The Righteous Gemstones fans who tuned in for the premiere of the fourth season on March 5, 2025, were greeted not with familiar faces but with the unexpected arrival of movie star Bradley Cooper, marking the series' bold opening statement as it delves back to the origins of the controversial Gemstone family during the Civil War.
Titled "Prelude," this supersized 43-minute episode marks not only Cooper's first appearance but also serves as the show’s exploration of its roots through the character of Elijah Gemstone, played by Cooper, who evolves dramatically from nefarious crook to self-proclaimed man of God, illustrating much of what The Righteous Gemstones encapsulates: the messy intersection of faith and financial greed.
Set against the backdrop of 1862 Virginia, Elijah's story begins with violence and deception. The episode opens with the shocking scene of him killing local pastor Abel Grieves for his donation money. Cooper's character, who is initially just out for his own gain, swiftly assumes the identity of the murdered preacher as Confederate troops arrive to enlist Grieves as their chaplain.
McBride, the show's creator, acknowledged the risks involved in starting the final season with such a radical shift: "I knew it would be tough because this show is obviously an ensemble," he told Deadline. This standalone narrative demanded not just skilled writing but also the right heroic lead to carry the weight of the episode without the ensemble cast viewers had come to expect.
To delineate Elijah's evolution, the writing has Cooper's character engage deeply with the very faith he initially exploits for personal gain. By the end of the episode, after evading execution thanks to his newfound role, he begins reading from Grieves' gold-plated Bible with genuine reverence. This transition emphasizes the series’ recurring theme: the manipulation of faith for personal benefit and the often blurred lines between piety and greed.
Interestingly, Cooper had never watched The Righteous Gemstones before taking the role. "He had actually never seen Gemstones before filming," McBride mentioned, adding, "I thought it was smart of him to identify watching the show could be a pitfall," since he wanted to create his own interpretation of the character absent of any influence from the established cast.
A notable aspect of Cooper's performance is his ability to oscillate between charm and malevolence — the hallmark of many of his roles. It plays perfectly to the ethos of the Gemstones, whose traits are often inherited through their ancestors. Elijah’s earlier exploits, which include severe acts of violence and deception, resonate deeply through the lineage of the Gemstone family.
One particularly memorable line from Cooper's character encapsulates this vanity: “This is the body of a crook who tried to rob me. His name is Elijah Gemstone, and he is dead now. He was very handsome.” This bravado underlines the comedic yet grim disposition of the show, where darkness often camouflages as light-hearted banter.
The episode was shot over less than ten days, with much of the work done outdoors, reflecting the humid and challenging conditions of Virginia. McBride noted the personal connection he has to Civil War history, which added depth to the episode's narrative as he used his own upbringing amid Civil War relics as inspiration for Elijah's backstory.
The premiere—while serving as the full-scale introduction of Elijah Gemstone—essentially sets the tone for the concluding chapter of the Gemstones saga, creating not only tension but also curiosity about how this compelling historical flashback will influence characters viewers have followed through three previous seasons.
By allowing Cooper to seize the spotlight, McBride and his team sought to engage audiences anew, proving they aren’t afraid to push boundaries or expectations. The reception to such experimental storytelling will be pivotal as the series concludes its four-season run with more complex narratives and questions surrounding the characters’ flawed nature and moral dilemmas.
Fans left contemplating their loyalty to the Gemstone family must now reconcile their favorite theatrics with the ethically questionable origins of their celebrated lineage set against 19th-century America.
What remains clear after this premiere is McBride’s assertion: The mix of faith, hypocrisy, and humor will remain the core fabric of The Righteous Gemstones, ensuring audiences stay glued to their screens as this infamous family embarks on one last adventure.