Previous: Gemstones Episode 4.9, Continued: Do the siblings really die? Do Kelvin and Keefe really get married? Plus some random c*ocks to get you through it.
Then one day I was walking through the living room on the way to a snack, and I saw the Gemstones walking in slow motion toward Jason's Steakhouse: A nuclear family husband, wife, and kids; another male-female couple and their pregnant daughter; and, taking up the rear, a gay couple! They were holding hands! They joined the others at the dinner table with no recriminations, no stupid questions about "which of you is the man?", no yelling about the Book of Leviticus. I was astonished.
Watching from the beginning, I found a show that was crass, vulgar, and often grotesque, with annoying plot holes and a complete disregard for internal consistency. Plus it took forever for the showrunners to admit that Kelvin and Keefe were canon, resulting in endless annoying "they're really straight buddies" arguments. But once they were acknowledged, Season 4 became a masterpiece of gay inclusion, with their wedding the pivotal moment of the entire series.
A gay wedding was the pivotal moment in a series about Evangelicals!
Plus: A more obvious, and highly erotic, romance between Gideon and Scotty.
Two homoerotic bands of brothers taken directly from Tom of Finland prints.
A near total absence of heterosexual activity, and almost no lady parts.
A friggin' glory hole!
There has never been anything on tv like it.
Two years have passed, with two conference presentations, a scholarly book, two blogs with over 500 posts, over 20 fan stories, and endless fan discussions. And now it's time to say goodbye.
Fortunately, the Series Finale features a special goodbye message for those viewers who found the show, and the characters, especially meaningful:
Saying Goodbye is Never Easy: During the Kelvin-Keefe wedding reception, while Eli watches everyone dancing, we hear the letter that Aimee-Leigh wrote to Lori years ago:
Saying goodbye is never easy -- it's not something I've ever been good at. Sometimes it's easier to never say goodbye and just leave things where they lay. Don't wrap it up all nice and neat.
Hear that, fans? We're not going to tie up every loose end.
The Grave: Eli hugging Lori as she cries at Corey's grave.
Takeaways:
1. Corey was born in 1976, so he's six years older than Jesse, making it unusual for them to be friends. Imagine a 10 year old and a 16 year old hanging out.
2. Season 4 begins in September 2024. Corey dies in July 2025. The wedding takes place several months later, I estimate in October.
Don't look for closure in a goodbye. We rarely get the closure we want. Most times we don't even get the closure we need. Sometimes things happen and the life we knew is taken from us, just like that. It can happen fast.
I'll need a minute.
Hugging: Back at the reception. Eli grins at the people dancing and hugging. Jesse and Amber hug. Kelvin dances with Tiffany and Judy. Keefe hugs Baby Billy.
Cut to Baby Billy, Tiffany, and the Nanny having a picnic.
It's in those times you realize how precious friends are, family.
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The Gold Bible: The Siblings install the Gold Bible on a pedestal at the Salvation Center, in front of a video presentation about Aimee-Leigh and Eli's ministry.
Gideon Finds His Place: Performing at the opening of the new Gemstone Christian Skatepark, Gideon is able to combine his interest in stuntwork and the ministry. Banners say: Christian Skate Summit.
A shot of Jesse talking to Vance was cut. Apparently they're on friendly terms.
Pontius and Abraham, with Ash on one side and Edge on the other, gawk at the stunts. Now there are girl skaters; previously Pontius' group has been entirely male. I'm calling it: he's bi.
And Abraham's pink shirt? Plus check out his room: pictures of Holly Hobby dolls and a ballerina nightlight. He's gay. Prove me wrong.
Aimee-Leigh continues: So we can fly even higher.
Shot of Gideon flying high.
More after the break
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