Across town, Gemma's swung by the Teller-Knowles estate to drop off the box she promised Phil she'd deliver. Disappointingly, the boys are asleep. But Tara calls, "It's almost time to feed Thomas. I'm kind of tired." Gemma recognizes the peace offering and takes the bottle with thanks. Tara watches her go, looking oddly triumphant. Then, after Gemma's settled with the baby, we see that "kind of tired" is a euphemism for "about to get her smoke on."

Cut to Roosevelt holding Rita's hand as the emergency personnel rush her into the O.R. He has the presence of mind to ask for the skin underneath her fingernails.

Hey, guess who's now leasing the old Elks' Lodge? Jax hands over three months' deposit from his car window and asks the mayor, "I'm guessing I should move forward on securing Charming Heights?" In his car, the mayor sighs and nods. The way that shot is framed, with Jax's face floating in darkness, it really does look like he's there to tempt Hale from the path of moral certitude. And granted, it's not like Hale wasn't already sauntering off the path, but it's a lovely visual for how Jax must appear to the people who neither know him nor love him.

Jax then heads home. Tara's passed out on the couch, having managed to not set anything on fire or, even more miraculously, make the place stink like a college town head shop. Jax tenderly tucks a blanket around her shoulders. Then he finds his mom passed out on the futon in Thomas's room, Thomas in her arms, and he smiles. Jax caresses his son, then covers up his mother.

Pleased with his ability to tend the ones he loves after a long, hard, ultimately productive day, Jax heads into the kitchen for a drink. After chugging some milk straight from the carton, he notices the box on the table and opens it up. And inside? A thumb and a breast, both brutal reminders that every time Jax takes a step forward, he's still dragging the messes of ever prior day with him.

Lisa Schmeiser is now hoping the season finale features Michael Chiklis dressed as Mae West, but will settle for a scene where Juice helps Gemma sign up for an eHarmony account. Tell her what you loved or loathed about the episode via Twitter.