Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for The Righteous Gemstones series finale.
The most impressive aspect ofThe Righteous Gemstonesis that, while it is often the funniest series on television at any given moment, it’s also capable of genuinely affecting moments of familial bonding. The show skewers religion, wealth, and media sensationalism in very creative ways, butDanny McBrideand the creative team have consistently inserted empathetic moments revolving around grief and familial bonding. The most important character within the show’s more dramatic component is Aimee-Leigh (Jennifer Nettles), the wife of Eli (John Goodman), whose death continues to affect her children Jesse (McBride), Judy (Edi Paterson), and Kelvin (Adam DeVine). Although she’s been used sparingly throughout the series,Aimee-Leigh playeda strange role in the series finalethat wasn’t consistent with her previous appearances inThe Righteous Gemstones.
Season 4 ofThe Righteous Gemstonesincludes frequent flashbacks that explore the ways in which the Gemstone family is intertwined with the Mislaps. While Lori (Megan Mullally) has fallen in love with Eli, her ex-husband Cobb (Michael Rooker)is intent on getting revengeon the Gemstones, and her son Corey (Sean William Scott) is caught between his parents’ conflicting teachings. Her role in the flashbacks was critical to completing this section of the show’s backstory, butAimee-Leigh’s strange appearance as a ghostly spirit was an unusual creative choicethat undercut the themes of forgiveness critical to the fourth and final season ofThe Righteous Gemstones.
Aimee-Leigh’s Presence in ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ Series Finale Was Distracting
One of the most intriguing mysteries in this season ofThe Righteous Gemstonesis the origin of a gold-plated Bible, which is revealed in the opening flashback episode thanks to a brilliantguest appearance byBradley Cooper. It is one of the most heralded possessions within the Gemstone family, but subsequent flashback episodes reveal that Cobb stole it from Eli’s home, leaving Kelvin traumatized for his entire life.Aimee-Leigh’s ghostly spirit appears to show Kelvin where the Bible is, as Corey has taken it into his possession in the wake of his father’s death. Although Kelvin finally understands a mystery that he has wondered about for his entire life, he is drawn into danger when Corey attacks him.
It doesn’t make sense why Aimee-Leigh would be obsessed with recapturing the Bible, as she has alwaysbeen the least materialistic memberof the Gemstone family; while Eli believes that it is important for the family to have possessions that signify their standing within the community, Aimee-Leigh was compelled to focus on spending time with her family. The gold-plated Bible’s usage in the earlier scenes in the season didn’t suggest that it was of great importance, as it was used to signify that Cobb had malicious intentions because of his greed. The Gemstones ultimately don’t need the Bible to be successful, and obtaining it did little to advance Cobb’s circumstances;this makes the Bible being treated with greater reverence by Aimee-Leigh’s spirit somewhat strange, as the storyline hadn’t been addressed in the most recent batch of episodes.
The incorporation of more fantastical elements inThe Righteous Gemstonesis also somewhat confusing, as the series has always been more grounded. Although it may have made sense for Kelvin to experience a vision that reminds him of his childhood, it’s unclear why he is the only one to see his mother; Jesse and Judy were older when their mother died, and would also need closure as they process her guilt. If Aimee-Leigh’s appearance was intended to be at an important point in Kelvin’s life, it’s very strange that it would be revolving around a trivial robbery; it may have been more effective for Aimee-Leigh’s spirit to appear whenKelvin came out on television, as that was the emotional high point of the season, and potentially the entire show.
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‘The Righteous Gemstones’ Ended on a Confusing Note
Aimee-Leigh’s role in the series finale emphasizes its tonal inconsistency, as it’s not entirely clear what the intention of the scene was. There are some wacky physical hijinks involved with Kelvin, Jesse, and Judy trying to crawl around after getting wounded, but the scene ends on a far more emotional note when Corey is shot in the head by Jesse, and succumbs to his injuries. The focus on Kelvin’s vision distracts from the more important relationship between Corey and Lori, who have not been given the chance to interact very much over the course of the season. It also doesn’t say anything profound about the way that Aimee-Leigh felt about Corey; although he was subjectedto emotional abuse by his father, Corey was treated with compassion by Aimee-Leigh, who treated him with the same love that she did with the rest of her children.
The inclusion of a physical reimagining of Aimee-Leigh undercuts the themes of the season, which revolve around moving on from tragedy and making progress. Aimee-Leigh’s death is what caused the Gemstones to spiral out of control and develop rivalries with one another, yet they ultimately find a reason to work together over the course of the entire show, and remain united in the fourth season as they deal with their rivals.Judy and Jesse’s decision to save Kelvinfrom Corey would have been more powerful if the series hadn’t reminded the viewer again about Aimee-Leigh’s death.
Aimee-Leigh makes an appearance at the strangest possible moment in the finale ofThe Righteous Gemstones, as it would have felt more natural for her to appear in the last scene, where Eli reads her letter that Lori saved. The season also failed to address the impact that Aimee-Leigh had on her brother, Baby Billy (Walton Goggins);while he’s mostly used as a comedic sidekick, Billy has some moving moments when he decides to end the production of his television show so that he can spend more time with his family. Nettles is a great actress who added a lot toThe Righteous Gemstones, butAimee-Leigh’s strange, spectral role in the series finale was a confusing addition.
The Righteous Gemstones
