It's really hard to tell and it seems like he's referenced it a few times but I'm sure we'll find out later if they are or they just want us to think that.

Tara was my favorite character in SOA so I had hoped Emily wouldn't be a copy of her chandler storyline and wow she couldn't be anymore unlike Tara. She seemed way too ignorant about her husbands shady cartel stuff not to mention she put herself out in the open going to that festival knowing that at least two different groups are going after each other.