Sunday, October 14, 2018

'Toon Reviews 23: Steven Universe Season 3 Episode 3: Same Old World


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Same Old World

Despite introducing the big fact that there are more Gems out there, Lapis Lazuli hasn’t appeared much.  The narrative has legit reasons for this, and she’s still compelling as a character, but these factors make one’s desire to see more of her even bigger, at least to me.  With Malachite dispatched, Lapis takes the spotlight once more, and her role here makes for a nice experience. 
She’s at a conflict of what to do, believably not wanting to stay on Earth where she’s reminded of her complicated feelings with the Crystal Gems.  At the same time, she has reasons to not go back to Homeworld.  She’s already put off by how much about it has changed, and trapping Jasper in a fusion could make things worse.  Through her complexities, her bond with Steven, her only friend from Earth, pulls her through. 
While there is a reason why he doesn’t go home with the others, it is a bit contrived that Lion disappears at this moment just so Steven can help Lapis.  For that matter, no one ever questions what takes him so long to come home.  What unfolds however is impactful enough to make these flaws not matter much.  When Steven says she can still live on Earth without being near the Crystal Gems, the cartoon turns to beauty and endearment. 
Much of the time is spent on the two flying around together searching for a home for Lapis made charming by an uplifting musical accompaniment.  At the heart of all this is Steven and Lapis enjoying each other’s company. Steven provides his own understanding and devotion to Earth’s wonders as he explains the benefits of living in certain places.  This really shows how much he’s grown as a teacher to Gems much less experienced with the planet.  He’s even legitimately seeing beauty in the smoggy city of Jersey.  While Lapis isn’t exactly moved by the places, she’s open to looking into them.  Not to mention, with all the bad stuff she’s faced, it’s incredibly pleasing to see her having genuine fun flying around. 
However, as is common with her and what will continue to be common with her, Lapis is unable to truly escape her traumatic past.  One of the places she and Steven end up flying to is the galaxy warp, the warp pads that used to allow Gems to warp anywhere in space.  It was where Lapis was abandoned and imprisoned during the Gem War.  While it does make sense for her to feel traumatized by the sight of the galaxy warp, her backstory is honestly kind of lacking and very basic.  She came to Earth, the war happened, she got poofed and was trapped in a mirror, and when Pearl found it after the war, she stored it inside her gem instead of releasing Lapis.  There are some interesting aspects like Lapis being mistaken for a Crystal Gem, and everyone leaving because of a bright light that gets expanded upon later.  On the whole, what we learn doesn’t match the magnitude of what Lapis suffers through and begs some huge questions. Why was she sent to Earth, and how could she be mistaken for a Crystal Gem?  I’m not saying the backstory is bad.  It’s good and defines Lapis, but for all she’s put through, it could’ve been deeper. 
As for the conclusion, Steven’s teaching skills reach a new high when he refers to a leaf changing color from the flight.  That single artifact reminds Lapis that even if Earth was once a frightening place, it can change for the better because nothing is ever still on Earth.  This gives Lapis enough hope to get to know the planet and live there, at the barn even.  That said, there’s still something to look forward to when she’s shocked at the idea of living with Peridot. 
In the end, this is a cartoon most ought to take flight with for endearing bonds and insight, especially if you’re longing for more of Lapis Lazuli.
A-

The Ranking
  1. Gem Drill
  2. Super Watermelon Island
  3. Same Old World
The next Steven Universe review covers Peridot and Lapis struggling to make living with each other at the barn work.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is Animaniacs Episode 34.
If you would like to check out other Steven Universe reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.

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