Steven Universe: Alone Together(Travel Size Review)
Stevoni is a merge of hormonal fusion
B+
This was a very sensual episode and I mean that in the best possible way. From a stylistic standpoint, it is one of most beautifully animated segments I have seen from this show in a while. It wonderfully captures Stevens first fusion and inadvertently Connies too.
It makes perfect sense that Stevens first transformation with fusion would revolve around his pubescent sexual energy between himself and Connie. But it is not just that. They are both so in synch with each others emotions that they can literally step inside each others bodies and initiate the activation for fusion. I love that the episode mostly stems from their enjoyment in creating a being so abstractedly gorgeous. Neither of them are horrified but entranced at the existence of such a cosmic creature.
The end is the only downfall of an otherwise fantastic episode. The dance rave conflict seems a little too forced and its solution too weak and feels like a cop out. But I cannot deny Alone Together nostalgic feel for being young and exploring the gratification of arousals with others physically and in the spiritual sense..or am I reading way too much into this.
Cool Things Noticed:
- “Pearl look at Garnet”....Garnet knows whats up.
- Props for Connie for being so cool about merging. But then again if I looked like that I would not complain either.
- Visual Indulge of the Week: Stevonne running through the meadows was masterfully shot and so amazingly animated.
- One of things I always forget to mention is this series score. It feel like it is straight out of a Miyazaki film with its lovely spirited piano playing. It accompanied the running sequence so well.
I had a huge grin on my face through the entire scene on the beach. Lovely as the running scene was, the track from Steven's mp3 player is what's been in my head. And I loved seeing Garnet, my favorite, so jazzed about Steven's success. I am now 90% sure she herself is a fusion.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, I'm glad you mentioned the ending, because it just felt kind of odd for me, too. All the teens are too awed by Stevonnie to behave normally, and then there's this Kevin bozo, and then Steven and Connie defuse, and then it's over. Whuh? I would guess it's tied in to Connie's not wanting to attract too much attention, and Garnet's advice to keep the Stevonnie experience enjoyable, so it ends when it isn't anymore? I dunno.
Perhaps any resolution would've suffered after such a great first half.
I agree with you that the resolution felt a bit rushed, but this episode was so chock full of great scenes that it's easy to forgive. Steven and Connie dancing on the beach was heart-meltingly sweet. Stevonnie running across the field and diving off of that cliff was spectacularly animated and scored, as smooth and fluid as top tier Disney animation. The VA they got to voice Stevonnie did a good job of subtly changing up her voice to reflect whether Steven or Connie was speaking at the moment. Emoting convincingly in two different voices can't be easy.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I kind of felt this episode may have crossed a line in terms of sexual content that's appropriate for a kid's show (Garnet walling Pearl specifically, even if it seemed to be mostly theatrics), Steven and Connie fusing was a great exploration of physical intimacy through metaphor. Steven and Connie are perfectly comfortable dancing together, their closeness causing them to literally become one with each other. The experience is exhilarating and empowering to them. Contrast that with Stevonnie and Kevin dancing, which Stevonnie perceives as antagonistic and alienating. It's a good way to explore the highs and lows of physical intimacy within the confines of a kid's show, even if it still got a bit raunchy for my taste.
Kevin sucks.
Kevin is everything I hate about the trendy hipster teenage pop culture.
ReplyDeleteYeah no matter the ending I feel that seeing Stevonnie leave would be disappointing which was bound to happen. However, how it happened could of been a little more deep and intuitive to the episodes first half as you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely say that this episode solidified the physical attraction between Steven and Connie. I mean they love each other to a fault. Kevin was a douche. Shout out to Gameboy color Dj set up
ReplyDelete...And you were 100% right about Garnet, after all
ReplyDelete