In the tenth episode of the second season of Steven Universe, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS SHOW. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Steven Universe.
Damn, this episode was a weird one. Good, but tonally, it’s kind of all over the place. I suppose that’s appropriate, though, because dream logic is fucking strange. It really is! “Chille Tid” does a fine job of capturing just how non-sensical and unnerving dreams can be, even when they’re not nightmares.
Of course, they’re now even weirder for Steven, since “Chille Tid” reveals one of Steven’s new powers: the ability to converse with gems through dreams. At least I think that’s what was shown here. Unlike other elements of his dreams – Dogcopter, the sitcom, the appearance of the Crystal Gems – his segments with Lapis are horribly realistic. Still surreal in a way, but they didn’t feel like they were part of Steven’s normal dream logic.
So what does that mean? My initial thought is that Steven’s connection with Lapis is very, very emotional. He’s the only one who expresses concern for her well-being whenever she’s brought up, and I cant ignore that. All of Steven’s powers thus far have been highly emotional. Perhaps that worry is what allowed him to connect with her on a subconscious level. But does it also have something to do with the fact that Lapis is part of a fusion? Malachite is a powerful fusion, though it’s one maintained by something other than love. Is Jasper capable of the kind of love that we see in the Garnet fusion? Or is Lapis, for that matter? Perhaps not with each other, given how much animosity, fear, anger, and resentment has built up between the two of them. But this fusion is so unlike the other ones we’ve seen. Is that why Steven can visit Lapis while dreaming?
I don’t know. “Chille Tid” only hints at possibilities; it doesn’t give us answers. We get to see all three of the Gems fall asleep at one point or another, which is pretty cool. (OH MY GOD, PEARL’S DREAM IS YET A FURTHER CASE FOR HER LOVE OF ROSE QUARTZ. LORD.) But Steven, like the audience is left hanging. There seems to be no way for him to actually help Lapis, and getting Jasper to see things differently? Well, that’s not even on the table at this point. And even if there was a way Steven or the Gems could help, Lapis Lazuli wants nothing of it. She wants to keep Jasper down all by herself.
That can’t last forever, and I’m a bit frightened about what may happen once Jasper gains control.
The video for “Chille Tid” can be downloaded here for $0.99.
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