Quick Thoughts #6-Back at The Barn (Steven Universe)

Before we begin I have an announcement. This is gonna be the last Quick Thoughts for awhile. When I started doing this series I mostly did it cause I was excited for Nightmare Hospital and wanted to give my thoughts on it. I did My Clique as well cause I figured why not. Then I thought about doing this with every weeks new Steven Universe episode. And so I did. Now it's really taking a drag on me. But that's not the main reason I'm taking a break. The main reason is that this show is taking up a lot of content on this blog and I don't want that. I want the main Animated Critic episodes to take up the most content not these as I feel the Animated Critic episodes are much better than my Quick Thoughts reviews. With that said what I'm gonna do now is do this every 5 episodes give a little Steven Universe recap. That's gonna start after this episode. So I will still review every new episode but at the same time it won't ware me down so much and won't take up as much space on this blog. 

So let's do this. Back at the Barn. 

It is really hard to talk about this episode without spoilers but I'll try.

 The episode starts with Peridot and Pearl and Steven working on a machine that could hopefully 

defeat the Cluster

Still not gonna tell us what the Cluster is?

I thought I'd be seeing you again, Kevin. To answear your question no I am not gonna tell you what the Cluster is. Should've watched When It Rains. Now excuse me I have a review to do.

Peridot and Pearl get in an argument about who is the better technician. They decide to have a robot battle (not joking) to figure out who is the best. 

I'll tell you who's the best.

The guy that made this beast.

 Get him. And this is only what his home secruity program looks like. 

So they build robots to see who's can build a better bot. I'm not telling you how it ends because no 

spoilers. I will say though we get the reveal of Pearl's origins. So some more major plot development. I like that this is Season 2 and pretty late into season 1 and we still get world building. Here's something I gotta praise Steven Universe for in general. At the beginning we didn't have a whole lot of knowledge about the gem world, just like Steven and as he learned we learned. We knew enough in the beginning to keep us interested in the world while at the same time left just enough in the dark to keep us intrigued wanting to learn more. That's how you do world building. This show is one of the best examples of how to do world building. 

Either way we need to get into what's good and bad about this episode.

So here's the Good the Bad and the MEh

Good-Pearls Origins story, if you wanna know why look at my comments above. Also it's a pretty great twist. They did hint at it in previous episodes in fact some people already came up with a theory similar to the actual thing a long time before this episode. I always like plots where a person has to get past what he or she is. They have to get past the unfortunate circumstances they couldn't control and push through it. Overcome it. That's what this episode is. And it leads to some great moments as she tries to convince Peridot she's more than what she was made for. Other than that there are a lot of good jokes thrown in and the robot designs are pretty cool as well and fit the personality of the characters who built them. I also think the action is spot on as usual. 

Unfourtunetely I have a lot to complain about. Oh boy.

MEh-So Peridot has been awesome for the last 2 episodes. Here though she's...........well. I don't know. She pretty much spends the entire episode making fun of Pearl about her origins. Now if she was still a villian that would work however she's a good guy now. Or atleast an anti hero. Still someone we should root for. It kinda ruined how I felt about Peridot. Maybe this was to show that she still has an evil side and isn't completely good or to show how awful of a place homeworld is. So I'm not completely mad enough to say this was bad. Also because of the fact she apologizes to Pearl and 

learns her lesson. Also there's a part where Pearl punched Peridot straight in the face. It was amazing.

 So yeah Peridot is MEh in this episode. The others though (especially Pearl) are amazing. I love Pearl by the way. And I still stand by what I said in my So Many Birthdays review, if I hear any salty Pearl joke I will fight you. 

Bad-Surprisingly the main focus of this episode falls into this category. 

The robots. They're awesome but here's the thing if the cluster is about to come WHY ARE YOU WASTING YOU'RE TIME ROBOT FIGHTING. To see who was a better technician. Ok but why did that have to take so long. It toke the entire day in the Steven Universe......universe. AN ENTIRE DAY. All I was thinking about was how far along the Cluster is into forming and you know......killing us all. Aren't you the guardians of earth. Stop goofing around. Seriously if this happened when we weren't in the middle of such a big catastrophic event it would be find. But no. It seems like you're goofing off. You could've just had a robot fight did you need all those pointless events to test the robot. Oh and the events. They are dumb. Ballet is one of the events. Seriously. It wasn't funny it was mostly annoying. And there are many events like this. What the heck. It just feels more like goofing off than actually trying to fix the Cluster problem. I know they needed to see who was a better technician. Still just have 1 event. Not like 500 pointless ones that take up the entire day. These stupid events barely matter anyway as most of them ended up in a draw. I know that's the joke but it was dumb and sorry but jokes can affect the plot. This one did in a really annoying way. Like seriously. I wonder how far the cluster got in its formation during all this time. I know they don't want me to think about it but I did. If you wanna cover something up do it better. You gotta trick me into not thinking about it. Maybe make the episode more fun. I don't know. I feel like this episode should've happened after the cluster incident but then again if that did happen then they'd have no reason to build a machine in the first place. Still, it bothered me. I had the cluster just tucked away in my mind and it was irritating. I don't think I've ever gotten so frustrated at a Steven Universe episode. Ever. 

