You know what? Sometimes I think being friends with the Gemstones would be a blast. Not just for the tax breaks (which are awesome, by the way), but also because I’d be front and center for all the juicy family drama. So, here we are with another Season 3 review, and today I’ll dive into everything that went down in Episode 4: “I Have Not Come to Bring Peace, But a Sword.” Let’s get into it!
In the episode’s opening, we’re introduced to Keefe the Queef, our intrepid leader-in-training, who steps up as Kelvin’s dependable assistant youth pastor. His moment to shine arrives at the ‘ice cream and wiener party,’ where he’s set to interact with the youth’s parents.
Everything appears to be going well until Clarence bursts onto the scene. Oblivious to the atmosphere, Clarence reveals the secret activities of Kelvin and the Smut Busters in their quest to purify the town, putting Keefe in a tight predicament.
Keefe shines as one of the show’s true gems, embodying an authentic and honest-to-God character. The problem is, he’s not exactly a master of self-expression, which leads to misunderstandings about his true intentions. It’s a shame because he means well, but sometimes, the way he communicates just doesn’t do justice to his good heart.
In the meantime, Chuck and Karl Montgomery scrub up nicely for their Sunday service, after which they head with the Gemstones family to their usual hangout spot, Jason’s Steakhouse. Little did they know that their estranged father, Peter, would make an unexpected and unwelcome return.
With a subtle but pointed declaration of war on the Gemstones, Peter makes his exit, but not before he playfully honks BJ’s nose. We all had a hunch that Peter would play the role of the ultimate antagonist in the show, especially after the dark and brooding vibes he brought to the show when he was first introduced this season.
However, what pleasantly surprised me was witnessing a glimpse of his comical side, adding a refreshing twist to his character. It’s always great when a character can be multidimensional and showcase different shades, and Peter’s unexpected comedic nuance definitely brought a new perspective to his persona.
Guess who’s the newest inductee to the exclusive Cape and Pistol Society? Yep, it’s Jesse! But his potty mouth lands him in trouble with the society, earning him a double dose of white slaps (a guy literally wears a white glove and slaps him while all other members watch in ceremony).
But wait, there’s more comic gold. Out of nowhere, Uncle Baby Billy dramatically emerges from a bush, all annoyed that Jesse didn’t invite him to this top-secret induction shindig. Seriously, HBO needs to consider making a spinoff show for Uncle Baby Billy once the show is over.
Meanwhile, Judy’s web of lies and deception has come crashing down upon her. Stephen, fueled by anger, resorts to desperate measures to get back at her and BJ. From sending explicit pictures to disrupting a pickleball game, Stephen stops at nothing to mess with BJ’s head.
When all else fails, he confronts them face-to-face, exposing Judy’s infidelity to BJ. We all saw it coming, the revelation of the affair was inevitable, but witnessing that scene unfold still packed a punch. It’s safe to say no one’s rooting for Judy at this point.
The good news is that Eli and May-May’s relationship has taken a positive turn ever since she decided to move into the Gemstone Manor. Eli is going above and beyond for her, even making efforts to reconcile her with her sons. However, there’s a twist in the plot!
In what could be considered one of the show’s most captivating monologue moments, delivered by Jesse, we learn that Chuck and Karl are still under their father’s influence. The entire facade of reconciliation with the Gemstone siblings was merely a ploy to gain access to the highly explosive stocks of ammonium nitrate stored within the Gemstone compound.
Episode 4 was a wild ride, with Keefe’s firing and dramatic exit from the mansion, BJ discovering Judy’s affair, Jesse’s heartfelt reaction to his mother’s hologram, and the shocking revelation of the cousins’ betrayal.
Despite the abundance of plotlines, the episode maintained a seamless flow, never feeling rushed at any point. The writing is nothing short of a masterpiece, a testament to Danny McBride’s genius, and I can’t wait to see what he’s planned out for this season’s endgame.
Have you caught up with the latest episode of The Righteous Gemstones Season 3? Spill the holy beans and share your thoughts in the sacred comment section below!
