A showrunner’s job is never easy. Seeing an episode from conception, through production, all the way to what you watch in your living rooms at home, leaves little time for anything else. I managed to grab a few minutes with Kurt Sutter to see where his head was at as we ramp up for the premiere of SOA’s second season. We walked and talked from the writer’s office, through the bustling set, to the post production trailer, stopping here and there as he caught up with some of the actors. Although he is a man of few words, his excitement about the new season was very apparent even in the short time I spent with him. Take a look at what he had to say.
My interview with Kurt Sutter:
Season One got some love and some criticism. What are your feelings towards the first season and the fan response/feedback you’ve received?
Very pleased. There was a perception that we started slowly and that the episodes improved. I’m of the mind that it took a few episodes for people to engage and understand the world and the tone of the show. I believe the episodes didn’t necessarily get better, they became more relatable. Or maybe the first few sucked.
But I’ll take the love wherever I can get it.
There were some pretty outrageous storylines in season one. How did you approach storylines for season two?
I knew halfway through season one what season two would be. I discussed the big arcs, the mile markers with the writers at the beginning of the season and then we wrote to those big seasonal plot points.
That being said, what do the fans have to look forward to in season two?
God, blood and betrayal. And implants.
Any last words you have to the loyal followers of the show?
HANG ON, MOTHERF***ERS!
Posted in Uncategorized |
Subscribe to SOA
**** YEAH BROTHER! IM HANGIN ON TO THE SEAT OF MY ****ING PANTS! CANT WAIT 6 MORE HOURS! AGHHHH
By Danny Boy on September 8th, 2009 at 4:04 pmGrrrrrr
Got off the freeway near my home, saw the Black and Yellow, SAMCRO signs pointing the way to the SOA parking area, their filming again in my area.
I am thinking damn, I’d love to be a extra again on SOA, but on the bright side, I was very lucky last year to get called in on the last day of filming.
Putting that aside, hey! its Tuesday and only hours to go, the big opening tonight.
ANARCHY!
By trapper on September 8th, 2009 at 4:22 pmFriends and family can’t wait to see what is instore for us in tonights show! Best of Luck to cast and crew…..
By k on September 8th, 2009 at 5:59 pmjust finished watching the first of season two. only one complaint…too many “comercials”! i felt i watched @ 15 minutes of the show, and 45 minutes of junk!
By SKT on September 8th, 2009 at 8:20 pmI watched the season opener very impressed but one thing plucked my nerves Why was “Piney” In the cage with his Cut on ???? Big no no in the club world !@!!
By Cherry Bomb on September 8th, 2009 at 8:21 pmJust wondering
Cherry
Loved the show !! Can’t wait for the rest of the season!!
By slotraveler on September 8th, 2009 at 8:29 pmJust watched the first episode of the season and it was great. My one complaint would be that you can definitely tell it must be men who write this show though because I think women writers would have let us just enjoy the shower scene and not followed it up with such a brutal scene with Gemma.
By Angel on September 8th, 2009 at 8:36 pmOh dam the first episode was great … but I have a feeling Gemma will get her own revenge … I am so mad that we were left hanging but guess that is the point of the shows … I agree that there was too many commercials …
By damagedfroggie on September 8th, 2009 at 8:47 pmThis show is the greatest …
i’m a die hard fan…love SOA, but the scene with Gemma was too much…i thought the same anger could have been brought in us without making me feel revolted…guess it’s just a womens point of view that it was taken a little too far!! but the rest of the episode was great!! can’t wait to see whats to come.
By little chick on September 8th, 2009 at 8:59 pmGreat Job!! My hats off to all of you that work at SOA. I am a loyal fan and you got my support as long as you are on, which I hope is a long time.
By pacspoon on September 8th, 2009 at 10:40 pmI am glad to see the show back!!!! Again you have not disappointed your fans!!!!!
