What I’m Watching: The Righteous Gemstones (Season Finale)

The Righteous Gemstones: Season 1, Episode 9 “Better is the End of a Thing Than Its Beginning” (B+)

This show certainly knows what it is and what it wants to be, and I can’t say that about every series I watch. I’ll point to Judy’s rather horrifying story about her past and how it was presented in a sentimental tone as the best example, as well as BJ’s response to her final comment that I won’t repeat again here. Eli firing all of his children after finding out that they lied to him about what Jesse did and that they were being blackmailed felt like the breaking up of a dynasty, though that wasn’t destined to last. They’ve always been united in a certain way, starting from the annoying bee flying around right after Aimee Leigh’s death, and that doesn’t necessarily extend to the most spiteful member of the family, Baby Billy. I knew right as soon as the clouds started forming that he was going to get struck by lightning, and it seems that he’s now profiting off his alleged divine interaction by selling drawings of his incredible experience to anyone willing to pay the pretty steep price. I won’t mention much about Kelvin rescuing Keefe from the devil cult since that was the least involving plotline, but at least everyone made it back together by episode’s end. Eli offering Johnny Seasons a job was a nice and noble step, and it’s possible that some of these Gemstones are indeed righteous. I was waiting for Gideon to tell his father that he was shoveling the wrong direction, but even Jesse might be able to change while working selflessly in Haiti. I don’t know what season two holds, but this has been one hell of a ride and I’m happy to return for more.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Danny McBride as Jesse