Steven Universe: Mirror Gem & Ocean Gem
September 26, 2014 8:07 AM - Season 1, Episode 25 - Subscribe
In this special two-part episode, Pearl gives Steven a magical mirror to aid in his education about the history of the Crystal Gems, and it ends up teaching him lessons very different from what she expected.
Steven is more of a feral child wholly outside the system than one might have previously assumed! Hints from the last episode regarding the true nature of the Gem monsters blossom in to outright WOW OKAY SOME CRAZY NONSENSE WENT DOWN AT SOME POINT! A distinction between "Gems" and "Crystal Gems" is suggested, as well as a deep and sinister rift! An entire new layer of meaning is added to "the people of this world" in the opening theme! Steven continues to gain more control of his Gem powers, and his ability to heal begins to look like it may be the focal point on which the entire overarching narrative turns! And maybe this is more of a Space Opera than a straightforward fantasy show? MAYBE?????
METAFILTER, THIS IS MY FIRST FANFARE POST AND I AM HUNGRY FOR YOUR STEVEN THOUGHTS!
Steven is more of a feral child wholly outside the system than one might have previously assumed! Hints from the last episode regarding the true nature of the Gem monsters blossom in to outright WOW OKAY SOME CRAZY NONSENSE WENT DOWN AT SOME POINT! A distinction between "Gems" and "Crystal Gems" is suggested, as well as a deep and sinister rift! An entire new layer of meaning is added to "the people of this world" in the opening theme! Steven continues to gain more control of his Gem powers, and his ability to heal begins to look like it may be the focal point on which the entire overarching narrative turns! And maybe this is more of a Space Opera than a straightforward fantasy show? MAYBE?????
METAFILTER, THIS IS MY FIRST FANFARE POST AND I AM HUNGRY FOR YOUR STEVEN THOUGHTS!
It didn't seem to make sense to put up two separate posts, given that the aired together and had a continuous story? The Crewniverse Tumblr kept describing it as a "special two-part episode" or similar, so I decided to just go ahead and go with that here.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 8:29 AM on September 26, 2014
posted by Narrative Priorities at 8:29 AM on September 26, 2014
Mod note: this is a little confusing, but FanFare is new, TV shows vary greatly, so I think it's ok in this case to combine the two into one as long as the next episode is numbered 27
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:50 AM on September 26, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:50 AM on September 26, 2014 [3 favorites]
OH HMMM! Well this is interesting...! From a Tumblr post by Matt Burnett, one of the writers:
Well, there you go. Season 1-A, in the bag. Hope you’ve all enjoyed it. I know I have certainly enjoyed being a part of it and getting to see people embrace something we all put a lot of love into. To think, that when we were coming up with the idea for Mirror and Ocean Gem, we thought they might be the last episodes we’d get to make! (Yes, we were willing to go out on a huge cliffhanger, infuriating the fans forever.) Thankfully, we’ve got a lot more show to share! Season 1-B starts NEXT THURSDAY!!!!!!!posted by Narrative Priorities at 9:25 AM on September 26, 2014 [2 favorites]
Steven definitely can read, we see him reading in "Laser Light Cannon." The thing is, the Gems are doing their best training him to be a warrior or protector of humanity, like a Crystal Gem, not as a Generic American Citizen. It's like they're Amish or something, they have their own culture they're trying to raise him with away from the rest of the world. That's why he goes on missions and stuff instead of going to school.
The Gems are aliens and grown-ups, and Steven is half-human and a kid, and he doesn't understand everything that's going on, especially complicated histories and motivations. He's an innocent, and he just wants everyone to get along.
posted by Small Dollar at 12:58 PM on September 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
The Gems are aliens and grown-ups, and Steven is half-human and a kid, and he doesn't understand everything that's going on, especially complicated histories and motivations. He's an innocent, and he just wants everyone to get along.
posted by Small Dollar at 12:58 PM on September 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
I do love that Steven's sensitivity and empathy are what give him his strength. That's a rare thing to see in any character on TV, especially on a "kid's" show, and especially in a character who is a little boy. Steven is a delight. He is excitable and genuinely sweet. He just wants everyone to be friends. That's so awesome. And I really hope that there are sweet, sensitive little boys out there who watch this and realize it's a good thing to be who they are (I know a few kids like that -- and a few adult men who used to be those boys).
