'Toon Reviews 15: Steven Universe Season 2 Episode 17: Sadie's Song

Sadie’s Song

While not to the same heartwarming effect as the last cartoon, this one follows a similar theme of mother-daughter conflicts, this time featuring Sadie.  It also reveals interesting details on her character.  Her past appearances have shown her as a soft-spoken teen who works at The Big Donut, and has a complicated relationship with her co-worker (who, by the way, doesn’t do anything major this season). 

When Steven comes along advertising for this year’s Beach-a-Palooza event, he hears her sing a cheesy yet addictive pop song, and it shows that she has talent.  Steven, innocent as ever, wants Sadie to express what she’s capable of by putting on a singing act for the event.  It’s clear that Sadie is uneasy about this given her hesitation when she agrees to the idea, and her feelings only build.  She and Steven go to her house to practice which further introduces us to Sadie’s lifestyle.  She uses the basement as her room which she dubs a “bunker,” which makes a lot of sense when her mom, Barb, appears.  If her constantly bringing home Sadie stuffed animals that aren’t even her thing wasn’t a clear sign, Barb being a huge overbearing force towards Sadie performing is a huge factor in the complexities between them.  Sadie tries to keep the whole thing secret, but when she finds she has no choice but to reveal it, Barbara is quick to get on all aspects of the preparations, mostly involving Sadie’s appearance.  There’s even proof that she’s been this overbearing with other things Sadie has taken up in life as they go through her clothes. 

Parents overblowing what their kids tell them is a common occurrence, and what goes on here is a well-staged and believable instance of this explaining why there are some things kids just can’t tell them.  However, just because Barbara going overboard with preparing Sadie for Beach-a-Palooza is relatable, doesn’t mean it’s enjoyable, especially when Steven gets involved.  The both of them putting Sadie through intense makeovers and walk practices makes them look oblivious and inconsiderate which is really disappointing coming from Steven, and putting up with a lot of this effects the cartoon’s entertainment.  They don’t even consider that Sadie wants to keep the act simple and not make a big deal of it like they are. 

Thankfully, when Beach-a-Palooza comes and Sadie finally has enough with how Steven and her mom are trying to stage her act, and lets out her frustrations of Barbara’s control over her life.  The payoff is satisfying with Sadie finally making her feelings understood, and Steven singing in her place while wearing the dress she was going to wear, adding a comedic touch.  It’s not perfect though since we never hear a resolution between Sadie and her mom, with it being inaudible while the song plays.  We can see things are well for them, but it would’ve been better if their resolution wasn’t overshadowed.  As for other good things, it’s nice that this cartoon turns out relevant with Sadie singing peacefully in the end, foreshadowing her doing more with her talents and eventually becoming a star with it in later seasons. 

Despite its overbearing characters and its less-than-stellar approach to family conflicts compared to the previous cartoon, this one is still very good as it is for how it builds on Sadie’s character and how the story builds up to a respectable finish. 8/10

The Ranking

1. Sworn to the Sword
2. Keystone Motel
3. Friend Ship
4. Nightmare Hospital
5. Chille Tid
6. Cry for Help
7. Keeping it Together
8. Full Disclosure
9. We Need to Talk
10. Reformed
11. Historical Friction
12. Joy Ride
13. Say Uncle
14. Onion Friend
15. Rising Tides, Crashing Skies
16. Sadie’s Song
17. Love Letters

The next Steven Universe review will feature Peridot finally getting caught, in turn leading to some interesting events.

Next time on MC Toon Reviews is another Hey Arnold review on "Arnold and Lila" and "Grand Prix."

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