Steven Universe: Steven And The Stevens Rewatch
January 30, 2015 4:41 AM - Season 1, Episode 22 - Subscribe
On a mission Steven rescues a Gem artifact, an hourglass that allows him to travel in time, and create duplicates of himself in the process.
Love this episode, especially the song. "I'm the one two three four!"
I also liked the metal version. "Steven! Ste- Ste- Ste- Steven!"
posted by isthmus at 8:41 AM on January 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
I also liked the metal version. "Steven! Ste- Ste- Ste- Steven!"
posted by isthmus at 8:41 AM on January 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is the last of the episodes I'm posting to FanFare, at least for now. Small Dollar is ably on the task of doing the weekly ones, and now we're all caught up with the older ones. If he ever drops out I might consider doing more, but am glad not to have to do so at the moment. I am considering rolling through with the "geeklists" of notes I've been doing for my posts, and have been updating older posts as I've discovered new things, but not at the rate of one every few days, especially since Last Week Tonight is resuming shortly.
Steven Universe, like Steven himself, is something special. Some people here had noticed that the fanbase on the internet is abuzz about the possibility that Cartoon Network might be thinking about ending the show. Apparently the major fuel for this rumor is the show's being taken to weekly instead of week-daily.
It's a mistake to read too much into the actions of network executives. Maybe it's an effort to preserve longevity, since viewers will get less burnt out on the show if their exposure to it is more limited. Maybe it's a recognition that Steven Universe is a different kind of show from others on the network -- there is strong continuity there, a more thoughtful approach to the storytelling than, say, Dexter's Laboratory, Grim Adventures or Codename: Kids Next Door (although one that won't be a surprise to anyone familiar with Adventure Time), and a strong backstory that's revealed slowly, while remaining funny and accessible.
But it's also a mistake to not to be wary. Fans of animation have been burnt before by Cartoon Network. A lot of fans were irked by their decision not to renew Sym-Bionic Titan, and several of other shows that seemed like sure things have been cancelled by the channel, like the reboots of He-Man and Thundercats. There has been a sense that the channel has been getting better though, and it's got to look nice for them to finally have a show with a female creator. SU being unique, it may not be easy for Cartoon Network to decide what to do with it. The show has already had its first season extended, and also been renewed for a second of 52 quarter-hours, and in a lineup that includes Adventure Time -- now in its sixth extended season -- it's not hard to see it being renewed again.
Without access to Garnet's future vision, fan clamoring and, of course, ratings are the only things we have to convince Cartoon Network to keep the show going. The show is really nice, and barring executive weirdness should rightfully have a long life.
posted by JHarris at 11:04 AM on January 30, 2015
Steven Universe, like Steven himself, is something special. Some people here had noticed that the fanbase on the internet is abuzz about the possibility that Cartoon Network might be thinking about ending the show. Apparently the major fuel for this rumor is the show's being taken to weekly instead of week-daily.
It's a mistake to read too much into the actions of network executives. Maybe it's an effort to preserve longevity, since viewers will get less burnt out on the show if their exposure to it is more limited. Maybe it's a recognition that Steven Universe is a different kind of show from others on the network -- there is strong continuity there, a more thoughtful approach to the storytelling than, say, Dexter's Laboratory, Grim Adventures or Codename: Kids Next Door (although one that won't be a surprise to anyone familiar with Adventure Time), and a strong backstory that's revealed slowly, while remaining funny and accessible.
But it's also a mistake to not to be wary. Fans of animation have been burnt before by Cartoon Network. A lot of fans were irked by their decision not to renew Sym-Bionic Titan, and several of other shows that seemed like sure things have been cancelled by the channel, like the reboots of He-Man and Thundercats. There has been a sense that the channel has been getting better though, and it's got to look nice for them to finally have a show with a female creator. SU being unique, it may not be easy for Cartoon Network to decide what to do with it. The show has already had its first season extended, and also been renewed for a second of 52 quarter-hours, and in a lineup that includes Adventure Time -- now in its sixth extended season -- it's not hard to see it being renewed again.
