In March 2023, my partner and I subscribed to the streaming service HBO/MAX to watch science fiction programs like
The Last of Us and
Doctor Who. He also wanted to watch
The Righteous Gemstones, a comedy/drama about "a famous and dysfunctional family of televangelists," but "No, thanks." After a childhood of preachers screaming "God hates you!" every Wednesday night and twice on Sunday, I thought that even a critique of evangelical homophobia would be too traumatic.
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.
Both Eli and Baby Billy have gay relationships in their past.
Nonstop beefcake.
Gay men were not only welcome at the table, the table was designed for them. In the midst of some profound theological questions about faith and forgiveness.
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 reviews and profiles each, over 20 fan stories, and endless fan discussions. And now it's time to say goodbye (sort of).
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 his deceased wife Aimee-Leigh wrote to her best friend 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.
3. Continuity error: the Gator Farm Massacre occurred in late June or early July 2025. Earlier we read that Big Dick Mitch went missing in March 2024. No way he was a prisoner for over a year.
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 Aunt Tiffany and his sister Judy. Keefe hugs Uncle Baby Billy.
Cut to Baby Billy, Tiffany, and their Nanny having a picnic.
It's in those times you realize how precious friends are, family.
The Gold Bible: The Siblings install the Gold Bible, the Maguffin of the season, on a pedestal at the Salvation Center, in front of a video presentation about Aimee-Leigh and Eli's ministry.
How important it is to let Jesus' love find you through them so we can lift each other up.
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 his arch-nemesis Vance Simkins was cut. Apparently they're on friendly terms.
Jesse's kids, 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 in Episod 1.1: 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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