Ryan Hurst as Harry 'Opie' Winston (James Minchin III/FX)"Sons of Anarchy" isn't a lighthearted show. Fans
have expected much more depth and intensity from creator Kurt Sutter, but what
happened just three episodes into Season 5 proved to be a new turning point in
the series, which scored big ratings with the installment (2.63 million among 18- to 49-year-olds). In fact, the episode beat out two 10PM network dramas to finish second in the time slot behind CBS' series premiere of "Vegas."
So what dramatic event had so many tuning in? A major character was killed off. While the death itself isn't
unusual in TV drama, the fact that it happened early in the season is
extraordinary. Sutter didn't wait until the finale to blow fans away.
Major spoilers lie ahead for those who haven't seen the episode "Laying Pipe."
Episode recap
The death in the SAMCRO family is a choice of with no good options. Drug kingpin Damon Pope demands half of SAMCRO's monthly drug money. In return, Pope's cronies ease up on the Sons. But the money must be paid in
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