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The Trial
This is where Steven first experiences Homeworld and the
punishment over his mother’s actions of shattering Pink Diamond. The result isn’t as morbid as executing him
right on the spot, but it’s still majorly threatening from all the characters
involved.
He’s put on trial for “his”
crimes against the Diamond Authority and is put at the mercy of Yellow and Blue
Diamond themselves. It’s also huge for
being the first time he directly interacts with the rulers of all
Gem-kind. Before, he only saw them from
the distance without them noticing him.
Now he has to plead his case against them, though based on what he
knows, he just wants to confess that he committed the crime for the sake of
Earth’s well-being. The dark spacious
courtroom, the gigantic size of the Diamonds over everyone else, and their
menacing emotions sell the intense tone from what’s set up as a recount of
events.
Speaking of emotions, the
Diamonds themselves are a particular highlight with how they clash in approach
to the trial. Yellow has a huge ambition
for execution through constantly questioning the point of even having a trial
and just wanting the accused shattered already.
Despite also being menacing and wanting to execute, Blue is much fairer
through wanting both sides of the issue to explain their case before
acting. Plus, her actions seem much more
rooted in a reasonable cause which is her grief over the loss of Pink.
The use of one-off Homeworld Gems also
enhances the trial. Steven is assigned a
Blue Zircon who’s worried for Steven’s well-being, but clearly so she can
fulfill the role she was assigned. The Green Zircon is assigned to provide
evidence against Steven and she has a lot of it and is condescending towards
humans whom Homeworld Gems look down upon.
This is shown as she uses Lars as an exhibit and does nothing about his
protests. The biggest one is a witness,
Eyeball the Ruby, whom Steven did claim he was Rose Quartz to just before he
threw her into space.
Then, through Steven
confessing to the crime comes a huge break in the case. Blue Diamond wants to know how Steven managed
to shatter Pink, which Steven can’t properly answer, causing Blue to snap,
saying that the deed was done with a sword.
Recalling one of Steven’s encounters with Bismuth, it should be known
that this can’t be because Rose Quartz’s sword can destroy a Gem’s body, but
not the gemstone.
From there comes an
impressive moment from Blue Zircon after finding so much difficulty in claiming
her client innocent. Just her stating her defense makes
for a thrilling climax built on words rather than fighting. With much bravado, she points out how
impossible it was for Rose to have gotten so close to Pink if Gems have no business being near Diamonds. Pink’s
armies should have been able to stop Rose from doing so anyway. It seems as if the only true possibility is
that one of the Diamonds was responsible for Pink’s demise. That turns out to be somewhat of the case
later on, but not in the way some would think.
This will all be clearer in reviews to come. For now, Blue Zircon’s emphatic defense is
capped off with fast yet impactful action to end this. Yellow goes on a mad poofing spree while
Steven and Lars escape by falling through the depths of Homeworld on Blue’s
palanquin.
Trials tend to come off as some
of the most intense conversations. With great use of characters and reveals
starting to put everything in place, this is perhaps one of the best trials
I’ve seen in fiction.
A+
Season 4 Ranking
1. I Am My Mom
2. Storm in the Room
3. Mindful Education
4. That Will Be All
5. Steven’s Dream
6. Last One Out of Beach City
7. Are You My Dad?
8. The Zoo
9. The Good Lars
10. Gem Heist
11. Gem Harvest
12. Three Gems and a Baby
13. Adventures in Light Distortion
14. Buddy’s Book
15. Know Your Fusion
16. The New Crystal Gems
17. Lion 4: Alternate Ending
18. Doug Out
19. Kindergarten Kid
20. Room for Ruby
21. Future Boy Zoltron
22. Tiger Philanthropist
23. Rocknaldo
24. Onion Gang
Season 5 Ranking
1. The Trial
2. Stuck Together
The next Steven Universe review reveals where Steven and Lars landed and further shows the depths of Homeworld's prejudice through a band of Off Color Gems.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is Episode 55 of Animaniacs.
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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