Mayans MC: Sons Of Anarchy Sequel

its ok there except for the president and ez there is no character that i remember lol
with soa we know the whole crew.

also why does ez brother walks like he an ex dope fiend he walks like he is almost about to fall


Fam, yall going to have to give it time with the name thing. I'm sure you ain't know all the sons names in 5episodes.

And I like the fact it's a lot going on, it keeps me from getting bored.

Sutter won me over early with The prospect being a snitch, the orphan rebels giving the cartel hell, and the respect everyone has for Alvarez.

Little rabbit pushing that kid off the roof was the best moment of TV last week.

And The whistling and killing of the Mexican police by the young rebels was the week before that. The rebels kind of need their own show.

But with all the shit going on Mexican Jax is involved in some way with all of it making him quadruple fucked if the shit hits the fan.
 
Fam, yall going to have to give it time with the name thing. I'm sure you ain't know all the sons names in 5episodes.

And I like the fact it's a lot going on, it keeps me from getting bored.

Sutter won me over early with The prospect being a snitch, the orphan rebels giving the cartel hell, and the respect everyone has for Alvarez.

Little rabbit pushing that kid off the roof was the best moment of TV last week.

And The whistling and killing of the Mexican police by the young rebels was the week before that. The rebels kind of need their own show.

But with all the shit going on Mexican Jax is involved in some way with all of it making him quadruple fucked if the shit hits the fan.
let me put it like this the characters are not interesting.
like they can all die this season and i wont care.
i enjoy the show but it is what it is
 
It's like 3 of these characters that look just like each other.

:lol: You trying to say all Mexicans look alike?

But you right cause Easy brother looks just like the DEA agent.


Sidenote, Coco daughter 18 right? Cause man...
 
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Galindo gonna f*ck the head of the rebels....

I mean LITERALLY.

They always have her in this angel lighting!
 
Adelita on some next level boss shit letting Galindo know his entire operation a phone call away from being blown to smithereens in front of his eyes

Fucking genius.

And I like how she realized if we take him down then another would just Spring up. And she let him know they have the numbers.

He showed he wasn't soft in that cell, you just a cockroach.


Speaking of animals what is with the animal themed episodes.

And I think I got a break down of the meanings but would love someone else's take on it.
 
Fucking genius.

And I like how she realized if we take him down then another would just Spring up. And she let him know they have the numbers.

He showed he wasn't soft in that cell, you just a cockroach.


Speaking of animals what is with the animal themed episodes.

And I think I got a break down of the meanings but would love someone else's take on it.

I KNEW you would be on this...

I mentioned it earlier, Sutter kinda did this on SOA back in the day

but NEVER this overt.
 
There is no real interesting commentary on the series. Just niggas talking about spoilers. Come on people. Can there be 1 complete sentence?
 
I feel like I am watching a rehashing of SOA. They are trying to beat the deep symbolism in your head with the animal theme. Crow in the first episode. Come on Sutter.
 
Fucking genius.

And I like how she realized if we take him down then another would just Spring up. And she let him know they have the numbers.

He showed he wasn't soft in that cell, you just a cockroach.


Speaking of animals what is with the animal themed episodes.

And I think I got a break down of the meanings but would love someone else's take on it.
superficial take:
the other episodes lean on legend and or practical history their various totems
In this episode- as a species roaches are the embodiment of survival - they can adapt to withstand almost any environmental change or predator.

hot take:
imo - Kurt Sutter just ran out of ideas -and for some reason is too proud to "borrow" from better creatives -

the animal themes are just one more instance of being too cute / artistic / throwing shit at the wall

So far Mayans is soap opera - while SoA was a drama influenced by Hamlet

My take might be a bit harsh but thanks to Amazon Prime Video I was able to rewatch SoA season 1 over the last week - the difference in writing quality is night & day - almost as bad as comparing Alias to The Americans
 
superficial take:
the other episodes lean on legend and or practical history their various totems
In this episode- as a species roaches are the embodiment of survival - they can adapt to withstand almost any environmental change or predator.

hot take:
imo - Kurt Sutter just ran out of ideas -and for some reason is too proud to "borrow" from better creatives -

the animal themes are just one more instance of being too cute / artistic / throwing shit at the wall

So far Mayans is soap opera - while SoA was a drama influenced by Hamlet

My take might be a bit harsh but thanks to Amazon Prime Video I was able to rewatch SoA season 1 over the last week - the difference in writing quality is night & day - almost as bad as comparing Alias to The Americans

hold on cuz...

you trying to DISS Alias?
 
hold on cuz...

you trying to DISS Alias?
Americans is the best written and executed spy show on TV period
vs. Alias had a spy wearing stiletto heels fighting men 3x her weight in stair cases... don't get me started on character development

but if it would make you feel better substitute 24 for Alias...

