I have decided to rank almost every episode* of Steven Universe that I’ve reviewed on a dynamic ranking. These will change over time – not only will episodes be added, already reviewed episodes can improve and decline in the rankings as I re-watch and muse over them.
Text colors note episodic tiers, as listed on the grade page.
- Rose’s Scabbard**
- A Single Pale Rose
- Bismuth
- Sworn to the Sword
- Bubbled
- Alone Together
- Jailbreak
- Mindful Education
- On The Run
- Can’t Go Back
- Lion 3: Straight to Video
- Mr. Greg
- Jungle Moon
- Earthlings
- An Indirect Kiss
- Ocean Gem
- We Need To Talk
- That Will Be All
- The Return
- Keeping It Together
- Friend Ship
- I Am My Mom
- Cry for Help
- The Answer
- The Trial
- Storm in the Room
- Hit the Diamond
- Now We’re Only Falling Apart
- Message Received
- Back to the Moon
- Last One Out of Beach City
- Space Race
- Alone At Sea
- Giant Woman
- The Test
- Mirror Gem
- Sadie Killer
- Pool Hopping
- Monster Reunion
- Off Colors
- Steven’s Dream
- Warp Tour
- Your Mother and Mine
- Chille Tid
- Winter Forecast
- When it Rains
- Maximum Capacity
- It Could’ve Been Great
- Lion 2: The Movie
- Nightmare Hospital
- Same Old World
- Gem Drill
- Coach Steven
- Adventures in Light Distortion
- The Zoo
- Political Power
- Keystone Motel
- Back to the Barn
- Story for Steven
- Log Date 7-15-2
- Lars of the Stars
- Raising the Barn
- Steven vs. Amethyst
- Catch and Release
- Super Watermelon Island
- Marble Madness
- Greg the Babysitter
- Lars and the Cool Kids
- Steven the Sword Fighter
- Crack the Whip
- Lars’ Head
- Lion 4: Alternate Ending
- Garnet’s Universe
- Open Book
- Bubble Buddies
- The Good Lars
- Beach City Drift
- Are You My Dad?
- Future Vision
- Room for Ruby
- Back To The Kindergarten
- Reformed
- Monster Buddies
- Rose’s Room
- Stuck Together
- The Big Show
- Full Disclosure
- Too Short To Ride
- So Many Birthdays
- Steven’s Lion
- Onion Friend
- Kevin Party
- Joking Victim
- The Message
- Laser Light Canon
- Beta
- Buddy’s Book
- Historical Friction
- Gemcation
- Secret Team
- Gem Hunt
- Kindergarten Kid
- Tiger Millionaire
- Love Letters
- Watermelon Steven
- Drop Beat Dad
- Gem Harvest
- Know Your Fusion
- Doug Out
- Letters to Lars
- Frybo
- Too Far
- Serious Steven
- Joy Ride
- Steven Floats
- Island Adventure
- Kiki’s Pizza Delivery Service
- The New Crystal Gems
- Gem Heist
- Steven and the Stevens
- Steven’s Birthday
- Barn Mates
- Together Breakfast
- Rising Tides, Crashing Skies
- Cat Fingers
- Arcade Mania
- Keep Beach City Weird
- Gem Glow
- Cheeseburger Backpack
- Shirt Club
- Future Boy Zoltron
- Beach Party
- Dewey Wins
- The New Lars
- Horror Club
- Onion Trade
- Restaurant Wars
- Sadie’s Song
- Fusion Cuisine
- Rocknaldo
- House Guest
- Onion Gang
* “Say Uncle” is disqualified from the rankings because of the nature of the episode as a weird, weird crossover with Uncle Grandpa. It is the only episode I intend to exclude from this list.
** “Rose’s Scabbard” isn’t just my favorite SU episode. I would put it on a shortlist of my all-time favorite TV episodes. Others near the top of this list are sublime, but “Rose’s Scabbard” is one of the most moving 11-minute segments ever aired on American TV.
The Review Nebula 