The Best Episodes Written By John Carcieri

After decades of animosity, tensions between the Montgomerys and the Gemstones finally come to a head. As Eli faces an impossible decision, Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin prepare to meet their maker.

Still reeling from their father’s revelation, Kelvin and Jesse conspire to put Eli in his place. As BJ’s baptism approaches, Judy clashes with her in-laws, while Baby Billy struggles with his own growing family.

After doubling-down on their efforts to invest in Zion’s Landing, Jesse and Amber scramble for the cash. Meanwhile, Eli’s attempts to dodge a big-city reporter spell doom for the Gemstones.

Christmas, 1993. While Eli considers a tempting offer from an old friend, Baby Billy crashes the Gemstones’ celebrations.

With Eli temporarily out of the picture, the Gemstone siblings are left to quarrel over who’s in charge – until some wise words help pave a way forward. As Tiffany tracks down Baby Billy, Gideon faces his future.

While the Gemstones celebrate the launch of Zion’s Landing, Baby Billy faces a chance to embrace fatherhood.

After surviving a harrowing attack, Jesse takes matters into his own hands. Eli attempts to make amends, while Kelvin struggles to control his flock.

2000. After a Y2K doomsday fails to materialize, Eli and Aimee-Leigh find themselves flooded with criticism from their congregants…and the Montgomerys. Later, the arrival of Jesse’s girlfriend Amber throws an already fragile Judy for a loop.

Russell’s birthday bash is marred by a revelation about his wife’s college boyfriend.

Gamby fingers a suspect, with Dayshawn’s help. Russell tests out a kindness strategy at school.

Aimee-Leigh's elderly brother Baby Billy returns to the Gemstone ministry, bringing along his much younger wife Tiffany. Jesse closes ranks on his co-conspirators to root out the identity of his blackmailers.

Gamby and Russell look to finish what they started; Gamby confronts Amanda about her relationship with Hayden.

Recovering from his wounds, Gamby returns to a dramatically changed North Jackson High.

The school year comes to a startling end.

Judy and Martin take Gideon behind-the scenes of the Gemstone enterprise. Eli tasks Kelvin with doing a “satanic sweep” for Dot, the rebellious teen daughter of the church’s biggest donors. Jesse and his friends are thrown for a loop when Chad’s wife finds some disturbing emails.

Eli questions his children's future in the Gemstone ministry. Jesse struggles to keep his marriage together. Judy opens up to BJ about her past. A disillusioned Kelvin embraces his dark side. Season One Finale.

Gamby and Russell play their end game with Dr. Brown.

Gamby’s search for his shooter leads him into a novelist’s graduate-school class. Russell’s ire is fueled by an unflattering caricature.

In 1989, young Jesse, Judy and Baby Billy each deal with the news that Aimee-Leigh is pregnant in their own unique way, while Eli looks to grow his family’s prospects.

A death in Russell’s family forces Gamby to step up to the plate as North Jackson’s acting principal.

Gamby and Russell eye a homecoming football game as a way to further break Dr. Brown’s spirit.

Dr. Brown orders Gamby to lighten up on discipline; Russell copes with a disruptive neighbor.

Amanda makes a deal with Gamby, while Dr. Brown takes a veteran teacher to task over a shipment of missing books.

Gamby bonds with Amanda during teacher workday; Russell’s patience is tested; Dr. Brown deals with the sudden appearance of her ex-husband, Dascious.

Tensions between Gamby and Russell come to a head as prom night approaches.