The Shocking Truth Behind Jax's Fate in the Riveting Sons Of Anarchy Series Finale

Summary

The way Jax Teller's life concluded in Sons of Anarchy through suicide served as a fitting conclusion to his character development. It effectively represented the profound tragedy inherent in the series and the resolve to terminate the lineage of the Teller family intertwined with a life of lawlessness.

Jax's choice to take his own life was driven by the loss of his wife Tara, setting off a chain of events that compelled him to prioritize vengeance and ultimately resulted in the club's downfall.

In Kurt Sutter's spinoff series, Mayans MC, Jax Teller's character is revered and celebrated through allusions and tributes, serving as evidence that his influence on the Sons of Anarchy universe continues to endure even after his demise in the original show.

Jax Teller's death in the series finale of Sons of Anarchy left many fans wondering about his motives for taking his own life. The show, created by Kurt Sutter, premiered in 2008 and captivated audiences with its portrayal of a California motorcycle club and the conflicts they faced. Over the course of seven seasons, Sons of Anarchy received critical acclaim for its tone, themes, and the performances of its main cast. However, Jax's decision to end his life remained a lingering question when the series concluded in 2014. The show explores the life and death of Jax Teller, the Vice President of the Sons of Anarchy motorcycle club. Jax's journey begins when he discovers a manifesto written by his late father, John Teller, one of the club's founding members. This revelation prompts Jax to examine the club's direction, its past, and his own relationships and identity. Despite his efforts to protect the club and his family, Jax's plans for the future do not unfold as he had anticipated, resulting in a fitting conclusion in the Sons of Anarchy finale.

Suicide Was The Perfect End To Jax Teller's Arc

When Jax initially encountered viewers, he held the position of Vice President within the club. However, as he became more acquainted with SAMCRO's history (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original), he stumbled upon numerous distressing secrets connected to his own family. Once Jax discovered Clay's involvement in his father's demise, he assumed the role of President in the club, eagerly anticipating this opportune moment to implement his father's visions and steer the MC towards a brighter future. Above all, Jax's utmost desire was for SAMCRO to discontinue their weapons trade and transition into legitimate business ventures.

Towards the conclusion of Sons of Anarchy, Jax faced a series of personal obstacles which prevented him from realizing his plans. Following Jax's act of killing the President from the Nevada charter of Sons of Anarchy, known as Jury White (portrayed by Michael Shamus Wiles), he was obligated to face "Mr. Mayhem," as stipulated by the club's regulations. Ultimately, Jax's fellow club members were unable to execute this task, therefore allowing him to take his own life on the open road, mirroring his father's demise. But what compelled Jax to take his own life? Despite the heart-wrenching nature of Jax's death, it served as the most fitting conclusion for Sons of Anarchy, and in essence, the only viable option.

Why Jax Was Killed Off In The Sons Of Anarchy Series Finale

During quarantine, Kurt Sutter was highly active on social media, dedicating his time to responding to a variety of questions from devoted Sons of Anarchy fans. One of the inquiries revolved around the reason behind Jax's decision to take his own life. The catalyst for this tragic act was Jax's inability to carry on without his wife, Tara, who met her demise in the sixth season of Sons of Anarchy at the hands of Gemma, Jax's own mother. Tara's untimely death initiated a profound transformation in Jax, leading him to prioritize vengeance and subsequently causing him to commit acts of violence against innocent individuals. Furthermore, these actions had severe consequences for the relationships between SAMCRO and other charters and clubs.

When posed with the question, Sutter acknowledged that numerous factors contributed to Jax's fateful decision, one of which was Tara's demise. However, ultimately, the determining factor was Jax's desire to sever any association between the Teller family and the outlaw lifestyle, ensuring that his sons would not follow in his footsteps. In a 2014 interview with EW, Paris Barclay, the executive producer of Sons of Anarchy, clarified that the show was always intended to be a tragedy, reminiscent of the works of Shakespeare or Greek tragedies. Consequently, the series was destined for a sorrowful conclusion, in which Jax would not find happiness alongside his sons.

