In the second episode of the first season of Steven Universe, how is this show already packed full of emotion? If you’re intrigued, then it’s time for Mark to watch Steven Universe.

LOTS TO TALK ABOUT, BUCKLE IN.

Beach City

So, now I know the name of the town where this takes place! I imagine that once I’ve seen the full series, it’ll be a lot easier to pick up all the tiny details plugged into the show. Yet as it stands, I’m still able to recognize how much of Beach City is a visual reference to the kind of towns I’ve grown up going to, from those on the north side of Oahu to many of the smaller cities up and down the coast of California. Beach Citywalk Fries might be a joke here, but it’s also a familiar sight. Thus, the show achieves a contrast that’s both hilarious and unnerving by having a quiet and quaint beachside town ASSAULTED BY FRIGHTENING GEM MONSTERS FROM… SOMEWHERE. I don’t actually know where they come from. But think about it! There’s humor in the idea that this giant gem eyeball stares at everyone in Beach City, and yet people just go about their day because guess what? It’s just another day in Beach City and weird shit happens all the time. But in the final moments of this episode, as the eye casts an eerie red glow over the town, it’s not all that funny anymore, you know?

The Laser Light Cannon

Throughout this episode, the writers mix the silly with the touching, and I’m impressed. This is the second episode, and the story casually reveals that Steven’s mom, Rose Quartz, is gone, and that his father, Greg, is not really trusted. I assume that Rose Quartz wanted Steven to be with the other gems, but not his father? Initially, Amethyst blurts out that Greg is a “mess,” and I wondered what she meant by that. Yet “Laser Light Cannon” doesn’t spell this out for us. We find out that he lives in a van outside his car wash, so I’m going to assume that he’s otherwise homeless. His business isn’t doing well, and he’s go no place to store anything of his aside from a storage unit. (Ahem… a MAGIC storage unit.)

So what’s the story with Greg? He and Steven have a pretty cool relationship, but there’s got to be a reason that he’s not Steven’s primary caregiver. I think the key to this is Rose, who is unfortunately absent. Why? BECAUSE SHE GAVE UP HER PHYSICAL FORM SO STEVEN COULD BE BORN. Oh my god, this answers so many of my questions! How Steven got his gem, why he doesn’t look like the other Gems, where his parents are… wow, this is remarkably sad once you think about it, isn’t it? Oh god, Adventure Time already destroyed me with this ploy, I AM NOT GOING TO FALL FOR THIS AGAIN. (Just kidding, I totally am.)

I guess I’m just impressed with how seamless this is. This episode manages to introduce a ridiculous conflict, but in attempting to solve it, we’re given expository information AND we can enjoy Steven’s relationship with his father. The whole bit with Greg’s album – both the discovery of it in the storage unit and Steven singing along to it in earnest – are brilliant character building moments. Granted, it’s not that we’re getting character development as much as we’re experiencing new elements of both of these characters. Plus, the potential here is so intriguing! How much more will we see Greg? What about Rose? WHAT DO THE GEMS THINK ABOUT ALL OF THIS?

I definitely want to learn more about the Gems, too, but it was a smart choice to focus “Laser Light Cannon” on Steven. Plus, it allowed for the perfect gag of Garnet tossing Amethyst into the eye over and over again. What a trooper.

SO WHERE DID THAT EYE COME FROM, Y’ALL? Where do any of these Gem monsters come from? Why are they attacking Beach City???

The video for “Laser Light Cannon” can be downloaded here for $0.99.

Mark Links Stuff

– I am now on Patreon! There are various levels of support, from $1 up to whatever you want! You’ll get to read a private blog, extra reviews, and other such rewards. I POST A LOT OF CUTE PHOTOS, OKAY. Think of it like a private Tumblr blog that only SPECIAL PEOPLE get to read.

– I have updated my list of conventions and events for the remainder of the year and much of next year. Check the full list of events on my Tour Dates / Appearances page.

– My Master Schedule is updated for the near and distant future for most projects, so please check it often. My next Double Features for Mark Watches have been announced here.

– Mark Does Stuff is on Facebook! I’ve got a community page up that I’m running. Guaranteed shenanigans!