“Is this torture?” – Rose, getting straight to the heart of what makes love tick.
Airdate: June 18th, 2015
Written By: Hilary Florido, Katie Mitroff, and Rebecca Sugar
Plot: A moment of dancing while sifting through old records causes Steven and Connie to fuse. Again. This time, in front of Greg. In spite of being stunned, he tries to reassure Connie and Steven that he himself knows about fusion.
It’s some years ago. While filming a music video for his record “What Can I Do”, Pearl decides to fuse with Rose Quartz to show off a power that humans don’t seem to have. Staggered, Greg is further taunted by Pearl by claiming that since he can’t fuse, the love between him and Rose won’t last. A determined Greg decides to get at the heart of this – by trying to fuse himself. But is Rose the goddess that Greg thinks she is?
Review:
I’m not even going to bury the lede here – “We Need To Talk” is a Platinum episode of Steven Universe. Between its fantastic pacing, its breathtaking visuals, some beautiful dialogue, and its complete and utter humanization of one of the show’s most mysterious characters, it’s probably my favorite of the “flashback” episodes up to this point and is bound to remain in my top 20 for quite a while.
So, why should I review this episode, then? Can’t we all just go home, eat some popcorn, and watch America slide further into the depths of insanity? Well, no – there is so much in this episode to pick apart, so much to analyze, that leaving it in the dumps would just be a waste.
It’s another one of those “sequel” episodes – directly, it follows up on “Story for Steven”. Indirectly, though, it fuses elements from the “Rose’s Scabbard/Sworn to the Sword” duet, “The Message”, and “Alone Together”. The end result, in contrast to my previous review of note, is a jam-packed episode that actually has enough balance to follow through on every promise laid out by Hilary, Katie, and Rebecca.
Yes, Rebecca Sugar penned this. Prepare to start on the road to heaven, while taking a detour down the road to hell.
Amusingly, this episode marks the second in a row to deal with Fusion. If “Keeping It Together” dealt with the societal ramifications of non-militaristic fusion back on Homeworld, then this episode deals with the perspective of a common man with little experience looking into the practice, and how he has changed… or, in some ways, has remained the same.
In this case, it’s Greg.
Greg Universe, the man who once rocked empty East Coast beaches with 80s Arena Rock, is now but a working-class small business owner, watching his son grow up under the watchful eye of the Crystal Gems. And by “grow up”, I mean almost die, find out his guardians are considered terrorists (if not war criminals) in the eyes of Homeworld, and become the best of friends with Connie Maheswaran.
Of course, “best of friends” might teeter on the pinnacle of understatement, as Steven and Connie’s dance brings them an unparalleled aura of joy. As a result of that, we get Stevonnie, round two. And this time, the fusion of Steven and Connie occurs right in front of Greg, who is rather stunned that his son and confidante can literally become one person.
But Greg is no newcomer to the art of fusion, oh no. In fact, his first experience came in the 80s-ish early 2000s (because Rebecca Sugar likes to mess with our minds), at the tail end of his rock and roll career – more specifically, his attempt at filming a music video. This time, though, he tosses lead vocals off to the voluptuous Rose, with a backing band consisting of Garnet and Amethyst.
And the lyrics… oh, so rich, and oh so simple…
My mind works peculiarly. After musing over episodes of Steven Universe, I tend to connect them to particular pieces of popular music – for example, the theme of loss present in “Rose’s Scabbard” and “Being Boring”. When listening to “What Can I Do For You”, for some reason, I thought of Kate Bush’s 1985 classic, “Running Up That Hill”. Described by Bush as a song about…
“…really, a man and a woman can’t understand each other because we are a man and a woman. And if we could actually swap each other’s roles, if we could actually be in each other’s place for a while, I think we’d both be very surprised!”
In some ways, this is Florido/Mitroff/Sugar’s approach to the same topic, albeit sort of inverted. “Running Up That Hill” is about a woman wanting to know what it was like to be a man (and her request for vice-versa), done in a manner that is simultaneously sensual and urgent, making love seem like a battle. “What Can I Do” is a self-proclaimed admiration for the “fun” of humanity on Rose Quartz’s part, with instrumentation that is a lot more mellow – a peaceful patronization, of sorts.
And it is a rather patronizing admiration. Just look at these lyrics:
Human man, you are so much fun
I hadn’t planned on finding you quite this entertaining
I like your band, and I like your song
I like the way human beings play…
The wrong voice would make it come off as completely insulting. But, my word, Susan Egan makes it just as sultry as possible. It adds an ambiguity to the lyrics, one that really turns the song into the pinnacle of subtle double entendre. She’s both infatuated with this man as a lover and intrigued with him as a representative of the human species… albeit as an example of them as a whole, how they amuse her.
