There's no point in trying to stay away from SoA...a spinoff will always be compared to its parent show.....i.e. Frasier, which knocked Cheers out the ballpark, or Trapper M.D.. If you're gonna make a spin off it better be epic. The good?
It happens after all the shyt with Jax. The bad? While SoA was Shakespeare, this is a take on the whole "informant" story arc. Which can work (Blacklist), it just won't hold up. The best twists Sutter can provide with this plot, is the "in too deep" angle But that only works if he was undercover (ala Donnie Brasco). Jax's struggle was finding a way to get out, but ultimately choosing/sacrificing himself for the club. He was born into it, of course he has to die by it. Its cathartic. EZ being an informant due to his killing of a cop, ends in two ways. He dies, or he kills his brother who will eventually find out that he's a snitch. Either way his journey isn't one of redemption, loyalty or greatness, its one of escape. Those stories always suck.
Onto the other bads; Theme is straight garbo. Coco is the only reason to watch..this is bad since the show isn't called "Coco and Pals". As Much as I loved Tig and Juice in SoA, I knew it was ultimately about two people, Jax and Clay. I don't see the antithesis to EZ besides his moral compass. He's a prospect/informant, his battle is with himself ala Juice in the original show. This isn't going to end with him leading the club, getting rid of the club or becoming a full blown, hardcore member of the club. Its going to be sophomoric and that does not bode well for a spinoff.
Frasier went from hanging out at a bar to become the #1 talk show in Seattle - who slayed 10's all over and was never content with himself.
Family Matters had Steve Urkle, a super genius who could literally create anything.
Angel was better than Buffy because it was about the slayer's opposition, who turned out to be a champion who was destined to save the universe....
My point being; you gotta think big, if you're doing a spinoff. Not modest.
