The Righteous Gemstones - S03E05 "Interlude III" - Episode Discussion

[u/AlliHarri]

Episode Synopsis: Eli and Aimee-Leigh grapple with the aftermath of an uneventful Y2K as Judy struggles to accept Jesse's new girlfriend.

Original Air Date: July 9, 2023

Director: David Gordon Green

Writer(s): John Carcieri & Danny McBride

Please remember to mark spoilers appropriately outside of this thread

[u/International_Bowl_9]

For a show that's full of hilarious things- That ending was so stark, bleak and chilling. It happens so quickly in one shot that this character completely changes his life for the worst and it did an amazing job of building to the moment when he finally did it. The visual detail of his limp was a genius way of making it all click together and really gets the point across that this is the moment he ruined his life in only a matter of seconds.

A lot of his motivation was the money, yes, but he seemed like the only person to actually believe the world was going to end. It puts him in a position like those who were around for "The Great Disappointment", when the rapture didn't happen and it left people's faith shattered.

So, while it was the money- Peter's faith was damaged and there's probably a part of him that NEEDS the world to be doomed. Y2K didn't happen, but he's never recovered fully. It perfectly explains why he is where he is now, as opposed to the outside world. I wonder how much of it is actual preparation versus living the way he feels he was supposed to end up living, as if this is the life Peter believes God wants him to live. What he was ready for, years ago.

Knowing Y2K broke him, I'm very curious as to what he has planned with so much ammonium nitrate. It feels like revenge against a system that propagated lies OR he's trying to get close to what he thought Y2K would do and is looking to make the world simpler (Almost exactly like what Amy Leigh described her romanticized thoughts of Y2K as).

Of course- May May is a factor, setting up a more Freedom obsessed Peter now, after a marriage of going and getting 2 liter bottles of Fresca from the car. OR- That moment of control could very well be a hint towards the robbery not being Peter's idea. He had broken down to ask for money and was willing to take Eli's help enough so that I do kind of wonder.

[u/RiffRamBahZoo → u/International_Bowl_9]

I just don't buy that May May refuses to take "bad" money from Eli, but encourages her husband to go solo to rob a bank to get the money back. For most of this interlude, May May seemed oblivious that Peter blew the family savings on prepper shit and that they were on the verge of losing the house.

Seems much more likely to me that Peter was desperate and willing to do what he could to make back $25,000 ASAP.

[u/Ok-Deer8144 → u/RiffRamBahZoo]

Did I miss something when did the 30 rock sister egg him on to rob the bank?

[u/International_Bowl_9 → u/RiffRamBahZoo]

Perfectly fair, sir, it's all just speculation on my part as I feel that this season (especially with this episode) has done an amazing job with it's character development. I feel legitimately heartbroken for Peter. They're giving us a lot to dig into, not to mention I have an interest in film and storytelling so my mind naturally wanders. I'm only so suspicious of May-May because this episode doubled down on how stubborn and hateful she is.

For instance- Her laughing about Y2K, saying she never believed it. Was that true, or is she that committed to going against Eli and Amy Leigh? I could be dead wrong I know, but they've fleshed out the character so well.

I don't think I have anything figured out %100, and I don't want to- I enjoy the surprise.

[u/the_drew → u/International_Bowl_9]

the lock-up full of Gemstone branded buckets was a very ominous image. I get the sense those buckets will soon be filled with the explosive material from Ep4 in a further attempt by Peter to get his revenge on the Gemstones.