- "There's an old saying, 'That what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger'. I don't believe that. I think the things that try to kill you make you angry and sad. Strength comes from the good things - your family, your friends, the satisfaction of hard work. Those are the things that'll keep you whole. Those are the things to hold on to when you're broken.''-Jax Teller, writing to his sons.
Jax settles into the role of President as the Sons deal with the fallout from the prior season. Damon Pope, the most powerful crime figure in the Oaktown area sets the club in his sights for the murder of his daughter. Gemma makes a new connection in the midst of her emotional tailspin after breaking up with Clay.
- Alas, Poor Villain: The cleaner working for Goodman likely didn't deserve getting killed by Tig.
- All Women Are Lustful: Gemma lightheartedly accuses Nero of the inverse of the trope when asking about the two girls who joined them in bed, in light of his supposed aversion to the Sleeping with the Boss element typical to brothels. He reveals it was Gemma who invited them in.
- Chekhov's Gunman: Tyler makes his first appearance here, being placed in charge of the Niners after a rapid turnover in leadership. He goes on to become a semi-important ally of SAMCRO in Seasons 6-7.
- Expository Hairstyle Change: Jax's hair has grown out in the few weeks between the end of Season 4 and now. It's not quite as long as it will become but it's visibly longer than it was. Although it still attempts to retain the vague combover style he had for the latter half of Season 4 in the scene where he's eating breakfast with the family.
- Face Death with Dignity: Tig is surprised but accepting of his death at Pope's hand and openly tells him so. However, when his daughter is brought into the mix, Tig Ain't Too Proud to Beg.
- Good Hair, Evil Hair: This season really ramps up Jax's descent into darkness and his hairstyle beginning to resemble Clay's from Season 4 is not a coincidence. Funnily enough, Jax attempting to stay positive and retain some of his old mindset in this episode may be why his hair still vaguely evokes last season's style. Come 2 episodes from now, however...
- Ironic Echo: Clay, having murdered Piney, is now forced to carry an oxygen tank to compensate for his punctured lung, which he received from Piney's own son, no less. He also sits at the end of the table as far away possible from Jax, as Piney sat from Clay.
- Man on Fire: Tig's daughter Dawn is burned to death in front of him as revenge for Tig's murder of Veronica Pope.
