Two things happened in the penultimate episode of FX’s Sons of Anarchy that speak volumes about the lead character and the overall theme of the series. All the pieces are now in place for history to repeat itself.

First of all, it’s too late in the game to begin hating Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam) for murdering Wayne Unser (Dayton Callie). He’s been on a war path all season long based on the idea that his wife — his future — was suddenly taken out of his life. Of course, little did he know (until two episodes ago) that his own mother (Katey Sagal) was responsible for the murder and the lie that would change everything. So, regardless of how loyal Wayne has been over time and as much as viewers connected with his old school demeanor, he was still a cop. Just because Jax has existential concerns and cares for his son doesn’t make him a good guy. He’s always been a criminal; it’s the life he was born into but a life that he chose as well. Sons of Anarchy has never been about the loving relationship between police and thieves; it’s been about trusting your own and manipulating others. Even if Jax and Wayne had becoming fishing buddies and shared their deepest fears, there was nothing — NOTHING — that would stand in the way of Jax confronting Gemma. Wayne was at the wrong place at the wrong time…and he paid for it.