[Spoiler Warning: MAJOR Sons of Anarchy Season 5 Spoilers Below!!!]
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By the end of last night’s episode of Sons of Anarchy, fans were left in shock as SAMCRO was forced to sacrifice one of their own to Damon Pope (Harold Perrineau), leaving Jax’s (Charlie Hunnam) longtime ally, Opie (Ryan Hurst), to be brutally murdered in prison. To help answer some of the viewer’s questions surrounding Opie’s death, series creator Kurt Sutter revealed why he decided to kill of the fan-favorite character, and how this major death will impact the rest of season 5.
Speaking with the press this morning, Sutter spoke about when he decided Opie’s fate; why Opie had to die; how Opie’s death will impact the series forever; and what’s going to happen in the rest of season 5, as a result.
Even though the death of Opie’s father, Piney, came as a shock in season 4, Sutter had already plotted out the death of Jax’s best friend by the end of season 3. Needing a way to set Jax’s character on a different path, Sutter decided to use Opie’s life as the lynchpin.
I started thinking about it towards the end of season three, and then I think it all came together with the death of Piney last year. I got to the end of the season and realized that there was this circular dynamic that was happening with Jax and Opie that was very difficult to get out of.
As we came into this season, knowing where I want to take my hero…Jax needed that emotional upheaval, that one event that happens in a man’s life that can change the course of his destiny, and I think the death of his best friend is such an event.
Every death on Sons of Anarchy is memorable, and Opie’s is no different: taking on a gang of men, besting many, and then falling from a deathly blow to the head. While graphic deaths are always memory, Sutter’s intent was more earnest:
I wanted Opie to go out a warrior, with nobility and a sense of protecting the people [he still loves].
I don’t do things arbitrarily or just for shock value. I think there’s a sense of how deeply committed I am to the show and to the fans as well…I do think that there is a sense of [the fans] understanding why it happened and where it will go.
Continuing, Sutter had a message to fans who might be upset about Opie’s death:
What I would say to them is that yes, it’s incredibly sad, but the death of Opie will color the rest of the episodes for the rest of the series. It’s not a death that will happen in vain.
Jax will be greatly influenced by the death of Opie, and perhaps that loss, that emptiness, will color him throughout the rest of the season.
Since the beginning of the series, Opie has always been a positive support for Jax – even if he was only recently made aware of everything that was going on. Now that this element has been removed from Jax’s world so painfully, it’s reassuring to hear that the repercussions of this event are great.
Even so, the death of Opie also impacts any direct comparison that the series has with Hamlet. Even though Sutter has always mentioned that Sons of Anarchy is only loosely based on the famous William Shakespeare play, the comparisons up until now have been pretty direct. The only problem is that Opie’s counterpart in Hamlet doesn’t die in the play.
Without giving away any Hamlet spoilers (something that hasn’t been said since the 1700s), Opie’s counterpart in the play serves to be the chronicler of everything that occurs in Hamlet’s familia struggles. Now that Sutter has made this turn, who knows what other tweaks he’s made to the iconic plot, and who may now be saved (or doomed) because of it.
Right now it looks like Sons of Anarchy might be bowing out of the major death game for a bit, focusing more on the emotional struggle that Jax is facing, and the decision’s he’ll have to make to secure the future of SAMCRO. Still, it is Sons of Anarchy, so there’s always a chance for more blood.
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Sons of Anarchy airs at 10pm on FX
Source: E! Online
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Man…some of you are talking like the kids on some of these series who get all upset about who is with who when obviously they were meant for the other person. It’s entertainment, and unlike what we’re often dished things get messy like in real life. Think about….Ol’ Jax the hero is one hell of a nice guy, loves his family, tries to do the right thing, is generous, but will kill someone without hesitation if he thinks it’s called for………In the story…that’s supposed to be the world these guys live in….in that reality there’s bound to be the wrong people getting killed……..Personally I like it when a show throws a huge shocker in. Of course this really wasn’t that much of a shock. Opie going in was like the extra guy beaming down to the planet….You just knew he was a dead man walking…..Was it really surprising what was about to happen from the time Jax knew he had to choose?