My point is the vast difference in writing for similar genre and subject- just watch the pilot for SoA or the first 5 eps - the gap vs Mayans is huge
 
I’ve been downloading the eps each week...still haven’t jumped in yet...will probably wait til the season is over to marathon it...looks like the show is good from the comments tho
 
Americans is the best written and executed spy show on TV period
vs. Alias had a spy wearing stiletto heels fighting men 3x her weight in stair cases... don't get me started on character development

but if it would make you feel better substitute 24 for Alias...

My point is the vast difference in writing for similar genre and subject- just watch the pilot for SoA or the first 5 eps - the gap vs Mayans is huge

OK i do feel better

:hmm:
 
Good season finale, Marcus Alvarez continues to move up since SOA, gives up the Mayans Cut and moves on to become consigliere for Miguel Galindo

So I guess we'll be seeing more of Happy and SAMCRO during S2
 
Good season finale, Marcus Alvarez continues to move up since SOA, gives up the Mayans Cut and moves on to become consigliere for Miguel Galindo

So I guess we'll be seeing more of Happy and SAMCRO during S2


Happy the one killed your mom? You might as well let that shit go. :lol:


And I don't know if it's a promotion but you noticed they been giving little hints that Alvarez was getting too old to ride. You can't ride you can't lead.
 
Yeah when you getting close to 60 years old you might wanna start thinking about that next move rather than leading Outlaw MC, and this is a big time role for him now, u know Miguel offered him the lucrative compensation package with a ton of stock options in all the Galindo owned Companies
Happy the one killed your mom? You might as well let that shit go. :lol:


And I don't know if it's a promotion but you noticed they been giving little hints that Alvarez was getting too old to ride. You can't ride you can't lead.
 
The problem with the show is that is not about club business
I don’t know anybody’s name on the crew except ez and angel
 
The problem with the show is that is not about club business
I don’t know anybody’s name on the crew except ez and angel


You knew all the sons name in season one right?

Plus you can pretty much gauge everyones personality with the little screen time they have.

And furthermore not entirely being about the club, keeps it from being a Mexican Sons of anarchy.
 
Oh and "little rabbit"sleeping on the floor almost broke my heart. :crying:

Its interesting...I have seen that same thing done so many times but it is something about how they set up that little girl story line from day one and then her first best friend being a snitch that was just so damn heart breaking.

Good actress too.
 
Happy the one killed your mom? You might as well let that shit go. :lol:


And I don't know if it's a promotion but you noticed they been giving little hints that Alvarez was getting too old to ride. You can't ride you can't lead.

I was thinking of ALL the Sons...who would want least to have to go after?

And Happy and Tig (CRAZY) RIGHT up there.



you do NOT want no part of Chins either but he actually has a HEART but he former IRA

But damn..Clay kill yor whole REMAINING family.

Gemma f*ck you and THEN kill you and raise your children as her own.

Jax in his prime was unfukwitable...but the fact that he ACTUALLY had a conscious made him possibly be somewhat lenient.

Same with Bobby and Opie the GUILT would kill them for you

Now that I think of it?

Juice...cause yeah he could mess up my credit but I would murk homeboy.
 
The problem with the show is that is not about club business
I don’t know anybody’s name on the crew except ez and angel

I disagree...

this is YEARS after SAMCRO

the WORLD has changed a whole lot

this IS all club business now.

I feel like after all the in house stuff was settled and if Jax had lived this is ALL the bullsh*t they would have to deal with now...and MORE.
 
'Mayans MC': Kurt Sutter on the Finale's Deadly 'Sons of Anarchy' Twist
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Prashant Gupta/FX
second season next year.

The finale, "Cuervo/Tz'ikb'uul," written by Sutter and directed by James, pulls the curtain back on one of the season's central mysteries: the murder of the Reyes family matriarch, whose death is the driving force behind her widowed husband, Felipe (Edward James Olmos), and two surviving sons, Angel (Clayton Cardenas) and Ezekiel (JD Pardo). Murdered several years before the main events of Mayans MC, EZ's mother's death led the Mayans protagonist on a quest for vengeance to find and punish her killer — a quest that landed him in jail for nearly a decade, when he accidentally shot a police officer in pursuit of the real killer.


