Is Keefe Gay in Righteous Gemstones?

Adam Devine in The Righteous Gemstones (Photo: Jake Giles Netter/HBO)

At last, the most amorous relationship displayed on The Righteous Gemstones seizes its moment in the sun. Amongst all the Gemstone family pairings, Kelvin (Adam Devine) and Keefe (Tony Cavalero) have consistently been the two individuals who appeared to genuinely relish being around one another the most, devoid of any covert motives. For years, they've been the series' ongoing will-they/won't-they dynamic, with the foremost obstacle seeming to be Kelvin's hesitance to concede that he is, in reality, gay.

It's no wonder why he desired to keep it under wraps — Christianity bears a lengthy past of condemning homosexuality, and the Gemstones' church was constructed around firm heterosexual family principles. But those concepts do not come into play when Kelvin's revelation ultimately manifests in Season Three, Episode Eight, titled 'I Will Take You By the Hand and Keep You.' There's no melodramatic come-to-Jesus instance (literally or figuratively) grappling with his orientation, no fraught familial dialogue; it's scarcely even a plot element in the episode. Kelvin simply opts that now is the appropriate time and kisses Keefe out in the open, without any fear or uncertainty.

The sweetest moment between Keefe and Kelvin actually precedes that. While Keefe is administering a very deep-tissue butt massage (it wouldn't be The Righteous Gemstones devoid of some male nudity), he questions Kelvin if he's dating Taryn (Maggie Winters), the woman who replaced Keefe as a youth group instructor. Kelvin instantly rejects the idea. 'I enjoy doing claps and laughter with you,' he states. 'Taryn is pleasant and all, but she's not you.'

The interchange emphasizes that while the pair's long-implied attraction to one another has been the wellspring of numerous sexual insinuations and homoerotic jokes throughout the series, their bond is about much more than that. It's been evident to the viewers and the rest of the Gemstones as well — Jesse (Danny McBride), Judy (Edi Patterson), and BJ (Tim Baltz) barely take notice of Kelvin's public display of affection, instead offering approving nods and looks of pride now that they know for certain that their brother is "getting some."

Things may have played out differently had the Gemstone siblings not just shared a near-death ordeal in 'Burn For Burn, Wood For Wood, Stripe For Stripe.' This is a triad who, more often than not, has harshly judged each other's every move, especially when it involves romantic relationships. Earlier in the season, Judy's infidelity was viewed as a threat to the church, leading her to pay Kristy (Casey Wilson) $500,000 to sign an NDA regarding the matter. The unveiling of Kelvin and Keefe's love could have generated a scandal, too — if not over religious disapproval of same-sex relationships, then at least because of Keefe's recent demotion within the church due to what was actually Kelvin's scheme to acquire and destroy sex toys.

But post-abduction, the Gemstones are akin to golden children — they are greeted with a rousing welcome from their congregation upon their return, which reinforces that confidence. And in the aftermath of their experience, they concur that being more true to themselves and sticking together is the key to the church's prosperity. Jesse and Judy's backing of Kelvin serves as evidence that they are earnest.

Whether or not Kelvin's sexuality unsettles others in his circle or the church's congregation from here remains to be determined. Now that The Righteous Gemstones has been renewed for a fourth season, there's more scope to potentially explore (and satirize, as the show so adeptly does) the outspoken faction of homophobic Christians. But for now, allowing a high-profile, God-fearing man to confidently emerge in the church without conflict seems like a turning point for the Gemstones. For most of their lives, they've labored diligently to appear as what they believed the perfect leaders of a church should look, act, and speak like. They went to considerable efforts to conceal any facet of themselves that didn't align with that, and looked down on others who didn't do the same. With a fresh perspective on life and the freedom to embrace their true selves, the Gemstones might at last reflect genuine Christian principles of love, acceptance, and empathy.

The Righteous Gemstones is broadcast Sundays at ten in the evening Eastern Time on HBO and Max. Participate in the conversation about the show in our forums.

Brianna Wellen is a TV Reporter at Primetimer who became obsessed with television when her parents allowed her to stay up late to watch E.R.