The Righteous Gemstones Season 3 Episode 7 Review: Burn for Burn, Wound for Wound, Stripe for Stripe
This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, The Righteous Gemstones, being covered here wouldn’t exist.
The Righteous Gemstones isn’t an action comedy but it’s a comedy that knows action as seen on The Righteous Gemstones Season 3 Episode 7, “Burn for Burn, Wound for Wound, Stripe for Stripe.” Directed by Jesse Gemstone himself Danny McBride and written by John Carcieri, Jeff Fradley, and Danny McBride, the episode is one of the more audacious outings.
Starting with the kidnappings (or technically abductions since they’re not kids), each Gemstone puts their spin on things. How many times have the Gemstones faced off with would-be assassins, kidnappers, and foes at this point? Not enough times to want to learn actual self-defense it seems.
Whether it’s Judy’s attitude, Kelvin’s fake toughness, or Jesse’s doomed overconfidence they all end up chained up in the same silo. Their bumbling attempts to escape, including Kelvin attempting and failing to cartwheel up the silo, add to the slapstick of the episode.
The betrayal by Chuck and Karl stings, and sets up an interesting dilemma for the Gemstones. Does family still matter if they’re willing to betray you?
Although Peter is even less sympathetic now that we know his backstory and that Eli really didn’t ruin his life, Steve Zahn still gives a believable performance as a cult leader as we see the power he holds over his sons and congregation. Peter’s genuine belief in God is tarnished with a bitter coating, but it’s still compelling to those who share his anger.
Their pleas to their cousins and the rest of the cult based on them being “good Christians” fall flat. Peter entertaining the idea of killing one of them when Eli won’t pay the ransom widens the chasm between the Gemstones and the extremists.
It’s an interesting contrast to the Gemstones who are quite frankly also awful but more in a selfish, idiotic way and not in a malevolent, dangerous way. Why do we enjoy watching their shenanigans and side with them against their enemies?
Maybe it really does come down to the message of the episode which is the importance of family. Judy and Kelvin agreeing to take care of Jesse’s family, if their schedules permit, is touching in its own classic Gemstone way.
They make it through by believing in each other and a combined rescue mission by May-May, Karl, and Gideon. It’s a true family effort that proves Peter wrong when he says you can’t count on family.
Most importantly, Gideon gets to destroy the compound by driving around the Redeemer monster truck. It’s not a season of The Righteous Gemstones if Gideon doesn’t get to pull off a sick stunt.
So sure, the Gemstones aren’t the best people but they are a family you can at least sort of root for. Hopefully, with the kids having their “come to Jesus” moment, they can continue to work together.
Additional Thoughts:
- Baby Billy yelling at Lionel no one wants to kidnap him is perfect.
- Tiffany’s comfort dolls will give me nightmares.
- Keef finally gets the acceptance he deserves as one of the core trio’s partners. Even if they thought his name is Chief, Quiche, or Heath.
- Shout out to Sturgill Simpson getting to finally sing a song. If only he and Judy had done a duet.
- Gideon is starting to act like a “real” Gemstone for better or worse.
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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Breeze Riley
Breeze Riley is a pop culture enthusiast who decided to turn her love of watching too much TV into a hobby writing about it. Although she's a convention-going sci-fi and fantasy nerd, she's just as likely to be watching an off-beat comedy or period drama. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic.