TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

Steven Universe

Go To

jessicadicicco610 Since: Oct, 2018 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#60726: Mar 27th 2020 at 10:35:39 AM

So, would the show have been better if it was made for streaming right from the start instead of tv? Shows on streaming services have less restrictions.

deuteragonist Since: Dec, 2013
#60727: Mar 27th 2020 at 11:37:21 AM

Oddly enough, it kind of already is. A lot of the episodes tie directly into another instead of being their own experience, particularly in seasons 2, 3, and 5. The Wanted arc, the Beta/Earthlings arc, the Peridot redemption arc, the Malachite/Cluster 2-parter, etc.

My point is that a lot of the show is not episodic, especially when it comes to the main plot. The show does serialized drama well, but it also A) has a lot of unnecessary filler (see: Season 4), B) has great episodes that could have been longer (i.e Mr. Greg, Rose's Scabbard, Mindful Education, On The Run, etc), or C) just merged many of the "half-episodes" together into full ones.

Personally, I think one of the most structurally perfect episodes of Steven Universe is "Bismuth". Terrible politics of the episode aside, we meet a new character, she's interesting, we get backstory, great character interactions, a reveal, a climactic battle, and a bittersweet ending. It's great.

Edited by deuteragonist on Mar 27th 2020 at 11:38:15 AM

thatother1dude from Land of the Ill, Annoyin' Since: Jan, 2001
#60728: Mar 27th 2020 at 11:38:11 AM

Shows on streaming services have less restrictions.
Says who? Children’s animation on Netflix clearly has a much tighter S&P than Cartoon Network.

Not to mention lower budget, especially when it’s a new IP.

@deuteragonist: I remember a crewmember stating the show couldn’t be storyboard-driven if most episodes were half-hour.

Edited by thatother1dude on Mar 27th 2020 at 1:40:45 PM

deuteragonist Since: Dec, 2013
#60729: Mar 27th 2020 at 11:44:52 AM

[up]Did they explain why? I feel like I'm missing something.

PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#60730: Mar 27th 2020 at 11:59:32 AM

Terrible politics of the episode aside

What do you mean by that?

Kayeka (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#60731: Mar 27th 2020 at 12:05:33 PM

Oh god, please not that discussion again.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#60732: Mar 27th 2020 at 12:05:37 PM

Yeah, not gonna lie, I sincerely have no idea what politics are even in that episode.

Though I also don't go looking for politics in shows I watch for fun, so it likely went right over me of there was any such message.

Edited by sgamer82 on Mar 27th 2020 at 1:09:18 PM

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#60733: Mar 27th 2020 at 12:14:40 PM

Something Something Breaking Point I think

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#60734: Mar 27th 2020 at 12:22:50 PM

That's kind of what I expected. On the other hand, "Killing is bad m'kay." is political now?

At first glance that's up there with "bubbling is worse than shattering"

Edited by sgamer82 on Mar 27th 2020 at 1:23:24 PM

deuteragonist Since: Dec, 2013
#60735: Mar 27th 2020 at 12:26:57 PM

Okay, "terrible politics" is probably overkill, but there are Unfortunate Implications in that episode.

Bismuth, a black-coded character, develops a weapon to save her friends and fellow-oppressed gems that could defeat the genocidal oppressors that they're fighting and turn the tide in their fight for freedom. The show somehow portrays this as an awful and harmful thing (at least it did at the time) and Bismuth gets gaslighted and imprisoned for it. TWICE. It's also not hard to see her portrayal akin to an angry black woman stereotype by the end of the episode as she tries to kill our beloved Steven, portraying her tragedy as though she brought it on herself.

It's really sad, both in and out of context. But I still kind of love the episode because Bismuth is such a great character that eventually comes back. Also, the implications are somewhat alleviated when you realize Rose Quartz was a bit of a jerk and probably had ulterior motives when imprisoning her. Oh and Future plays with the shattering thing too.

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#60736: Mar 27th 2020 at 2:28:13 PM

Uh yeah,thats uh..interesting

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
randomness4 Ghost '11 from The Land of Inconvenience Since: Sep, 2011
Ghost '11
#60737: Mar 27th 2020 at 2:34:37 PM

It's pretty hard to see that myself, since the extremes of stereotypes tend to get disassociated from real life examples.

Also the way she acts beforehand just doesn't jive.

Rules of the Internet 45. Rule 45 is a lie. Check out my art if you notice.
thatother1dude from Land of the Ill, Annoyin' Since: Jan, 2001
#60738: Mar 27th 2020 at 2:50:36 PM

Did they explain why? I feel like I'm missing something.
Because they'd have to either coordinate twice as many people working each episode or have everyone spend twice as long on the same story.

The only half-hour storyboard-driven shows I know of are Samurai Jack and Primal, both of which have minimal dialogue.

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#60739: Mar 27th 2020 at 2:52:44 PM

Its too late now,but I would have loved it if they did an episode that was entirely Mickey Mousing

ignore the title this was taken from a promo for everything is fine

Edited by Ultimatum on Mar 27th 2020 at 10:52:43 AM

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
randomness4 Ghost '11 from The Land of Inconvenience Since: Sep, 2011
Ghost '11
#60740: Mar 27th 2020 at 4:06:07 PM

Anyone else think Stephen would've felt better faster if he got an imaginary hair-cut from Finn & Jake?

Rules of the Internet 45. Rule 45 is a lie. Check out my art if you notice.
BlackYakuzu94 CHADhan Player. from Easy Coast/NY Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
CHADhan Player.
#60741: Mar 27th 2020 at 4:14:15 PM

Alright guys, we're officially going into uncharted territory here. Whatever happens, its been a wild ride.

A lazy millennial who's good at what he does.
jouXIII The One Who Knows Many Things from Between the Multiverses (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
The One Who Knows Many Things
#60742: Mar 27th 2020 at 4:18:27 PM

Alright, that's my cue to avoid this thread until I've watched the final episodes. See ya then!

I assure you, I'm perfectly trustable person
AngelLightStar An Agent of Love from Florida Since: Aug, 2016 Relationship Status: Omelette du fromage~
An Agent of Love
#60743: Mar 27th 2020 at 4:20:56 PM

I'm not sure about Garnet's relationship counselling service after the last time she tried....

Currently playing/Watching: Urusei Yatsura, Pokemon Violet, Sonic Frontiers
OmegaRadiance Since: Jun, 2011
#60744: Mar 27th 2020 at 4:24:29 PM

Steven is a big buff teen.

Every accusation by the GOP is ALWAYS a confession.
BlackYakuzu94 CHADhan Player. from Easy Coast/NY Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
CHADhan Player.
#60745: Mar 27th 2020 at 4:25:26 PM

Criiiinge.

A lazy millennial who's good at what he does.
Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#60746: Mar 27th 2020 at 4:25:55 PM

I'm picturing Steven growing to the size of a house Alice in wonderland style..

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
BlackYakuzu94 CHADhan Player. from Easy Coast/NY Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
CHADhan Player.
#60747: Mar 27th 2020 at 4:26:48 PM

And boom, goes the dynamite.

A lazy millennial who's good at what he does.
AngelLightStar An Agent of Love from Florida Since: Aug, 2016 Relationship Status: Omelette du fromage~
An Agent of Love
#60748: Mar 27th 2020 at 4:28:52 PM

So Steven basically tried to play his child-self again to cope but with his growing power + the joys of maturity he's unable to cope or keep down the small voice in the back of his head that knows better is what I generally get from this.

Currently playing/Watching: Urusei Yatsura, Pokemon Violet, Sonic Frontiers
OmegaRadiance Since: Jun, 2011
#60749: Mar 27th 2020 at 4:29:32 PM

Yup

Every accusation by the GOP is ALWAYS a confession.
BlackYakuzu94 CHADhan Player. from Easy Coast/NY Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
CHADhan Player.
#60750: Mar 27th 2020 at 4:36:05 PM

This pity party is...

A lazy millennial who's good at what he does.

Total posts: 63,336
Top