Opi was the real thing. Represented the club to the fullest and should have carry a high rank patch He kept it at 100 all the time. And that’s rare To die like that due to the same guy who Killed his wife ………. Not good. Yes , there’s honor in his death leadership is an action not a position I didnt like the twist. Jax. Is no leader. Too soft and whooped Not the 1% material. Opi was. Opi, would have taken pope out right there in the office and not bow down the way jax did. I love bikes and And the show. Will have to see what happens now
But for the purpose of maintaining an audience you need the hero with some charisma that everyone and not just bikers can identify with. Yes Opie did have a lot of biker qualities (Remember though…..He’s just an actor doing that part) but having the leader always come across as brooding might set a tone for the show that could get a bit too dark
First he wasn’t the real thing he was an actor second his wife dies he runs away his dad dies he runs away not exactly representing the club t the fullest or keeping it at 100 he didnt die cause of what tig did he died cause of what he did shoting clay in which made clay just like his father and what you op-heads have to remember is it is not about a second banana it is about a MC and in particular one jax on a side note opie was already a punk for sitting at a table since season 1 with tig and then he was suppose to do the same with clay watch that scene again he smiles a bit when gets clubed
Man you make no sense whatsoever talking bout tOpie like that, we know he’s an actor and he plays his part well. Maybe you dont like his character but he did not bring this on himself..I’m not sure you saw the same series i was watching, but you need to watch it again man…You need to keep it 100 and get your facts straight…..
I agree,Opie was a bad ass Jax is a pretty boy,should have been Tig to take the fall for his cock up in the first place..Just got the show on Sky last nite feels funny without Opie already,he was the muscle..
not kids just enjoy the acting of some over others… can’t say that I have ever seen or heard of a killing in county… prison yes… county… no… a bit much… it’s just a show… but I also pay for my FX … I have expectations of the show…
Yeah man, I hear you, the story between Jax n Opie, the distrust Opie had for Jax plus all the other s*** that has happened, that story wouldve carried on forever before it was fixed. Sutter did the right thing getting rid of Opie, it opens alot more for Jax and the show, without the lingering doubt, and I guess you can call Opie, Jax’s Angel and Devil, this will open Jax’s story line alot more to fit in things, than dealing with Opie’s distrust and lingering conflict he has with the club. Sutter now can use this death to empower Jax to a whole new motive, to be more of a leader, sure hes nice, and soft at times, but like the wall says in church “BRAINS BEFORE BULLETS” N its obvious Clay didn’t have the brains, just the bullets, Jax on the other hand has the brains. I saw one dude say something about Jax not being a 1%er, he’s wrong lol, yeah ok, lets go to prison all the time n run a MC out of prison, NOT gonna work there pal, an MC requires you to meet your biker miles, how are you gonna do that if you’re always committing crime n locked away? Not smart on your part. Jax is smart, he’s a very strong, intelligent leader, his way n thinking will make the MC last longer without being behind bars. 1%ers are for his enforcers, not the president, to be a leader you need to keep your s*** straight. Some fools n their low IQ, thinking being badass killer all the time is the way to be, when they have never killed a soul in their life. Jax will kill a MFer, if its the right call, why go n kill when u can solve it a better way n keep your hands clean to keep running your MC? Think people think!!!!. But overall Opie definitely had to go, sad to see him go, I loved him, he was true, tho sometimes he was naive, as to when he stood behind Clay, after Donna died, n Clay and Jax were beefing it out over doubts about where the club was headed. Opie was a bit of a follower. Definitely wouldn’t make a good high rank officer becuz of this, but as a soldier or even being the new secretary/treasurer would’ve fit him well, but his leadership was in question. But im glad they opened the story more for Jax with the death of Opie, as Sutter puts it “His death will not be in vain” can’t wait!
I voted ‘hated it’ but I am interested to see what will come from it.
On a different topic….Anyone else disappointed in the part Danny Trejo has had so far? When I heard he was coming aboard I was expecting him to be another bad ass biker…..Not a cartel boss in a hummer. The biggest disappointment though is just how little screen time he actually has. Maybe with some of his recent successes he gets more money for more screen time, but I’d sure like to see him in more than a few minor scenes.
Yeah, i expected more, definitely disappointing with his on screen time. I was really hoping for him to be a somewhat relation to the Mayans. Some what like he was in the movie “Recoil” as the President of the MC “THE CIRCLE” he was badass in that movie as a biker. But nonetheless, im hoping his role will open up more as the series go on? or maybe it will go away, since his role isn’t really a plus for the club, its just a lingering bomb with benefits, tho it is nice for the club to have a safe net, they seem to use quite often, but hate the fact they are using RICO to keep the Sons in line with their deal. Tho only Jax, Tara and Bobby knows about them being CIA. But who knows maybe a nice twist in power shift can be benefiting for the club n using his character in bigger roles. or i dunno but yeah i agree need more Danny in this show.
