Mayans M.C. premier: EZ rider and the ghost of SoA

Ten years after now iconic Sons of Anarchy premiered on FX, Kurt Sutter is back with a new story about California underbelly. Centered on the Sons’ rival Latino motorcycle club, Mayans M.C. follows club “prospect” Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes (J.D. Pardo), navigating his rise through the ranks while “getting back to normal” after his release from prison. As the first episode “Perro/Oc” sketches out the blueprint for what’s to come, Sutter and co serve up an enjoyable, yet a very much familiar Tuesday special. Question is does Mayans M.C. have what it takes to become its own beast, or is the shadow of SoA original series is too much to bear?
The series begin with the Mayans gearing up for Vegas run, while EZ runs personal errands, cruising the streets where everything reminds him of the days passed. One flashback follows another, as we learn that just eight years ago he was a Stanford student with a pretty high school girlfriend. EZ pays a visit to his dad, who’s although seem to get on with the younger son, is estranged with EZ’s brother and fellow Mayan Angel. EZ and pap share a secret bond, one Angel can never be a part of.

As Vegas run goes south after run-in with a masked gang, the MC finds itself in a sticky situation with a cartel boss Galindo. He’s got an upper hand in the relationships and demands the club to figure out responsible for the attack. Or, you know, else. It’s not up to discussion, and with a little clue they have about the identity of the gang Mayans head across the border. Since EZ is way too low on the food chain and nepotism doesn’t seem to do much to change it just yet, he’s kept out of clubs’ and Angel business. It sure gives him plenty of time to be nice to (right) people, but doesn’t make him much of a valuable informant. Surprise! Sutter and co bring in a little dash of cop drama to spice things up.
From another flashback that follows minutes after we get a little glimpse of EZ in prison. His prospects are not looking good and he wants to break it off with Emily, the school sweetheart. We cut back to him staring at her across the street, seemingly regretting their good bye. The moment echoes Tara/Jax interaction prior Abel birth, but doesn’t stir quite the same emotion.
The Mayans offer Galindo their “sacrificial lamb”, who he promptly uses to show off his “management skills”. His methods do work, and while it’s not much to get on with, Galindo once again hears about the rebels talking in metaphor. Alrighty, EZ packs the talker up, and they head across the border.
It is a beautiful and starry night and Angel decides to let EZ in on his secret. At this point you feel you might have had it enough for one night, but Sutter and co squeeze another big reveal in the last minutes of the episode. Meet the rebels! They make quite an intro with, emerging from the shadows with the creepy hand-made masks that might for a second make you forget what you’re watching. The scene bears too much of apocalyptic feel, whether or not it’s intended, a metaphor of what’s to come. Still, I wish Sutter opted for something else. Apart from horror slasher, masks reminded me about Queen of the South, with its Teresa’s frenemy El Santo and his masked girls. Regardless of whether it is timing or execution masks come out of as an out of place rip-off.

After a brief tour of the camp, EZ confronts his brother about his role in the set-up. Angel’s stirring up the revolution and asks his brother to join his side. Thing is, EZ is already up to his ears, and so far he doesn’t seem like a guy who can manage it. Imagine what will happen when he learns who Emily wound up with.
“Perro/Oc” ends up with EZ diggin up grave. It might not be him in plastic this time, but Sutter makes it clear from now on EZ might very well be a dead man walking. It is a great ending to a flawed but entertaining episode, which I wish didn’t reveal too much at once. Mayans might be off with a wobbly start, as J.D. Pardo’s character gets lost amid multiple storylines. Yet, ‘the promise of a white picket fence” that made EZ get into bed with cops, might be the key of bringing Mayans out of SoA shadow.
Final score: 3.5 / 5

