Thoughts on Quality Cartoons, and a Steven Universe Required Viewing Guide
August 12, 2016 - Television
Pop Culture Happy Hour just did an episode on Steven Universe and Board Games. Two things I love. I wrote a long comment on their site, but it seems to have disappeared, so now I'm writing this blog entry instead.
There are not many cartoons that I can say I truly love. The Tick, of course. And The Simpsons will always be great. But in the past decade, very few come to mind.
I watched and loved all three seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Then I had my wife and daughters rewatch with me, and they loved it. When I try to think of a good television show that's had a satisfying plot arc, good characters who develop over time, and an excellent satisfying conclusion to a great story, this cartoon is the show that I always think of first, moreso than many of my other favorite TV shows. Yeah - it's good. But don't watch the live action movie. A few years after Airbender, Nikelodeon launched Avatar: The Legend of Korra, which was also an excellent show. If you haven't watched, I highly recommend it.
I really don't consider myself a fan of anime in general. These are just really great shows.
So now, Steven Universe. This isn't the first time I've written about Steven Universe. It's so easy to write the show off as a silly kids' cartoon. But it's well-written, funny, has very involved mythology, great characters, and is really well voice acted. Additionally, I've said it before, and I'll say it again - the songwriting in this cartoon is astoundingly good.
As I was reviewing the episode synopses to write this, I was reminded that there are nearly no skippable episodes. By skipping any of them, you're seriously missing out. I've often related to my daughter that each episode, even the one-offs, seems to relate a single key piece of information. This trickle of plot-reveal is something I really appreciate.
But since they mentioned in Pop Culture Happy Hour that a few of them skipped through and only watched a few, here are the episodes which to me are the necessary ones.
Season 1, Episode 1: Gem Glow - Mainly because it's the first episode. This episode introduces the characters and the concept of Gems and Weapons.
Season 1, Episode 2: Laser Light Cannon - Because the pilot is really kind of a two-parter. Also introduces Steven's father, Greg.
Season 1, Episode 12: Giant Woman - Remains one of my all-time favorite episodes, has some very funny jokes, and has the first truly great song.
Season 1, Episode 20: Coach Steven - Introduces Sugilite, and has a fantastic song, Strong in the Real Way.
Season 1, Episode 24: An Indirect Kiss - Perhaps not as crucial as the others, but it introduces one of Steven's new powers and emphasizes the fact that the Gems' bodies are just projections.
Season 1, Episode 25: Mirror Gem (part 1) - Referred to by a friend of mine as the place where the show finally takes off. Introduces Lapis
Season 1, Episode 26: Ocean Gem (part 2) - The second half of the previous episode. Very much like a season finale.
Season 1, Episode 37: Alone Together - A favorite episode of many people. I've read entire articles written about this episode. Deals with Steven, Connie, and Fusion.
Season 1, Episode 48: Story for Steven - Another truly great episode. It relates the backstory of how Steven's parents met, and has some fantastic music.
Season 1, Episode 51: The Return (part 1) - Necessary primarily for the lead-in to the amazing season 1 finale.
Season 1, Episode 52: Jailbreak (part 2) - Easily one of the best episodes of Steven Universe. If you've followed the show from the beginning and haven't yet been spoiled, the payoff is tremendous.
Season 2, Episode 1: Full Disclosure - A good follow-up and unwind to the big finale. Also, contains the song that I use as my ringtone.
Season 2, Episode 6: Sworn to the Sword - Delves into the relationship between Pearl and Rose, and between Steven and Connie. Also, has an excellent song.
Season 2, Episode 22: The Answer - A big backstory reveal: details how Ruby and Sapphire met.
Season 2, Episode 25: Message Received - A transformative episode for Peridot.
Season 3, Episode 1: Super Watermelon Island (part 1) - This two-parter is more like a season finale. A big episode with lots of action.
Season 3, Episode 2: Gem Drill (part 2) - End of the two-parter, showcasing Steven's nonviolent problemsolving.
Season 3, Episode 8: Mr.Greg - Patterned after musical theater, this episode deals with repairing a longstanding relationship issue, and is one of my personal favorite episodes.
We're still 8-10 episodes behind at this point, and I'm very much looking forward to sitting down with my family and watching more.