A New Derangement Syndrome Has Taken Root

(source)

Here we go again.

You've heard of "Trump Derangement Syndrome" (TDS) where some blame Donald Trump for all the problems in the world. You've heard of "Rowling Derangement Syndrome" (RDS) where some reject J. K. Rowling because she dared to state that minors should not receive cross-sex hormones and life-altering medical procedures due to fleeting gender confusion. Now it appears that a new derangement syndrome has taken hold: "Deedee Derangement Syndrome" (DDS).

This of course concerns Deedee Magno Hall, a Filipino-American actress who began her career in The Mickey Mouse Club in the 1980s then went on to be a Broadway star. What really made her famous was voicing Pearl and several other characters on Steven Universe, an animated series that is more known for its progressive themes (pseudo-homosexuality, gender non-conformity, feminism) rather than its Judeo-Christian themes, the latter of which I found more fascinating. Pearl in particular is famous among some fans for being a female-presenting genderless polymorphic sentient rock "lesbian" and being shipped with nearly every character in the show, canon or otherwise.

So what got poor Deedee in trouble with leftist SU fans? Following Charlie Kirk (may he rest in peace) and other conservative accounts on social media. Now they are assuming she's a "MAGA chud" because if it. This is similar to the Markus Persson and Scott Cawthon hooplas: famous people from popular franchises getting crap thrown at them for being openly right-wing in a society that seemingly wants them to go away or at least keep their beliefs to themselves.

I find this hoopla particularly amusing. People really think that every person who worked on Steven Universe was a raging liberal? That could not be far from the truth as there was as much diversity of thought in the staff as there was (organic!) diversity in the show itself. Also, can people really not separate actors from characters? Acting is playing as someone you're not. Thirdly, why are people now talking about this when the show has been over for years? Who knows? I guess they just want to find something to be mad at today instead of having a life. Let us all pray for such individuals.

'Steven Universe: Lars of the Stars' in Development!

Some major animation news just dropped today! A sequel/spinoff of Steven Universe entitled Lars of the Stars is in development for Prime Video. Rebecca Sugar, creator of the original series, will be executive producer as well as her husband Ian Jones-Quartey who also created OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes.

Lars of the Stars, in case you don't know, is the altar ego of Lars Barriga, a side character from Steven Universe. It's also the name of a season five episode. I could say more, but I would hate to spoil those who have not seen SU. I recommend watching it for yourself to get the full story.

Personally, I hope this series will give us more lore (Gem origins, when???) and character development on the Off Colors, since those elements were sorely lacking in Steven Universe. Whether it's a full-blown epic or a limited series like Steven Universe Future, I'm looking forward to it!

Merry Christmas and Happy Feast Day of Saint Stephen!

(source)

Merry Christmas! As I have stated before, the Christmas season is 12 days long, from December 25 to January 5. 

Today, December 26, is the feast day of St. Stephen, the first recorded Christian martyr who was stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee who would later convert to Christianity and become St. Paul, was involved in his martyrdom. Today's Gospel reading from the Acts of the Apostles is reproduced below:

Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Celicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.

When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

--Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

More information about St. Stephen can be found on Catholic Answers and Wikipedia.

Now that we've covered today's saint, allow me to go over another Steven from a fictional series known as Steven Universe. I didn't place that screenshot on the top of the post for nothing.

In the season four episode "Three Gems and a Baby," Steven Universe's dad and his three Gem guardians tell him a story of when he was a few months old. The video clips of this event is below:

What is striking from watching this episode is that it borrows many elements from Christianity, in this case the holidays of Christmas and Epiphany. (The same can be said about the entire series, but that warrants its own post.) For starters, Steven's birth is nothing short of miraculous. His Gem mother, Rose Quartz, is a female-presenting sentient rock from space with a "body" made of hard light, so theoretically she should be incapable of pregnancy and childbirth since her species does not reproduce sexually. But yet she does and shapeshifts a womb for Steven to gestate in, combining human and Gem genes. She is the God/Holy Spirit of this allegory. Another thing that sticks out is how the other Gems give three gifts to him, not unlike the Magi giving gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. Thirdly, when Greg holds Steven in his van, he wears a blue blanket over him in the style of the Virgin Mary as he is the sole human parent. It is made abundantly clear in this episode that Steven is a Christ figure.

Steven Universe having the same name as St. Stephen is just a coincidence (the former is named after the showrunner's younger brother). But what the saint and the character have in common is that they both display sacrificial love. Both fought for what they believed in, loved their enemies who wished them dead, and were willing to give up their lives in order to end conflict and establish peace in the world.

That's all I have for now. Enjoy the Christmas season and have a happy, healthy, and holy New Year. God bless you all!

DVD Review: 'Steven Universe:' The Complete Collection

Merry Christmas, everyone! Christmas Day may be over, but the season isn't. As I wished for, I received the Steven Universe complete collection DVD set from my parents Santa Claus. And boy is it pure gorgeous eye candy! There's a lot to look at here, so sit back, relax, and read along with me.

The top image is of course the box cover, and it pops with the rainbows. The art is an image of the Gem Temple and beach house from the show.

The sides of the box also contain great art and rainbow effects.

The back shows the rest of Beach City and a description as well as the logos for the show, movie, and epilogue series.

'Steven Universe' Complete Collection on DVD!?

Hallelujah!

Over the weekend, one of my online friends brought this to my attention. Steven Universe is getting a complete series release on physical media for the first time! The complete collection includes the series, the movie, and the epilogue series Steven Universe Future as well as tons of special features.

As expected, some fans are frustrated that this is only on DVD when there should be a Blu-ray version as well. I understand their concern, as Blu-rays have much better picture and audio quality, but for me I don't really care. In fact, this is convenient since I can play this on my computer and take screenshots. Eventually I want to discuss this series and offer my personal take on it.

The collection is currently available for pre-order on the WBShop for $89.99 and on RightStuf for $80.99. The item releases on November 3rd, the day that the show aired its first episode back in 2013.

To end this post, here is the image of the back of the box. Let's hope and pray this collection doesn't disappoint!

ADDENDUM (10/5/2020): More details have come out about the release, which you can read here.