The Righteous Gemstones Recap: Masters of Rips

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In this week’s episode of The Righteous Gemstones, after the storm and Keefe’s intense monologue about the devil’s “malicious rain,” we find out that Kelvin’s childhood treehouse has been badly damaged, causing the Gemstones’ groundskeeper to start demolishing it. Kelvin then orders the workers to halt their work and later goes to the treehouse with Keefe, expressing his sadness over life’s unexpected hardships (“We’re all so helpless. Anything can happen.”) and remembering this hideout as a sanctuary from his troubles as a child. “This place made me feel secure,” he says, even though it’s on the verge of collapsing.

In the writing game, we call this a metaphor.

The fourth season marks the end for “The Righteous Gemstones,” and this particular episode hints at a possible decline of this distinctly American institution, reminiscent of Kelvin’s treehouse. Just as Kelvin fails to comprehend his predicament, the Gemstone family members appear oblivious to their dwindling fortunes, living in a once-grand house that shows signs of structural weakness. Denial can be a potent tool in religion and human nature alike, and there’s always another fundraising event or business venture—like Telethons or ventures such as Prism or Prayer Pods—to keep the Gemstones financially afloat. However, with Eli stepping away from the church and no one of substance to fend off competitors like Vance Simkins, it seems that the congregation may disperse. The temple is gradually transforming into a “squirt yurt.

Despite the Gemstones’ history of overcoming difficult situations, such as Jesse’s temporary foray into masturbation huts, there may come a time when they can no longer rely on divine intervention to get them out of trouble. The mounting costs of failures like the Prayer Pods suggest that their days of relying on flashy stunts might be numbered, especially given Eli’s sobering performance at the Aimee-Leigh Telethon. The Simkins family poses a significant threat, much like a shark sensing blood in the water. While Simkins appears to be offering Jesse friendly advice by comparing his strip mall businesses to opening a Burger King in a town with an existing McDonald’s, his true intentions are more akin to Daniel Day-Lewis’ character in “There Will Be Blood,” gradually draining Jesse’s resources like a thirsty shark consuming a Shamrock shake.

A potential minor issue could be Prism, an apparently successful endeavor that might signal future issues. While Kelvin revels in his recognition as a Top Christ-Follower Man of the Year nominee for his courage in advocating for those often marginalized by society, the Gemstones might not fully comprehend who is responsible for this marginalization. At a gathering of The Cape and Pistol Society where Jesse demonstrates little proficiency with either weapon, Simkins focuses on Kelvin’s enterprise. Initially, he uses it to belittle Jesse (“It seems your brother, the Gemstone with the influence, is the gay one these days”), and later, when referring to BJ’s pole-dancing accident, he does so as a jab at the Gemstones as a family perceived as queer. As always, Jesse is too self-absorbed to notice, but it’s worth considering how deeply ingrained prejudice might impact the Gemstones’ future prospects.

In this week’s episode, Seann William Scott is introduced as Lori’s son, Corey Milsap, and Arden Myrin plays his wife, Jana. Jana awkwardly chuckles at the Gemstone siblings teasing each other excessively. The downfall of Jesse’s Prayer Pods becomes the center of discussion during a barbecue gathering, as shopping malls and airports rejected the idea of sanctuaries for public masturbation. Judy comments that Jesse was prepared to exploit the Prayer Pods by filling them with lotion. However, Corey struggles with the teasing. He fails to find humor in calling Jana’s dress unflattering, or in pointing out Eli’s hickey, unless Eli’s children find the notion of their father dating amusing. Even when Corey, Jana, and the Gemstone kids witness Eli and Lori appearing affectionate on the driveway, Judy makes a crude remark about Eli potentially having sexual relations with Lori.

However, Miss Lori’s relationship has been causing tension, and the revelation of their union during the weekly Gemstone lunch at Jason’s Steakhouse is met with disapproval, to put it mildly. Corey expresses his discontent towards his mother and exits, while the Gemstone children retreat to the freezer at Jason’s to discuss the matter. In a series where humor often stems from sharp dialogue or grand visual effects, it’s worth mentioning that perhaps the most humorous moment of the entire episode is Kelvin, with his glasses still fogged from the freezer, listening attentively to his father’s emotional appeals. Despite their shock at Eli finding another woman, especially a family friend, they empathize with his loneliness and appear ready to give him a second chance. Jesse offers an apology for labeling Eli as “promiscuous.” This family forgives as swiftly as they sin.

In his closing remarks during the show, Jesse emphasizes that no matter the circumstances, we must always stand by family. This, he says, is a core part of the Gemstone pledge to its members. However, the question still lingers: Will this commitment find its reflection in return actions from others?

Uncut Gemstones

Which person stole the Elijah Gemstone Bible from the house back in 2002 remains unidentified, as young Kelvin appears to have spotted the thief, though this revelation is being saved for later by the show’s plot.

In a powerful soliloquy, Tony Cavalero’s character Keefe interprets Kelvin’s comment about rain as “the devil urinating on you” and expands on this idea so extensively that he ends up away from any Prayer Pod, having reached a climax of sorts. This speech serves to underscore Keefe’s past in less virtuous parts of society and the fragile boundary between where he once resided and his current position.

Jesse was observing if Eli and Lori might be together: “I saw them both going to the restroom at the same time, but I assumed it was just a common habit among older people.

The recent development about Simkins’ “advancement” disrupts Jesse’s attempt to guide Gideon on leadership. His followers appear keen on retaliating physically, yet Jesse strives to maintain a peaceful demeanor for his son’s sake. However, after a car filled with thugs hurls Molotov cocktails into Simkins’ new church, Jesse reacts in the predictable Gemstone fashion.

The show, “The Righteous Gemstones,” is known for its dedication to featuring male nudity, as seen in a relaxed backstage scene during a pole-dancing competition on HBO. This is helping to even out the balance of nudity scenes.

Remarkable allusion to BJ possessing a stairlift, similar to that found in Mrs. Deagle’s house from the movie “Gremlins”. The death of Mrs. Deagle is one of the most memorable and impactful deaths in cinema.

• “You think I’m intimidated by the circling of the men?”

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2025-03-24 06:24