I created this account just to write this review. The episode was just THAT good! I've had my gripes with the show since I started watching in 2016 which range from occasional animation problems to its picking up steam only to stop for a slice of life episode when things are getting good (not really against them, just wish they were placed a little better in the series). But this episode was just fantastic in every every way. The show gets hate for the reasons listed above (and many more) but episodes like this.....MAKE UP FOR ITS FLAWS ENTIRELY!!! (Okay maybe not ENTIRELY but episodes like this make the show worthwhile in my opinion). I hope more people begin to give this show a chance cause this episode was the best thing to air on Cartoon Network for a LONG time. They even stepped up the animation in this hour long special! I grew up on classics like Teen Titans and Powerpuff Girls and still appreciate those shows, but Steven Universe is easily a classic CN show of this decade and this episode proves that. No spoilers, I recommend you see this episode for yourself! It's even more special if you've been watching the show up to this point! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and came close to crying at the very end. Already wondering if this would've been the proper finale to the show, but hey I'll wait and see what else this show is ready to offer me!
EDIT: The music too. It'a just outstanding in every way. I've always loved this show's music and it was some of the best in this episode!
EDIT 2/20/2020: I decided to come back to this after a year as I have seen many of the episode's criticisms, but especially the one that claims this episode was "Sympathetic to the space Nazi's, which is bad". To that I have to say, I don't think that was the point of this episode. Like at all. Yeah I understand the frustration that is the fact that these space dictators that did many horrible things are going to get away with it all (and trust me I want them to face SOME consequences too), but....what exactly are Steven and company going to do to enforce that? White Diamond is quite literally GOD in this show. How exactly are you gonna punish God? There is quite a power difference between the Diamonds and The Crystal Gems, and I just don't know how this conflict could've been resolved better. Sure they COULD'VE engaged in battle (and I mean they kinda did.....) but how well do you think that will go??? My guess is.....not well. Like at all. Would've been a one-sided massacre no doubt.
In my opinion, peaceful resolution like what we saw in this episode was the only way this series could've ended happily. I get that "space dictators" probably can't really be reasoned with, but it can't hurt to try.....right? And If he hadn't gone to homeworld to try to resolve things, nothing would've changed. None of the corrupt gems would be healed or any of that, which would be unsatisfying for everyone I think.
Another point I want to touch on is the Diamonds "redemption" which I don't agree with either. At no point are they "forgiven" for the atrocities they committed. But Steven and the gems realize that there isn't anything that can be done to undo the past, only change the present and future, and that's what they set out to accomplish: Make the world a better place for everyone RIGHT NOW and the future, and that's what they did!
It also really brings home the message of "it's never too late to change". Nothing will EVER forgive the atrocities they commit over several millennia, but what are you gonna do, just let them keep doing it? There were only 2 options to end the conflict: Go to war and hope to win (which like I said is highly unlikely) or establish a peaceful agreement. The latter is obviously the better choice as A: It has better chances of succeeding (even if the odds still aren't "favorable" necessarily) and B: No one has to get hurt. War has only one way of ending: With many casualties on both sides. The show has established a very anti-war message from very early on. In Season 1 "Rose's Scabbard" Garnet says herself to Steven that the Strawberry war (the war where the colonizing of Earth was overthrown and corruption of the rest of the gems on Earth occurred) was a horrible experience that NO ONE should ever have to go through again. It may have been necessary to establish peace on Earth at the time, but no one should ever "want" to go to war. So that option was likely out of the question and only deemed a last resort to The Crystal Gems. The peaceful ending we got was the best way for the show to end, and I am surprised so few people were able to see that......
Well that's just my opinion after all. I still thought this episode was a masterpiece and sent home an important message of resolving conflicts peacefully rather than resorting to war where many will be killed regardless. I hope you all understand! 10/10 Just an all around beautiful episode! :D
EDIT: The music too. It'a just outstanding in every way. I've always loved this show's music and it was some of the best in this episode!
EDIT 2/20/2020: I decided to come back to this after a year as I have seen many of the episode's criticisms, but especially the one that claims this episode was "Sympathetic to the space Nazi's, which is bad". To that I have to say, I don't think that was the point of this episode. Like at all. Yeah I understand the frustration that is the fact that these space dictators that did many horrible things are going to get away with it all (and trust me I want them to face SOME consequences too), but....what exactly are Steven and company going to do to enforce that? White Diamond is quite literally GOD in this show. How exactly are you gonna punish God? There is quite a power difference between the Diamonds and The Crystal Gems, and I just don't know how this conflict could've been resolved better. Sure they COULD'VE engaged in battle (and I mean they kinda did.....) but how well do you think that will go??? My guess is.....not well. Like at all. Would've been a one-sided massacre no doubt.
In my opinion, peaceful resolution like what we saw in this episode was the only way this series could've ended happily. I get that "space dictators" probably can't really be reasoned with, but it can't hurt to try.....right? And If he hadn't gone to homeworld to try to resolve things, nothing would've changed. None of the corrupt gems would be healed or any of that, which would be unsatisfying for everyone I think.
Another point I want to touch on is the Diamonds "redemption" which I don't agree with either. At no point are they "forgiven" for the atrocities they committed. But Steven and the gems realize that there isn't anything that can be done to undo the past, only change the present and future, and that's what they set out to accomplish: Make the world a better place for everyone RIGHT NOW and the future, and that's what they did!
It also really brings home the message of "it's never too late to change". Nothing will EVER forgive the atrocities they commit over several millennia, but what are you gonna do, just let them keep doing it? There were only 2 options to end the conflict: Go to war and hope to win (which like I said is highly unlikely) or establish a peaceful agreement. The latter is obviously the better choice as A: It has better chances of succeeding (even if the odds still aren't "favorable" necessarily) and B: No one has to get hurt. War has only one way of ending: With many casualties on both sides. The show has established a very anti-war message from very early on. In Season 1 "Rose's Scabbard" Garnet says herself to Steven that the Strawberry war (the war where the colonizing of Earth was overthrown and corruption of the rest of the gems on Earth occurred) was a horrible experience that NO ONE should ever have to go through again. It may have been necessary to establish peace on Earth at the time, but no one should ever "want" to go to war. So that option was likely out of the question and only deemed a last resort to The Crystal Gems. The peaceful ending we got was the best way for the show to end, and I am surprised so few people were able to see that......
Well that's just my opinion after all. I still thought this episode was a masterpiece and sent home an important message of resolving conflicts peacefully rather than resorting to war where many will be killed regardless. I hope you all understand! 10/10 Just an all around beautiful episode! :D