Interlude IV
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Episode 6
- John Carcieri
- Jeff Fradley
- Danny McBride
| "Interlude IV" | |
|---|---|
| The Righteous Gemstones episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 6 |
| Directed by | David Gordon Green |
| Written by |
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| Cinematography by | Michael Simmonds |
| Editing by |
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| Original release date | April 13, 2025 |
| Running time | 37 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
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"Interlude IV" is the sixth episode of the fourth season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the 33rd 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 David Gordon Green. It was released on HBO on April 13, 2025, and also was available on Max on the same date.
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, set in 2002, delves into the relationship between Aimee-Leigh and Lori, as well as the latter's marital problems with her husband Cobb.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.294 million household viewers and gained a 0.08 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised the character development and Michael Rooker's guest appearance.
In 2002, Eli and Aimee-Leigh propose a 10-acre parking lot for their church, but the Rogers County board rejects it, believing that it is not beneficial to the wider community. On their way out of the courthouse, protesters throw pies in their faces.
The Gemstones spend time at their lake house, accompanied by Aimee-Leigh's friend Lori, her son Corey, and her husband Cobb, who owns an alligator attraction. Amber is also staying, revealed to be pregnant with Jesse's first child. Aimee-Leigh invites Lori to stay with her and record a new album. Lori confides that her marriage to Cobb is falling apart. Kelvin sneaks into Judy's bedroom, looking for her teen heartthrob magazines, but discovers her diary, where she confesses having feelings for her teacher. Judy catches him and chases him to his treehouse, where he escapes Judy by pulling up the ladder. During a family dinner, Jesse proclaims that his first child will be named "Stallone", which draws mixed reactions. Cobb arrives at the family mansion to try and convince Lori into coming back home, but is chased off by Eli who punches him in the face. Eli later visits Cobb's alligator farm to try and reconcile with him, but is rebuffed.
While the adults attend a musical performance, the older children decide to go out for Mexican food, leaving Kelvin behind. Believing the house to be empty, Cobb breaks into the Gemstone household, vandalizing each room while stealing valuable items, including Elijah Gemstone's gold-plated Bible. Discovering Kelvin hiding under his bed, he flees the house. When the Gemstones return, Aimee-Leigh consoles a traumatized Kelvin. When questioned by Lori, Corey makes up a fake alibi for his father. Seeing the situation between Lori and Cobb, Jesse asks Eli if he and Aimee-Leigh would ever divorce, but Eli promises they will stay together until the end. When Eli compares "Stallone" to Gideon's journey in the Bible, Jesse becomes fascinated. At his house, Cobb sorts through the stolen items, and examines the gold-plated Bible.
Production
Development
The episode was written by executive producer John Carcieri, executive producer Jeff Fradley, and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by executive producer David Gordon Green. This was Carcieri's 23rd writing credit, Fradley's 17th writing credit, McBride's 33rd writing credit, and Gordon Green's 11th directing credit.[1]