Guidance
While the last cartoon introduced a school for the uncorrupted Gems, not only are the lessons put to good use here, but a little is learned about some of the Gems. The ever laid-back Amethyst is now a Gem for many others to look up to when it comes to finding a purpose. It’s even more astounding that coming from such an insecure Gem, her mentorship is effective.
Uncorrupted Gems choose new paths in life easily which really helps the old dynamic. For about the entire series, Gem elements and human elements felt like two completely different environments. I was always fine with it, but I can understand some opinions that it was a significant hindrance. With this cartoon, that past issue gets much appreciated tweaking. Now Gems and humans come together with uncorrupted Gems getting jobs all over Beach City. Some serve pizza with expert accuracy, some give snow cones, some take up skywriting, some build the staff at Funland amusement park, and some even guard the mayor. Two different worlds collide, and Beach City is clearly in a better position all because of Amethyst. No wonder she was once called the most mature Crystal Gem.
As to something that could possibly thwart this progress and bring conflict, it ends up coming from the one always trying to prevent such things, Steven. He starts by bringing up the somewhat solid point that the new roles the uncorrupted Gems have aren’t different from their old ones when serving the Diamonds. One conversation with two ice related Gems at the snow cone stand is the clearest example of his point. It’s understandable that Steven would want to remove any trace of them in this new era, but there are several points of concern in his mindset. While the roles may be a little problematic, they’re still clearly good for the public. Even more pressing is his idea of fixing the issue by trying to get the Gems to break from their newly assigned roles. All he does is have them swap the roles they were having for those another Gem was taking instead of being completely new. Plus, he’s technically telling the other Gems to do what he sees fit, not unlike the old ways of the Diamonds. It kind of feels a little too boneheaded on his part when it comes to helping.
As you can imagine, just as Steven’s help is about to iris out on a star like in the old days, there are drawbacks galore. Through doing things they’re not accustomed to, the uncorrupted Gems cause havoc amongst Beach City. Sometimes it makes for funny gags, but most of it is just plain chaos. Off-putting as it is coming from Steven majorly botching help, the way around things makes up for most weak points coming from this. After admitting Amethyst was right, there’s legit excitement from them rushing to fix everything fused as Smoky Quartz. The highlight is when they have to stop an out of control roller coaster, both halves of Smoky talk to themselves on not making it, and that unleashes another part of Steven’s pink power. At the last minute, it allows Smoky to run faster than time to save everyone, a clear creative touch.
Following that
excitement, there is a believable explanation for Steven’s behavior. He’s been helping for so long, that he’s
desperate to keep doing it, even if it means fixing what isn’t broken. Even if his points get some success in the
end with an ice Gem happily employed at Funland, points are still risen about
what Steven’s purpose is. That leaves
this cartoon as thought-provoking and promising despite all weak points.
B+
The Ranking
1. Little Homeschool
2. Guidance
No comments:
Post a Comment