Lunar Sea Spire

GC13, special guest Max from The Ringo Zone podcast, Ken, and Dakota discuss Cat Fingers (the first appearance of Mayor Dewey, the Internet’s mayor!). Amethyst’s penchant for shapeshifting is discussed, as is how Steven could possibly need a lecture about shapeshifting. Pearl’s hesitance to shapeshift is also brought up, as is the perfect first shape change for her to use (spoiler alert: “Womp! Womp!”). A rather lengthy discussion about the nature of the early series also comes up, and about how different it is from the episodes that came later. Obviously the show was still drawing in fans, but perhaps it hadn’t quite found its footing. The Lunar Sea Spire now has a Facebook group, so please check us out there!

GC13 and Ken discuss #StevenBomb2.0, which just finished, and #StevenBomb3, which was just announced for July 13-17. The ratings of #StevenBomb2.0, which were much better than the ratings for the first #StevenBomb, are discussed, as is the huge spike in fan activity online. Even though GC13 and Ken would both prefer a return to getting one episode each week, so long as the fans are responding well then there’s nothing to complain about. Nobody knows what’s going to happen with #StevenBomb3, but whoever Sardonyx turns out to be, she (presumably a she) needs to be a big deal if the character is being teased as soon as the event is announced.

#StevenBomb2.0 is over, and GC13 and Ken are here to talk about its final episode: Chille Tid. [Applause] If you can’t tell, we’re excited that the long-awaited laugh track episode has finally arrived. Of course there’s plenty more to discuss. It seems we finally know that Malachite will be dealt with before Peridot. Alas, however, poor Lapis. Ken may not feel much sympathy for her, but we can still hope for her to come around to us one day.

Ken, GC13, and Dakota convene to talk about We Need To Talk and talk about how cool What Can I Do For You was (well, GC13 and Dakota liked it, but Ken is doing the contrarian thing). The design on Rainbow Quartz, the character of Rose Quartz, and Pearl’s actions are all discussed (with GC13, as always, taking Pearl’s side). Not that Pearl was anything worse than catty in this episode (and her actions did give us Rainbow Quartz, so that’s something to be thankful for). Of course deeper questions also come up: if Steven fused with the Crystal Gems, how different would the fusions be than if his mother fused with them? Can he even fuse with them at all?

Phew. Sometimes these episodes just get heavy, you know? GC13, Ken, and Dakota are here, though, to discuss Keeping It Together and all it means. So the good news/bad news first: while chances look grim for Peridot eventually joining the Crystal Gems, it’s not impossible yet. And the experiments mean that, in the future, we’re going to learn a whole lot more about the project. Coming so soon after Sworn to the Sword, it’s very interesting to see Pearl (who, like Connie, does not seem to be built for fighting) express a desire to do household chores, rather than feeling a mere obligation. Will we learn more about what Pearls are supposed to be like soon? Finally, the process of doing the laundry is more magical than Garnet lets on: the washing machine can also dry clothes, it seems.

GC13, Ken, and Dakota assemble once more to discuss Rising Tides, Crashing Skies. Despite the relatively low-key nature of the episode, the lore discussion gets kind of heavy. Is Mayor Dewey involved in some conspiracy to cover up the activities of the Crystal Gems? Or is he just a very nervous politician keen to change the subject whenever the walking disasters only he recognizes as such are brought up? How does the temple door work? Has Amethyst become better at fighting since her introspection in Reformed? Oh, and we know a lot of you caught it yourselves, but since it was brought up in the podcast, isn’t this guy just adorbable?

GC13, Ken, and Dakota think that #StevenBomb2.0 is starting off on the right foot: if Sworn to the Sword is any indication of what we’re in store for, it’s going to be a great week (with a podcast episode every day!). So of course the new opening (with its apparent anime influences) come up, as do the songs in the episode. Pearl’s claiming of being inspired by knighthood, a concept less than 2,000 years old, before the rebellion is also brought up. Is it an error, an indication of a rebellion that only happened after the Kindergarten was shut down, or does Pearl not keep close tabs on human culture? The eagerness with which Pearl indoctrinated Connie was also rather hardcore. Perhaps you could say that Pearl was overzealous? (We’re saying it for her own good.)