Ever since then, EZ has wondered who killed his mother. Now, he wonders no more, as the finale puts him face to face with the triggerman: Happy Lowman, the Sons of Anarchy character played by David Labrava, featured on all seven seasons of Sutter's original FX biker drama.

A real-life Hells Angel who served as a technical adviser throughout Sons' run, Labrava made his debut as Happy in the Sons of Anarchy pilot, appeared in four additional episodes of season one, and was featured in every single subsequent season. He was a recurring player from seasons three through six, and was promoted to series regular for Sons' final season. In the context of the show's universe, Happy's journey saw the lethal enforcer ride from Washington to working as a roving nomad to finally settling down with SAMCRO by the end of the series; by that point, Happy was even promoted to sergeant-at-arms.

In short: Happy is a big deal within the Sons of Anarchy universe, as is the man who plays him. Watch Happy in violent action in this clip from Sons of Anarchy below, and be warned: graphic content ahead.

Hundreds of questions emerge in light of Happy's role in murdering EZ's mother, with the big one being … well, why? No matter the specifics surrounding Happy's role in the death of the Reyes family matriarch, there's no question that it brings Mayans MC and Sons of Anarchy closer than ever — and that's saying something, considering Mayans reintroduced one of the great Sons of Anarchy antagonists, Ray McKinnon's Lincoln Potter, a few episodes earlier.

Where will the story go next in light of the finale's big reveal? For his part, speaking candidly with The Hollywood Reporter, Sutter reveals the surprising answer: He does not yet know. The writer at the helm of the Sons of Anarchy and Mayans universe opens up about his organic storytelling process in the interview ahead, detailing exactly when and how he arrived at the unexpected return of Happy, tempering expectations for a full-on Mayans and Sons crossover (don't expect season two to take place in the sleepy streets of Charming, California, the original Sons of Anarchy setting), the story behind bringing Lincoln Potter back into the show's universe, and where things stand heading into the already renewed season two.



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Prashant Gupta/FX


How did you arrive at the "Happy ending," as it were?

It was one of those kismet things in the way I like to write. I usually do a pretty significant pass of each script. I end up finding the episode within my draft, or at least the mythology energy of it all. [Happy's return] was not planned. What I realized throughout the season was I didn't want the [EZ] flashbacks to fall into the same traps that Jax (Charlie Hunnam) reading from John Teller's manuscript fell into. It was powerful and served the character, but I didn't have a big arc for that device, so to speak. When it stopped serving the character and the narrative, I sort of let it go. As we were using the flashbacks to help tell EZ's story, I was able with that insight [from Sons] to start thinking about a bigger framework for the device of the flashback, so it's not just a narrative and expository cheat. I realized that each season, what I would like to do is have a story revealed piece by piece by piece within the framework of the flashbacks, so that by the end of the season, the memory we put together serves or in some way intersects thematically or narratively with the bigger arcs of the actual story.

I had a sense of that idea about three or four episodes into the season, but I had no intention of it ever intersecting with Sons. As the narrative drove us to the stuff we did with Potter and Miguel Galindo's (Danny Pino) plan to operate in two worlds — the world [Potter] would see and control, and the actual world of his business with his rebels — I thought, well, there's an opportunity to connect to the Sons, with the Galindo piece, in terms of buying guns from them. At that point, we suggested that relationship hadn't continued, and they were buying their guns some place else. That dovetailed into it.

I started thinking about the payoff with EZ chasing the "one-armed man" who killed his mom. I wanted it to pay off and find out who that guy was, and plug that guy into the bigger mythology. I didn't know if it was going to be a cartel guy. Was it going to be a cop? Would it have something to do with EZ's dad? In the shaping of the season, I realized, "What if we intersect with the mythology that's already there?" We did the historical mythology homework to realize at the time [EZ's mom died], Happy was a Nomad. We established him as a button guy and a killer-for-hire. That piece of it worked, in terms of it not impacting the Sons mythology. He wasn't a member of the charter at that time. He was free and clear. Then the trick was, How do we allow EZ to have that reveal? It can't be someone he's seen before. We established that it's not how they buy their guns. In a previous episode, we saw they bought guns from the San Bernardino charter [of the Sons of Anarchy], so there was no direct conflict with Charming or with Redwood. We could criss-cross the mythologies in a way I was good with, because it doesn't impact the Sons mythology at all.

