Meet Kelvin and Keefe – Are They Streaming TV's Newest Queer Couple?

This article contains spoilers for "The Righteous Gemstones."

Season 3 of "The Righteous Gemstones" often resembled its far more respected HBO sibling "Succession" with the three children of evangelical leader Eli Gemstone (John Goodman) wrestling with control of his megachurch. As in "Succession," the siblings are spoiled narcissists, but very funny spoiled narcissists as portrayed by the series creator Danny McBride (Jesse), the phenomenal Edi Patterson (Judy), and Kelvin (Adam DeVine).

By far the sweetest plot point developed over three seasons was the nurturing romance between Kelvin and Keefe Chambers (Tony Cavalero), a former Satanist who was converted by Kelvin, which finally ended with a kiss in the Season 3 two-part finale, which aired in late July.

Throughout the three seasons the attraction between Kelvin and Keefe was played for comedy, the punchline being that they were the only ones who didn't know that they were gay. What else can be said about a pair that run The God Squad – hunky bodybuilders recruited to be disciples of Kelvin who plan on traveling to Israel to walk in Jesus' steps.

That the Squad looked like the cast of a Raging Stallion film only added to the over-the-top homoerotic subtext. For proof, check out the "Bear the Cross" challenge that must be seen to be believed. And the Kelvin/Keefe/God Squad situation only led to more speculation about the men's sexuality. "Throughout the series, there are heavy implications that the writers have plans to take the character (Kelvin) toward that direction in the future," wrote The Cinemaholic. "But, for now, they seem to be content by writing the character into hilarious and homoerotic situations."

But in Season 3, Kelvin's and Keefe's relationship – "though not outwardly romantic – is put to the test," Distractify said. Kelvin creates an anti-porn group called "Smut Busters" that has Keefe buy out the stock of porn shops. The pair also do Bible study with kids, but when parents learn of Keefe's porn store buys and his Satanic past, he's ostracized and replaced by the bubbly Taryn (Maggie Winters), who pursues Kelvin (while Kelvin is clearly distraught about losing Keefe).

But before this romantic triangle can be fully explored, Kelvin and his siblings are kidnapped and held for ransom by their angry uncle Peter Montgomery (Steve Zahn) and the Christian militia he rules over. In the crisis Keefe snaps into action to help rescue Kelvin and his help is welcomed by the Gemstones in a sweet comic moment of solidarity. This, though, is nothing new – over the show's three seasons, Keefe attended family events always as Kelvin's plus-one with the family taking a "don't ask/don't tell attitude.

After they are rescued, the three siblings prepare to address their congregation; and when heading to the stage, Jesse and Judy kiss their respective spouses, while Kelvin only hugs Keefe. But after walking away, he returns and kisses Keefe, then confidently returns to his siblings who give him thumbs-up signs of approval.

Was Kelvin coming out? It seems that way.

Watch the kiss between Kelvin and Keefe.

In the second half of the two-part finale when Kelvin and Keefe are out on a Smut Busters operation, they have a conversation about not judging people for what they do behind closed doors. Is this a not-too-subtle nudge to Keefe about what they could be doing behind closed doors? Again, such is the implication, and it was the first time the couple acknowledged, if only furtively, that they have an intimate relationship. Blogger Boomer Beefcake offered a full vetting of Kelvin and Keefe's relationship.

To see the Gemstone family embrace Kelvin and Keefe in a big family reunion that concluded the third season was a lovely expression of queer affinity. But where do Kelvin and Keefe fit in the fabric of the Gemstone's religious beliefs? The show has avoided any discussion of the church's views on controversial social issues, such as homosexuality, but the visibility of Kelvin and Keefe will bring the issue to the forefront in Season 4. Will Eli be waving a PFlag banner? That remains to be seen. But balancing the inherently homophobic values of evangelical Christianity (which the Gemstones represent) and a progressive attitude about same-sex relationships may be the challenge that showrunners McBride and his writers face in the next season. For now, take a moment and toast Kelvin for kissing Keefe and (seemingly) coming out at long last.

"The Righteous Gemstones" is streaming on Max.