PatAg said:

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I only posted that because I was very surprised to see all of you hating it so much.
No one I personally know feels that way, and hadnt really seen sort of public feedback that was negative either.
Was surprising.

Makes you wonder how much we all influence each other without realizing it. Hard to really watch anything truly in a vacuum.

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I don't think this necessarily tells the whole story, though. I'm not seeing much negative feedback either, but not because I'm seeing positive feedback in its place. I'm seeing NO feedback whatsoever, which is a big difference from seasons past.

No one is talking about this season, period. At least comparatively. And that tells me everything I need to know. In fact, the last time I saw any kind of noticeable discourse was after the first episode, with Bradley Cooper. But since then? Nothing. When, in seasons past, every Sunday night on social media, after an episode aired, there used to be so much immediate praise, recalling of jokes, etc.

I'm not going to say this season was objectively bad - that's obviously up for opinion/debate - but it was objectively different. Each of the first three seasons had much more distinct villain plots, and each of the main characters had much more distinct plights/arcs. And yes, this season technically had a villain, and yes, each of the main characters technically had arcs, but it all felt so lacking and half-assed comparatively. To that end, most everyone in this thread who didn't like this season named that as one of the reasons why, and did a good job explaining their other frustrations in general, which is another data point that tells me the reaction likely wasn't a vacuum thing.

It set itself up for failure with such a great 3rd season which had wrapped things up in a nice, tidy bow. That saiid, my biggest issue with it wasn't plot arcs and villains and bull**** like that for a show that has always been goofy and insane. My issue was one thing - I just didn't laugh at it nearly as much this year. It fell off in the funny dept. Part of it is probably because it gets hard to tell the same type of jokes for 4 seasons

I agree that this season was pretty bad overall, but I thought this last episode was a pretty good way to wrap up the season and made a nice bookend to the entire show along with the first episode this season. The first episode of this season serves as a great prologue to the entire show.

To me the two main themes of the show have been:

1. The family dealing with the loss of Aimee-Leigh
2. The idea that all of this is part of the divine plan.

The golden bible arc tied these two things together. I always thought the biggest selling point of this show is that it tried to show that the divine plan was real and it was men who ultimately fail. The show has been careful to show that despite their greed, failings, excesses, pettiness, etc., the Gemstone church has spread the word, does missions, and tried to further the message with a lot of missteps along the way.

Aimee-Leigh's ghost leading Kelvin to the golden bible tied the two themes together, getting over the loss of Aimee-Leigh is to follow the divine plan.

Baby Billy at the very last moment, at his literal cross, gave up his greed and embraced family.

In the end, Kelvin and Gideon found new avenues to spread the word and brought more lost souls back to the light through a unique path.

Jesse finally let go his facade of what he thought he should be and made the step towards being genuine and delivered his most powerful prayer.

Judy finally let go of her anger and feelings of worthlessness. Her speech to Dr. Watson was her defining moment.

Kelvin gave up his fears.

Through out the episode each of the siblings made a big step, Judy to Dr. Watson, Kelvin to letting go his fear of the rain, Jesse giving up the order and showing Simpkins mercy.

And all three came together to be a stronger force for the divine. Just like Bradley Cooper's character became a stronger force for the divine after what he witnessed.

The Milsaps represented a darker mirror of the Gemstones with Cobb and Corey failing to move past their sins of jealously, revenge, anger, etc. Cobb has money. Corey even put his name into the golden bible. Lori "left" Cobb and Corey through divorce like Aimee-Leigh left the Gemstones. Corey's wife is what Amber could have been. The Milsaps festered in their sense of loss and anger. While the Gemstones in their own messed up way tried to become better people.

Even the end of Lori and Eli coming back together, is symbolic of acceptance. Both characters accepting their losses.

For me everything clicked in this last episode, as the show has always been about forgiveness and faith just like the first episode showed. All the episodes between the first and the last seemed like misfires, if this season had been tighten down to say 5 episodes, I think it would have worked better. Also, I can see people who don't think the characters deserved a happy ending, but assuming you wanted the show to have a happy ending, I am not sure this particular episode could have been much better.

While season 4 overall was a disappointment, I do think something important did occur that wasn't there had the show ended after season 3. The end of episode 1 of this season had Elijah praying with the soldiers before they died, which appeared to be a spiritual awakening of his, or at a minimum was the revelation of gift that he had. In the last episode Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin all prayed together with Corey before he died. That was the most genuine moment we had with those characters in relation to their faith, and showed they did have the ability to connect with a congregation. They're not just screw-ups riding their father's success. I think that moment was actually a really nice bow on the end of the series. It's unfortunate that there was so much forgettable filler between those moments. I actually think they could have reduced the primary story surrounding the Gemstones and focused on Baby Billy to create a phenomenal season 4. They could have built up the Teenjus production and story, how his magnum opus was successful but didn't fulfill him like he thought it would. After realizing the success he chased his whole life it was an empty moment because he had a family that he put second while he pursued that dream.

Regardless of how you think about season 4, seasons 1-3 are still outstanding.

The final lines from Uncle Baby Billy were incredible.
"Her husband wanting to rape us and kill us and your kids killing his kid, I guess it was a bridge too far, Eli."