I've said from the jump that there would be intersections with not necessarily secondary characters in importance, but characters who existed at least part of the time on the fringe — meaning, other charters, and people like Chucky (Michael Ornstein). We get away with that when Happy and Quinn (Rusty Coones) show up, because they were people who came to the club later on, and already existed in the fringe before the people we came to know that represent the Sons mythology. So, this ticked off all the boxes for me, in terms of protecting the other mythology. It became this very cool kismet kind of way to intersect things. Now I just have to figure out where the fuck to go with it. (Laughs.)




READ MORE
'Mayans MC': Kurt Sutter Explains Major 'Sons of Anarchy' Crossover Character



And that's the big question: Now that the mythologies of Mayans and Sons have intersected in this big way, one would think those universes are going to ride alongside each other into season two. Is that a fair assumption, that season two will focus heavily on the Sons of Anarchy?

I don't think so. I think it's going to continue the way it is: They now become part of the external conflict. The focus will still be on EZ, who is now committing to this life, and at least being in a place of acceptance: "This is who I am now, let me see how it goes. I'm exhausted trying to figure out who the fuck I am." We have a commitment from him to the club. We've established the tension between him and Angel. That's still the thrust. Now, we have this cool external conflict for EZ [with Happy] thinking, "OK, now what the fuck do I do?" Here's a guy [in Happy] who is now integral to the success of this club, and yet, "I know who he is and what he did." What does he do with that? Who does he take that to? How does that play out? There's a lot of room to go in different ways.

I don't want to misrepresent the idea that next season we're going back to Charming. We're really clear when we come back in flashbacks and in the narrative to remind fans when [Happy killed EZ's mom] eight years ago, Happy was a Nomad. He was freelance. He had no ties to Charming. I don't want to misrepresent the direction of the series. But is it a cool way to intersect mythologies without fucking with what we did in Sons? I think we're managing to do that. I love when shit happens organically like that, when it's authentic. It allows me to continue doing what I love as a storyteller, which is making people's heads explode.

Happy always brought a unique flavor to Sons of Anarchy, but as far as I can recall, he was rarely at the forefront of his own story. No matter what happens next, you have to imagine that Happy is on the edge of a very significant story. Is that an exciting prospect for you, writing this kind of material for David Labrava, who has been involved in your universe from the start, in a way you weren't able to on Sons?

Yeah, and you know, there's always so much limited screen time for what ended up being such a powerful and authentic ensemble. Every episode, we had Jax's journey, which was so potent and drove the show. And then we had the other characters. I love who Bobby (Mark Boone Junior) became, and his relationships, or Tig (Kim Coates) and his relationships. We would see some of that stuff. We got to see Bobby's relationship with his ex-wife and his daughter. We got to see Tig and what happened with his daughters. We got to see Chibs (Tommy Flanagan) and what happened with his family when he went to Ireland. There were times when I got to organically reveal layers of other characters, and it was so much fun to do that, because I had such great actors. But the thrust of the show was Jax, Gemma (Katey Sagal), Clay (Ron Perlman) and Tara (Maggie Sif). That was the driving force. Anytime I could do that, I would.

We did a little bit with Happy. We had a couple of episodes where we had him talking about wanting to be closer to his mom, because his mom wasn't well. That's why he wanted to plant roots in Charming. We got to see beyond his being this iconic representation of stoicism and fear. We got to see layers of him and see some humor and see some vulnerability. Now, we will be able to, at the very least, show some layers of his backstory in this piece. When I figure out what direction I want it to go in, I will lay track to perhaps what he was doing and why he was doing it and who he was working for and who hired him. In the reveal of that story, we will have the opportunity — whether through flashback or what we do in the present day — to at least reveal parts of his life we didn't know about.



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Prashant Gupta/FX


There was another big Sons of Anarchy intersection that kicked off a few episodes ago: the return of Lincoln Potter. For my taste, short of bringing June Stahl back from the dead, you couldn't have picked a better Sons villain to show up in Mayans. How did his return come together?

