- "I understand your anger and I know you think I'm some kind of devil. For years, I sat back and watched everything I love about this country slowly unravel: faith, values, morals, decency."
- ―Zobelle, to David Hale
 
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Ethan Zobelle was the Hungarian-American leader of the League of American Nationalists on the FX original series Sons of Anarchy. Played by American actor Adam Arkin, Zobelle makes his debut in the season two episode, "Albification"; playing a recurring antagonistic role throughout the same season, Zobelle was last seen in the finale, "Na Trioblóidí".
Quick Answers
What role did Ethan Zobelle play in the League of American Nationalists?
Who portrayed the character of Ethan Zobelle in Sons of Anarchy?
What is the backstory of Ethan Zobelle's family and their emigration to the United States?
How does the character of Ethan Zobelle connect to Polly in Sons of Anarchy?
What is the significance of cigars in Sons of Anarchy, particularly in relation to Ethan Zobelle?
Biography[]
Ethan Zobelle was from Budapest, Hungary. Eventually he married a woman and they had a daughter, Polly. The family emigrated to the United States, settling in California, where he became a church deacon. Zobelle opened a chain of cigar shops called 'Impeccable Smokes', which expanded into a chain with locations in Stockton, Alameda, and Millbrae.
Dismayed by criminal gangs bothering small businesses, he formed the League of American Nationalists, which became a powerful white separatist business organization comprised of numerous business people, clergymen, judges, and even senators. On the other hand, they were also allied with the Aryan shot callers. AB member and racist true believer AJ Weston became his lieutenant.
Eventually, Zobelle was approached by the FBI. With little choice in the matter, he agreed to become an informant to help bring down the influential League members and AB shot callers so long as he could continue to make profits. Compromising his racist ideals and going behind his allies’ backs, he began making deals with Hispanic prison gangs in Stockton and Pelican Bay.
A year later, his wife was killed in a drive by shooting. Her death spurred him into action and he began using his AB connections to take down street gangs. Zobelle opened a new cigar shop in San Bernardino and provoked the gun running War Boys Motorcycle Club in to attacking the store. He promptly had them arrested for aggravated assault, destroying the club.
Zobelle continued his antics in Charming in the early 2010's attempting to take down the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club. Severely underestimating the outlaws, Zobelle was defeated by the Sons, ousting both him and the League from Charming and causing him to flee the country and possibly be killed in a subsequent plane crash, his fate remains unknown.
Zobelle presents himself as a businessman who owns a chain of cigar shops and leader of a white separatist group. However under it he is a cunning, ruthless, and greedy man who desires to take over SAMCRO's gun running business and start a drug operation with the Mayan MC only caring about profit and not race. He also uses his status as an FBI informant to keep his illegal activities going and stay out of jail. According to Jax, he is "moneyed, smart, and connected with both sides of the law." He is able to use illegal acts against SAMCRO without leaving evidence, in order to bait them into retaliating and incriminating themselves.
Season 2[]
"Albification"[]
Jacob Hale Jr. invites Ethan Zobelle and AJ Weston to Charming. Zobelle owns a chain of cigar shops and wants to open one in Charming. David Hale, Jacob's younger brother and deputy chief of Charming PD soon arrives, having been invited to the meeting by Jacob as he explains to Zobelle and Weston that David will be chief of Charming PD soon enough, then the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club will no longer have a grip on Charming. Zobelle presents David with a business card and David soon figures out that Zobelle and Weston are white supremacists, acting under the League of American Nationalists. David sarcastically asks Zobelle how many black/latino businesses are protected by the League. Zobelle hesitates before explaining that he isn't a white supremacist, just trying to look out for his own, and the League will assist David if they require it, after all, they all want the same thing; get SAMCRO out of Charming. David angrily storms out and Jacob follows him, attempting to persuade him but David is uninterested.
The League head to the SAMCRO clubhouse. The Sons approach them with Clarence "Clay" Morrow, President of the club telling them that the garage is closed. Zobelle explains that he isn't there for repairs, he is there to give some advice to the Sons to stop selling guns to the Mayans Motorcycle Club and the One-Niners. The Sons laugh at him, with Clay giving the classic response that they are just motorcycle enthusiasts. One of the Sons, who Zobelle identifies as Alexander "Tig" Trager whispers to Clay that one of the men is a Nordic and Zobelle confirms this, explaining that they are business partners with Ernest Darby. Clay looks Zobelle up and down, realising that they are white supremacists. Tig draws his gun and Zobelle addresses him by name, saying that he isn't going to shoot him with all these witnesses. He tells Clay that his cigar shop will be opening in a few weeks and leaves him with a gift of a cigar box until then, stating that he knows they are his favourite.