Overall Score-7/10

The main plot is stupid, but I like he characters especially Pearl and we get some amazing world building. That kept the episode up from getting a lower score. I really did enjoy seeing Pearl overcome and getting past what she made for. Unfortunetly the rest is not so good.

And that's back at the barn. I just remembered there was a nick show of the same name. Hmmmm............weird. Either way I won't be seeing you this Thursday but I will be seeing you for the first of my Steven Universe recaps in 5 weeks. As well as Toon-O-Ween and The Regular Animated Critic episodes. With that said, Peace. 

Scaredy Pants (SpongeBob)-Toon-O-Ween 2015 Part 2

Ah, Spongebob. How I love you. You still remain one of the most quotable, funny cartoons of all time. Every episode is just filled with so much comedic gold 

(Stupid Gundam House)

Ok, there are exceptions. Spongebob, as you all know, has been declining in quality. I already talked about this in my Good Neighbors Review but lets focus on an episode today that I remember fondly. The Halloween episode Scaredy Pants. An episode that isnt mentioned much. Its an early episode from season 

1 so thats probably why. The show was still getting in its groove 

but even so its still a great episode. So lets get into this shall we.

The basic plot is that SpongeBob is easily scared and has pretty much become the laughing stock of Bikini Bottom. He's sick and tired of this and so decides he's gonna be the scary one. He gets Patrick to help him out. He dresses up to be a ghost but comes to the conclusion that he's to square to be a ghost so he has Pat shave him into a more circle shape. He then goes to the Krusty Krab Halloween party and poses as the Flying Dutchman to scare everyone. It starts to work but it is eventually revealed to be SpongeBob. That's when the real Flying Dutchman crashes in. (by the way this is his first physical appearance in the series. He was mentioned but never shown in  a previous episode called 

Squidward The Unfriendly Ghost) 

The Dutchman says that all these crappy costumes people are wearing of him are ticking him of and Spongebob's was the straw that broke the camels back.

You know if I were a ghost and people made cheap costumes of me I'd get pretty ticked to. 

But instead I'm alive and I'm getting offended by..............cartoons.

Living the dream people...............living the dream. Let me tell ya. 

Either way, he tells everyone he's gonna steal their souls starting with Spongebob. He removes the crappy costume and runs off scared. It is then reaveled that when Patrick was cutting SpongeBob into a round shape he cut away so much that Spongebob's brain is now visible. Thus scareing everyone away. It ends with Spongebob being proud of his achievement. 

This leads me to my first point about the episode. It is funny. Really funny. That ending scene was great and there are a few other jokes as well that I wont spoil. Its not the funniest episode, heck not even the funniest in Season 1 but it has enough laughs in it to be considered overall pretty funny. Its also just a really enjoyable episode in general. I love the halloween spirit that this episode juat has flowing out of it. Its really cool to see Bikini Bottom celebrate Halloween. Seeing all the costumes and decorations its pretty epic. To be honest I'm haveing trouble saying anything about this episode. Its a fun episode but there isnt much to say. Same thimg happened with Princess Butterfly, dont worry I will have plenty to say about the next episode I talk about on Toon-O-Ween. I guess its pretty cool that this episode was the first physical apperance of the Flying Dutchman. I like the Flying Dutchman he doesn't get a whole lot of screen time here but he will later and I actually remember his episodes really will. They were generally pretty enjoyable (yes even the post movie ones) but god Shanghaied was an awesome episode. Either way what else can I say besides its an enjoyable and fun Halloween episode with lots of Halloween Spirit. There's no better time to watch it than now. So revisit this great episode I guaruntee you will not be dissapointed. 

Overall Score-8/10

There we go 2 Halloween reviews down. So what will we be covering next time. Well its gonna be magical.........wait a minute I already used that.