That was my writers. That was Elgin and our writers who had the same experience with that character as you did. I know the thematic and emotional points of that mythology, but I forget fucking half the shit we did. (Laughs.) I know Ray's character was ultimately upended by the CIA, but I forgot the reason he was upended was because they couldn't stop the flow of guns to Galindo. That got me thinking, when they talked about bringing back Potter, and we don't mention this in season four, but what if Galindo's old man had a deal with the Justice Department? That became a fascinating way to talk about a character that we heard of — Miguel's father, Jose Galindo — and I think all we ever saw of him was a picture of him on a board in season four. We had never met the man. It was a great way to get to know that character through history as it relates to the current narrative. When my writers were like, "It makes sense to bring Potter back, because he went away because of Galindo," that's when my head exploded.

Potter was such a unique and odd character, really operating on a different plane. I could see the guy who was upended by [Galindo] then taking his obsession and going, "What the fuck happened?" In the past six or so years, he threw himself into that, took a leave of absence, and ultimately, because of his obsessive nature, he became the Justice Department's guy on the inside and became the master of the thing that undermined him. Then you have an actor like Ray, who can make all of that stuff happen and bring it to life.

This is not a world where people talk a lot; I'm constantly editing and bringing dialogue down because it's not a place where people share a lot. Occasionally on Sons there were characters [who could have large amounts of dialogue], like Venus (Walton Goggins), who talks a lot. But Potter was a character who loves to talk. That's a character who uses words like weapons. For a writer, it's so much fucking fun. I would have literally half-page monologues for him, knowing I had an actor who could make it work. As a writer, that's such a fun character to bounce off of. I think Ray had a blast. I know Ray, and love Ray, and I think he had so much fun putting that guy back on.




READ MORE
'Mayans MC' Brings Back a Long Lost 'Sons of Anarchy' Antagonist



Looking back on the first season, are there any characters or stories you wish you could have expanded upon that you hope to take another crack at in season two?

I've learned to hold onto what I think should have happened pretty loosely. I don't usually come out of a season feeling, "Oh, I wish we had this." There was one storyline we ultimately had to cut out, just because my episodes were running so long already. It was a backstory for Emily (Sarah Bolger). It was a scene where she goes to see her mom, when her husband is in the back hole at the border. She goes to her mom and we learn more about her family. It was an interesting reveal for her in terms of character. Ultimately, the episodes were so thick that I had to extract that story. Hopefully we'll have the opportunity to do that next season, where we get a little more of Emily's story, and see the things that shaped her so you understand who she is and why she's with Miguel, and the choices that she's made.

Where are you in the process of figuring out season two?

It's sort of the Sons schedule. I'll probably start back up with the writers at the end of January. We'll go back into production around the end of May. I like to have at least 16 to 18 weeks upfront with my writers to get a grip on things. We'll probably shoot for around the same time with the airing of season two. That's the schedule of it all, but as far as the ideas? There's a lot of viable jumping-off points.

You want to let it breathe for a bit?

Yeah. It's hard for my brain to shut down, so if there's a theme or an idea, I'll jot that down. I don't want to start unpacking things in my head. I just want to let it sit for a minute. Probably around the holidays or so, I'll start boarding some bigger-picture ideas. I like to come into each season with at least a loose sense of structure and where I want it to go. My writers help me get there.
 
'Mayans MC' Star Reacts to 'Sons of Anarchy' Twist: "I Was So Happy"
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Prashant Gupta/FX

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'Mayans MC': Kurt Sutter on the Finale's Deadly 'Sons of Anarchy' Twist



Beyond coming face-to-face with his mother's killer, EZ's final ride through the first season of Mayans was turbulent on a number of levels. In order to free himself of his legal troubles as well as his ties to the DEA, EZ was tasked with killing his former handler, cousin Kevin Jimenez (Maurice Compte), as assigned by the vicious Lincoln Potter (Ray McKinnon), yet another Sons of Anarchy alum. EZ did as told, along with help from his brother Angel (Clayton Cardenas), but not without collateral damage: Jimenez's own boss and fellow DEA agent Larry Bowen (Curtiss Cross), killed in the crossfire. When EZ checks back in with Potter, he learns that his slate has indeed been wiped clean, albeit with one new smudge on the record: a favor he now owes Potter, displeased with having to help EZ cover up the murder of a second agent.

In the aftermath of the bloodbath, Angel, furious with EZ over his secret deal with the DEA, which was hidden from everyone except their father Felipe (Edward James Olmos), tells his younger brother to leave the Mayans and leave Santo Padre forever. Never one to do as he's told without thinking for himself, EZ rejects Angel's demands. Indeed, he digs in deeper to the club, going directly to charter president Obispo "Bishop" Losa (Michael Irby) and asking for his support in an effort to become a full patch member of the Mayans. It's a dangerous decision, but it's one that EZ feels is his first true choice since leaving prison behind… and roughly five minutes after making the call, EZ and his photographic memory positively identify one of the Mayans' visiting and oldest allies, Happy Lowman, as the person who killed his mother. A complicated situation just got a whole lot worse.

