The Righteous Gemstones is a show about American grifters, converting faith into cash through grotesque Sunday spectacles and an array of branded revenue streams, all in service of a family that amasses sins like miles on their private jets. Yet it’s also a show about redemption, with characters who occasionally show the humility to confess wrongdoing and seek amends from those that they’ve wronged. While it would fair to say that the Gemstones are too quick to forgive themselves — and, indeed, seem to commit sins in anticipation of self-absolution — they also believe in what they’re selling on stage. As much as the show often feels like a low-comedy companion to Succession, the Gemstones have a greater capacity than the Roys to come together as a family.
And it all starts with…
