Sons of Anarchy VS Mayans; these shows are complete opposites but very similar at the same time. So, the obvious question is, which one is better? Which show will take the viewer on a journey of storytelling and leave them satisfied or devastated when it is all over and done with? It depends how a viewer will analyze the show and what they want out of it. Let’s explain.

Who’s That Rider?

Warning: This may have slight spoilers to Sons of Anarchy and Mayans M.C.

Sons of Anarchy began airing in 2008 on the FX network and was created by Kurt Sutter, who was also an executive producer and head writer for the show. Sutter gained massive success because of the popularity of Sons of Anarchy. His dark and extremely realistic take on how a biker gang would operate in modern times was so real that some people said they had to stop watching because the events within the show hit a little close to home. The popularity of Sons of Anarchy was undeniable, though — it constantly broke records for the broadcasting station with each passing season. Charlie Hunnam, who played the lead role of Jax Teller, finally saw his untimely death. The final episode aired on December 9, 2014, to the shock and sadness of fans everywhere.

Luckily, soon after the finale of Sons of Anarchy, the announcement that the Mayans M.C. would be getting their own spin-off show. The Mayans were introduced to fans back in the early season of Sons of Anarchy and played the role of a rival motorcycle club in California. This new show would follow the Latino-centered group, and Kurt Sutter would be at the helm once again. At least for a little while. Instead of focusing on a single person this time around, the show would focus more on two brothers who are both in the motorcycle gang lifestyle. Mayans M.C. concluded earlier this year on July 19, 2023. Now that both shows have completed and have told their own individual stories, which one is better?

Viva la Mayans M.C.  

Let’s start with the Mayans M.C. first. Mayans M.C. captured something that the Sons of Anarchy had in the beginning but lost; that feeling of family ties within the club. Of course, Jax was born into the club life, with his mom and stepdad running the club, but his relationship with his mom never showed that close bond of family. Instead, it presented more of how the life can come between those family bonds. The Mayans M.C. showed how family is put up above all else. This could be because of the Latin roots that all Mayan members have and that the main story of the show is centered around two brothers, Ezekiel and Angel Reyes. This family bond within the show is a breath of fresh air in the series and something that Son of Anarchy really lacked. This emphasis on family is demonstrated time and time again within Mayans M.C., like when Ezekiel puts himself in fatal danger just so his older brother can stay out of harm’s way.