I hated to see Opie go, especially so brutally. I had been hoping that together Jax and Opie would bring the club back to the vision JT had when he started things. There would have been a certain symetry in having the two boys make right all the things Clay destroyed, especially since both of their fathers were lost as part of Clay’s greed.
Yeah definitely was ideal to have Jax – President, and Opie – Vice President, its really hard to see Bobby as the VP, he just… i guess doesn’t fit the role, but I’m glad it is Bobby over Opie, as Bobby wants the same as Jax, to restore the club. But Opie i do have to question his leadership role, as he is a bit naive at times, and follows the wrong lead, as he was willing to back up Clay even after he killed his wife, tho Opie didnt know at the time, thats where him being naive is played, but as well as, not being behind Jax when he took over the club, n not trusting him, tho i dont blame Opie for it, he should’ve just followed Jax lead n took over SAMCRO with him. But yeah sad to see him go the way he did, but he did it in a fashion that not only saved the club, but it also was in a very big way. He is out of his miserable life now, n at peace, RIP OPE!
Hibbity flibbity flabbity goo
Exactly
Exactly my thought
I thought it was stupd killing Opie. Jax is to wishy wash. One minute he bows down and dont want any friction, the next minute after something bad hapns he all kill’em.I was hopig that jax would e gone eventally and Opie be pres. I think Sutter just hated that eryone liked Opie better than his so called hero Jax. Jax and his white sneakers!
I’m beyond disgusted about Opie dying. Yes, he went out like a warrior, but Sutter has put him through so much that we already saw him as a warrior. And I for one, did NOT want Opie to go out like that. Opie was the ONLY one outta all them that had REAL BALL$! They are all only worried about themselves.
SAMCRO is looking like a bunch of old, dried-up has beens. They are at everyone’s mercy! And they all stand there woofing like they’re tough but don’t DO anything. Especially Jax! Opie was the ONLY one who actually backed himself up. So great job Sutter, let’s brutally kill the true man of the show…but leave the other whiny babies.
BTW…Robzilla…you said ‘Jax and his white sneakers!’ …I love you!! I comment on that all the time!
LOL Opie was the wishy wash one, who couldn’t decide if he wanted to be with the club or not thru out 5 seasons, sure the club did alot of bad to him, but thats where you define your own point to where he would actually be prez. not gonna happen, Jax is the ideal person, as to Clay n what he has done to the club, wanting more n more n more, sacrificing his own brothers to get what he wants, even if that meant killing them cold blooded, or hiring someone to kill his step son’s old lady. thats not a leader, thats a selfish coward. Opie is naive n a follower, Jax is not, he stands up for what he wants. He is smart n will kill if he has to. You’re just too caught up in what you want out of the show to realize the entertainment n what the story is trying to tell you, Listen to it, watch it, you are not telling the story, you cry n complain about s*** you didnt write, nor create, let the pros do what they do best, n you sit there n watch it n stop being a lil b*tch about it. You’re worse than Gemma when it comes to not getting what they want, its always something. its a good story n its gonna make the show even better with Opie’s death, something you amazing fail to see n understand. Jax is the leader n there is nothing u can do about it, Opie is gone n not coming back, DEAL!
OMG! i just decided to watch SOA last week. until then i had never seen an episode. in the last week i have watched every episode and am now caught up. in the first 2 episodes i was hooked. this show is by far one of the best shows on TV. this is now my first followed by breaking bad which i also just watched within the last few months. i am so very sad to see ope go! i dont think its right to kill off his wife and then to kill him off as well as the grandfather then to leave them with a porn slut at that. but im sure that it will be for the greater of the show in the end somehow. i also love tara and think she had become one b/a chick! i look forward to seeing how far they take her character as well.
