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Too Short to
Ride
The abilities of Gems are some of the most noteworthy pieces
of this show’s lore, and this cartoon shows that they’re the kind you wish you
could have.
The principal characters are
the ever short Steven, Amethyst, and Peridot without her limb enhancers. This team-up is a fitting not just because
they’re all small, but they’re the characters Peridot has the best relationship
with. Befriending Steven is a given
considering his friendly nature, as shown in the beginning when he offers
Peridot a tablet whose features make up for her lost finger screens. Amethyst, on the other hand, has a previously
established connection with Peridot who held her in highest regard based on the
customs of Homeworld she used to follow.
Now they have more legit bond as
Amethyst invites Peridot to join her and Steven at Beach
City’s amusement park Funland.
Before,
Funland was a backdrop for a few mostly lesser cartoons, but for what it brings
for the characters, this cartoon is the best use of the location. The time at Funland is enhanced by the
special Gem abilities, at least from two of the three characters. The ability on display is shapeshifting,
something Amethyst does a lot, and it’s what helps her and Steven enjoy
themselves. They stretch themselves to be tall enough to ride a roller coaster,
enjoy funhouse mirrors, and win a rigged ring toss.
As for Peridot, something’s clearly up with
her when she doesn’t come along and shapeshift with Steven and Amethyst,
especially since we’ve been led to believe that all Gems can do it. She stands around and uses her new tablet
until the sight of a big alien doll as a prize at the ring toss convinces her
to join the fun. When Amethyst’s
shapeshifting landing one ring isn’t enough for the doll, the truth comes out
that Peridot is so negative about shapeshifting because she can’t do it
herself. Her depressed way of admitting
this is an interesting change of pace.
Peridot mostly makes herself look like the best and smartest Gem of all,
but lamenting about what she can’t do makes her feel the opposite way, making
herself better-rounded.
Following some
enjoyable attempts to help Peridot shapeshift, there’s interesting depth to why
she can’t do it that also adds to the lore and history of the show. Relating to the need for Gem colonies,
resources on Homeworld are dwindling, so when Peridot was created for the
second era of Gems, she didn’t come with shapeshifting. This small tidbit alone makes the cartoon
stand out. We didn’t have to go this
deep with Peridot’s inability, but we did, and it says a lot about her and
Homeworld.
Through it all, Amethyst is
mature and tries to get it through Peridot that she’s fine the way she is. However, when she takes Peridot’s tablet and
throws it away, Peridot ends up saving it by controlling the metal it’s made of. There’s something inspiring about this where
you might not be able to do one thing, but you can still surprise yourself with
a new great ability. Would it have been
stronger if Peridot ended the cartoon fine with who she is without discovering
she has this power? Yes, but since
controlling metal is much like how she controlled her old limb enhancers and we
continue to see this ability, the ending works as it is.
That’s not even accounting for that adorable
hug when Peridot finally wins that alien.
The cartoon turns out to be a great one to develop Peridot’s character
and the nature of this show all unfolding in a place as fun as an amusement
park called Funland.
A
The Ranking
- Mr. Greg
- Gem Drill
- Super Watermelon Island
- Too Short to Ride
- Barn Mates
- Hit the Diamond
- Same Old World
- Steven Floats
- Drop Beat Dad
The next Steven Universe review gets a little disturbing when Steven helps Lars be a better person by taking over his body.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is Animaniacs Episode 42.
