The final episode of The Righteous Gemstones ended in a typically outrageous fashion, with the unexpected appearance of a masturbating monkey. This moment encapsulated the series’ blend of crude humor and sweetness, leaving fans with a final laugh before the show’s conclusion. The scene takes place at Jason’s Steakhouse, where the Gemstone family and their entourage gather after church, and Dr. Watson, a capuchin monkey, entertains by pleasuring himself while smoking menthol cigarettes. As wild as the ending was, it perfectly reflected the show’s offbeat charm.
Danny McBride, the creator and star of the series, shared that the church lunch scenes, including the final one, were some of his favorites to shoot. Despite facing personal and professional challenges during production — including the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and a family emergency — McBride stayed focused on finishing the series. As the filming of the final episode drew to a close, McBride admits that he was more concerned with completing the production than reflecting on the show’s end. However, a moment of gratitude from his co-stars brought an emotional realization of the series’ conclusion.
Unlike the bombastic finales of previous seasons, the last set piece of The Righteous Gemstones was dramatically subdued. The Gemstone siblings — Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin — are wounded by family friend Corey Milsap in a violent rampage at the family lake house. The tension builds as viewers question whether this could truly be the end for the main characters. However, in true Gemstones fashion, Dr. Watson saves the day by retrieving Jesse’s gun from his bag. McBride wanted to create a climax that felt grounded and unsettling, in contrast to the extravagant set pieces of past seasons.
Final Moments Highlight Gemstone Siblings’ Growth, Redemption, and Sincere Faith Despite Their Flaws
McBride envisioned the final moments of The Righteous Gemstones as a test of the characters’ ability to perform their religious duties without the spectacle of the show’s previous seasons. As the Gemstone siblings pray for Corey, who lies dying, the scene emphasizes the core of the show’s theme — the Gemstones, despite their flaws, still believe in God and prayer. The prayer not only serves as a pivotal moment of redemption but also ties back to the series’ exploration of faith and family, showing the siblings’ growth and ability to come together in the face of crisis.
The Righteous Gemstones Ends With Chaos, Prayer, and One Last Outrageous LaughThe finale’s reference to the show’s premiere, where the Gemstones’ ancestor Elijah was introduced, offers a narrative callback to the family’s origins. Elijah, a criminal who became a Confederate chaplain and found faith, serves as a precursor to the Gemstones’ own journey. McBride and his collaborators used Elijah’s story to explore the idea of redemption, with the Gemstone family’s missteps ultimately leading them to a sincere belief in their ability to help others. This thematic link to the past underscores the Gemstones’ ongoing struggle to balance their flaws with their mission to guide others spiritually.
The Gemstones’ complex and flawed nature was integral to their portrayal throughout the series. While they often acted in self-serving ways, the core of their character remained a belief in God. Patterson, who played Judy Gemstone, reflected on how the show’s conclusion reinforced this aspect of their legacy. Despite their many shortcomings, the family’s shared moment of prayer for Corey at the end of the series highlighted the sincerity at the heart of their dysfunction. It was a fitting tribute to their messy, yet earnest, pursuit of righteousness.
The Galilee Gulch Mansion Symbolizes Loss, Redemption, and New Beginnings for the Gemstone Family
The finale’s setting, the Galilee Gulch mansion, played a significant role in the final scenes. Located on Lake Murray in South Carolina, the house became the perfect backdrop for the Gemstones’ ultimate confrontation. The house’s grandeur, combined with its somber history, mirrored the series’ themes of excess, grief, and the search for meaning. McBride and his team faced significant challenges in finding a location that fit the show’s vision, but the mansion’s 16th-century altar, repurposed as a fireplace, added an additional layer of depth to the setting.
One of the show’s ongoing themes was dealing with loss, particularly the death of the Gemstone matriarch, Aimee-Leigh. This theme was explored further in the finale, where Eli Gemstone, the family patriarch, forms a romantic relationship with Corey’s mother, Lori. This storyline provided closure for the family and offered a moment of emotional growth for Eli, who had struggled with grief throughout the series. The inclusion of this romance added a personal layer to the finale, showing that the Gemstones could still find new beginnings despite their troubled past.
While The Righteous Gemstones often dealt with outrageous situations and dark humor, the series ended on a surprisingly positive note. Kelvin’s wedding to his partner Keefe provided a moment of celebration and acceptance. The Gemstone family, once defined by their dysfunction, found happiness in their relationships. Even Eli and Lori’s reconciliation symbolized the possibility of healing within the family. The show’s final moments affirmed that, despite all their faults, the Gemstones ultimately found peace and stability.
McBride, after years of creating and working on The Righteous Gemstones, is eager to move on to new projects. Although he considered giving the Gemstones a final comeuppance, he chose to end the series on a note of fun, leaving viewers with a sense of satisfaction. McBride’s next project, an adaptation of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, will likely continue his tradition of blending dark humor with unique storytelling. While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to the Gemstones, McBride and his team are ready for the next creative challenge, knowing they’ve created something special that will endure for years to come.