RECAP: Sons of Anarchy Season 4 Kicks Off

We already knew the premiere of the fourth season of FX's Sons of Anarchy, an episode called "Out," would signal the release of SAMCRO from prison, the arrival of a new Charming sheriff and a shorter coif for Jax (Charlie Hunnam). What we didn't know was that Otto would be left behind in solitary, resulting in some bloodshed; Abel would scribble on some important documents; and conflicts with Mayor Hale would fester, thanks to a new development going up called Charming Heights.

The most shocking moment in the four-minute opener came when Big Otto received a razor blade in his hard-boiled egg. In solitary confinement, there's only one person to murder, and we were left with the impression that Otto succeeded in taking his own life. Later, Tara (Maggie Siff) unwittingly allowed daughter Abel to run her crayons all over the letter from Maureen Ashby to Jax. Time will tell how Jax's love life fares given this unexpected interference.

Sheriff Eli Roosevelt (Rockmond Dunbar) proved himself to be a strict law enforcer, forbidding SOA from wearing their leather out and about. But he's not just any old police officer, as we find out he's talking to Assistant United States District Attorney Lincoln Potter (Ra McKinnon) about forming a case against SOA, the Russians and Irish Kings.

Other highlights include Gemma (Katey Sagal) and Tara getting along well — that is, until Gemma learns about Maureen's letter. So much for that. Then there was the cut back to Otto in prison, and then the final scene of Russian wedding slaughter and dumping the bodies in front of Charming Heights. SAMCRO, as usual, is just asking for trouble; only this time it's coming from several sides at once.

Sons of Anarchy airs Tuesdays on FX.