Why Jesse Does THAT To Vance Simkins

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Righteous Gemstones season 4, episode 3!
The Righteous Gemstones season 4, episode 3 is finally here, and here is what happens at the end of the episode, including why Jesse Gemstone decides to do that to Vance Simkins. The Righteous Gemstones got off to an interesting start, with episode 1 entirely being a flashback focused on Bradley Cooper’s Elijah Gemstone during the Civil War. Episode 2 finally reintroduced the main cast of The Righteous Gemstones, focusing on the Gemstones as they prepared for the Aimee-Leigh Gemstone Birthday Give-a-Thon. Now, The Righteous Gemstones season 4, episode 3 is getting the ball rolling even further.
The main story of The Righteous Gemstones season 4, episode 3 focuses on Eli attempting to hide his relationship with Lori, the best friend of the late Aimee-Leigh Gemstone, from his three children. Meanwhile, Jesse is in a conflict with Eli over their mentorship of Jesse’s oldest son, Gideon. Kelvin is attempting to run his new LGBTQ+ friendly branch of Gemstone Ministries, leading to him getting nominated for the Christ Following Man of the Year competition. Finally, Judy had to deal with the fallout of BJ’s pole dancing accident, with her fearing that she may lose him.
Jesse Has His Friends Burn Down Vance Simkins’ Church In Season 4, Episode 3
After They Open A Location Across From The Gemstones
Jesse’s four friends were big parts of the story of The Righteous Gemstones season 1, with them also being in the drug-fueled sex tape that was being used to blackmail the Gemstones. Since then, they have been rehabilitated and made part of Jesse’s leadership team, with them reporting to Jesse about news from across Gemstone Ministries. In The Righteous Gemstones season 4, episode 3, the leadership team reports to Jesse while he is mentoring Gideon. They tell him that Vance Simkins has opened a brand-new church across from a Gemstones campus.
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Although he is angry, Jesse attempts to set a good example for his son. He decides to preach a sermon about Gemstone Ministries followers who have moved to Vance Simkins’ church, as it seen at the end of the episode. However, under the cover of night, Jesse’s leadership time puts on masks and burns down the Simkins’ campus. It isn’t explicitly revealed that Jesse ordered them to do this. However, based on their track record, it would be out of character for them to make this drastic move without Jesse’s approval.
The Simkins were the Gemstones’ main rivals in The Righteous Gemstones season 3, although the Gemstones ended up beating them by winning the allegiance of NASCAR driver Dusty Daniels. However, the Simkins seem to be gaining ground, with Jesse clearly being flustered by their encounter at the Cape and Pistol Society. In the wake of Eli’s retirement, Jesse can’t let the Simkins win, explaining his order to burn the church down.
The Gemstones’ Rivalry With The Simkins May Continue To Heat Up In Season 4
After Jesse’s Arson Decision
Jesse’s drastic decision regarding the new Simkins church will celarly have some impacts on the future of The Righteous Gemstones season 4, meaning that the rivalry between the Gemstones and the Simkins will undoubtedly continue to heat up throughout season 4. Although the Simkins played a role in The Righteous Gemstones season 3, they were forgotten about for a majority of the season, with their storyline not really returning until the finale. However, this episode 3 cliffhanger teases that they will play a much bigger role in The Righteous Gemstones season 4.
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Although Jesse and Vance are the ones who are feuding in season 4, episode 3, this action will probably get the other two Gemstones and the other two Simkins involved. News of Vance’s church burning down will undoubtedly spread, leading to fingers being pointed. The Simkins family will most likely retaliate, finding a way to get revenge on the Gemstones. This could be one of the main stories in The Righteous Gemstones season 4, building off of the Simkins’ season 3 story.
Jesse’s Leadership Team Actions Could Be A Bad Sign For Gideon
Jesse has been jealous that Gideon is going to Eli for guidance on his path to becoming a minister, which is what led to Jesse and Gideon’s encounter with the leadership team. Although Jesse wants to set a good example for Gideon, the decision to burn down Vance Simkins’ church is a sign that Jesse is going back to his old ways. Since Gideon already started out as a criminal in The Righteous Gemstones season 1, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Jesse’s bad behavior would put Gideon back on the wrong path. However, it is impossible to say until The Righteous Gemstones continues.
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