Zobelle orchestrates a plan to get Clay to comply by having his wife, Gemma Teller-Morrow sexually assaulted.
"Small Tears"[]
An angry Weston arrives at Impeccable Smokes, he tells Zobelle that Gemma didn't mention anything to Clay, he found out that she said she was in a car accident and SAMCRO are none the wiser. Zobelle plays it cool, telling Weston to be patient.
Zobelle later contacts Marcus Alvarez, Presidente of the Mayans Oakland charter, he tells him that a gun deal between SAMCRO and the Niners are going down. Alvarez later contacts Zobelle to tell him that his information was good and he owes him.
"Fix"[]
Zobelle pays a visit to David Hale, he shows him images of Clay, Unser and Laroy attending some kind of business meeting. Zobelle tries to convince Hale to do something about the Sons but he is largely uninterested. Hale reminds him that Unser retires in 6 weeks but Zobelle says the Sons will remain. Unser arrives and interrupts their meeting, causing Zobelle to swiftly exit.
A furious Hale heads to see Zobelle, angry that he is having Darby cook crank in Charming. Zobelle tells Hale that the only way to get rid of SAMCRO is to play by their rules, play on the wrong side of the law in order to dispose of them, it will all be worth it, however. Zobelle finishes by telling Hale that he is on his side.
"Eureka"[]
Zobelle and Weston are at the cigar shop when Gemma arrives. They had sent her a package with one of the masks that Weston wore when he assaulted her. They knew the bag would lead her to the cigar shop, where it used to be before Impeccable Smokes. The pair are friendly with Gemma who all but realises they are responsible.
Unser later pays a visit to Zobelle in the cigar shop, he threatens him, telling him that he has lived in Charming his whole life and he belives that Charming chooses its residents. The ones it likes can stay, but the ones it doesn't disappear.
"Smite"[]
Jacob and Zobelle meet, Jacob wants Zobelle to invest in him as he attemtps to acqurie some land from Oswald Elliott. Zobelle tells Jacob he is interested, but it will be difficult for the League to want to invest as he is not an official member, Zobelle offers him a card where he can further enquire about joining them. The Sons arrive outside, Zobelle assures Jacob they are going to be dealt with. Clay enters and Jacob leaves.
Clay examines the shop, complimenting Zobelle on the cigars he stocks, he tells Zobelle that many businesses in Charming afford protection by SAMCRO. Zobelle says he is uninterested. Clay ignores this, telling him that it will be $1k every month before picking up a stack of cigars and exiting the shop, telling him, "Welcome to Charming".
Weston who had been outside the whole time finally enters, telling Zobelle that Stockton is a go, Zobelle says that Clay must be humbled.
Weston and Zobelle visit David Hale, they explain Clay has tried to extort them for protection money. Hale is supplied with a DVD of the Sons blowing up the crank house Darby was running, which was also financed by Zobelle, he says he cannot take evidence that will not stand.
"Falx Cerebri"[]
Weston and Zobelle meet with Cameron and Edmond Hayes, they are True IRA arms dealers and supply SAMCRO with guns.
Later on, SAMCRO attack a church service held by Zobelle, this was part of their plan, once the Sons are inside, Weston fires a shot, causing everyone to scramble, Zobelle and Weston flee as SAMCRO are arrested.
"Potlatch"[]
Zobelle later watches on whilst the guns he bought from the IRA are delivered to the Mayans Motorcycle Club, a seemingly bizarre partnership considering Zobelle's racial beliefs, the Mayans are a Hispanic club. Ule, an AB member says that Weston almost lost the guns after SAMCRO attempted to steal them back, Zobelle laments to Ule that Weston is seemingly so blinded by his racism, he doesn't see the business side of their organisation. Zobelle refuses payment from club Presidente, Marcus Alvarez, saying that he is a "venture capitalist". Zobelle only asks that Alvarez talk to his associates to tell him of Zobelle's consistency and delivery
"Fa Guan"[]
Hale pays a visit to Zobelle, it is shown that Zobelle was responsible for the bust on the whore business earlier. Weston gives Hale more locations that Darby is working out of. An enraged Darby heads to Zobelle and Weston to confront them about SAMCRO hitting his businesses. Zobelle offers him a chance of payback. Darby, Weston and some other Aryans head to Cara Cara, SAMCRO's porn studio, they set the place on fire before Darby is knocked out by Weston, leaving him to die in the fire.