Despite all the troubles facing EZ Reyes, the actor behind the role is more than pleased with the story thus far: JD Pardo, a self-declared Sons of Anarchy fan from before he started working in Mayans MC, and therefore just as fired up as anyone to see ferocious adversaries like Happy and Potter swimming in Mayans waters. In the interview ahead, Pardo speaks with The Hollywood Reporter about how he reacted to the final Sons of Anarchy twist, what he's hoping for next season, and much more.




READ MORE
How 'Mayans MC' Family Drama Differs From 'Sons of Anarchy'



How did you learn the twist about Happy's role in killing EZ's mother?

I found out that week, probably. We were going to start filming the episode, and that's when I found out. When you're putting it all together, everything is moving so fast and you're all over the place, so it was all on the go. I didn't find out until we started filming, and as a Sons fan myself? I was completely excited about it. I was so happy to see Happy. (Laughs.) I just couldn't believe it. You know what it is? It's the same thing as bringing Chucky [from Sons of Anarchy, played by Michael Ornstein, into the Mayans universe]. I'm just a fan of Sons of Anarchy. Bringing them on brings a different level. It feels like we're really honoring the Sons actors and characters. I was really shocked and really happy about it.

What were some of your first thoughts when you considered playing out the inevitable next steps between EZ and Happy?

I was talking to Elgin and Kurt about this, especially with the last moment of the season. It's funny. It seemed like EZ finally gained some perspective about where he's supposed to be. He's not going to run anymore. He's going to honor where he's at and live there in that place. For the moment, it seemed like EZ was excited about it, right? Then, all of the sudden, he sees Happy — and it takes him all the way back to the guy he chased, who killed his mother, and he snaps out of it. He's looking around and he sees his Mayan brothers hugging the Sons of Anarchy brothers. "But that's the guy who killed mom!" I have no idea what that means. Maybe he's thinking they need to face off. Maybe he's thinking he needs to accept that this is the world he's now a part of. There's so much gray. Who's good? Who's bad? It was a lot to process. We really wanted to create this moment of being lost in that memory and when we come out, we're lost in the present: "Where am I? What did I sign up for?"

Do you think there's a scenario where this is a case of mistaken identity, and Happy didn't kill EZ's mom? Although it's hard to picture, since EZ has the photographic memory…

Yeah. No way. It's Happy.




READ MORE
'Mayans MC' Co-Creator Kurt Sutter on the "Dark Irony" That Will Fuel the Series



Were you trying to puzzle the mystery out while filming the season?

I had no expectations whatsoever. Knowing Kurt, I think the safest place for me is to honor the pages and stay in the present. I have no idea what Kurt, Elgin and those great writers are going to bring. Also, I felt there was a different responsibility here. I really watched and studied Sons. Jax Teller, played by the incredible Charlie Hunnam, was the [Vice President of the club] right off the bat. He was the prince of Charming. There's this fantasy element to the show, I felt like. With Mayans, I thought it was a little more grounded and realistic in a way. I don't know if that has more to do with the fact that I'm from Los Angeles and I'm a Southern California guy myself, but it felt more grounded.

Since EZ is a prospect and was never supposed to be a part of this world, Kurt and I felt like it would be best to not study bike culture and not do my research there. It was almost better if I was the lens for the audience. They're prospects themselves, as they learn about this world and this club. It really felt like an introduction. I wanted to not so much and really be truthful to who EZ is. He's a guy who was never supposed to be part of this world. He's a super intelligent young man. He goes to prison through this unfortunate circumstance. How does prison shape his life? That's what I focused on: a guy coming out of prison, still in survival mode, carrying prison with him. It's changed him. How does he find himself? That's what I wanted to focus on.



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Prashant Gupta/FX


In the finale, EZ makes the choice to dig in deeper with the Mayans — not for any reason other than his desire to be in the club.