Without access to Garnet's future vision, fan clamoring and, of course, ratings are the only things we have to convince Cartoon Network to keep the show going. The show is really nice, and barring executive weirdness should rightfully have a long life.
posted by JHarris at 11:04 AM on January 30, 2015
I love the music in the show generally, but the song in this one is especially great. “I learned to stay true to myself by watching myself die.” Brilliant and hilarious.
posted by ob1quixote at 9:29 PM on February 5, 2015
JHarris: “Steven Universe, like Steven himself, is something special. Some people here had noticed that the fanbase on the internet is abuzz about the possibility that Cartoon Network might be thinking about ending the show. Apparently the major fuel for this rumor is the show's being taken to weekly instead of week-daily.”I don't think this means to much. That's just how they do. They run a show in a two hour block for a while, then they put in another show. Over the summer they ran mostly Adventure Time and Regular Show. This winter it's been lots of Teen Titans Go and The Amazing World of Gumball. They've added in a few more Steven Universe episodes lately. It just comes in cycles.
posted by ob1quixote at 9:29 PM on February 5, 2015
"You're bailing on Beachapalooza? But the whole town's gonna be there!" Greg: "Steven, that's like fifteen people." Ha ha, that's so funny I WAIT A MINUTE REALLY? That's not a Beach "City," it's not even a "town!" When we go there at the end, it turns out about that many people showed up. I assume it's not literally true, the parade Steven was in last year had more than that watching in extras alone. But overhead shots of Beach City (like the popular one with it behind the big Crystal Temple) don't actually show a lot of town there, just a few blocks. I've assumed that this is just one part of the city -- the fact that Steven and Connie couldn't just walk to the movies implies that, too. You are keeping notes on this stuff in your official star-embossed Steven Universe Obsessive's Notebook, aren't you?
I know Beach City is supposed to be on the Delmarva Peninsula, but to me, it's an alternate universe version of Seaside Heights, on the Jersey Shore. Seaside Heights has a couple thousand people who live there year-round, not just 15, but it really is a boardwalk, an amusement park, and not much else. In the summer, it's full of beachgoers, but the rest of the year, there's not a whole lot going on. When Steven, Connie, and Lion go to the movies, I imagine that they're leaving the shore town of Beach City and going to the adjacent town on the mainland (just like folks in Seaside Heights would have to go to Toms River to get to the nearest movie theater, or proper grocery store for that matter). Or maybe Beach City includes both the shore and the mainland, but it's only the shore part that we see on the show.
posted by ocherdraco at 2:14 PM on May 22, 2015 [3 favorites]
I know Beach City is supposed to be on the Delmarva Peninsula, but to me, it's an alternate universe version of Seaside Heights, on the Jersey Shore. Seaside Heights has a couple thousand people who live there year-round, not just 15, but it really is a boardwalk, an amusement park, and not much else. In the summer, it's full of beachgoers, but the rest of the year, there's not a whole lot going on. When Steven, Connie, and Lion go to the movies, I imagine that they're leaving the shore town of Beach City and going to the adjacent town on the mainland (just like folks in Seaside Heights would have to go to Toms River to get to the nearest movie theater, or proper grocery store for that matter). Or maybe Beach City includes both the shore and the mainland, but it's only the shore part that we see on the show.
posted by ocherdraco at 2:14 PM on May 22, 2015 [3 favorites]
So much to enjoy in this episode. Bill & Ted time travel shenanigans done right, this is what I imagine Doctor Who's Time War looked like, but with more sink plungers. The raucous rock Steven song is great, that's my new ringtone sorted. I loved the way that Steven kissed himself goodbye, like one would with any other close (closest!) family member. Amethyst embracing whatever seems most fun and taking over on drums was spot-on. That part gave me serious Scott Pilgrim vibes, imagine:
Lead Steven: "Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, we are Steven and The Stevens!"
Heckler: "Is that Amethyst a Steven too?"
Lead Steven: "YES!"
posted by comealongpole at 1:46 PM on August 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
Lead Steven: "Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, we are Steven and The Stevens!"
Heckler: "Is that Amethyst a Steven too?"
Lead Steven: "YES!"
posted by comealongpole at 1:46 PM on August 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by JHarris at 5:04 AM on January 30, 2015