Emmy Voters Don’t Forget: The Powerful Women of ‘The Righteous Gemstones’

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The series ‘The Righteous Gemstones‘ concluded, wrapping up with the Gemstone family, at long last, joyfully celebrating Kelvin and Keefe’s wedding. The finale also included a touching scene where Eli, the patriarch, released his burden of sorrow, symbolizing his healing journey. Each member of the family demonstrated their significant growth since we initially encountered them.

In my critique as a movie aficionado, I’ve consistently admired Danny McBride’s masterful satire on a religious empire for its remarkable knack to weave crude comedic scenes and dialogue with profound emotions. This delicate balance prevents the series from plunging into the superficial waters of mere humor, instead keeping the characters relatable and authentic.

The offspring of widower Eli Gemstone, comprising Judy (Edi Patterson), Jesse (McBride), and Kelvin (Adam Devine) – are self-centered, arrogant, acquisitive, grasping individuals. However, they possess the capacity for introspection, emotional openness, regret, and personal development.

Despite the exceptional performances by the cast, the gemstone-themed series I’ve been following, “Gemstones,” seems to have slipped under the radar of award voters. However, it’s a shame that they might be missing out on honoring the remarkable women who grace our screens in this series.

Patterson, as the overlooked Judy, could be especially heartbreaking.

Under the oppressive patriarchy of the Gemstone church, she rebels and hides her pain through promiscuity and rough behavior, mimicking her brothers. However, she eventually finds genuine affection with optometrist JB (Tim Baltz). Their relationship blossoms despite a bitter rivalry with a service monkey named Dr. Watson, who ultimately shatters her defenses.

Patterson’s gestures and expressions frequently contradict her words, and in Episodes 8 and 9, as JB recovers from a debilitating pole-dancing accident, Dr. Watson is brought into their home to assist. As the monkey takes on the caregiver role that Judy couldn’t provide, her jealousy intensifies, mirroring the monkey’s own animosity towards her. He even attempts to harm her.

In contrasting circumstances, both Judy and a monkey experienced the loss of their mothers at young ages. However, while Dr. Watson deals with this by caring for others, Judy tends to push people away. This amusing yet fitting comparison reaches its peak when Judy offers some hard-hitting truths to the monkey about losing one’s mother – a self-revelatory moment that helps her heal and move forward.

In Season 4, Cassidy Freeman’s character, Amber, who is portrayed with subtle firmness by Freeman herself, takes on a significant role. She starts a successful couples program within the Gemstone church and subtly steers her husband Jesse towards the right path as he gradually matures. Freeman delivers a compelling performance that exudes both gentle persuasion and unyielding resolve. Amber is like love in its patient and kind nature, but she knows how to assert herself when necessary. She had previously displayed her exceptional marksmanship in an earlier season, hitting Jesse in a sensitive area after he admitted some extremely poor behavior.

Jennifer Nettles portrays Aimee-Leigh Gemstone posthumously, which allows her to explore her bond with Lori Milsap (Megan Mullally). In this storyline, Eli, a widower, discovers a romantic interest in Lori, and the scenes featuring Nettles and Mullally collaborating on an album beautifully depict how friends can provide comfort during life’s challenging moments. Nettles’ sincere performance adds authenticity to the series. Notably, the music throughout this narrative is delightful.

Mullally’s performance deserves recognition – she masterfully strikes the right comedic tone for the series, but her role goes far beyond that. She shares an intimate sex scene with Goodman, discovers her former spouse is a serial killer, witnesses her son attempt to harm the Gemstones, and ultimately loses him in a poignantly written finale. Every twist and turn feels meaningful, contributing to a satisfying conclusion for a show that has been equally funny and touching over its four-season run.

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2025-06-01 19:16