Interlude

"Interlude" is the fifth episode of the first season of the American dark comedy crime television series The Righteous Gemstones. The episode was written by executive producers John Carcieri, Jeff Fradley and series creator Danny McBride, and directed by executive producer David Gordon Green. It was released on HBO on September 15, 2019. 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 premiere introduced a long-running arc where Jesse is blackmailed for an incriminating video. The episode is set in 1989, and follows Eli and Aimee-Leigh as they announce her pregnancy, which disrupts Billy's plan for a reunion tour. John Goodman, Jennifer Nettles, and Walton Goggins are the only main cast members to appear in the episode. According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.560 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received extremely positive reviews from critics, who praised the episode's focus on the past, character development and performances. Plot In 1989, Eli (John Goodman) and Aimee-Leigh (Jennifer Nettles) prepare for a performance at their studio. Before starting, Aimee-Leigh dicloses to Eli that she is pregnant, surprising him. They later inform the young Jesse (J. Gavin Wilde) and Judy (Emma Shannon) about the pregnancy, which they do not take well. Eli struggles in raising his kids, as he is preoccupied with his plans to expand their land territory.