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:
Rocknaldo
After a long stretch of new layers to the underlying plot, standout
moments from major characters, and a grand display of emotions, this cartoon is
a bit of a rude awakening. It all has to
do with the character in the spotlight, Ronaldo. He may be a stand-in for obsessive fans and
conspiracy theorists, but he tends to get real overbearing real fast. His unhealthy customs of how he lets his
passions overtake his important responsibilities and the dangerous lengths he
goes through to prove he’s right are somewhat disturbing. It’s no wonder he’s such a divisive character
among the audience of this show. Even
so, I personally don’t hate him and think he can be funny in small doses, as
well as show glimpses of humanity. As a
result, this cartoon is majorly brought down by his bad traits, but also
highlights possible redeemable ones.
We
start with Ronaldo passing out flyers for a species called “Rock People” and
how they’re the enemy, which is typical conspiracy nut actions one would expect
from him. Steven, the only one actually
listening, informs that the Rock People Ronaldo speaks of are no different from
the Crystal Gems. Ronaldo needs time to
think as a result of this, and the conclusion he comes to in an attempt to
better understand the Crystal Gems is to join them. This actually has potential for something interesting
considering that not many people have shown interest in joining the Crystal
Gems. The Gems do have their reasons for
apprehensions of Ronaldo joining them since he’s fully organic and can’t summon
a weapon which is dangerous for battles.
Steven is at least inclusive and willing to give Ronaldo a chance.
Honestly though, this concept does not really
live up to its potential. Rather than
being given a proper chance on Gem missions and teaching him all about their
customs, Ronaldo is just portrayed as an annoying house guest. His ways of showing he’s a true Crystal Gem
are fabricated with his Gem name, Bloodstone, being meaningless and
his weapon being a harmless plastic sword for cons. He also doesn’t do anything that’s the least
bit productive. He just annoys Steven while he’s trying to sleep, insist he’s a
real Crystal Gem without proving it, and thinks he’s entitled to special
treatment just because he “lives” with Steven.
To top it all off, when Steven rightfully snaps and tells Ronaldo how
out of line he’s been, Ronaldo has the audacity to say that Steven’s in the
wrong for not loving and accepting him.
He has a lot of nerve to say that when he’s only been a pest the whole
time he’s declared himself part of the team.
It just makes me think of how interesting this cartoon could have been
if Ronaldo really did do something that could be considered Crystal
Gem-worthy.
At least the conclusion is
enough to counter the many disappointments.
It could be easy for the writing to side with Ronaldo, but it’s clear it
knows Steven is in the right. Without
really yelling, he later tells Ronaldo that he has loved and accepted him and
that Ronaldo was the one who didn’t do that.
He’s supported by the Crystal Gems, and a few weeks later, he and
Ronaldo have a civil conversation about Steven’s usual life as a Gem. This talk is especially good for Ronaldo,
proving that for all his flaws, he does want to properly understand what seems
weird to the outside world. If only this
trait showed more.
This cartoon is held
back by a slightly grating tone and not going all out with a human joining the
Crystal Gems. Thankfully, good morality and glimpses of humanity keep it from
being all-out bad.
C
Season 4 Ranking
1. Storm in the Room
2. Mindful Education
3. That Will Be All
4. Steven’s Dream
5. Last One Out of Beach City
6. The Zoo
7. Gem Heist
8. Gem Harvest
9. Three Gems and a Baby
10. Adventures in Light Distortion
11. Buddy’s Book
12. Know Your Fusion
13. The New Crystal Gems
14. Kindergarten Kid
15. Future Boy Zoltron
16. Rocknaldo
17. Onion Gang
The next Steven Universe review covers the return and departure of Tiger Milliaonaire… which no one really asked for.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is "Scales of Justice" and "Crimes of Fashion" from The Loud House.
If you would like to check out other Steven Universe reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment