Why I Was Disappointed with Gem Drill [Steven Universe]

WARNING: This video contains a negative opinion about an aspect of Steven Universe.
Gem Drill Discussion: • Steven Universe 'In To...
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[@Mswordx23]

I think the main issue is that they wrote themselves into a corner. As in, they set it up so that there would be no way for it to be resolved in a grandiose manner. Either the Cluster emerges, or it doesn't, and it definitely won't emerge, because then there'd be no planet. So the only other option is bubbling it. Now, the resolution itself I like in a certain sense, because it falls in line with the show's themes and Steven's character. Plus, it throws a few curveballs at you: Steven's mysterious ability to enter Gems' mental realms returns (although a bit over-conveniently), and you don't expect that the shards would be able to bubble themselves. However, I agree with you that the characters could have gone through a bit more tribulation to resolve things, and it made me feel a bit empty when it was all over. Pretty good end to the episode itself, not so good conclusion to the entire arc, in my opinion.

[@PIEGUYRULZ]

+Mswordx23 Well said!

[@Pokey_Puni_]

+PIEGUYRULZ its ok I found the ending quite anti climatic because of the promotion that gave off to start off season 3

[@icecreamhero2375]

not quite Steven can keep teaching the mutant gems how to be friendly

[@AidanKerr]

I completely agreed

[@AidanKerr]

Agree

[@IanOrGoregy]

Its kinda sad how you have to give a warning for a negative opinion.

[@sameyfan612]

shows how arrogant some of the diehard Steven Universe fans can be

[@mediawatcher9225]

I don't mind criticism for even my favorite shows, heck even when a reviewer is bashing my favorite and or show, I don't mind at all it's his opinion, this is a legit criticism.

[@CombatSportsNerd]

You have no idea how bad the dark parts of the fandom are.

[@TheJustin4848]

It was his choice to give a warning. It says nothing about the Steven Universe fan base.

[@lancelikessause]

+TheJustin4848 maybe he did

[@PIEGUYRULZ]

I get that everyone thinks the Cluster will come back, personally I think it will too. However, I highly doubt it's coming back any time soon. Gem Drill was still a conclusion, even if just a temporary one. Sure they'll come back to it, but all that build up with Peridot and the drill was leading up to Gem Drill. I don't even have a problem with Steven bubbling it, I just think that there should have been a lot more to it than just a pretty simple "Steven talks to it for 3 minutes" ending. Maybe I'm wrong, and it will pop up again soon, but if it doesn't this is very clearly the solution to at least this "chapter" of the arc. Or the conclusion to the "barn" arc if you want to call it that.

[@CombatSportsNerd]

If it doesn't come back it'll be a bigger let down than Finn's father arc

[@Fineartguy]

how do you think the cluster should've been delt with?

[@sparetire8225]

how would you feel if home world somehow popped it

[@Romalac]

How exactly would you have had Steven deal with the Cluster? I don't mean that as a challenge or anything, I'm legitimately asking. As it stands, Super Watermelon Island brought Steven's ability to enter the minds of others back into play, and he utilized that in talking the Cluster down and bubbling it safely. I agree that this isn't the BEST possible way to end it, but it WAS a very appropriate way. Having the Cluster only destroy part of the Earth would completely undermine Yellow Diamond's reasoning for planting it- to get a geoweapon AND completely wipe out Earth. But then, following through on having it destroy the Earth would pretty much end the show, so we can't have that. So what exactly would you propose as an alternative?

[@MildShocker56]

So what I'm getting at here is you don't like the gem drill for being one episode. But honestly how would this be a two parter you never explain that

[@anonymousyoutuber1405]

People also defend it by saying "it'll come back." And yes, it will. But then why do this in the first place? Just keep in an over-hanging plot, no need to slap all your cards on the table now.

[@animationdude9]

Right? What is there to gain from that?

[@DarkkirbyKRPG]

I think this was done because the crew wanted to work on some other plots, like Lapis, but they needed time. So they literally bubbled the Cluster story arc to pause it, in order to get the little stuff out of the way first.

[@razmw]

cuase without the cluster, homeworld gems will have no reason to come back to earth.

[@FuturisticBagel]

The fact you have to give a warning that your going to say something negative about Steven Universe is just sad :( It's my favourite show but damn some people give it way too much credit

[@balabanasireti]

The show is a little overrated.

[@bashamd96]

People treat it like it's the best show ever when in reality it's a great show but not perfect

[@blondiesaband]

it're not overrated, it's underrated

[@bashamd96]

***** No it isn't it's treated like it's perfect in every way when it has flaws

[@mediawatcher9225]

Honestly this is why I don't watch the show as much as I used to, it's like you give it even the tiniest criticism and everyone will bash you for it

[@NoahsBlobsReal]

Well the reason it WAS so quick is because every episode is 11 minutes long. They wouldn't take more than one episode to take it down, as it'd be unnecessary. So they had to cram the conclusion into 11 minutes, which is why it seems so anticlimactic. Plus, this is probably not the end of the Cluster. It can't just be bubbled forever, that seems too unsafe. Maybe when they finally for SURE get rid of the Cluster, it'll take two episodes, or whatever time it deserves. But for now, we get one episode to end it off, which I think is ok for now. I'm not too good at this stuff, but this is what came to mind.

[@balabanasireti]

Big fights can also just be in two parters or more parters than that.

[@NoahsBlobsReal]

yeah, that would make sense. But this was never really a fight, just prevention of world destruction.

[@balabanasireti]

Noah Spongy Yeah, but it could be a fight, the Cluster can destroy words. The show could have made something like the Cluster is active but doesn't have it's full power yet so Steven and Peridot have to fight and poof it.

[@animationdude9]

+Munzur Baba not a good idea,Steven can't beat any major enemy on his own.

[@balabanasireti]

Animation Dude He has Peridot and a robot while the Cluster wouldn't have it's full strenght.

[@Usagi393]

I have gotten so bored with SU. It feels like nothing has happened. A lot of build up, but nothing really satisfying in terms of conclusion. Even with the new episodes being aired this past week, I feel like very little has been established or expanded upon. I'm not even sure if Greg becoming a multi millionaire was really relevant, as he's not particularly interested in material possessions and Steven can pretty much get anything he wants right now via the Gems and/or magic (and he's not particularly materialistic, so it's not like money interests him either). We spent an entire episode, once again, going over how uncomfortable Pearl and Greg are with each other, only to have it resolved in a matter of two minutes, even though we had been shown their awkwardness going back years over several episodes. I was hoping for something a little more confrontational, like now that Greg has money, he wants to buy a house and take Steven to live with him and have a more "normal" life. The only thing I have gotten from this past week is that Steven is considered a special snowflake to *everyone* in the freaking town, which I have gotten for a while now. I don't know, just feels like they're spinning in the mud right now.

[@pelucheCR7]

The show has gotten better by now.

[@DotDotDott]

Steven universes BIGGEST problem in my opinion is the 11 minute time limit sense I seems more like a limit then a choice and has never really helped the show in any way.

[@mrmanpersonguy5812]

Yeah, some episodes feel really rushed because of the fact that they're eleven minutes long. Episodes like Gem Drill, Jailbreak, and even my favorite episode; The Answer, all suffer from this.

[@mariophreak]

I totally Agree. going into the show I thought the episodes would be 22 minutes.

[@Jdudec367]

@@mrmanpersonguy5812 I disagree they didn't really feel rushed to me

[@brandonbishop4368]

Good Video. I don't think this is the end of the Cluster story.After All Yellow Diamond is gonna know somethings up and try and do something. There was really no other way for the Cluster to be fixed besides bubbling it.Steven can't heal it and the drill couldn't even dent it.Bubbling it was the only way to go at the time.Judging by what I've already seen from some spoilers I can expect another alternative to stopping it very soon.

[@Darkmoone1]

The pacing can often times feel too fast. The show feels so different from most cartoon shows formed around an 11 minute limit in the sense that it has quite an evolving and in-depth developed storyline going for it. I know this is there current format and may not change, but I still firmly believe 11 minutes for some episodes just doesn't feel like enough time. I do think we should have gotten Malachite way after the Cluster. Seemed like they mashed two giant events into one and instead of getting part one and two, we got part one and part one.

[@mrmanpersonguy5812]

Huh, I thought I (and my friend) was the only one who thought Gem Drill wasn't satisfying. Also, after Super Watermelon Island aired, they played the same In Too Deep promo that they've been playing and while watching it, something clicked into my head that the hand that hit the drill in that promo was Jasper.... Yeah, I was wrong. Something that I don't like about the fandom is that if you give an opinion that's different than everyone else's, you pretty much get a scolding for it. For example, I don't like Peridot (since Catch and Release at least), I think she's really annoying and at times, she's an asshole, but almost everytime I say this, I get a lecture about how she's learning, developing, cute, and funny. That's cool and all... but I still don't like her. I'm actually considering on skipping today's episode because it's a Peridot episode and I'm really tired of her. It's alright if she's your favorite character, she's just not mine. I think this comment got off track...

[@PIEGUYRULZ]

It's cool man. I've been feeling the heat from the fandom too. It's totally okay to not like Peridot and people just need to deal with your opinion. I quite like her, but I can totally see how she could get on someone's nerves. Just because she has a reason for her actions or whatever, does not automatically invalidate how you feel, and people need to learn that.

[@CombatSportsNerd]

I get the same treatment when express my distaste for Pearl

[@mrmanpersonguy5812]

+PIEGUYRULZ Thanks Pieguy. I wish more of the fanbase was more like you :).

[@SalineCoelacanth]

I think its cool how people have different opinions. it shows how not everyone is the same. I like peridot but I understand how you don't like her and that's cool. I just wish the fandom didn't judge people with other opinions.

[@icecreamhero2375]

well i can see why people would hate Peril she is uptight egotistical and a know it all that is why she and Amythist sometimes don't get along

[@Nirvashicus]

I like to think maybe the cluster will come back in a threatening way. Like, all of the gems within it are "getting to know eachother". That perhaps not all of the gems within it are "good", and perhaps some or all of them will take form, making giant crazy fusion monsters everywhere

[@WesleyRocco]

I enjoyed the conclusion to Gem Drill. I never got too hype about the Cluster, so I think that's why I enjoyed the way it got wrapped up. I can see why others might be disappointed by the ending, but like you said overall it was a good episode. Really that's all that matters

[@TheGallingIce]

"IMO, I personally enjoyed..." Redundance much?

[@WesleyRocco]

***** Fixed It

[@TheGallingIce]

Wesley Rocco It's still redundant tho o-o Take off the IMO, you don't need to tell people it's your opinion that you enjoyed something, it comes inherently with the phrase.

[@WesleyRocco]

***** Aight Ms.Frizzle. You want that term paper due by next Tuesday? I haven't been able to write that essay about The Importance of Trolls to the Internet

[@TheGallingIce]

Wesley Rocco How am I trolling? o_O

[@emmaseibert9965]

I mean, the cluster will probably come back because of that quick solution. Bubbles might be strong, but Steven's bubbles aren't THAT strong and the cluster is such a big thing. I think that this "arc ending" is more of a way to push aside this threat and make room for smaller episodes and other plots. (I'm currently in the middle of developing a story and the hardest thing for me to do is to create smaller more down to earth stories while still having a threat above the characters heads) it's hard to do these small stories about playing baseball when there's the constant nagging of "what are they doing, shouldn't they be stopping the cluster and not wasting time?" Now that they've temporarily solved the cluster situation they can focus on Yellow Diamond and recruiting more crystal gems.

[@Sqwivig]

Very well said! I agree with what you said about this being a temporary solution. I think they'll have to find a different way to dispose of the cluster without Steven's help or something. But for now I'm glad they are taking a break from the huge threat and focusing on smaller ones and having more light-hearted episodes.

