Bismuth Casual
In many past instances, this show has brought a lot of meaning and value out of life’s little elements. This trend continues here against a backdrop of something as leisurely as a night at the roller rink. Along with a good choice for a setting and plenty of nightly aesthetics, there’s a notable cast of characters to follow all the way.
This is Steven’s first time at the roller rink, and joining him are Connie, his closest human companion and girlfriend, and an interesting pair of Gems, Pearl and Bismuth. Regarding Bismuth, she’s another supporting Crystal Gem still not used much in favor of the main trio, but in this epilogue series, she gets the best form of closure, and more. It’s also very fitting to see this revered Crystal Gem paired with Pearl. A few brief yet telling past instances showed Bismuth to be very close with Pearl, and Pearl seeming very loyal to her, so seeing their relationship get focus is meaningful. Plus, this night is a way for Bismuth to experience human culture in ways she hardly ever got the chance to. At the same time, there’s great evolution in how Pearl has come to view humans. Gone are the days where she constantly looked upon them with confusion and lack of understanding. Now she has a whole group of human friends to hang out with, and even has knowledge of skating.
One person who has even less of a knowledge of skating, among other things, happens to be Steven. Considering that this is Connie’s first major appearance in this epilogue series after a brief previous mention of her doing college prep, he’s aiming to hang with her. Then he meets two friends she’s made in her classes which connect to a lot of things. For Connie to branch out to many friends is another instance of contrast to the past when she was very introverted without anyone besides Steven.
Steven, however, turns out to be the true outlier, unable to relate to this group’s talk of down-to-Earth human matters. He even relates their normal problems to his downright traumatic experiences. For that, he feels that Connie would be better off hanging with her new friends and that he would just be holding her back, not unlike how he’s felt around his other friends.
Lucky for him, Bismuth is around for him to share how he feels, suggesting that talking about his personal problems is beneficial to healing. Not only is this fitting as Bismuth is known for giving him inspiring pep talks, but their conversation turns out to help her with Pearl too. Steven is moved to not worry so much about being around people and just sets his sights on his main goal, skating with Connie, and Bismuth does the same with Pearl.
The culmination of all this comes in the form of a thrilling animated sequence suitable for the atmosphere of the skating scene. With a licensed pop song, “Hold Me Now” by Emily King, playing, there are cool visuals and elaborate skating scenes of Bismuth and Pearl as well as Steven and Connie fused as Stevonnie. For at least the latter pair, it wouldn’t really be a Steven Universe season without a great show from Stevonnie, especially since this is their last major appearance. They get a well-earned ovation and celebrate by giving Pearl and Bismuth a perfect beat to skate to, a car commercial.
This ends the cartoon
with relationships in a good place, and it all unfolds in an interesting
setting following a likable cast with rewarding development and relatable
conflicts. Next time though, Steven
turns out to still have something to work through with Connie.
A+
The Ranking
1. Volleyball
2. Bismuth Casual
3. Little Graduation
4. Little Homeschool
5. Prickly Pair
6. In Dreams
7. Bluebird
8. Why So Blue?
9. Snow Day
10. Rose Buds
11. Guidance
12. A Very Special Episode
No comments:
Post a Comment