Steven Universe Review: “Now We’re Only Falling Apart” (Season 5, Episode 19)

What have you got to say of shadows in your past?
I thought that if you paid, you’d keep them off our backs
But I don’t care; baby, I’m not scared
What have you got to hide? Who will it compromise?
Where do we have to be so I can laugh and you’ll be free?
I’d go anywhere; baby, I don’t care…
…I’m not scared.
– “I’m Not Scared”, Pet Shop Boys (originally made famous by Eighth Wonder)

Airdate: July 2nd, 2018

Written By: Lamar Abrams and Christine Liu

Plot: The reveal that Rose Quartz was actually Pink Diamond and Pearl was in on the act has shocked the Crystal Gems. The most emotionally affected is Sapphire, who runs off devastated, convinced that Garnet’s raison d’etre and the path her life took for so long were both based on the worst possible deception from the worst possible source. Chasing her down, Pearl offers some context to the whole damn debacle, particularly how Pink Diamond was refuted in her attempts to reason with her sisters in government, and how Garnet fits into the equation of the Earthican Rebellion.

Review:

Well, that was quite a preceding episode, wasn’t it?

“If you’ve got a history book at home, take it out and throw it in the bin; it’s worthless. The history books now will have to be re-written.” – Spartacus Mills, The Day Today.

“A Single Pale Rose” was the television equivalent of a meteorite crash-landing in the middle of Philadelphia. It’s not that often that a single episode so thoroughly demolishes the status quo and recontextualizes every damn moment of the involved series from the beginning. Steven Universe did so in eleven friggin minutes.

I mean, everything. Pearl’s fear of fusion (and possible aversion to eating, even), Rose’s entire character up to and including her love of the planet Earth, their relationship, Amethyst’s origin, the whole nature of the overarching conflict, all of it has to be seen through a new lens. And guess what? We now have an episode that tackles the fallout straight on but dares to add new context to the most stunning moment in the show’s canon – the moment that recontextualized everything is being contextualized in turn!

Still with me? good.

And how poetic; the first plot element that the show seriously re-analyzes is Garnet’s raison d’etre, starting with the appropriately titled “Now We’re Only Falling Apart”.

Steven Universe Review: “A Single Pale Rose” (Season 5, Episode 18)

“Sorry to make you come all this way…” – Pearl, having just spent minutes shattering the image of the past for Steven Universe… character and show.

Airdate: May 8th, 2018

Written By: Danny Cragg and Hilary Florido

Plot: Steven is still deeply unnerved over the vision that he had of Pearl appearing to shatter Pink Diamond. When he approaches her with the inquiry, Pearl is unable to give an answer one way or the other. Later that day, however, Steven receives a text from Pearl… who then reveals that she didn’t send the text, but placed it in her pearl. Accordingly, Steven goes in to try and obtain the phone, handing Pearl his mobile in the process. What follows is a look at tragic events in Pearl’s life, up to a pivotal event that answers Steven’s inquiry as to the assassination of Pink Diamond, a reveal that leaves Steven beside himself.

Review:

Do you have your coffee, tea, soda, beer, whiskey, wine, or whatever drink you can nurse over a relatively elongated period ready at the helm?

If so, good. If not, get it before reading. Because by the end of this review, you’re gonna be grateful you had something by your side.

*deep breath*

There are six key dates that every Steven Universe fan should have committed to memory.

Let’s start with the big two. There’s November 4th, 2013, when “Gem Glow” first aired and started Steven Universe‘s reign over animated television. It was a relatively inconspicuous debut, but many television shows have such launches, only gaining acclaim as time passes and the show establishes itself in the pop cultural canon. There’s March 30th, 2020, the airdate of the very last episode of the franchise, “The Future”. These are the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end – the broadest definition of the Steven Universe era of pop culture, as I call it. Even after the “imperial phase”, you could feel the shadow of the series linger above so much in popular culture – the idealism, the unabashed progressivism, the cultural representation in cast and crew, you name it. If it didn’t pioneer such themes and concepts, it encapsulated them in a way that captured the zeitgeist.

In between, though, four more dates serve as flashpoints in one way or another, and they must be recognized.