Check out mad men. That show is about evil, misogyny and cigarettes, currently my favorite show, just my opinion
Opie had to die…because of after the hit that took out his wife…and the hit that was on him for suspiciaon of cooperating with the feds….
piney’s death… which all the above had a msjor Clay influence or hedid it himself…
Whether or not that Opie was a stronger character than jax is ilrevelent …samcro needs clay so the irish deal with him too get thier guns…and after all said and done when clay goes down…it will beb at the hands of jax…for the hit he put on tera….
but vengence will be jax’s for opies death
when i watched him die of corse every true fan of sons of anarchy didn’t want it to happen and i was blownnn, but now reading this it has me guessing because you know things always get deeper in soa they went from the beef with the whites to the detectives and so on, nothing opies death things are only gonna get a whole lot crazy and better because everyone on the show has some type of rival or issue. can’t wait to watch more diffenitly #hooked
Oh yeah definitely bro. I cannot wait either. Ope’s death hit me hard. But I know it was for a good cause, and Sutter did say it will not be in vain, ugh!!! its gonna be sooooo good when Jax gets the chance to avenge his brother.
Is just getoff a potential caracter what minimize the other great actors, so dont worry clay must live to the end, and pope and other is just Hollywood bulls***, sutter you are a sold men.
My husband & I started watching sons during season 3 we went out & purchased we1& 2 so we where all caught up on everything we LOVE THE SHOW!!!!!!!! We are really hoping there will be more than just 13 episodes in season 5 . Kurt knows how to keep the fans on the edge of their seats & that’s great. We don’t care for Tara much she should have been KILLED instead of Opie. Thanks you Kurt for creating a Great show. Much Love to Katie (Gemma) & Charlie (Jax’s).
I agree; hate Tara. Didn’t understand the attraction of bringing in a ‘dogface’ like her. Looks like an Irish Setter (sorry to the breed) Jax certainly has better choices; Wendy is more attractive. The doctor-thing just doesn’t fit. A true physician would not risk their career for anyone…not to mention their ethics. How many people has Tara had a hand in killing now? Brutally Beating Nero’s half-sister on the word of Gemma? She really is dumb, don’t ya thing? She is Gemma 2.0, and doesn’t do it well. Katey Segal plays Gemma perfectly; she fits the character and it works.
Hope she dies soon, to really ‘push’ Jax over the edge. Jax didn’t look too upset when she was carted off to jail at the end of Season 5, did he.
its amazing how this show makes you fall in love the its characters.. i HATE the fact that opie is now dead but you HAVE to give your fans a little justice.. i want to see the black guy with the dreads that repeatedly bashed his head in after he was dead burned at the stake (figure of speech, get creative with it) Though doing that will not make his death ok, it will give me a little satisfaction..
Love this show. Can’t wait till season 6. One thing that I can’t find out is why Opie spent 5 years in jail.
It’s in season 1 ep.5 he blew up some s*** and caught cause they guy he was with ditched him.
I love opie as a character! Him and jax make a great team! The show, not the same with out him! He is bad ass! N so is jax. I love jemma. But if u wanted a man to change to get out n get right. They couod of did it to hid mom and then have opie for support! They do things right n run soa!
WORST MOVE IN THE WHOLE SERIES!
Im a full cut brother in the “Blue Gang” Blue Angels Mc Glasgow Scotland and i would say u do things diffrent from us boys over here but still being true ur word and well being of our familes and brothers. Great show loved every episode sofar. Kurt your the man. Blue Angels..? B.L.U.E Bastards Lunatics Undesireables Eccentrics Blue Gang Forever !!!
I THINK THIS PART OF THE EPISODE SUCKED!!! I WANT OPIE!!! AND I WANT HIM NOW LOL
BUT SERIOUSLY, I THINK THAT WILL THROW ME OFF WITH THE SERIES. JAX WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.
Just seen this episode in NZ I think the producers have made a huge mistake killing Opie he was a major character and probably my favourite character. He was a voice of reason and a sounding board for Jax. For me the show has lost a lot of its appeal and I may stop watching.
It made me feel physically sick to watch opies death..I cried instantly and had a lump in my throat for two days and still I cant get it out my head..it disturbed me how real it felt
I stopped watching after opie died, just said F it..
Agreed.
That was the stupidest move Sutter could have made. I just got to this part and I am done. I will not watch the show again. I will not recommend it. Sutter’s an idiot.
Please kill all those ni**ers, pope and all the rest! They have to die a brutal death, they wives and kids too!
He played a great role I will miss him
can’t wait to see what he plays in next
I cried it was so sad. Op was my favorite. I will miss him on the show
This is by far the worst death of show. The new episodes are to much stuff at once. Why kill off one of the best characters on the show??? I would kept watching sons of anarchy if it wasn’t for the death of opie.. Now the show is to lame to watch….
I hated opi dead it pissed me of