[@wittybanter96]

I may be wrong in the coming months, but I got the impression that the Cluster could still be used in plots in the future? The Cluster is still technically vulnerable buried underneath Earth's core and Yellow Diamond's presence poised to make it happen. In my opinion, the stakes were built so high in order for the viewers defenses to be lowered later on when it does make a reappearance. The ending of the episode itself was disappointing but I'm looking forward to see how the dramatic stakes are raised without it until then

[@rosesapling72]

Those were my thoughts too, especially how the episode ends ominously looking over the bubble at the end. Plus it's been shown bubbles can easily be popped by outside sources, so I'm sure it will make a return.

[@allison0411]

In Too Deep could have been A LOT better. The crewniverse really went through with it the wrong way. It would still have been a four week event but like this: First episode of In Too Deep: Steven and the gems could go on a mission to Mask Island and end up finding the watermelon stevens instead of Steven just randomly becoming one. Then, the gems learn about their culture and end up getting the viewers emotionally connected to the watermelon stevens. This would be the episode. Steven and the gems hanging out and becoming friends with the watermelon stevens. Also, since they discover them, it'd be much more believable than Steven randomly astro-projecting into one. But, as the episode draws to a close, tremors begin and Steven heads to the end of the island to see what's going on. This is where that dramatic scene of Malachite emerging from the water takes place. Steven gasps and the episode ends dramatically. Episode Two: The episode picks off right where we left off with Steven facing Malachite. Malachite tries to attack Steven but is dragged back into the water by Lapis. (Or just not being able to reach him because of the chains is fine too.) Steven runs back to the watermelon village to tell the gems. The gems tell Stevens it's too dangerous and force him to warp back to the barn with Peridot, where Peridot has felt the tremors too and starts worrying it's the cluster. Steven says it's Malachite and is worried about Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. Steven lies down and tries to forget about it, but is so worried about them he is able to astro-project himself into a watermelon steven to check on them. The gems fuse into Alexandrite and the fight with Malachite begins. We've been building up to the fight with Malachite for many episodes too, so this should be an intense fight that lasts almost the whole rest of the episode. By the end, Lapis and Jasper are split up, the tremors continue, and we see Jasper washed away into the ocean. (So when she comes back in Alone at Sea it makes more sense. I was personally confused because I had thought she fell into the ground.) The ground continues to shake and the gems realize it's the cluster. Garnet tells Steven the warp was destroyed and he and Peridot had to drill with out them. The episode ends just like Super Watermelon Island did. There, the Malachite arc resolved in two episodes with more buildup and us given reasons to actually care about the watermelon stevens. Episode Three: The episode begins with Steven waking up, horrified. The same events that began Gem Drill occur, with Peridot and Steven having their conversation and then getting into the drill. The drill begins to dive down into the Earth. This episode will only be Steven and Peridot drilling down, us not seeing the cluster until the end. You might think Steven and Peridot drilling down for a whole episode would be boring, so we will have a subplot! The subplot will be cutting to the gems trying to get off Mask Island and back to the barn without the warp. We will see a little mini adventure for some comic relief as Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl (Along with the unconscious Lapis) try to get home. (Instead of just randomly being there at the end of Gem Drill.) Every once in a while though, the ground will shake during the subplot, reminding everyone the horrors unfolding underground, and building the tension that although their might be comedy with the Crystal Gems trying to get home, something serious if definitely going on. During Steven and Peridot's parts in the episode, it will be their conversations drilling down to the cluster, along with the gem mutants attacking the drill. The drill might also run into some problems while trying to drill, for even more of a conflict. Finally, Peridot and Steven will pierce into the cavern that contains a giant sphere of gem shards. Steven will ask, "Is that-?" and the episode will end as Peridot murmurs, "The Cluster..." Episode Four: The episode will begin right where we left off. But it begins somewhat calmly, making the audience feel a false sense of security. Peridot and Steven will begin drilling into the cluster, which hasn't activated yet. Steven is very worried, and he and Peridot have a meaningful conversation. This will go on for about a minute, until finally a few gems shards shatter away, and a crack begins to form in the cluster as Steven and Peridot drill into it. Steven is sad though, because he knows that these shards never wanted to be the cluster. Peridot gives her speech of: "It doesn't matter if it knows what it's doing, it's still going to do it." The continue to drill into it. All is going well, until out of nowhere, a glowing hand shoots up from a gem shard and slams into the drill. Steven and Peridot are very scared, obviously, as the drill is sent off course, going out of control. As Peridot tries to slow it down and begin drilling into another spot, another hand appears. The two suddenly realize in horror what is happening. The entire cluster lights up, glowing an intense white light. Peridot yells, "It's too late, it's taking form!" And the body of the cluster begins forming, shaking the entire Earth and knocking the drill around. Peridot and Steven are flung to the back of the drill, away from the control panel. The hold onto each other, knowing this is the end. They have their heart warming last words as they hear the drill cracking under the force of the cluster. But all of a sudden, the white light hesitates, not growing anymore. Peridot realizes that because of the cluster's immense size, it is going to take much longer to form. She calls out, "There's still a chance!" and grabs onto the control panel, re-positioning. They begin to drill through the forming cluster's body, finally reaching the shards. They begin to drill again, with all their force. The cluster's gem begins to crack. However, the force of the cluster increases pressure on the drill, and the body of it cracks open. Choose your ending kind of thing here, the crewniverse could have gone either way. One: They continue drilling with many problems in between, and at the moment that drill is about to cave in under pressure, killing both Steven and Peridot, the cluster finally splits, shattered. The shards shatter everywhere, in a brilliant display of colors, with a sad sense to it, knowing the cluster is dead even though it didn't want to destroy the Earth. Option number two: Because the drill is cracked open, a hand from the cluster grabs Steven, pulling him out. Peridot screams in horror, trying to grab him, but misses. Because she let go of the controls, the drill spirals out of control disappearing from Stevens view as it flies into the depths of the cluster's body. Steven is now being tossed and injured by the cluster's body trying to take form. He knows that now that the drill was sent out of control again, there was no hope of destroying the cluster. He was going to die. Fearing for his life, he curls up, begging the cluster to stop. This fear and his sympathy for the cluster allows him to astro-project into the cluster's mind. He has a conversation with it like the one in Gem Drill, and then teaches it to bubble. He hops out of it's mind, and the cluster bubbles itself, stopped from forming but still alive. Steven lands on top of the bubble, laughing and crying that he did it. He sees the drill lying down on top of the bubble too, and Peridot is okay. The two hug, knowing they've saved the world. They ride the drill back to the surface, where the gems have returned from their adventure to greet them. There. Four Week special event, one episode each week. Malachite and the cluster both built up and done much better than in the actual show. It kind of saddens me they didn't do this. Who knows? This is just my opinion of how it should have gone. Also, Same Old World, Barn Mates, and Hit the Diamond would still air, just as regular episodes later on.

