Friday, May 24, 2019

That Will Be All (Steven Universe Season 4 Episode 14) - 'Toon Reviews 29

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That Will Be All


To end this human zoo arc, we get this huge ride of a cartoon with one big thing to take in after another.  Some might call it overkill, but in my mind, that doesn’t matter since everything that happens leaves a strong positive impact. 
It follows the tensions of the previous cartoon’s ending as Steven and Greg are taken to the quarters of the Amethyst guards.  You think they’re in big trouble, especially when they find their Amethyst out.  However, the truth gives you a welcome surprise when the Amethyst guards are happy to be at their service.  In fact, unlike most Gems who look down on Amethyst for her size, they’re perfectly accepting of her. They’re family and enjoy everyone’s company like most family members would.  These endearing family bonds don’t last though when Steven and Greg find they need to get away as Holly Blue Agate enters. 
In their escape, they discover further depth to how Pink Diamond’s shattering has effected the actions of the other Diamonds.  In a secluded chamber, they find bubbled Rose Quartz Gems that served Pink awaiting to be shattered as punishment for the actions of one.  Future events question the legitimacy of the threat, but even so, this is topped by what we see from Blue Diamond who comes here to grieve again as well as Yellow Diamond. 
While Blue expressing deep sorrow for the loss of Pink in “Steven’s Dream” showed her humanity, Yellow hasn’t shown much traits beyond a typical tyrant.  That changes here where even though she’s strict over Blue still not being over her grief, she clearly cares for her well-being.  Via a song “What’s the Use of Feeling Blue” she brings an interesting way to telling Blue to do her job and stop feeling anything about what can’t be resolved.  At the same time, Yellow shows emotion over the scenario, revealing she misses Pink too, implying she’s bottling up her sadness which is never healthy.  Neither of their ways of grieving are actually, but this entire sequence stands out for showing even the worst beings have honest, relatable traits making them believable. 
Still, it’s not forgotten that they’re authoritative dictators. Holly Blue’s tour reaches them, she’s intimidated, and they show strictness over mention of a mission to Earth they didn’t authorize.  Given the fear Blue struck Garnet with long ago, Sapphire is left without knowing what to say like she normally does.  In a compatible gesture from Ruby, she does find a way to respond, which plants the seeds of the idea finding more humans for the zoo in the Diamonds. 
This leaves promise for events to come, but for now, it buys enough time for our heroes to escape.  They’re impressively evasive and are only caught by Holly Blue at the last second.  As she gives a comedic blowup following her calm passionate monologues is a quick yet crazy action scene.  Ruby and Sapphire form Garnet again who chooses to take out their frustrations by flicking Holly Blue instead of punching her.  The Amethyst guards give a fond farewell to the main Amethyst instead of arresting her, legitimizing their bond.  Then for good measure, when Holly Blue threatens to rat the Crystal Gems out, Pearl gives a sassy comeback line to leave the Agate speechless as she and the others escape. 
Even if there’s a lot happening all at once here, you’re left feeling a lot of endearment, looming foreshadowing, and satisfying retaliation from Homeworld’s prejudice.  You really couldn’t ask for a more exciting end to a story arc.
A+

Season 4 Ranking

1.      Mindful Education

2.      That Will Be All

3.      Steven’s Dream

4.      Last One Out of Beach City

5.      The Zoo

6.      Gem Heist

7.      Gem Harvest

8.      Three Gems and a Baby

9.      Adventures in Light Distortion

10.  Buddy’s Book

11.  Know Your Fusion

12.  Kindergarten Kid

13.  Future Boy Zoltron

14.  Onion Gang
 
The next Steven Universe review looks at what Connie, Lapis, and Peridot got up to while Steven and the main Crystal Gems were gone in their very first interactions.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is a Voltron: Legendary Defender episode about a "Reunion."
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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