Steven Universe Season 1 Episode 35 “Lion 3: Straight to Video”
And now a big cheer from my heart. Let's... go... me, alright! Do your best! Do your best! Don't lose me! - Faye Valentine
For me, Steven Universe is one of those shows that burst on the scene like its predecessor Adventure Time and decided to show everyone up. With its bright color scheme, array of characters, and large appreciation from all Cartoon Network viewers, the Rebecca Sugar penned work appears to have everything. That is, except my viewership.
I can’t pinpoint why I’m not more excited about this show that people are hailing as one of the greats. Maybe I’ve been spoiled on Adventure Time. Maybe I’m not fully aware of what the show has to offer. Maybe some other third thing. However, I intended to fix the second aspect, and boy howdy I picked a winner. The episode I chose to watch was the last episode that premiered so far (natch), but thirty-four other eleven-minute works have come before it. By sheer coincidence, I hit on the one episode that could guarantee my viewership of the show.
To the uninitiated, Steven Universe is what you get when you take a normal coastal mountain town and add world altering magic to the mix. Simple you may say, but plenty can be gleaned. At the head are three demigoddesses of power, The Crystal Gems, and their new trainee Steven. Being the son of a Moon Princess Serena like figure (shout out to those who got that reference) named Rose Quartz, he is the rightful owner of immense power that he cannot fully tap into due to his inexperience. Throughout the series, he has an overwhelming want to know more about who his mother was having never known her in person. This episode does a lot to reveal her mystique.
It starts at the local doughnut shop where Steven’s friends Sadie and Lars work part-time. They’re about to close up, but Steven and his pet pink lion Lion (Cartoon Network, everybody) have a difficult time deciding what to order. He remarks that in one of the fridges is a bag with “Sadie” written on it, and thinks it’s a snack named after her. The girl behind the counter says that her mother packs her a lunch every day, but she’s old enough to do it herself, so really it’s a moot point. What I can really accept from this series is its portrayal of the adolescent to teenage years. It’s not too hokey and not too stereotypical. The characters in this age range feel very organic, in a sense that I would know these people personally, while still maintaining unique identities. It’s a rare sight to behold.
Steven asks if he could have one of the lunches, and Sadie only warns that some of them could be really old. He takes one home and notices a star shaped cookie, much like the one on his t-shirt. He wonders about his mother and what kinds of cookies she baked. What I mostly like about the character of Steven, and many fans of the show will agree, is his wide-eyed amazement over the world. His thoughts are big, and so his imagination is big.
He gets ready for the night, but Lion decides he wants to sleep in Steven’s bed. From this, I almost expected a similar story to that of the Adventure Time episode “The Eyes” Not that I mind. That episode was hilarious. Also, I apologize for all the A.T. comparisons, but to be fair, the creator Rebecca Sugar was the lead composer of the show.
Steven dreams a field of pink fur, and hears his mother’s voice, only to realize Lion is sitting on top of him and he can’t breathe. Also, the leader of the Crystal Gems, Pearl, is in his room. She has a habit of watching him sleep. Given what I know of the character, she has an overprotective nature towards Steven to the point of neurosis, so this in character. And hilarious.
Both Lion and Pearl leave him well enough alone, and Steven dreams of a checkers match against a “propeller dog”. The dog wins after using a chess queen to take the only King, and reveals to Steven that in order to win at life, an amount of creativity must be employed. Cut to field of pink fur and Lion sitting on top of him again. Thinking his pet is being too affectionate he puts the lion outside for the night in a stern manner. This leads to one of the few times I’ve seen a pink lion make puppy dog eyes for sympathy. Oh wait, scratch that, that’s the only time I’ve seen that.
Steven wonders what the big deal is and shoves his head face-first into Lion’s mane. Further examination of the field of pink fur shows a tree with several items underneath it. They include a sword, a t-shirt, a picnic basket, and a VHS tape. He grabs the VHS labeled “For Steven” before realizing he needs to come up for air. He dives out of the mane and runs to the doughnut shop.
It’s the early morning, and Sadie and Lars are getting ready to open when Steven rushes up and explains his situation. He and Sadie enter the back room, where there’s a TV with VCR capabilities. They pop the tape in and…
Hello Cowboy Bebop?
I know it’s out of the blue, but hear me out. All the time I’m watching these two view the tape, I’m reminded of an episode of my favorite anime Cowboy Bebop where a similar occurrence happens. The past is revisited via an outdated format like VHS and reveals to the recipient a major aspect of their past. It’s actually surprising to me that this cliché isn’t done more often, as it allows for intimacy between two worlds that will never see each and never know of each other to connect on a singular bond. Same goes for the Adventure Time Christmas special (again with referencing Adventure Time).
Back to the episode, the video shows Steven’s mom and dad shortly before he was born. They’re on a beach enjoying themselves when Steven’s mom turns the camera towards herself. She explains to Steven that she could not live in the same world as her son as the way the universe is dictated forbids it. She then reaffirms that even though she will sacrifice her physical form, it will be worth everything just to know her son can perform great deeds with his magic ability. In turn, she will become half of his own existence to always watch over him. She turns the camera back to her husband for an embrace.
The tape ends, and Lars come in the back only to find Steven and Sadie with tears in their eyes. Steven leaves the shop, and Sadie calls her mom up to talk about the lunches she always packs. End episode.
Well, that was one of the best proper introductions to a show I’ve ever had, and now I want more. Unlike so many weaving lore stories before it, this feels tied to a singular element that is constant and interesting. There’s no need to go into great detail with everything if your job is to reveal small bits and pieces like a trail of breadcrumbs. Just know that the simple stuff can be just as complex as an epic yarn of history. I know that so many other show get called out for having a missing parent be a major element, as it has been done to death, but this one gets a pass for execution.
Congratulations, Steven Universe. You picked up a new fan that wants to see all of your slapdash and innocent adventures in the cosmic world you inhabit. You are your own exceptional entity, and should be able entertain many in the months to come.
