Saturday, February 19, 2022

What I’m Watching: The Righteous Gemstones

The Righteous Gemstones: Season 2, Episode 7 “And Infants Shall Rule Over Them” (B+)

Sometimes, this show just indulges in absurdity, like first Jesse and then Judy, Amber, and BJ projectile vomiting after seeing Eli in the hospital. But it also features some intense motorcycle chases and standoffs, where having a taser turns out to be more useful than a machine gun. This was the best possible training Gideon could have done for his future stunt career, and I wonder whether this is a turning point that will encourage him to stay home and be part of the family or to continue pursuing his dreams. I like that BJ doesn’t believe in gender roles and wanted a neutral term for his manly participation in Jesse’s defense operation, and that he found a clever way to come through when Jesse was too busy celebrating Eli waking up to notice the reprogrammed Chili’s pager buzzing. “Let’s like to the church like a [expletive] family” is a great slogan, certainly catchier than “#BringGemsHome.” Tailing Baby Billy showed just how much he wants to escape his family, and I enjoyed Judy and Amber being able to console Tiffany and bond about you don’t need a man, and definitely not one who thinks for himself. Kelvin apologizing and praying by Eli’s bedside was a cathartic moment for him, and the fact that it’s when Eli woke up and told him that he loved him is a very healing development in their seriously fractured relationship. Now it’s just a question of whether there are more assassins coming or if the Gemstones are back on top.

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