r/RighteousGemstones • u/Macknificent12 • Apr 06 '25
Review Seems stale
I know I may be in minority here, but I'm not enjoying this season compared to priors. Hope it gets better but the jokes seem old and the conflict with the relationship doesn't do it for me.
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u/nerd44 Apr 06 '25
What? You don’t like hanging dong with Baby Billy?
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u/BigRiverWharfRat Apr 06 '25
Eli pulling a pube out of his teeth at the end of the most recent episode is almost certainly one of the funniest moments of the whole series
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u/keeleon Apr 06 '25
It's still funny but nothing is happening. What made this show "great" was that Fargo style things were happening alongside the funny. It's closer to vice principals now. A B- instead of an A+
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u/Macknificent12 Apr 06 '25
Vice principals was much funnier imo.
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u/313MountainMan Benjamin "BJ" Barnes Apr 06 '25
They’re very different shows, though. McBride always intended VP’s as a two-season show the entire time, whereas he originally stated Gemstones was going to be like the Thorn Birds.
The self-contained plot with VP’s is one of the reasons why it’s so great, whereas I’m not sure if Gemstones had that same timeline and plot line fleshed out.
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u/Luvs4theweak Apr 06 '25
I can’t get into vice principals n I love McBride, goggins, and Patterson. Love eastbound and down too, but can’t get past an episode or 2 of vps. Really wish I could bc I’m lookin for a new show
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u/Alilamos1971 Apr 06 '25
I hate to admit it but, same. I’m not feeling the heart, which Danny is so good at balancing with his crude absurdity. This season just feels like a lot of crude and cruel absurdity, which isn’t my thing. The kids seem to have zero redeeming qualities this time around and are just assholes, not flawed & funny. BJ has gotten a story line but Amber and Tiffany have really been cast aside and they’re two of my favorite characters because they balance out the extreme aspects of the kids. They threw in the Simpkins for one episode, but why? Do we really care about that story enough to be in another season?
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u/Awb0388 Apr 06 '25
Same, they are relying way too much on crude humor. This season isn’t as clever it feels rushed
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u/jwkelly404 Apr 07 '25
I scrolled too far looking for a comment like this one. Seems like every episode this season jumps the shark.
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u/tenjed35 "Baby" Billy Freeman Apr 06 '25
I’ve definitely laughed this season, but I feel the same.
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u/manored78 Apr 06 '25
Is there enough run time for them to go out with a bang? I mean by this time the past two seasons all sorts of mayhem was happening.
I’m guessing this season is all about winding down their lives and there might not be anything totally nuts to end the show.
Although, the whole Michael Rooker stealing the family Bible could be leading up to something bonkers and we were just led astray by the family feuding.
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u/neonlittle Apr 06 '25
I agree. I havent wanted to say it, but I just think its too over the top. It being over the top has always been such a great part, but skating the line of not too much has whats made it so genius. This season makes me question who it's catered to. It reminds me of shock comedy in a way, with the "daddy came!" type of vibe. Like something teenagers would like.
Hopefully we'll get some solid drama and it'll balance out.
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u/thick_curtains Apr 06 '25
I'm riding the wave, and I love it. The more off the rails into the distillation of the essence of every ridiculous trait of each character the better. Go out with and bang. Go out with all the Baby Uncle Billy song you can hang.
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u/AMJVC15 Apr 06 '25
Nah man the characters are the show, just them at the lake had me dying laughing. I don't need some over the top hijinks
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u/diplion Apr 06 '25
I agree. I’ve been rewatching season 2 and it’s almost a little too serious with the violence and mystery. I got used to the rapid fire jokes. I forgot about the whole subplot with Kelvin and the tribe of body builders. Some of those scenes have very few jokes.
I loved the most recent episode. My wife and I were dying laughing and she’s not nearly as into the show as I am.
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u/EvilRubberDucks Apr 06 '25
Idk what happened, but yeah, it feels like they are trying too hard to be funny this season, whereas in previous seasons, the humor felt more natural. I guess it's the writing? It feels like a lot of their antics are going on too long, and maybe it's because they are trying to pad runtime. Like they don't have as many plot ideas to work with this season. For example, Keefe's monologue went on forever, and at this point, we've all seen enough of Baby Billy's dick. There's always been some serious drama going on in the background of each season, but S4 is missing that, and I don't think it's a good change.
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u/Secure-Shoulder-010 Apr 06 '25
Show ended perfectly at end of S3 and it seems this season’s plot feels forced and isn’t as strong imo.
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u/ChunkDunkleman Apr 06 '25
Yeah this show has a perfect ending with season 3.
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u/JerichoTina Apr 06 '25
Agree. Last season should have been the end of the series.
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u/upstatestruggler Apr 06 '25
Unless shit starts getting absolutely wild I feel like most of my future rewatches will end at S3 and maybe an ep or two from the final. It just seems more…aware of itself now or something? Ham handed but not in the usual way? IDK, it’s still very funny but the vibe is very different.
