In the eighteenth episode of the second season of Steven Universe, Steven tries a different tactic with Peridot and has surprising results. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Steven Universe.Â
I am just in awe of Steven.
Violence is inherently a part of this show, and yet I’m surprised at how frequently the show presents its characters with other options. That’s not to say that violence is never the answer, and I definitely don’t think the show is trying to say it’s bad for the Crystal Gems to defend themselves. Yet I can’t deny what a huge fan I am of solutions like this one, where Steven offers Peridot understanding, sympathy, and a willing ear. Over the course of this show, Steven has kept an open mind; it’s like his default setting, you know? Whenever he meets someone new, he accepts them in good faith.
In the case of Peridot, he’s never quite been on board with viewing her as an enemy or even an antagonist, for that matter. He just wants to understand her. Look, she kidnaps him at the start of the episode, threatens him so he’ll attempt to repair the Homeworld warp pad, and Steven STILL just tries to be friendly with her. I am a pretty patient person, and even I cannot say that I’d react the same way. He is just so PURE, y’all! SO PURE AND ACCEPTING.
I’d like to say that this is intentional, that the writers understand what a uniquely human thing this is. From what I know of the Gems, it doesn’t seem in their nature to sympathize and empathize with others, though all three of them have learned to do so after spending so much time recently alongside humans. It’s Steven who gets all of them to realize that maybe treating Peridot like a corrupt Gem is a bad idea. Sure, it’s framed in terms of tactical advantages – keeping Peridot around to talk to them about what the Homeworld is planning is smart – but I can’t ignore how Steven treats Peridot. He’s curious, yes; he wants to know what she was going to say. But he doesn’t exploit her. He answers her questions, too, and he does his best to behave in a way to prove to her that he isn’t going to hurt her and that he’s sorry for doing so in the past.
I just love Steven a great deal. I’m also terrified of whatever the cluster is. Something hatching that no one can stop? NO THANK YOU. But I’m gonna figure out what it is sooner rather than later; this season is not as long as the first one. Is it an attack force? Maybe something to cleanse the planet and make it ready for gems??? I don’t know, y’all. But perhaps Steven’s growing friendship with Peridot – it’s totally becoming one!!! – will give us some more information. In the meantime… y’all, there’s a new Gem living in Steven’s bathroom. This is such a cool turn of events!
The video for “Catch and Release” can be downloaded here for $0.99.
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