In the seventeenth episode of the second season of Steven Universe, it is astounding to me that I have been able to relate to one show so much. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Steven Universe.Â
I’ll admit that my mother’s behavior diverged from how Sadie’s mother behaves specifically in how my own mom did this shit to be controlling. One of the few friends I still have from junior high would easily recount to all of you how in seventh grade, for Mrs. Hall’s science class, we were assigned a molecule that we had to construct a model for. We were paired off with another student, and the pair had to create said model. I had a vague idea of what we were going to do, but my mother not only took over the project – which included driving us to Michael’s in the middle of it to get new supplies – but then constructed it herself. Because we did it wrong.
Sadie’s mother has a more good-natured reason for involving herself in her daughter’s life, but that doesn’t negate how stifled Sadie feels. You ever meet someone’s parents and then completely understand them? WELL, HERE’S OUR CHANCE TO DO THE SAME WITH SADIE, because oh my god, she makes so much sense once you’ve met Barbara. Barbara is just so excited for her daughter because Sadie is so talented and she just wants the whole world to know this! There’s nothing wrong with this mentality all by itself, but “Sadie’s Song” shows us how Barbara (and Steven!) get so wrapped up in living vicariously through Sadie that they end up controlling and smothering her. And it’s so disheartening to watch! They never notice Sadie’s discomfort, and even if they do, they just chalk it up to stage fright instead of actual disinterest.
Basically, they let their excitement get the best of them, and they trampled all of what Sadie wanted. At the conclusion of “Sadie’s Song,” I had an epiphany about this: so much of Steven Universe is an exploration of relationships. Practically everything thrilling moment or shocking reveal centered around people and how they chose to interact with others. Coming off of “Nightmare Hospital,” which focused on the toxic environment that Dr. Maheswaran had created, this episode feels like the perfect companion. Barbara’s behavior spawned an environment that made it difficult for Sadie to assert what she wanted, so much so that she still has problems asserting herself outside the house. This week’s episodes also covered things like apologies, accountability, relationship turmoils, unintended harm… and Steven Universe pulls it all off in ELEVEN-MINUTE INCREMENTS.
There’s a lot to like about this show, and “Sadie’s Song” is a great way for me to explain that. Sadie’s feelings are respected and validated; Steven is allowed to explore himself and WEAR A DRESS AND MAKE-UP AND NO ONE BOOS HIM AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL; Barbara and her daughter get to talk in a way that lets Sadie be honest and grow closer. This show is just so pure, y’all, and I can’t get over how awesome that is.
The video for “Sadie’s Song” can be downloaded here for $0.99.
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