Prelude

The acting was pretty solid. But honestly, that's not the main reason I tune in to this show. For me, it's all about those dysfunctional, spoiled evangelical brats and, of course, Baby Billy! I came for the laughs and the absurd family dynamics, not for dramatic moments filled with gore and heavy backstory.

This episode felt like it had a lot of potential as a flashback, but it stretched out for an entire episode! I was hopeful it would connect the dots between the past and the present-day Gemstones, maybe give us some juicy insights into their chaotic family history. But as I watched, it became pretty clear that this backstory didn't really add much to character development. Instead of enhancing the storyline, it kinda dragged on.

I found myself waiting and waiting for the show to get back to the good stuff-the hilarious antics and the crazy family feuds. It felt like the episode left behind the very things that make The Righteous Gemstones so entertaining.

It's no wonder this episode felt flat and dead. The dynamic between Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin is what really brings this show to life. The absurdities they go through while managing their mega-church empire provide the perfect playground for comedy and satire.

I get that sometimes shows want to dive deeper into backstories, but when it takes the entire episode, it can take away from the humor and charm we're all here for. There's an art to balancing moments of drama with the hilarious chaos that defines this series, and this episode felt a bit off. It's like I was left waiting for the punchline, and it just never landed.

That said, I'm still optimistic the next episodes will steer us back toward that mix of humor and heartfelt moments that made this show a fan favorite. The characters are fantastic, and their interactions are where the magic happens. I just want to see more of that wild, chaotic family fun that makes us laugh and cringe at the same time.

Naturally, you watch Gemstones to get a laugh. However, it always provides its best when it goes back in time to understand why things are the way they are. In that sense, this episode is a true gemstone. Somehow, McBride is able to get some humor about the tragedy of the civil war, while making you feel the tragedy that it was and how tragedy can create faith. In that sense, we can understand faith and how powerful and sticky it is. This episode makes me hope that some day McBride would work on the subject of war and human nature.

In sum, just excellent work. Maybe McBride's best episode across all of his series.

This isn't the comedy I tuned in for, in fact, it wasn't a comedy at all. Not one single laugh. I get it though...back stories ate important...sometimes. I don't think it was necessary for this show and certainly not in the final season. After nearly two years of waiting, and knowing that this season was the last, I expected the first episode to remind me of why I tune in every week once a season is launched. This episode failed me.

I get it. We all now know the origin of the Gemstones and how they got into religion for money. But devoting an entire episode to that? I agree with others...a few minutes of flashback would have been plenty to have established that foundation. I find myself fast forwarding too often...

Although an engaging 19th century American period piece, I found it a total waste of time. Civil War reenactments are misguided and unhelpful in understanding the serious divisive political climate of that era. You don't need an entire episode to explain the extreme and total insincerity of the Gemstones religious scam. We all knew it was a joke from the first scene of E1S1. The episode, however brilliantly and skillfully portrayed, was more focused on the graphic brutality of the Civil War rather than the absurdity of religion. The whole premise was quite unbelievable. I hope the rest of their final season gets back to the intense and senseless sibling squabbles that made this show must see!

One of the best episodes in television. Had all the context of 3 full seasons but it being a prequel makes it a standalone work of art. Bradley cooper is outstanding but I think also clearly a fan of the show. It nails the gemstone family culture of truly religious but also incredible salesman.

Unsure if the warfare was historically accurate but I'm currently not worried about researching. It was great regardless

I saw this was the 3rd or 4th ranked episode of the show, which shocks me because it's one of my favorite episodes of any show I've ever watched.

It could be recency bias. This is knee jerk, but wow.