Steven Universe Future | Episode 7 & 8
Added 2024-08-29 14:00:04 +0000 UTCPearl shapeshifting was certainly a site I could've left unexplored π€£ Really lovely story for the first episode, told in an incredibly goofy way, I love the way they handled and explored Steven growing up a bit. Lapis' song in the second episode though chef's kiss, so good! I hope y'all enjoy the reaction π
Comments
Wooo okay! Snow Day: I don't think I have much Lore and Foreshadowing stuff to discuss with this one, but it's genuinely one of my top three fav eps of SUF. Just narrowly beating it out are In Dreams and Fragments. (The latter of which is my favorite.) There's simply something so... charmingly s1-esque about spending an entire episode watching Steven play tag with the Gems. It's cozy, but most of all it's Thematically Focused. I feel like it's the much needed lil' bit of interaction I needed to see from all of these characters after they've all been sorta thrown about doing their own things thus far this epilogue. I think it's kinda interesting how this one almost goads the audience to take the Gems' side at first- playing with our own nostalgia about old Steven Universe staples like that cheeseburger backpack, the together breakfast, etc etc, to push just how fervently Steven himself is trying to cut himself off from that segment of his past. In many ways it kinda feels like an unexpected slap to the face at first- Steven, what do you MEAN you don't use that backpack anymore? What do you MEAN your old favorite treat has "too much sugar?" But as this episode plays out, and we see how the Gems are falling into this trap of nostalgia for what Was, one starts to see the ache of both sides... a teenager who is blossoming into his independence and just wants to be taken more seriously these days, vs the parental figures who are now having to cope with the daunting reality that their kid is very close to flying from the nest, and desperately wish they all had more Time together. Plus, it's just so cute. The shapeshifted fusions? Garnet being so animated and silly while playing with everyone? That dumb shot of Steven but shapeshifted to look like a teeny kiddo in his way too big clothes? There's so many fun little moments here. _ Why So Blue: So, the biggest thing here that grabbed my attention here upon my first rewatch was that clear parallel between Lapis almost losing control and Steven Actually losing control against Jasper in the back half of the epilogue. Lapis to the others: "Who's dull now? Who's PITIFUL NOW?" Steven (in Fragments): "You're right, Jasper... I HAVE been holding back!" On top of the way the two of them spend these confrontations holding back on showcasing their true force of power until the very end, there's even some visual similarities in how these scenes are framed- a shot of the victim(s) (would-be victims, in this case, thankfully) from below, staring up in fear at their opponent... who is partially obscured within the might of their magic, readying their strike from above. Frankly, the biggest difference between these scenes is the fact that Lapis has someone to turn to, someone there to help act as her moral compass when she is tempted to fall back into old instincts and habits and take all her anger out on others. When Steven slips into a similar situation... he does not. Which is tragic, really. It sure does make me glad that Lapis had him here in this moment though, because she sure seemed super tempted to lash out. Good on her for catching herself and pulling back- like she says soon after, it's THAT ability that shows true strength. Lapis: "That wasn't strength! That was weakness. Restraint takes strength. Patience takes strength!" In other rambles, I really like the way this episode uses the lapis side characters to further that little side thread about things not being Perfect in Era 3 by any means. There will always be Gems who simply don't Get it... Gems who genuinely have no interest in participating in what Steven is trying to build here. Gems who hear his message and go "yeah, no, I kinda hate this guy." Even if the show doesn't choose to linger on this topic- instead using the epilogue's runtime to flesh out Steven's own arc- I think the inclusion of so many Era 3 balkers makes things feel far more realistic than it would've otherwise. And that Lapis song! So stunning. I love that VA's voice a lot. <3
Novantinuum
2024-08-30 06:58:05 +0000 UTCOh oh do I have some stuff to say about Why So Blue especially when I get home later tonight. (Re: the massive parallels between OP Lapis and her choosing to back down, vs Stevenβs OP moment against Jasper and him Not backing down, because he didnβt have someone there to act as his moral anchor the way Lapis did hhhh.) Wonderful reaction as always!
Novantinuum
2024-08-29 19:34:12 +0000 UTCThat's actually what I thought too (him aging along with Connie,) but I ended up not mentioning it. I imagine him having more "normal" human way of living will help him age more "naturally."
Vilmu
2024-08-29 16:24:37 +0000 UTCAs soon as I read Vilmu's comment, that's what I was thinking. He lives his life with Connie and then when she's gone, he's gone. I think it's called heartbreak syndrome or something, it's a real thing that when an older couple, when one passes, the other typically follows shortly. I'd imagine it'd be like that. But yeah, dark subject haha a bit sad
So Everdream
2024-08-29 15:49:49 +0000 UTCYeah, I like to imagine he lives out a very nice lifetime with Connie and then passes sometime shortly after she does ;w; (Of course, thatβs the Nice scenario. I love thinking about the sads too, sometimes, lol.)
Novantinuum
2024-08-29 15:39:43 +0000 UTCSteven is actually aged-up. Rebecca and some others answered the question if Steven can die of old age (though they don't like to think about the dark subject:) he ages based on his state of mind, so he can live a super long time or a more usual human life-span depending on his mentality. Rebecca imagines he will likely have a very long life and eventually die, with the Gems as actual immortals outliving him, so there would never be a super depressing situation where Steven is left all alone.
Vilmu
2024-08-29 15:22:06 +0000 UTC
