Throughout its four-season journey, the "Interlude" episodes of "The Righteous Gemstones" have meticulously woven the intricate tapestry of the Gemstone family's history, presenting their backstory in a seamless chronological narrative—commencing in 1989 and advancing to 2002 in this week's installment. These chapters have often stood out as the series' highlights, offering a far more refined approach to revealing crucial character traits and plot intricacies than the conventional flashbacks, which often halt momentum or hammer home overworked revelations. The show aspirations extend towards tracing the complete ascendancy (and the looming specter of decline) of the Gemstone empire, wisely resisting the urge to encumber its seasons with fragmented flashbacks. Instead, it invigorates by pressing pause on contemporary conflicts and recounting these stories in their entirety.
Recall that last season's "Interlude III" transpired at the dawn of the new millennium, amidst the Y2K hysteria, where Eli and Aimee-Leigh faced a firestorm for exploiting the panic by peddling survival buckets through their church. The backlash was severe, igniting protests, dwindling attendance, and earning the wrath of Eli's brother-in-law Peter (Steve Zahn), who incurred substantial losses by investing in these buckets and subsequently founded a militia of doomsday preppers. This episode unpacked much about Eli and Aimee-Leigh, who saw Y2K not as a threat but merely another money-spinning opportunity to fleece their naive congregants. While Peter might have embodied the "villain" archetype of the third season, his corruption was intrinsically tied to theirs, rendering him a sympathetic antagonist with legitimate grievances.
This season kickstarted with an unofficial "Interlude"-like premiere, diving deep into the Civil War era to reveal Elijah Gemstone as a thief and murderer who appropriated the identity of a local minister, masquerading as a Confederate chaplain, and discovering a lucrative hustle—one that paradoxically aligned with a genuine spiritual quest, contradicting the Gemstone creed. The gold Bible stolen from poor Abel Grieves stands as a cornerstone of family lore, enshrined beneath glass in the Gemstone mansion's heart, until it was snatched by a burglar. "Interlude IV" unmasks the thief and hints at the potential resurfacing of this colossal family secret to haunt them. Yet, the Gemstones have a knack for extricating themselves from formidable predicaments.
Set in 2002, this episode underscores that the community has yet to fully forgive Eli and Aimee-Leigh for the Y2K buckets and related scams, yet their hands are tied. (It's impossible not to draw parallels with recent town hall meetings in Trump's second term, where citizens vent their frustrations to representatives steadfast in toeing the president's line.) As the Gemstones propose a new salvation center, billing it as a catalyst for local economic prosperity, a county board member objects to their planned "10-acre parking lot" and chastises Eli for "buying out desperate souls." Yet, this communal backlash falls on deaf ears. The Gemstones have oiled enough palms and dispensed ample store-bought powdered donuts to secure their desires, enduring mere cream pie facials as a minor inconvenience.
They also find solace in the secluded Galilee Gulch, a setting that deepens our understanding of the intricate dynamics between the Gemstones and the Milsaps, while weaving in subtle origin tales such as young Kelvin's burgeoning sexual awareness and the sin-laden inception of Jesse and Amber's union. Here, the illustrious character actor Michael Rooker captivates as Cobb Milsap, a man who blames the Gemstones for the demise of his marriage, oblivious to the chaos his own alcoholism and fiery temper have wrought. Aimee-Leigh and Lori share an unbreakable bond, while young Corey appears to blend seamlessly into the Gemstone children's circle. However, Eli's subtle but palpable animosity towards Cobb becomes evident as he speeds him across the lake on water skis, cackling maniacally at Cobb's terrified screams. Eli has a propensity to view men like Cobb as pitiful hicks, a perception that ultimately leads him to underestimate the latter.
Throughout the season, the show has subtly hinted at the contemporary Corey's inner turmoil, and "Interlude IV" finds his teenage self caught in the widening rift between his parents, struggling to remain neutral. For Lori, Eli and Aimee-Leigh serve as both emotional and financial lifelines, especially as her "stingy" husband, the owner of a gator farm, has reduced them to living in squalid conditions. The prospect of recording another album with Aimee-Leigh offers Lori a glimmer of hope for a different path, foreshadowing the dire financial straits that eventually draw her back into the Gemstones' orbit—first through Aimee-Leigh's telethon performance and later through her romance with Eli.
Lori's strained relationship with Cobb takes a dark turn when he arrives at the Gemstone estate, drunk and belligerent. In a fit of rage, Eli strikes him square in the face. It's clear that Lori's history with men leaves much to be desired, yet Cobb possesses a certain integrity, distinguishing himself by desiring nothing from the Gemstones. When Eli visits the gator farm to mend fences with Cobb, the latter refuses to accept the offer of reconciliation. "I work hard," he asserts. "I provide for my family. But that's not what Lori craves. She desires glamour, and that will never be me." He further informs Eli that he'd sooner plunge into the gators' den than pray alongside him. While none of this excuses his decision to vandalize the Gemstone property, it's worth noting that his only prize is the golden Bible—a testament to his lack of greed and abundance of anger. And truly, who can fault him for feeling this way?
