**Major spoilers for Steven Universe season Five.**
After years of putting it off, I spent the last month marathoning Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe, and man, did it live up to the hype. Not only is the show brilliantly written, but it is filled with heart and such amazing characters that I found myself crying constantly, with joy, at the pure adorableness of it all.
Steven is one of the best characters ever, and this most recent season has really done an excellent job of subverting all our expectations, plus living up to twists that have been laid down for quite some time.
I was spoiled about the significant reveal of Rose Quartz being Pink Diamond, which is what prompted me to marathon the show to fully appreciate the weight of that information. Not only does the twist make a lot of sense, but watching the show with that knowledge from the beginning left me thinking, “Man, Rose is a bad person.”
Her actions led to such bloodshed and death and trauma on both sides, the Gems and the Diamonds, that I have no doubt this reveal is going to change the fabric of the show as we know it. As the above trailer shows, the Crystal Gems are not amused—especially Sapphire, who is so distraught after being lied to that she and Ruby split from Garnet over it.
When Ruby tries to console her, saying that there was no way any of them could have known, Sapphire lashes out.
“You couldn’t have known! You never know what’s going on!” Sapphire yells at Ruby. The trailer shows Sapphire getting into a launch pad and leaving, while Ruby is steeling herself to get used to a Sapphire-less life. Steven wonders if they will even fuse again, and although I know they will, I’m already preparing myself for the tears of joy at the eventual reunion of Garnet.
Just flirt and play baseball again!
Beyond just the inner-Crystal Gem conflict, the reveal of Rose Quartz as Pink Diamond changes everything. Jasper came to Earth for revenge against Rose for shattering Pink Diamond, and Yellow and Blue are in mourning over Pink Diamond. Now they know their sister not only lied to them about, but now Pink lives on in … Steven. Steven is a diamond, and more so, the “nephew” of Yellow and Blue. Could Steven claim the right to Earth and protect it from future invasions?
One of the things I love about the show is that it doesn’t feel like violence is the only way to solve problems. Steven may be the best hope for a lasting peace between the Diamonds and Earth in a totally different way than once expected, and I’m so excited to see what the show decides to do. Hopefully, everyone will just take a moment and think.
The return will be a five-night event arc titled “Heart of the Crystal Gems,” beginning on Monday, July 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT, with new episodes premiering all week to Friday, July 6.
Okay, Steven Universe fans: discussion post time! For those who are caught up, what do you think is going to happen? Who are your favorite characters/least favorites? I need to know your thoughts!
(via Polygon; image: Cartoon Network)
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Published: Jun 19, 2018 11:24 am