Steven Universe - Wanted Review

Last week, Cartoon Network USA aired the 5th (and possibly final) season premiere of Steven Universe. As part of the promotion, the first four episodes of the 5th season premiered under the "Wanted" event. Unlike the Stevenbomb events where viewers watch a week of new episodes, "Wanted" aired the first four on the same day. Another reason for this is that Lars plays a major role in this story arc.

The first episode, "Stuck Together" was actually leaked weeks before the broadcast premiere and it continued where the last season left off. As Steven remains under the custody of Topaz and Aquamarine, he runs into Lars, who was hiding in the ship the entire time. During their captivity, Lars confessed that his insecurities and cowardice got the better of him and ditched his arrival to the pot luck with Buck Dewey and the Kool Kids before he was captured (uhhh, what a waste of that delicious Ube Cake...).

 Steven for his part revealed his insecurities with the responsibility left to him by his mother. Steven and Lars's conversation leads to a sentimental moment between the two, which got Topaz to finally speak and sympathize with them. Topaz tries to help them escape, but was stopped by Aquamarine.

"The Trial" is as the name implies, where Steven is put on trial for crimes committed by Rose Quartz. We are introduced to the Zircons - gems whose primary purpose is to act as attorneys. Steven is given a Blue Zircon to act as his defense attorney, while the Diamonds serve as Judge and Jury.

During the trial, Yellow Diamond was very eager to end it quickly and have Steven executed. (I know it's supposedly "shattered", but let's not put up with the word game charade. We all know Yellow Diamond wants Steven dead)

Blue Diamond, however, constantly intervenes as she wants to know the details regarding Pink Diamond's death by Rose, demanding Steven, who claims he is Rose, to provide answers. So the revelation is that Pink Diamond's death is part of a grand conspiracy regarding the Diamonds themselves, with Rose framed to take the fall. The Blue Zircon presents this, which got Yellow Diamond furious and poofs her, along with the Green Zircon who was the prosecutor. As Blue Diamond restrains Yellow Diamond for the latter's outburst, Steven and Lars made their escape.

It was clear from this episode that Yellow Diamond was the mastermind behind the conspiracy and set up Pink Diamond for her death, then pinning the blame on Rose Quartz. It gives merit to Yellow Diamond wanting Earth to be swallowed up by the Cluster, so to speak, as it will remove any traces of evidence that lead to her pulling the strings. The motive for this is a mystery for now, but we can theorize that Pink Diamond may have the same feelings as Rose Quartz in which the inhabitants of Earth are worth protecting and not to be transformed into a gem cluster.

In "Off-Colors", as Steven and Lars flee from the drones that are hunting them down, they are taken in by the 'Off-Colors'. To put it more bluntly, the Off-Colors are gem rejects that are deemed as outcasts within Homeworld and are to be shattered on sight. The Off-Colors remain in hiding for thousands of years, in fear of the Homeworld Gems, something Lars could relate to.

Eventually, the drones arrive to attack Steven and the Off-Colors. But Lars, being human with no gems, cannot be detected by the drones. In a rare feat of showing courage, Lars takes down the drones, but was killed after destroying the last one.

Now this would've been quite a shocker seeing an on-screen death of a character. But this is Steven Universe. And as with the unwritten rules regarding American animation for kids, Lars's death is not a permanent one. In fact, he's been dead for just a full minute! Besides, the next episode is titled "Lars's Head", so that's a giveaway already.

Anyhow, Steven's healing powers allowed his tears to revive Lars, though the latter was brought back with his skin color changed completely - pink. At this point, everything is predictable within seconds. Lars is basically the same as Lion, with their hair serving as a gateway to a another dimension. Steven would be able to return to Earth by going inside Lars's hair, and out through Lion's mane.

So Lion, for his part, was a pet that Rose adored, and when he died under unknown circumstances, Rose revived him, and used his mane to store some of her valuables.

Lars made the resolve to remain in Homeworld to serve as a bridge between the planet and Earth, while Steven makes his way home. The Off-Colors, being offered a chance to go to Earth with Steven, chose to stay with Lars to guide him around Homeworld. Steven returns home to reunite with the Crystal Gems, Greg, and Connie, just as they also arrived home via the Warp Pad.

As of this recording, 132 of the planned 156 or so episodes have been aired. This means there are 24 episodes left in this series unless Cartoon Network announced it has ordered a new of episodes. But give that the CN Upfront has already passed, and there are 24 episodes left, and we heard nothing from Cartoon Network or the staff of Steven Universe so far, the chances of a Season 6 are very, very slim.

The way the first four episodes of the 5th Season are presented, these final 24 episodes will be pretty much story-based, with probably a few breaks here and there. It would be weird if the next episode is Steven going off on a random slice-of-life episode, given what has happened. How would everyone react, especially Sadie, upon learning what happened with Lars? What are they going to do now that they can go to Homeworld directly? Exactly what is Yellow Diamond's grand plan? We can expect these and more to come up much sooner than we think...

...episode-wise of course. The show is once again on another hiatus, which is expected and has been the norm for Cartoon Network. Personally, I hope it goes back to the weekly format and enough with the Stevenbombs as it only makes the lifespan of the show much shorter than it already is. Cartoon Network should only look at Adult Swim and how the final season of Samurai Jack was so successful, airing 10 episodes on a weekly basis.

As for this "Wanted" event, the 4-episode premiere is a great start for this season, and a great follow up from the last one. Honestly I find no problems with it other than something new viewers should not jump in unless the watched the previous seasons to catch up. While some may be disappointed that this arc is focused on Lars rather than Steven, I personally find his character development great.

Looking back, Lars from the beginning was very mean to Steven, but as the series progresses, the two do become friends, and Steven is the one who Lars opens up to. Some may probably go for a Steven x Lars ship at this point. I've already seen fan shippings of Steven with other male characters (as very few as they are in this show), so eh, why not?

Anyhow, expect more revelations and resolutions from Steven and the gang in their conflict against Homeworld as this series continues. On a scale of 1 to 5, I give Steven Universe's "Wanted" event, a 4 out of 5.