I like the slow burn of the mythology and I'm happy to see it come into play more and more. However, I hope that it doesn't overtake the characterization of everyone. But I trust the people making this show so I don't think it will.
posted by darksong at 4:41 PM on September 26, 2014 [4 favorites]
I like the slow burn of the mythology and I'm happy to see it come into play more and more. However, I hope that it doesn't overtake the characterization of everyone. But I trust the people making this show so I don't think it will.
posted by darksong at 4:41 PM on September 26, 2014 [4 favorites]
I just love that Connie saves the day. Connie may be my favorite character on the show. I also loved when Greg said, "Is this what your adventures are always like? I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that."
Steven is an interesting case. His compassion and his humility kind of set him apart from the other Gems. The one thing I'm trying to decide is whether Steven being the only male gem we've seen means something in the show or if it's the creators trying to say that's the last thing that matters.
posted by ob1quixote at 6:34 PM on September 26, 2014 [5 favorites]
Steven is an interesting case. His compassion and his humility kind of set him apart from the other Gems. The one thing I'm trying to decide is whether Steven being the only male gem we've seen means something in the show or if it's the creators trying to say that's the last thing that matters.
posted by ob1quixote at 6:34 PM on September 26, 2014 [5 favorites]
What is it with Cartoon Network shows and building towers into space (may contain Adventure Time spoilers)?
or with "really good sandwiches?" There was one on Adventure Time and TWO so far on Teen Titans Go! and it wouldn't a stretch for any other show
posted by Small Dollar at 9:12 PM on September 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
or with "really good sandwiches?" There was one on Adventure Time and TWO so far on Teen Titans Go! and it wouldn't a stretch for any other show
posted by Small Dollar at 9:12 PM on September 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
I love that this show is basically every animated thing I have ever seen all mashed together. Like the parallel between the Gem's world and Peter Pan's Neverland both being "stars" that you can fly to. And Garnet's fight with herself where they crater the ground around them through the force of their blows is found in so many DBZ fights.
At first I thought Lapis was the Gem that the fifth point of the star on the temple door represented since they are both blue, but the way she talked make that seem unlikely. Also, if Steven could heal her so easily, why didn't Rose Quartz do so? Specifically to keep her from going home I guess? That doesn't seem like her.
I'm hoping that the fifth blue member of the Crystal Gems is a super bishonen-y looking dude called Sapphire, a la Saphir from Sailor Moon.
posted by heart's ease at 4:07 AM on September 27, 2014
At first I thought Lapis was the Gem that the fifth point of the star on the temple door represented since they are both blue, but the way she talked make that seem unlikely. Also, if Steven could heal her so easily, why didn't Rose Quartz do so? Specifically to keep her from going home I guess? That doesn't seem like her.
I'm hoping that the fifth blue member of the Crystal Gems is a super bishonen-y looking dude called Sapphire, a la Saphir from Sailor Moon.
posted by heart's ease at 4:07 AM on September 27, 2014
CONFESSION:
Not only would I be 100% a-okay with Steven being the only male-presenting Gem, Crystal or otherwise, I am actively hoping this turns out to be the case.
Having a show of any kind -- let alone an animated children's show -- where all of the superpowered/magical/badass characters are women, and PARTICULARLY one that isn't exclusively aimed at little girls, would be pretty fantastic. And I wouldn't be surprised if that's what Rebecca Sugar is aiming for.
(It would also be another way in which Steven Universe would actually be the show that everyone told me Adventure Time was going to be.)
posted by Narrative Priorities at 6:39 AM on September 27, 2014 [3 favorites]
Not only would I be 100% a-okay with Steven being the only male-presenting Gem, Crystal or otherwise, I am actively hoping this turns out to be the case.
Having a show of any kind -- let alone an animated children's show -- where all of the superpowered/magical/badass characters are women, and PARTICULARLY one that isn't exclusively aimed at little girls, would be pretty fantastic. And I wouldn't be surprised if that's what Rebecca Sugar is aiming for.
