<P> Although Sons of Anarchy is set in Northern California's Central Valley, it is filmed primarily at Occidental Studios Stage 5A in North Hollywood . Main sets located there include the clubhouse, St. Thomas Hospital and Jax's house . The production rooms at the studio used by the writing staff also double as the Charming police station . External scenes are often filmed nearby in Sun Valley and Tujunga . Interior and exterior scenes set in Northern Ireland during season 3 were also filmed at Occidental Studios and surrounding areas . A second unit shot footage in Northern Ireland used in the third season . </P> <P> Some critics felt the third season was dragged down by the previous season's cliffhanger . James Poniewozik of TIME called the season three premiere "breathtaking" and praised Sagal's performance with Holbrook . He later stated that Abel's disappearance helped return the show to its central problem: Jax's allegiance to the club . Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker agreed that Holbrook and Sagal's scenes were "beautiful". He also commented that the series handled themes of loyalty and family especially well . Maureen Ryan commented that the third season divided critics and fans alike, suggesting the expanded Belfast cast made it harder for the audience to invest in the characters' journeys . Ryan later questioned the credibility of Hector Salazar's story, noting that he was inferior to other villainous characters such as Stahl, Zobelle and Weston . However, she praised Ally Walker's performance, comparing her character to The Shield's Vic Mackey . Critic Alan Sepinwall said the season was "interesting but uneven", noting that the plot gained traction in later episodes . Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter said "Sutter should be applauded for shaking things up", calling the slower pace a "creative necessity". </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> No . overall </Th> <Th> No. in season </Th> <Th> Title </Th> <Th> Directed by </Th> <Th> Written by </Th> <Th> Original air date </Th> <Th> Prod . code </Th> <Th> U.S. viewers (millions) </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 27 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "SO" </Td> <Td> Stephen Kay </Td> <Td> Kurt Sutter </Td> <Td> September 7, 2010 (2010 - 09 - 07) </Td> <Td> 3WAB01 </Td> <Td> 4.13 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> The aftermath of Abel's kidnapping has the Sons reeling, especially Jax; Gemma gets hit with some unexpected news from her past . Stahl continues with her coverup while Tara finds it difficult to return to work . Cameron makes it back home . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 28 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Oiled" </Td> <Td> Gwyneth Horder - Payton </Td> <Td> Kurt Sutter & Dave Erickson </Td> <Td> September 14, 2010 (2010 - 09 - 14) </Td> <Td> 3WAB02 </Td> <Td> 3.37 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> To get intel on Abel's whereabouts, Jax and the club help a bounty hunter track down a skip . Gemma deals with her family issues, along with a suspicious caregiver . In Ireland, Cameron seeks council with the IRA . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 29 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Caregiver" </Td> <Td> Billy Gierhart </Td> <Td> Chris Collins & Regina Corrado </Td> <Td> September 21, 2010 (2010 - 09 - 21) </Td> <Td> 3WAB03 </Td> <Td> 3.48 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> The club exploits its porn connections to entertain Henry Lin's clients, which does not sit well with Opie . Tara, Gemma, and Tig turn to an unlikely source when the situation with the caregiver goes sideways . Jax and The Sons receive disturbing information about Cameron Hayes . Stephen King guest stars as Bachman, a "cleaner ." </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 30 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Home" </Td> <Td> Guy Ferland </Td> <Td> Kurt Sutter & Liz Sagal </Td> <Td> September 28, 2010 (2010 - 09 - 28) </Td> <Td> 3WAB04 </Td> <Td> 2.98 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Jax and Clay head down to Nate's home to pick up Gemma . The rest of SAMCRO goes north to help Happy with a pharmaceutical favor in redneck territory . Tara's honesty with Jax comes at an inopportune time . As Gemma puts old family matters to rest, new issues reveal themselves to her . Maureen reaches out to SAMCRO . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 31 </Th> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> "Turning and Turning" </Td> <Td> Gwyneth Horder - Payton </Td> <Td> Dave Erickson & Marco Ramirez </Td> <Td> October 5, 2010 (2010 - 10 - 05) </Td> <Td> 3WAB05 </Td> <Td> 3.12 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> To help his mother, club, and son, Jax conspires with an unlikely source . In order to get more information on the Mayan's drug trade, SAMCRO puts Chucky and Tig undercover . Gemma confronts Tara about the secret she's been hiding . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 32 </Th> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> "The Push" </Td> <Td> Stephen Kay </Td> <Td> Chris Collins & Julie Bush </Td> <Td> October 12, 2010 (2010 - 10 - 12) </Td> <Td> 3WAB06 </Td> <Td> 2.85 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> In order to raise money to get the Sons to Belfast, Jax is forced to involve Tara in their latest dealing . To gain the friendship of the Mayans, SAMCRO must handle a rat at St. Thomas . Kozik's vote to get patched in hits a roadblock . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 33 </Th> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> "Widening Gyre" </Td> <Td> Billy Gierhart </Td> <Td> Kurt Sutter & Regina Corrado </Td> <Td> October 19, 2010 (2010 - 10 - 19) </Td> <Td> 3WAB07 </Td> <Td> 2.59 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> The Grim Bastards have a problem that could jeopardize SAMCRO's new business arrangements . As The Sons prepare for their departure to Belfast, Gemma learns of a dark secret from John Teller's past . Tara gets support from an unlikely source after her breakup with Jax, while Lyla and Opie hit a snag in their relationship . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 34 </Th> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> "Lochan Mor" </Td> <Td> Guy Ferland </Td> <Td> Dave Erickson & Liz Sagal & Kurt Sutter </Td> <Td> October 26, 2010 (2010 - 10 - 26) </Td> <Td> 3WAB08 </Td> <Td> 2.67 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When SAMCRO pays a visit to another charter, not everyone is happy to see the mother charter . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 35 </Th> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> "Turas" </Td> <Td> Stephen Kay </Td> <Td> Story by: Kurt Sutter Teleplay by: Chris Collins & Brady Dahl </Td> <Td> November 2, 2010 (2010 - 11 - 02) </Td> <Td> 3WAB09 </Td> <Td> 3.35 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> The club embarks on a protection run, the likes of which they have never seen before . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 36 </Th> <Td> 10 </Td> <Td> "Firinne" </Td> <Td> Gwyneth Horder - Payton </Td> <Td> Kurt Sutter & Vaun Wilmott </Td> <Td> November 9, 2010 (2010 - 11 - 09) </Td> <Td> 3WAB10 </Td> <Td> 3.18 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> The IRA wants proof that one of their own has flipped and SAMCRO intends to give it to them . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 37 </Th> <Td> 11 </Td> <Td> "Bainne" </Td> <Td> Adam Arkin </Td> <Td> Dave Erickson & Regina Corrado & Kurt Sutter </Td> <Td> November 16, 2010 (2010 - 11 - 16) </Td> <Td> 3WAB11 </Td> <Td> 3.40 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> While the club's on a manhunt, Jax faces the toughest decision of his life . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 38 </Th> <Td> 12 </Td> <Td> "June Wedding" </Td> <Td> Phil Abraham </Td> <Td> Story by: Kurt Sutter Teleplay by: Chris Collins </Td> <Td> November 23, 2010 (2010 - 11 - 23) </Td> <Td> 3WAB12 </Td> <Td> 3.27 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> With Tara held hostage by Salazar, Jax is forced to choose between revenge and the good of Charming . Jimmy's faith in his comrade is tested when he reaches out to the Russians . As Gemma tries to intervene in her son's dealings, Stahl makes a play to fulfill her bargain with Jax, turning on one of her own in the process . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 39 </Th> <Td> 13 </Td> <Td> "NS" </Td> <Td> Kurt Sutter </Td> <Td> Kurt Sutter & Dave Erickson </Td> <Td> November 30, 2010 (2010 - 11 - 30) </Td> <Td> 3WAB13 </Td> <Td> 3.59 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> While The Sons figure out a way to have the Russian Mob hand over Jimmy, Jax and Stahl's deal comes to a head . SAMCRO begins to heal old wounds . Meanwhile, just as Tara and Jax have solidified their relationship, Tara discovers more about Teller family history than she could have ever imagined . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> No . overall </Th> <Th> No. in season </Th> <Th> Title </Th> <Th> Directed by </Th> <Th> Written by </Th> <Th> Original air date </Th> <Th> Prod . code </Th> <Th> U.S. viewers (millions) </Th> </Tr>

What episode do the sons get abel back