Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Righteous Gemstones season 4, episode 6!
The Righteous Gemstonesseason 4 is revealing even more about the Gemstones' backstory, and Michael Rooker’s new character could have a shocking connection to Bradley Cooper’s Elijah Gemstone and his stolen gold Bible.The Righteous Gemstonesseason 4, episode 1, “Prelude"had seemingly no connection to the rest of the series, with it following a Gemstone ancestor during the times of the Civil War. However, a major reveal surrounding Michael Rooker’s character inThe Righteous Gemstonesseason 4, episode 6, “Interlude IV” may have just revealed why “Prelude” is so important.
The Righteous Gemstonesseason 4 has mainly focused on the interpersonal conflicts within the Gemstone family, with Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin feuding over Eli’s new girlfriend, Lori Milsap.The Milsap family is a new addition toThe Righteous Gemstones' cast, with them being old friends of the Gemstones from before Aimee-Leigh’s death. As is the case withthe other “Interlude” episodes, “Interlude IV” followed the Gemstone family in a previous decade, with this one focusing on the friendship between the Gemstones and the Milsaps in the early 2000s.
Michael Rooker’s Cobb Is The Descendant Of Elijah’s Victim Abel Grieves – The Righteous Gemstones Theory Explained
On His Mother’s Side
In “Prelude,” Elijah Gemstone kills a minister named Abel Grieves, steals his gold Bible, and pretends to be a Confederate army chaplain. This gold Bible was passed down throughmultiple generations of Gemstone family members, with John Goodman’s Eli Gemstone holding onto it until the early 2000s. One day, when every Gemstone except Kelvin was out of the house, it was stolen by a thief. “Interlude IV” reveals that this thief was Michael Rooker’s Cobb Milsap, the estranged husband of Lori Milsap. He committed the robbery in a drunken rampage, but it could have an even deeper purpose.
According to oneThe Righteous Gemstonestheory,Michael Rooker’s Cobb could be the descendant of Abel Grieves. If this were the case, and Cobb somehow had knowledge of his ancestor’s gold Bible being stolen, it would make sense for him to try and steal it back. Although Cobb’s last name is Milsap and not Grieves, it is entirely possible that he is related to Abel Grieves on his mother’s side. This would fully connect the entire story of “Prelude” to the modernThe Righteous Gemstonestimeline, making Cobb the perfect antagonist forThe Righteous Gemstones' final season.
Cobb Being Grieves' Descendant Would Make Him The Rightful Owner Of The Gemstones' Gold Bible
Cobb Could Just Be Taking It Back
If Cobb truly is the descendant of Abel Grieves, that would make him therightful owner of the Gemstones' gold Bible. Elijah Gemstone stole the Bible many years ago after killing Abel Grieves, and although the Gemstones eventually turned to God, the Bible was never returned. It is likely that Eli and the other descendants don’t know about how the Bible got to them, as they probably wouldn’t hold onto it if they knew the blood that was shed to get it. Whether or not they are knowledgeable about it, the Bible still belongs to the Grieves' family.
Thus, Cobb could have perceived his theft of the Bible as him reclaiming stolen property. While this doesn’t excuse the other actions he takes,such as smashing the Gemstones' items and urinating in Eli’s decanter, it at least softens the blow of the Bible’s theft. However, since this theory hasn’t yet been confirmed, it is impossible to say what actually happened.
Eli & His Kids Paying For Elijah Gemstone’s Sins Would Be A Fitting End For The Righteous Gemstones Season 4
Finally Connecting Season 4 To The “Prelude” Story
The rivalry between the Milsaps and the Gemstones will probably escalate in the rest ofThe Righteous Gemstonesseason 4 and it could be a pretty poetic end to the series.Having the Gemstones pay for the sins of their ancestors would be an interesting thematic point, as so much of the show is already about redemption and characters paying for their pasts. Gideon’s season 1 arc is the perfect example of this, and the return of the Grieves family would force the rest ofThe Righteous Gemstonescast to go through this same redemption.
However, it is entirely possible that this theory isn’t true. Cobb could have simply stolen the Bible to hurt the Gemstones, as the fact that it was displayed signals its value.The Righteous Gemstonesseason 4, episode 7 will undoubtedly provide more information on this, potentially revealing Cobb’s involvement in the present-day harassment of Eli and Lori.
