Mr. Greg is the second episode of the Summer of Steven event and follows up after the "Drop Beat Dad" episode. It turns out one of Greg's old songs was used as a jingle for a burger commercial, which landed him the $10 million. The two then decided to spend the money by visiting Empire City, with a reluctant Pearl tagging along.
Obviously, both Greg and Pearl feel awkward being together because of their past history concerning Rose, but Steven insists. As the Universes dance and sing at the Le Hotel (it is a musical episode, by the way), Pearl eventually warms up and joins in. In the heat of the moment, Greg asks Pearl to dance with him, and she vehemently refused, pretty much killing all the mood.
Later, Pearl in her solo performance makes it even more clearler that up until now, she still hasn't gotten over the fact that Rose chose Greg over her. Greg overhears this and feels even more guilty and depressed. A determined Steven forces the two together and through his own solo, addresses that two have more things in common than they realized.
As the two finally talked, they've settled their differences and slowly began enjoying their time together to a delighted Steven. Unfortunately, Greg used up all of his money at this point, so they all return to Beach City. Steven slowly goes to sleep as he watches a happy Pearl and Greg talking to each other.
This is actually one of the best episodes of the current season, so far. It's not easy to make a musical episode and do the musical cues that advance the narrative without being so forced. Rebecca Sugar and her staff really worked hard in making sure you enjoy the episode and follow the story through the musical acts, while not getting the impression you're watching a Disney flick, so to speak.
What is probably a well-heated discussion is the current relationship between Pearl and Greg. From what I hear, this episode serves two purposes -
1) This is to settle Greg's strained relations with the Crystal Gems over Rose, especially with Pearl. Greg and Amethyst have come to terms many episodes ago, and now we see Greg and Pearl, which leaves Greg and Garnet. Though I would think the Keystone Motel episode may have mended that relationship already.
Former Steven Universe director Ian Jones-Quartey once joked that the series was a sequel to a previous work called "No Need for Greg". This was a reference to the anime series "No Need for Tenchi", one of the earliest known Harem-style animes that feature several female characters fighting over the male protagonist. One can assume what Jones-Quartey meant was that they plan to feature several episodes of Greg forming ties to the Crystal Gems, and perhaps others as well like Peridot and Lapis, over the fact that they all care about Steven.
2) The episode is meant as a message by the staff towards fans to encourage their own relationships, or shipping, with the characters. So in this manner, it implies the possibility Greg and Pearl end up as a couple. Personally, I'm all aboard on this. Pearl is of course the motherly figure for Steven, and Greg being his dad.
However, this concept may cause some tension for some fans of Pearl who prefer Pearl's romantic feelings remain toward Rose, and no one else. For her to potentially have feelings towards Greg sounds like a betrayal to her character of sorts.
Many times from the show itself, and by the staff, the Gems aren't exactly gender specific and that they are just 'gems'. But for the sake of simplicity, they do have the appearance and tone of that of a female. So the part that the gems will have a female appearance no matter what, even if they appear rugged or butch, has this implication that if two gems have feelings for one another, and because they have a female appearance, therefore, they must be lesbians. But if someone like Pearl somehow ends up being with Greg, some of those Pearl fans will raise pitchforks.
Not to talk like an old man talking of the old days, but I remember my psychology professor in college once said that "there are matters of the heart that only the heart can understand". If two people fell in love and are completely devoted to one another, no matter how odd it seems, who are we to judge who should and shouldn't be together?
Besides, this episode is to settle once and for all Greg and Pearl's relationship over Rose, rather than let that linger on for the rest of the series. The important thing is that Pearl and Greg no longer feel awkward towards one another and the two can interact and work together when the story calls for it.
This is also by the way the final episode storyboarded by Joe Johnston, before he moves up to becoming series director, replacing Ian Jones-Quartey who now helms OK, KO.
So again, great episode. Great music. And glad Greg and Pearl have come to terms with one another. If they ended up a couple, that's great. If not, but remain friends, that's ok. The important thing is the two no longer have any ill will towards each other and can move forward and work together.
There's just one complaint I have in this episode - HOW THE HELL COULD YOU LOSE $10 MILLION AT A HOTEL IN ONE NIGHT?!
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