It’s the latter’s humanity, though, that infuriates a younger Pearl. Not that Pearl is particularly fond of Greg in the contemporary show, but in the flashback, her behavior was quite a bit more acerbic, more provocative. It was, in fact, her that suggested to Rose that they fuse into Rainbow Quartz… a move that she suggested not for cultural exchange, but to completely rub it into a fascinated and perplexed Greg’s face that this maneuver was unlikely on his behalf.
First, this episode showcases Pearl’s somewhat hypocritical approach to fusion. Back in “Giant Woman”, she chided Steven for his overexcitement about the act, claiming that “we only fuse when it’s important”. Well, I wouldn’t count this as particularly important. And given what happens two episodes from now, in “Cry for Help”, this proves to be pretty damning foreshadowing.
Secondly, remember in “Rose’s Scabbard”, when Pearl thought her desire to escape with Rose was ultimately pyrrhic given that the latter was dead? Well, that was more a twist of fate, one that was (at least partially) rebutted by Steven almost immediately. This, though, was far more ruinous – particularly with her more callous attitude after the video is filmed.
Pearl: Listen, Mr. Universe. Rose may find you charming, but that’s only because you’re human. You’re a novelty, at best.
Greg: What makes you so sure?
Pearl: Well, that’s simple – humans can’t fuse! Fusion is the ultimate connection between gems. And you are not a gem!
First, let’s get the political overtones out of the way. Yes, one of the central arguments of critics of same-sex marriage has been the idea that those of the opposite sex can procreate “naturally” – read, by sexual activity – and that “children do best with a mother and a father”. Besides relying on stereotypical arguments about gender, that argument falls apart with a) the inability of some heterosexual couples to procreate “naturally”, b) moves toward adoption and in-vitro fertilization, c) the fact that it doesn’t matter what gender both parents are, don’t be a jackass or a pandering wimp to them and they should turn out alright, and d) really, all relationships must end in infants to be considered successful?
So it is intriguing that the creators chose to turn the tables. Instead of a homophobe preaching to a homosexual about the inability to procreate with their bisexual partner, we instead get a feminine alien blasting a human for his inability to fuse with his anthropophilic lover – her confidante, possibly her former lover. This is a very Star Trek-inspired maneuver – presenting contemporary social debate through a lens of humanity and aliens.
And yes, this episode was written and (just barely) aired before the Obergefell ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in America. That doesn’t mean the debate is over, though – far from it (come on, Northern Ireland) What it does showcase is just how timing can really showcase an episode as a product of its time – the debate here will (hopefully) be a time capsule of the attitudes towards same-sex relationships in America in the 2010s and 2020s.
OK, sociological rant over, back to the review.
Or is it over? After all – and I’m admittedly an outside looking in – these debates might (and in some cases, from what I’ve read, do) have a psychological impact. Greg becomes less secure in his relationship, concerned about his ability to fuse with Rose… or, as it seems, a lack thereof. Not even Garnet – the show’s resident fusion expert – is convinced of the idea that humans can fuse with Gems. (Excellent use of dramatic irony there.) But she does at least support his idea to attempt, a rationale that will become more clear in “The Answer”. Her argument? Well, “be yourself” – a theme that Steven Universe seems to sprinkle into its grand ethos with its own “Steveny” way, the power that individuals yield to empower a larger whole.
So Greg does just that – inviting Rose to dance with him to a movie soundtrack. As you would expect, these attempts prove rather futile, with Greg unable to perform in – uh, I mean fuse. (In hindsight, the variety of symbolism found within Fusion makes me believe that the writers gambled their relationship with the network censors.) And yes, the scene is as awkward as it sounds… but not in a cringe-worthy way, like Alexandrite’s dinner with the Maheswarans; rather, it’s a more tragic take.
The kicker? Rose finds this cute. “That’s not a problem! I love humans! You’re all so funny!” And she laughs on…
Well, that dropped a huge shoe on Rose’s character. This defender of humanity, this beacon of liberalism and liberation for Gems, the leader of an Earth protectionist movement… thought of Humans as just another group of animals, or like a cute toy. The very bitter sting of irony can’t be overstated here. Frustrated, Greg turns the tables, albeit unintentionally.
Greg: (as Rose laughs) “Can you just… talk to me for one second like a real person?”
Rose: (suddenly sobered) “I’m… not… a real person? I thought… haven’t we… is this not how it works?”
Greg: “Oh, boy… this is so weird. You really are an alien.” (Breaks down into a fit of laughter and tears)
Rose’s views on humanity are not based on malice or paternalism, but more out of an unintentional insensitivity. She thought her attitude was appropriate, that it was in tune with the society. This schism has her beyond upset… she’s bewildered. The two are not just literally from different worlds – one is a graceful alien warrior with a (previously) patronizing attitude towards humanity, the other, an emotive rockstar who dreamed of reaching the stars.
And yet… they aren’t that far apart. Greg tried to change the art scene with his rock and roll music and largely failed to live up to his dreams, throwing his slimeball of a manager out. Rose was a revolutionary whose entire unit had been reduced to four, including her. They’re alone… and together. (Sound familiar? Hey, like father, like son, right?)