(It would also be another way in which Steven Universe would actually be the show that everyone told me Adventure Time was going to be.)
posted by Narrative Priorities at 6:39 AM on September 27, 2014 [3 favorites]
HI I HAVEN'T WATCHED THE EPISODE YET BUT I SAW THIS ON TUMBLR AND IT WASN'T LINKED HERE AND I WILL BE BACK AFTER I WATCH THIS WITH MY DAUGHTER.
posted by sleeping bear at 10:03 PM on September 27, 2014
posted by sleeping bear at 10:03 PM on September 27, 2014
I think Steven's dad might be my favorite character. He's got a permanent t-shirt tan but I've never seen him in a t-shirt. And the line "Guys, I just had the best idea for an album cover" when he sees the water tower.
On a more serious note, I'm super glad Steven's powers are more defensive/supportive. It's great to see him solving conflicts by stopping the violence and just assuming the best in everyone.
posted by Peccable at 3:12 PM on September 28, 2014 [2 favorites]
On a more serious note, I'm super glad Steven's powers are more defensive/supportive. It's great to see him solving conflicts by stopping the violence and just assuming the best in everyone.
posted by Peccable at 3:12 PM on September 28, 2014 [2 favorites]
Steven reminds me a lot of Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender - goofy, fun-loving boys who like animals and just want everyone to get along.
posted by Small Dollar at 3:54 PM on September 28, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Small Dollar at 3:54 PM on September 28, 2014 [2 favorites]
Okay I finally watched this episode. Sorry about shouting earlier. So much happened in the last two episodes before this one (the centipeedle one and the Amethyst's gem one) that pointed to some of the revelations in this two-parter (Rose trying to heal corrupted gems but never being able to succeed, Amethyst's gem cracking--also gem dynamics referenced in Steven's Sword). There are so many rad references to other animes including the incredible expansion of the universe and the relationships in the show.
Does anyone else that if it's ever Steven vs the Crystal Gems, that Amethyst will be the first to join Steven's side? Think back to An Indirect Kiss; Amethyst is surprised that Steven genuinely cares for her. I wonder about compassion as it relates to gems.
posted by sleeping bear at 9:25 PM on September 28, 2014
Does anyone else that if it's ever Steven vs the Crystal Gems, that Amethyst will be the first to join Steven's side? Think back to An Indirect Kiss; Amethyst is surprised that Steven genuinely cares for her. I wonder about compassion as it relates to gems.
posted by sleeping bear at 9:25 PM on September 28, 2014
Just as a heads-up, the timeslot for new episodes of Steven Universe has moved to 6:45 PM ET, right after new episodes of Clarence (which you should totally check out).
posted by Small Dollar at 7:17 PM on September 29, 2014
posted by Small Dollar at 7:17 PM on September 29, 2014
Oh, something I had read before, but this episode was the first time it mattered to me.
JOEL HODGSON IS THE VOICE OF MAYOR DEWEY.
posted by JHarris at 1:41 AM on December 23, 2014
JOEL HODGSON IS THE VOICE OF MAYOR DEWEY.
posted by JHarris at 1:41 AM on December 23, 2014
(I can't get the sound of his truck out of my head. "MAY-or DEW-ey! MAY-or-DEW-ey!")
posted by JHarris at 4:43 AM on December 23, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by JHarris at 4:43 AM on December 23, 2014 [2 favorites]
Fantastic ending to the season! (Half season? Whatever.) I love so much that Connie just commandeered Lion to save Steven. She is so fabulous.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:17 PM on May 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ocherdraco at 3:17 PM on May 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also: I have been singing the theme song to myself as I walk around my neighborhood. I love that song.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:52 PM on May 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by ocherdraco at 3:52 PM on May 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
Watching this for the first time now, this was an incredible two-parter, ballsy in that it didn't give us any justifiable reason for the Crystal Gems to have kept Lapis (and so many others) bubbled away, but also showing us that Steven's powers come from something like love, empathy, belonging, and true emotional need.
Also, as a Monster of the Week player, I adore Connie, as a much better flashpoint for "the Mundane" than the more-often-than-not problematic Xander.
posted by Navelgazer at 10:08 PM on June 24, 2019
Also, as a Monster of the Week player, I adore Connie, as a much better flashpoint for "the Mundane" than the more-often-than-not problematic Xander.
posted by Navelgazer at 10:08 PM on June 24, 2019
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posted by Small Dollar at 8:20 AM on September 26, 2014