In this episode, Steven opens up about his ambivalence regarding his upbringing, and through this, the show sheds light on Greg's family dynamics.
So, growing up, I think the way many people view their parents is shrouded in mystique, often making your perception of them a façade. And throughout the show, there is a façade around Rose's character. But gradually, this façade is shattered. Meanwhile, this episode swiftly destroys the façade and mystique around and to significant effect.
In the latter half of the episode, Greg shares a song with Steven that significantly impacted his life and inspired the last name "Universe." The episode also highlights some of Greg's complex relationship with his parents, a relationship which mirrors Pink's with the other Diamonds. Similarly, Greg's parents were controlling, which led him to cut himself off from them and carve his own path. And this could be part of why Greg and Rose had such a strong bond.
However, Rose's relationship with the Diamonds is overtly abusive; contrasting, Greg's situation doesn't seem as bad. So, during their conversation, Steven suggests that Greg's strict upbringing may have had upsides: "Maybe your parents weren't so bad. Maybe they gave you curfews and chaperones and meatloaf for a reason!" And Steven seems frustrated that he had to put so much effort into resolving Rose's family problems, yet Greg's issues seem to have a much easier solution, causing Steven to question the value of his efforts: "They can't be worse than mom's family. I went halfway across the galaxy for them, and this was right here?!" Greg then rather callously responds that Steven was better off than he was because he had actual freedom.
Which isn't particularly true; while it was somewhat self-imposed, a lot of Steven's upbringing has been in preparation for him to replace Rose and help the gems, and now the skillsets Steven has acquired from his upbringing seem irrelevant. This remark from Greg only upsets Steven further, and he pins his difficult upbringing on Greg, stating: "My problem isn't that I'm a gem; my problem is I'm a Universe!"
However, I find Steven too critical of Greg, who admits to not raising him like other children because Steven is different. Because he is, while Steven may have wished for a different upbringing, it's essential to recognize that Greg was in a completely foreign situation and seems to have been trying his best to raise him. However, I find Greg's confident belief that Steven had a better upbringing than him insensitive.
Ultimately, though, I find the parent-child conflict between Steven and Greg compelling. I like when these types of conflicts explore how a child's upbringing influences them and where both the child and parent share some blame. Here, both characters are, to some extent, in the wrong; Greg is insensitive, his words carrying a cold yet passionate callousness, but I also think Steven is being too harsh.
Review by IDKVIP 3BlockedParentSpoilers2023-04-28T03:44:38Z
In this episode, Steven opens up about his ambivalence regarding his upbringing, and through this, the show sheds light on Greg's family dynamics.
So, growing up, I think the way many people view their parents is shrouded in mystique, often making your perception of them a façade. And throughout the show, there is a façade around Rose's character. But gradually, this façade is shattered. Meanwhile, this episode swiftly destroys the façade and mystique around and to significant effect.
In the latter half of the episode, Greg shares a song with Steven that significantly impacted his life and inspired the last name "Universe." The episode also highlights some of Greg's complex relationship with his parents, a relationship which mirrors Pink's with the other Diamonds. Similarly, Greg's parents were controlling, which led him to cut himself off from them and carve his own path. And this could be part of why Greg and Rose had such a strong bond.
However, Rose's relationship with the Diamonds is overtly abusive; contrasting, Greg's situation doesn't seem as bad. So, during their conversation, Steven suggests that Greg's strict upbringing may have had upsides: "Maybe your parents weren't so bad. Maybe they gave you curfews and chaperones and meatloaf for a reason!" And Steven seems frustrated that he had to put so much effort into resolving Rose's family problems, yet Greg's issues seem to have a much easier solution, causing Steven to question the value of his efforts: "They can't be worse than mom's family. I went halfway across the galaxy for them, and this was right here?!" Greg then rather callously responds that Steven was better off than he was because he had actual freedom.
Which isn't particularly true; while it was somewhat self-imposed, a lot of Steven's upbringing has been in preparation for him to replace Rose and help the gems, and now the skillsets Steven has acquired from his upbringing seem irrelevant. This remark from Greg only upsets Steven further, and he pins his difficult upbringing on Greg, stating: "My problem isn't that I'm a gem; my problem is I'm a Universe!"
However, I find Steven too critical of Greg, who admits to not raising him like other children because Steven is different. Because he is, while Steven may have wished for a different upbringing, it's essential to recognize that Greg was in a completely foreign situation and seems to have been trying his best to raise him. However, I find Greg's confident belief that Steven had a better upbringing than him insensitive.
Ultimately, though, I find the parent-child conflict between Steven and Greg compelling. I like when these types of conflicts explore how a child's upbringing influences them and where both the child and parent share some blame. Here, both characters are, to some extent, in the wrong; Greg is insensitive, his words carrying a cold yet passionate callousness, but I also think Steven is being too harsh.