Well, it's almost like EZ lost his family before he went to prison, and then he goes to prison, and when he comes out, he doesn't have a family, so he's searching for a family. In his mind, when he was at rock bottom, it was clear to him: he needed to do this job for the DEA, and then get out. He doesn't want to be around his brother, his family, the club, this town… he wants to leave and do some soul-searching or try to get his life back in some way. As he goes through that process, and I think he says this in episode two, is he didn't expect to feel the way he feels about his brother, Angel. He missed that. He missed his family. What you get to see throughout the episodes, the more he's doing with the club, he's transforming a little bit. He's found something for himself, in a way.

I love what they wrote for EZ in the last episode, when Angel is so pissed off: "You can't stay. You have to leave." And EZ says, "No, I'm not." The crazy thing for him is that when he was in prison, it was all about himself, all about survival and what he needed to do for himself. Since he's been out, it's been all about the DEA, all about the club and Angel and his father. He doesn't even know who he is anymore, but he knows he's not supposed to run. He's not a runner. He's going to face whatever he's going to face. I love it when he points to his patch and says, "This? I earned this. You don't get to take that away from me." It's like someone coming into a job and maybe not liking it at first, but then deciding, "I want something for myself." It's pride.

When you're inside — and I know I'm going off on a bit of a tangent, but I've done so much research into prison, and when people go inside, you're judged by your reputation and your actions. Outside, you're judged by your material things. You don't have a lot. When EZ comes out, he doesn't have anything. He lost his girl, he lost everything. But at the end of the season, he finds out that he has this club. He's going to honor that. He's earned being a prospect. He's earned his cut. He's going to respect it. I think that's part of EZ's code, too. He's really passionate and has a different code about things.




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'Mayans MC' Brings Back a Long Lost 'Sons of Anarchy' Antagonist



For Jax on Sons, there was an element of destiny to his role in the club. For EZ in Mayans, as you note, he wasn't born into this world… and now, he's choosing to stay in it. Do you think it's a tragic choice?

I do think it is tragic, in a way. You know, in Kurt Sutter's world…

It does not end well, for pretty much anyone.

No, it really doesn't. (Laughs.) And that's the thing I love about Kurt's honesty. If you live by the sword, you're going to die by the sword. It's like fighting. You're top dog for a little bit, but sooner or later, you're going to run into a fight with someone who's going to get you. It's the nature of the beast. I do think it's tragic. It's not what EZ wanted. If we go back to the kid in ourselves and the dream of what we wanted, this isn't what EZ was planning out for his life before he went to jail. But now, his options are limited. What does he have? He's just not going to run. It's a survival thing. It's a pride thing. And it's also a little bit intriguing, being there in the club with those guys, having that protection, having that brotherhood and feeling that cut. Man, as an actor? When you put on that cut, you're a different animal. You walk around a little differently. You can't help it.

Aside from Happy, EZ and another Sons of Anarchy fixture crossed paths this season: Lincoln Potter, played by Ray McKinnon. After EZ kills an additional agent during the hit job assignment, Potter reveals: "You owe me one." You can't feel good about that moving forward.

Yeah, because that's exactly it, plain and simple: "You owe me one." It just… it just sucks so much for EZ. (Big laugh.) I don't know what else I can say. I wish there was a different word or a more eloquent way to describe the feeling, but it just sucks! Here's this guy who is doing everything he can to clear his name, and he's finally told — through Potter — that if he does this, then [his prison record and legal obligations are wiped]. Then, lo and behold, there it is: "By the way, I only wanted one guy to be gone. You did two. It helps! But there's collateral damage, so you owe me one." There's this feeling EZ has that it's never going to end. It'll never end. I think that's another reason why he's probably not running. It's not over. He doesn't want to be chased. He's going to stand his ground. As a side note, when I read that Potter was coming back, I was in my bed reading the script, and I immediately screamed: "Yes!" And then it was quickly followed by, "Oh, no! What's he going to do?" (Laughs.) Because that guy? He will just twist you up. But [McKinnon] is such a joy on set. I love that man.

What are your hopes for season two? For example, are you hoping for more flashbacks, potentially from EZ's time in prison?

I don't know. It was important for the season to show how EZ got there, how this guy who was never supposed to be in the club ended up in the club. It was also a device to show how his memory works, how he holds onto things. It's very important for him. Going on into season two, I have no idea what Kurt is going to bring. I have no idea if the story is over. Is there more information to learn in prison about Happy? In [the first episode], we saw EZ in prison, and Gemma [from Sons of Anarchy, played by Katey Sagal] was there, visiting somebody. EZ was there, too, with Emily, and then fighting with the guards. Who was Gemma visiting? That's where my mind goes. It could have been anyone. It could have been Otto, Jax, Clay [played in Sons by Sutter, Hunnam and Ron Perlman, respectively]… I don't know! I honestly have no idea what's planned. I'm just as curious as you are. I'm sure I'll be just as thrilled when we find that answer out together.
 
