Danny McBride, creator of Eastbound & Down and Vice Principals, scored again with the HBO hit series The Righteous Gemstones, undoubtedly the network’s most hilarious production. The satirical TV show revolves around a world-renowned, wealthy televangelist family, led by widowed patriarch, Eli Gemstone, played by the illustrious John Goodman. His immature, privileged, spoiled adult children, Jesse (McBride), Judy (Edi Patterson), and Kelvin (Adam DeVine), live a luxurious life, funded completely by the church.
Their sole purpose in life is to provide their father with an endless supply of headaches, and, much to viewers’ fortune, their shenanigans know no bounds. Although an unhinged comedy at its core, The Righteous Gemstones is also a story about the power of love and the importance of family. Amid all the humor also lie emotional scenes that touch the hearts of audiences and, in some cases, leave fans teary-eyed. These are the 10 most heartfelt moments of the series.
10
Eli and Aimee-Leigh Look at the Family Property
Season 1, Episode 5 – “Interlude”
In 1989, after Aimee-Leigh discovers she’s pregnant with Kelvin, she and Eli walk around their gorgeous new plot of land. The couple talk about expanding now that there’s a new addition to the Gemstone clan on the way. Eli jokes about building a house on the property for each of their children, as well as an amusement park — two realities that would actually come to be.
Whole Lotta Love
Although they both laugh at the idea of living next to their troublesome children forever, it’s clear that it would be a dream come true for them to have Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin around for the rest of their days. The love they have for their kids runs so deep. So does the couple’s love for each other. It’s heartwarming to see flashbacks of Aimee-Leigh when she was still alive, and this is one of the most moving. The Righteous Gemstones may be a satire on megachurches and their leaders, but each time the matriarch appears on the screen, viewers are reminded that it’s also a show about love and grief.
9
Jesse and Gideon’s First Heart-to-Heart
Season 1, Episode 7 – “And Yet One of You is a Devil”
One of the biggest plot twists in Season 1 was that Gideon Gemstone (Skyler Gisondo) was in cahoots with Scotty Steele (Scott MacArthur) to extort money from Jesse. The prodigal son only returned to blackmail his father with the infamous Atlanta video. It’s clear that Gideon wasn’t driven by greed, but by heartache and disappointment. That anger and pain were spawned out of love. Much of the season saw father and son butting heads, so watching Gideon come to his senses and try to come clean was touching.
An Amusing but Heartwarming Scene
In typical Jesse fashion, he misunderstood Gideon’s desire to confess for wanting to come out about his sexuality. Instead of putting two and two together that his own son and Scotty were his blackmailers, Jesse mistakes the two for being in love. It was funny, but also touching to hear Jesse tell his son he loves him and accepts him for who he is. For the first time, viewers saw the affection between the two, and audiences couldn’t help but be moved.
8
BJ Finally Earns Eli’s Respect
Season 2, Episode 6 – “Never Avenge Yourselves, But Leave It to the Wrath”
BJ (Tim Baltz) was always on the sidelines, desperate to gain the respect and affection of the Gemstone family, especially Eli’s. Even after marrying Judy between Season 1 and Season 2, he never truly felt like he belonged. So deep was his desire to gain their acceptance that he went through with having himself baptized, even though he was never truly a believer, and much to the amusement of his agnostic family. At his baptism, he went head-to-head with his sister, throwing cake as he defended and sided with the Gemstones.
A Proud Father-in-Law
After the outrageous debacle, he pays a visit to Eli to apologize for the baptism brawl. Opening up, BJ is honest about the Gemstone family’s emotional dysfunction. In the conversation, he tells Eli that all Judy wants is her father’s approval, and that her misbehavior comes out of a place of hurt and repression. Demonstrating how much he understands and is devoted to Judy, a woman who’s hard to love, finally earns him Eli’s respect. When his father-in-law offered him his hand to shake, the audience was left as teary-eyed as BJ.
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7
Kelvin Kneels at Eli’s Bedside and Prays For His Father’s Recovery
Season 2, Episode 7 – “And Infants Shall Rule Over Them”
Tensions in the family were at an all-time high during BJ’s baptism in the fourth episode of the second season. Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin were angry at their father for his attempts at dating and for refusing to let them take more leadership. Eli, exhausted with all of their antics, finally snapped at what he called a sham of an event, breaking Kelvin’s thumbs when the younger son picked a fight.
Three Magic Words
Naturally, Kelvin refused to speak to his father after, even when Eli approached him with vulnerability in the sixth episode. Soon after, Eli is left shot and in a coma by the “cycle ninjas.” After struggling to gather the courage to visit him, Kelvin finally makes it to his father’s bedside. DeVine gives an over-the-top but tearful performance, praying to God and promising to be his humble servant so long as his dad recovers. At that moment, Eli wakes and tells Kelvin the words he desires the most from him: “I love you.”
6
Judy and BJ Convince Tiffany to Stay
Season 2, Episode 8 – “The Prayer of a Righteous Man”
Baby Billy (Walton Goggins) repeats the same mistakes he made with his first wife and son, abandoning his much younger and very pregnant wife, Tiffany (Valyn Hall). The naive, puppy-eyed woman refuses to believe he deserted her, convinced something must have happened to him when he left to get her Funyuns. A begrudging Judy is forced to take in her younger aunt, who she can’t stand and who she describes as “feral.”
