Gemcation
Regarding Connie splitting up from Steven as a result of him
surrendering himself to Homeworld, this is a conflict that lasts for quite some
time. It’s so huge that Steven ends up
focusing on that more than any big Gem information he picked up while on Homeworld. On one hand, it makes sense that he would be
fixated on this since Connie is his best friend, and she did feel let down by
him going back on something she was so devoted to.
It’s an interesting way of showing the magnitude of his decision where
being a martyr seemed noble, but was unknowingly selfish. Still, it’s frustrating that we get stalled
from moving forward with anything interesting that could advance this show’s
underlying plot.
I can’t fault the
wholesome family values that drive everything along though. As Steven feels down about his actions and is
glued to his phone hoping Connie will answer his texts and calls, Greg and the
Crystal Gems think he’s upset about Homeworld.
They respond to this by taking him on a vacation to a rented cabin in
the woods. All throughout, they do what they can to make the experience seem
pleasing to Steven like good parents would to get their child happy. Their methods start off as simple through
making the best of any setback through complying with rules and random mishaps
like snakes. It makes for a few solid
laughs from reactions to what they find.
With Steven still feeling down though, the Crystal Gems try consoling
him by putting anything related to Homeworld and the Diamonds into context. It’s here where the frustrations really make
themselves known. Considering that
Amethyst was made on Earth and not around for the Gem War, it’s understandable
that she offers nothing.
Then Garnet
offers what seems like an exciting story about facing Pink Diamond, and Steven
just brushes it off. I know his mind is
on other things and he can’t focus on it, but this information is straight up
offered to him. He should show some engagement
in it. Thankfully, with the rest of
Season 5 and the real Pink Diamond in mind, Garnet’s story getting the shaft
isn’t so stinging after all.
Finally,
all these attempts build up to Pearl and how she’s the one whose connection
with Homeworld we know the least about.
She’s dropped hints before, but nothing about her relationship to the
place has been clear. Since Garnet and
Amethyst can’t get Steven to say what’s wrong, she now has to. From there, we see hints of how big Pearl’s
role on Homeworld really was. When
trying to explain about Homeworld and the Diamonds, her hand goes up covering
her mouth, and it seems like it’s involuntarily doing that as she tries to
force it off. It brings a lot of context
to the peculiar way she’s covered her mouth when those subjects were brought up
in several past cartoons. Dropping the
suggestion that the gesture is more than just showing she’s upset is a good
first step towards it taking the forefront later on.
Of course, when Steven finally admits his
upset feelings being over Connie not talking to him for a week, this is
instantly forgotten. Even so, it’s hard
to fault the merit of how Greg responds to this. His advice on how Steven’s actions of
surrendering himself being huge enough to require major ways of dealing with it
has some believable weight to it. Again,
it’s a decent way of showing the magnitude of his actions. The last sequence of getting reception for
Steven’s phone only to reveal that Connie really hasn’t contacted him shows
that she really is just taking her time to deal with things. Thankfully, a wholesome scene of Steven
stargazing with Greg and the Gems is an endearing comfort for the time.
It’s the sense of family like this that
somewhat makes up for not really moving forward with big Gem reveals despite
constantly being set up to do so.
B+
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. Off Colors
3. Stuck Together
4. Lars’ Head
5. Gemcation
6. Dewey Wins
The next Steven Universe review shows Lapis and Peridot's reactions to Steven's big surrender to Homeworld.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is "Home of the Fave" and "Hero Today Gone Tomorrow" 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.
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