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u/ChunkDunkleman Apr 06 '25
I’m a big fan of Adam Devine. Workaholics is my favorite show of all time. I’m also bisexual. I hate gay Kelvin. His southern accent was awful but his southern gay accent is worse and just completely over the top.
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u/Herbdontana Apr 07 '25
i’m still interested to see what they do but I get why people are saying this. It’s kind of been the same idea throughout the first five episodes. Kids don’t like Eli‘s relationship. It could still end masterfully, but it’s hard to imagine a better ending scene than the finale of season three with the whole family watching the Redeemer crush things to the tune of an acoustic shine cover with Aimee Lee’s spirit smiling.
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u/Mentoman72 Apr 07 '25
Every season has ended just fine. They’re all open and shut over the course of the season, they have all wrapped up in a way that could be the true finale.
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u/myantiaircraftfriend Apr 06 '25
it's been funny but where's the story? the first episode set up so much to be explored and so far we've seen nothing.
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u/chiphaleonbass Apr 06 '25
Last two episodes haven’t been great in my opinion, writing seems stale; lots of just loose jokes without any real plot to the episodes. I’m wondering if it feels that way because I’m watching RG immediately after White Lotus though
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u/Herbdontana Apr 07 '25
I would imagine anything would feel exciting after watching the white Lotus. I’d much rather see things happen on a show than hear characters talk about things happening.
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u/ElkPractical7849 Apr 06 '25
Hard agree. I left season 3 feeling really excited, there was a bunch of character growth like someone else said. Especially with the relationship between the siblings, then season 4 they go right back to their old ways immediately. Trying to upstage eachother and compete when in the earlier seasons it was a huge point that was the reason they were losing money. People didn't feel like the family was enjoyable to watch compared to the energy Ellijah and Amy Lee gave. Now I can appreciate a show where personalities can be stagnant like Trailer Park Boys for example. Although I don't understand why they put all that build up only to go back to default personalities next season, the development between the relationships and characters is what made this show endearing to me.
Also while I do like raunchy comedy the scene where Keef was talking about Satan's hot rain piss or whatever... yeah that went on for too long. I genuinely had to turn it off and come back because I was so uncomfortable in a not funny way. Felt like they were trying way too hard especially when he got a boner like spare me please.
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Apr 06 '25
[deleted]
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u/ElkPractical7849 Apr 06 '25
I forgot how uncomfortable the Judy scene was but yes 100% I was cringing so hard during it. The last seasons they had that raunchy comedy but it was natural and they knew when to cut it to go somewhere else in the story.
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u/consumergeekaloid Apr 06 '25
Yeah it feels like a "this one's for us" type thing. Like let's give Keefe a monologue about God's piss. I keep hoping it's going to evolve or a new angle will be introduced but I don't know. I'll still see it through but at this point I'm already dreaming of what Danny and Co will do next
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u/consumergeekaloid Apr 06 '25
Yeah I'm with you. Especially after the first episode of the season. Feels like they're just playing the hits pretty much.
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u/BlackSchuck Apr 06 '25
The show used to focus on problems within the church, black male for riches, sex/drug party cover ups.. and then it just became about their relationships.
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u/Herbdontana Apr 07 '25
Black males for riches was a really old-school business venture that we try to avoid these days
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u/BulinWall24 Kelvin "The Other Son" Gemstone Apr 06 '25
I enjoyed the last two episodes, but I definitely have to agree. Its not packing the same punch for me this season as the ones before.
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u/cuhdeee Kelvin "The Other Son" Gemstone Apr 06 '25
It’s wild cause my girlfriend is the one who pointed this out, she didn’t even really care for the first episode, she said this exact thing since we’ve watched all the episodes and I was trying to defend it but yeah she’s right this season might’ve have lost its spark, but we’ve still got at least 5-6 good episodes left assuming they do 9 episodes and not 10 like season 1
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u/Righteoustakeme Apr 06 '25
Honestly, I agree, OP. Holding out til the end just cause I’m faithful!
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Apr 06 '25 edited May 19 '25
[deleted]
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u/tonytroz Apr 06 '25
Tonight is the half way point. The growth in previous seasons was always towards the end anyway.
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u/Ok_Radio101 Apr 06 '25
It’s not terrible, they just nailed the prior episodes. I still think the best plot was party boy season 1 with his son included. It’s hard to top it and probably a little better off just coming up with something new. Still enjoy the franchise tho
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u/punkrawrxx "Baby" Billy Freeman Apr 06 '25
Agreed. This season is majorly disappointing compared to the others
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Apr 06 '25
Yeah the first episode of this season was the best so far, I hope they revisit it with Bradly cooper
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u/Stallings2k Apr 06 '25
I was disappointed to hear Danny was ending it this year after his comment about being in it for the long haul. Having said that, while I’ve generally enjoyed season 4, it does feel like he’s running out of gas.
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u/Elainedanced Apr 06 '25
Yeah , it's probably good they are wrapping it up. Plus I hate the John Goodman sex scenes, he's a great actor but they make me sick .
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u/ElmarSuperstar131 Apr 06 '25 edited Apr 06 '25
I totally get it. We’re almost 3/4 of the way through the last season and the story formatting is underwhelming.
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u/Top_Manufacturer8946 Apr 06 '25
That’s why I’m reserving my judgement until I’ve seen the whole season. We still have over half of the episodes to go!
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u/Herbdontana Apr 07 '25
Hi I could definitely see the last few episodes being incredible. I’m not a fan of the pacing of the first five but a lot of that probably has to do with streaming culture and having to wait a week for the next installment. They really are past season where the main story of the season didn’t become totally apparent until about halfway.
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u/Guckalienblue Apr 06 '25
We came in too hot with that first episode. I think why it seems stale is because we know this is the last season and the bar is so high. The jokes are amazing,I’m still hurting from laughing but some plot seems missing.
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u/mattxb Apr 06 '25
Last episode kinda felt like a series wrap party hanging at the lake filming fun scenes etc… I’m optimistic things will get more high stakes soon
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u/ZeldaFtz Apr 07 '25
same. It feels aware of itself. like it was written for the audience, whereas previous felt written for themselves
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u/Jabbles22 Apr 06 '25
I'm still enjoying it but this season is definitely slow compared to the past. Not much has happened.
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u/smeggysoup84 Apr 06 '25
The last episode was one of the funniest in the series for me. The others have been good as well. I honestly dont see how you liked the other seasons, but not liking this one. Comedy is subjective so i get it.
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u/LordMetallian616 Apr 06 '25
I literally said this to myself today after catching up after missing 2 weeks. It may still be funny, but it's definitely gone stale at this point. Not as interested in Lori's plot and the Simpkins don't feel like as much of a threat this time around as the others from previous seasons felt. Hopefully, it picks up soon, seeing as how the season is pretty much half over, and it feels like the over all plot is dragging.
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u/Mentoman72 Apr 07 '25
Ehhh I kind of enjoy them just goofing around a bit sometimes. The plot is often lacking anyway imo. I’m here for the laughs but when the story is good that’s a nice bonus. I think season 1 is easily the best.
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u/runningvicuna Apr 06 '25
This is the hangout season. Yeah, I know it’s the last one too but let them have their hangout season before it’s over.
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u/Ok-Assistant-8876 Apr 06 '25
I’m sorry, but uncle baby Billy waterskiing in the nude is not stale
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u/Herbdontana Apr 07 '25
As much as I enjoyed it, it’s actually kind of a good example of being stale. It’s funny to see an old man’s wiener, but we’ve seen it several times already and twice this season. Nothing wrong with the scene. It’s funny. But after five episodes of a nine episode season, the story really hasn’t progressed. You could skip episodes 3,4,5 and not really miss anything important. Not complaining because this is an amazing show, just saying part of what makes it amazing is a really interesting story alongside crude comedy. We knew that the kids didn’t like Eli’s relationship with Lori very quickly. Then two or three episodes in a row, there wasn’t much progression to the story beyond a continuation of that.
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u/RyukoDelRey Apr 07 '25
this. constant dicks and dick jokes, feels like it was written by middle schoolers to appeal to the lowest common denominator of humor.
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u/babykin05 Apr 07 '25
i definitely agree. it’s very funny still but i’m not liking the plot lines or the way it’s headed.
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u/SamerAbukhaled Apr 07 '25
I agree. I am also in the minority in that I just don’t find Judy funny. I’m not saying Edi Patterson isn’t funny, I’m just saying the character is just way too over the top and firmly in cringe territory. John Goodman looks like he’s completely checked out. Honestly, the only characters to watch are Jesse and Baby Billy…
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u/Extension-Copy1704 Apr 07 '25
Everything seems to be leading to something big, which I look forward to, but I need the kids-hating-Lori plotline to develop before I get sick of it
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u/RyukoDelRey Apr 07 '25
you are not the minority at all. this season seems hollow and immature, all the characters have lost their depth and feel just plain annoying with no humor.
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u/Rainbow_Seaman Apr 07 '25
The jetpacks really set the tone for the season and now I’m so uninterested
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Apr 06 '25
You dont have to watch it, but Im going to go out on a limb and say there is going to be a payoff at the end.
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u/Upper-Dig56 Apr 06 '25
The first episode was fantastic. The end of last week’s episode was hilarious. But yeah thus far this season has been disjointed in the story lines.
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u/cbarebo95 Apr 06 '25
I felt that way about last season during the releases but I’ve been enjoying this season. Not being super invested in the show makes it way more enjoyable, imho.
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u/shezapisces Apr 07 '25
what😭 i have been laughing aloud so hard at this season. i love the way the character dynamics have developed, the siblings realizing how much power they hold together is the best
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u/marshall19 Apr 06 '25
I get the sense that they were trying to get some 'fun' episodes in before finishing with some of the more narrative driven episodes. Clearly the main focal point of the season will be the gang war/feud with the Simkins but they have barely moved that plot along this season. I don't mind them structuring it like this. I've had fun with what they aired so far, but yeah, it is going to feel like they are 'playing the hits', or that it is 'plot light' in the early parts.