It is important to mention that one of the inspirations for Sons of Anarchy, created by Sutter, was Shakespeare's Hamlet. This influence is evident when examining the story, with Jax Teller taking on the role of Hamlet. Barclay also acknowledged this connection by explaining that in tragedies, it is common for the hero to die. From the perspective of the audience rather than the creator, Jax's death was necessary for his vision for SAMCRO to come to fruition. This indeed occurred in the spinoff series Mayans MC, where the current President of Sons of Anarchy, Filip "Chibs" Telford, successfully negotiated the club's exit from the weapons trade. Ultimately, the only way for the Sons of Anarchy story to conclude was with the death of Jax Teller. This was because he had already experienced the loss of his loved ones and had entangled the club in serious trouble, which would have ultimately impacted his sons as well.

How Mayans MC Honors Jax Teller

The spinoff show Mayans MC, created by Kurt Sutter, pays tribute to various characters from its parent show, particularly Jax. Jax is mentioned multiple times throughout the series, sometimes briefly but often in significant moments. One such homage to Jax Teller occurs in Mayans MC season 3, episode 3 titled "Overreaching Don't Pay." In this episode, SAMCRO's Montez and Happy visit the Mayans to offer some advice, stressing the importance of informing the Sons when they pass through their territory. During this scene, Montez emphasizes the need to respect Jax Teller's final wishes.

By referencing the character's name, it becomes evident that Jax still has a presence in the Sons of Anarchy world, indicating that showrunner Kurt Sutter holds great reverence for the character. Jax Teller's influence even manifests in a costume change on Mayans MC through the inclusion of his biker's kutte (a sleeveless leather jacket worn by club members). Jax's kutte prominently showcases a patch featuring scythe M-16's on the collar, which is also worn by Les Packer in Mayans MC. This deliberate tribute to the late Jax serves as a reminder that he is not forgotten, despite his demise in the Sons of Anarchy finale, illustrating the enduring impact he has had beyond his shortened lifespan.

Charlie Hunnam Won't Revisit Jax Teller

The death of Jax Teller, a prominent character in Sons of Anarchy, marked the definitive end for the character. Actor Charlie Hunnam has stated that he has no intentions of revisiting or reprising the role of Jax Teller in any future installments of the franchise. However, it is not only the character's legacy that is deterring Hunnam from returning.

Hunnam expressed that portraying Jax Teller took a significant toll on him, and he developed a strong attachment to the character and its tumultuous storyline, filled with violence, death, and tragedy. He emphasized, "I would never, under any circumstances, put that costume back on. I would never wear his rings again, not even for Halloween. It was an incredibly profound experience. I lived with that character deep within me for years, in a truly authentic manner." Hunnam categorically dismissed the possibility of a flashback scene, stating, "He is now deceased... When he died, he died."

Could Charlie Hunnam Return In A New Spinoff?

Charlie Hunnam's silence on why Jax killed himself seems to indicate that it was a definite conclusion for the character. Although the scene doesn't explicitly show his fate, it strongly implies that he didn't survive. Despite Hunnam's disinterest in reprising the role of Jax, he recently hinted at the possibility of returning to the Sons of Anarchy universe through a new project. He mentioned that he is currently exploring an idea that could make that a reality.

There is speculation that Jax may have faked his death in the Sons of Anarchy finale, and the spinoff could potentially reveal him emerging from hiding. While a prequel concept seems like an obvious direction for a new show, it might be challenging for Hunnam to convincingly portray a younger version of Jax due to the significant passage of time. Another interesting concept for the spinoff would be to focus on Jax's sons, Abel and Thomas, where Jax could appear in flashbacks or visions to his children. However, considering Hunnam's previous statement about never returning to the role of Jax, it's uncertain if fans would be able to accept him playing an entirely new character in a Sons of Anarchy spinoff.