If you like this review and want to stay updated for what else I have in store, become a follower of this blog, click here to like the official Facebook page, and click here to follow me on Twitter. Now on with today's review:
Gem Hunt
For this routine Gem mission, a few things make it stand out
as a charming milestone. For one thing,
with the depths of corrupted Gems now known, Steven has a whole new
understanding. Inside every mindless monster is a helpless Gem hurt by the
Diamonds during the Gem War.
It also
brings to light a nice dynamic from those who join him. The reason this mission is such a milestone
is that it’s Connie’s first one. Her
involvement plays to her training with Pearl from last season, so it’s a
benefit to see its results. In
fact, Pearl comes along partially to ensure that Connie has remembered what
she’s learned. There’s an interesting
setting for the action too in the Great North, a vast snowy environment which
is wholesome and nice change of pace from the show’s usual beach
setting.
The one thing that shines the
most during the search for the corrupted Gems is Connie’s determination to be a
valuable team player. It’s huge because
for the longest time, the Gems have been very hesitant to get humans involved
with serious magic business which can get destructive to their well-being. Now with Connie learning sword fighting, the
Gems are slowly entrusting humans to help in missions, and Connie actually
wanting to help fits this concept. Her
chance to prove herself comes when the two corrupted Gems split up with Pearl
going after one while Steven and Connie go after the other.
From there, the main focus is on Connie
taking charge with everything she knows, all playing to her primary character
traits of being knowledgeable and statistical.
It’s not just with sword-fighting, but also with basic wilderness
survival featuring believable skills relevant to the mission. She tracks footprints in the snow,
finds shelter, and makes nourishment out of any good plants in the area when
a blizzard comes. Connie's also really prepared by bringing the appropriate supplies and alternate energy
sources should civilization collapse.
It’s nerdy stuff for sure, but when stating her knowledge, Connie
approaches everything with a youthful tone and upbeat attitude, making for a
nice character to follow. In addition,
her role is enhanced by her comrades. Steven follows her survival techniques in his own way while also applying what he now
knows about corruption, and Pearl gives
motherly guidance through a walkie-talkie.
For all of Connie’s training and smart survival skills though, it leads
to an unexpected conclusion. They find the corrupted Gem, but the
situation is too intense for her to remember her training and take it out. It’s only when Jasper suddenly appears and
brutally rips out the gemstone of the corrupted Gem when the beast is defeated.
All Connie can do is simply contact Pearl for help like she was instructed to do. There’s genuine sympathy for Connie since she
failed to play as big a role as she planned, but it’s very appropriate that
Pearl praises her involvement anyway. As
for Jasper, her menacingly showing those gemstones to “Rose” (Steven) brings a
great show of promise for what she has in store for cartoons to come.
Ultimately, this cartoon is one of the best
put together works of the season. It succeeds with a wholesome snowy setting, great
follow-ups to recent reveals, and character moments bringing
charm and likability to a serious mission.
A+
The Ranking
- Mr. Greg
- Monster Reunion
- Gem Hunt
- Greg the Babysitter
- Alone at Sea
- Gem Drill
- Super Watermelon Island
- Too Short to Ride
- Beach City Drift
- Barn Mates
- Hit the Diamond
- Same Old World
- Kiki’s Pizza Delivery Service
- Steven Floats
- Restaurant Wars
- The New Lars
- Drop Beat Dad
The next Steven Universe review is on Amethyst offering an interesting lackadaisical training approach that works for Steven and Connie, but not herself.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is "Down the Hatch" and "Road Rash" from Rocko's Modern Life.
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