Friday, August 23, 2019

Together Alone (Steven Universe Season 5 Episode 26) - 'Toon Reviews 29


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Together Alone

Some might say that with Blue and Yellow Diamond helping Steven with his cause, those dictators who destroyed planets for eons are instantly good.  However, if them and the Crystal Gems still being on tense terms with each other wasn’t enough to convince otherwise, this cartoon is big on the hard truth.  In addition, it also starts revealing things about what Pink’s relationship with them was like with Steven being seen as her. 
Right at the start, we get that in an elaborate dream sequence of him having fun with her Pearl, bearing a strong resemblance to White’s Pearl except for the color.  However, after pretending to be strict and authoritative with it when Yellow looks in, Pink Pearl is suddenly taken into the shadows as Steven gets intimidated by White Diamond.  It’s a highly creative way of showing some of Pink’s background with Steven in her place, and more importantly the origins White’s Pearl apart from why she’s missing an eye. 
Anyway, going off of Steven’s idea at the end of the previous cartoon, plans are soon made to arrange a ball to bring all of Homeworld together, including White Diamond.  Blue and Yellow see this as a grand way to bring in Era 3, and Steven finds the perfect opportunity to talk to White and get her to help cure the corrupted Gems on Earth.  When arranging for the ball though, Homeworld’s strict customs get in the way of his efforts for something grand.  In addition to his amenities being denied, he’s only required to sit on his throne and look over everyone.  He does get close to getting through to Yellow Pearl and Blue Pearl by playing to the things they enjoy doing like modeling and drawing respectively. 
Later on, the other Diamonds disapprove of what Steven has in mind for the ball given that White expects perfection, suggesting that she’s been driving their misdeeds all along.  Their biggest disapproval is directed towards the Crystal Gems.  They see Pearl as a servant and nothing more and Connie as an organic human pet which isn’t a big shock given what’s been seen of their ways of thinking. They also make Amethyst meet a height requirement with limb enhancers and suggest that Garnet unfuse, and don’t even consider her a Garnet.  That’s the biggest sign that despite everything, Homeworld’s biases are still intact in the Diamonds, though Steven stands to put up with it for the sake of the corrupted Gems. 
However, not only does the ball end up being incredibly dull, but all the efforts are put to waste when White Diamond ends up not showing up.  Along with shots of stiff mechanical dancing from the present Gems, it’s a pretty sorry sight for a party. 
It’s here though where the first steps towards true revolution are planted.  As Steven looks depressed, Connie, proving to be far more active at a dance than before, convinces him to dance with her.  As he eventually accepts the offer, they have their fun, but accidentally fuse into Stevonnie in front of the Diamonds who are known to detest it.  This is too much even for the other Crystal Gems as Garnet, Pearl and Amethyst fused as Opal, and even random Gems in the crowd fuse to stand up for them.  Sadly through this act, all these Gems are poofed instantly, and while the Crystal Gems have experienced this before, it’s kind of scary that it happens to them at once.  It’s just a good thing that future events make all of this worth it. 
For now, with the cartoon ending with Stevonnie thrown in a tower, this turns out to be an intensely insightful cartoon of someone used to being free living in a prejudiced world.

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. The Big Show
  24. Gemcation
  25. Kevin Party
  26. Dewey Wins







The next Steven Universe review shows Steven try to call for help with unexpected results.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is Episode 71 of Animaniacs.
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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