The Righteous Gemstones Season-Premiere Recap: Divine Intervention

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In simpler terms, if we’re to speculate about the beginnings of the Gemstone family in the Bible business, it seems plausible that they might have started on a noble path but gradually fell into corruption, losing their ethical bearings along the way. For instance, one could envision someone like Reverend Abel Grieves, a minister from Virginia during the Civil War era, who begins this surprising and innovative premiere episode with a sermon advocating for the Lord’s support of the Confederate cause. Later, he exploits war widows for money, justifying it by saying “nothing is too little.” Claiming that God supports states’ rights is a common form of religious hypocrisy, where the Bible’s teachings can be manipulated to suit any hateful political views prevalent at the time.

In this episode, Danny McBride, the co-writer and director, presents the Gemstone origin story from a different perspective – not as the virtuous becoming corrupt, but as the corrupt finding their way back to righteousness. In a surprising twist that was skillfully kept under wraps before the premiere, Bradley Cooper makes an appearance as Elijah Gemstone, a deceitful swindler who uncovers Abel Grieves’ fraudulent scheme and retaliates by shooting him. Initially, Elijah aims only to pocket the money and flee, but destiny offers him a chance to emulate Abel Grieves, which could ensure his wealth if he can maintain his disguise and evade the bullets fired by the Union that narrowly miss him. Given the Gemstones’ history of overcoming scandals and various threats to their ministry, it is unsurprising that Elijah appears invincible, much like Robert Duvall in Apocalypse Now.

Following Grieves’ death, Elijah is enlisted by the Confederate forces for the role of chaplain, which seems more like an obligation than a choice, yet offers him $50 per month and complimentary meals, a deal that appears more than reasonable for him to feign his way through prayers and weekly sermons. One amusing element of this scene is that Elijah is a deeply indolent con artist, reluctant to put much effort into appearing as a genuine minister. When he’s asked to care for the injured soldiers for the first time, a dying man requests a prayer for his soul, and Elijah responds in classic Danny McBride fashion: “I’ve already done it. Yes, it’s taken care of. I’ve been praying silently in my mind.” Under pressure to say something more, Elijah spends so much time searching for the right words that the man expires before he can utter anything. Later on, this becomes his strategy: If someone is close to death, attempt to run out the clock.

The cleverness of Elijah’s trick lies in the fact that no one dares challenge him on it, for fear of being labeled as unrighteous. When a Christian confronts him with allegations of his drinking and gambling the previous night, Elijah denies everything and calls the person a heretic. Yet, he is under the impression that the Bible warns against defying a minister who serves the Lord, a belief that is not supported by the scriptures (but he is given the benefit of the doubt). Equipped with a gilded Bible he took from Abel Grieves – an item that becomes significant as it continues to shield him from scrutiny and enrich his wealth – Elijah’s sermon on Sunday may appear short, but still no one dares question his qualifications.

Trouble comes knocking on Elijah’s door in the guise of Ned Rollins, a soldier who has encountered Elijah before at a gambling den and knows his true identity as not a genuine preacher. Rollins proposes a partnership: A major with a fondness for cards is expected to pass through the camp that night, seeking a high-stakes game. They can swindle him out of all his money. Since Elijah is a minister, no one would suspect anything amiss as he manipulates the deck and loses money, just like everyone else at the table. When Elijah wins the largest pot of the night from Rollins, it appears that the arrogant young man has received his comeuppance. However, Rollins is unaware that Elijah is willing to kill for money, and he doesn’t believe in the code among thieves, especially when one of them could potentially expose him.

In a different phrasing, “Prelude” is not just about a gemstone evading a religious swindle without consequences. The Gemstone family appears to be both morally corrupt and entwined with their faith for financial gain. When Elijah is captured in a Union ambush and miraculously avoids execution by a firing squad due to his Bible, the words he speaks to his fellow captives seem to shock him with their heartfelt sincerity. These words suggest something significant about the Gemstones’ future: Elijah demonstrates a genuine talent for preaching. Instead of excusing them for taking lives for monetary gain, as he has done before, he forgives them because “they had to,” not for personal profit. He offers his highest endorsement for their entry into heaven, almost like writing a positive review on Yelp! However, he seems to ponder the unfairness of his own survival despite his greater transgressions. Elijah implies that perhaps the rest of the sinners are meant to linger awhile longer before they can join the righteous in eternal bliss.

After gaining freedom through the Union army, Elijah Gemstone doesn’t vanish like a fugitive, but rather transports the 11 bodies onto a cart and heads back to a Confederate fort, continuing his chaplain duties with an enhanced reputation. He claims that it was God who saved him, puzzling those around him who question why the Union spared his life. This false divine intervention strengthens his deception, but later that night, Elijah takes out his gilded Bible and begins reading it. While a skeptic might argue that reading the Bible makes it less likely for him to be discovered as a fraud, there is a modest, humbled aspect of him that’s starting to doubt.

Uncut Gemstones

In a more rephrased and conversational manner, you could say: “Elijah’s vanity is evident when he comments on his own good looks after killing Abel Grieves and taking his identity. He ironically remarks, ‘I was quite handsome,’ followed by the ominous threat, ‘May he burn eternally in hell.’

Without a doubt, I’ll find ample chances to discuss the quality of production on this show. However, The Righteous Gemstone is an exceptional series where the term “cinematic” truly applies. The depiction of the era surpasses what would typically be expected from a TV comedy. There are certain scenes that particularly impress, such as a skillfully executed tracking shot focusing solely on the Confederate side as they’re torn apart by gunfire, and this is followed by a moving montage, synchronized with Waylon Jennings’s “Goin’ Down Rockin’,” which places blood-and-mud-splattered soldiers right at the center, as if they were subjects for a portrait. This is truly impactful content.

• “Could you tell him I’m your assistant chaplain?”

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2025-03-10 05:54