Shows You Should Be Watching
Honest reviews. Zero hype.
Summary Steven flies around the world with Lapis Lazuli. Our Take A quiet, surprisingly lovely bottle episode that lets Lapis carry her own story for once. The flashback structure works better than it should, and the ending lands with real…
Summary Steven and Peridot take on the Cluster. Our Take A tense, surprisingly claustrophobic hour that gets a lot of mileage from just two characters stuck in a cramped machine. Peridot’s banter keeps things light until the back half, which…
Summary Steven mobilizes the Watermelon Stevens to help the Gems battle Malachite. Our Take The season’s low point so far: contrived situations, thin motivation, and a shrug of an ending.
Summary Steven listens to a friend’s audio diary. Our Take A quiet bottle episode that turns a stack of tape recordings into one of the show’s best character studies. Watching Peridot fumble through human customs is consistently funny, but the…
Summary Steven doubts everyone. Our Take This is the episode where a season and a half of Peridot’s slow burn finally pays off, and it lands hard. Yellow Diamond’s debut is chilling in how little she has to raise her…
Summary The Gems go to the moon. Our Take A quiet trip that turns heavy in the best way. The moon base gives us some gorgeous backgrounds and Peridot’s odd charm keeps things light until the real gut punch arrives…
Summary Steven has a birthday party out at the barn, and decides he has some growing up to do. Our Take A quiet, sweet episode that leans on character over spectacle, and it works. Steven’s anxiety about aging gives the…
Summary Garnet finally tells Steven the story of how she came to be a Crystal Gem. Our Take A quiet, gorgeous half-hour told mostly in silhouette and watercolor, and it earns every bit of that restraint. Ruby and Sapphire’s first…
Summary Steven and Amethyst get involved with Gem gossip. Our Take Amethyst and Peridot bonding over snarky impressions of the other Gems is honestly the most fun this show has had in weeks, and the moment the jokes turn mean…
Summary The gang return to the family barn to build robots. Our Take Solid, satisfying television. The season’s engine keeps turning and the character work pays.