RJ Writing Ink

Steven Universe: Future, Episodes 9-10 Review

If Steven Universe was about building Steven up as a messianic figure, then Steven Universe: Future’s been about deconstructing that archetype. In other words, what happens someone who thrives on saving and helping others runs out of people to help? So far, Steven’s been handling this change poorly. In fact, he seems to be handling change altogether poorly.

“Little Graduation”

The first class of Little Homeschool’s about to graduate, yet Steven’s stressing out over all the change in his life. Firstly, he learns Lars and the Off-Colors plan to go back into space. Secondly, he learns that the Lars and Sadie ship has sunk! Lastly, Sadie’s band broke up and now she’s writing music with her new partner.

Since Steven can’t handle the stress of this change, he goes Pink Steven and almost crushes everyone in a pink dome. Thankfully, his friends are able to calm him down by reminding him they’ll always be there no matter what. Even so, the whole experience makes Steven question what he really wants to be doing with his life, and whether his place is really at Little Homeschool.

Prickly Pair

In the following episode, we learn that Steven did end up deciding to leave Little Homeschool. However, he chooses to not deal with his obvious problems and isolates himself by taking up gardening. It seems fine at first, but when he says that his plants can never leave him, it’s clear he’s still got problems. Thus, when Steven accidentally brings a cactus to life as Cactus Steven. He then proceeds to vent all his frustations about life and the Crystal Gems to the cactus version. This backfires horribly when the plant goes berserk and wrecks the house, and then parrot everything Steven said to the actual Gems.

Steven ends up calming down Cactus Steven, but the damage’s already been done. All his insecurities laid bare before the Gems, and Steven doesn’t know how to deal with his biggest challenge: himself.

Steven’s Suffering From Too Much Change

Everyone’s thinking it, but I’m only saying it: Steven’s got issues he needs to work through. He’s coming to terms with the fact that he can be angry and selfish, he’s got leftover mother issues, and from the sounds of it, he’s got some deep-seated insecurities. Since he’s always defined himself by his need to help others, he’s never had to work on himself. As a result, when everyone’s moved on, he has no way to help himself.

As a young adult, I can sympathize with Steven’s fears about change. He’s at the point in life where people he’s known are moving on, and he doesn’t know how to deal with it. When I left high school, and eventually college, I went through a similar experience. However, I learned that the end to one chapter in my life could be the start of a brand new one.

If I could talk to Steven, here’s the best advice I could give him: first, talk out his problems with his friends and family. I’ve seen what happens when people bottle up their emotions, and it never ends well. Secondly, he should try and find himself, or what it means to be Steven. If necessary, he should leave Beach City and travel the Universe. That way, he’ll be able to help others and find the peace he clearly needs.

I don’t know if this is the last episode of Steven Universe Future, but I hope its not. We’ve come too far for the show to end on such a depressing note. Knowing Rebecca Sugar, though, I have a feeling that there will be a few more episodes coming in 2020. That’s something I’m looking forward to.

I Give “Little Graduation” and “Prickly Pair” a 4/5 each. Steven needs help.

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

Things that came to an end in 2019

In my look ahead at 2019 that I did at the end of last year, then you’ll recall what I dubbed 2019. I called it “the Year of Endings.” The name came from the fact that several great stories in the form of movies, shows, and games would be ending this year. It felt appropriate.

With the year now largely wrapped up, I decided to take a look back on everything that came to an end. In addition, I wanted to share my thoughts about the way these things ended. Too often have I seen a good story ruined by a bad ending.

Infinity Saga

When Iron Man came out in 2008, I don’t anyone knew what it was starting. As a result of that film, a cinematic universe the likes of which had never been done was born. Now fast forward to 2019, and supeheroes dominate our culture, with Marvel capping off one of the most ambitious stories in history: the Infinity Saga.

I’ve been a fan of Marvel since I was a kid. So when I saw Thanos appear in that mid-credits scene in Avengers, I knew what Marvel was building to. However, never in my wildest dreams did I expect the Infinity Saga to end like it did. The franchise had plenty of high moments, a few low points, but through it all, it remained an incredible ride. The final clash between the Avengers and Thanos was one of the greatest moments in cinematic history. As a result of the MCU, I don’t think our culture will ever be the same again, and I’m happy about that.

Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones was, without a doubt, the definitive show of the decade. Based on George R.R. Martin’s books and inspired by Shakespeare’s plays, this show gave us a modern spin on a medieval world. The sheer amount of success it’s had is mind-boggling. From giving dozens of actors their big break, to all the memes and references in pop culture, Game of Thrones was a show that only came around once a generation. Then, we got the finale.

If you’ve read my reviews for the final season, then you know how I thought it was a let-down. Yeah, all the characters I hated died, but the way they did made it feel like a hollow victory. While I don’t agree with how the show ended, I’ve since come to a conclusion. While I think the final season could have been done better, I don’t think it changes the fact that Game of Thrones is one of the best shows ever made. The ride alone made the whole thing worth it in the end. Also, I could at least celebrate Littlefinger’s death.

Kingdom Hearts: The Xehanort Saga

Fourteen years. That’s how long fans had been waiting for Kingdom Hearts 3 to come out. In that time, we had to go through several mid-quels, prequels, and remasterings. However, in January 2019, Square Enix finally gave us the final chapter in the Xehanort Saga for their crossover RPG, Kingdom Hearts.

Personally, I enjoyed Kingdom Hearts III. I loved the updated graphics, the new game play mechanics, and the new worlds based on Disney properties that we could explore. However, my enthusiasm for it was marred by my belief that Square Enix delayed it longer than necessary. Then when I got to the end and saw what happened, I felt more frustrated than sad with how it turned out. Despite this, I still think Kingdom Hearts is one of my all-time favorite series.

Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

After forty-two years, eleven movies, and hours worth of content, it seems that Star Wars is dropping the curtain on the Skywalkers. After Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, they announced their intent to create a Sequel Trilogy, culminating in the release of The Rise of Skywalker earlier this month. The film’s supposed to put an end to the story of Skywalker family. However, I don’t buy it for a second.

Ever since The Rise of Skywalker was announced, people talk like its the end of the franchise. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth! Star Wars proved a long time ago that it can tell great stories without involving the Skywalker family. In fact, some of the best content didn’t involve the Skywalkers or their friends at all! In other words, I see The Rise of Skywalker as the first chapter in a new era for a franchise that can go on for decades.

Star vs the Forces of Evil

This year saw one of the best cartoons put out in years come to an end. At one point, Star vs. the Forces of Evil was almost as popular as Steven Universe and Gravity Falls. However, that didn’t stop Disney from rushing bringing the show to a somewhat quiet end in May of this year. The question, though, is why I keep bringing this show up.

I think my obssession with Star vs. can be explained with three different reasons. Firstly, I think after being so thoroughly disappointed by it, I subconsciously transferred my love of Game of Thrones to Star vs as a means of coping. Secondly, I felt like Disney rushed to get the show’s final season out, throwing in multiple episodes in the span of a few weeks. As a result, it ended before we could get ready for it. Finally, I think that they could have told more stories in the show. Daron Nefcy has openly said she’d come back to do more with Star vs if Disney asked. Thus, I don’t think the story of Star Butterfly’s done just yet.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

I used to think that My Little Pony was a toy line meant for little girls. Then I saw Rainbow Dash beat the snot out of Starscream on an episode of Death Battle. That made me realize that these ponies could actually be cool. After that, I got into the show, and ended up becoming a brony.

In October of this year, Discovery Family and Hasbro brought My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic to an end. However, unlike Game of Thrones or Star vs., this show came to an end on a very satisfying note. Discovery Family went out of its way to promote it by re-running every episode ever, and the finale managed to tie up any remaining plot threads. In other words, it had a good ending. Best of all, IDW Comics will be continuing the story in comic book form starting next year, so this won’t be the last time we see these characters. I thought it was great seeing one of the decade’s best cartoons go out on a high note, and I only wish other shows could do the same thing.

Happy New Year

Do you agree with my picks? What other great things came to an end in 2019 that I missed? Let me know in the comments below, and happy New Year.

Click here to see more stuff recapping past years.