Earthlings (Steven Universe Season 3 Episode 22) - 'Toon Reviews 23

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Earthlings

Right after a cartoon explaining Jasper’s Kindergarten, status, and army plans, this is the thrilling continuation.  With greatly-executed milestones and gripping development, we have a truly grand work to discuss. 

As Amethyst nears Jasper for a long awaited rematch, there’s a big display Jasper’s values.  She talks down to a corrupted Gems for looking monstrous, clearly unaware of corruption.  She twists these harsh words to Amethyst, going on to explain that she and all Crystal Gems have no place anywhere.  Considering she’s a perfect Gem, Jasper’s reveals stand out now more than just simple insults.  None of this moves Amethyst.  She’s quick to fight Jasper hard without accepting help.  Despite more effort in her fighting this time, Jasper still stands strong. 

Then everything changes with Steven’s emotional support to Amethyst which is appropriate since they recently bonded over their own shortcomings.  After Steven brings up this bond and that Amethyst shouldn’t listen to Jasper, the cartoon really gets great. Through their friendly bond over being different, a hug from Steven and Amethyst brings a brand new fusion, Smoky Quartz.  Right away, Smoky is completely lovable, different and proud of it, confident, and having great fun even in the heat of battle. 

In fact, the ensuing battle with Jasper is one of the most thrilling of the entire series.  Rather than both characters thinking seriously as they attack, Jasper only thinks that way while Smoky approaches the fight as a game complete with corny puns.  The latter’s attitude is unique to this scenario. It’s backed up by a plucky music accompaniment and her weapon being a big yo-yo made from Steven’s shield and Amethyst’s whip.  Smoky’s blows towards Jasper are simple yet effective. They’re yo-yo tricks that hit her and dodge her attacks. Not to mention, they lead Jasper to inadvertently free her corrupted Gem army.  Now, these attacks don’t take Jasper out, but they move her to fuse with one corrupted Gem.  This backfires when Smoky splits them apart, but that’s just the start of the results of this drastic move. 

When the fighting settles, we get more development to corruption, that is how getting hit by a light from the Diamonds isn't the only way for a Gem to succumb to it.  Fusing with that one corrupted Gem causes its effects to be passed over to Jasper marked by its attributes appearing all over her body.  The way they slowly consume her makes Jasper’s following moments eerily impactful and dramatically staged.  She goes on a tirade of how horrible Earth is and how much she hates Rose.  There are attempts to reason with her, including an inspirational and passionate speech from Peridot about how experiencing Earth’s life can be beneficial.  None of this works though as Jasper gets more upset which appears to accelerate the corruption.  All the while, she’s at her most in-depth.  She’s not just being a violent antagonist.  When she thinks Steven is manipulating her when he tries to help, she seems visibly upset at him, hurt even.  It’s enough to invoke an emotional response from the audience in spite of all she's done to the protagonists.  Sure, she may support the messed up ideologies of Homeworld, but it's implied that she, like other Gems, could be purged if she doesn't.  The biggest emotional response comes as Jasper admits the reason for her constant will fighting and her scorn towards Steven.  It’s all because of something Rose did to her Diamond, Pink Diamond.  The way she screams this information as she completely monstrous is particularly chilling.  The fully corrupted Jasper is soon poofed thanks to Peridot’s metal powers, but the prior rage leaves a lot to take in.  It paints Jasper as a troubled soul with a deep, painful reason for her demeanor, appropriately capped off by Amethyst gently bubbling her away. 

For this and many other monumental moments coming together with a wide range of feels, this is one of the show’s outstanding experiences.

A++

The Ranking

1. Mr. Greg
2. Earthlings
3. Bismuth
4. Monster Reunion
5. Crack the Whip
6. Gem Hunt
7. Greg the Babysitter
8. Alone at Sea
9. Gem Drill
10. Super Watermelon Island
11. Too Short to Ride
12. Beach City Drift
13. Steven vs Amethyst
14. Barn Mates
15. Beta
16. Hit the Diamond
17. Same Old World
18. Kiki’s Pizza Delivery Service
19. Steven Floats
20. Restaurant Wars
21. The New Lars
22. Drop Beat Dad

This cartoon ends with Steven, Amethyst, and Peridot returning to the barn to find the Homeworld Rubies held captive. Stay tuned for the review of the next one to see what this moment leads to.

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