TV Review: ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ Season 3, Episode 7
by Frank Martin
One of the downsides to The Righteous Gemstones is that it has so many diverging plot threads that it’s hard to keep momentum on one aspect for too long. But some of that can be overlooked simply because the plot threads on their own are extremely strong and entertaining. Last week had BJ (Tim Baltz) strike out on his own as he tried to fight for Judy’s (Edi Patterson) honor. This week, that story line was more or less abandoned to focus on the Montgomery side of the season. In a typical show, having such a wild and crazy episode followed by something completely different would be seen as a mistake. But The Righteous Gemstones seems to make its own rules, and it works.
This week’s episode began with Judy, Kelvin (Adam DeVine), and Jesse (Danny McBride) all being kidnapped by the Montgomerys. They planned to hold the Gemstones ransom so that Eli (John Goodman) would pay them $5 million dollars a piece. Eli decides against it, which leaves his brother-in-law, Peter (Steve Zahn), to make a choice. He is torn because he acts like a hardened radical Christian, but has noble virtues at heart. Struggling against these two conflicting emotions, he doesn’t get a chance to decide as Gideon (Skyler Gisondo) steals Jesse’s monster truck back and assists in the Gemstone escape.
It’s kind of wild how The Righteous Gemstones suddenly becomes an action show out of nowhere. The first episode of the season had a pretty gnarly chase scene and last week’s episode had a grueling fist fight. This week seemed to just go bonkers with its action as the monster truck completely tore up the Montgomery compound in a wild and crazy escape. All of this action was also preceded by some important characterization as Eli and his sister struggled over how to handle this inter-family squabble. The Righteous Gemstones started the season strong and hasn’t slowed up since.
The Righteous Gemstones air Sundays on HBO.
