The Righteous Gemstones (2×04) As to How They Might Destroy Him Review

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

Synopsis: Still reeling from their father’s revelation, Kelvin and Jesse conspire to put Eli in his place. As BJ’s baptism approaches, Judy clashes with her in-laws, while Baby Billy struggles with his own growing family. (HBO)

Ladies and Gentlemen…we got him.

Baby Billy is back, albeit a slightly different version via a heartbreaking flashback of him avoiding his fatherly duties with his son Harmon. In the present day, he seems much more at ease with his lot in life as he is expecting another child, this time with Tiffany. While this episode contained so much for the audience to chew on, the main spotlight was occupied by none other than BJ, who was celebrating his big day of baptism…reluctantly.

But before BJ’s big day, viewers are treated to another interaction with Amber and Jesse and the Lissons discussing the unique investment opportunity that is Zion’s Landing. The eldest Gemstone reveals that finding $10 million has not been as easy as he thought as all of his family funds are tied up in trusts. What started as a slight frustration for Jesse and Amber is now compounded by the fact that  the Lissons are cutting off all communications with them as they are now “poor.” This is yet another moment pushing Jesse ever closer to confronting his father about receiving more responsibility, and therefore money, from the church in order to make his own business decisions. Of course, his situation is easily met with indifference by Eli when Jesse informs him that the deal is dead.

As the day of BJ’s baptism has finally arrived, everyone from the Gemstone family is in attendance, including BJ’s family who Judy claims as adversaries on account that they are secular humanists aka atheists. Even though the day is about BJ coming into the fold of the Almighty’s flock (and more importantly the Gemstone family), Baby Billy is still the standout performer of the day as he serenades the guests with his smooth country tone during the preliminary music. Sure, his song of choice is no “Misbehavin‘” but it’s just nice to hear his sultry voice no matter what the musical number. Things take a more dramatic turn during the reception when family issues that have begun snowballing several episodes prior start to corner Eli at the most inopportune time.

Junior’s reach has now arrived directly at the Gemstone doorstep by way of one of his goons issuing a warning to not cross him again. Hammering home this point was a comedically placed tomato on Eli’s windshield along with a car park intimidation tactic that the darker half of Eli recognized all too well. On a hunch, Eli confronts Judy after the baptism only to receive her confession that BJ was never fully committed to the ritual and still has doubts, thus still keeping him on the perimeter of Gemstone’s inner circle. Furthermore, his first interaction with Baby Billy at the reception is less than ideal as it results in a similar ending; Baby Billy petitioning Eli for money, this time in order to take care of his upcoming newborn.

While BJ is metaphorically on the outside of the Gemstone family, none is more physically in that situation than that of Kelvin, who has only been allotted a plus one for the baptism, yet again creating another schism between his God Squad who are not allowed to attend. Unlike Judy and Jesse before him, Kelvin not only chooses to confront his father over this misdeed but continues to push further ultimately receiving the full accumulation of every stressful interaction of the day being released onto him, more specifically his thumbs. It’s unfortunate but also inevitable as too many mistakes have been made by the Gemstone children resulting in Eli’s full anger being shown. Still, it was absolutely hilarious and worth the build-up of the past several episodes. Finally, to make matters even crazier, an assassination attempt was carried out towards Jesse and Amber as they left the baptism leaving multiple questions as to what will happen next for the Gemstone family.

There was much to love about this episode as it contained standout moments from almost all of the show’s cast, featured a return of a beloved character, possessed hilarious dialogue, and even had motorcyclists with guns! But I would be remissed if I didn’t mention the best part of the episode which was the enormous portraits of BJ (and sometimes Judy) that draped the reception of hall of BJ’s baptism. Sure, there was also BJ’s amazingly gorgeous crushed satin romp-him complete with matching cumberbund and strutting theme song but those gigantic pictures lording over all of the guests were some of the funniest things this series has produced thus far.

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