[@seanfulldark]

Honestly, I always believed that the story arc isn't finished, bubbling is a temporary solution using Perl stated that early on in the first season so, technically, the story arc isn't finished yet. We're just taking a break, I do understand your disappointment. And it was really this clear until later episodes are introduced, this is the tricky part about series and I do feel it.

[@starbutterfly9036]

This DEFINITELY isn't the end, PieGuy.

[@itsevan25]

What the heck does definately mean!

[@starbutterfly9036]

+Comerade You know, like absolutely or set in stone or something.

[@itsevan25]

+Star Butterfly Oh, like definitely.

[@starbutterfly9036]

Comerade Whoops, a spelling error. I think defiantly would be like defiant or something.

[@starbutterfly9036]

Comerade I fixed it.

[@MrStrikecentral]

I felt the exact same thing. The Cluster was supposed to be this HUGE threat and it was closed up entirely too fast. Gem Drill should have been drawn out a bit more and ended whit Steven and Peridot arriving at the Cluster. There should have been an entire episode devoted to Steven and Peridot trying to figure out what to do with the Cluster.

[@DrCaesarMD]

Yeah, it was definitely an ENJOYABLE experience, but story wise it was... so crammed in, with awful pacing. I think we all know the Cluster isn't done, it'll return again into the story, which helps a bit, but the arc had too much buildup for a very unsatisfying end. Just because the Cluster will come back does not fix how disappointing the end of the arc was. I'm not upset though, because the latest episodes *COUGH* LAST NIGHTS EPISODE *COUGH* have been pretty good, and I can only see them getting better. I hope next time the Cluster returns, it'll be done a bit better.

[@thetoontastictoon1720]

Yeah. Personally, I think they should've made it a 2 parter. :v

[@thebrandonmanninoshow800]

Hey Pieguy! Great video! I myself am a big Steven Universe fan, and I while I totally understand and respect your opinion, I respectfully disagree. I was fine with how they decided to end it because I think it was intended to be anticlimactic. It was setting up some big grand finale, but instead Steven just talked to it. To me I thought this was in character for him, and I was glad to have been thrown off. It's my personal belief that this was done intentionally. I'm not trying to change your opinion in any way, just trying to explain how I viewed it. Totally great video though! I'm a huge fan of your content and can't wait to see your future videos!

[@pj1789]

The Cluster arc is most likely not done, probably on hold for right now.

[@TheFrayedRedMisery]

The thing is that I highly doubt that they would have put the Cluster on the forefront while the season began. They would save its conflict for near the end of the series I would argue. Because it is not fully dispelled, merely bubbled up, it does not mean it is fully gone. They would very much likely bring back the cluster if they do the Yellow Diamond Invasion storyline and make Yellow Diamond break the bubble and cause it to be a legitimate threat again. That's why I was not disappointed with the outcome in Gem Drill despite how strange it seemed to resolve. I knew it was not fully solved and it still lingered over the horizon, so they might as well take this chance to further develop Steven and, more importantly, Lapis and Peridot. Could I wish there was more time inside the Cluster's mind? Indeed I do, but at the same time I know things can't be drawn out as they would have wanted it to be. You can't get rid of the cluster so easily, only contain it until someone breaks its chains again and it grows, it desires, and it forms, finding it's ultimate completion at the expense of the Earth itself, much to the pleasure of Yellow Diamond.

[@zachnitiss2560]

While I don't have a problem with HOW it was resolved, I do agree that for all that buildup, it did sort of feel anticlimactic. Additionally, the stakes just didn't feel as high as they did in Jailbreak or even in Ocean Gem.

[@jaycenteno8385]

Id love to hear this discussion. Can you provide a link.

[@hintoonbeat]

It felt satisfying to me personally, but I can see where you are coming from. Plus for me personally, the Lapis arc was more interesting as a whole. Also, I kinda feel like it's not the end of the cluster. Jasper fell through the Earth, right? So she could dig to the cluster eventually. And it's never said that the cluster is stable, just bubbled temporarily. And if we learned anything from Peridot being abandoned on Earth, it's that bubbles are kinda easy to lol from an outside source. I kinda want the cluster to break down into an army of mini gem minions and for Jasper to manipulate them into being her own army against Earth. That would be cool...

[@agentofxehanort]

I didn't feel the Cluster ending, while OK,was as satisfying as I would have liked. Also, I'm glad to see you doing SU videos again.

[@NikoKun]

I'm relatively sure we haven't seen the last of the cluster.. Bubbling it doesn't really fix the issue, it just postpones it, and maybe allows the cluster shards some time to stabilize together.. But with Homeworld supposedly on their way, I'm not sure what good a bubble will do if they get to it. It's all part of the same big plot, and it's not "solved" yet. And I don't think it will be too long till we find out. I think we should also keep in mind, that the episodes are only 10 minutes long, and there's a limit to the amount of awesome you can successfully fit in that time.. Frankly, I liked the episode, and felt it spent enough time on the Cluster, considering where the plot is going. What did you expect? Serious damage to the Earth, more Earthquakes, more episodes/time-wasted on something they solved in 10 minutes? lol Malachite was basically the only thing serious enough to separate the crystal gems from Steven and Peridot, so that they could focus more on how Steven would solve things, rather than all the failed or counterproductive things the other characters might have done.

