'Toon Reviews 15: Steven Universe Season 2 Episode 21: Too Far

Too Far

Construction of the drill begins for real, but the trend of Peridot getting to know her current enemies and Earth continues.  

She still has entertaining observations to what the planet provides. They include using a simple tape recorder to record her logs and having weird names for certain body parts much to Amethyst’s amusement.  In addition, Peridot still holds onto certain Gem prejudices brought about by Homeworld which actually brings one of her most meaningful bonds of the series. 

While it’s wrong to be judgmental, there’s no harm in poking a little fun at the shortcomings of others behind their back. When Peridot goes to the Kindergarten to get a part of its injectors for the drill with Amethyst and Steven as assigned chaperones, she and Amethyst get closer over their comments on said shortcomings.  Every time Peridot mentions what she finds strange about certain Crystal Gems, Amethyst takes the comments as a joke which Peridot seems pleased about.  Peridot also points out that even though she’s small and reckless and follows the orders of everyone else, as a Quartz-type Gem, Amethyst outranks everyone on the team.  Amethyst finds this amusing at first, but then Peridot makes her feel uneasy. 

At the same time, the new information further develops Amethyst’s background.  We already know she was made on Earth in this very Kindergarten as opposed to Homeworld, but Peridot adds on how Amethyst ended up small when she’s not supposed to be, right down to happily pointing out the hole Amethyst came out of and how it’s different from all the others.  This is where poking fun at others causes problems, ending up going too far.  Peridot is saying hurtful things about Amethyst’s background, something Amethyst is already sensitive about, and seems pleased with herself for doing so, and Amethyst gets visibly hurt about not living up to the expected status, all because she emerged from her hole late.  Despite being hurtful, Peridot is still likable when it’s later shown that she was just trying to be funny and enjoyed Amethyst finding humor in what she said, and feels smaller when Amethyst ignores her calls for her.  In other words, Peridot really meant no harm to Amethyst, and this is further proven in an exciting scenee where she accidentally starts the drill and it runs loose, but she quickly gets Amethyst out of the way while Steven stops it. 

However, it’s the last moment of the cartoon where Peridot proves that she genuinely wants to better understand Earth.  Through nothing but the sound of her tape recording, the emotional effects of the message are greatly felt, showing that Periodt realizes she’s no better than what she’s found wrong with the planet, and that she now knows to be careful with the words she uses.  The whole message is capped off by Amethyst simply thanking Peridot ,and Peridot feeling bigger as a result, which is all we get, but all we really need to get invested in the heart of the moment, especially since Amethyst and Peridot keep up their bond in seasons to come. 

For adding to Peridot’s appeal and development, giving more information on one of the established protagonists, and offering a strong message to walk away with, this cartoon is one of this season’s most powerful. 10/10

The Ranking

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

The next Steven Universe review is a big one as we hear the thrilling story of Garnet's origins.

Next time on MC Toon Reviews is the next review for Rocko's Modern Life on "Keeping Up With the Bigheads" and "Skid Marks."

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