Next on Toon-O-Ween-Luna Eclipsed (My Little Pony)

Next Animated Critic-Gone Flushin (Fairly Odd Parents)

Quick Thoughts #5-When It Rains (Steven Universe)

New episode, new episode, new episode!

Well aren't you excited

Oh, Kevin. Why do you keep coming on to this blog. Whatever, after last weeks episode I'm excited for more Peridot and according to the TV Guide which says "Steven helps a friend who's scared of thunder storms" I'm gonna assume we are gonna get a lot development on the relationship between Steven and Peridot. One of my favorite parts of Catch and Release. I'm assuming it's Peridot who's afraid of thunder storms. It could be someone else though but I'm putting money on Peridot. Then again they may surprise me. After all they love surprising their fans. Whatever let's get into When It Rains. 

Plot Summary-This episode adds a lot of plot to the story. I'm gonna try my best to not spoil anything. It's gonna be hard. In this episode The Crystal Gems leave to go on a mission leaving Steven to watch Peridot during a thunderstorm. Peridot is afraid as she thinks it's the Cluster, the thing she said would destroy earth in the last episode. Steven assures her it's just thunder and teaches her about rain. Peridot is impressed. So impressed she takes Steven to the kindergarten to tell him what the Cluster is.

So.....what is the Cluster

Should've watched the episode to find out, Kevin.

I missed it, sorry.

Well trust me when I say you don't want the Cluster to be spoiled for you. 

We'll talk about the reveal later. 

Any way Peridot thinks that Stevens Knowledge of earth and her intelligence put together could stop the cluster. However Steven tells her that it won't help. They need the crystal gems. They get attacked by some gem fusion experiments (It's not a spoiler. If you've been keeping up wth the series you'd know they were there based on the episode Keeping It Together) 

Luckily, the Crystal Gems come and save them. They pretty much do a Deus Ex Machina. How do they always know where Steven is. The episode ends with Peridot telling the gems about the cluster. 

So really this episode isn't just about thunderstorms. So that's like twice now the TV guide has made an episode out to be smaller than it actually is. 

So let's just move on to the Good, the MEh and The Bad. 

Good-The reveal of what exactly the Cluster is. It's pretty impactful. I'm not gonna spoil it but it made me go "oh crap, that can't be good." It just goes to show how much I actually care for the world and characters of Steven Universe. We also get a lot more development on the relationship between Peridot and Steven. I really like how they are developing it. They actually feel like real friends in a strange sort of way. It's just so enjoyable to watch. Again, can't wait for the next episode to see even more development in the relationship between these two. The characters are great as well. Peridot is as fun as usual, same with Steven. Though Steven did say something kinda stupid when they were getting chased by those gem experiments "Let's get in that corner. Oh no we're cornered" I will admit though that was still pretty funny in a stupid way. Something Family Guy tries but fails to do.

That was a cheap shot.

I'm sorry I had to take it. 

But yeah the comedy in this episode was great as well. 

And that beginning scene with Steven telling Peridot why she shouldn't be afraid of thunderstorms.......it's......it's fantastic. I love it. 

Just watch it for yourself. 

MEh/Bad-Nothing. There really isn't much to complain about it was an enjoyable episode but as I said with My Clique just because I can't find a problem doesn't mean I'm giving it a perfect 10/10. Nightmare Hospital had a problem but I still enjoy that one more. 

Final Score-8.5/10 

It was enjoyable. I love how they are developing the relationship between Peridot and Steven. That and the reveal of the cluster were really the big things this episode did. 

With that said watch it. Watch it now. 

Now that that's out of the way we need to talk Kevin

About what.

Well, this is the second time where you've come onto my blog without me knowing. Why are here. 

That's my buisness, not yours 

What are you planning. 

Can't I just stay. Maybe keep you company. I mean you seem so lonely.

Hey, I have plenty of friends. 

Sure you do. Now if you excuse me I got some important buisness to attend to.

You can't just leave.........I'm not done with you.......ugh he's gone. 

That's weird. Who is that guy. 

Well, I guess I'll find out eventually. That can't be the last time I see him.

See you guys this Thursday with another new episode. Personally, I wanna see Connie and Peridot interact sometime soon. Either way see you guys later. Peace. 

Princess Butterfly (Sofia The First)-Toon-O-Ween 2015 Part 1

Welcome to the very first installment of Toon-O-Ween 2015. 

Today is Princess Butterfly from Sofia The First.

Evan, isn't Sofia a show made for 2 year olds. 

