The Righteous Gemstones Review: Interlude (Season 1 Episode 5)
The past is a powerful reminder of where we come from, and The Righteous Gemstones Season 1 Episode 5, “Interlude,” brings Aimee-Leigh Gemstone’s past to the forefront when she is at her prime.
The sudden switch to the 1980’s comes as a pleasant surprise, as Aimee-Leigh casts such a large shadow over each Gemstone family member, and seeing her helps put the strain and the issues decades later into better focus.
photo: Ryan Green/HBO
The empire is sizeable but not the enormity of the present. It’s a wonder if the loss of Aimee-Leigh makes Eli go bigger and bigger, trying to replace the hole in his heart left by her absence. He does speak of plans of building homes for the kids and a theme park, but it’s laughed off as though it’s too extravagant and a silly thought. That it becomes a reality is a sign of Eli no longer having her guidance.
Jesse is just as annoyed by Kelvin as he is in the present, even though he’s not even born yet. The younger Jesse is mostly the same as the adult Jesse, given everything at his disposal and not wanting any change to interrupt that.
His drunken confession to his father may be the truth coming out, but it’s his later admission that perhaps another version of him around isn’t so bad that shows some growth is perhaps possible for Jesse, which could reflect on the present version of him, too.
But the biggest revelation is Baby Billy’s cruelty and hold over his sister. His less forward-thinking way of living becomes a form of crawling back to the Gemstones for a way to get out of his current predicaments, his holding onto the past only meaning something when there’s a score to be made from it.
photo: Ryan Green/HBO
Baby Billy is enormously resentful of the fact his two-person act is missing Aimee-Leigh, and it’s fascinating to watch the lengths he’s willing to go to manipulate her. Everything he says is a form of catching her more into his web, using his financial situation and lack of opportunity as means to her heart.
And Aimee-Leigh is full of heart. Jennifer Nettles comes as a complete revelation on the episode, able to bring so much kindness and warmth to the role as the rock for the Gemstone family. There’s so much compassion in the role over the short time we get to see Aimee-Leigh, the impact her loss brings over the years being the fuse that lights the tension we see over the show.
It becomes a wonder if Baby Billy’s loss of the tour and the loss of his sister later on has him as a potential downfall of the Gemstones ahead. The final shot of sitting in the car, as though he is reminiscing on those times just as much as Eli, who visits her monument, is maybe a sign of old times rearing their head. He’s gained back Eli’s trust back, and so it’s possible he is out for a new score.
Maybe Gideon and Baby Billy will end up teaming up for the heist, giving it a smaller chance of success. He’s shown to only further falling to squalor since the more modest times witnessed on this episode, so he may be more desperate than ever.
photo: Ryan Green/HBO
But one thing is for sure: Walton Goggins brings so much charm and energy to this show. His song and dance game is also just as strong. Danny McBride’s style of show and Walton Goggins’ performance are a match made in heaven.
The Righteous Gemstones Season 1 Episode 5, “Interlude,” breaks up the pace and allows us a window into different times. It’s a heart-warming episode with a hint of tragedy placed over it, knowing that these good times aren’t going to last forever. Aimee-Leigh is that warmth that holds the episode tight, and shows that the Gemstones weren’t always so jaded.
The episode is a hint that some people don’t change, and that there are hard lessons found through reflecting on the past.
What did you think of this episode of The Righteous Gemstones? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Righteous Gemstones airs Sundays at 10/9c on HBO.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.