Prelude

This episode was so good and so far removed from the present life shenanigans of the Gemstones that if I wasn't the one to actually press play on it I would've sworn it's a different series.

In this "Prelude" you see a man go from a malfeasant and a swindler to someone that's still holds the same attributes honestly, but with a newfound will for self discovery and a curiosity to actually step into the shoes of the man he was impersonating. All set during de civil war era, which was surprising considering we never got that far back with none of the previous flashbacks.

Is this still a comedy; the answer is yes, gallows humor if you will.

I hope for more of this from the writers.

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.

McBrides capabilities knows no limits, going and getting Brad cooper and putting together a riveting first episode and precursor of the gemstone lineage. Just impressive, didn't realize his ceiling could go higher but his work is the gift the keeps on giving. Looking forward to the rest of this season, imagined that the third would be last of it but looks like the gemstones is back and better than ever. Will be interesting how they link this to present times or will simply be a one off, even in the latter case it was too well done to not be valued. Counting the hours to next Sunday, hbo's best mind has been McBride for some time.

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.

Bradley Cooper delivers an absolutely stellar performance in this episode, making it one of the most compelling and emotionally engaging installments of the entire series. His acting is nuanced, drawing viewers into every moment with a level of depth and authenticity that elevates the storytelling. This might just be the best episode yet, setting an incredibly high bar for what comes next. However, that also presents a challenge-where does the show go from here? If they immediately jump back to the present day without addressing the weight of this episode properly, it could feel jarring or even underwhelming. The writers now have the difficult task of maintaining the momentum and ensuring that whatever comes next doesn't feel like a step down in quality or impact. Hopefully, they find a way to transition smoothly and keep delivering at this level.