"As to How They Might Destroy Him" | |
---|---|
The Righteous Gemstones episode | |
Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 4 |
Directed by | Danny McBride |
Written by |
|
Produced by |
|
Cinematography by | Michael Simmonds |
Editing by | Justin Bourret |
Original release date | January 23, 2022 |
Running time | 39 minutes |
Guest appearances | |
| |
"As to How They Might Destroy Him" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones . It is the thirteenth overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Danny McBride, executive producer John Carcieri, and main cast member Edi Patterson, and directed by McBride. It was released on HBO on January 23, 2022.
The series follows a family of televangelists and megachurch pastors led by widowed patriarch Eli Gemstone. The main focus is Eli and his immature children, Jesse, Kelvin and Judy, all of whom face challenges in their lives. The series depicts the family's past and scandals, which unleash consequences. In the episode, BJ's baptism arrives and the family's conflicts arise.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.289 million household viewers and gained a 0.1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received extremely positive reviews from critics, who praised the confrontations, performances, character development and ending.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Baby Billy (Walton Goggins) accompanies his wife, Gloria, and son, Harmon, in a mall during Christmas season. After giving his son special glasses, he says he will always be his father, no matter what happens. He then leaves the mall, abandoning them.
To please Judy (Edi Patterson), BJ (Tim Baltz) has agreed to be part of a baptism service, prompting them to invite his family for the service. Meanwhile, Jesse (Danny McBride) informs Lyle (Eric André) that he does not have the needed $10 million for their initial investment, disappointing Lyle. Kelvin (Adam DeVine) is also dismayed to discover that Eli (John Goodman) has prevented him from taking the "God Squad" to the Judaean Desert, as he wants him in BJ's baptism.
Billy returns for the baptism, with his music career seeing a small boost from his preaching sessions, and with Tiffany (Valyn Hall) pregnant. The family then attend an afterparty following the service, although Judy is not convinced that Eli has been sincere with BJ. Jesse then confronts Eli about not investing in them compared to his other tenures, but Eli is not interested. When BJ returns with a new outfit, he feels mocked by his sister, KJ (Lily Sullivan), and returns angry to his room. Jesse and Kelvin meet to express their frustrations with Eli, which is also joined by Billy.
Judy confronts KJ in the restroom, accusing her of wanting to have sex with her own brother. This prompts KJ to confront BJ by telling him that he is not a Gemstone, angering BJ and causing him to throw a piece of cake her, accidentally hitting Eli while talking to a senator. BJ flees the scene while an angry Eli leaves. Kelvin confronts Eli in front of the "God Squad", calling him a "false prophet." This causes them to engage in a brutal fight, during which Kelvin shatters a portrait of Aimee-Leigh. When Kelvin refuses to apologize, an angry Eli then uses his wrestling technique to break Kelvin's thumbs. Kelvin is taken by an ambulance, which also makes him lose the support of the "God Squad", except for Keefe (Tony Cavalero). Billy is seen leaving the service and driving to Fayetteville. With no car to return home, Jesse and Amber (Cassidy Freeman) leave in Eli's party-bus. Due to a malfunction, they are forced to stop at a gas station. As they wait, they see a gang of bikers pulling off. The bikers then take out guns and shoot at them, forcing them to hide in the party-bus.
In December 2021, HBO confirmed that the episode would be titled "As to How They Might Destroy Him", and that it would be written by series creator Danny McBride, executive producer John Carcieri, and main cast member Edi Patterson, and directed by McBride. This was McBride's thirteenth writing credit, Carcieri's sixth writing credit, Patterson's second writing credit, and McBride's second directing credit. [1]
In its original American broadcast, "As to How They Might Destroy Him" was seen by an estimated 0.289 million household viewers with a 0.1 in the 18-49 demographics. This means that 0.1 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. [2] This was a 12% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 0.327 million household viewers with a 0.1 in the 18-49 demographics. [3]
"As to How They Might Destroy Him" received extremely positive reviews from critics. Mike Vanderbilt of The A.V. Club gave the episode an "A" grade and wrote, "The episode is co-written by McBride, Edi Patterson, and John Carcieri and directed by McBride, which elevates the episode. McBride is invested in these characters and fuses the high drama — and silly comedy — together expertly." [4]
Scott Tobias of Vulture gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Incredible episode for Edi Patterson as Judy, especially when she's dealing with BJ’s family, whom she sees as a miserable hassle at best and at worst a threat to BJ's mind and body, which she's claiming for herself." [5] Breeze Riley of Telltale TV gave the episode a 3.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Unfortunately, the drama and comedy balance of this episode ends up feeling off-kilter. Considering how The Righteous Gemstones usually avoids this pitfall, it's a bit disappointing." [6]
Dylan Roth of The New York Observer wrote, "This week's Righteous Gemstones offers good laughs but better drama, as a large family gathering leads to a proportional explosion of petty conflicts." [7] James Preston Poole of Full Circle Cinema gave the episode a perfect 10 out of 10 rating and wrote, "No matter who the assailants are, The Righteous Gemstones reaches its peak in this episode. Directed by Danny McBride, this episode is the epitome of dark comedy on television, combining breathless tension with breathless laughs. Whatever happens next week, we're lucky to be in an age of television where this kind of story can exist." [8]
The Righteous Gemstones is an American black comedy crime television series created by Danny McBride that premiered on August 18, 2019, on HBO. The series follows a famous and dysfunctional family of televangelists. It stars Danny McBride, John Goodman, Edi Patterson, Adam DeVine, Cassidy Freeman, Tony Cavalero, Tim Baltz, Skyler Gisondo, and Walton Goggins. In September 2019, HBO renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on January 9, 2022. In January 2022, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on June 18, 2023. In July 2023, the series was renewed for a fourth season.
