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Off Colors
While the first part of the fifth season places Steven on
Homeworld for the first time ever, we really don’t see much of it, at least not
now. That said, after falling down to
caves miles below Homeworld with Lars, the results are still quite substantial
and telling of its grueling customs.
As
Steven is hounded by robonoids who want to shatter him for the demise of Pink
Diamond while Lars laments over hiding like a coward, they run into a specific
group of Gems. Helping them escape the
robonoids by taking them to their secret hideout in a gigantic Gem
Kindergarten, they introduce themselves one by one to show how they stand
out. I put a lot of emphasis on stand
out because the one thing they all have in common is that these Gems are total
misfits and are deemed unneeded and 'off color'.
We have the Rutile twins, a two-headed Gem who communicate through
saying different phrases with the same meaning appropriate for the
situation. Rhodonite is a Ruby and a Pearl fusion
who is easily paranoid of getting shattered.
Little Padparadscha is an orange Sapphire who can only predict things
after they’ve happened. Lastly there’s Fluorite,
a gigantic centipede-like Gem who’s actually a fusion of many other Gems,
talking incredibly slowly like a grandma as a result. There’s a lot of imagination to the
composition of these characters for both design and personality. The erratic ways they don’t fit the norm
enhances their plight of fighting through the prejudicial ways of
Homeworld. Granted, it’s always been
known that they have no compassion for Gems who don’t fit their purpose, but it
still helps to see the lengths of this instead of just hearing about them.
Plus, they’re all quite fun and endearing from
their personalities. I especially enjoy how excited Padparadscha gets whenever
she uses her predictions, even if they only just happen despite sometimes
pointing out major details others don’t get.
Fluorite, in her slow-talking, also delights with warmth and
understanding towards others. Even
traits that should be overbearing like Rhodinite’s freak-outs and the Rutile
twins saying things of the same meaning have much energy and endearment. Another big thing about these
off color Gems is that Lars bonds with them and connects to how they run and
hide to avoid getting shattered. That
said, he also remembers that running and hiding was what got him into this
mess, but his recent bonding with Steven pushes him to do the unthinkable.
When the shattering robonoids arrive, Lars
remembers that it’s ok to be scared, and protects his new friends. This is a smart move since the robonoids only
lock onto gemstones, and since Lars doesn’t have one, he’s able to take them
out. I find it ironic that he says
beating them is the coolest thing he’s done in his life given what
happens. When destroying the last one,
its explosion sends him into a rock and gets severely injured. Steven not sensing a heartbeat afterwards
straight up confirms that Lars got killed while protecting everyone. It’s not
so often that a show would have repercussions as big as this, and the tearful
reactions from Steven and the others reflect its great sad weight. Even if Lars is brought back to life with the
sudden working of Steven’s healing tears, there’s something to him that still
makes the effects of his near-death prominent.
That, however, is for the next cartoon to explore.
For this one, it’s a powerful work built on
versatile characters and bold story directions.
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. Off Colors
3. Stuck Together
The next Steven Universe review further explores what happened from Steven bringing Lars back to life.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is The Loud House Thanksgiving special.
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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