[@paint024]

lol I love the description

[@PatrickBoy412]

m8, you're gonna get destroyed by the SJW, remember what happened to that one artist who drew Rose thin?

[@animationdude9]

We all do

[@sophiej6893]

No, what happened and wheres the picture now?

[@PatrickBoy412]

+Sophie Johnson A girl on Tumblr drew a picture of Rose thin, and so many people harassed her until she attempted suicide... very sad

[@MrLeronne]

+Sophie Johnson an artist who's name escapes me at the moment drew a fanart of rose that was "too thin" (spoiler alert: her fanart wasn't). Her fanart triggered the fuck out of a bunch of sjw's. they insulted and attacked her not just for that single art, but for a bunch of other artworks that she does calling her racist, fat phobic and stuff. most of this comes from her not drawing a character a stereotypical way, for example drawing sardonyx, a "black" character (even though she's a fucking alien rock) with triangle hair with straight hair and not curly and other similar bullshit. after months of non stop attacks she tried to commit suicide, in which she failed. she was checked into a hospital yadda yadda. at the moment all of it died down and she continues making fan art on tumblr. shit got so intense people who worked on the show had to call out these dumbasses on their bullshit.

[@sophiej6893]

leronne clemencia Wow. Thanks for telling me.

[@parforet6988]

I still wonder what they were trying got go for there with that bubbling stuff.Then suddenly, they cut back to the barn and Beach City a few episodes later.

[@AnonDudeBro]

hey pieguyrules. CN quite recently posted on their instagram about this new Ben 10 reboot. I was wondering if you could make a video giving your general impression by what you see so far? It looks like it will have simple and lazy animation, just like ttg, ppg, and the new Scooby doo reboot. and im super scared of how it will be when it airs, but my final judgment I will hold when it comes out. but I am curious to see your reaction on it

[@benign_canine3423]

Honestly, I'm glad I watched this. It was hard to express my exact feelings for the episode, and this sums it up fairly well. I felt like the resolution was over too quickly, and it felt like a hollow ending, as though not enough was given to equal to the amount of hype that the Cluster had.

[@mr.person4lity906]

I kinda think the cluster arch was done on purpose. It showed how even the worst thing in the world can be changed. The cluster was the biggest treat in the show. No its a symbol for unity. This could lead to a theme of redemption for other big threats. (Diamonds and jasper)

[@spencergage95]

I agree with you. I just sat there assuming--I daresay hoping--that the Cluster would re-emerge, go violent again, and be the apocalyptic threat it was made out to be. The Cluster arc was the kind of thing I'd expect from a season finale, or even a series finale. But Steven's disappointingly short confrontations with danger is, for me, a major flaw for the show. I honestly expect him to just talk to Yellow Diamond or something and turn her good, which just sounds like it would be lame unless they gave her a lot of backstory and insight into the life of being a Diamond or whatever.What I would like for the Cluster is for Steven to persuade it, and by extension the Gems within it, to un-fuse themselves. Imagine being in a mass crowd of people, and you're all being dumped into a tiny room the size of a prison cell that can barely contain all of you. You can't see yourself well because people's limbs are all around you, and you can only hear screams and cries of agony and terror that you can't tell are from you or from another person. And because you're all in a heap, packed like sardines or cattle, you're all too panicked and confused to calm down. That's what the Cluster is like--and for Gems, it could be indefinite.With everyone panicked, this crowd can't communicate with itself, just outsiders. Someone on the outside who isn't affected by the hysteria would need to take control and instruct the people to stop screaming and moving so that the outlying people could work on some way to escape the cell. People would likely have to escape one by one based on their location relative to the exit. Same thing with the Cluster. It collectively listened to Steven and soothed itself, but Steven should have gone further and worked to unfuse it, one shard at a time. Gems would have to be meticulously unfused and built back together, not to mention the rehabilitation needed from all of the trauma.The bubbling seemed like a blatant time-buying effort and not a permanent solution. Remember in Monster Buddies how Steven wanted to return the Gem Centipeedle to its natural state as a Gem? Surely he would want to do the same for all of the Gem shards, and while Rose couldn't do that I'll bet Steven will be able to do so eventually.

[@sharenatheaskrprincess870]

Have you forgotten that those shards were forced together?

[@CalebCraft10]

Before more info was given, I had some huge fanfic about Peridot and Garnet bonding, Peri learning to summon her weapon, awesome spaceship drill rocket things, Opal saving Peri and Garnet, and obviously explosions, gem shards, and giant hands everywhere. To this day, call me self-obsesed all you want, I think that would have been a better conclusion to the ark.

[@paxtonstewart8042]

there was one thing you forgot, steven, and I know what most of you are thinking how could steven make this a satisfying or make sense of it to have the cluster delt with in ONE EPISODE, well here is the thing, at often times we discover steven gets new powers every day and are tied to his emotions, like his newest power giving him the ability to jump REALLY high and fall down REALLY slow, steven's powers have been growing with each episode, and I think steven was able to talk to the cluster probably because of the emotions he was feeling, he could feel the pain the cluster was in, in a way, and wanted to help it, so maybe the grief he and the cluster were feeling might have allowed the to connect, as peridot said in here perspective she said, "and steven was like, AW MY FEELINGS" and all of his powers are tied to his feeling or emotions, that's why I found it satisfying

[@Horrormoviesplatters]

I honestly really loved this episode. it was super dark, atmospheric, the soundtrack was amazing, and the animation/artstyle fit perfectly with the madness and beauty towards the end. sure, the whole cluster thing was pretty rushed, but I don't know, I can't seem to put it as a negative. I just really enjoyed the intensity of it all.

[@ids5621]

thank you, I thought I was the only one who felt this way. plus I don't watch tv or participate in the fandom so I can't blame speculation or CN for the lacklustre pay off

[@CalebCraft10]

I can only hope the Cluster returns in a significant way. I always thought Steven would trolled-you sacrifice himself at the last episode / ending movie of the series, by sending the Cluster into space with Steven and the Triple Diamond Fusion (god, I want to see that). Of course there should be more issues beforehand.

