Everything’s Fine
Does anyone know the feeling of trying too hard to hide something you did and ultimately sounding so desperate to be positive about things it doesn’t feel genuine? That’s the feel captured in this cartoon all about Steven wanting to come off as the positive role model that he expects everyone to want him to be. Understandably, this is difficult considering that he’s cut off a lot of his healthy relationships, shattered a Gem, and had murderous thoughts over the former Gem matriarchs. Nevertheless, Steven finds that forcing himself to act positive no matter what and keep what he did buried in his mind is the best course of action.
Balancing out this frankly unethical method of dealing with issues are how he’s approached by others when forcing himself to be positive and upbeat despite all apparent issues. For one thing, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl see that something’s up with him when they find him stuck in his pink glow and appearing as muscular as he was in his fight with Jasper. They even say they’re worried for him as Steven insists everything’s fine, and there’s unease as they take his word for it. Just to convince others and himself this is so, Steven decides to go over to Little Homeschool to help out, ultimately forcing his way into his old method of being useful.
It’s in this sequence where thing become a little mixed. I mean, it’s totally understandable why Steven is in this blissful state of helping others and claiming all is good in spite of what’s on his mind. However, it also feels like this is easy to forget with how many problems rise from his idea of help. He creates more sentient plants that run rampant, insists on being a teaching assistant, and barges in on a Gem baseball game. Through it all, he keeps causing destruction and property damage to Little Homeworld and has the audacity to justify what happens. He may have his reasons, but it also comes off as overbearing obliviousness, so the experience is slightly hindered from an entertainment standpoint.
The good news is that this show of behavior leads to a striking moment later on. As clouds start looming over Beach City, there’s a suggestion of something especially dark about to go down. Steven arrives home to find the Crystal Gems, Connie, and Greg already there waiting for him and really worried. The image of Steven repeating he’s here to help flickering on Connie’s phone visually explains his fractured state of mind and justifies all worry. He still tries to explain that there’s no problem, but everyone is much firmer with getting him to tell him what’s wrong than before now that there’s no doubt there’s a problem.
The moment Connie suggests taking Steven back to the hospital, something he never told the Crystal Gems, is when Steven’s forced positivity goes into full force. He goes on a full-fledged spiel about how everything he does always turns out fine and then forgets about keeping his recent destructive moments a secret. This includes thinking nothing bad of things like thinking of slamming White Diamond’s head in or shattering Jasper while all his loved ones stand disturbed at this. Topping Steven’s poor state of mind is a sign of how conflicted he is. Just after being positive about these actions, he sees how messed up that is, and deems himself as a monster. Let’s just say that sets up the subject of the next cartoon.
While the plot itself
may not be a favorite, you can’t help but respect how far it’s willing to take
Steven when it comes to coping with how even he has a major dark side.
A-
The Ranking
1. Growing Pains
2. Volleyball
3. Fragments
4. Homeworld Bound
5. Bismuth Casual
6. Little Graduation
7. Mr. Universe
8. Little Homeschool
9. Prickly Pair
10. In Dreams
11. Together Forever
12. Bluebird
13. Why So Blue?
14. Snow Day
15. Everything’s Fine
16. Rose Buds
17. Guidance
18. A Very Special Episode
The next Steven Universe Future review is all about the results of Steven deeming himself a monster.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is a "Monster Party" in OK K.O.
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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