I find it amazing that when we're discussing the best stuff on television, it's so often wildly depressing stuff or puzzle boxes we all know are going to have endings that do not deliver. I guess it feels good to feel bad.* And I like a good drama, too. But as my 9th grade English teacher, the great Ms. Fort said to me "life is tragedy or comedy. There is no in-between." Ms. Fort was a smart, smart lady, so I've always believed it.
And because I think comedy holds an equal place to tragedy, and I feel I learn as much from what makes me laugh as what makes me bummed out, I'm sad to see HBO's Danny McBride helmed series, The Righteous Gemstones, come to a close after four seasons.
At the same time, I understand- get out while the getting is good. The responsible thing to do is leave people wishing there had been more, while also properly closing things up.
On Sunday, The Righteous Gemstones finished its fourth and final season, closing the door on less than forty episodes and one of the funniest, most vulgar and profane shows I've seen, while somehow including stellar storytelling, genuine character moments, shockingly heartfelt beats and - underneath it all - somehow managing to sell religion and faith as an option better than any actual televangelist.
It's hard to wrap up everything the show was - because it did so much in so few episodes. But if someone from another country asked me to show them a TV show that explained America, this would be it. Our melding of religion and commerce in truly the tackiest ways. That our leaders are fools as much as we are and we still put them on pedestals if they make us feel right and they know how to put on a show. That deep down, we're jealous, spiteful things, but we have our better moments, and maybe that's when we channel the divine. And, also, we own closets full of firearms.
The Gemstones are a family who has seized media to expand their tent-revival show into a TV network, that entertains as it preaches. They have franchised into shopping centers, built amusement parks, resorts and more. Beneath it, there's a deep world of competition between the TV preachers, but there's also the gangsterism that helps them keep their territories, and protect their interests - though they see it all as The Lord's work. And protecting the family enterprise.
At the heart of the show is the passing of Aimee-Leigh Gemstone, who was the truest believer of them all and anchored the family. With her passing, some months before the show begins, the three Gemstone adult children are adrift, as is their father, Eli, who made the Gemstone operation what it is today.
McBride plays Danny McBride, or at least some version of the same knuckle-head he played in Eastbound and Down and Vice-Principals, the would-be alpha-dog of the Gemstone family, whose grasp never matches his reach. Edi Patterson plays Judy Gemstone, who could have easily carried a whole show herself. She's an absolutely feral 12 year old in the body of a grown woman, who is trying to find her way into the spotlight. And Kelvin, the youngest, a brat, and seemingly only closeted to himself. And, widower Eli Gemstone, who knows he's failed at raising his kids, and is left alone to deal with it as he heads towards retirement and handing over the keys to the kingdom.
But the cast is huge, and interlocked. Any one of the character is worth a discussion. And for that reason, the fourth season, at a full nine episodes, felt truncated. We resolved the overall partnership of the Gemstone siblings. Who couldn't have stood more Uncle Baby Billy and Aunt Tiffany (and their new German nanny)? Who didn't want more Amber Gemstone or Gideon and Pontius?
I found some of the structure of the final season interesting. Jessie Gemstone, the ostensible lead played by Danny McBride - the co-creator and a lead writer - took something of a back seat to other storylines. And in his storyline - came to embrace the position of being the one behind things. And I kind of wonder if that weren't McBride understanding he'd created a platform in which others get to shine as brightly or more brightly than himself. Uncle Baby Billy became a meme generator, as did Judy Gemstone. Kelvin's storyline with Keefe had folks invested. And bringing in Megan Mullaly as a partner for John Goodman was an attention grabber. No reason to think McBride isn't growing along with his characters.
Also ending recently, What We Do In The Shadows? knew it had overstayed it's welcome and the finale became a meta narrative about the nature of sitcoms requiring a reset, and no one moving on, or really growing or learning. And as much as I would have liked more Righteous Gemstones, it's likely a fifth and sixth season would have had that feeling settle in - that asks "we're still doing this?". And so I think it tapped out at the right time, even if I could have been glad for more. I could also watch just a whole Baby Billy and Tiffany show (Valyn Hall needs to be in more things immediately).
The guest stars were numerous and amazing. Kristen Johnson. Megan Mullally. Eric Roberts. Stephen Dorff. Lukas Haas. Steve Zahn. Michael Rooker. Dermot Mulroney. Eric Andre. Sean William Scott. Jason Schwartzman. The late M. Emmet Walsh. The list goes on, but they also gave a full episode to Bradley Cooper as the first Gemstone.
I am also aware, Righteous Gemstones did not land with everyone. I expect seeing religious leaders shown as foul-mouthed adult-babies maybe made folks uncomfortable or wasn't everyone's cup of tea. Or the absurdities of wealth accumulated in the name of Christ hit too-close-to-home for the Joel Osteen crowd. And I know the sheer vulgarity of the show - which Edi Patterson and Tim Balz turned into an art form - was just way too much for some.
Behold - the greatest monologue ever put to TV.
I always appreciated that the show didn't actually mock faith or the core of religion, and, in fact, lifted up the idea of what people get from religion - the congregations are not fools. The show seemed to better understand that the characters were sincere in their beliefs, and you can keep that at your core and still be a jerk, a headcase, a narcissist - but sometimes it also steers you right.
But it also understood the complexities of family, and a good monster truck.
I know McBride will be back, and bring some of his pals along. But I'll miss these characters even more than the characters from his prior shows. Don't be sad it's ending. Be glad Dr. Watson happened at all.
Also, Cassidy Freeman in general. I'm just saying. Good golly.
*speaking of good shows, a reminder that Poker Face is back this week. And if you haven't seen The Studio on Apple+, do so
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