September 25, 2014, saw the debut of the “Mirror Gem/Ocean Gem” two-parter; these two episodes confirmed the launch of the show’s overreaching arc, cemented the space opera elements that are a significant element of the franchise, and introduced Lapis Lazuli onto the scene. March 12th, 2015 was the premier date of the Season 1 finale “Jailbreak”, an episode that signaled the arrival of Ruby and Sapphire, adding new context to Garnet and cementing the show’s place in the pantheon of LGBT pop culture; it fueled a wave of popularity in the series, and I would argue that it secured the show’s “imperial phase” that had built over the past 26 episodes. There’s August 4th, 2016, the debut of “Bismuth” which dared to shine a more cautious light on the show’s political philosophy and brought into focus Steven’s optimistic nature in the face of cruel reality; a divisive episode that seemed to shake the show’s once-cheerful fanbase, but one that struck at the core of the show’s principles and dared to defend them, albeit with a certain nuance.

And then there’s May 7th, 2018. In my opinion, that date marks the biggest flashpoint in the show’s history.

Where were you when “A Single Pale Rose” aired? Where and how did you first watch it?

Because, lads, this is the episode of Steven Universe, the one that shocked the bloody internet. It’s also possibly the most divisive moment in the entire goddamn franchise. To a sizable portion of viewers, it signaled the show finally losing it and either vindicated recent quality complaints or demonstrated that the show, erm, dropped the league lead late in the title race. To others, it’s one of the most fulfilling and brilliant twists in the entire series, as well as one of the best episodes of the show – some have argued that it is the best. For some, it is their “helmet catch” that secured the victory; for others, the Portillo Moment that signaled the show’s collapse.

So what is it?

Well, for me, there is one thing that biases my opinion – arguably, the episode from which the subject of today’s review stemmed.

“Rose’s Scabbard”. I’ve told the story a million times, but “Rose’s Scabbard” was the episode that made me truly fall in love with Steven Universe. It didn’t take long for me to declare it my favorite episode of the series, an opinion I’ve mentioned several times over. It was an opinion I held firm to from the word “go”, and I figured nothing else would top it.

Challenge accepted, said the gods above.

Steven Universe Review: “Can’t Go Back” (Season 5, Episode 17)

“I know I left too much mess and destruction to come back again.
I caused nothing but trouble; I understand if you can’t talk to me again.
And if you live by the rules of “it’s over”
Then I’m sure that that makes sense.”
– “White Flag”, Dido

Airdate: May 7th, 2018.

Written By: Miki Brewster and Jeff Liu

Plot: Ronaldo alerts Steven to a very fascinating discovery – he has located a barn on the moon! Steven puts two and two together and realizes that Lapis is probably near the moon base. His suspicions are correct, and he tries to convince Lapis to return to Earth. Her insecurities preclude such a scenario, but rumination causes some of her concerns to melt away. Yet, the nature of the moon base drives Steven to make another, far more striking and immediate discovery – one that will rock his world to the very core.

Review:

Lapis Lazuli might be the most pivotal character in the storyline of Steven Universe.

Now, let me clarify a few things. She’s not my favorite – Pearl has my heart, hands down. She’s not the most culturally important; Garnet – and, by proxy, Ruby and Sapphire – are groundbreaking for her, and their, symbolic representation of a same-sex (or otherwise unfairly taboo) relationship. She’s not quite the most iconic – Garnet and Peridot are probably neck and neck for that title, giving the world the aforementioned groundbreaking status in the former, and in the latter, meme after meme. And is she the most relatable? Personally, I’d go for Connie, the nerdy everywoman who turned into a skilled swordswoman, although Lapis is up in the Top 5 of that list to be sure.

But in terms of the narrative, Lapis Lazuli is the most iconic character in a precise way. For she is the alpha and omega. The sign of the show launching itself into the stratosphere, and the sign that the show was getting close to a climactic end.

It was her first appearance in “Mirror Gem” that signaled that this series was going to expand the worldbuilding beyond what we initially thought. From that moment forward, the slice-of-life antics took a backseat to drama, character introspection, and sci-fi opera moments. And it is her appearance in Season 5 that will signal the launch of the original show’s final major arc; the last moments before Steven’s preconceptions regarding his life are shattered and he is left to pick up the pieces once and for all.

Welcome to “Can’t Go Back”, Lapis Lazuli’s moment of great introspection. And my word, it is as breathtaking as that description could ever imply. Yeah, I’m not burying the lead any further, this episode is gorgeous.

Steven Universe Review: “Jungle Moon” (Season 5, Episode 12)

“I’ve just got to hold out until Lars finds me. Until then… we survive.” – Stevonnie.

