The Righteous Gemstones, HBO’s hit series, may appear to be a low comedy about a morally ambiguous religious family, but it actually falls into the category of prestigious television. Similar to shows like Succession and Better Call Saul, it revolves around a flawed antihero who builds his empire, providing a glimpse into the workings of power and money in America. While some critics argue that glorifying such characters in high-budget productions is a form of approval, Gemstones challenges this notion by focusing on a Christian setting. In this world, flawed characters receive absolution for their misdeeds, highlighting the strange and arbitrary nature of forgiveness.
The show centers around Jesse Gemstone, played by showrunner Danny McBride, as he prepares to inherit his father’s religious entertainment empire. Flashbacks reveal the Gemstones’ journey from humble religious revivalists to scandal-ridden operators of a Christian-themed amusement park. Throughout their ascent, the family, including Jesse’s brother Kelvin, sister Judy, patriarch Eli, and deceased wife Aimee-Leigh, find themselves deep-rooted in the toxic aspects of American culture. Despite their questionable actions, viewers cannot help but be drawn to their funny, desperate, and relatable nature, ultimately developing a grudging affection towards them.
One of the reasons why this type of prestige show works is the creators’ genuine fascination with the environment they depict. McBride has a unique understanding of the world of religious showpeople, allowing him to fully exploit its dramatic potential. Televangelists hold significant cultural and financial power, making their behavior and beliefs a rich source of artistic exploration. Gemstones presents viewers with a captivating look at the discrepancies between faith and actions, as well as the intricate workings of the televangelist industry.
When televangelists succeed, they are like powerful figures such as Tony Soprano or Don Draper. However, when they fail, they become even more intriguing and pitiful than Saul Goodman. There is something jarring about watching someone perform the role of a wealthy and influential individual to an uninterested family. Just as one can appreciate David Chase’s analysis of the psychology of mobsters without endorsing organized crime, secular viewers can observe the Gemstones’ manipulations with fascination. Gemstones becomes the first show to fully immerse itself in the world of revivalist Christianity, drawing comparisons to classic novels and films centered around the theme.
In the latest season, Eli and his family find themselves in opposition to relatives who embrace a countercultural interpretation of Christianity. Unfortunately, their version takes a violent right-wing turn, worshipping war instead of Christ. This portrayal serves as a foil to the materialistic Gemstones, although it does not absolve them of their actions. The season culminates in a plague of locusts and a destructive explosion, yet ends on a strangely heartwarming family reunion, possibly in an afterlife. The show punishes the characters while also providing them with a chance for redemption.
Despite its success, Gemstones has faced criticism for being repetitive, with similar scandals, troublesome relatives, and conciliatory finales. The characters transform slowly, just as most people do when they know they have another chance. The show alternates between mocking them and evoking sentimentality, constantly making viewers reconsider the concept of forgiveness and its purpose.
Forgiveness is an essential part of human relationships, as even the best-intentioned individuals inevitably hurt each other. In Christianity, this practice takes on an additional dimension, urging followers to pray for their enemies and do good to those who harm them, even as the wounds are still fresh. The revivalism practiced by Eli and Aimee-Leigh separates confession and forgiveness from traditional church practices, allowing individuals to seek redemption within themselves rather than through formal channels.
Revivalist faith is often subject to mockery due to its performative salesmanship, but even non-believers can understand the appeal of a religion that promises instant transformation. For the younger Gemstones, faith initially comes from their parents rather than personal experiences. It remains abstract, forming the foundation of their lives but also remaining untested. They are tempted to push the boundaries of sinful behavior, testing whether forgiveness will still be granted. Their weak sense of self allows them to view their wrongdoings as separate from their true identity.
In recent years, TV critics have argued that viewers too easily forgive the antiheroes of prestigious television shows, leading them to tolerate or even admire real-life counterparts. Gemstones challenges this notion by introducing a background truth within its characters’ worldview – God has already forgiven them before any conflict arises. Paradoxically, this existential cushion allows the defensive, vain, and flawed characters to begin changing their behavior. The show offers moments of unexpected emotional depth, such as Uncle Baby Billy reconnecting with the child he abandoned and deciding to return to his family.
The Righteous Gemstones may follow a familiar narrative structure, but it expertly explores themes of power, money, forgiveness, and transformation within a Christian context. Its unique perspective and well-developed characters make it a standout in the prestige TV landscape.
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