Source: Cartoon Network Steven Universe
(Before we bury the lead, note the double episodes listed for Thursday September 15th!
“Tiger Philanthropist” and “Last One Out of Beach City” which sounds like we might be getting some drama to move the plot along for those who aren’t as in love with the fillers)
This show is packing more character development than some of our favorite one hour series! Lets take a look back at the season so far:
The Kindergarten Kid:
Peridot learns what it takes to capture corrupted gems, we learn that she now considers the Barn home, and we were blessed with visuals like this:
Source: Cartoon Network Steven Universe
Know Your Fusion:
Who doesn’t love fusions? And who didn’t want to see more Sardonyx?! (Literally no one wanted that, but its okay) We were happy to see the character development, the lessons about communicating needs and paying attention to social queues, but happiest of all with the 4th wall break about still having to pay Nicki Minaj for reusing a sound clip she did for Sugilite almost exactly 2 years ago. Worth it tho-
Source: Cartoon Network Steven Universe
Buddy’s Book:
Buddy’s Book served as more of a PSA on encouraging kids to read and made me feel bad for watching a children’s show but made us feel included by providing this 4th wall break (I don’t know why we like that trope so much but we REALLY do)
Source: Cartoon Network Steven Universe
And speaking of a call-back…
Source: Cartoon Network Steven Universe
Not to mention the episode was full of fodder for fan theories, but we won’t belabor that here (except look at this picture):
Source: Cartoon Network Steven Universe
What does it mean for our lion theory?!
Mindful Education:
Character development, representation of anxiety, actual coping techniques, an emotional episode that makes the title character less obnoxious, and a song from Estelle to go with it? Just watch the clip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpnVcL7pG-0
The thing is, there’s a great deal of stuff that doesn’t advance the plot and it was nearly an entire season of that shit. Season three wasn’t great but season four was mind numbingly dull for the most part. The first season had excellent pacing and worldbuilding. The second was pretty okay too, but then you get these and the pacing goes to shit after those and it’s such a letdown. The show would be over faster if they just cut out most of the filler.