GC13, Ken, and Dakota discuss the fifth episode of Steven Universe: Frybo. Ken and GC13 get right back to disagreeing—at least their first impressions of the episode disagreed, and that’s what we’re counting. We get another mystery in Frybo: the origin of the gem shards. It’s certainly possible to make some educated guesses about how the gems came to be shattered, but so early in the series Steven isn’t willing to listen to even the sanitized history lesson Pearl offers, let alone the gritty real history. It’s very interesting contrasting the older episodes with the newer ones, though. Steven has greatly grown as a character. If his job as a professional beach hunk never works out, at this rate he’ll have a great career in heroism ahead of him.

Ken, GC13, Dakota, and Hunter discuss the fourth episode of Steven Universe: Together Breakfast. While GC13 holds the episode in a special place in his heart since it was his first episode, Ken predictably disagrees.

GC13, Ken, and Hunter discuss Cheeseburger Backpack, the first and last appearance of the site and podcast’s namesake: the Lunar Sea Spire. Also, right at the start of the episode, some of the big news (#StevenBomb 2.0 and Mr. Jones-Quartey’s departure) is brought up. The appearance of Garnet and Pearl in the background of a page of Batgirl also brings up the topic of the Crystal Gems vs various DC heroes (the consensus is that Superman and the Flash are too OP for the Crystal Gems to deal with, but that it doesn’t matter since versus crossovers inevitably end with both sides being shown in a positive light). Of course Cheeseburger Backpack is the subject of the podcast so its zany animation, from a time when the show was younger comes up. You could say it was a… Pearlfect way to start the series.

GC13 and Hunter discuss the second episode of the series: Laser Light Cannon and discover an interesting fact: the second and second-to-last episodes of the season both involve Steven riding onto the beach to save the Crystal Gems. Is this a coincidence, or are the sneople at it again? Has the question of why the homeworld sent a Red Eye, a seemingly antiquated piece of technology finally been answered? It might actually be an updated version of an old design, one far bigger. Of course we still have no ideas on how it might have been meant to report back to the homeworld, however. Give us time, and maybe we’ll come up with something. The fantastic music of the series also comes up, as do the wonderful fan comics of the Crystal Gems raising baby Steven. We love you guys. So how much do you like Greg? He may not be a perfect porkchop, but as a hot dog he sure seems to be doing a great job.

Ken and GC13 stave off the hiatus blues by discussing the first episode of the series: Gem Glow. As the first episode in the series, Gem Glow carries the burden of being entertaining while still introducing viewers to the key concepts, and we think it manages that task quite well. Steven loves Cookie Cats. Do you want to try one? There are some recipes floating around the Internet for how to make everyone’s favorite fictional ice cream sandwich. If you’ve tried one, let us know how it was and we might try some once good ice cream returns to the world.

GC13, Dakota, and Ken discuss the mobile game for Steven Universe, Attack the Light. It’s a fun dungeon crawl RPG with excellent blurbs from all of the characters. What more could you want for $3? Each character has their specific uses in battle, and if you really want to win a fight you can fuse the Crystal Gems into Alexandrite and smack everyone down. Of course Dakota also has to come out with some vigorous support of Amethyst after not being around to defend her during last week’s podcast. Oh, and one more thing: The Game.

GC13, Ken, and Hunter discuss the new episode, Reformed. With Dakota gone, Ken has a chance to take revenge for the Shirt Club podcast. GC13 also can’t say numbers well. The personality quirks of the Crystal Gems are discussed, as is the temple and the writing process of a Steven Universe episode. (When talking about the writing process, this interview is mentioned.) Gem forms are also mentioned, both their ability to be “overclocked” and their function as a constant reminder of past defeats. Even though it looks like the summer hiatus has started, we’re going to stay right here with weekly episodes. Make sure to check back on May 11 for a new episode of the podcast!

Ken, GC13, and Dakota talk about the second Lamar Abrams / Hellen Jo episode to air in a row: Love Letters, and Ken delivers a full-throated defense of the previous episode: Shirt Club. We get the introduction of Sadie’s mother, some actual characterization for Jamie, and even some more adorable interaction between Steven and Connie. We also get food for thought: is Kansas really a film hub, or did Jamie not feel like he had what it took to try his hand at acting in Hollywood? The next episode of Steven Universe might very well be a big one: Reformed is coming. Be sure to listen in next week for our thoughts on it!