Archives Episodes

Summary Steven and the Crystal Gems get a chance to catch up when they’re all snowed in together. Our Take A cozy, low-stakes hangout episode that coasts on charm rather than plot, and honestly that’s fine. The shapeshifting tag game…

Summary Rainbow Quartz 2.0 promised to hang out with Onion the same day Sunstone scheduled a home safety Geminar! How can Steven be in two places, and two fusions, at once? Our Take Very good, not the series’ peak, but…

Summary Steven questions the motives of a mysterious fusion that suddenly shows up at his house. Our Take Bluebird works as a paranoid thriller episode more than anything, and the slow build of suspicion carries it nicely even when the…

Summary Steven is determined to help Pink Diamond’s original Pearl heal the scar on her face. Our Take A quiet, heavy hour that digs into old wounds with surprising tenderness. The therapy-style confrontation between the two Pearls is uncomfortable in…

Summary Steven gets a surprise visit from some old friends, and an even more surprising introduction to some new ones. Our Take A quietly brilliant half hour that mines comedy and discomfort in equal measure. Watching Steven squirm through a…

Summary Amethyst has been helping Little Homeschool Gems find jobs on the boardwalk, but Steven isn’t sure about her approach. Our Take A quieter episode that leans on character work over plot, and mostly it works. Amethyst’s loose, trust-the-kids philosophy…

Summary Welcome to Little Homeschool, a place on earth where Gems from all over the universe can come learn how to live together peacefully! But there’s one Gem who refuses to attend. Our Take Solid, satisfying television. The season’s engine…

Summary Steven faces his biggest challenge yet. Our Take The season five finale goes big, and mostly earns it. The emotional payoffs with Steven and the Diamonds land hard, and the animation pulls out all the stops, though the reconciliation…

Summary Steven uses his psychic powers to find help. Our Take This is basically a holding pattern before the finale, and it feels like it. Steven possessing a watermelon to send a distress message is a fun idea on paper,…

Summary Steven throws a party to bring his family together. Our Take Skippable unless you’re a completist. The season recovers after this.