Sunday, November 11, 2018

Too Short to Ride (Steven Universe Season 3 Episode 9) - 'Toon Reviews 23


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Too Short to Ride
The abilities of Gems are some of the most noteworthy pieces of this show’s lore, and this cartoon shows that they’re the kind you wish you could have. 
The principal characters are the ever short Steven, Amethyst, and Peridot without her limb enhancers.  This team-up is a fitting not just because they’re all small, but they’re the characters Peridot has the best relationship with.  Befriending Steven is a given considering his friendly nature, as shown in the beginning when he offers Peridot a tablet whose features make up for her lost finger screens.  Amethyst, on the other hand, has a previously established connection with Peridot who held her in highest regard based on the customs of Homeworld she used to follow.  Now they have more legit bond as Amethyst invites Peridot to join her and Steven at Beach City’s amusement park Funland. 
Before, Funland was a backdrop for a few mostly lesser cartoons, but for what it brings for the characters, this cartoon is the best use of the location.  The time at Funland is enhanced by the special Gem abilities, at least from two of the three characters.  The ability on display is shapeshifting, something Amethyst does a lot, and it’s what helps her and Steven enjoy themselves. They stretch themselves to be tall enough to ride a roller coaster, enjoy funhouse mirrors, and win a rigged ring toss. 
As for Peridot, something’s clearly up with her when she doesn’t come along and shapeshift with Steven and Amethyst, especially since we’ve been led to believe that all Gems can do it.  She stands around and uses her new tablet until the sight of a big alien doll as a prize at the ring toss convinces her to join the fun.  When Amethyst’s shapeshifting landing one ring isn’t enough for the doll, the truth comes out that Peridot is so negative about shapeshifting because she can’t do it herself.  Her depressed way of admitting this is an interesting change of pace.  Peridot mostly makes herself look like the best and smartest Gem of all, but lamenting about what she can’t do makes her feel the opposite way, making herself better-rounded. 
Following some enjoyable attempts to help Peridot shapeshift, there’s interesting depth to why she can’t do it that also adds to the lore and history of the show.  Relating to the need for Gem colonies, resources on Homeworld are dwindling, so when Peridot was created for the second era of Gems, she didn’t come with shapeshifting.  This small tidbit alone makes the cartoon stand out.  We didn’t have to go this deep with Peridot’s inability, but we did, and it says a lot about her and Homeworld. 
Through it all, Amethyst is mature and tries to get it through Peridot that she’s fine the way she is.  However, when she takes Peridot’s tablet and throws it away, Peridot ends up saving it by controlling the metal it’s made of.  There’s something inspiring about this where you might not be able to do one thing, but you can still surprise yourself with a new great ability.  Would it have been stronger if Peridot ended the cartoon fine with who she is without discovering she has this power?  Yes, but since controlling metal is much like how she controlled her old limb enhancers and we continue to see this ability, the ending works as it is. 
That’s not even accounting for that adorable hug when Peridot finally wins that alien. 
The cartoon turns out to be a great one to develop Peridot’s character and the nature of this show all unfolding in a place as fun as an amusement park called Funland.
A

The Ranking
  1. Mr. Greg
  2. Gem Drill
  3. Super Watermelon Island
  4. Too Short to Ride
  5. Barn Mates
  6. Hit the Diamond
  7. Same Old World
  8. Steven Floats
  9. Drop Beat Dad

The next Steven Universe review gets a little disturbing when Steven helps Lars be a better person by taking over his body.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is Animaniacs Episode 42.
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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