Networks and streamers are exercising ore discipline with series these days, with many mid to upper level shows purposely only running 3 or 4 seasons. In a continuation of that trend, HBO’s irreverent “The Righteous Gemstones” said it’s final prayer on Sunday May 4th. The series has taken it’s viewers to a lot of wild places, but did creators Danny McBride and Jody Hill stick the landing?
The Gemstone family quickly proved to be McBride and Hill’s most ambitious outing to date, although the last season has largely left out the mega-church politics that initially sucked viewers in during the first season. Season four was all about the characters and giving them actual arcs, at least most of them (Sorry Baby Billy). The finale did its best to tie off loose ends, while delivering some last minute surprises in the process. Warning there are spoilers for “The Righteous Gemstones” series finale ahead.
the last season has largely left out the mega-church politics that initially sucked viewers in during the first season.
The cold open ties up the Simkins storyline, although we never reeky got to see the rest of Vance’s family this season. Eli comes through big time for Jesse, who also has some great growing moments throughout. The episode almost felt like Danny McBride was himself growing as a person, as a producer, writer and actor…and it undoubtedly plays out that way on screen.
Overall, most of the characters get some form of closure, but there were also missed opportunities. Kelvin and Keefe get their happy ending with a somewhat predictable wedding, although seeing the two finally make their relationship official in the eyes of the lord was a wholesome moment for sure. Judy and the scene stealing Dr. Watson also have a great moment when they essentially force a struggling injured veteran out of his device animal. Just relating to these monsters seems like enough to get us sent to hell, but the show is still worth the binge.
Baby Billy and his supporting cast were the most robbed of a real ending…and we the fans were robbed of seeing at least a “Teenjus” sizzle reel. Billy just didn’t seem to have that solid final moment that everyone else did. His realization seems to be one that he might backslide on in a week or two. We also deserved a better ending for Baby Billy’s very interesting Nanny Sola, played by Kerstin Schulze. We had thought she might end up getting with the Gemstones loyal behind the scenes man Martin, but sadly nothing seemed to materialize there.
At the end of the day, the finale was a great way to say “Amen” to a prayer that had been going on for 4 seasons. The twist with Sean William Scott’s character Corey gave us one final shocking surprise that totally paid off Dr. Watson’s storyline and painted Jesse as the most clutch shooter in the family. It’s a shame that we won’t be seeing any more of the dysfunctional religious hypocrites (and their monkey), but it’s better for good things to come to an end than for them to turn bad.
There has been no talk of a spin-off, although we would kill to see Walton Goggins super realistically play Teenjus. Will McBride and Hill ever revisit this universe? Who would win in a fight, Kenny Powers or Jesse Gemstone?
What did you think? Did HBO make the right call in ending the Gemstones run? Or did we need more time with the kids?
Did you see the finale? Let us know your favorite moment in the comments below!