Airdate: January 5th, 2018

Written By: Miki Brewster and Jeff Liu

Plot: Stevonnie’s ship has crashed down on a mysterious planet. With no way to contact Lars for rescue, they are forced to rough it alone. In their quest to survive the debacle, they wind up in a strange atmosphere… one that involves Connie’s Mom, Yellow Diamond, and a particular enigmatic figure or two in the world of Steven and the Diamond Authority?

Review:

In my fifth-grade class, we read certain books as part of reading groups; if I recall correctly, each group rotated between three or four books. One of the books that I recall reading was Gary Paulsen’s 1986 classic Hatchet.

The book is about a thirteen-year-old from upstate New York, en route to his father in the Canadian North. He crashes down in the wilderness after the pilot dies. Forced to hunt and adapt in order to survive, Brian winds up spending time ruminating on the chaotic nature of his life – particularly finding out that his mom had an affair before the divorce. I didn’t appreciate it much at the time, but in retrospect, it really was an intriguing book to introduce to fifth graders – touching on themes that could be relevant to the youth such as survival, adaptability, representation of “divorce children” (more taboo in the 80s), and maturity. It’s a quintessential coming-of-age book, particularly if (like myself) you grew up in the northern part of North America.

Of course, “stranded in the wilderness” might as well be a trope of its own. Especially in sci-fi, just replace “wilderness” with “bizarre planet”. Red Dwarf did it, Futurama did it, and now Steven Universe started to do it…

…and used the trope to start tying together the ultimate puzzle behind the show’s arc.

Who the hell is Pink Diamond?

Steven Universe Review: “The Trial” (Season 5, Episode 2)

Lionel Hutz: “Uh-oh… we’ve drawn Judge Snyder.”
Marge Simpson: “Is that bad?”
Lionel Hutz: “Well, he’s had it in for me ever since I kinda ran over his dog.”
Marge Simpson: “You did?”
Lionel Hutz: “Well, replace the word ‘kinda’ with ‘repeatedly’ and the word ‘dog’ with ‘son’.”
– “Marge in Chains”, The Simpsons

Airdate: May 29th, 2017

Written By: Katie Mitroff and Paul Villeco

Plot: AKA Regina vs. Quartz, or The Diamond Authority vs. Rose Quartz, or Steven Faces A Brutal Ass Kicking from Intergalactic Autocrats.

Long story short, Steven is on trial because Rose Quartz is on trial. The charge is the assassination of Pink Diamond. His public defender was given the case just seconds before, and the general mood is that the Diamonds are going to get their revenge. Yellow wants blood now, and Blue wants to make the defense squirm. But could Steven’s testimony provide the key

Review:

I want to start this review by discussing the venerable nature of the Law and Order franchise, how the American population is drawn to legal procedurals, and an examination of law enforcement and the justice system, and how these staples of pop culture are increasingly deconstructed and reconstructed through the years. But… I’m not going to do that. Because I can make a more Sci-Fi-based intro.

In 1991, BBC sitcom Red Dwarf aired the third episode of Series IV, “Justice”. In that episode, the Boys from the titular ship deliver a defrosting stasis capsule to a prison complex. A neurological analyzer on the complex meant to deduce guilt and assign sentencing accordingly finds Arnold Rimmer guilty of 1,167 counts of second-degree murder – associated with the fatal accident aboard Red Dwarf – resulting in him facing millennia in prison. Kryten, therefore, comes up with a plan to get Rimmer out; he schedules a hearing and defends Rimmer by explaining how Rimmer’s sheer incompetence and narcissism caused the mind-probe to perceive guilt where there could be none.

It’s one of my favorite “trial” episodes of any TV show, largely because of how it develops one of the most interesting characters in sitcom history. But it also provides one of the most hilarious trial sequences in TV, with the defense being an abject mockery of the would-be condemned. To salvage their colleague, the Boys from the Dwarf get the chance to utterly destroy him.

Why am I bringing this up? Well, I got the chance to bring up one of my favorite TV shows, I’m not going to lose it! Here’s “The Trial”, a far more serious episode of Steven Universe.

And, honestly, it’s one of my favorite episodes of the entire series. I’m not joking, this is a surprisingly fantastic outing, one with an interesting amount of political commentary as well as an episode with major implications regarding the show’s canon.

Steven Universe Review: “I Am My Mom” (Season 4, Episode 24)

Aquamarine: “Let’s get back to Homeworld already.”
Jamie: “But I’m already on my home world! I haven’t even delivered all the mail today!”
– Well, checks out, gotta release the mailman unless you want to secure your spot atop Steven Universe‘s Evil League of Evil.