With this over the duo’s head, they decide to do the only thing they can think of at the time… talk. The ensuing dialogue is terse, yet every line cuts like a well-shot bullet, precise in its intended target. It’s all so fantastically executed – Scharpling and Egan deliver their lines with an uncomfortable tension mixed with an openness towards each other. The clincher is one particular quote from Greg…
“Have you ever been in love with a human? […] It’s torture!”
And then Rose’s response?
“Is this torture?”
“The worst.”
“I’m so sorry…”
“What? Don’t be!”
All climaxing in one particular exchange…
“I’m so confused.”
“Me too!”
“Well, this is good! We’ve got one thing in common!”
That, my friends, is what love and humanity are about. Confusion. It admittedly baffles my mind sometimes, but few experiences in life are perfectly linear. That applies to love and the feelings contained within. It’s stressful, taxing on the mind, and most would argue that these experiences are well worth the hell. Garnet put it best; “love takes time, and love takes work”, a sentiment that carries more power as she watches the two dance again from afar, smiling at the fact that a bond has been solidified that will last beyond their lives.
And Pearl stands by, as it begins to hit her that her gamble in telling Greg that she won’t last beyond breakfast, it’s a phase she’s going through, hasn’t paid off. And as we now know, it’s the moment her delusions began to slide away from her. She feels robbed, and as we see in “Rose’s Scabbard”, “Sworn to the Sword”, and later, “Mr. Greg”, it’s a wound to her pride that will never really heal. Her arrogance about fusion has stabbed her in the back.
Damn, do I love everything about those few minutes there.
It’s impossible for “We Need to Talk” to top that, so they just wrap it up right there – going back to Steven and Connie, and noting that hey, they shattered new ground here, and as a result, they should keep open lines of communication between them. I’m sensing a new series-wide theme here! (Alright, it’s not new. Remember: “I am their fury/I am their patience/I am a conversation!” That’s just to start.)
The episode’s end, though, is a nice kick in the gut. Greg and Connie decided to confide in each other as “human beings”. Steven looks on, repeating the phrase… all while looking at this gem. I mean… who is he? Human? Alien? He’s a boy torn between two worlds right now as he starts to slide into adulthood, all without his mom. It’s a puzzle that has a few more pieces, but may never truly be put together.
In fact, the ending is much like the episode as a whole.
“We Need to Talk” is sweet and provides fantastic character insight, while simultaneously being poignant and somewhat sobering. Rose becomes a more human character, Pearl’s haughtiness has a new light shone on it, we get a fine insight into how the adults in Steven’s life interacted before he came onto the scene, and some sociological issues are analyzed in a manner befitting the show. Plus, the Greg/Rose romance development is the cherry on top. It’s one of Steven Universe‘s standouts, and probably the best “flashback” episode so far.
Tidbits:
- This episode actually generated some controversy when it aired in the United Kingdom, as Pearl’s fusion dance with Rose was edited down to remove the more “intimate” elements in favor of Greg’s reaction. Cartoon Network UK argued that they edit all episodes to fit into standards for youth programming. Critics argued that the censorship was homophobic in nature and that the network’s response equated gay rights to pure sexuality. In CN UK’s defense (or at least to play devil’s advocate), they do tend to edit scenes containing more intimate themes whether they be homosexual or heterosexual, amongst an aura of unease towards sexuality and violence. Still unfortunate given my own personal opposition to censorship, though… and given that a member of the cabinet recently “resigned” after being caught with actual factual porn on his Commons computer (and the Profumo affair circa 1963, and “Back to Basics” in the 90s), it makes me wonder about British attitudes to sex and censorship.
- As I mentioned before (in my “Story for Steven” review), I find it curious that this episode’s events can’t be more than a decade and change, all while maintaining a very 80s aura to it all. This starts to make sense, though, given that Rebecca Sugar was born in the late 80s and grew up at a time when the 80s were actually two decades out. That, and it is a science fiction cartoon.
- A joke is made about a band called the Philosophy Majors. According to the Steven Universe wiki, it might be a reference to a somewhat obscure (at least here in the States) Canadian band called The Philosopher Kings. Alternately, it might be a joke about the rather pretentious stereotype present in indie rock music.
Wrap-Up:
Favorite Scene: “Why are you laughing… why are you crying?” Oh, that whole scene is so beautiful.
Best Character: Rose, Rose, Rose!
Memorable Quote: “Have you ever been… in love with a human?” – Greg. There’s loving something, and then there’s being in love, and this one quote cements this. We’ll get some more reflection on this line in “Mr. Greg”.
Score: Platinum. What can I say? Sublime flashback episode is sublime flashback episode!
As far as the rankings, I’m throwing it down at #9 – in between “The Return” and “Ocean Gem”, two spots below fellow Rose analysis “An Indirect Kiss”, and knocking “Keeping It Together” out of the top 10 after two months, but one episode.
The Review Nebula 