By Firerec on September 8th, 2009 at 10:45 pmGood job with the show only minor mistakes, but who cares, great show. hard to watch makes me think of the brothers who have gone before us and are now riding point for us before we pass. CVFFCV
By Oddball on September 9th, 2009 at 12:40 amThe first show of season two was pretty good. Henry Rollins was excellent as the White Aryan Resistance rep. Anyway, I’ve got a question to throw out for the 1% crew that watches this show, and it’s not a snotty question, I just want to know if I’m thinking about this wrong:
When they go to ambush the Mayan MC, they are wearing their ‘Cuts’, which is what they call them on the show. If (this is totally hypothetical) that some members of an MC were going to ambush another MC member, would they remove their Cuts or not? I figure that if they were doing in Broad daylight, a possible populated area, that they’d take them off for the mission. Or are they wearing them to send up a flag to any witnesses: This MC is doing this, look away, or you have this MC to deal with. Which? Thanks, just want to know. I don’t know about MC protocol, I’m just out there riding in the wind and rain. That was a pretty sloppy ambush too. I would’ve tailed the guy for a couple of days, at least, swapping out cars as time and $ allowed. Once his travel pattern was established, then pick the best best time and place for it. But, Hey, I don’t know the time constraints they were working with either. Seems like the board in the spokes should have been a partial kill shot, but once again, don’t have the parameters they were confined to. Good show, all the same.
By Frank Castle on September 9th, 2009 at 5:59 amYesterday, my entire day was filled with anticipation for SOA and now all I can say is WOW, what a great opening show! I cannot wait till next week.
By Firefly on September 9th, 2009 at 6:16 amSome people are complaining about the scene with Gemma being too much but it was supposed to be in direct contrast to Jax’s shower scene and his outside tranquility. They both, however, are experiencing a sense of inner turmoil.
There was also obvious foreshadowing with them showing Clay and Gemma being intimate one last time before her ordeal, Henry Rollins noticing Gemma and Clay telling Gemma that “there’s nothing to worry about” with regards to Henry Rollins and co.
Dating back to last season there is a lot of scenes where Gemma is forced to react and ponder Christian imagery. Something tells me she will have a metamorphisis of sorts now that she has been a victim (indirectly) of SoA activities.
It’s amazing how the Sons are anti-heros, most of their characters are horrible people, including Gemma, but the show forces all of you to sympathize with them. There are no “good” or “bad” guys in this show. Only bad and “gray” characters. Most of the Sons are bad, Gemma is bad, Mayans, Nords, Aryans Resistance…all bad. Jax, Hale,Tara, Opie and maybe Piney are gray area characters in that they have a sense of morality. Even Hale, when he makes a decision that alligns him, however briefling, to the agenda of the Sons…it’s out of moral ambiguity (note the Donna situation).
This reminds me of the Sopranos and everyone loved Tony and his mob family but they were horrific, psychopath murderers.
By soafan on September 9th, 2009 at 6:28 ambtw, great first episode!!!!!!
By soafan on September 9th, 2009 at 6:31 amTHIS SHOW IS THE BEST SERIES ON TV….SONS OF ANARCHY IS INTENSE DRAMATIC AND GRITTY….EVERYTHING I LOOK FOR IN A SHOW THE FIRST SEASON BLEW MY MIND…I DO NOT THINK IT WAS SLOW AT ALL THE FIRST FEW EPISODES BUILD THE SHOW UP. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING IT BACK AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL CONTINUE TO RETURN YEAR AFTER YEAR. SONS OF ANARCHY F’N A……
By Joseph on September 9th, 2009 at 7:25 amBY THE WAY THE SEASON 2 PREMIERE WAS INTENSE. LOVED IT CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
By Joseph on September 9th, 2009 at 7:26 amLOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Season 2 started off with a BANG! Love Love Love SAMCRO! Best show on TV hands down!
By Amy E on September 9th, 2009 at 8:00 amOMG…Kurt…what did you do? Please just tell me Gemma gets the SOB in the end! Those guys are totally DEAD!
*deep breath*
Ok, better now. What an episode! Great start to the season, I can’t wait to see where it goes from here. I’m hanging on!
By SoaDaughter on September 9th, 2009 at 8:09 amWOW! Like everyone else, I have been looking forward to season two. I dont watch shows but last year I caught season one and didnt miss an episode. So, Last night didnt dissapoint! You guys seem to keep the the edge,thats why I watch, and I’m willing to bet there are alot of other people out there that will say the same thing. Can’t wait till next week!