Airdate: May 11, 2017

Written By: HIlary Florido and Paul Villeco.

Plot: Steven Universe is in crisis mode – his closest human allies have been captured by two Homeworld Gems. The Crystal Gems wind up on the offensive once again, with Steven’s two worlds crashing together in the worst way possible. However, Aquamarine’s source of information, the source for her capture list, shocks Steven to his core. And while he tries to free his friends, he finds himself contemplating a rather dramatic decision.

Review:

“…that’s exactly what she said… that’s exactly what you said. It is you; isn’t it, Rose?“

That one sentence from “Bismuth”, that moment of rage, has cast a pall over the back half of Steven Universe. It brings to mind a brutal question.

Who the hell is Steven Quartz Universe?

What is his purpose in life? A grand existential question. The grand existential question. But for our titular hero, it’s become a more pressing, urgent issue. His life, the lives of others associated with him, are now on the line. Directly tied to the Homeworld-Earth conflict or not, people are under the microscope. The sins of the mother are being paid for by the son, with interest. 80s-level interest.

Steven Universe is in deep turmoil. His childhood has been chipped away at, then smashed, and then torn to shreds. But that’s only half of the lebensraum. The other half is how he steps into adulthood, prematurely in the eyes of most viewers, but definitively.

And there are several contenders for that particular moment. There’s his comforting of Pearl at the end of “Rose’s Scabbard”, his refusal to shatter Bismuth in her titular episode, his hand being forced shortly after when ejecting Eyeball, staring down a visage of his mother and being brought to his senses, you name it. There are also contenders after this episode – finding out the truth about Rose Quartz, his later staredown with the diamonds, coming to terms with the psychological trauma that has been thrust upon him, you name it.

I can name all of those moments as milestones. But “I Am My Mom” feels particularly striking. It’s a moment of grand self-sacrifice, but one that is less heroic as much as it is tragic and haunting. Hell, it can be taken as the moment that sets the tone not just for Season 5, but for the Future miniseries. It forever shadows Steven’s character, and after a season that appeared to increase standalone outings, brings the show back to heavier serialization which it will generally carry through until the end.

So, here we are. The capper of Steven Universe Season 4.

Steven Universe Review: “Storm in the Room” (Season 4, Episode 16)

“You know, sometimes I wonder if it’s even you up there, smiling all day and night. I just want to know the real you. Not the you that everyone tells me about. I just want to know the truth.” – Steven Universe

Airdate: February 17th, 2017

Written By: Colin Howard and Jeff Liu

Plot: Steven Universe is in a bind. Having rescued his dad from the depths of outer space and waited with Connie for the latter’s mom to pick her up, Steven ultimately finds himself alone with his thoughts. This time, his thoughts tend back to his mother. However, they’re a lot more sullen than they were in the past. Deep in psychological conflict, he turns to Rose’s Room in the hopes that he can get a more accurate picture of his departed parent.

Review:

“Steven, we can’t both exist. I’m going to become half of you. And I need you to know that every moment you love being yourself, that’s me, loving you and loving being you. Because you’re going to be something extraordinary. You’re going to be a human being.“

Remember that bit from “Lion 3: Straight to Video”? The climax of that episode, probably the most moving bit of Steven Universe up to that date? The mysterious VHS tape – the scene involving it – was a factor in the formation of this show’s “imperial phase”, its status as a relatively sizable cultural force matched by critical acclaim and commercial success. It plays into the overall Steven Universe thesis statement – that every individual in society is unique, that they should recognize their inherit value as much as possible, and that each experience can be something outstanding – and it’s delivered in a way that’s deeply moving, all thanks to one Susan Egan and a brilliant intro to Rose Quartz the character.

How time has added new dimensions onto that pivotal moment.

Rose Quartz… oh, god. I don’t think I’ve seen a character in fiction alienate as many fans of a TV show as Rose has. Once a paragon of virtue inside and out of the show’s universe, many Steven Universe fans, lapsed, devout, and everywhere in between, have gone on record as to declare Rose (and any identities she had in the past, hint hint) to be the show’s true antagonist, or at least, a surprisingly contemptible character in her own right. An understandable assumption, as in the franchise’s back half, we learn that she could be capable of quite callous goings on, particularly earlier in her life. Further, said actions have directly impacted every single one of our protagonists. That, my friends, will be quite the character development to dissect when we get there.

