While referring to season three as "bold and brave," even Sons of Anarchy star (and TV Fanatic!) Katey Sagal admitted at today's Television Critics Association press panel that the group was spread far apart.

But "this season feels different, but splintered in another way," she told reporters. "There's a lot of internal struggle that goes on this season."

Yes, there will be external pressure and new foes for SAMCRO to go up against after the members completely their 14-month prison break on the premiere - Ray McKinnon portrays a prosecutor and Rockmond Dunbar is on board as Charming's new sheriff - but the "idea always is to use those external pressures to incubate what's going on inside the club," previewed creator Kurt Sutter.

Emmy winner Paris Barclay, meanwhile, has taken over as executive producer and lead director, comparing Sutter to David Milch and Aaron Sorkin and saying: "You only get maybe two or three chances to find a show where the passion is as good as the writing is as good as the cast."

We couldn't agree more.

Season four of Sons of Anarchy gets underway with a 90-minute premiere on September 6. Set your DVR and save TV Fanatic as a bookmark. We'll be there every step of the tension-filled way.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.