By Ray on September 9th, 2009 at 8:20 amGreat opener, interesting to see if Gemma keeps her policy of full-disclosure. I also like the fact that you’re pushing Hale and Jax into what could be an unholy alliance. Appears that Hale hates bigots more than Gun-runners. [smiles]
As a Jew, I found it very unnerving to see Arkin as Zobelle. While I know Rollins is no anti-Semite or racist, he at least looks the part and comes off as type - see Arkin in that role really gave me a jolt. 0_0
The rape wasn’t ’sexploitive’ at all, I thought it was crummy and it made angry, but that’s the point. It’s a crime - if you made you uncomfortable as a viewer, then it did it’s job. I had more discomfort watching Jax let Op kill an innocent man [I don't think a druggie working near a school is innocent!] That was rough to watch.
-Tina
By Gynocrat on September 9th, 2009 at 8:30 amGreat Season Opener!
Gemma is my girl and I can only hope that she’s the one that ends up getting her revenge. The brutal scene was made to make you feel uncomfortable and angry. But sometime “Life” is uncomfortable and you have to deal with the anger.
And…Good God, loved Jax’s shower scene. What a lucky girl Tara is.
By SOAGirl on September 9th, 2009 at 9:01 amOMG after 10 months of waiting for SOA to come back, I was not disappointed. I loved every minute of it. I know Gemma is going to be using more than skateboards to get back at those bastards. My heart is breaking for Opie and his kids. Can’t wait to see his real revenge when the truth comes out, which it always does. Look forward to a great SOA season
By tracy on September 9th, 2009 at 9:02 amHaving grown up in the middle of this stuff, I find it very difficult to watch this show. When they involve school-age kids, I just can’t watch; messes me up for days. While there are many inaccuracies that have been called out, I simply can’t believe how accurate many of the nuanced details are. Stuff I would never have thought to show. Clearly there are numerous people associated with the show that are directly familiar with the outlaw world. Watching this show is therapy for me.
By Man on September 9th, 2009 at 9:42 amI Love this show…I had to catch up over the summer, missed a lot of season 1…I grew up in the biker life and watching this show brings back ssssooooo many memories. I do have to say one more thing. Tommy Flanagan is HOT!!!!!
By Erin on September 10th, 2009 at 8:23 amI have been waiting impatiently for the second season, GREAT START! It looks as though this season is going to focus on the external issues that the club faces, rather than the internal friction. There may be some big questions that stay unanswered for this season. Did any catch the new alliance that is being formed between Jax and Hale? Can’t wait for the second episode.
By Brian on September 10th, 2009 at 10:56 amthe show is great!! it’s addicting i need to have it!
By loveride05 on September 10th, 2009 at 12:37 pmbut i live in a biker town which they happen to film it in alot
and my dad was a biker and i know its not all blood and murder and guns and all , i want to see them go on a run. i’ll watch this show to the very end. love it
A war on TWO Front’s? You guys will just never learn. It’s bad for business and the order of things. Well, I guess it’s alright if neo-Nazi’s are involed. Till the Wheels fall off!
By "Ramblin Bob" on September 10th, 2009 at 4:20 pmNo sh*t-a-roo, “Gynocrat”!! Seeing ADAM Arkin as a legal-eagle champion of White Trash [a club of which I'm a PROUD member, incidentally, considering I, too, consider myself a Jew... as well as a Jew-for-Jesus-slash-history-buff-slash-Libertarian] was just a wee bit over the top. That is, too much pof a reach for this Arkin Family fan. (He’s a fine actor, but better left to “Law & Order” and—God, I’m dating myself—”Knot’s Landing.” Although… I wonder if his DAD might be able to pull off the “Friend of thE SoA” thing?? Worth a wager, at any rate.)
On the other hand: Rockin’ show and kudos all around! L’chaim to Katey Sagal for finding Kurt Sutter… and vice versa; neither Tristan and Isolde, nor Heloise and Abelard could’ve produced more entertaining drama!
