Finally got around to watching "Watermelon Island".
Not a bad episode, although to be honest I would've preferred an episode focusing solely on Malachite. Considering the build up she got, along with the story potential regarding her mental state, it feels like it was resolved too quickly. The watermelon society is cute, but they felt a bit shoehorned in. Combine that with the ongoing threat of the Cluster, the episode felt a little clustered—I mean, cluttered.
Still, it had nice animation, and it was neat to see what Alexandrite could do. I assumed she was a case of Awesome, but Impractical and wouldn't be very useful, but I was wrong. Steven being able to pass his conciousness to his plants is a neat new power as well.
Watched Gem Drill.
I never expected Periscope to be the one to encourage Steven.
Does Peridot's conversation with Steven indicate that all Gems are formed by the material they're named after? I never assumed their names were literal.
I was initially disappointed that the whole team wouldn't be present for the mission, but Steven and Peridot's interactions made it worth it. The solution to the Cluster was novel, although I admit that I was half-hoping that it wouldn't work, and Steven would have to accept that he can't save everyone or resolve every situation peacefully. I can't really fault the show, because it's meant to be an optimistic work. I just worry that such an approach might make things feel too easy.
I was so happy Steven was able to solve the Cluster thing the way he did. Not every situation can be resolved peacefully, and Steven should learn that eventually, but the Cluster was made up of completely innocent gems. Leave resorting to violence to people who are actually evil, like YD, instead of the millions of innocent victims that made up the Cluster
Same Old World
So Steven has a hot dog tote bag in addition to a cheeseburger backpack? Awesome.
You guys see the shape of that soldier that clocked Lapis? Some crazy hair on that one. I hope it was foreshadowing for a type of Gem we haven't seen yet.
More implications that Homeworld is kind of stagnant, and why Earth is so much more awesome than it is.
Yeah, that's my main worry. It's not so much that this particular situation was solved peacefully, I'm just a little concerned that if the show keeps going that route, it's going to lose some of its nuance and feel a little cheap. But we'll just have to wait and see.
I really liked this solution, because it was culmination of the psychic empath powers Steven has been developing since Chille Tid.
But when they start dealing with real villains, like the Diamonds, hopefully those won't be solved through the same peaceful means. The Diamonds are ruthless dictators, they don't deserve to be redeemed and forgiven, and I'll be extremely upset with the show if that's what happens. Though I don't see why it would, the Crewniverse is smarter than that
I hope "Cut of your gem" is an actual Gem saying, and not just Periwinkle mangling an Earth phrase she overheard.
It's ironic that after going through so much to accept the Gems, Periberry has to deal with someone who still won't accept her. I'm gonna have to draw the line if the next season has Peri and Lapis trying to teach Jasper the magic of friendship.
Dramatic Lapis makes for some great Cringe Comedy.
I like how it's cloudy when Peridot gives Lapis her gift. It's like a visual indication to the viewer that things are about to get worse in regards to how Lapis reacts to Peri's attempts to connect with her.
I didn't expect to have another episode directly leading into the next so soon. I wonder if this is going to be common this seasons.
Interesting. Garnet was always portrayed as seeing possibilities, while Sapphire always spoke in certainties. But in "Hit the Diamond", she also talks as if she only sees what might happen, not what will happen.
I wonder if "You're lying to me!" "To make you feel better!" was an intentional callback to the blackout episode, or just a coincidence.
I swear I've seen that "baseball grinding into a bat" visual before. Excel Saga? I don't have much experience with sports anime.
Good episode. I loved the hilariously dumb Rubies. I had assumed that Gems of the same type tend to have the same basic personality, but I guess I was wrong. Or those Rubies were defective. And despite being a comedic episode, it still planted a seed for a future plotline, showing that Yellow Diamond apparently has something more complicated up her sleeve than just revenge on Peridot.
It's probably a staple of animated baseball action
I know FLCL had it too
Forever liveblogging the AvengersOkay. I've been following Steven Universe since almost the beginning, and the fact that until just now I didn't know that Michaela Dietz has a role in GTAV where she swears up a storm pisses me off. That Amethyst-cussing shaped hole in my life should've been filled long before now.
edited 14th Jun '16 12:26:17 PM by Austin
Yeah, I've been going through the thread, and someone posted this tumblr video that edits in her swearing with clips of Amethyst.
http://ocean-stuck.tumblr.com/post/144360304034/thesoullessmoon-ladygolem-squarestmom
Ruby sprites, walking and weapon summoning.
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Can I do beter with Ruby's boxing glove given the limitations of pixels?
The Crystal Caverns A bird's gotta sing.Yeah, the "baseball grinding into a bat" thing itself is a really old animation bit, to symbolize a super powerful pitch - similar to catching a ball which then sends the catcher flying.
However, the "baseball grinding into the bat, which then turns into a homerun" moment we see here is almost certainly a specific reference.
edited 14th Jun '16 1:57:10 PM by KnownUnknown

Both intro songs are good. Though the second I like more for its complexity and fuller sound.
I think that's kind of the point, season 2 Crystal Gems are varied and there's new dynamics we weren't aware of, and season 1 Gems started as these inscrutable, perfect guardians.