For now, the focus is on Steven. The image he once had of his mother has been tarnished, and in “Storm in the Room”, he comes as close as possible to a reckoning against her. What ensures is probably the single best episode to deal with Rose’s room in the entire series, and one of the show’s better episodes overall.

Steven Universe Review: “That Will Be All” (Season 4, Episode 14)

Don’t worry – I didn’t forget about Infinity Train. But I think it’s time to make some headway on Season 4 of Steven Universe. Nothing is set in stone, yet. So the review after this, well, I might be flipping a coin to decide if we’re looking at “The Crystal Car” or “The New Crystal Gems” first.

“Pearl, do something. Sing for her. Make her feel better…”

Holly Blue Agate: “My Diamond. My gracious, wondrous, luminous, lustrous Diamonds? *Gasp* Oh, my! It’s truly an honor to bask in your radiance-s-“
Yellow Diamond: “Get to the point, Agate.”
– When you’re too much of a smarmy kiss-ass for a dictator, you’re trying too hard.

Airdate: February 2nd, 2017.

Written By: Colin Howard, Joe Johnston, and Rebecca Sugar.

Plot: Steven and Greg manage to escape from the zoo. Turns out those Amethyst Guards have taken a liking to the Crystal Gem Amethyst, and they also hate their obnoxious superior. It all goes well, but Greg and Steven have to keep up the ruse until they’re off the planet. Accordingly, they wind up trapped inside Blue Diamond’s private room, all full of bubbled Rose Quartzes. They try and escape as she mourns… and as Yellow Diamond berates Blue, all while trying to contain her own emotions.

Review:

So, you created a TV show. A space opera and anime-influenced sci-fi dramedy, it gains critical notice and a solid cult following for possessing poignant cultural themes not often addressed in both genre and medium. However, you also decide to have a little fun with this show, and so decide to include a few musical numbers. Hey, you’ve become quite well known for crafting little ditties on other animated series; might as well indulge!

Need even more help? Get some musicians in to do voice work. Success there, as well. You nab a chart-topping UK R&B singer for one of your protagonists! Might as well get an alternative rock guitarist, a hip-hop star, a performer on the West End of London, a couple of comedians (one of whom sings as part of her act), a radio DJ… and before you know it, you’ve managed to hire Patti Freaking LuPone.

In a realm of outstanding voice talent selections, Steven Universe giving Patti LuPone the role of Yellow Diamond is surely one of the more brilliant casting choices. I mean, wow. In her very first appearance, she managed to make Yellow come off as every inch the snide, callous, hypocritical, and haughty threat – enough where a conversation with her proved to be the breaking point for Peridot’s declining respect for her, driving the technician straight into a Crystal Gem alliance for good.

Unlike some of the aforementioned “special voice talent” (Aimee Mann, we hardly knew ye), LuPone will reprise her role on multiple occasions. And what, you thought Steven freaking Universe was going to leave one of its core antagonists without any sort of development?

And at the end of the arc where Steven and the Crystal Gems go to Homeworld. My friends, the arc is being completed, characters are being fleshed out or finding some form of emotional closure… I think the title is ironic.

“That Will Be All”. Oh, this episode is deserving of a dissection in the best possible way.

Steven Universe Review – “Mindful Education” (Season 4, Episode 4)

“When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm lies a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.”
– “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, Gerry and the Pacemakers.

Airdate: August 25th, 2016

Written By: Colin Howard, Jeff Liu, and Takafumi Hori

Plot: After years of training as separate entities or as a team, Steven and Connie now face another step in training. Stevonnie is now given the opportunity to practice as themself… only for Connie’s psyche to throw them off course. Turns out, she screwed up royally by attacking a fellow schoolmate, and is being overwhelmed by the incident. Garnet, overhearing this vent, decides to teach Steven and Connie the powers of mindfulness therapy. It certainly helps Connie, but Steven slowly realizes that his path to dealing with trauma isn’t exactly working out.

Review:

Here comes a thought…

…how do you determine what is the best episode of a television show? As far as I can see, there are three possible paths, each imperfect and having some level of personal impact, but still worth analyzing.

For the purposes of this blog, when I discuss “the best episode ever” of Steven Universe, I am often referring to my personal favorite episode, the one I adore the most and will go back and rewatch over and over, or the one that best defines the series to my eyes. That, as I’ve mentioned before and will mention ad nauseam, has to go to “Rose’s Scabbard”, the show’s ultimate tearjerker with some of the most astonishing direction, music, and dialogue that I’ve ever seen in a television show.

