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Escapism
I’d like to see this cartoon as a reminder that not always
going in an expected route can go either way.
As part of a huge arc, it doesn’t do much to advance what has
just happened. The direction doesn’t
even seem too big either, and leans slightly on random. Nevertheless, the execution manages to make
it all endearing.
The emotional weight of
the Diamonds getting mad at Steven for fusing in front of everyone, Steven and
Connie imprisoned, and the Crystal Gems poofed is prominent. Steven lamenting about how things have been
going is a very fitting reaction, but that’s what makes his compatibility with
Connie really stick out. It’s through
her that Steven gets a smart idea to go into the psychic mindscape to call
others for help, though he only plans on going after the remaining Crystal Gem,
Bismuth. It would have been grander if
he considered calling other people for help besides her, but I can think of
believable reasons for only going with her.
Lars and the Off Colors may have a ship, but since they still haven’t made
it to Earth, it still may not go fast.
Plus the only other Homeworld Gem who could help them is Topaz, but how
could he know where she is now let alone strong enough to go against the Diamonds' rule?
Through
reaching Bismuth in the mindscape, the excitement diminishes noticeably. Steven ends up in the body of a Watermelon
Steven on Mask Island, and it’s certainly not a good time for this. That said, Steven’s immediate frustration
with where his powers have led him is very appropriate. In fact, his actions of trying to make a raft
just to get to Bismuth show that the main focus is on exactly what it should
be. So many bad things have happened,
and circumstances are making things unnecessarily difficult for Steven. Even building a raft can’t be easy with a
conflict between star-bellied Watermelon Stevens, and spear-holding Watermelon
Stevens that our Steven gets captured by.
Now, while I enjoy stories with minimal dialog, the sounds of the
Watermelon Stevens’ voices make what goes on confusing. Why are they fighting? How have their customs changed since we last saw them? The lack of clarity of what’s
going on make the cartoon much less exciting than normal. Still, what comes of it is rather
interesting. At some point, they all
recognize that Steven is on both their sides, and come to a truce just to help
him build his raft.
It’s after it sets
sail when the emotional weight shines through once more. A watermelon shark
attacks the raft, Steven beats it with a kiss, but is left without it, an arm,
and a leg. Only by chance Lion
finds him when he’s all alone and hopeless and he’s instantly brought back to
Beach City to give Bismuth and Greg his warning. We also get a moving song about how while
putting up with a horrible place is kind of bold, it’s still painful and the
desire to be free is much stronger. It’s
hard to see that meaning over a visual of Steven trying to explain his
plan though, but at least its meaning becomes clearer in the next cartoon.
Ultimately, this whole thing is random and much
less grand-scale than lately. Still,
it’s undeniable the emotional weight going behind everything Steven puts
himself through is strong. You feel the
complications, the sadness of who’s fallen, and wonder if he can really pull
things off. By the end, like Steven, all
you can say is “guess we’ll see what happens.”
It’s not the show at its best, but it has its moments.
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. Reunited
2. A Single Pale Rose
3. The Trial
4. Jungle Moon
5. Together Alone
6. Off Colors
7. Familiar
8. Stuck Together
9. The Question
10. Pool Hopping
11. Can’t Go Back
12. Now We’re Only Falling Apart
13. Legs From Here to Homeworld
14. Lars’ Head
15. Made of Honor
16. What’s Your Problem?
17. Letters to Lars
18. Lars of the Stars
19. Your Mother and Mine
20. Raising the Barn
21. Sadie Killer
22. Back to the Kindergarten
23. Escapism
24. The Big Show
25. Gemcation
26. Kevin Party
27. Dewey Wins
The next Steven Universe review finally closes this long review set with a near-hour long event to bring a culmination to an era of this Gem of a series.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is "Who What Where Ed" and "Keeping Up With the Eds" in Ed Edd n Eddy.
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