[@vx2876]

I'm loving your videos

[@Conklestothemax]

I like that Malachite and the Cluster arc were resolved nearly simultaneously as juxtaposes Steven and the gems problem solving methods, and it is shows that Steven is able to both use force and compassion to achieve his goals and that the compassion is being presented in a way that it is to be considered where in the past it was more presented as Steven is naive but somehow it works out

[@snerpysam6894]

I wanna make a YTP about the cluster now

[@Tuna989]

I think that the arc is not over, i heard a theory about the cluster, that questioned the reason behind gems testing a weapon of this power. Many people concluded that it might be a weapon to fight a bigger threat then the crystal gems, or even the Homeworld itself. So basically they are going to pull a Gurren Lagann plotline on us.

[@KazeShikamaru]

You did a good job explaining this. I get you man but I feel this isn't over.

[@CosyBee]

I don't know why this wasn't the 2nd season finale instead of the second episode of season 3

[@RidleyKraid187]

Yeah... Log Date's a really weird place to end the season.... Personally, I would've had Super Watermelon Island be the Season 2 finale, aired right after Log Date, THEN go on the six month hiatus (Leaving everyone with SWI's cliffhanger ending), and return with Gem Drill as a 2-parter, and maybe actually have the Cluster take part of it's actual form- Giant Arms, Legs, Eyeballs- have them form, and maybe even send them up as far as the crust, destroying a few things just to show off a fraction of the devastation it could cause were it to fully form. Have Steven try to solve the problem from the inside, like before, and have Peridot fighting the limbs that form, in an attempt to try and poof it again. And from there, just have the rest of the episode play out like it normally does- Steven bubbles it, and they return to the surface. There! Gem Drill, but better!

[@caterpiecrew2510]

Bubbling is always, ALWAYS, a temporary solution. It is not an end, or a solution, it is a postponement. I mean, how would you deal with it in the current narrative? Steven is not a killer, he is shown to pity and sympathize with the cluster. So it actually makes a lot of sense that they bubbled it. I get that the build up is a little disappointing for what we have now, but an official cartoon network leak has him healing the centipede, so the cluster ark conclusion might be closer than most of us expect.

[@PIEGUYRULZ]

I never said there was anything wrong with him bubbling it. Just that there should have been more to it than just that. Also, I'm sure the cluster will eventually be seen again, but this is clearly the end of the current arc with it.

[@caterpiecrew2510]

+PIEGUYRULZ I understand. I guess you could say it......... Could have been great. YAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOW!

[@caterpiecrew2510]

+PIEGUYRULZ But seriously, I get where you're coming from, and it feels lax to me as well. I just think it might pop up again pretty soon, as the only thing stopping a proper conclusion is that they have no real way to deal with it other than killing it, and with the leaks, I feel that won't be a problem for long. Welp, here's hoping.

[@lackybracky8414]

thanks for the centipeetle spoiler my dude

[@caterpiecrew2510]

+LACKY BRACKY You're welcome. It was leaked directly by CN, I didn't really consider it a spoiler.

[@CosyBee]

Hi. I'm early... What microphone do you use?

[@honeysenpai9324]

I think the cluster might return in the episode "last one out of beach city" or maybe yellow diamond comes to earth and realise the cluster.

[@Lefty7788tinkatolli]

In all seriousness, I really don't think Gem Drill will be the last we see of the Cluster. It's still there, just bubbled. I reckon it will be back, someone or something is going to pop that bubble. They wouldn't have built it up like this to PERMANENTLY ditch it. It's shelved via temporary solution and will be back eventually. Maybe by the end of season 3.

[@kenpatchiramasama1076]

literally jasper will pop it did you not see how she went into that crack

[@mattf.868]

+Kenpatchi Ramasama she is no where close to the cluster, I think by the end of summer adventures Yellow D is gonna find out and try to reactivate the cluster (maybe jasper betrays the gems and leaves with the rubies to tell yellow D)

[@BlazeTheMovieFan]

Great review as usual.

[@vincentcioffi834]

It's funny how both malachite and the cluster were first introduced in jailbreak

[@Jdudec367]

honestly in retrospective as we all know this wasn't the last time the cluster would appear and the issue wasn't solved too quickly, even though steven's direct contact with the cluster wasn't like as long as the build up that's fine and actually going to where the cluster was at was part of it and it was got emotional honestly. They didn't build it up too much I found how they solved the cluster issue to be fine maybe Steven could have struggled more with it? but it kind of looked like he was already doing that so how would it be done without padding it out? I do agree the malachite thing could have been done earlier or later preferably earlier though. ypu were right that jasper would appear before the cluster would again The conclusion does feel satisfying for the build up that we got.

[@FosterBaba]

I can deal with how they resolved the cluster arc because there was so much in the background that hinted that the cluster might not be as big as Peridot was saying. Peridot was wrong about where the cluster was and looked for information on it in the wrong kindergarten (It was in facet 9 mantle, not facet 5 or the core of the earth). With so many cluster experiments shown over the past couple episodes, it was interesting to get to see the inside of the cluster's mind and the fact that it's not evil and cares about the earth even in it's shattered state. Even though the conclusion was quick, it offered quite a bit of background information and solidified a power of Steven that we know is going to be used in "the new Lars" and "kiki's pizza delivery service"

[@catch3588]

This is why Steven universe needs 30 minutes airings.

[@NeonAnt]

The way Peri was talking and freaking out about the Cluster, I also thought it was going to take a while to solve the problem. I loved the episode, but I was kind of not expecting it to be so...easy? Quick? Idk.

[@quasarpulse8403]

I thought the ark was okay, and it was mostly about peridot, but the cluster will defiantly come back later with yellow dimond. Possibly. Good review though.

[@Lefty7788tinkatolli]

NEGATIVE EMOTIONS ON THE PERFECT SHOW HUH!!?!??!?! BURN THE #TEAMADVENTURETIME TRAITOR MEGA-CLOD WITCH!!!!! BUUURRRNNNN HHHIIIMMMM!!!!