But that’s a very subjective way to frame things. It relies strongly on personal sentiment, how one “feels” about an episode, as well as the possible circumstances surrounding one’s viewing experience. In part, it was the episode that cemented my descent into fandom. Hence why I try and avoid the phrase “‘Rose’s Scabbard’ is the best Steven Universe episode”, because my opinions are not the be-all-end-all. I will defend the episode to the death, I personally consider it peerless, but this leaves a major hole to contend for other episodes from other fans. It’s a very id-driven path to the question. And those arguments are more than valid.

What about a more objective framing of the question? What is the most technically and structurally brilliant episode of Steven Universe? This provides another path to produce an argument – arguing about an episode on a more logical level, based on animation, script pacing, interplay, and impact on the canon. Hence, fandom tends to place arguments in favor of “Mr. Greg”, “Mirror Gem/Ocean Gem”, “Jailbreak”, “Sworn to the Sword”, and Season 5’s “A Single Pale Rose”. There is some subjectivity here – the myth arc might mean less to some than others, and with SU‘s… interesting approach to animation, even this can be debated. There is a firmer path to a position here, driven by the superego.

So… maybe there’s a third option. An episode that isn’t necessarily one’s favorite, nor is it “the best” on a technical level.

What is the most important episode of a television show – not in terms of the impact on canon, but the impact on the viewers and society? Again, this is subjective, as priorities can vary from person to person.

But Steven Universe is known to be quite the “important” episode. Much has been written on the show’s demonstration of themes related to sexual orientation, gender identity, class conflict, psychological health, relationship dynamics, the greying of morality on both ends of the spectrum, and communication. I’m not going to go in-depth on how the show as a whole explores these themes in this review – it would be redundant. But you can find arguments on the importance of certain episodes, such as “The Answer”, “Jailbreak”, “Alone Together”, “Reunited”, and “Growing Pains”.

So what I will do is put forward this argument – “Mindful Education” is one of the most important episodes of Steven Universe, and probably contends for the top spot in that ranking.

And even if it isn’t, it’s drop-dead gorgeous on its own merits, crafted so wonderfully that, even almost four years after first watching it, I am still left speechless.

Steven Universe Review: “Bubbled” (Season 3, Episode 24)

“What’ll I say in my report? How will I even make my report? This is a nightmare!” – Eyeball, quite clearly less than pleased about the concept of floating across space infinitely. I can’t say I disagree with her here.

Airdate: August 10th, 2016.

Written By: Colin Howard and Jeff Liu.

Plot: After the events of another spat on the moon, Steven finds himself floating through the nothingness that is outer space. Floating alongside him is Eyeball, one of the Rubies that attempted to wipe him and the Crystal Gems out just recently. With a lot of time to spare, the two try and reckon with recent events, including one shared conundrum about Rose Quartz. Where is she? Who was she? The answers? Well, let’s just say that the episode leads to both of the characters nearly dying.

Review:

We’ve reached it – the end of Steven Universe Season 3. And what a season it has been, ladies and gents.

I fault no one if they call this their favorite season, even though it’s not mine personally. (Season 2 forever!) We got to see Peridot at her goofiest, all while not shying away from fleshing her out and lending her pathos. We’ve had Amethyst wrestle with her own self-loathing, comparing herself to an odious example of Homeworld’s callousness before taking her down with one of the most brilliant battles of all time. We got to hear an absolutely smashing musical, with one of the numbers being one of the best in the entire series. The Gems went and played baseball! Most pivotably, this show laid down plot twists that completely demolished Steven’s thoughts on his mother, having him face a question as to where to guide his philosophy going forward.

This season is ending on a hot streak.  I consider three of the prior episodes that I’ve reviewed to be amongst the show’s best, both for producing major plot elements and executing them in a way that feels like character development, as well as some absolutely fantastic direction and dialogue. How do you top the streak that gave us “You really are better than her” and Jasper’s last words rocking Steven’s world?

And how do you end a season? I mean, Season 1A ended with the show laying down its inaugural epoch, the moment that marked its transition from great animated comedy-drama to brilliant sci-fi comedy-drama. Season 1B ended with one of the show’s most celebrated moments, encapsulated with one of the most iconic songs in the entire canon. Season 2, meanwhile, stepped back and focused on a light character piece featuring Peridot.

Season 3 decides to combine those elements to cap itself off – we get a character piece involving Steven, but we get one of the darkest moments in the entirety of the Steven Universe canon… and we get an outing that, outside of the very opening and the last minute and change, effectively serves as a two-hander.