Winter Watchlist Warmers - The Righteous Gemstones - Season Three

HBO was on a roll in 2023. Then came The Idol where the wheels started the come of the tracks a little while also I have been a huge The Righteous Gemstones, season three just wasn't it.

With an all-star cast of Danny McBride, John Goodman, Edi Patterson, Adam DeVine, Cassidy Freeman, Tony Cavalero, Tim Baltz, Skyler Gisondo, and Walton Goggins, it is not surprising that the series was renewed for a fourth season. This was just ahead of the double episode finale. 

In a TV world of strikes and no new productions, renewals are a little few and far between. So to say I was surprised about the renewal, would be an understatement.

In the third season, Eli scales back his involvement in the church, handing over greater control to his children. Eli's impoverished sister, May-May (Kristen Johnston), resurfaces, asking for his assistance in keeping her family safe from her ex-husband, Peter (Steve Zahn), a vengeful militia leader who holds a decades-long grudge against the Gemstones. 

Meanwhile, Judy's affair with a musician while on tour leads to bitter consequences in her relationship with BJ. This for me was one of the best storylines of the season.

Then we got to the final two episodes. Which I did feel funny they would burn off series so quickly with a double season opener along with a double finale. Maybe HBO has more content done and dusted than we thought. At least the long awaited fourth season of True Detective should be landing next. Right? It's been a minute, there are trailers, it's been promoted for ages. Surely that will follow the Lakers series? Or will the UK based Industry move to Sundays?

So episodes 8 and 9 of the third series (I Will Take You by the Hand and Keep You & Wonders That Cannot Be Fathomed, Miracles That Cannot Be Counted) aired late last month, however with holidays I just missed viewing this ahead of my big departure.

So across two episodes, one which stuck to a traditional 30 minute sitcom whereas the other headed into the one hour network runtime.

Ahead of the finale, Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin are reunited with their families at the hospital and decide to put aside past grievances, though all three are indignant over Eli's refusal to pay the ransom. Peter's militia turns against him over the loss of their compound and the failure of his scheme. 

He and Chuck attempt to win them back but ultimately set out on their own with the explosives, leaving the police to arrest the remaining militia members. The siblings resolve to lead the church as equal partners and remain bitter toward Eli, who tells his kids he would have paid the ransom if he believed their lives were in danger and that he loves them. 

Eli expresses pride that the three are finally working together as a team, even though they're united in anger against him. Before the Gemstones take the stage for their joint service, Kelvin openly kisses Keefe in view of the family. 

This kiss made headlines too BTW!

Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin greet a full audience at the service, their popularity bolstered by the news of their kidnapping and rescue. Peter and Chuck drive their truck full of explosives toward the Salvation Center.

In the actual season three finale, Wonders That Cannot Be Fathomed, Miracles That Cannot Be Counted, to win back Dusty to their cause, Baby Billy suggests that the Gemstones face off against the Simkins on his game show. 

Now before I jump into this episode. The final scenes felt very much like a series finale. Did Danny McBride believe the third season would act as the final run for the Gemstones?

While Peter stops to use a Coinstar machine, the truck explodes, killing Chuck. Later, at a gas station, Peter steals Keefe's "Smut Busters" truck. It is revealed that Chuck survived the explosion, setting it off when he knew no one was around. 

Before the show starts, Baby Billy gives the Gemstones the cards with the answers, but the Gemstones decide not to use them. May-May, Eli and Gideon confront Peter, who has turned the truck into another bomb. During the show, the Gemstones are losing badly to the Simkins. 

A swarm of locusts suddenly emerges and descends on the church. During the chaos, Jesse rescues Dusty, who was abandoned by Vance Simkins as he ran to safety. When the swarm subsides, Peter apologizes to the Gemstones but a final locust causes him to accidentally activate the bomb.

Peter drives the truck away to save the family. Later, Dusty dies, leaving the Gemstones his estate. The whole family gathers (including Peter, who survived the explosion but lost a leg) and take turns crushing old furniture in the Redeemer. Aimee-Leigh's spirit watches her family proudly from a distance.

That last scene was seriously series finale vibes.

Now Edi Patterson as Judy Gemstone is still iconic, however this really wasn't the high grade Gemstones, season one and two delivered.

Hopefully season four will get its mojo back. For now I am waiting for what HBO will drop next. MAX have already delayed the second season of Rap Sh!t, so fingers crossed HBO do still have some content in the can.