Wednesday, October 4, 2017

'Toon Reviews 6: Steven Universe Season 1 Episode 33

Garnet’s Universe








The best way to describe this cartoon is that it’s the kind of thing that makes you question what the heck you just watched when it’s over.  The center of it is innocent and cute enough apparent right from the opening scene of Steven playfully greeting Garnet as she returns from a Gem mission going right into the main plot which is his interpretation of what she did.  One admirable thing about this is that we’re treated to an art style that nicely interprets Steven’s childlike mindset with everything being simply drawn, colored, and animated.  It’s an especially appropriate look given that Steven’s interpretation adds many off-the-wall elements to Garnet’s adventure such as her being accompanied by a warrior rabbit and a brainy frog who reads other people’s power while making hop puns.  It also has some of the people in his life take on the form of foes that Garnet may have faced that day such as a fox creature said to want to absorb the powers of a Gem resembling Lars and a supposed ally with hair shaped like an onion ring who later turns out to be the real bad guy called Ringo resembling Ronaldo.  Perhaps the reason these guys are interpreted as antagonizing forces is that Steven, for how friendly and loving he is to everyone, really does know that they have serious problems.  Anyway, a major element added to Steven’s interpretation is several instances of Garnet constantly hoping to get through the mission so she can get back to Steven, which adds in a good amount of heart to the story. It really invests the audience as Garnet sets off on her mission with her animal friends, trains herself to become powerful enough to beat the fox creature, and struggle to find a way to fight back Ringo when he double-crosses her.  The childlike tone of Steven’s story gives the cartoon a unique feel that demonstrates how limitless a child’s imagination, as well as animation, truly is.  At the same time, so many things happen so fast that it’s hard to process them.  The story goes from Garnet meeting her friends, then going on the mission, then training, then Ringo’s deception, and then the final battle at such a brisk pace, making it hard to interpret what the whole story is even about.  Plus, it doesn’t have a good connection to the main aspects of the show, especially with the Gem giving others super powers when we haven’t been shown anything of the sort prior or after this cartoon.  The big kicker is that Garnet confirms that what Steven interpreted didn’t happen at all, making this whole cartoon pointless and costing it value.  Even at that, it still has a lot of good to it for its unique imaginative approach.  Ultimately, it’s good if you want to watch something fun albeit a bit mindless, but for its lack of importance, it’s not a must-watch. 7/10
The Ranking
  1. Ocean Gem
  2. Coach Steven
  3. Mirror Gem
  4. An Indirect Kiss
  5. Space Race
  6. So Many Birthdays
  7. Steven the Sword Fighter
  8. Lion 2: The Movie
  9. Bubble Buddies
  10. Monster Buddies
  11. Laser Light Cannon
  12. Giant Woman
  13. Lars and the Cool Kids
  14. Steven’s Lion
  15. Gem Glow
  16. Steven and the Stevens
  17. Island Adventure
  18. Rose’s Room
  19. Cheeseburger Backpack
  20. Secret Team
  21. House Guest
  22. Serious Steven
  23. Joking Victim
  24. Beach Party
  25. Cat Fingers
  26. Tiger Millionaire
  27. Together Breakfast
  28. Fusion Cuisine
  29. Frybo
  30. Onion Trade
  31. Arcade Mania
  32. Garnet’s Universe
  33. Keep Beach City Weird
Be sure to stay tuned for the review of the next episode which is much more substantial, at least for what happens later, "Watermelon Steven."
If you would like to check out other reviews on this blog, click here for the guide to all the reviews posted so far.

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