Review: Steven Universe “Letters to Lars”

Letters to you.

Overview (Possible Spoilers Below)

The episode begins when Steven sends Lars a letter through his head-portal updating him on the goings-on within Beach City after the series of changes made from “Dewey Wins” in the form of a long letter with a series of updates within the town with Steven’s voice providing narration. We do see the goings on with everyone within Beach City as the new Mayor makes emergency preparations in case another Gem invasion attempts to abduct people, but the one character the most who seems to keep getting the most focus within this episode yet keeps getting the shit-end of the stick is the former Mayor and Buck’s father, Bill Dewey.

We see Dewey struggling to find his place in Beach City by offering favors to other citizens in order to feel useful, but finds his help largely unneeded, it’s even more pathetic that fucking Rinaldo of all people is tasked with something by the new Mayor. It was also kinda funny that Pearl mentions having a cellphone for the first time, while other Beach City regulars are moving up in their success such as Sadie with her newly formed band about to start a “Beach City Concert”, and the Mail-guy Jamie pursuing his passion in doing musicals and one-man stage-plays and a comedy troupe that’s added Peridot & Amethyst in the mix.

Eventually Steven encounters Bill to see how he’s holding up and while he does miss his Mayor status, what he misses the most is having a sense of purpose and getting dressed early in the morning and seeing joy in peoples faces but makes an off the cuff remark about the closed Donut shop which gives Steven an Idea. Just as I predicted, Steven not only helps Dewey find a new sense of purpose but also found a way to Honor Lars in a way that he’ll never be forgotten to the people in Beach City. The episode ends on a comedic note when Lars notices Steven reading out loud the very letter he sent him and while Lars is thankful for the series of updates with his hometown, he comedically points out to Steven that he’s never even heard of half the people mentioned in his letter.

Our Take

This was another decent filler episode. In terms of character growth, I sort-of predicted what would happen with the Ex-Mayor, but it’s exactly like Steven to always help those in need as it’s part of his benevolent nature. Sometimes having a high status or title often doesn’t last, and It can be a pain to lose the perks that come with all of it while trying to re-adjust yourself with the changed “Status-quo” as they simply put it…