In the forty-ninth episode of the first season of Steven Universe, the Gems must turn to Greg to help them with a problem. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Steven Universe.
I JUST WROTE A WHOLE REVIEW ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC TO ME AND TO STEVEN UNIVERSE AND THEN I GOT ANOTHER EPISODE ABOUT MUSIC and I am so done with this show. (Just kidding, give me more.) One thing I’ve noticed about the story arc this season is that events that have unfolded over the course of these episodes have led to Greg and his son hanging out way more. Steven’s found comfort in his dad in ways that are really rewarding for him, and that includes the ways in which he’s able to be creative with Greg. Like, how cool is it that Steven gets to write songs with his dad??? I WANT THIS WATER WITCH ALBUM A WHOLE LOT.
But there’s a tragic irony in what unfolds here. The Gems are faced with an annoying complication in the Wailing Stone. There’s no singular voice coming out of it to pass along a message, which is how it used to work. Instead, it’s a painful wall of harsh feedback and squealing, easily one of the most irritating sounds I’ve ever heard. Steven proposes a solution: let his Audio Daddio try to interpret the stream of sound! It’s totally brilliant, and I expected that Greg would be able to pull it off. It’s his thing, y’all!
The frustrating thing about this conflict, though, isn’t in the attempt; it’s in the attitude. Both Pearl and Amethyst – but especially Pearl – believe that Greg’s equipment is inferior, so much so that his attempts to try and help are pointless. On some level, I understood that; gem technology is so unlike human technology. But Greg got really close to figuring it out, y’all! If his battery hadn’t blown out, I bet he at least would have gotten the audio of the message.
That’s the irony, though. The Gems believe so much in their technology and it being more advanced than humanity that they don’t even consider that what they’ve got is outdated. Granted, why would they ever do that? Until “Marble Madness,†they hadn’t even communicated with anyone from the Homeworld in thousands and thousands of years! But now I’m remembering what Peridot said in that episode about Earth and the gem technology left behind. OH GOD, I HAD THE ANSWER THE WHOLE TIME.
I’m not thrilled about this revelation, but I’m glad that Steven gets a chance to support his father and encourage him to try again. There are days where I sit and think about what a good, noble person Steven is and it makes me want to cry forever. Let “The Message†be the millionth example of that. He refuses to let his father give up, but he also doesn’t inspire him through conversation or manipulation. HE’S JUST SO GENUINE, OKAY. The pay-off, of course, is Garnet offering Greg her respect and admiration, which shows Greg that he is appreciated.
However, it’s a sobering, bittersweet moment. While Greg tears up in joy, the Gems are left with shock and discomfort on their faces. Why? Because PERIDOT IS ON THEIR WAY TO EARTH AND THEY ARE NOT ALONE AND GEM TECHNOLOGY IS A MILLION TIMES MORE ADVANCED THAN ANYONE THOUGHT IT IS. In that moment, the Gems are ones at a disadvantage. Lapis Lazuli’s message is one of horror and fear, and I’m so nervous about what it will mean for Steven and the other Gems. If the technology of the Homeworld is so advanced that it frightened Lapis, then how are the Gems ever going to stop it? What if the robonoid things are just the start? What if they can’t stop a Gem invasion?
More importantly:Â What is wrong with this show?
The video for “The Message†can be downloaded here for $0.99.
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