Wicked Lips (The Righteous Gemstones)

Last updated
"Wicked Lips"
The Righteous Gemstones episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 4
Directed by Jody Hill
Written by
Produced by
Cinematography byMichael Simmonds
Editing byCraig Hayes
Original release dateSeptember 8, 2019 (2019-09-08)
Running time36 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"They Are Weak, But He Is Strong"		Next →
"Interlude"

"Wicked Lips" is the fourth 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 Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on September 8, 2019.

Contents

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 premiere introduced a long-running arc where Jesse is blackmailed for an incriminating video. In the episode, Kelvin and Keefe help in guiding the daughter of one of Eli's major donors, while Jesse's friend is caught in an incriminating e-mail.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.562 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received positive reviews from critics, who praised the humor, character development and performances.

Plot

While walking through the city, Keefe (Tony Cavalero) runs into his former satanist friends. They try to persuade him to join them, but Keefe declines the offer and leaves. Meanwhile, Gideon (Skyler Gisondo) is introduced to the Gemstones' offices and discovers where their money is kept in a vault.

Mandy (Mary Hollis Inboden), the wife of Chad (James DuMont), discloses to her friends that Chad sent many e-mails to Jesse (Danny McBride) and their friends that detailed multiple infidelities. Amber (Cassidy Freeman) brushes it off, causing Mandy to have a mental breakdown. Jesse is pissed off at the revelation, as they all erased their e-mails except for Chad. Dale (Toby Huss) and Gay Nancy (Marla Maples), friends of Eli (John Goodman) and major donors to the church, ask for help in guiding their rebellious teenage daughter, Dot (Jade Pettyjohn). Kelvin (Adam DeVine) and Keefe offer to help her, cleaning her bedroom from any "satanist" signs. Keefe discovers a used condom, and Dot storms away from her horrified parents. After they leave, Kelvin is threatened by Dot's much older boyfriend for cleaning her room.

Jesse and Amber meet with Mandy and Chad at their house, with Jesse explaining that the e-mails are all jokes between their friends, using evidence to prove his points and seemingly convince Mandy. Meanwhile, desperate to prove his worth to the church, Kelvin once again contacts Dot to meet him at a youth center to have fun with other kids. While she shows up, Kelvin and Keefe discover that she has left with her boyfriend for a party hosted by Keefe's satanist friends. As they arrive to confront her, police raid the party. Dot's boyfriend abandons her, but she safely leaves with Kelvin and Keefe when Keefe's friends help them with a secret passageway. After leaving her home, Dot decides to continue attending Kelvin's group.

Gideon informs Scotty (Scott MacArthur) about the vault, as well as that there will be a huge amount of money there in the coming days, and they prepare to raid it. They drive in their van only to be seen by Jesse, who remembers the vehicle as the one from the parking lot. Jesse follows the van with Amber in the co-pilot seat, who is concerned about his plans. Aware that Jesse is following them, Scotty tries to lose them but ends up rolling the van. Scotty and Gideon flee into the woods, with Jesse (unable to see their faces) leaving his car with a gun to confront them, but they manage to escape.

Production

Development

In August 2019, HBO confirmed that the episode would be titled "Wicked Lips", and that it would be written by executive producers John Carcieri, Jeff Fradley and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by executive producer Jody Hill. This was Carcieri's second writing credit, Fradley's first writing credit, McBride's fourth writing credit, and Hill's first directing credit. [1]

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "Wicked Lips" was seen by an estimated 0.562 million household viewers with a 0.2 in the 18-49 demographics. This means that 0.2 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. [2] This was a slight increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 0.530 million household viewers with a 0.2 in the 18-49 demographics. [3]

Critical reviews

"Wicked Lips" received positive reviews from critics. Kyle Fowle of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B" grade and wrote, "'Wicked Lips' isn't quite as entertaining as the previous episodes, but it's doing a lot of things right. The way it jumps between tones is particularly enjoyable, as various filmmaking choices point to certain influences and ideas." [4]

Nick Harley of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Now that we've got up close and personal with most of the other supporting characters, I assume that we'll be getting deep dives on Judy, and most importantly, Eli in the coming episodes. Though the true crime narrative has slowed a bit, the Gemstones world is engrossing enough and the performances are real enough that when shit starts to hit the fan, we'll care about how the fallout impacts each individual member of the family." [5]

Kevin Lever of Telltale TV gave the episode a 3.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "'Wicked Lips' is a wake-up call for Amber, and gives supporting players like Cassidy Freeman and Tony Cavalero some time in the spotlight to great effect. The show is getting better with balancing its sizeable cast, giving each a moment to shine on the episode while commenting on how stretching the truth so thin will inevitably cause it to snap." [6] Thomas Alderman of Show Snob praised the episode and highlighted its ending, "Jesse, gun in hand, assures Amber they're friends who he plays 'car pranks with', as the episode ends." [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Righteous Gemstones</i> American comedy television series

The Righteous Gemstones is an American 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. The series has aired three seasons, and was renewed for a fourth in 2023.

"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.

"Is This the Man Who Made the Earth Tremble" is the second episode of the first season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. The episode was written by series creator and lead actor Danny McBride, and directed by executive producer David Gordon Green. It was released on HBO on August 25, 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".

"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.

"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".

"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".

References

  1. ↑ "The Righteous Gemstones – WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  2. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (September 10, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.8.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  3. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (September 4, 2019). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.1.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  4. ↑ Fowle, Kyle (September 8, 2019). "The Righteous Gemstones wrestles with Satan". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  5. ↑ Harley, Nick (September 9, 2019). "The Righteous Gemstones Episode 4 Review: Wicked Lips". Den of Geek . Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  6. ↑ Lever, Kevin (September 8, 2019). "The Righteous Gemstones Review: Wicked Lips (Season 1 Episode 4)". Telltale TV. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  7. ↑ Alderman, Thomas (September 9, 2019). "The Righteous Gemstones season 1, episode 4 recap: Wicked Lips". Show Snob. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.