“Steven Universe” Recap: “Frybo”

When I went to the guide this week I thought my pain meds had really done a number, but nope—there was only one new Steven Universe instead of the usual two. Alright, we can work with that since the new one did have a lot to say about the reality of the work world, BUT I would’ve liked the second to have been a different old (weird to say about something that’s still fresh in my mind) short so that the pair would’ve been more cohesive as a packaged deal.

“Frybo” started with Steven clueless per usual. This time it was because the whereabouts of his pants where unknown. Pearl was also in search of something, but unlike her pantsless housemate, she was fully dressed. She was on the hunt for a gem shard and rambled on and on about it and its powers. Like Steven, I too tuned her out only catching the “monster” part. Of course, that came back to bite Steven in the bare butt later. Turns out that shard can turn clothing into active objects–cue Steven’s pants running amok.

On his way to give Pearl back her shard, we met yet another character: Peedee. He’s like every cute boy from the 90’s, every classroom had one…blonde locks, shaved sides and a wife beater to show he didn’t care about materialistic things. Peedee’s just a kid with a mind wise beyond his years, trying to make his dad proud while dressed as the family business mascot Frybo and questioning the world. It’s not clear if Steven has any actual friends in town. So will we even see Peedee again? Only time will tell, but at least Steven got to interact with someone other than the Gems as he saved his new pal from an afternoon of Frybo duty by putting the shard in the costume and telling it to “make people eat fries.”

The two escaped to an arcade, leaving the lively Frybo costume to do Peedee’s job. As they sadly rode the coin rides at the arcade, nothing happened but a conversation that depicted the mental state of a twenty-something-year-old a few years out of college, trying to find their place in the work force, even though neither of the boys have seen past the age of perhaps fourteen yet. While Steven is fine being “paid in smiles” for his work with the Gems, Peedee’s declaration that “cash can’t buy back what the job takes” was flawless. It also touches on the idea of those who have nine-to-fives versus those with unconventional jobs; those who work hard will lose out on life, while those who find what they love truly will have the most fulfilling careers.

While they were getting deep, Frybo was terrorizing the town. Okay, so he was focused on one area, but it was still terrifying to watch and imagine. Seriously, just think about the mascot of your local eatery coming to life and shoving their product down your throat? Frybo did just that as Steven and Peedee looked on in horror. When they said, “Make people eat fries,” Frybo took it too literally. The fries from his costume worked like tentacles to hold restaurant patrons hostage, including Peedee’s dad who was soon tossed out the window onto Steven.

Frybo quickly got smarter and used ketchup as ammo; I cringed since I loathe 98% of condiments. A ketchup attack temporarily blinded Pearl as Steven searched for a way to take Frybo down. How does one destroy a deranged thing of fries being controlled by a gem shard? There’s only one way: If you’re Steven, you strip down to your undies and put Pearl’s other shards in your discarded clothes and fight back. You decide your underwear is also needed, and take on Frybo in the buff. Naked fighting prevailed and Frybo’s shard was removed, leaving him a lifeless costume.

As Peedee and his father reconciled, it made you think back to Steven’s dad. We haven’t seen him since the premiere and the repeat of the night was “Gem Glow.” So we didn’t even get to revisit his character. They should’ve tossed in “Laser Light Cannon” to make the half hour seem more complete OR they should’ve made Steven think about his own dad while gazing at his newfound friend. What’s the deal with those daddy issues there?

Also, where were Amethyst and Garnet during Frybo? We better see their return come next week’s “Cat Fingers.”

The episode “Frybo” was written by Raven M. Molisee and Paul Villeco.