“The Big Show” is the 14th episode of the fifth season of Steven Universe and the 142nd episode overall.[3]
Official synopsis
Steven is making a documentary that follows a local band on their first big break.[3]
Conspiracy
The episode opens with static, then Sadie Killer and the suspects themselves play out the ending of “The Working Dead” in Sadie’s basement. Then Buck Dewey asks Steven how the footage is being made and reveals that Steven is making a documentary about the “early days” of the band. Jenny Pizza questions why Steven is recording this on an old video camera. He replies that it’s to make the footage look old because it’s their “early days”. Sadie and the Cool Kids discuss how they can improve their recording before Barb walks in, realizes that Sadie is with the band, and remembers their promise that Barb won’t interfere with their practices, to which Sadie replies that with they finished night anyway. Barb jokes how she’s fine when she’s working out when she’s at home and how she “can’t hear anything.”
The video cuts to static, then to Greg Universe listening to “The Working Dead”. Steven tells him that he should “see Sadie Killer and the suspects live”, but Greg can’t hear over the music, so Steven tries to shout again, scaring Greg.
Then it cuts to Sadie Killer and the suspects playing “Sadie Killer and the Suspects” in Sadie’s basement, all wearing costumes. When the song ends, Greg claps and states that Sadie will transform into a completely different person during the performance. Sadie laughs and says she finds it liberating. Then Greg compliments Buck’s “Wolfman” costume. However, Buck then says that he is trying to be a cat witch. Jenny replies that while they may look cheap now, once they’re born, they’ll be able to afford the best gear and costumes they can. Sadie says they’re just begging, playing songs in basements, but Greg says that’s where everyone starts, and now they have to work on “things that aren’t music” (like booking shows, making merch, getting word out, etc.). Steven notes that Greg knows how to do all those things and claims that he could be their manager, to which they all agree. Greg decides to accept the offer.
The video then cuts to Greg on the phone with an unknown person and sends them a link to “The Working Dead”. Greg hangs up and Steven immediately asks who he was on the phone with. Greg replies that he spoke with “Sunshine Justice” who owns a music venue in Empire City. Greg then gets an email from her about how she hates the record but loves the song, saying that if they get some decent equipment then they’ll play, prompting Greg and Steven to play. Then, after some star transitions and more static, we get a shot of Steven drawing posters to promote the concert while Greg and the band consult on what props they’ll need.
The video then cuts to when their stuff arrives in the mail, and then Jenny shows off their wares and models a t-shirt with a design that Steven drew. Then Barb arrives with the “Fog of War” fog machine and Lasers. Barb asks Greg why he bought so much stuff, and he says it’s all for the band, telling Barb he’s their manager, which Barb laughs at. Then Greg starts telling her that he got them a concert in Empire City, Sadie interrupts and tells her that it’s in an unknown city and she accidentally knocks over a huge poster that says “Sadie Killer and Suspects Live in Empire City. ”, impressed Barb. She offers to help, which Sadie angrily refuses, yelling that they were talking about Barb overstepping Sadie’s boundaries. Barb realizes she needs her space and leaves in the mail car.
The video cuts to the Cool Kids fooling around with the fog machine, then turns with relief to Sadie saying that Barb used to be so into her life that it’s “suffocating”. Greg laughs and says that he wishes he had parents who cared about his music like Barb, causing Sadie to begin to rethink her opinion of her mother’s role in her life.
The video then cuts to the band in Greg’s van heading to Empire City, excited about the concert. Then it goes backstage while the band sets up the stage with the equipment. The camera cuts to the Cool Kids, who have a problem with Buck not knowing how to tie his tie. It then cuts back to Sadie, who is sitting alone applying her makeup. Steven asks if she’s okay, to which she says she is. Steven and Sadie look around the crowd and notice one figure that bears a strong resemblance to Barb. Sadie is not impressed, she thinks Barb thought she could go to the concert in disguise.
Greg comes in and says it’s five o’clock. The footage then cuts to a crowd where Sadie Killer and the Suspects are playing their new song “G-G-G-Ghost”. When they finish, it cuts to backstage where Greg and Steven praise Sadie and the band for their performance. Then a figure that looks like Barb walks away. Then Greg runs out and introduces her as “Sunshine Justice”, the same person he was on the phone with earlier in the episode. They chat before Sunshine tells the band that they can perform at the venue anytime, which suits the band. It then cuts to Greg’s van where Sadie comments that she kind of wanted Barb to be at the concert and that she was surprised. The band then decide that their next gig will be in Beach City, and the footage ends.
Details
Sunshine Justice was voiced by the popular American rock singer and songwriter Joan Jett.
The Mystery Girl from “Last One Out of Beach City” appears in the concert audience.
Except for the performance of the song, this entire episode was seen on Greg’s old camera.
This episode reveals that Greg’s parents hated his music and wanted nothing to do with it.
This is later seen and explained in the episode “Mr. Universe’.
During the band’s performance of “G-G-G-Ghost”, Sadie is shown carefully turning off the microphone before dropping it on stage, a technique to avoid microphone feedback.
Cultural references
When Greg puts his phone up to the laptop and says “Well, listen to this!”, it’s a reference to Back to the Future when Marvin is listening to the “new sound” on the phone with Chuck Berry.
As Steven closes the footage, he says “That’s all the people!”, a reference to the outro in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons.
One of the viewers is reminiscent of Gluttony from the manga and anime series Fullmetal Alchemist.
The title of Sadie’s song “G-G-G-Ghost” refers to Casper The Friendly Ghost when people scream “G-g-g-ghost!” when he sees Casper. It’s also famously said in Scooby-Doo, which is a coincidence since Kate Micucci is Velma Dinkley’s current voice actress.