Jax Teller is the official main character in Sons Of Anarchy, but an argument can be made for his mother Gemma Teller Morrow as more deserving of the title. Not only does she have the lioness' share of screentime, but she also boasts of one of the best character developments in the series.
Though she doesn't ride a Harley or shoot people up, Gemma is undoubtedly the unofficial member of SAMCRO. Lacking a patch is no problem to Gemma, as she still manages to be more influential to the club's activities than anyone else. No other SAMCRO Old Lady matches up to her menacing and intimidating nature.
She Has Storylines With Most Of The Characters
Even Jax isn't deeply involved with everyone. Gemma's case, on the other hand, is different. She has a special bond with former police chief Wayne Unser, who is infatuated with her. She has romantic relationships with three key characters in the series: Clay, Nero, and John Teller. not to mention that the series protagonist, Jax Teller, is her son and she has a deep influence over him.
Gemma also has a love-hate relationship with Jax's love interests Wendy and Tara Knowles—she almost sleeps with Tig, too, and there's Juice, who is an accomplice to her biggest crime. Several antagonists like June Stahl and Ethan Zobelle also target her.
She Is Directly Linked To Three Different SAMCRO Presidents
Sons Of Anarchy is all about SAMCRO, but, despite not being a member, Gemma has her footprints all over the club. SAMCRO's founding father and former president John Teller was Gemma's husband for a long time. Sadly, she was part of a scheme to have him killed.
Gemma later marries Clay, the SAMCRO president at the start of the series. Jax, who takes over from Clay, is Gemma's son. She is not just the Queen, but the mother of the King, as well.
She's The Character With The Most Awards Recognition
The FX series was often snubbed by the Emmys, but other award organizations recognized the awesomeness that was the series. Out of all cast members, Katey Sagal, who played Gemma, has the most award recognitions.
At the 68th Golden Globe Awards, Sagal earned herself a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series (Drama) for her role in the third season. She was also nominated for a Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series (Drama) and a for the Individual Achievement in Drama.
Her Word Is Law
Most of the characters never dare to oppose Gemma; they simply do as she says. Perhaps only Tara manages to be rebellious towards her, but she ends up paying dearly for it.
Unser is more than willing to do any favors that Gemma asked, including staging an accident. Jax instantly believes her when she tells him that the Triads were responsible for Tara's murder. Wendy is basically a puppet to her. Clay also agrees with her on most things, except on that single occasion when they disagree over the hit on Tara.
She Has The Most Conclusive Love Life
Love and lust are always in the air in Sons Of Anarchy. Unfortunately, most characters don't have compelling love stories. They pair up with the wrong people, and the relationships never last. Jax and Tara are mismatched as a doctor and outlaw; one wants to commit to a life of crime, while the other wants to leave. Chibs and Althea are also mismatched as cop and outlaw.
Gemma is different because she has been with people who are very much like her. John Teller, Clay, and Nero are all gangsters. She spends many years with John Teller, then leaves him, even conspiring with Clay to murder him. After Clay assaults her, she reemphasizes the fact that this is always a valid reason for a breakup, so she breaks up with him.
The Series Trajectory Traces Back To Her
Most events in the series would have occurred differently if Gemma had made different life choices. If Gemma decided against going with Clay's plans to murder JT, SAMCRO would have gone out of the gun business before the series even began and would have become a fairly peaceful club. Realistically, antagonists like Jimmy O, Galen, Ethan Zobelle, and June Stahl have no place in the series if Gemma stops Clay from murdering JT.
If Gemma refrains from murdering Tara or tells Jax the truth, the bloody war with the Chinese doesn't happen. Jury doesn't get killed, and Jax doesn't get a Mayhem vote. Jax also doesn't fall out with August Marks. This means that Jax will have no reason to take his own life. Everything boils down to Gemma's life choices.
His Family Issues Take Center Stage
No other family is more focused on in the series than that of Gemma. Several details are given about her relationship with JT. She also clashes with Wendy over her decision to take drugs while pregnant with Jax's baby. Her marriage to Clay starts out as mostly cordial, but things get sour and he assaults her.
Gemma also has an endless feud with her daughter-in-law Tara. Tara often stands up to her and even denies her access to the grandchildren. The feud ends with Gemma murdering her in a brutal manner. This, in turn, creates a feud between her and Jax after he finds out what happened. Jax is left with no choice but to murder her, too.
She Outlives All Characters
Gemma has been around since SAMCRO's early years. Other characters that were also around since SAMCRO's early years die before her. These include JT, Clay, Keith McGee, and Piney.
Most of the other characters in the series are younger than her. Since she stays alive until the penultimate episode, it's accurate to conclude that she has outlived everyone else. She has seen Charming in all its glory and doom, and she has also known more people than everyone else.
She's Actually The Show's True Antihero
Gemma's actions prove that this is her world and everyone else just lives in it. Villains like Damon Pope and Galen O'Shay come and go, but Gemma is the only baddie that lasts until the very end. While she's not a crime lord, her ruthlessness and manipulative nature remain constant throughout the series. Even her own family members are not immune to her wickedness.
Gemma also has a good side; she cares about her family and would do anything for them. She gives solid advice to other Old Ladies and Crow Eaters. She never hesitates to punish people when they get out of line, too.
Her Story Is Wrapped Up Perfectly
Gemma is the only character who has a complete story in the show. She gets married, has children, sees her son grow into someone she is proud of, has grandchildren, engages in crime, and pays for it.
Other characters have their stories cut shot by other circumstances. Jax never lives to see his kids grow old, Unser never gets to be with Gemma, Clay doesn't manage to wrestle back the presidency from Jax, Tara never gets out of Charming, and Wendy never settles down with Hax. Gemma achieves all she wants and pays for her mistakes, thus wrapping up her story perfectly.