[@Lefty7788tinkatolli]

I was joking...... (facepalmdesk)

[@Gravitynaut]

"What do we burn besides clod witches?" "... MORE CLOD WITCHES!!!"

[@mcamman6193]

Nice review. Overall, I'm starting to get into Steven Universe and trying new things.

[@RidleyKraid187]

2:00 ......How, exactly, does that statement correspond with the Flying Dutchman piecon? Is this a test to see if people are watching the visuals, and not just listening to it in another tab? Is it 'cause she's green and you don't have a Peridot piecon? I'm really confused here....

[@PIEGUYRULZ]

'cause she's green and I don't have a Peridot piecon

[@TheBlueWizzrobe]

*slow claps*

[@DementedMK]

My hope is that the Cluster will show up again at some point

[@GabbyIsFine]

I honestly doubt this is the end for the cluster. It seems to me like more of a way to delay the inevitable. I will be very surprised if the cluster problem doesn't ever come up again.

[@shiteyanyo1111]

I agree, it felt like they just threw the cluster over a cliff. After all the hype, it makes me to want to believe that the cluster is only dormant.

[@cdaemicke3145]

I completely agree with you on this and it should of been longer and even how they end it really annoyed me when I watched.

[@Thetruth-di2ic]

Moment when he calls it and Jasper comes back before the cluster

[@vincentcioffi834]

I feel like in too deep was more of lapis and peridot. So that's probably why both malachite and the cluster were finished up quickly

[@TheREALwymario]

I don't watch this show, but I can't be the only one who finds some of the concepts very similar to the Gem-Knights from Yu-Gi-Oh. Both this show's heroes and the Gem-Knights are jewel-based warriors that can also fuse together to become more powerful beings. Coincidence? Maybe.

[@TheDizzydragon]

the Cluster episode was ...unsettling. alittle scary even. it was never really resolved, it was just put back into a sleeping state. but we've learned that it isnt mindless.... it is a massive collection of broken consciences being forced into an unnatural state. this cluster is not only a danger but its also a kind of hell for the unlucky souls stuck in it. honestly glad it ended the way it did. the main threat is paused so they can focus on other things. we all know yellow diamond still wants her weapon. she will be back and she will attempt to activate the cluster. i believe a war is coming and SU will end with the cluster's salvation/destruction. its too big to NOT be a finale thing.

[@talkingrevolver9700]

I agree with all your points, but it's very likely the Cluster will become relevant again. I can imagine that if Yellow Diamond ever brings her army to Earth, either destroying the CG or activating the Cluster would be her first priority. Hopefully the end of Gem Drill is just the start of something that leads to a better payoff.

[@RidleyKraid187]

How much do you wanna bet we'll see Yellow Diamond built up during the later half of the season, only to have her appear ONCE, and go down in a 3-5 minute fight in the 11 minute finale- with JUST Alexandrite? Hate to be pessimistic, but that's the expectations The Cluster and Malachite arcs have set for me. Or heck, why not throw her down a hole while you're at it? XD

[@TheJustin4848]

The diamonds are such major characters, that we most likely won't see a major fight with them until the later seasons.

[@animationdude9]

. . . . -_- shit your probably right

[@mrmanpersonguy5812]

Well she was built up and when we finally saw her, she looked like a joke.

[@sharenatheaskrprincess870]

+TheGCritic You're wrong. Fandoms can make any character imaginable look like a joke.

[@mrmanpersonguy5812]

+Peridot The Former Homeworld Clod (Peri Senpai and Mora Blue) Yellow Diamond is a complete joke and an overall disappointment. The fanbase doesn't need to do anything when she looks so ridiculous. I mean, the long neck, the clothes, that goofy face that she made when Peridot called her a clod. There's no way that she isn't a joke.

[@razmw]

cluster its the most majer arc of the show. i prefer that first they finished with the small arc that show have and after that the cluster. so i think that they froze the cluster for later for the climax of the show at least its what i hope. but i still love this episode for what it was and hope to see the full form of the cluster.

[@GarryDKing]

you know it does occur to me that in the conclusion of this show, we may not even get a huge battle against the diamonds either, knowing steven he may end up finding a non violent solution, but yea definitely not the end of the cluster, in all liklihood, the conclusion will have those ignat hands everywhere, but maybe not as much epic action as we all may be expecting.

[@justkeyblade]

And when jasper shows up it would be in the most high tension battles of board games.

[@dusknoir64]

Sure it's bubbled, but it's still there. The moment something goes wrong with that bubble (and we've seen that those bubbles aren't the hardest things in the world to break) The cluster becomes an immediate problem. And who did we see fall down into the earth? Jasper. Jasper could be found with the cluster, trying to break the bubble. And somehow Steven or one of the Jems finds her down there. And it's hinted further that at any time. The Cluster can become a huge problem again. Creating this looming dread over the whole show, that at any time, the world could end. I dunno that's just something I've thought up.

[@feurigeist]

i liked gem drill, but yeah, i do agree that it was too short...hopefully this isnt the end of such a huge threat. as soon as the episode ended, i had this feeling that the bubble wouldn't last forever. maybe jasper finds or lands on it and it pops, who knows? it just doesn't feel like the end.

[@RhettRobin]

Thats the one thing that ticks me off about this show. "Heres a huge story arc oh before we finish this heres another one" The show feels like its trying to deal with everything at once and makes for some terribly disappointing story conclusions, They least they could have done to warn the cluster is coming back (it seems very likely) is to have one little ominous clip at the end of the episode just focusing on the bubbled cluster, and if it isnt (which would be dissapointing) There should have been an extra part. Like you said an earth destroying gem deserved more than one little episode

[@CrazyBlonde13]

Ya I felt it was a bit of a cop out too. Considering how dark this show can go...I was expecting it to be super intense. I felt like the almost where there...then it was over

[@mewtwotwo2222]

i dont think the cluster is done for good think of gemdrill as a "wow did we really do that so easily?" and then it comes back thing and that will be the real battle not saying your wrong with your disappointment i was too until i thought of this

[@Nazo-kage]

I always thought it worked well with the theme of the show which is trying to find nonviolent ways of dealing with problems, i've noticed when looking back at the episodes the crystal gems are very confrontational they see a problem They instantly bring out the weapons and attack it, they don't try to reason with that they don't try to figure what it wants, just see enemy, kill it. And I think that that's the theme Steven is needed to help all of Gems realize there's another way other than war, so Stephen been able to deal with the cluster by just talking to it And bubbling it what's a good conclusion for that arc, to me at lest

[@andreburruss11]

I can't wait for the gem war

[@AnAmericanMusician]

Conclusion? I thought it was gonna come back when jasper re-activates it.