The Sons of Anarchy Connections In Mayans MC Season 1
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There were quite a few connections to Sons of Anarchy sprinkled throughout Mayans MC season 1 that franchise fans will surely appreciate. Though the biker gang spinoff TV show, Mayans MC, is very much its own beast, it will still draw comparisons to FX's former flagship series, Sons of Anarchy, that ran for seven seasons and received numerous accolades. And it's because of that success that the network even considered developing a spinoff show, to begin with.

Following the Santo Padre chapter of the Hispanic motorcycle club, Mayans MClives in the thematic shadow of its forebear, Sons of Anarchy, and, as a result, there are some nods and references to the latter series, as well as some recurring cast members in common. And these references may only grow when Mayans MCreturns for season 2 next year.

MAYANS MC'S GEMMA CAMEO, OTHER CHAPTERS, & MORE

Mayans MC was quick to establish connective tissue between itself and Sons of Anarchy. In the series premiere, "Perro/Oc", Katey Sagal reprises her role as Gemma Teller for one of Ezekiel's flashbacks, from when he had just entered prison. Mayans MC takes place four years after the climax of Sons of Anarchy, so Teller's visit to the prison would be sometime before the beginning of the show. Additionally from the first episode, Robert Patrick once again dons his cut as the president of the San Bernardino chapter of the Sons of Anarchy, when his crew provide back up for the Mayans to challenge another gang over stolen drugs. Later in the season the Mayans pick up a load of guns from the same chapter, the gun-trade being a long established deal between the MCs.

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Related: Mayans M.C. Will Push The Envelope As Much As Sons Of Anarchy Did

Then, in Mayans MC's season 1 finale, the main protagonists crossover with SAMCRO, with Happy and Quinn joining the Mayans for a party. It isn't all alcohol and good times, though, as EZ realizes that Happy Lowman is the man responsible for killing Ezekiel's mother - the event that sparked this entire story. Played by Hell's Angel member David Labrava, Happy went from Nomad, meaning a member without a chapter, to Sergeant-At-Arms for the Redwood crew (where he's remained) during his arc on the show. Given this information, it's expected SAMCRO and the Santra Padre Mayans are going to have a troubled relationship in Mayans MC season 2.

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MARCUS ALVAREZ, LINCOLN POTTER, & CHUCKIE RETURN IN MAYANS MC

Three characters were carried over from Sons of Anarchy to Mayans MC, one of which was expected and two of which were surprises. The obvious one was Marcus Alvarez, president of the Oakland, CA, chapter of the Mayans MC, played by Emilio Rivera. In the four years since viewers last saw him, he's ascended to El Padrino rank, meaning Godfather, serving as a patriarch to the branching organization. He oversees and advises various chapters, particularly the Santa Padre branch, as they work directly with the Galindo cartel, which is now under the charge of Miguel Galindo, Jose Galindo's son. By the end of Mayans MC season 1, Alvarez moves away from the club in favor of working with Galindo full-time. Chuckie - Michael Ornstein's fingerless, eccentric assistant to the Sons of Anarchy at their Teller-Morrow Mechanics shop - has shifted positions and is now working for the Mayans at their scrapyard. Other than a couple of scenes where Chuckie is his strange, affable self, he doesn't play a major role in season 1.

Easily the most impacting commonality between Sons of Anarchy and Mayans MCis the antagonist Lincoln Potter, a US attorney with a penchant for cracking down on gang violence, portrayed by Ray McKinnon. In Sons of Anarchy season 4, his case against the Sons of Anarchy was quashed right on the verge of success as it was disrupting an ongoing CIA operation to control the cartels in Mexico. Disheartened, Lincoln went soul-searching in Mexico and familiarized himself with the gangland culture there, and he's now in the same line of work; he's trying to worm his way into Miguel Galindo's operation. He ultimately takes control of Ezekiel's informant deal and has him and brother Angel kill an agent to keep them under his thumb. There's no sign of Tig Trager or Chibs Telford, but given the events of Mayans MC season 1, an appearance might be on the table. Going into season 2, the Mayans and the Sons of Anarchy are on a collision course, and that means further crossover is the last thing anyone wants.
 
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