It is more violent, IMO. The burning pit did me in! Before football season started, I believe it was sometime during monsoon season when it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, we had a SOA marathon at my house and watched the entire series from beginning to end. I'm a fan! And Opie was my favorite character.I figure the actor is in line for a lead role in some other show and this was a way to have him exit SOA. I expected the show to turn down this year but so far its better than last year.