Previous: Gemstone Episode 4.5, Continued: Kelvin crashes, the Monkey fumes, and Eli gets a wake-up call
Title: "Interlude IV." The Interlude is usually Episode 5, but this season started with a stand-alone. We're halfway through the action in the present day, with Kelvin's meltdown, Judy's jealousy over the monkey, and Eli and Lori dealing with violence.
The New Parking Lot: 2002. Eli is standing before the County Zoning Board, discussing his plan to build a 10-acre parking lot at the Salvation Center, which would involve buying and demolishing neighboring houses. He claims that they bring thousands of people to town, who spend money, so it's a "win-win" situation. Aimee-Leigh points out that they're also bringing in jobs. The townsfolk growl and complain. So am I. Zoning restrictions? How boring can you get?
Cute council member Terry Cook is eating a donut. A background player notes that they did several takes, asking him to convey anger and eat an egg.
The cast list is not yet up on the IMDB, and googling "Terry Cook" doesn't work, but he looks like Jamie McGuire, the creepy-grin creature on "From."
The council president yells: "You may be able to buy out desperate people, Dr. Gemstone, but that doesn't make it right!" She notes that the county board usually rubber-stamps their crazy plans, but not this time: "The crowd of people behind you is voiceless, and someone has to be their voice!"
The plan is rejected, and the couple leaves in defeat. Aimee-Leigh wonders why they're even doing this ministry stuff.
Eli: "For the lake house." That is, for the money. Um...serving God? Spreading the Gospel? Helping people?
They walk out into a huge demonstration. Someone shoves pies in their faces.
Writers: This sequence has no connection to the plot. In Season 3, the Y2K scandal caused Peter's meltdown and enmity toward the Gemstones, but Cobb's enmity has nothing to do with the new parking lot.
Corey Defends Daddy: At the lake house, Lori's husband Cobb (Michael Rooker) is trying to water-ski, but Eli drives too fast, and he capsizes. His manhood challenged, he splutters and swears.
Meanwhile, on a raft-slide, Young Judy and Jesse laugh at him, which upsets Young Corey.
Young Kelvin defends him, pointing out that at least Cobb is trying, whereas Jesse spends all his time "being bad, having sex." This has resulted in Amber getting pregnant. The enraged Jesse tries to attack, but Corey stops him.
A New Album: While Lori and Aimee-Leigh watch their husband in the water, posturing to see who will become the Silverback, they advise the very pregnant Amber that she should go inside and take a nap. She refuses, so they discuss how much they dislike their kids until Amber gets tired of it and leaves.
Then they discuss recording a new album; they haven't recorded together in years.
Cut to the studio, where they are making up song lyrics while Judy listens. Kelvin eavesdrops from outside the door.
More after the break