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Bluebird
A
notable element of the previous series most people bring up is how easily
antagonists have turned around and changed their ways to Steven’s benefit. Whether or not some of them were truly
redeemed is kind of complicated, but it does say a lot about the depths of
certain conflicts which don’t seem to be that huge. Ultimately, working in this epilogue series’
favor is how it balances these events out by looking into antagonists who never
changed their ways, such as in this cartoon.
It begins with Steven discovering a few harmless pranks from an unknown
Gem. He later returns home to find that
a new Gem has arrived on Earth to presumably learn about life on a new
planet. Upon further investigation,
Steven is quick to discover that the new Gem, Bluebird Azurite, is a fusion of
enemies who never changed, Aquamarine and Eyeball the Ruby. Personally, I call it a good choice for these
Gems to fuse. Of the few Gems who never
changed, they’re the ones to leave the most memorable impression through
inciting major story arcs or revealing the first parts of major secrets.
Steven remembers the dangers they brought in
the past which is why he’s quick to tell the main Crystal Gems and his dad
about the secret of the fusion. The
thing is they always knew the true identity, but are welcoming Bluebird anyway
to follow Steven’s example of believing anyone can change. Out of this it’s interesting to see a show
that takes time revealing things quickly get to the point, but even more
interesting is how Steven himself can’t hold his own beliefs. He constantly sees Bluebird do things with sharp
knives, fight moves, and foreboding drawings, but as he assumes the worst, she
turns out to not be malicious after all.
After apparently overreacting to what he’s seen of Bluebird, Steven
seems to lighten up and stop immediately assuming the worst. However, just as he does, he soon discovers he
was right about her all along. When his
dad’s van shows up in the temple and he hears a scream from the outside,
Steven suggests this is just another harmless stunt and the screams are of
joy. Actually, the van was part of an
act of true vandalism and Greg’s screams are of terror. Bluebird holds him hostage and later unfuses
to reveal who they really were despite it not being a surprise to Steven or
anyone else.
Either way, everything in
this cartoon ends up leading to a very enjoyable climax with several standout
moments. Steven is told to do things
like destroy his house, bubble his friends, and burn Little Homeworld to the
ground, and variations of those things do happen later on. Greg gets him out of the ransom by cutting
off his trademark long hair, and it’s surprising how emotional that is.
When Aquamarine and Eyeball try fusing again
and find it difficult, Steven tries to get them to change with a passionate
speech about the nature of fusions. The
catch is that the thing that gets them to fuse is their shared hatred of
Steven.
At that, there’s a catch to
these Gems’ portrayal. Their disdain of
Steven shows some serious threat they had before, but it’s mostly seen as an
overactive joke which isn’t the best way to go.
In fact, when they’re defeated, they go up into space claiming to keep
on ‘hating’ Steven. Considering we never
see what becomes of them, it’s unfortunate that they’re reduced to being this
light on threats despite past performances.
Still this cartoon is impactful for showing that everyone can change but
not everyone wants to, and I say that’s remarkable coming from this show.
A-
The Ranking
1. Volleyball
2. Little Homeschool
3. Bluebird
4. Rose Buds
5. Guidance
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