P.S. Does anyone but me think, “Hey, there’s the ‘wee orchard guy’ who-was-too-long-at-sea in ‘Waterworld?’” when they see Tommy Flanagan[who IS, of course, yet ANOTHER great character]? If so, say it with me—in brogue!—”Weeee orchard!!” Terrific casting, Mr. Sutter; hats off
By Kelly on September 10th, 2009 at 10:44 pmWHOOOOOPS! Didn’t mean Tommy Flanagan [in above post]; meant KIM COATES (as the “…wee orchard” guy) Not that any of ye feckers were holdin yer bleedin breaths for that correction or anythin…
By Kelly on September 10th, 2009 at 10:51 pmGreat opening. Just like last year. Great anticipation and second guessing of what is to come next. That’s what makes it a great show. To the complaints of shocking contrasts? That’s what I like about Kurt’s style. Where else can you switch from that innocent baby to Jax doing his thing with a dead ATF lying on the floor while listening to Andy Williams? I love it! Keep throwing those curve balls. If we were able to figure it out ahead of time, we would not be so intrigued. Kurt. Married to Katy? Lucky M F!
By Papa on September 12th, 2009 at 12:20 pm“what do the fans have to look forward to in season two? God”
By Primo Kimo on September 15th, 2009 at 3:17 amwhat th’ ?!
we wanna see choppers and bikes and motorcycles, and two wheeled machine things and old and new Harleys. and MC action. and boobs. bikes. babes. brawling.
I was hooked on SOA the first episode last year. I had no trouble relating as I am an “old school biker chick” I’m third generation and have been on bikes since I was three. Kurt, you really made it real, even down to Gemma’s unfortunate rape. I know lots of chicks like her, and Cherry too (wish you would find a way to bring her back). The only thing I don’t like is having to wait a whole week for the next episode. I am sure that Gemma will find a way to get even, and I hope she comes thru that horrible rape with her fiery, strong personality intact. That was tough to watch, but realistic. For those who thought that that was too much…..remember this show is about a 1% (outlaw club for the uneducated) and sometimes life is not pretty in that lifestyle. You have created a great show, Kudos to you!
By MoJo Woman on September 15th, 2009 at 2:21 pmi love this show its the only tv show that i follow
By zeromelty on September 17th, 2009 at 12:29 amits an mc soap opera
first of all i want to say I love SOA!! Its the reason why i watch TV.
By Jake on September 21st, 2009 at 12:52 pmWhat measures do you take to prevent plagiarism in your writing? I wrote two very uncommon [words and phrases] that ended up on the show not much later. “Haughty (Bitch)” and “married to a dark-skinned woman”. There’s no way in Hell that’s just a coincidence. That’ll cost you a talking bit-part with enough words to get my SAG card. Then, we’ll call it even. No confessions required - that’ll be the end of it.
By Lon Horiuchi V on September 21st, 2009 at 5:19 pmI hope that Gemma will exact her revenge on Henry Rollins by enlisting a very large “man of color” to do to Henry what he did to Gemma. And for a little extra punch, have it done in the new porn studio the club is setting up for Luanna and send a DVD of it to his Aryan friends.
Don’t kill him. Let him live the rest of his life in shame and humiliation, and record it for posterity.
By Mo Biker on September 22nd, 2009 at 12:41 pmEnough of the bulls… commercials Kurt. It’s up to 1/3 of the show. I guess it is all about the $, hey man? Not very “Charming”. But what is shown is at least 40 % of the life.
By Roadkill on September 22nd, 2009 at 8:59 pmlove this show.always been a closet biker wannabbee
By newman on September 23rd, 2009 at 1:46 amGreat show!! Gives me something to look forward to on a Tuesday. I would like to see Jemma as a “rolemodel” for victims of sexual abuse. It concerns me about her anger and how it will be portrayed. Keep in mind what happened to Jemma has happened to alot of us!! There are people who might handle it “Jemma’s Way”
By Sheri on September 23rd, 2009 at 5:33 amLove the show!I put the baby to bed and sit down to watch SOA.Got to say I love Clay tough on the outside but full of love for those close to him.I have been a Ron Pearlman fan since he did Beauty and The Beast.He makes Clay seem real.
By USMCAngel on September 25th, 2009 at 3:12 pmwhen you say God is that a hint that Hells Ruler is really going to be on the show this season ? I want to see that crazy MF act.
By Ron on September 25th, 2009 at 8:20 pmI love the show! I watched all last year and started on this season as well. One BIG PROBLEM this year ” TO MANY COMMERCIALS “. It seems like at least twice as many as last year. NOTHING WORSE!!
GREAT SHOW!! The BEST!! Can’t wait for Tuesday’s.
By Bill Mold on September 30th, 2009 at 8:03 am