"Service"[]
Alvarez meets with Zobelle again, they are looking to enter a heroin partnership together. Zobelle tells Alvarez he can help him supply unlimited heroin to sell in prisons across northern California; for a 50/50 partnership. Alvarez isn't so sure but he is eventually convinced by Zobelle.
"The Culling"[]
Polly returns to the smoke shop and is accused by Zobelle of sleeping with Edmond. Moments later Weston bursts in with a gun trained on Zobelle, accusing him of selling guns to color, Zobelle asks where Ule is and Weston tells him that he is dead. Things get heated as more guns are drawn. Weston tells Zobelle he is a disgrace to their cause and leaves. Zobelle tells Polly to call Hale and tell him that somebody threatened her life, he is going to sort them some new protection.
Zobelle hears commotion at the front of the cigar shop, he finds SAMCRO and Unser in the front. He is quickly restrained by the Sons. Clay puts his gun to Zobelle when suddenly Hale arrives with backup. Zobelle immediately tells Hale that the Sons are threatening his life. Unser pulls rank, telling Hale that he is still the Chief and he has the situation under control, he and the other deputies need to leave. The deputies comply, as Hale prepares to leave, Zobelle shouts that he and Polly are in posession of narcotics, one of the deputies pulls out a brick of heroin and Hale arrests them both. Jax tells Zobelle that they are going to kill him as he is taken away.
"Na Trioblóidí"[]
Zobelle is revealed to have been an FBI informant all along, using this to escape the heroin charge. He has been giving them dirt on individuals that join L.O.A.N, allowing him to continue his illegal deeds with protection from above. As they exit Charming PD, Zobelle declines a entourage from Hale as he walks past SAMCRO who have been waiting outside, moments later Mayans arrive to escort Zobelle.
At Impeccable smokes, Zobelle and Polly are being protected by the Mayans outside, but the Sons are also waiting. Zobelle tells Polly that they are going to leave the US today, to return to Budapest, his allegiance to the FBI exposed, neither of them are safe. Polly tells Zobelle that she wants to see Edmond one last time and goes despite his protests.
The majority of the Sons soon leave and Alvarez tells Zobelle this is their best chance to go, Clay will be coming back sooner or later. Zobelle tells him that they must wait for Polly.
Zobelle is once again pressured by Alvarez, stating that they must leave immediately, Polly has still not returned, however. Zobelle calls her again but is unable to get an answer.
Zobelle is finally ready to go, Polly hasn't showed and he asks Alvarez to ask one of his Mayans to stay behind in case Polly shows. The pair exit the shop and the Mayans arm up and head out as Alvarez gets in the car beside Zobelle.
They get on the highway and are soon attacked by the Sons from a shipping truck, a few Mayans are killed as Clay warns him this is his only chance to flee, Alvarez gathers his crew and races off, leaving Zobelle to flee in the car. Zobelle arrives at a roadside shop, he hides with a bunch of school kids as SAMCRO arrives.
Zobelle makes a frantic call to Hale, trying to get him to help. Hale sarcastically remarks to Zobelle that it is a bad time to leaving Charming, Polly has been found shot to death and that he will get the sheriffs right out there. Zobelle is terrified, the kids soon leave and the Sons prepare to enter, without warning, they jump on their bikes and leave, Zobelle doesn't want to stick around to find out why, he takes his chance to flee. He makes his way to the airport and flees the US, telling the attendant that Polly won't be joining him as originally planned, he will "adapt and overcome".
Trivia[]
- In the episode "SO," a small plane crash is briefly shown, leading some viewers to believe Zobelle was killed. However, there is no official confirmation of this, and statements made by Kurt Sutter himself seem to contradict this theory, because "guys like Zobelle get away [and] they're almost above the law."
Appearances[]
 Season 2 appearances
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| "Albification" | "Small Tears" | "Fix" | "Eureka" | "Smite" |
| "Falx Cerebri" | "Gilead" | "Potlatch" | "Fa Guan" | "Balm" |
| "Service" | "The Culling" | "Na Trioblóidí" | ||