• Episode Followup: Storm in the Room

    “Good grief! There's a new episode of Steven Universe tonight! Don't miss it you blockheads!!”

    Bring your umbrellas and claim your tears are just rain, because this one's quite the storm! Of emotions! This is the Steven Meets Rose episode we've been hoping would happen for a while, folks. Let's see how Steven handles it!



    "And now that you're back from space, I officially relinquish control of your bed to you!"
    Aw yes, another Connie episode! I didn't say anything last time, but since you brought it up... The bed thing was a little weird, Connie. Also, I've seen people claim that Steven looks out of proportion here, but I have another theory...  (originally mentioned here)

    "You wouldn't believe how many of them it takes to screw in a light bulb!"
    If the answer is more than four, then I guess it's been up to Greg to keep the light fixtures in check all these years, huh? Also Connie just turns to leave on the word "bulb". She doesn't appreciate simple jokes!

    "You've reached Dr. Maheswaran.  Please leave a message; and if you're one of my patients, you shouldn't have this number!" 
    Sensible. The amount of stress those patients must put that poor woman though... No wonder she's going a little gray!

    "Naw, the last thing I need right now is more space."

    After all the times that boy's almost died in space, let's give Steven some Earth!


    Now here's a good example of show-don't-tell. We know Steven and Connie have been waiting for hours because they had time to put together a 1500-piece puzzle and build a house of cards out of Cosmic Engagement. Waaaaaait a sec, that's not a 1500 piece puzzle. That puzzle only has 48 pieces!

    "Accidental." "Um, mishap."  "Unexpectedly..." "Crashed..." "Explosion!"
    Wow, Connie, calm down! You're starting to look like your mom here, worrying so much! Still, that's really sweet of her that she's developing a better relationship with her mother.




    Oh hey, we get to see Dr. Maheswaran this episode! She hasn't spoken onscreen since what... Nightmare Hospital?

    "So he's back from the spa, huh?" "No, I said space!" "Huh!"
    Sounds like these two ladies are keeping up their bargain. Connie's honest about his trip to space, and Dr. Maheswaran just takes it in her stride.


    I think these are some of the widest shots of the house we've seen in a while. With the consistency and detail the Crewniverse puts into this place, it almost seems like they're basing it on a real building!


    I mean really, the house is just an addition onto the front of the temple. It just stops at the little gem alcove.


    Oh, those things just come right off, huh? I wonder if the Amethysts at the Zoo ever had to deal with a disobedient human that kept pulling their earrings off. Maybe after living with them on their entire lives, removing them just doesn't occur to them?


    And a shot of the couch and loft. Steven's house is really cozy! I wonder how much it'd cost to build an addition like that.


    Ah, nothing like a nice dinner during a peaceful rainfall to unwind after a rough day.



    "Y'know, sometimes I wonder if it's even you up there, smiling all day and night. I just wanna know the real you, not the you that everyone tells me about. I... just wanna know the truth."
    Steven finally vocalizes what he's been struggling with ever since Bismuth.


    And to find the truth, he enters a world of illusions!


    And here we are. This is the moment we've been waiting for ever since we learned that this room existed... Steven's meeting his mom!

    "So, what do you wanna do?" "Oh! Uh... I guess I hadn't thought that far ahead. Do... you like video games?"
    Not the first thing I would've thought to ask, Steven, but hey I suppose you've got a lot of catching up to do! 

    "Nice catch, son!"
    Speaking of catching up... Ah, hmm, do you think Rose is where Garnet got that iconic thumbs-up from?


    “All sports are beautiful. Each sport is a unique experience. The adrenaline, the glory, the sheer feats of athleticism. Each one so complicated, yet exactly the same” 
     Well shoot, I guess I'd better watch some sports.



    Oh yes, we doin' this. There's even jazzy piano music. This is happening.

    Steven Universe, you block head!


    "I uh... I've even thought about dyeing my hair pink... more than once!"
    Aw, so precious. You don't have to look like your mom to live up like your mom, Steven! Besides, I'm not sure how good a look that'd be for you... At least now we know how he knows so much about hair dye.

    "But Steven, don't you realize we've been together this whole time?" "Oh! That's... that's right!"
    Anyone else get all choked up just about here? Yes Steven, you should've done this long ago! This moment may have been exactly what you needed!


    "There's nothing here but me. I'm just... talking to myself."
    So now we know the nature of the room. It doesn't make physical things out of clouds or holograms or anything. It's all in the visitor's head. Rose Quartz has the power to create a room that fills one's head with illusions. I wonder what other uses that power had... and if Steven can use it. Maybe he has already.


    "You're not my mom." "I'm not?"
    Well I dunno, Steven, the room probably knows Rose better than anyone, and you did just bring her gem in there for the room to draw from... Maybe she's more real than you think!


    "Now all of Homeworld has it out for Earth, the Crystal Gems, and me! You put us all in danger and you just... disappeared!"
    Let it out Steven! Let it all out! You've been holding this in for way too long! Is Rose Quartz really the saint everyone around you thinks she is?
    "I finally know the truth! I know what you are! You're a liar! I thought you never wanted to hurt anyone, but you hurt everyone! How could you just leave Garnet, and Amethyst and Pearl and... and dad? They don't know what to do without you! Maybe they didn't matter to you as much as hiding from the mess you made!"
    Oof. Steven, you've been carrying a 747's load of baggage around these past few months, haven't you? Just see how sinister Rose looks here. Oh Steven, how upset you must feel.

    "And that's why I'm here, isn't it? Did you make me just so you wouldn't have to deal with all your mistakes? Is that all I'm here for?"
    Now we get to the crux of the issue. Steven has been told his entire life that Rose Quartz gave up her form for him because he was some grand adventure, but now he's worried that Rose just used him as a way to escape her past. It's not far-fetched. I've seen that fan-theory floated before.

    "In the tape I left you I told you how much I wanted to have you and let you exist. Do you think what I said to you in the tape was a lie?"
    That tape was the most sincere I've ever heard a cartoon character sound. She'd better not be lyin'!


    Now that the hurting is over, the healing can begin.

    "Guess who's back in jean shorts!"
    Our gang is back! And one heck of an entrance by Amethyst. These lovable folks will make sure Steven gets all the support and love he needs! 

    What a lovely episode! Hopefully Steven can finally come to terms with his view of his mother. There's a lot to work through, but I know he can do it! But, one more thing... Steven, the space journey is over. Where are the Rubies? 


    Steven, you promised! I know what you are! You're a liar! I thought you wanted to save everyone, but you didn't save anyone! Of the Rubies. Sorry, you don't get a break from space right now. Get in that ship and bring back those Rubies!