Take Three: The Righteous Gemstones

The Righteous Gemstones: Season 1, Episode 3 “They Are Weak, But He Is Strong” (B)

I had seen that Walton Goggins was going to be a member of this show’s cast, and I was just waiting for him to show up. The onetime professional rival of Danny McBride’s character on “Vice Principals” is here playing Jesse’s uncle and Eli’s brother-in-law, a pastor with the same kind of energy but with a disposition far similar to that of his oldest nephew. For those who want to see Goggins in an equally effective but far more dramatic role, check out his performance as a snake-charming preacher in the recent release “Them That Follow.” Baby Billy is indeed a personality, and circumstances presented themselves in the perfect way for Eli to make peace by showing up to save him and Tiffany from whatever fate awaited them when the intruders saw them. Eli’s method of punishment was definitely memorable, and a signal that he knows exactly what he’s doing even if the rest of his family doubts him. Jesse and his big think tank didn’t make much progress in determining who the blackmailers are, aside from shutting down the “We did it!” coins that were essentially confessions just waiting to be discovered by the right people. The conversation at the dinner table about Gideon being a stuntman for women was interesting, especially Amber weighing in about how she believes men should behave when women are around, a worldview that at least two of her children definitely don’t appear to share, with Pontius continuing to channel his older brother’s rebellious spirit.