An Unexpected Bond
While BJ bonded with Tiffany, taught her how to read, and helped her track down Baby Billy, Judy just wanted to get rid of her. Surprisingly enough, she ends up leaning into her maternal instincts, caring for Judy, later realizing that the thought of her leaving made her “gooch pucker.” As Tiffany’s bus drives off towards her hometown, Judy dramatically stops it, breaking the window and barging in. In a sweet moment that shows Judy’s character growth, she pleads for Tiffany to stay and live with her and BJ. Judy doesn’t have friends or relationships with other women. Seeing how close she’s gotten to Aunt Tiffany has been one of The Righteous Gemstone’s most touching developments.
5
Baby Billy Laughs With Aimee-Leigh’s Ghost After Getting Punched
Season 2, Episode 8 – “The Prayer of a Righteous Man”
Baby Billy may be a greedy, manipulative, and selfish man, but even he has a soul. After leaving Tiffany, he’s racked with guilt about how he abandoned his first family. He tracks down his now adult son, Harmon (Macaulay Culkin), 30 years after leaving him in a mall. The two have a heart-to-heart of sorts, where Harmon expresses his anger and contempt. When Baby Billy asks what he can do to make it up to him, Harmon asks for just one thing — to punch him in the face.
A Newly Baptized Man
It’s a profound moment of catharsis for both father and son. Baby Billy leaves a new man, the blood dripping down his face like holy water baptizing him once again. It was his conscience that drove him to apologize to his son, which always manifests as his late sister, Aimee-Leigh (Jennifer Nettles). Her ghost shows up when he needs her most, whether he needs the right guidance, to be scorned, or reminded about the power of family. After leaving Harmon’s, he sits in his car, Aimee-Leigh in the passenger seat, and they both laugh, knowing that he deserved it. It’s obvious that Baby Billy loves and misses her as much as Eli.
4
Jesse Sticks Up for BJ and Trains Him To Fight
Season 3, Episode 6 – “How Do You Like Me Now?”
One of the most heartbreaking points in the series is when BJ learns of Judy’s fidelity and disloyalty. He’s a broken man afterward, even the light has left his eyes. When Jesse and his posse come across him giving a tour of the Gemstone Salvation Center, BJ’s on the verge of an emotional breakdown. Chad (James DuMont), calls him a cuckold, sending the rest of them laughing, except for Jesse, who tries to comfort him and then trains him to fight the man Judy cheated with.
Brotherly Love
Although it’s ripe with humor, there’s also deep tenderness in the moment. No one in the Gemstone family ever gave BJ a harder time than Jesse. Throughout the series, Jesse always put him down and called him weak. Being there for his brother-in-law and teaching him to be more confident shows how he has finally come to accept him as part of the family. It will be interesting to see how their relationship further develops in the fourth and final season.
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3
Kelvin Finally Kisses Keefe
Season 3, Episode 8 – “I Will Take You By the Hand and Keep You”
In the penultimate episode of Season 3, the Gemstone siblings are still furious at their father for not paying their Uncle Peter (Steve Zahn) the ransom. Eli couldn’t be happier to see them finally united, even against him, knowing they finally could successfully lead the church together. Before the three siblings walk off to helm the service, Judy and Jesse are sent off with a kiss by their significant others. In his riskiest, most courageous act yet, Kelvin turns around, walks back to Keefe and kisses him for the first time, finally defining their relationship.
The Moment Audiences Have Been Waiting For
From the very beginning, viewers became invested in Keefe (Tony Cavalero) and Kelvin’s beautiful, tender portrayal of repressed queer love. For three entire seasons, fans of The Righteous Gemstones wondered, “Will they or won’t they?” Seeing it finally happen marked one of the series’ happiest moments. Viewers felt as joyous and proud as Judy, Jesse, BJ, and Amber (Cassidy Freeman) were at that instant.
2
Gideon Tells His Granddad That He Wants to Be a Preacher
Season 3, Episode 9 – “Wonders That Cannot Be Fathomed, Miracles That Cannot Be Counted”
The Season 3 finale sees the Gemstone family members gain purpose, achieve growth, and find peace in their own ways. Judy, Jesse, and Kelvin have finally become the leaders their father has always wanted them to be. Eli steps back into retirement, knowing the church is in great hands. Amber’s program for married couples, The System, was a huge success. Keefe and Kelvin are done shaming smut shops and “judging people for what they do behind closed doors.” Although not fond of the idea, Pontius (Kelton DuMont) is put in military school, where he will hopefully better himself. Gideon also finds his sense of purpose.
Continuing the Legacy
He felt aimless and lost for quite a while. He tried making it in Hollywood as a stuntperson, ran off to do missionary work, and when he injured himself doing stunt work, took on the role of chauffeur for his grandfather. Audiences were surprised to learn that, after everything, Gideon felt that his true calling was to be a preacher like his granddad. When he tells the old man as they’re fishing, Eli is touched and delighted. He doesn’t make a fuss about it, but the look in his eyes confirms nothing would make him happier than having his grandson as his protégé.
1
Aimee-Leigh’s Ghost Watches the Happy, Reunited Family
Season 3, Episode 9 – “Wonders That Cannot Be Fathomed, Miracles That Cannot Be Counted”
Season 3 was a wild, unhinged ride. Peter, May-May, Chuck (Lukas Hass), and Karl (Robert Oberst) Montgomery were introduced. Viewers got a flashback episode explaining the feud between the families. Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin were held hostage by their Uncle Peter, who tried setting off a bomb at the church before it was invaded by a plague of locusts. In the end, the power of love and family triumphed over resentment.
A Guardian Angel
The season closes with the Gemstone, Freeman, and Montgomery clans gathering on the family property to have a load of fun destroying all sorts of things with The Redeemer, Jesse’s monster truck. Seeing them put their differences aside and forgive each other was heartwarming. It’s what Aimee-Leigh would have wanted. As always, she was there, watching happily over the family, reminding viewers that their loved ones are never really gone.
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