The last episode was way better than it had a right to be. They did such a great job with tone and message. Making an attempted mass murder funny, making it about the good in religion after four seasons of mocking the bad parts of it, but what gets lost a bit is that closing it with Eli and his happiness changes the whole tenor of the arc. In the end, the whole show was about the one decent person finding genuine happiness in his life. His kids finally matured, he found a Lori, and was able to move on past his wife's death. Closing it with his beaming smile said a ton.
Really brilliant to me, makes the mediocrity of this season worth it just for the last 20 minutes.

TCTTS said:

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PatAg said:

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I only posted that because I was very surprised to see all of you hating it so much.
No one I personally know feels that way, and hadnt really seen sort of public feedback that was negative either.
Was surprising.

Makes you wonder how much we all influence each other without realizing it. Hard to really watch anything truly in a vacuum.

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I don't think this necessarily tells the whole story, though. I'm not seeing much negative feedback either, but not because I'm seeing positive feedback in its place. I'm seeing NO feedback whatsoever, which is a big difference from seasons past.

No one is talking about this season, period. At least comparatively. And that tells me everything I need to know. In fact, the last time I saw any kind of noticeable discourse was after the first episode, with Bradley Cooper. But since then? Nothing. When, in seasons past, every Sunday night on social media, after an episode aired, there used to be so much immediate praise, recalling of jokes, etc.

I'm not going to say this season was objectively bad - that's obviously up for opinion/debate - but it was objectively different. Each of the first three seasons had much more distinct villain plots, and each of the main characters had much more distinct plights/arcs. And yes, this season technically had a villain, and yes, each of the main characters technically had arcs, but it all felt so lacking and half-assed comparatively. To that end, most everyone in this thread who didn't like this season named that as one of the reasons why, and did a good job explaining their other frustrations in general, which is another data point that tells me the reaction likely wasn't a vacuum thing.

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I will fight anecdotal fire with fire, my twitter "following" feed had Righteous Gemstones discussion every Sunday night. Because if it's not discussed on social media, did it even happen? (kidding...I think?)

I think you all may have just talked yourself into expecting one thing, and when you got another it was hard to get over.
Maybe it seemed different to you all in the moment, since you were just replying every week.
But reading it back all in one go after the finale it definitely just read like everyone posting the same complaint on repeat.

Like you said, its a comedy show so funny will always be an objective thing. I would have it as the lowest of the 4 seasons, but there still plenty of laugh out loud moments every episode and some genuinely emotionally charged scenes.

Whew - tough crowd. I felt like the last season had a nice bow on it, but I enjoyed this one. Got some great laughs out of it. Gonna miss these characters. Wish we had a little more BJ, but it was pretty hilarious overall for me.

Season 4 was good… but with most characters, at some point they all run their course. What Jody Hill and Danny McBride seem to be really good at is quitting before their shows jump the shark so to speak.

PatAg said:

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I only posted that because I was very surprised to see all of you hating it so much.
No one I personally know feels that way, and hadnt really seen sort of public feedback that was negative either.
Was surprising.

Makes you wonder how much we all influence each other without realizing it. Hard to really watch anything truly in a vacuum.

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I think you are misinterpreting disappointment for hate. Two different things.

The smugness over a McBride show is astounding. There is nothing meaningful or clever about his shows. It is all just outrageous and raunchy comedy.

I thought the finale was hilarious and was fine with how it wrapped up. Baby Billy found Jesus, Judy learned to be kind and empathetic, Kelvin overcame his fears, Jesse learned he doesn't have to be the center of attention to make a difference and Eli ended up where he wanted to be; retired on a boat with a hot piece of ass that he cares for.

PatAg said:

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I only posted that because I was very surprised to see all of you hating it so much.
No one I personally know feels that way, and hadnt really seen sort of public feedback that was negative either.
Was surprising.

Makes you wonder how much we all influence each other without realizing it. Hard to really watch anything truly in a vacuum.

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totally disagree with this

I was a week behind in watching each episode and would not read what the board was saying.

we all came to the same conclusion: this last season was the weakest by far and the series finale was underwhelming and a bit awful.

The Sun said:

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The smugness over a McBride show is astounding. There is nothing meaningful or clever about his shows. It is all just outrageous and raunchy comedy.

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I don't think anyone's being smug. We're just being amateur critics... like we do for every other piece of entertainment discussed on this board.

LMCane said:

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PatAg said:

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I only posted that because I was very surprised to see all of you hating it so much.
No one I personally know feels that way, and hadnt really seen sort of public feedback that was negative either.
Was surprising.

Makes you wonder how much we all influence each other without realizing it. Hard to really watch anything truly in a vacuum.

---

totally disagree with this

I was a week behind in watching each episode and would not read what the board was saying.

we all came to the same conclusion: this last season was the weakest by far and the series finale was underwhelming and a bit awful.

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I dont think there is a person who's opinion I care less about when it comes to comedy.

Listen to Uncle Baby Billy this weekend or you'll be misbehavin'. pic.twitter.com/PWU6ratQ03

— Colorado Parks and Wildlife (@COParksWildlife) May 10, 2025