Blah, blah, blah. I don't care. I mean after all I watch My Little Pony (which will also be covered eventually) I don't really care what type of show I'm watching or who it's targeted for as long as it's enjoyable. Make fun of me if you want, but yes I do get some enjoyment out of Sofia The First. I just woke up early one day and caught it on tv. Why was I watching Disney Junior. Cause Cartoon Network only had Teen Titans Go on and then Nick was doing Nick Jr. Which I find incredibly boring. I figured, since it's Disney, I'd still get some enjoyment out of it. And I got a lot more than I thought I would. I honestly really do like this show. In fact this was the episode that gave me the idea to do Toon-O-Ween. Princess Butterfly. Sounds terrifying right. Let's do this.

This episode follows Amber, Sofia's sister. She always wins the costume contest (for a Halloween like holiday) at school but she may not this year as a new rule for the contest has been set. The new rule is you have to make your own costume. Meaning the have to do the sewing and everything. Sofia's excited as she can sew, but Amber seriously faints. We get slot of funny scenes of Amber trying to sew, and I should bring up I actually did laugh a few times through out the episode. It's actually pretty funny. Who would've thought a Disney Junior show would get so many laughs out of me. Am I entertained easily, will I just laugh at anything.

Amber sees that Sofia has sewed together a beautiful costume and gets jealous so she goes to Cedric, the wizard (who I love by the way) in the hopes that he can use magic to make a costume. The thing is though Cedric is evil and no one knows. He plots to take Sofia's amulet, which allows her to talk to animals, and now has a master plan in order to get it. So Cedric uses magic to make Amber a costume. It's great and it ends up winning the contest. But, a problem arises as the costume won't come of. Cedric says the only way to remove it is to get Sofia's amulet. So there's the basic plot. 

So how is the episode. It's pretty good. Amber is usually a very.....how should I say it, stuck up, prissy, prestigious character. She actually kinda reminds me of another cartoon character.

Ah yes Rarity. If you wanna make this type of character likeable Rarity is the person you should be taking notes from. She's still all those things above but at the same time she's funny and she doesn't act like a douche. Amber can though sometimes. However she's also really like able in this episode. You can tell she doesn't wanna take her sisters most valuable possession, but she tries to anyway 

cause, well, you don't wanna be stuck as a butterfly do ya. Yeah she gets stuck as a butterfly and we 

get some rather funny scenes out of it. As for Sofia, I kinda realized while watching this that.....well, she's a bit of a Mary Sue. I still like her, but I kinda realized she's a bit to perfect as a character. She has no fault, unlike say Amber and can pretty much do most things perfectly. True there are moments when she struggles but generally based on the episodes I have seen she seems this way. I mean she's always so kind and generous and has an ideal personality. Blah blah blah. The thing is though I still find her likeable as she kinda actually breaks the status quo of what a princess is and how she should act. Because of that I find her rather likeable. Maybe when I get to other episodes I will learn that she's more than what I made of her(I hope that's the case). Sofia works here though as she's more of a background character in this episode and she gives us just enough to fill that role. 

The only other major character I feel I need to mention is Cedric. He's a cliche villian, but I will admit I have so much fun watching him. He's kind like the wizard version of Dr. Doofenschmirtz from Phineas and Ferb. This episode is like his shining moment. 

So the characters are good. What about the story. It's pretty much the basic "you shouldn't lie or else bad things will happen" story. It was a lot of fun to watch though. I don't know why, I just had a lot of fun and I highly enjoyed it. 

We also get a really cool chase scene in the end. Yeah a Disney Junior show with an awesome chase scene that involves a raven, a butterfly person, and a flying horse. 

But that's Butterfly Princess. Not to halloweeney but it is technically a Halloween episode so here ya go. It's overall a fun episode. Really enjoyable and pretty funny. That's really all I can say. Oh, I guess I could bring up the relationship between Amber and Sofia in this episode. It's a great sibling relationship. Overall, I'd say this is an enjoyable fun episode. 

Overall Score-8/10

So there we go. The first part of Toon-O-Ween. Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading and I'll see you guys next time. 

Next Toon-O-Ween-Scaredy Pants (SpongeBob) 

Next Animated Critic-Gone Flushin (Fairly Odd Parents)

Toon-O-Ween 2015 Intro

The month of horror is upon us. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I just love the spirit of it. So I have decided that all month long I'll be reviewing horror related animation and Halloween specials. I hope to make this a yearly event. It's gonna be called Toon-O-Ween (creative, I know) . Similar to cinemassacre's monster madness except I'm not doing it every day of October. Hope you join me for this epic, monstrous event. See ya then.

Also The Gone Flushin review will be posted sometime this week. 

Peace.