The Righteous Gemstones: Will Jesse Choose Gideon Over Stallone?
In The Righteous Gemstones Season 4 Episode 6, Jesse Gemstone proudly announces to his family that he and Amber have decided to name their soon-to-be-born son “Stallone,” after Jesse’s favorite actor, Sylvester Stallone. However, by the end of the episode, a touching conversation with his father Eli introduces the biblical name “Gideon” as an alternative option, leaving viewers wondering if Jesse will change his mind.
When Jesse first reveals the name choice at the dinner table, it’s met with mixed reactions from the family. Jesse is enthusiastic about the name, declaring that “Stallone Gemstone is badass-sounding” and that no other child in his son’s class will have the same name, making him memorable. Jesse also appreciates the connection to the actor Sylvester Stallone, mentioning that he and Amber enjoyed visiting Stallone’s Planet Hollywood restaurant in Orlando.
However, not everyone shares Jesse’s excitement. Judy, Jesse’s sister, immediately points out that “Stallone Gemstone” rhymes in an odd way. Other family members also seem unimpressed with the name choice, though Jesse remains firmly committed to it, telling everyone they “better learn to love it” because that’s what they’ll be calling his son for the rest of their lives.
The tone shifts later in the episode following the break-in at the Gemstone lake house. In a rare moment of vulnerability, Jesse asks his father if he and his mother could ever get divorced, referencing the failing marriage of family friends Cobb and Lori Freeman. Eli assures his son that he will be with Jesse’s mother “until the end of my days,” which clearly comforts Jesse and makes him reflect on his own upcoming marriage and family.
During this heart-to-heart conversation, Eli casually suggests an alternative name for Jesse’s baby: Gideon. Unlike the brash announcement of “Stallone” earlier, this suggestion comes in a quiet, thoughtful moment between father and son. Eli explains the biblical significance of the name, telling Jesse that Gideon was called upon by God to save the Israelites. Despite having serious doubts, Gideon raised an army and was victorious. When the Israelites wanted to make him king afterward, Gideon refused, saying “There is no king but God.”
Jesse’s reaction to this suggestion is notably different from his earlier defensive stance about the name Stallone. He seems genuinely interested in the story and the meaning behind the name, calling it “pretty tight, actually.” He even thoughtfully repeats the name “Gideon” to himself, as if trying it out, before acknowledging that he’ll “have to run that by the missus.”
This exchange suggests that Jesse may be reconsidering his initial name choice. The timing of Eli’s suggestion is significant, coming during a moment when Jesse is thinking about the strength and longevity of family bonds. The name Gideon, with its connotations of faith, leadership, and humility before God, aligns with the values that the Gemstone family, for all their flaws, claim to uphold.
Jesse’s receptiveness to the name Gideon also reveals an often-hidden side of his character. While he typically presents himself as rebellious and independent, this moment shows that he still values his father’s input and respects the religious traditions of his family. The fact that he’s willing to consider a biblical name over his initial choice shows growth in his character as he prepares to become a father himself.
It’s also worth noting that Amber, Jesse’s fiancée and the mother of his child, doesn’t seem fully on board with the name Stallone in the first place. When Jesse makes the announcement, she appears uncomfortable and says, “Let’s just discuss this later,” suggesting she’s not as committed to the name as Jesse is. This leaves the door open for the couple to choose a different name, possibly Gideon, especially if Amber prefers the biblical connection.
The contrast between the two name options represents the dual nature of Jesse’s character and the choices he faces as he transitions into fatherhood. Stallone represents Jesse’s more worldly, pop-culture-influenced side, while Gideon represents his religious upbringing and family legacy. His choice between these names will symbolize which aspects of his identity he wants to pass on to his son.
While the episode doesn’t provide a definitive answer about which name Jesse and Amber will ultimately choose, the thoughtful way Jesse receives Eli’s suggestion of Gideon, combined with Amber’s apparent hesitation about Stallone, hints that the biblical name might win out in the end.
The name decision also connects to larger themes in the show about legacy, faith, and family identity. The Gemstones are a family whose wealth and status are built on their religious ministry, yet they often struggle to live up to the values they preach. The choice between naming their newest member after a movie star or a biblical hero encapsulates this ongoing tension within the family.
As Jesse prepares for fatherhood, he seems to be maturing and considering what values he wants to instill in his child. Whether he chooses Gideon over Stallone will be a telling indicator of his growth and his vision for his family’s future. Based on his reaction in this episode, there’s a good chance that baby Gemstone might indeed become Gideon rather than Stallone.
