I Like To Think of Myself as Someone Who Would Blog... Eventually

Over the past two years, I've gotten really into the show Steven Universe. The show has really, really picked up more recently to an intense degree but I decided to take a look back at the show's early episodes. I decided to do this partially because I was curious to see what I didn't catch in the early episodes the first time around and partially because I feel the need to get more people that I know interested in this show. Hopefully this post helps me do the latter because otherwise I have to resort to plan B and plan B is a lot messier.

Who wants a free waffle iron to the face? It's not a "threat", it's just face breakfast.

I re-watched the first three episodes and will stick to those as far as specific events so as to not spoil anything major. All Steven Universe images will also come from those three episodes.

To give a very general overview of Steven Universe, it's a show about a boy (Steven) who lives with the Crystal Gems (three women with magical powers) as he learns about his own powers. As the show rolls on, it starts to really make you care about the characters and gives you some really emotional moments. It reels you in with lovely background music and catchy vocal songs. It teaches you more and more about the lore of this world and the characters in it. The first episode starts with Steven whining about discontinued ice cream.

No, seriously, let's pause for a second. The very first episode of Steven Universe begins with Steven whining over discontinued ice cream. I frankly cannot think of a better example of a show trying to sabotage itself in its first episode. The very first piece of dialogue in the whole series is Steven shouting "Nooooooooooo!"

Steven (Artist's Rendering)

You might as well start Star Wars with Luke Skywalker having breakfast with his aunt and uncle, spilling his blue milk and literally crying over the blue milk. Just a nice big close up on that. Let's not focus on droids or Darth Vader or lightsabers, just some good old fashioned milk crying.

Anyways, I remember very well that after I watched the first episode for the first time way back when my reaction in the end was... indifference. It wasn't terrible, but it just didn't make me care about the characters or the story or really anything going on whatsoever. The episode is just really focused on Steven specifically and you don't even really get to see the better side of Steven. I almost didn't bother watching any more episodes after that at the time but I figured I might as well give it one more chance.

That's where episode two comes in.

Like a motherfucking wrecking ball.

Episode two quickly introduces us to Steven's dad (Greg) and gives us a lot of information about Steven's mom (Rose). Seeing Steven interact with Greg and hearing them discuss Rose actually makes us care about Steven. It makes us want to know more. It certainly doesn't hurt either that this whole little dialogue is backed by one of those incredibly adorable background pieces of music written by the lovely music team at Steven Universe. If I didn't know better, I would think the music team had personally come to my house to massage my ear drums. The episode also introduces us to what kind of feels like the first real vocal song in the series (because the one in the first episode was about discontinued ice cream). The song is cheesy but it's kind of a cute cheesy and does what it needs to do. It even manages to actually lead into an action scene without it feeling like an awkward transition.

For the longest time, Episode 2 was my favorite episode of the show. I personally think Episode 2 should have been the episode they decided to start with. It just strikes a great balance of humor, exposition and action. It leaves you wanting to see more. It may not be perfect but there's a certain magical quality to it.

Well, some would say there's magic inside.

Episode 3, while not as solid as Episode 2, is still good. We get to see a little more of the gems personalities. We get to see Steven go on an adventure with the gems. We get to see a backpack... shaped like a cheeseburger. If that doesn't blow your mind, I'm not sure what will.

I don't want to drag on too long so I just want to say that this show is certainly worth looking into if you're at all interested in a cartoon with lore, humor, strong female characters, and action. While the Crystal Gems initially just seem like a group of 3 similar magical females, they very quickly come into their own personalities and build their own stories. Steven himself is not to be written off either. While he can occasionally be a little annoying, he really evolves as the show goes on. Overall, at least see the second episode before deciding if you feel the show is worth watching. I mean...

Come onnnnnnnnnnnnn.

I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore

I realize I haven't updated in a long time but I think it would be a true waste to make yet another post all about how long it's been since I last updated.

So instead, below is a piece I wrote a long time ago that I realized I have yet to post up on here.

If there's any confusion, this is basically a songfic of I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore by REO Speedwagon. The lyrics are interspersed in italics. I also linked the music video from Youtube. I've actually preformed this live for people twice... mostly to an audience of confused onlookers. 

I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore

I can’t fight this feeling any longer, and yet I’m still afraid to let it flow.

He knew he couldn’t hold this off. It had been hurting him to the very depths of his soul. Pain? Love? No, this was a feeling much stronger. This was hunger.

What started out as friendship has grown stronger, I only wish I had the strength to let it show.

He had known Jenny for years. They’d always hung out casually. She’d stay over sometimes and they’d watch movies for hours and hours on end. He loved all the time they spent together, and realized he might even love her… Wait, fuck that. Fuck Jenny. This didn’t concern her. This was hunger.

I tell myself that I can’t hold out forever. I say there is no reason for my fear.

He couldn’t hold out. It had already been 3 days. Goddamit, he lost track of time while playing WoW again. He kept telling himself there was no reason to be afraid. No reason. But he didn’t believe it. He wouldn’t believe it. He was scared senseless. What if he didn’t have any food left?

Cause I feel so secure when we’re together. You give my life direction, you make everything so clear.

Food. It was always there for him. But what if it wasn’t now? He felt so secure when his cupboards were full, but what if that time came when they were empty? What would he do? That food gave him direction. It kept him from passing out.

And even as I wander, I’m keeping you in sight.

As he wandered the halls of his home, heading down the stairs, he found his mind focusing on his favorite Goya beans. He often stocked up on cans upon cans of the stuff, but he was pretty sure he finished them, and he hadn’t been to the grocery store for months.

You’re a candle in the window, on a cold dark winter’s night.

He left a lit candle on his windowsill once. That was pretty stupid of him, but the wind just blew it out, so it was alright.

I’m getting closer than I ever thought I might.

He could feel it in his very core. He was getting close. The kitchen was right there. As he stepped onto the tile floor, he hoped with all his might that something was left. Some leftovers. Some small scraps of food. Anything.

And I can’t fight this feeling anymore, I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for.

Oh god, the pain. The excruciating pain. He couldn’t take it. His muscles tensed up as he fell to one knee, experiencing the strongest hunger pains he had ever had. He was so close, but this seemed like the end. He couldn’t make it.

It’s time to bring this ship into the shore, and throw away the oars forever.

No, he could make it. He had to make it. He was so close, and he had to hold onto all his hope, and he had to take that trek across the kitchen. He could see the cupboards. He couldn’t give up now.

Cause I can’t fight this feeling anymore, I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for.

No, this was an impossible mission. He tried to stand back up, but his bones were weak, and he flopped forward onto the tiles. The impact dazed him, and for a second he forgot what he was even here for in the first place.

And if I had to crawl upon the floor, come crashing through your door.

He regained his thoughts. This hunger wasn’t going away, and that food was essential for his survival. This was his last chance, and he was going to put his all into it. He crawled across the tiles, all the way to the cabinets at the other end of the kitchen. He mustered up every last ounce of possible strength, and pushed himself back up. Using the cabinets for support, he got back on his feet. His feelings all melded into one. Fear. Anxiety. Hope Hunger. He slowly outstretched his arm, not sure what he would reveal upon opening the cabinet.

Baby, I can’t fight this feeling anymore.

And there they were. The beans were right there.