Friday, June 28, 2019

The Trial (Steven Universe Season 5 Episode 2) - 'Toon Reviews 29

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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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