Wait, did that actually just happen? If you watched the third episode of the final season, "To Grieve Like the Rest of Men Who Have No Hope," you're probably still processing that wild pole-dancing accident. Honestly, this show has always walked a fine line between high-stakes family drama and the kind of absolute absurdity that makes you choke on your drink.
Episode 3 really cranked the tension. We saw the Righteous Gemstones season 4 episode 3 cast balancing some heavy-duty legacy stuff with the usual petty bickering. Seeing the core family interact with the "new" faces—who actually have very old ties to the Gemstone past—felt like a collision course we’ve been waiting for since the season 1 pilot.
The Core Gemstone Players: Dysfunctional as Ever
Danny McBride is back as Jesse Gemstone, and he’s basically a raw nerve at this point. In this episode, Jesse is spiraling because he got snubbed for the "Top Christ-Following Man of the Year" award. It’s peak Jesse. He’s supposed to be mourning and leading, but instead, he’s obsessing over a trophy. McBride plays this with that specific brand of loud-mouthed insecurity that makes you kind of pity him while also wanting to see him fail just a little bit.
Then you’ve got Adam DeVine as Kelvin Gemstone. Watching Kelvin actually get the nomination Jesse wanted was the highlight of the episode. The sibling rivalry in this cast is the engine that keeps the show running. Edi Patterson, playing Judy Gemstone, continues to be the MVP of physical comedy and unhinged dialogue. Her reaction to BJ's (Tim Baltz) "accident" was a masterclass in inappropriate grieving.
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- John Goodman (Eli Gemstone): The patriarch is trying to keep his budding romance with Lori a secret, and Goodman plays that "guilty dad" energy perfectly.
- Cassidy Freeman (Amber Gemstone): Ever the strategist, Amber is trying to pivot the family's image while Jesse is busy picking fights with rivals.
- Tony Cavalero (Keefe Chambers): Keefe remains the most loyal, weirdly sweet ex-Satanist on television, supporting Kelvin’s big moment.
The Guest Stars and New Arrivals
The real talk of the Righteous Gemstones season 4 episode 3 cast has to be the Milsap family. We’ve heard about Aimee-Leigh’s past for years, but seeing it manifest in Megan Mullally as Lori Milsap is something else. She brings a specific kind of "gentle but potentially toxic" energy that fits the Gemstone world like a glove.
Joining her is Seann William Scott as Corey Milsap. Corey is Lori’s son and a childhood friend of the Gemstone kids. Scott plays him with a sort of earnestness that feels dangerous in a house full of vipers. He’s not just a cameo; he’s a catalyst for the siblings to start questioning what exactly went down between their mother and the Milsaps decades ago.
Then there’s Arden Myrin as Jana Milsap, Corey’s wife. She adds another layer of "outsider looking in," which usually leads to the Gemstones being their absolute worst versions of themselves just to prove a point.
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That Infamous Pole Scene
We have to talk about Tim Baltz as BJ. This man is a treasure. In this episode, BJ's attempt to be "cool" and "edgy" leads to a literal disaster during a pole-dancing performance. It’s one of those scenes where you’re laughing but also genuinely concerned for the character. The fallout—Judy being told he might need a wheelchair—sets up a huge arc for the rest of the season. It changes the dynamic from BJ being the "punching bag" to BJ being someone the family actually has to care for, which they aren't exactly equipped to do.
Why This Episode Matters for the Final Season
The "invasion" of Gemstone land mentioned in the episode descriptions isn't just about physical property. It’s about the past invading the present. Stephen Dorff as Vance Simkins represents the external threat—the rival church opening right next door—but the Milsaps represent the internal threat.
The cast does a brilliant job of showing that while Jesse is worried about Vance and his church, the real danger is the secrets Eli is keeping. The tension between Jesse and Kelvin over the award isn't just about ego; it’s about who actually carries the "anointing" of the family.
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Key Cast Members in Episode 3:
- Danny McBride (Jesse)
- John Goodman (Eli)
- Adam DeVine (Kelvin)
- Edi Patterson (Judy)
- Megan Mullally (Lori Milsap)
- Seann William Scott (Corey Milsap)
- Tim Baltz (BJ)
- Walton Goggins (Baby Billy Freeman)
Speaking of Baby Billy, Walton Goggins is somehow still finding new ways to be the funniest person on screen. His absence from some of the heavier scenes in this episode only makes his eventual "Teenjus" movie arc feel more like a ticking time bomb of hilarity.
What to Watch for Next
If you’re following the season 4 arc, pay close attention to the dynamic between Gideon (Skyler Gisondo) and Eli. Gideon is becoming the grandson Eli actually respects, which is driving Jesse absolutely insane. The Righteous Gemstones season 4 episode 3 cast is expertly positioned to tear each other apart before the series finale in May.
If you want to keep up with the chaos, make sure you're tracking the "Interlude" episodes. They usually drop around episode 6 and explain everything we’re seeing now with Lori and the stolen gold Bible.
Go back and re-watch the scene where the siblings watch Eli and Lori from a distance. The way the actors use their body language to show suspicion—without saying a word—is exactly why this show deserves all the awards it gets. Watch for the subtle cues in the next few episodes that hint at Lori's true intentions for returning to the compound.