Steven Universe has officially come off of hiatus for the third time this summer, and today’s Steven Universe episode, “Historical Friction,” is the fourth episode of Stevenbomb 3.0’s 5-episode story arc. Watch the sneak peek for Steven Universe episode “Historical Friction” below:
So far in this Stevenbomb, the central conflict rests around Pearl’s actions in “Cry for Help.” Garnet’s outrage over Pearl’s manipulation carries into “Keystone Motel,” where we see Garnet so conflicted and so upset that she actually unfuses into Ruby and Sapphire. In yesterday’s episode, “Onion Friend,” we see the impact of Garnet and Pearl’s fighting on Amethyst, who catches up with her old friend Vidalia as Steven makes a friend out of the strange but sincere Onion.
Today’s episode, “Historical Friction,” begins with the appearance of Jamie the mail carrier. He explains to Steven that he’s holding auditions for a local play. Steven’s as pumped about it as Jamie. He arrives excitedly at the audition for “Beach City Or Bust: The Tale of William Dewey,” a play written by Mayor Dewey. It’s the story of Beach City’s founding 200 years ago. (We know the Gems were around back then. Are we getting GEMS? Gem backstory? Ye Olde Crystal Gems???)
Steven is playing the role of William Dewey, and Jamie is playing every other role. They run through the play once, and it is well and truly awful, as well as clearly historically inaccurate: “And then William Dewey grows into a 50 foot giant and carries them safely to shore.” Stop Gem erasure, Mayor Dewey!
Jamie is pained by the lack of character exploration or struggle on the part of William Dewey. Steven agrees with Jamie’s beautiful sentiments on the importance of character depth, which are not represented in Mayor Dewey’s script whatsoever. So Steven heads on home, where Pearl is zoning out on the couch, clearly lost in her own unhappy thoughts.
Steven complains to Pearl about the unnatural perfection of Mayor Dewey’s script, and demonstrating his gift of emotional sensitivity once again, comforts and encourages her by stating how much better and more interesting it is to see someone overcome their struggles, because it’s more real. Pearl is touched and takes a look at the script, which she pronounces not only boring but historically inaccurate. Pearl would know: she was there when Beach City was founded. She revises the play. (And Steven adds jokes!)
When Steven presents Jamie with the revised play, Jamie is thrilled with the realness of her edits. “This is the play we should be doing,” he breathes. It doesn’t take much persuasion for Jamie to settle on doing Pearl’s version of the play.
Later that evening, the play begins. Mayor Dewey sits next to Pearl and tries to snuggle up to her with a little bragging about how he wrote this play, to which Pearl responds by immediately getting up and sitting somewhere far away in the back of the audience. (Killer swerve.) Spotting Steven on stage, Pearl is clearly delighted: “Hi Steven! You’re so talented!!” (It’s so cute to see her smiling for a change.)
The next bit, with Jamie playing all three of the Crystal Gems, is hysterically funny. Jamie plays Pearl with a party hat over his nose, prancing snootily and twirling about, jams a cardboard box over his head to indicate Garnet’s square hair, and provides the voice of a mop with a purple rock on it, representing Amethyst. Amazing, brava, a true thespian’s performance. Meanwhile, Mayor Dewey slowly dies of embarrassment in the audience.
The play goes on, with first mate Buddy lost at sea, and William Dewey struggling to make landfall. When a giant monster emerges from the depths, the shadow of a giant woman appears (it’s really detailed -- how did Jamie learn all this shadow jutsu?). Steven clearly pens the “Quadruple Noogie” joke that follows, and “the Goddess of Noogies” deposits William Dewey on land safely after the storm. Cue “Vote for Mayor Dewey” banner, end of play, and the audience going wild. Even cool kid Buck has a kind word for his father’s play, which heartens Mayor Dewey.
Afterward, Mayor Dewey offers Jamie a role as lead director of community theatre, which Jamie accepts with extreme excitement. Pearl isn't sold on the “Vote for Mayor Dewey” banner at the end, but Steven wisely pronounces, “Art doesn’t always need a reason, Pearl. Sometimes it just makes the audience happy! That’s why you always end on a joke.” After a few seconds of blank silence, the episode ends. I see what you did there, Steven Universe team.
While I always appreciate a reminder that the Gems are practically ageless and almost immortal space rocks who’ve been around for many, many years, this episode fell just a touch short for me and I can’t pinpoint why. With it being the fourth episode of Stevenbomb 3.0, I suppose I keep expecting a little more forward plot movement in terms of resolving the quarrel between Garnet and Pearl and/or keeping the Homeworld Gems/Yellow Diamond story moving. But art doesn't always need a reason, I guess... right?
Admittedly, I’m honestly still in residual shock over Stevenbomb 2.0’s “Keeping It Together” and “Chille Tid.” But hopefully tomorrow’s episode “Friend Ship” gives us either one or the other. Stevenbomb 3.0 is supposed to be a 5-episode arc, but “Historical Friction” doesn’t really seem to fit neatly into the arc. It doesn't appear to have given us any important new information (we already knew the Gems predated the founding of Beach City) and it hasn't given us further insight on how Garnet and Pearl's quarrel is affecting them or will be resolved. Of course, the arc’s not yet over, so we’ll see what “Friend Ship” brings us tomorrow.
To check out past recaps, just click here for all of our previous Steven Universe coverage. Steven Universe will be on every night this week on Cartoon Network at 6PM, so make sure to follow us on Twitter for more Steven Universe recaps and other news.
Remember: you can log in to Cartoon Network’s web site and watch Cartoon Network shows, including Steven Universe episode “Historical Friction,” streaming live after selecting your TV provider. The service is provided at no charge and included in your TV subscription. If that doesn’t work for you, Sling TV offers a “Best of Live TV” package that includes Cartoon Network and has a 7-day free trial available (just long enough for a Stevenbomb!). Otherwise, you can watch HD quality episodes of Steven Universe on Cartoon Network’s web site the day after the new episode airs.
Tomorrow's episode of Steven Universe is "Friend Ship." See you tomorrow for the very last episode of Stevenbomb 3.0!
