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In a little press release that we received last night from the folks at FX, we learned that the freshman motorcycle club drama Sons of Anarchy has been picked up for a second season. In its first four episodes, SOA has been FX’s most successful series in the adults 18-49 demographic since Rescue Me, which is saying quite a lot.

The order, which was announced by FX Networks President John Landgraf, was placed for a 13-episode second season. “It’s incredibly gratifying to everyone at FX in at this time when The Shield – the show that got our critically acclaimed original programming brand started – is airing its final season, their loyal audience has embraced Sons of Anarchy and made it a success,” said Landgraf. “We’re also very proud of the day-in-day-out creative excellence the Sons of Anarchy writers and actors are bringing to the table.”

The show’s creator Kurt Sutter, who has served as a writer and Executive Producer on The Shield since 2002, explained the show’s success: “I think the underlying themes of family and the common man’s fight against oppressive corporate greed has grabbed people’s attention. It’s relatable, it’s very timely and it’s why the audience is coming back week after week. I love the action and the dark places the show goes, but ultimately it’s the bigger, more poignant themes that inspire me.”

I can’t say that any of this is surprising, as Sons of Anarchy has been one of the best new shows on TV so far this season. And despite the fact that I missed blogging the most recent episode, I did see it — and it once again lived up to expectations. With strong performances from Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman and Katey Sagal, the series has been intense and wildly entertaining, all while maintaining the promise of more fun down the road.

Are you watching Sons of Anarchy? If not, what’s wrong with you?