What I’m Watching: The Righteous Gemstones

The Righteous Gemstones: Season 1, Episode 4 “Wicked Lips” (B-)

This episode wasn’t as enticing to me, partially because some of the characters are just too willing to go along with situations and ideas that should seem patently unbelievable to them. The best example is Amber, who’s so completely loyal to her husband that she wouldn’t for a second question whether he’s telling the truth or even why he would be dangerously tailgating someone he allegedly plays “car pranks” with on a regular basis. She did manage to cast plenty of doubt on Mandy’s claims about the emails, and then have Jesse come over to make up a cover story about it, which he did remarkably calmly given how angry he was about this breach. Gideon better hope that he can run fast, since his father catching him fleeing the scene of the wrecked car would result in a whole lot of fury. Keefe doesn’t seem like a terribly reliable sidekick for Kelvin in his quest for youth ministry since he’s far too susceptible to the lure of the satanic church, an influence he could easily have avoided had he simply gone a different way while enjoying his ice cream cone. Kelvin was honored that his father finally expressed some confidence in his youth ministry ability, and he did put in a fair amount of effort – and showed off some impressive trampoline moves – to help get the daughter of his father’s number one donor back on the right path. The Gemstones don’t actually mean to do the right thing, but Kelvin may have unintentionally helped someone in this episode. I’m pleased to report that this show has been renewed for a second season, and I’ll be sticking around to enjoy its absurdity!