[@isaacargesmith8217]

I think the problem is that it was made out to be a climax even by the show itself but the show didn't treat it as such. It feels like it's going to come back and possibly have something to do with the possible real climax that might involve yellow diamond and jasper.

[@lonpierson9129]

i think that the cluster will come back later because stevens solution to the problem seemed kinda temporary

[@dklk734]

Maybe it is still going to be an important later on. I am still worried about it being in the earths mantle.

[@vidademoro109]

I felt like we would've gotten a dark Gaia -esque fight alla sonic unleashed. that would've been awesome!

[@pippo17173]

I feel the writers wanted to make it longer but I feel that maybe a lot is cut for time restraints.

[@MiniAllyCat]

When I first viewed the episode I thought it was ok. Would have liked more, but SU is still a young show so I think we'll see the cluster again in the future, I mean, it's still within the earths core for crying out loud! The cluster is begging for a come back ;P

[@thelastwindwaker7948]

I did kind of like how it turned out that the quaking WAS caused by the cluster, instead of Malachite, thus leaving the CGs unprepared to deal with the Cluster. But they could have easily had the gems distracted with something else in order to not wrap up two plots at the same time.

[@spongyoshi]

Im pretty sure Jasper will pop the bubble since she falls inside the earth in Watermelon Island and we'll get a proprer conclusion here. Still enjoyed Gem Drill, the conclusion was enough for me but I also understand your idea since it was calmer than expected and more "improvised" or something.

[@ShinyHydreigonMaster]

it's funny, cuz not only is Jasper reappearing before the Cluster, but so is Bismuth and Centipeedle :P

[@captainimagination1110]

PIEGUYRULZ can you review episodes of Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn.

[@Abrax404]

Im trying to figure out... Without making the cluster a threat against her life, Peridot wouldnt have been desperate enough to work with the gems at all. Sure she came around, but thats only after learning she couldnt handle it on her own. The only other case I can think of is Homeworld just abandoning her, but that only really happened after she questions Yellow D. I dunno how Peridot wouldve changed without something like her Life being in the balance. At the time Steven supposedly still lost his healing spit (or it really was that the objects he tried it on couldnt be healed) so a cracked gem really doesnt feel strong enough for her to stick around. Writing stuff is hard. But I can see where the disappointment comes from.

[@nessnas8795]

It's maybe coming back?

[@neonoah3353]

i think that maybe jasper will find the cluster. or maybe not, who knows?

[@cleffei]

I don't even watch Steven Universe, I just like hearing Pieguy's voice x3

[@jasirmills582]

Thirsty LMAO jk

[@Legoluigi26]

I have a feeling this may not trueley be the end of the cluster. With the recent episodes not having any main story arc, I feel this is the clam before the storm, where the unsatifying conclusion and Jasper's disapearence come together.

[@crystalaquamarine2461]

You should review Mr Greg.

[@thetoontastictoon1720]

I was ALSO strongly disappointed with the ending to the Cluster arc. I literally predicted that this would be solved by the end of ONE episode as soon as Steven said "You don't have to form!" I was just like, "oh boy, here he goes again with the understanding patience/mercy bs, the cluster doesn't have shit on him now." I personally think they should've made it a 2 parter, because like you said, the way they advertised it.. ugh. Notice the "What we really are.." and intense atmosphere, I'm sure a LOT of folks would've expected more from a promo like THAT. The other episodes in the arc were fine to me, but this one, just a huge let down. I mean, look at that scene where it zooms in on Steven's eyes and it's super duper shaded and stuff, it makes it look like it's gonna be so horrific, such a huge deal, such a scary threat. Yet all that happens in the end is that it gets bubbled and shoved away like a giant, slightly more persistent fly. Even if the cluster DOES return, that's for A DIFFERENT arc. Not THIS arc, where it was CLEARLY advertised for suspense. II've probably repeated myself a little somewhere, but seriously. Come on now. What I think they could've also done to improve this episode is make the cluster a bit more determined on trying to form. Sure, it was already like "FORM FORM FORM!!" but then a few minutes after it's like "I CANT STOP IM GONNA FORM HELP ME." It could've taken much longer than that, they could've made it more aggressive, like "NO, I'M GOING TO FORM." and made Steven have to persuade it even more than just "well you can talk to each other."

[@cherryblossom00000]

I'm not the only one who thinks the problem was resolved to quickly and easily. Thank you! There definitely should have been more of something. I don't know what. But whatever. It's Sugar's show, she can do what she wants.

[@mediawatcher9225]

I think you and many people have the same opinion

[@balabanasireti]

Probably because everyone was hyped by the promo or what the characters in the show said.

[@mediawatcher9225]

+Munzur Baba yes, next thing you know their gonna build up yellow diamond and just end up redeeming her and or bubbling her without anything awful happening, oh god this is gonna become a habit isn't it? Please give us an irredeemable villain, also those goddamn promos!

[@balabanasireti]

Mediawatcher​ I hope that they won't redeem Yellow Diamond. The show teaches that violence isn't the answer and that bad people can be redeemed, but it should also teach that there are also bad people who will not change.

[@mediawatcher9225]

+Munzur Baba if they change her, I think me alongside many are just gonna give up on this show

[@balabanasireti]

Mediawatcher​​​ Same. At least we have a good reason if that would happen.