'Toon Reviews 6: Steven Universe Season 1 Episode 10

Steven’s Lion

Here, we have another cartoon that introduces us to what becomes one of the most prominent elements.  As he’s just a young kid, it’s only natural that Steven would want to have a pet and that we’d get a cartoon where he finds one.  Factoring in the magic element of this show, the pet Steven ends up with is a rather interesting one.  While the Crystal Gems set off to retrieve a Gem called the Desert Glass, Steven is left behind, and this is where he comes across a large pink lion who he names Lion.  The big thing to take from their first meeting is that even though Lion is a predator, he sees Steven as a friend and they both hit it off well with meaningful interactions.  They at first seem like a good pair, but it soon becomes clear that Lion is one mysterious pet, not just attributing that he’s pink or has glowing eyes.  After Steven leaves the desert with the Gems, Lion follows Steven all the way home, making him believe that Lion wants to be his pet.  However, every time Steven tries to get Lion to hang out with him, Lion just doesn’t seem interested, particularly during a scene where he tries to introduce many Beach City residents to him at the local pizza shop, Fish Stew Pizza, which does include some funny reactions from them when they believe that Steven was “lyin’” (get it?).  The moments are certainly enjoyable in a comedic sense, but they also get you to wonder if Lion really does want to be Steven’s pet.  A major straw is broken when Lion shows all his interests in the Desert Glass that Amethyst left lying about, sending Steven into a fit of rage where throws it on the beach.  Steven’s understandable hurt feelings aside, this action really gets the resolution going as the Desert Glass uses the beach sand to build the same column structure it built in the desert.  As Steven struggles to get it off the sand, Lion rushes in, and with powerful roars, helps Steven reach the Desert Glass, eliminating the structure.  While you do have to question why the Gems didn’t bubble, that is contain within a bubble and send to the temple, the Desert Glass right away, or better yet let Amethyst hold onto it as opposed to a more responsible Gem, this moment does show that Lion truly does consider Steven a friend which establishes him becoming his pet.  This is appropriate after what seemed like a moment of betrayal.  Plus, if you think Lion’s powerful roars are impressive, we learn so much more creative aspects to Lion’s character for the rest of the show, enticing his status as a mysterious beast.  His first moments and potential for the future here, along with the sense of fun boy and pet shenanigans from Steven, and the Gem lore from the moments with the Desert Glass make this a strong entry from this part of the season. 9/10

The Ranking

1. Bubble Buddies
2. Laser Light Cannon
3. Steven’s Lion
4. Gem Glow
5. Cheeseburger Backpack
6. Serious Steven
7. Cat Fingers
8. Tiger Millionaire
9. Together Breakfast
10. Frybo

Be sure to stay tuned for the review of the next episode where we learn that arcade games can be addicting to even someone as serious as Garnet in "Arcade Mania."

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