Why Tara Was Killed In Sons Of Anarchy - YouMotorcycle

Tara Knowles death in Sons of Anarchy was tragic, but inevitable. We fell for the doctor from the very first season, just as quickly as Jax did for his old high school love. She was one of the most beloved characters for many seasons, and for good reason. The good doctor was an über sweetheart, a lifesaver, and on occasion she could be one bad ass chick too. Little by little their marriage, and our own relationship with Tara would begin to slip. Things got progressively worse.

By the late half of season six of Sons of Anarchy, one thing became apparent: Tara Knowles Had to Die.

Some people have a hard time understanding that. Likely still in shock, “G” didn’t understand it when I said that to her, but it really was true. Tara Knowles’ death had to happen, and here’s why:

1) Tara Knowles was a loose cannon and a threat to the Sons of Anarchy

Tara Knowles’ death was necessary to keeping the club alive. Jax himself said at the table that if it came down to Tara either making the deal with law enforcement, or meeting Mr. Crow, the club would “do what we need to do.” The club was well aware of how much of a thread she was to all of them.

2) Tara was a threat to, and made an enemy of Gemma

Tara wasn’t only a threat to the Sons of Anarchy, but also to the Teller family matriarch, Gemma. Tara was increasingly becoming a flight risk. Her talking, plotting, and threatening to take Jax and his children (Thomas and Abel Teller) away from Charming,  and Gemma (masterfully played by Katey Sagal), was a recurring theme throughout the series. Sooner or later that needed to come to a conclusion. The chance of Tara ever successfully pulling Jax away from the club were never good.

Let’s not forget Tara did all she could to try to expose Gemma’s role in John Teller’s murder. If you’re going to mess with the prince’s mother, you better be sure of yourself. Tara was the catalyst to her own eventual death.

3) Tara would stop at nothing and could no longer be trusted

Tara’s real act of treason wasn’t her turning rat. Her real act of treason was her pregnancy lie to Jax and the club. She made her husband Jax, the club president, believe that she was pregnant with his child. She used that trust Jax had in her against him when she faked the death of her make-believe child and made Jax believe that his mother was responsible. She not only lied to everyone twice, but used her deceit to try to manipulate her husband and the club. Tara drove herself out of the club’s favor and trust. This mistake would be paid for in blood.

4) Tara’s impatience made her a hypocrite

Tara lost faith in Jax wanting to take the club out of guns. She didn’t give him enough time to let him fully complete his plan. Instead Tara, once the quientessential sweetheart, lamented her husband’s choice of lifestyle. Tara worried that Jax’s decisions would leave her children fatherles but ultimately it was her own choices that would lead to the children being motherless. By the end of season six, Jax had lay the foundation necessary to take the Sons of Anarchy out of the gun running business, but Tara couldn’t wait.

Tara was splendid. Maggie Siff did a wonderful job of playing her. Jax’s high school sweetheart was the prodigal daughter of Charming, and Jax was the prodigal son of the Sons of Anarchy. Together they were a perfect fit. Tara saved lives and performed miracles for the club, but her death shouldn’t be taken as a surprise. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. With her choices and actions Tara damned herself to the line of fire. Would you have done anything different in her position? Maybe. Maybe Not. Based on her actions Dr. Tara Knowles had become likely to meet the Men of Mayhem sooner or later.

What’s next?

Check out which characters are out of Season 7 and who will be replacing them (including Marilyn Manson, and Lea Michelle from Glee).