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The
Question
A strong sign of an impactful story is one that gets across
its ideas with unique visual metaphors.
For that, this cartoon really stands out with how Ruby deals with the
aftermath of the reveal of Rose Quartz being Pink Diamond.
Picking up where the previous cartoon left
off, Steven and Amethyst find her lounging with Greg on a hill, both of whom
are at peace after talking things over.
In addition to Greg being accepting of this knowing that Pink changed
into a better person than she was, Ruby’s feelings are of major
significance. She accepts that there was
truth to what Sapphire told her regarding never knowing anything and only allowing Sapphire to figure everything out. Ruby ultimately feels that there’s a lot to discover for
herself without being fused to someone who guides her every move. Of course this leads to concern over the
possibility of Garnet never forming again, but a direction to force Ruby and
Sapphire back together is swiftly avoided.
Greg points out the healthy fact that whether the Gems get back together or not should be
their choice, and no one else’s.
As this
is understood, Ruby’s quest for self-discovery is supported and comes with
highly creative approaches. She works
off of comics Greg has in his collection, ultimately going with one about a
cowboy traveling the wide open plains.
This nicely brings Sapphire’s wild prediction from the previous cartoon
full circle and features many memorable moments of Ruby trying this new role
out. Through riding Amethyst relishing
in being shapeshifted into a horse through a plain with many obstacles to face,
it’s clear that Ruby is getting a fresher view of life out of this. She does so by finding out the truths of various dangers by exploring them for herself whether it's climbing through a bush or falling down an unexpected ravine.
However, a lot of the benefits to cowboy life Ruby finds are
highlighted in the cartoon’s musical number “Ruby Rider.” While it does take more time to grow on you
compared to other songs in the show, it’s a nice atmospheric piece that immerses
itself in the cowboy theme Ruby’s going for.
It also shows how quickly she grasps many elements of the role from big
things like facing bulls and rattlesnakes to simple things like playing guitar. It really seems like she’s all set up for a
new path in life.
However, Steven later
discovers that while Ruby’s been great at being a cowboy, she’s not totally
happy. As much as she enjoys living the
life of a cowboy, she admits that she’d like it even more if she had someone
with her to enjoy the fun of it all like Sapphire. Maybe there could have been more overt hints
to this, but it is at least explained that she didn’t flat out admit this
because she thinks that’s lame. Fortunately,
Steven is there for guidance as usual, and points out that even independent cowboys get
lonely and want someone special in their lives too. Not only that, but he also has the perfect
solution for Ruby to still make her own choices and be together with Sapphire
all at once.
This leads to the titular
question where everyone returns home with Ruby facing Sapphire in what feels
like something out of a standard western movie.
She puts on the cowboy act explaining how she realizes that they were
together because someone else who wasn’t who she said she was said they were
the answer. Then after putting that
aside, Ruby, as herself, asks Sapphire to marry her as a new way to decide to
be Garnet on their own accord. They'll be together, but also be able to think for themselves. Along
with being one of the boldest forms of LGBT representation for the series, the
beautiful staging, music, and vocal performances make it a very moving end for
the cartoon.
Even after all the drama
from a huge dynamic shattering reveal, a lot of things come together here as a
creatively staged path towards a way of moving forward.
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. A Single Pale Rose
2. The Trial
3. Jungle Moon
4. Off Colors
5. Stuck Together
6. The Question
7. Pool Hopping
8. Can’t Go Back
9. Now We’re Only Falling Apart
10. Lars’ Head
11. What’s Your Problem?
12. Letters to Lars
13. Lars of the Stars
14. Your Mother and Mine
15. Raising the Barn
16. Sadie Killer
17. Back to the Kindergarten
18. The Big Show
19. Gemcation
20. Kevin Party
21. Dewey Wins
The next Steven Universe review starts setting up Ruby and Sapphire's wedding while also bringing back an old Crystal Gem.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews from Ed Edd n Eddy it's "Look Into My Eds" and "Tag Yer Ed."
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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