The Righteous Gemstones Review: But The Righteous Will See Their Fall (Season 1 Episode 8)
The truth and coming clean comes at a price on The Righteous Gemstones Season 1 Episode 8, “But The Righteous Will See Their Fall,” as the guilt of keeping secrets becomes too much to bear.
But some people aren’t willing to accept the truth, no longer willing to put up with it. The Gemstone family are in tatters with trying to keep up with their own maddening choices, leaving them unready for the fallout that this episode provides them.
photo: Ryan Green/HBO
None of them are more upset than Amber. It’s not just her seeing the loss of innocence in Gideon, her own son, but through a betrayal of her marriage through Jesse revealing the blackmail tape in an effort to rid his conscience of guilt.
Cassidy Freeman gets to shine on this episode by keeping the pain Amber is feeling completely buttoned up until only Jesse can see her wrath. Amber’s unflappable in the public eye, even among close friends, refusing to bat an eyelash at the horrors she’s witnessing. It’s only after she’s alone with Jesse when she unloads on him (both verbally and physically, with a gunshot to the ass).
It’s something Amber has done before, when other wives question their husbands’ intents and misdeeds. But it’s always played as something she refused to believe; now, it becomes clear it’s something she does not want to portray in front of others when appearances are everything. It’s a surprising angle to take Amber, and makes her a more fascinating character.
Judy doing her best to gain back BJ also proves to be one of the least positive outcomes. Her outburst at BJ’s work is another sign that the Gemstones aren’t used to not getting their way, Judy taking it out on anyone who dares defy her. But there is this idea that despite the cruelty Judy flings on him on a regular basis, she does care for him, and losing that is something she isn’t ready for.
photo: Ryan Green/HBO
Even Kelvin can’t handle the pressure, kicking Keefe out. Hopefully this doesn’t send Keefe down a bad path to satanism again, but as shown on The Righteous Gemstones Season 1 Episode 4, “Wicked Lips,” satanism on The Righteous Gemstones seems to be a quirky, offbeat dance troupe that likes to party. Keefe’s the good in Kelvin’s life; without him, they are both looking to slide into depression.
There are two people who do come out well ahead, though: Baby Billy and Tiffany. Their absconding with the Gemstone cash and putting an end to Scotty’s reign of terror is one of the more surprising elements of the episode, especially with it happening immediately at the opening. The Righteous Gemstones continues to keep things at a respectable pace where no one is ever really ahead.
The thing to remember is that Baby Billy can’t help himself, and will probably use his new wealth to make Eli jealous in some way, giving himself away. With Scotty and his truck being pulled from the mud, this is definitely only the beginning of something much darker and harder to fight. The authorities getting involved with Scotty’s death will only draw them to the Gemstones and Baby Billy’s wrecked car.
This is far from over for the Gemstones.
photo: Ryan Green/HBO
This is their low point. The Righteous Gemstones Season 1 Episode 9, “But The Righteous Will See Their Fall,” brings reality to test the family’s faith, and they are not ready to face the realities of their choices.
But there are glimmers of hope in their darkest hour. Gideon does not turn his father’s indiscretions in when he has the chance, and Jesse, a little late, does come to his son’s defense to direct the anger back onto himself. It’s a small thing, but it does show there’s some growth to be made in some of them.
They are small steps, but they are steps toward redemption. It will take so much more to right their wrongs, but as Jesse says many, many times during his confession, they’re only human.
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.