“These violent delights, have violent ends,” which was written by William Shakespeare, could not be more fitting for Clay Morrow and Gemma Teller-Morrow. Both characters have extremely strong personalities that often control the ebb and flow of SAMCRO and those around them. Together, they are a tumultuous duo with a vault of secrets, lies, and manipulation. There is no question that they loved each other, but their deceit can only go so far before it destroys them both and all that they hold dear.

Though Gemma has different priorities than Clay, they both are willing to go to the extreme to preserve their relationship. Kurt Sutter’s ability to write characters that we love to hate or hate to love is made all the more evident by Gemma and Clay. Jax Teller may have been the main protagonist of Sons of Anarchy, but it was his mother Gemma and her partner,Clay who really drove the storylines. Most, if not all, of the major things going on in the show can be traced back to Clay and then to Gemma.

The relationship between Gemma and Clay was toxic from the start. We’re not saying that they didn’t have their good moments, but the two often put their own priorities above others, which often put those around them in grave danger.

With that said, here are the 20 Crazy Revelations About Clay and Gemma’s Relationship.

20. They Had Something To Do With John Teller's ing

The circumstances behind John Teller's ing varied depending on who was telling the story. One thing is for sure, however: Clay and Gemma were both involved.

In season four, Clay its to Unser that he eliminated John after two prior attempts.

Gemma also informs Unser that she gave her blessing to Clay to remove John from the picture. Many fans believe that Clay had John's brakes tampered with. However, since John knew his bike, he realized this and chose to allow it to happen because he wanted to become a martyr and change SAMCRO. Whether John knew or not is irrelevant. Clay and Gemma wanted him out of the picture and after several failed attempts and were finally successful. A relationship that begins on lies and deceit is destined to fail.

19. Gemma Manipulated Clay

Gemma is extremely manipulative. She has manipulated nearly everyone she knows, including Clay. In season 1, Jax discoveres his late father's manuscript, which causes him to question the ways of the club. Gemma speaks to Clay, encouraging him to set Jax straight.

It is only after this that things grow to a boiling point between Jax and Clay. The queen of deception often played things to her advantage, with a spoken word here and a smooth gesture there. Gemma is responsible for many character's demises because of this. Gemma was the neck that told the head (Clay) which way to turn. She often swayed situations to suit her agenda.

18. They Kept Secrets From Each Other

Secrets and lies were rampant in the world of Sons of Anarchy, and Clay and Gemma had an abundance of them. After Piney's ing, Gemma tells Clay that she has so many lies and secrets in her head, but that she can't lie to him. This, of course, isn't exactly true, as she had presented him earlier in the same episode with the remnants of letters that he burnt.

Gemma was not alone in the secret keeping, however. Clay kept many things from his wife, including the deal he made with Jax to let him out of the club. He also made several deals behind the club's back, which he kept from her as well.

17. They Said That They Loved Each Other But They Didn't Always Show It

Clay and Gemma are the patriarch and matriarch of SAMCRO. Though they always tell one another that the love each other, we don't often see this. Clay has forcefully grabbed Gemma and even damages her vehicle when he is angry with her. Following Gemma's assault, she becomes distant from Clay physically, which makes sense. He has no idea about the crime and is confused about her distance. Things then come to a head when Clay throws a cinder block through her car window because she snaps at him.

Often, it was only Gemma who displayed any affection for Clay publicly. Meanwhile, Clay often gave off the impression that he resented Gemma. This was likely due to Jax rising through the ranks of SAMCRO.

16. They Were Both Unfaithful

Though it's normal for SAMCRO to partake in affairs on the road, this doesn't make it any easier for their wives. Gemma comes face-to-face with someone Clay slept with when Croweater Cherrie shows up at Teller-Morrow. She understandably becomes enraged after finding out and takes her anger out on Cherrie. Gemma confronts her outside of a grocery store and uses a skateboard to get her point across - right across Cherrie's face.

Gemma almost cheats on Clay with Tig when he goes to her house to collect guns. When she begins to flirt and come onto Tig, he becomes angry and stops her, asking "what are we doing?" Though he left before things went any further, it's obvious that Gemma would have been fine cheating on Clay.

15. They Both Always Wanted Control

One thing that both Clay and Gemma have in common is their need for control. Clay is driven by his control over SAMCRO and its business. He often does things behind the club's back in order to get whatever he wants. Anyone who opposes him becomes an enemy.

However, Clay doesn't just want to control the club - he also wants to control his wife.

Gemma, on the other hand, seeks to control everything when it comes to her family. This includes her son, his wife, and their children. She even refers to her grandsons as "my boys" throughout the series. Since Clay and Gemma were both often battling for control, it caused a lot problems in their marriage.

14. Clay Lied to Gemma Often

Clay lied a lot over the course of Sons of Anarchy. In fact, he lied to nearly everyone, even his wife. Throughout their marriage, Clay constantly kept things from Gemma. Any questions that she asked him would be answered with either half-truths or complete lies. Since Gemma usually took his word for things, she rarely called him on all of his lies. They may have been partners in crime, but there were many things Clay kept from Gemma.

A majority of the lies he told involved the most precious thing in Gemma's life: her family. Clay concealed his distain and hatred of Jax from Gemma at one point in the series, though it was quite palpable.

13. Gemma and Clay Were An Item While She Was Married

While Gemma was married to John Teller, she began sleeping with his best friend, Clay. Gemma has stated that she was young and lost, because John was in Ireland and their son Thomas was sick. However, John wrote letters to Maureen Ashby, which brought up the affair - he knew that Gemma and Clay were becoming closer, since they were barely trying to hide it at one point.

John was not innocent, however, since he was also having an affair with Maureen in Ireland. In his letters, John mentioned that he was scared Clay would attempt to take his life. At the time, John was the leader of SAMCRO and Clay was VP. Clay was also the best man at John's wedding to Gemma, which probably hurt John even more. Gemma and Clay's relationship began as a secret but it soon consumed everyone around them's lives.

12. Clay Put a Hit on Tara Behind Gemma's Back

After Clay learns from Gemma that Tara has the letters that John Teller wrote to Maureen Ashby, Clay puts a hit in motion. Gemma makes him promise not to hurt Tara, but, of course, he lies to her. Clay is able to read half-burnt copies of the letters and decides that the information is too destructive for anyone to know. He puts a hit out on Tara through a third-party contractor so that it can't be traced back to him or the club.

Tara is attacked in front of Jax and almost snatched into a van. While Jax is able to save her, her hand is severely damaged during the attack. As a surgeon, Tara depends on her hands, so this completely changes things for her.

11. Gemma Caused Clay's Demise

As his wife, Gemma kept many of Clay's darkest secrets. As he became more and more volatile towards her, however, their close relationship began to erode. Gemma finally has enough of Clay and his lies after Piney es away.

During one very dialogue-heavy episode, Gemma tells Jax that Clay was responsible for taking down his dad and Piney. She also reveals that Clay attempted to take down Tara. She tells him about John's letters and even gives them to him, though she removes any letters about her first. Gemma clearly knew what she was doing here. Since there was no way that Jax would let all of this go, Gemma knew that he would try to take Clay down.