Editor’s note: The following article contains spoilers for Season 3 of The Righteous Gemstones. In the world of HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones, Judy Gemstone’s (played by Edi Patterson) rise to singing fame sends her narcissism soaring to new heights. While on tour, she finds herself attracted to her tattooed, frosted-tipped guitarist named Stephen (played by Stephen Schneider). Although their relationship does not involve actual sex, they engage in dry humping and kissing. Judy, who never shies away from providing excessive details, indulges in the thrill of the affair. Her inflated ego expands even further, which has serious consequences for both her personal life and her marriage. Despite the challenges she faces this season, Judy Gemstone emerges as the standout character in The Righteous Gemstones Season 3, proving herself to be the MVP of the show.
Before Season 3, Judy always expressed herself honestly, sometimes to a fault. Her relationship with BJ was consistently tumultuous. However, there was a raw authenticity to their dynamic. In the first season, when she had a meltdown at BJ’s workplace, it was unhinged but genuine—a display of her holding nothing back. In the second season, she makes a disturbing accusation against BJ’s sister, KJ, claiming she has an incestuous attraction to him. This behavior can only be described as psychotic. However, Season 3 presents viewers with a different side of Judy. She now keeps secrets, which is something she hasn’t done before. In the first season, she admits to her siblings that she embezzled from the church, but she doesn’t carry the same shame associated with her affair with Stephen. This time, Judy has hurt the two people she cares about the most—and one of those people is herself. Overwhelmed by guilt, she must navigate the intrusion of her ex-lover, who begins displaying dangerous obsession. While all the Gemstone children have their fair share of flaws, Judy’s journey in Season 3 makes her the most problematic among them. In her own way, she tries to end the affair abruptly, but Stephen refuses to let go. Throughout the season, she must pretend that everything is well with BJ while resisting Stephen’s constant advances. It’s a delicate balancing act, and she struggles to maintain this façade. It’s both amusing and heart-wrenching to watch her attempt to keep everything hidden without breaking BJ’s heart. Unfortunately, secrets can only remain concealed for so long. Eventually, BJ discovers Judy’s infidelity, and even though he might be the only person capable of tolerating a marriage with Judy, he finally reaches his breaking point. To make amends, Judy must bribe Stephen’s wife, but her flaws take center stage. She must learn to grow up, even if it’s just a little bit.
Edi Patterson’s portrayal of Judy Gemstone is comedic perfection. She fearlessly embodies Judy’s loud, deranged, and delusional personality. While all the Gemstone children have their own peculiarities, Judy stands out among them with her explosive temper and unpredictable behavior. Her self-aggrandizing nature is a core aspect of her character. Externally, she presents herself as someone who believes she has irresistible charm and control over men. However, as revealed in a previous season, her only previous sexual experience was with a college professor, which ended in an awkward manner, to say the least. BJ saw her as the person she wanted to be perceived as, but beneath her confident veneer, Judy is deeply insecure. She feels intimidated by attractive women like her sister-in-law Amber. Judy knows she is not the hotshot she pretends to be—she’s more of a hot mess. Even her own uncle Baby Billy mocks her appearance, shattering her self-confidence. While Judy’s energy has always been vibrant, Season 3 forces her to slow down and confront the pain she has caused. Her brothers revel in her shame, and Amber even gives BJ her pseudo-Christian marriage counseling program as a blow to Judy’s vulnerability. Even when confessing her affair to her father, Eli, Judy responds with the emotional maturity of an eight-year-old, shouting that she hates him. Martin, however, is the only one who doesn’t kick her when she’s down.
Season 3 of The Righteous Gemstones showcases Judy at the center of emotional turmoil. While the main plot revolves around a militia threatening the Gemstones and society as a whole, Judy experiences a character arc that was absent in previous seasons. However, it’s uncertain if she will achieve lasting personal growth. Her main takeaway from her infidelity might be to avoid cheating on BJ again—an admittedly surface-level improvement. Nevertheless, for the Gemstone children, any personal growth is noteworthy, no matter how small. Judy’s transformation in Season 2 is a prime example of her capacity for change. Prior to that season, she treated her aunt Tiffany with disdain. Tiffany, the naive and significantly younger wife of Baby Billy, was deemed unimportant by Judy. But as Season 2 progresses, Judy develops a bond with Tiffany, taking on a maternal role. This unexpected connection demonstrates Judy’s ability to show kindness, revealing more hidden facets of her complex personality. While Judy will always have her wild and unpredictable moments—accusing her sister-in-law of incestuous desires, vandalizing a car with a shopping cart—her turbulent experiences may lead to a somewhat more mature version of herself. Edi Patterson’s casting as Judy was nothing short of perfect, and she has masterfully brought the character to life.
To sum it up, Judy Gemstone is the standout character in The Righteous Gemstones Season 3. Her journey delves into new depths, exploring her flaws, insecurities, and capacity for growth. Edi Patterson’s portrayal of Judy as a loud, deranged, and delusional individual is comedic gold. While her transformation may not be profound, there are glimpses of improvement and self-reflection. Despite her wild antics, Judy Gemstone emerges as a slightly more mature person, and her role in Season 3 solidifies her position as the MVP of the show.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
