending with an ellipsis (and that’s why, while you’ll find no
bigger fan, the end of “Breaking Bad” bugs me more every day). I suspect the
saga of Atlantic City on HBO will end with more than a few plot threads
dangling in an artistic way. I suspect SAMCRO will end with more than a few
dangling body parts but no doubt as to the fate of FX’s Hamlet.

Naturally, the final season of “Sons of Anarchy” has to
focus on the fallout from the insanity that took place in the final few
episodes of last season, which saw the deaths of Clay (Ron Perlman) and Tara
(Maggie Siff), two of the most essential characters in the history of the show.
Losing Clay and Tara before the final chapter of this saga was a daring move on
Sutter’s part, and my first question in watching the opening three episodes of
the seventh and final season was what impact that would have. While we know
Gemma (Katey Sagal) is the one responsible for Tara’s death, Jax doesn’t, and
the loss of a father and partner has drawn him closer to the woman who I
believe will eventually be his undoing. Or perhaps everyone else will die and
Jax & Gemma will ride off into the sunset as the twisted mother-son duo
they’ve always been. Gemma started as a protector to Jax but she has kept him
tied to danger and closer to chaos than anyone else. It will be interesting to
watch Sutter and his team of writers focus on this dynamic as their final
talking point.

After a relatively explosive season premiere, the next two
episodes of “Sons of Anarchy” may frustrate viewers hoping for insanity in
every episode. Sutter gets down into the dirty of a gang war again, and it’s a
bit of a narrative letdown after the explosiveness of last season. I’d also be
lying if I didn’t admit to missing Clay. He was a devil on the shoulder of this
show from episode one—a constant threat of violence, secrets being revealed,
uncertain loyalties. Of course, the truth about Tara’s death and how Gemma acts
to hide it serve as enough narrative fuel for this season but Sutter is taking
his time pouring the gasoline before he lights it on fire. I’m a bit tired of turf
wars and questionable loyalty but those common themes of the show almost feel like purposeful
distractions here, ways to build tension and buy time until chaos erupts.

Things are more subtly chaotic on “Boardwalk Empire” this
season as well, marked by a season premiere that feels more menacing and violent
than the HBO hit often has in the past. Nucky (Steve Buscemi) is down in
Havana, wooing senators with Sally (Patricia Arquette), while a turf war builds back at home. Meanwhile, Chalky (Michael K. Williams) is on a chain gang,
living a very different life. Director Terence Winter brilliantly contrasts the
two men in the season premiere, a pair of power brokers without their power
structures.

The final arc of “Boardwalk” will clearly be about a fading era. Look at the
background of the first episodes as the glitz and glamour of the first few
seasons has been replaced by more dirt, poverty and grit. Watch the impact of
the economic collapse. Notice Elliot Ness (Jim True-Frost, in a perfect bit of
casting) giving a speech in the second episode. Pay close attention to the
people grabbing for power in these first few episodes and ask yourself what
they would possibly do with it if they had it. They are men able to overthrow
but unable to rule.

The final season of “Boardwalk Empire” (at least the first
three episodes) will also be defined by a structure that provides regular
flashbacks to Nucky’s childhood. I love the idea of balancing a gangster’s
final days with his formative ones. So we see a young Nucky getting into the
employ of a young Commodore. We see brushes with the law, the death of his
sister and other defining moments that created this unforgettable character.
And the writers of “Boardwalk” have wisely returned Margaret (Kelly Macdonald)
to a prominent role. I miss Jack Huston. Heck, I still miss Michael Pitt. But
it makes sense that this still-brilliant show feels a bit haunted now by characters
lost and memories forgotten in the final days of a closing empire.

Brian Tallerico

Brian Tallerico is the Managing Editor of RogerEbert.com, and also covers television, film, Blu-ray, and video games. He is also a writer for Vulture, The Playlist, The New York Times, and GQ, and the President of the Chicago Film Critics Association.

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