The Righteous Gemstones Recap: Miracles

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This season on HBO, Walton Goggins has reigned supreme, making a significant impact with shows like “The White Lotus” and “The Righteous Gemstones.” Previously, he made a big impression on FX with his outstanding performances in “The Shield” and “Justified.” While “The Righteous Gemstones” hasn’t always managed to reach the same highs as its initial, Civil War-era premiere this season, Goggins has excelled as Baby Billy. As other characters have been embroiled in bigger dramas involving Vance Simkins, Cobb Milsap, and threats to the Gemstone empire, Baby Billy has been operating freely, portraying a drug-using church-TV producer. The outcome of Baby Billy’s character is unrelated to the Gemstones as a whole, so the writing (and Goggins’s performance) can be as unrestrained as Billy’s personality.

In the role of writer, director, producer, and lead actor for the production titled “Teenjus“, Baby Billy has demonstrated a striking resemblance to the iconic figures of the 1970s Movie Brats, who effectively controlled major studios. Known for their unorthodox methods (which included the occasional use of cocaine), he’s had creative control due to the preoccupation of the Gemstone kids with their own antics. Despite some budgetary limitations affecting his vision, Billy has cast himself as a teenage Jesus in this hip period spectacle. The set scenes for this episode are filled with laughter, from Billy making frequent trips to his tent for large snorts during breaks, to an amusing musical number where Teenjus miraculously heals a young man who then discards his crutches and breaks into dance (“I’ve got your miracle right here, nerd.”)).

In one scene of the episode, Goggins’ humor appears so genuine that it makes John Goodman laugh as an actor, rather than Eli Gemstone’s character. During a break from filming the Teenjus set, Billy offers his rough advice to help Eli cope with his breakup with Lori, suggesting he finds a new romantic interest. Goodman erupts in laughter at Billy’s lines, delivered by Goggins with his smooth southern accent. Even small details like using “now” to emphasize sentences make the dialogue more lively. The writers also provide him with excellent material, such as Billy comparing Sola’s pipe-smoking habit to Bilbo Baggins. Although Eli’s character grapples with being an absent father and husband, Goggins’ main role in the series is comedy, which he excels at.

In this near-final episode of the season and series, there are numerous plot threads to resolve. Last week, Vance Simkins’s public downfall at the Top Christ Following Man event appeared to have ended his quest to expose the Gemstones and save his ministry from financial collapse. (“That’s the face of a defeated man,” comments Jesse mockingly in a news video about the incident.) With the financial drain of the Teenjus production, Vance was the only remaining loose end. This episode focuses on resolving that issue and allowing Eli and Lori to make amends. At times, the plot twists become somewhat complex.

Following his recent heartbreak, Eli reluctantly trims the unkempt hair that had become his post-retirement signature, and with a heavy heart, he sits back down at the church table, barely responding to Dr. Watson’s menthol cigarette smoke and apparent private activities. Previously, young Eli had sternly admonished children for using inappropriate language within Jason’s hallowed grounds. Meanwhile, Lori, unable to reach Eli on his phone, feels compelled to apologetically approach the Gemstone kids for assistance. The interaction is tense (“You turned against our mother by nibbling on Daddy’s private parts,” Kelvin snaps), but Lori appeals to their memories of her friendship with their mother and her role in helping Aimee-Leigh compose songs dedicated to them. To Lori’s relief, the children soften upon hearing these recollections (“The song memories are starting to sway me”).

In this scenario, Michael Rooker is cast as Cobb, a character who hasn’t been developed with many comedic elements, despite the opportunity that exists in writing for an Extremely Divorced man who operates a gator farm and serpentarium. Seann William Scott, known for his humorous roles in films like “American Pie” and “Goon,” finds himself in a challenging position as Corey Milsap, a character torn between his mother’s issues with Cobb. A party scene for Corey’s birthday takes a turn for the worse when Cobb slaps the celebrant for not sharing recent updates about his mom’s relationship with Eli. However, this altercation serves as a prelude to the climactic confrontation at the gator farm. In an intriguing twist, Cobb kidnaps Eli and Baby Billy from a Cybertruck, providing ample comedic relief, given the vehicle’s proven ability to serve as a comic device in the series. Scattered throughout are humorous moments such as the presence of half-naked, delusional Big Dick Mitch. Yet, it is Goggins who steals the show with an impactful moment when a timid Baby Billy, inspired by courage powder similar to Popeye’s spinach, rushes to Eli’s aid only to be met with a hard blow from Cobb.

As I watch the climax of the latest episode unfold, with all the kids and significant others hastening to be reunited with Eli, Baby Billy, and Corey following Cobb’s unfortunate encounter with the gator, it feels like the hopeful vibe that’s been building in the last couple of episodes is being reinforced. The fact that an entire episode has been dedicated to the Gemstone family origin story suggests there’s a significant payoff coming for that golden Bible – I can’t help but wonder if it’ll play some crucial role. And yet, despite their outrageous, chaotic lives, it seems like The Righteous Gemstones is hinting that even these flawed, dysfunctional characters might find redemption – a message that resonates deeply as I ponder whether their immense sins could possibly be forgiven… and if so, maybe ours can too.

Uncut Gemstones

• BJ is healed! Praise Teenjus!

Despite taking great pleasure in Simkins’s downfall, Jesse feels bitter that he isn’t getting enough recognition for encouraging Kelvin more than his siblings. (“I was the one who pushed hardest. I was the driving force behind it all. It’s just not fair that I won’t get any praise for it.”)

Give credit to Jesse for his surprising, almost poetic remark about Eli’s former long hair: ‘Does that resemble Dad or a Shakespearean witch?’

In a tragic turn of events, Cobb met a violent demise after being stabbed with a blade typically used in the production of the Rambo films.

When Baby Billy is unaware of Big Dick Mitch’s reputation, it becomes advantageous later when Eli points out the potentially well-equipped Mercedes salesman among them, prompting Eli to remark, “It seems rather odd to bring that up, Eli.

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2025-04-28 06:54