The Righteous Gemstones (2×02) After I Leave, Savage Wolves Will Come Early Review

For our review of the last episode of The Righteous Gemstones, click here.

Synopsis: After doubling-down on their efforts to invest in Zion’s Landing, Jesse and Amber scramble for the cash. Meanwhile, Eli’s attempts to dodge a big-city reporter spell doom for the Gemstones. (HBO)

After I Leave, Savage Wolves Will Come unfolds with the Gemstone family each on their own path, the most important one seems to be that of Eli as a dark passenger from his past emerges to bring about a version of himself he thought long put to sleep. Amber and Jesse’s path would lead them on a search for $10 million to invest in the new Christian couple’s venture, Zion’s Landing.

The Texas equivalent to the Gemstones, the Lissons, are leading the investment charge and are counting on Amber and Jesse’s net worth to come through. This prompts Jesse to begin plotting a way to get his father to bless the business venture but Eli is naturally hesitant as it seems an unlikely success. But the Gemstone children’s individual journeys are put on hold as they come together to confront Thaniel Block (Jason Schwartzman), a journalist inquiring about their mother, Amy Lee. But more lies at Block’s residence than they expected which has echoes of season one.

As this latest season is still in its infancy, these first episodes have done little to advance the Gemstones beyond similar beats from last season. For the most part, this has led to some solid comedic moments, however, some of the gloss has started to fade due to its repetitive delivery. Still, there’s so much to enjoy from some of the narrative breadcrumbs that have been laid out for the audience.

It’s evident that Eli’s past will become a hinge piece for this season and how that will come to fruition is yet to be seen. In truth, it appears to be the more serious storyline that will anchor the other absurdities. That honor is easily given to Kelvin’s “God Squad ” who are offering the funniest possibilities during the remaining episodes based on premise alone. How Kelvin and Keefe keep their muscle men in order feels as if it will never get old. But the comedic MVP lurking in the season’s shadows has to be BJ, whom Judy is continually pushing among her family members to be seen as a legitimate Gemstone (despite already being a legitimate Gemstone). BJ is calm and quiet on the surface but is a force waiting to be unleashed. His time will come.

While this episode continues to build upon the Gemstone’s mounting issues, it still leaves much to be desired as the season has yet to feature a Baby Billy sighting, which is inevitable (and needed). There is much promise in the developing storylines and it will be an act of patience waiting each week to see how it all will unfold.

Until then, we are at least bestowed a hilarious lampooning of her family by Judy Gemstone that is always welcomed.

Check out my Critics Without Credentials podcast on iTunes and Spotify.

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Instagram or like us on Facebook.

Critics w/o Credentials

Trying my best to get all thoughts about TV and Film out of my head and onto the interweb.