Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Raising the Barn (Steven Universe Season 5 Episode 7) - 'Toon Reviews 29

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Raising the Barn


If there’s one good thing about the show taking its time to answer big lingering questions, it’s that it gives believable insight to how heavy things have gotten following recent events.  In addition to Steven and Connie’s fallout, a few cartoons show better staged and more engaging after effects with this one testing the dynamic of Peridot and Lapis. 
Throughout Season 4, it’s been pretty disappointing that they were largely out of the action and were mostly used for light-hearted plots and comic relief.  It’s even revealed here that Peridot was spending more time comforting Lapis while Steven was on Homeworld instead of helping the rest of the team try to get him back.  For the main plot here, Lapis panicking over the prospect of Homeworld is the main topic.  When they call Steven and he talks about his experience mainly of how he escaped the trial held by Blue and Yellow Diamond, Lapis immediately says that they must leave Earth. 
Through it all, it’s very apparent how Lapis is driven by her traumatic experiences when she first arrived on Earth.  She’s given the planet a chance, and Seasons 3 and 4 have shown her legitimately enjoying its customs as if she’s been putting her past behind her.  Now it’s caught up with her and it’s enough to make her forget the good of Earth and believe the Diamonds will come for another rampage.  It’s in her worries that Steven gives one believable reason why he let his thoughts on Connie prioritize over the Diamonds in the last cartoon.  Since they’re looking for him on Homeworld and don’t know he made it back to Earth, he legitimately believes they’re safe.  Peridot sides with his mindset and is constantly pointing out reasons why they shouldn’t leave Earth mostly regarding leaving valuable goods behind.  Lapis is constantly brushing off her concerns with harsh desperations, but does come up with a good plan to leave while still bring everything Peridot treasures.  With her water powers, she lifts up the entire barn to carry while she flies.  She may have a very unpleasing demeanor, but it shows she’s trying to be good to her barn mate. 
Then when Pumpkin suddenly goes missing, time is taken to subtly hint that Peridot doesn’t want to go. She thinks of ways to help when trouble comes and recounts her past accomplishments.  When they eventually find Pumpkin in a field and Peridot has to pull her to join Lapis and “do things you don’t want to do” the truth becomes known. The thing is, Peridot believes she has no choice when dealing with Lapis. 
However, when everything is all set, the dramatic staging is at its highest when Peridot is pushed to be open with her feelings.  For all her comedic antics, Peridot lets out a passionate speech of her devotion to her new home Earth and how she’d rather stay and protect it than leave it behind.  It’s heartfelt devotion against her eccentric exterior, but Lapis’ bad memories don’t change her mind.  She accepts Peridot’s opinion and lets her stay, but she leaves with the entire barn in her watery grip, the music and atmosphere selling the emotion of her departure.  It’s capped off by one sad look at her friends, showing that for her big push to get away from Earth, Lapis is going to miss them.  As for Peridot, she ends the cartoon with believable emptiness of losing the life she’s attached herself to as Steven sets her up in his bathroom again with nothing to do. 
Through showing how hard it is to be honest with feelings around close ones and buildup to an emotional conclusion, this is an impactful effect on a major character dynamic.
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

4.      Lars’ Head

5.      Raising the Barn

6.      Gemcation

7.      Dewey Wins
 

 
The next Steven Universe review directly does something about Peridot's funk over Lapis' departure as Steven and Amethyst convince her that they can bring life back to the Gem Kindergartens.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is "The Write Stuff" and "Racing Hearts" 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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