The Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original (SAMCRO), operates illegally in Charming, California, dealing in weapons and protecting their territory. Jax Teller, the club's Vice President, discovers his late father's manifesto, which criticizes the club's increasingly violent and criminal direction, leading Jax to question everything. Clay Morrow, the ruthless President of SAMCRO and Jax's stepfather, is focused on maintaining power and expanding the club's influence through any means necessary. Gemma Teller Morrow, Jax's mother and Clay's wife, is the formidable matriarch, fiercely protective of her family and the club. The season centers on Jax's struggle to reconcile his father's vision for SAMCRO with Clay's brutal leadership, all while external threats loom.

As Jax grapples with his conscience and his infant son Abel's fragile health, SAMCRO faces challenges from rival gangs like the Mayans and an escalating investigation by the ATF. Clay's leadership often involves extreme violence, such as castrating a rapist and orchestrating the absorption of a smaller charter, the Devil's Tribe, into SAMCRO. Jax's former girlfriend, Tara Knowles, a doctor, becomes entangled with the club again, especially when a vengeful ATF Agent Kohn stalks and assaults her, leading to Jax executing Agent Kohn. The club's gun-running activities result in deadly consequences, and internal tensions rise as an ATF agent attempts to frame Opie Winston, a loyal club member, as an informant.

The season culminates in a tragic misunderstanding orchestrated by the ATF, leading Clay and Tig Trager, a high-ranking club member, to believe Opie is a rat. Their attempt to kill Opie accidentally results in the death of Donna Winston, Opie's innocent wife. Jax discovers Clay's involvement in Donna's death, sparking a violent confrontation. The season ends with Jax standing at his father's grave, holding his father's manuscript, signifying his commitment to changing the club's direction and a potential fracture within SAMCRO.

Season 1 of Sons of Anarchy covers episodes 1-13. Here's everything that happened:

Season 1, Episode 1: Pilot - A rival gang destroys SAMCRO's weapons cache, forcing Jax to confront the club's violent path while his ex-wife's drug use leads to a premature birth and a critically ill infant. Jax discovers his late father's manifesto, revealing disillusionment with the club's direction. The episode concludes with Jax's infant son Abel surviving surgery and Wendy overdosing, setting a dark tone for the series.

Season 1, Episode 2: Seeds - The Sons of Anarchy attempt to dispose of bodies found in their burned warehouse, leading to a confrontation with the new, determined Deputy Chief Hale. Jax navigates his concern for his newborn son, Abel, and questions the club's violent methods. Tig confesses to involvement with the deceased women, and the bodies are ultimately cremated. The episode concludes with Jax questioning his path, while Opie faces difficult choices regarding his family and club loyalty.

Season 1, Episode 3: Fun Town - While at the local carnival, SAMCRO investigates the brutal assault of a businessman's daughter. Clay manipulates the situation to secure land for a new gun warehouse, leading to the rapist's castration by Clay himself. Meanwhile, the club faces complications with their IRA gun suppliers, and Jax grapples with his father's writings. The episode concludes with the Sons delivering the assailant's severed testicles to the father, solidifying Clay's ruthless control.

Season 1, Episode 4: Patch Over - Facing ATF investigation and Mayan threats, SAMCRO travels to Nevada to merge with the Devil's Tribe. Jax and Bobby encounter Mayans, leading Clay to forcefully absorb the Devil's Tribe into SAMCRO, solidifying their presence. Meanwhile, Tara's ex, ATF Agent Kohn, begins his investigation into the club. The episode concludes with the Devil's Tribe officially becoming a Sons of Anarchy charter, marking an irreversible expansion.

Season 1, Episode 5: Giving Back - SAMCRO protects a man named Chuck who owes them money, only to discover the cash is counterfeit. They sell him back to the Chinese Mafia. Meanwhile, Gemma hosts a fundraiser where Kyle, the former member who abandoned Opie, reappears. Jax and Opie confront Kyle, and he is ultimately forced to have his Sons of Anarchy tattoo burned off his back. The episode concludes with Kyle choosing fire over a knife for the removal.

Season 1, Episode 6: AK-51 - A favor for Piney's old war buddy, Nate Meineke, leads to SAMCRO selling AK-47s that are used in a prison break, resulting in the deaths of a police officer and two bystanders. Clay is arrested, and Jax must step up to manage the crisis. Meanwhile, Gemma confronts Cherry about Clay's affair, and Jax orchestrates a plan to eliminate Nate and his militia, ending the episode with an explosion.

Season 1, Episode 7: Old Bones - When human remains are discovered, Clay is forced to confront the murder of Lowell Harland Sr. and his burial with Mayan enemies. Jax intervenes when Agent Kohn stalks Tara, ultimately throwing Kohn through a window. The club's plan for Half-Sack to throw a boxing match backfires when he fights furiously after seeing Clay with Cherry. The episode concludes with Clay admitting the truth about Lowell's death to his son, who is left devastated.

Season 1, Episode 8: The Pull - SAMCRO scrambles to meet an IRA payment, with Jax securing funds by stealing a tanker truck. Ernest Darby allies with the Mayans, providing information to eliminate Clay, but both Clay and Darby survive assassination attempts. Meanwhile, Tara shoots Agent Kohn, and Jax executes Kohn after he sexually assaults her. The episode concludes with Jax and Tara consummating their relationship.

Season 1, Episode 9: Hell Followed - SAMCRO plans revenge on a rival club while dealing with a wounded Cameron Hayes. Opie volunteers to prove his loyalty by killing a Port Commissioner, but Bobby ultimately pulls the trigger. To resolve the conflict with the Mayans, Clay brokers a deal where Alvarez permits SAMCRO to kill his son, Esai Alvarez, in exchange for guns. Jax grapples with his father's legacy, burning his father's book.

Season 1, Episode 10: Better Half - ATF Agent Stahl intensifies her pressure on the women connected to SAMCRO, aiming to leverage them for information. Jax orchestrates a jailbreak for Cherry, who was threatening to inform on the club. In a shocking turn, Otto violently attacks Agent Stahl, leaving her severely injured. The episode concludes with Cherry and Cameron being successfully smuggled to Canada.

Season 1, Episode 11: Capybara - Jax faces a critical choice when Bobby is arrested for murder and Opie is suspected of being an informant. Agent Stahl orchestrates a plan to make Opie appear guilty, leading to Tig and Clay deciding Opie must die. Jax races against time to protect his friend, while Wendy returns, complicating his relationship with Tara.

Season 1, Episode 12: The Sleep of Babies - Abel returns home, but the celebration is overshadowed by Clay's dangerous plan to acquire guns for Bobby's defense, which leads to Donna Winston's accidental death when Tig attempts to kill Opie. Jax asserts his desire to be a father to Abel, signaling a shift in his priorities. The episode concludes with the club reeling from the tragic loss and the irreversible consequences of Clay's machinations.

Season 1, Episode 13: The Revelator - Jax discovers Clay's involvement in Donna's death and confronts him, leading to a violent altercation with Tig. Jax ultimately chooses to follow his father's ideals, rejecting the club's violent path. The episode concludes with Jax standing at his father's grave, manuscript in hand, signifying a pivotal shift in his loyalties and a potential fracture within SAMCRO. Tara also decides to leave Charming, further complicating Jax's future.