Summary
"Mr. Mayhem" in Sons of Anarchy is a term used when the club votes for a member to be killed, indicating a betrayal or threat to the club.
Frankie Diamonds and Clay Morrow, two prominent characters, meet their demise at the hands of Mr. Mayhem. Frankie is killed by Leo Perelli, whereas Jax seeks revenge on Clay.
Jax Teller, the central figure in Sons of Anarchy, is eventually forced to face Mr. Mayhem as a result of his transformation into a crime lord and his unauthorized killing of Jury White. Instead of meeting a deadly fate, he decides to end his own life.
What does "Mr. Mayhem" signify in Sons Of Anarchy and why is encountering the character associated with him considered negative? Sons Of Anarchy, a gripping motorcycle drama created by Kurt Sutter (The Shield), loosely based on Shakespeare's Hamlet, focuses on Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), a member of the eponymous group, and his complex familial issues, including his mother Gemma's marriage to the club's president Clay. Spanning seven seasons, Sons Of Anarchy showcased exceptional performances and storylines, although its graphic depiction of violence could be unsettling to watch.
In a fittingly Shakespearean fashion, the Sons of Anarchy finale in 2014 saw many of the main characters meet their demise. Even an outlaw motorcycle gang requires structure, and Sons Of Anarchy bestows various patches upon its members to denote their position. Some patches, such as "President" and "Vice President," are self-explanatory, while others, like "First 9," have a more specific meaning. However, the recurring term "Mr. Mayhem," which is also represented by a corresponding patch, is a somewhat ambiguous expression within the Sons of Anarchy vernacular.
What "Mr Mayhem" Means In Sons of Anarchy
One of the more foreboding terms utilized on Sons Of Anarchy throughout its seven seasons is "Mr. Mayhem," and if the club decides for a member to encounter Mr. Mayhem that signifies their intention for them to be eliminated. A demonstration of this can be seen in the episode of season 5 where SAMCRO votes to revoke Frankie Diamonds' (Chuck Zito) membership and condemn him to meet the Mr. Mayhem character as a consequence of his betrayal towards the club. Additionally, individuals who have carried out murders on behalf of SAMCRO are awarded a distinctive "Men of Mayhem" patch to acknowledge their actions.
How Many Sons Of Anarchy Characters Met Mr. Mayhem?
Throughout the Sons of Anarchy series, a number of SAMCRO members encountered the dreaded Mr. Mayhem. However, there were two deaths caused by this character that truly resonated with the viewers. One such instance occurred in Season 5 when Frankie Diamonds turned against the club as part of Clay's home invasion plan. He kidnapped Nero and Lyla, demanding a hefty ransom of $500k. Consequently, the club decided to excommunicate him and subject him to the wrath of Mr. Mayhem. It's worth noting that while Frankie's demise was not directly caused by a Son, it was eventually orchestrated by Leo Perelli.
The demise of Clay Morrow (Ron Perlman) marked another significant death by Mr. Mayhem. In Sons of Anarchy, there were numerous compelling reasons for Clay to face his fate, and when Jax finally pulled the trigger during season 6, it brought satisfaction to the audience. Clay's home invasion scheme pushed SAMCRO to their breaking point, although his initial vote failed. It was later revealed that a secret vote took place, resulting in a unanimous decision. Jax ultimately exacted his revenge by shooting Clay. Unfortunately for Jax, his own encounter with Mr. Mayhem in Sons of Anarchy didn't end well.
Why Jax Had To Meet Mr Mayhem
As previously mentioned, Sons of Anarchy is a series that delves into the dark and unsettling aspects of its characters and storyline. It would be completely out of place for Jax to have a happy ending. By the time we reach season 7 of Sons of Anarchy, Jax's character has gone through a transformation similar to that of Michael Corleone in the Godfather trilogy. He is fully embracing his role as the leader of the criminal organization and his soul is gradually tainted by his actions. Additionally, SAMCRO is compelled to vote for his execution, known as "Mr. Mayhem," following his murder of Jury White, the President of the Sons of Anarchy Nevada charter.
Unsanctioned killings are strictly prohibited within the motorcycle gang, carrying the punishment of death, just like other organized crime activities. As the series finale of Sons of Anarchy approaches, Jax finds himself caught in the collapse of both his personal and criminal worlds. Surprisingly, SAMCRO grants him the choice to end his own life, a choice he makes by driving his motorcycle into a tractor-trailer. In a poignant and deliberate tribute to his father's demise, Jax meets his end on his own terms, avoiding a violent fate at the hands of Mr. Mayhem.