Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
Jax takes over as SAMCRO president, but his early presidency is shaped by Damon Pope’s revenge. Tig killed Pope’s daughter Veronica while targeting Niner leader Laroy. Pope demands a jailed Son die and Tig stay behind bars for life. After Pope has Tig’s daughter Dawn burned alive, Jax refuses to choose a brother. Opie, already angry that Jax kept Clay alive after learning Clay killed Piney, steps forward and is beaten to death in front of Jax, Chibs and Tig. Jax secures the others’ release and makes Tig promise to follow his lead.
Outside prison, Jax tries to keep the club together and shift SAMCRO away from the drug business. He negotiates with Pope over Charming Heights, even as Clay works behind his back to recover influence. The earlier threat from Clay’s hired Nomads leaves the club dealing with robberies and violence within its own ranks. Juice is pulled further into Clay’s orbit, while Otto’s testimony and Gemma’s hostility toward Tara create separate dangers. Tara considers a medical job away from Charming; Gemma threatens to tell authorities that Tara supplied the crucifix Otto used to kill a prison nurse.
In the finale, Jax appears to deliver Tig to Pope in exchange for a written deal over Charming Heights. He shoots Pope’s guards, then gives Tig Clay’s gun so Tig can kill Pope and avenge Dawn. Jax uses the weapon to make Pope’s lieutenants believe Clay did it. Tig is spared and bound to Jax, while the club gains leverage over Charming Heights. Clay is arrested for Pope’s murder, and Tara is taken into custody over the nurse’s murder. Jax’s wife is now caught in a legal fight with the club whose future he has been trying to secure.