The throne room in HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones is a hilarious and extravagant spectacle, rivaling the opulence of Game of Thrones. In this uniquely American empire, the three church leaders hold court on absurd issues like Bible-themed game shows and scandal management. The Gemstones’ throne room combines their immense wealth and lack of self-awareness to create a gaudy masterpiece.
The Gemstone children sit atop fluffy purple chairs on an elevated platform, looking down on their subjects. The room features a massive compass, an illuminated world map, and small dove statues hanging from the chandelier. But the true showstoppers are the gigantic statues of the siblings, resembling religious icons. Judy appears angelic with a dove above her head, Kelvin holds a sleeping baby, and Jesse stands strong in armor with lion-headed shield and majestic wings.
Production designer Richard A. Wright, a long-time collaborator with Danny McBride, brought these extravagant ideas to life. The statues, standing at 16 feet tall, were meticulously crafted from rigid styrofoam and painted to perfection. They symbolize the Gemstones’ hubris as the new monarchs of their world, while also satirizing their self-importance in their faith.
The Gemstones’ over-the-top evangelical excess is further exemplified by The Redeemer, a massive monster truck owned by Jesse. Built specifically for the show, multiple versions of the truck were created by The Metal Shop. The prop posed a challenge, but the joy it brought to the set was immeasurable. The special effects team even added a fire-breathing apparatus to the truck, creating a universal sense of awe and excitement.
| Original | Paraphrased |
|---|---|
| The Righteous Gemstones is a hilarious drama about an American empire and its eccentric heirs. | The Righteous Gemstones is a funny show about an American empire and its quirky heirs. |
| The Gemstones’ throne room is ridiculous and extravagant, featuring fluffy purple chairs and gigantic statues of the siblings. | The Gemstones’ throne room is over-the-top, with purple chairs and massive statues of the siblings. |
| The statues symbolize the Gemstones’ hubris and their role as the new monarchs of their world. | The statues represent the Gemstones’ arrogance and their position as the new rulers. |
| The Redeemer, a monster truck owned by Jesse, was built for the show and includes a fire-breathing apparatus. | The Redeemer, Jesse’s monster truck, was custom-made for the show and even has a fire-breathing feature. |
Source: polygon
