The Prayer of a Righteous Man
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Episode 8
- Danny McBride
- Grant Dekernion
- Jeff Fradley
| "The Prayer of a Righteous Man" | |
|---|---|
| The Righteous Gemstones episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | David Gordon Green |
| Written by |
|
| Cinematography by | Michael Simmonds |
| Editing by | Craig Hayes |
| Original release date | February 20, 2022 |
| Running time | 32 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Prayer of a Righteous Man" is the eighth episode of the second season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. It is the seventeenth overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Danny McBride, Grant Dekernion, and executive producer Jeff Fradley, and directed by executive producer David Gordon Green. It was released on HBO on February 20, 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, Eli recovers from his coma and decides to amend all mistakes from his family.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.304 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 revelations, character development and performances.
1993
In Memphis, Junior (Eric Roberts) confronts Marsh (Wayne Duvall) for never allowing him to take care of the business. Marsh considers his words and decides to retire, leaving business to Junior. Before leaving, Marsh threatens Junior at gunpoint to handcuff and steals all his money before losing contact with him.
Present day
The Cycle Ninjas have been arrested, and refuse to talk to Martin (Gregory Alan Williams) about the person who hired them. At the compound, a recovered Eli (John Goodman) praises his family for their actions, which motivates Kelvin (Adam DeVine) to confront the God Squad, managing to lift the heavy cross despite his broken thumbs and disbands them. This also motivates Judy (Edi Patterson) to stop Tiffany (Valyn Hall) from leaving and accept her as family.
Eli also informs Jesse (Danny McBride) that for his growth, he will help him with the $10 million investment. He also tells Jesse, Kelvin and Judy about Roy killing Glendon Marsh, also telling them his body is beneath their amusement park. He says he needs to inform Junior, and they agree to support him whenever he chooses to do it. Billy (Walton Goggins) is haunted by the appearance of Aimee-Leigh (Jennifer Nettles), who wants him to take more responsibility. He then visits a grown-up Harmon (Macaulay Culkin) at his house. Although surprised, he allows him to enter. He informs him on his life, also expressing his disappointment with the abandonment. While reluctant to accept him, Harmon agrees to punch him in the face to reconcile, and both make amends.
Before the Gemstones prepare for a performance, they are informed that Eli chose to talk with Junior alone in Memphis. Backed up with a security team, Junior confronts Eli for "sending" Jesse to threaten him. Eli confesses that Marsh threatened his family and that Roy killed him, and Junior believed that he helped him escape to Bolivia. While surprised at his reveal, Junior forgives Eli. Despite this, Junior reveals that he did not send the Cycle Ninjas, shocking Eli. In prison, guards are astonished to find that the Cycle Ninjas have escaped through a wall, meeting with bikers outside the prison and drive away.
Production
Development
In December 2021, HBO confirmed that the episode would be titled "The Prayer of a Righteous Man", and that it would be written by series creator Danny McBride, Grant Dekernion, and executive producer Jeff Fradley, and directed by executive producer David Gordon Green. This was McBride's seventeenth writing credit, Dekernion's second writing credit, Fradley's eighth writing credit, and Green's eighth directing credit.[1]