"The Righteous Gemstones" is the series premiere of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. The episode was written and directed by series creator and lead actor Danny McBride. It was released on HBO on August 18, 2019.
"They Are Weak, But He Is Strong" is the third episode of the first season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. The episode was written by series creator Danny McBride and executive producer John Carcieri, and directed by executive producer David Gordon Green. It was released on HBO on September 1, 2019.
"Now the Sons of Eli Were Worthless Men" is the sixth episode of the first season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. The episode was written by Grant Dekernion, series creator Danny McBride, and cast member Edi Patterson, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on September 22, 2019.
"Interlude" is the fifth episode of the first season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. The episode was written by executive producers John Carcieri, Jeff Fradley and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by executive producer David Gordon Green. It was released on HBO on September 15, 2019.
"And Yet One of You Is a Devil" is the seventh episode of the first season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. The episode was written by Kevin Barnett, Chris Pappas, and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on September 29, 2019.
"But the Righteous Will See Their Fall" is the eighth episode of the first season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. The episode was written by Kevin Barnett, Chris Pappas, and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by executive producer David Gordon Green. It was released on HBO on October 6, 2019.
"Better Is the End of a Thing Than Its Beginning" is the ninth episode and season finale of the first season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. The episode was written by executive producers John Carcieri, Jeff Fradley, and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on October 13, 2019.
"After I Leave, Savage Wolves Will Come" is the second episode of the second season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the eleventh overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Danny McBride, executive producer John Carcieri and executive producer Jeff Fradley, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on January 9, 2022, airing back-to-back with the previous episode, "I Speak in the Tongues of Men and Angels".
"Never Avenge Yourselves, but Leave It to the Wrath of God" is the sixth episode of the second season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the fifteenth overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Danny McBride, executive producer John Carcieri, and executive producer Jeff Fradley, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on February 6, 2022.
"And Infants Shall Rule Over Them" is the seventh episode of the second season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the sixteenth overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Danny McBride, executive producer John Carcieri, and executive producer Jeff Fradley, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on February 13, 2022.
"I Will Tell of All Your Deeds" is the ninth episode and season finale of the second season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the eighteenth overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Danny McBride, executive producer John Carcieri, and executive producer Jeff Fradley, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on February 27, 2022.
"For I Know the Plans I Have for You" is the first episode of the third season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the nineteenth overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer John Carcieri, and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on June 18, 2023, and also was available on Max on the same date. The episode aired back-to-back with the follow-up episode, "But Esau Ran to Meet Him".
"But Esau Ran to Meet Him" is the second episode of the third season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the 20th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer John Carcieri, and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on June 18, 2023, and also was available on Max on the same date. The episode aired back-to-back with the previous episode, "For I Know the Plans I Have for You".
"For Their Own Nakedness Is Your Own Nakedness" is the third episode of the third season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the 21st overall episode of the series and was written by Kevin Barnett, series creator Danny McBride, and Chris Pappas, and directed by McBride. It was released on HBO on June 25, 2023, and also was available on Max on the same date.
"I Have Not Come to Bring Peace, But a Sword" is the fourth episode of the third season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the 22nd overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer John Carcieri and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on July 2, 2023, and also was available on Max on the same date.
"For Out of the Heart Comes Evil Thoughts" is the sixth episode of the third season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the 24th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer John Carcieri and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by co-executive producer Jonathan Watson. It was released on HBO on July 16, 2023, and also was available on Max on the same date.
"Burn for Burn, Wound for Wound, Stripe for Stripe" is the seventh episode of the third season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the 25th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Jeff Fradley, executive producer John Carcieri, and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by co-executive producer McBride. It was released on HBO on July 23, 2023, and also was available on Max on the same date.
"I Will Take You by the Hand and Keep You" is the eighth episode of the third season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the 26th overall episode of the series and was written by Scott MacArthur, series creator Danny McBride, and main cast member Edi Patterson, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on July 30, 2023, and also was available on Max on the same date, airing back-to-back with the follow-up episode, "Wonders That Cannot Be Fathomed, Miracles That Cannot Be Counted".
"Wonders That Cannot Be Fathomed, Miracles That Cannot Be Counted" is the ninth episode and season finale of the third season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the 27th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer John Carcieri, executive producer Jeff Fradley, and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on July 30, 2023, and also was available on Max on the same date, airing back-to-back with the previous episode, "I Will Take You by the Hand and Keep You".