The comedy in "The Righteous Gemstones" operates on multiple layers. The conversation between Jesse and Judy in tonight's episode is undeniably amusing on the surface. They've ventured to Kelvin's house unaided, each scrambling to conjure a plausible excuse for their visit. Judy's choice of "shitting" as an excuse is amusing in itself, but it's the term "turtle-heading" that lends it the crude charm that has long been the show's hallmark. However, their desperation to come up with any reason other than the true one—that they genuinely care about Kelvin and wish to ensure his wellbeing—speaks volumes about the strong, intricate familial ties that bind the Gemstones together. And this is what this episode, punctuated by sweetness, often revolves around.
Since their father stepped down from the ministry, all three Gemstone siblings have struggled to find their footing. Kelvin's success with Prism and his nomination for the Top Christ Following Man of the Year award have made him a prime target, especially as he's never missed an opportunity to rub it in their faces. (Side note: The show's frequent repetition of "Top Christ Following Man" has evolved into a brilliant running gag in its own right.) Thus, when he failed at "the most perilous challenge of all," the roundtable discussion, Jesse and Judy had ample reason to feel a modicum of schadenfreude. Kelvin had now suffered a public humiliation akin to Jesse's Prayer Pods fiasco, and his entire Prism project, which had become a dazzling testament to his ego, would also have to be shelved. When Kelvin chooses to retreat to his treehouse and pull up the ladder, it's partly to evade his siblings' inevitable ridicule.
But a fleeting moment in the episode two weeks prior hinted at a potentially different response. When Jesse turns off the roundtable discussion at home, his expression conveys exasperation and disappointment, rather than glee at his sibling rival's downfall. Part of this may stem from Jesse's larger grievance with Vance Simkins, the man viciously tearing Kelvin apart on TV, but mostly, it's because no amount of ridicule can permanently estrange the Gemstones. Jesse and Judy may roll their eyes at Kelvin's success, but they don't bask in each other's misfortunes for long and always find a way to reconcile, especially when confronted with external threats. They delight in belittling Kelvin for sport, but they'd be damned if they let Vance Simkins join in. Jesse's declaration, "Ding-dong, bitch," as he and Judy ascend to the treehouse door in their telethon jet packs, is the show's interpretation of a hard-won, heart-wrenching moment.
The theme of sibling reconciliation in tonight's episode also extends to Gideon and Pontius as they attempt to mend their fractured relationship. From the first season of "The Righteous Gemstones," we know that Gideon once strayed further from the virtuous path than Pontius, whose snooty rebelliousness pales in comparison to his big brother's violent blackmail scheme. In fact, Gideon has appeared notably uncomfortable on the righteous path, having inherited neither his father's preaching skills nor his boorish bluster. He seems to aspire to be a genuinely decent person, making him an awkward fit as a Gemstone, and he's been seeking mentorship from his grandfather, perhaps because he's at least less boisterous than his dad. For Jesse, Gideon's virtue is an irritating twist because it exposes his flaws like a blacklight revealing stains on by-the-hour motel sheets.
When Pontius is ensnared in the act of doing whippets with his skateboarding cronies, Gideon's earnest plea to bring them all into the fold of the church resembles a scene plucked straight from an '80s comedy, where he plays the role of the savior aiming to rescue the community center. If he can showcase his radical side by pulling off skateboarding tricks in his Sunday finest, then surely these young men will have to concede that he's far from the square they initially perceived him to be, and that even the tackiest, most mercenary iteration of Christianity can indeed be cool. Even Pontius seems to have momentarily set aside his petulant demeanor. It remains to be seen where this unexpected turn will lead — the youngest members of the Gemstones embracing a humbler connection with God would indeed be a plot twist. However, the frivolous nature of the Pontius subplot somewhat diminishes its significance.
Nonetheless, the reconciliation between Gideon and Pontius aligns seamlessly with the episode's overarching tone, which is as optimistic as the show has ventured this season. If anything, the episode borders on being overly optimistic: When Kelvin dusts himself off and delivers a triumphant speech at "The Night of Testimonies," the culminating event in the Top Christ Following Man competition, he exits the auditorium fully expecting to have blown his chances at the prestigious award. For the voters to grant it to him anyway strikes a chord of Hollywood-style, phony uplift that seems utterly at odds with a series like The Righteous Gemstones, despite its obvious affection for these characters. Kelvin's decision to come clean about his true self, regardless of the consequences, would have been profoundly meaningful without the need for the rest of the Evangelical world to celebrate him for it.
On a brighter note, the upcoming Prism luncheon promises to be an absolute spectacle.
