Most popular television shows either go past their prime or, are axed before the main characters have the endings they deserve. Sons of Anarchy falls somewhere in the middle. Could it have been extended for another season or two, while still maintaining the exceptional standards of storytelling it was known for?
Of course, it could have. Did all the characters' story arcs get resolved before its ending? Well, no, but, what show ties up every loose end before it fades to black for that last time? So, let us go countdown, whose endings were satisfying and whose ending left fans deserving more.
Fitting End: Nero
The retired gang member, who turned his life around, transitioning into the owner of an escort service, only to once again be brought back into illegal activity by his girlfriend, Gemma ended up with the perfect ending, he probably didn't want.
Gemma was the love of his life but, was also cancer slowly eating him from the inside. Gemma's death at the hands of Jax in season 7, freed him from the delusion of a happily ever after with her, allowing him to find purpose in looking after Wendy and Jax's sons.
Deserved More: Opie
Few SAMCRO members gave as much for the club than Opie. After being released from a five-year prison sentence for a botched arson charge. He then lost his wife, when the club, believing him a snitch, accidentally assassinated his wife, instead of him, leaving him a single parent.
His father was then murdered by Clay and his life with his second wife Lyla was cut short when he was beaten to death in retaliation against the same club that had taken so much from him. He deserved more than being just another casualty in the name of SAMCRO.
Fitting End: Juice
Juice was a troubled soul, whose story arc had changed dramatically each season from a lovable but dim-witted newbie to a suicidal traitor to the club. His imprisonment and ultimate death was a fitting end since he had come full circle.
His time in SAMCRO was finished and as someone, who had no family or life outside the club, keeping him alive, in a prison cell, now alone in the world, would have been cruel. At least, he got the chance to make amends for his past sins, before going out on his terms.
Deserved More: Kip Half-Sack Epps
The saddest part of his death is that after all he had been through as a prospect for SAMCRO, he never received his full patch in life. SAMCRO gave it to him posthumously but, it just wasn't the same.
He went out like a hero, protecting Tara and Abel from Cameron Hayes but his death always felt premature, since he was just beginning a relationship with Cherry and seemed to be truly happy. Like Juice, Half-sack's life was the club and like Juice, he paid the ultimate price for his loyalty. Sadly, a story that will forever be left untold.
Fitting End: Clay
Clay might not have been the most likable character on Sons of Anarchy but, even when he was an underlying antagonist, he seemed to complete any story arc, his character was given. After murdering Piney and being responsible for Donna's death, Clay deserved to die.
Opie might have been the first choice to be the one who ended him, but, at least, Opie had his shot. After Clay made his amends with Gemma, all that was left was for Jax to get his revenge. When all bridges were burned for Clay, his end was satisfying and deserving.
Deserved More: David Hale
David Hale was surrounded by corrupt cops on the payroll of SAMCRO and family, who wanted SAMCRO pushed out of Charming for financial reasons. Unlike the others, Hale's motivations were more genuine, since all he wanted was peace and order in his town.
Those who broke the law were punished and those who abide by it could remain undisturbed. So, when Hale was run down after responding to a drive-by, by the Calaveras MC on SAMCRO, his death felt undeserved. Hale fought for a safe Charming and for that was murdered in the impending chaos.
Fitting End: Wendy
Wendy was another character whose story arc come full circle. At the beginning of the show, she was nothing more than Jax Teller's junkie ex-wife, who was responsible for their child's birth defect. By the end, she was rehabilitated and had found purpose in her life.
After the death of Tara, Gemma, and Jax, Wendy finally got her second chance to be a mother, as she was given full custody over not just her son but Tara's as well. Her story was one of forgiveness and redemption, ending with her happy ending.
Deserved More: Bobby
Clay had once used Bobby's counsel and in doing so, the club flourished, but, after Jax and Clay began to tear SAMCRO apart due to their infighting, Bobby's voice was silenced. After Tara's death, Jax wanted vengeance on the Lin Triad for her death.
Bobby agreed to the carnage but was kidnapped by August Marks' in response to a prior betrayal by SAMCRO. Jax tried to save Bobby but Bobby's life was soon snuffed out. After so many years of being second, Bobby deserved to hold the gavel after Jax's death.
Fitting End: Jax
After the death of Opie a few seasons prior, it almost seemed inevitable that Jax wouldn't survive the finale without his biggest supporter. His death is a re-occurrence of the bloody cycle, his father had tried to end; dying in the same manner as his father had all those years before.
Jax had taken revenge for his wife, and Bobby's death. He had got the club out of gun-running and made amends with Wendy. With his story concluded, he rode off into the sunset; albeit into an 18-wheeler but completing what his father had left unfinished.
Deserved More: Gemma
It didn't come as much of a surprise when Gemma met her end during season 7, but, few could have predicted, that she would be killed by her son Jax.
After murdering her son's wife and potentially being responsible for the death of her first husband, John Teller, Jax had every reason to want to murder his mother, but for him to do the deed, it seems a little too cold-blooded even for Jax's character. Her remorseless end, without admitting her culpability in the death of John, left many fans with more questions than answers.