Steven Universe has powers he knows will someday enable him to do things he doesn’t yet understand.
For the moment, however, he mostly regrets not being able to fix the biggest problem ever.
The manufacturers of his favorite ice cream sandwich, Cookie Cat, have discontinued it and replaced it with Lion Lickers.
It’s a relatable heartbreak, because we’ve all had it happen. Just as we really get to like some food or household product, boom, they stop making it.
And even though Steven knows the rose quartz embedded in his belly button gives him abilities beyond those of the average cartoon character, they cannot bring Cookie Cat back to life.
This is the kind of good-natured drama that fills “Steven Universe,” a new Cartoon Network show debuting with a double episode Monday night.
Steven Universe and pals Pearl, Amethyst and Garnet.
Steven is a kid, a little on the plump side, who lives with three older females, Pearl, Amethyst and Garnet, collectively known as the Crystal Gems.
They all have powers, and they see Steven as a cute little addition to the family. They also have their own teenage and big-sister issues.
The dialogue and the storylines seem to be aimed at maybe 4- to 7-year-olds, with appropriately gentle humor and flashy exaggeration in the scenes where Steven wolfs down a Cookie Cat.
Sharp-eared grownups may notice that Lars, a worker at Steven’s favorite Big Donut shop, is voiced by Matthew Moy from “2 Broke Girls.” Otherwise, this is kids’ TV for kids.
dhinckley@nydailynews.com
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