Tuesday, December 24, 2013

So Why Aren't You Watching...Steven Universe?


This is the story of the Crystal Gems: four women with unique and world-saving powers...and the son of their late leader, whom they're quasi-raising in a beach house-cum-private lair.
Steven Universe is all of that and more; it's both seriocomic and a fun, action-packed hour of entertainment; it's cute without being cutesy, and fun without being meaninglessly brainless.

The show centers on the titular Steven, son of a washed-up minor rock musician who now lives out of his van and of Rose Quartz, the fourth member of the Crystal Gems, who lost her corporal form while giving birth to Steven.  Musical, junk food-loving Steven would do anything to make the Gems believe that he could take his mother's place on the team; but the three women in charge of the team are more likely to mother him than to give him Rose's spot.

They're led by Garnet, a taciturn, tough woman who provides a semi-silent bulwark for Steven.  There's Amethyst, a sarcastic, merry tomboy who treats Steven like a long-lost brother. And there's Pearl, the organized, impassioned mother figure of the group.  All three support Steven's efforts to varying degrees, much to his frustration.  

There's also Connie, Steven's shy friend and a possible love interest.

Steven Universe is wonderful for multiple reasons - the fact that it has several POC characters and strong female role models only adds on to its worth.  My sole quibble is that I wish the Gems were seen defending the world more often; quite frequently the women in the series require an assist from Steven to save the day, and it feels slightly off-balance.

Steven Universe has aired only seven episodes of its twenty-six episode order.  Let's hope that they finish their run. 

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