Danny McBride is not an artist I have ever been especially drawn to over the years. Whenever I dipped my toe into his world, I never felt like it was for me. For some reason though, I felt compelled to give Gemstones a proper chance finally. And I was blown away by how much I enjoyed. He is how I rank the seasons (so far).
4. Season 4: “I’m like Tyler Perry and you’re not. You’re more like Luke Perry: dead.”
Season 4 was a satisfying end to yet another great Danny McBride television show. In many ways, it feels like a post-script season and a way to provide closure on the world. That is not really necessary for good art, but McBride et co. made good use of the time. They do not have much to say thematically at this point that has not already been said, but the show remains funny as fuck and frankly that is all that really matters.
3. Season 3: “My cousins are kinda diarrhea people.”
Season 3 beautifully built on the themes established in the first two seasons of the show. After season 2 saw John Goodman refusing to take a step back because he knows his kids have not been set up for success, he finally is in the background here, allowing his progeny to make mistakes at the top of the pyramid. The new generation trying to build something new. They do not know how to do that, but watching them try is what drives this season forward. It makes for a great tension to the whole season, especially with the juxtaposition with what happens with Goodman’s sister and brother-in-law simultaneously. This is just a rock-solid television show with a clear voice and sense of itself. And most importantly, it is a show that understands the top priority is being funny.
2. Season 2: “Boomers, the most selfish generation that ever lived.”
Season two of Gemstones explores one of the most relevant themes of modern life: the older generation is simply refusing to let go of their power and clinging on for dear life. There are so many reasons for that in real life. For the characters on the show though, it’s rather simple: the older generation failed to adequately raise the next generation to build something better on their own. McBride explores the tension between the inherent unfairness of the olds holding on to power while at the same recognizing how unready the next generation is – and once again made the show hilarious while doing so. Another good season of television.
1. Season 1: “Pussy brothers of Thailand, coordinating low budget kung-fu pics by day, slammin’ ass at night. Vegetarian options in every fuckin’ restaurant. Thailand is fucking bananas! You made your choice… and you broke my fucking heart.”
The Righteous Gemstones had an outstanding reputation so I finally dived in. I was quite taken aback by not just how funny it was but also how thematically interesting the show was. It is a show that explores one of the most important elements of American society: the insane mega-churches. They are a huge element in this country, and they have essentially gone all but ignored by American pop culture. McBride uses this concept to discuss the impact of greed on people as individuals and as communities. He looks at the seedy underbelly of big church culture. He looks at the contradictions of the desire to be a good person in a world that does not reward it. And it is most importantly just fucking hilarious. This was an outstanding season of television that needs to be watched by all.
The Reel World 