I thinking that one Lapis Lazuli that showed up might only have agreed to go to serve as a mole to find a means to take out Little Homeworld. Which is a shame because she seemed really into 'our' Lapis' song-and-dance (But mostly the dance). I don't know, I cannot shake the feeling that there is a bit of a catch going on.

I know, crazy right? I mean it didn't bother him before a few years ago. Then again, that would explain why Steven Universe is slightly in better shape than he was two years ago. Maybe it's just a subtle way of saying... 'I've decided to cut back'. But come on, I'll say it again...

HOW can you say 'no' to bloody Pizza?!

As far as my thoughts on the episodes this weekend:

Snow Day:
I'm going to admit that I too wasn't expecting the episode to turn out than what we got (I figured it would answer questions about Bismuth's new form, the contents of that chest, etc.). But in a way, when I look at this episode, it's like watching a 'reverse' Steven Universe, whereas back then Steven wanted to hang out doing fun activities with the Crystal Gems who were too focus on their post-war regime of cleaning up after that epic battle (And still mourning over their former leader), in this case it's the Gems who wanted to do something with Steven, who feels so grown up that he no longer holds interest in what he used to like as a kid (He even said 'no' to pizza... PIZZA!!!). Anyways, I also feel that this episode is nearly a subtle representation of the fans wanting the 'old' Steven Universe back rather than the one we have now or how no matter how hard Steven works to prove himself he is still looked upon as a kid. But either way, this was a fun episode especially that one moment where we see 'Pearl' actually take part in Steven Tag whereas before she wanted "NOTHING" to do with it or even revert to using her shape-shift abilities at all. In a way, while there wasn't really much at stake during this episode, the story does show that just because some things change and people do get older it doesn't mean you should put all your work ahead of having a bit of harmless fun once in a while (Hence why it's oaky to have a filler episode or two).

Why So Blue?
I was a bit curious as to how this episode would turn out since this is the first full-length 'Lapis Lazuli' centered episode since the most we get from her is appearances in the intros and a very small cameo in one episode. But if there is one thing this episode shows is that a song-and-dance won't always convince the baddies to see the error of their ways, though while I wouldn't call the two Lapis Lazulis 'evil' per say they represent that one group who loved the old ways, they enjoy doing their work and even if they have the freedom to do something outside a post Diamond Authority, if terraforming planets is all they want to do they won't let even their own kind tell them otherwise. To me, I feel like that one Lapis Lazuli agreeing to go to Little Homeworld feels like it's just setting up for what Aquamarine and Eye Ruby wanted to happen... By having a mole spy on all the activities going on in that school and fnid a means to bring it down (Which would explain why Jasper would prefer that these former Homeworld soldiers still had a fighting purpose because them being 'soft' makes them vulnerable to a possible attack that can 'still' happen). On one note to add about this episode, I hoped Lapis Lazuli would do more songs after that one season and to see her do the aforementioned song based on the 'title' of this episode... Indeed it was a beautiful song to watch. While we didn't get to see Lapis involved in a more 'positively' influenced fusion (To this day I still wait for a Lapidot fusion of some form)... I love seeing a Lapis Lazuli who's not loathing herself, feeling the weight of her time in a mirror and even though she was 'this' close to shattering those two Lapis's (Which some say they probably deserved)... I'm proud of how far she's come, hence why she's one of my favorite Gems.

Thoughts Part 2:

Rose Buds:
There has been some speculation as to whether the former Rose Quartz gems would be released from their bubbles after the events of Steven Universe and for that matter how they would react upon learning about Steven. Turns out at least three of them actually looked forward to meeting Steven Universe, despite the fact he was a bit uncomfortable knowing they all look just like his mom and he was trying to get out of Rose's a.k.a. Pink Diamond's shadow as of late. The problem with him is that he relies more on his heart and not his head, that he doesn't find it within him to say 'no' (Though the episode works itself out within twelve minutes or so). Plus, it's clear that the Zoomans are not really happy with Greg (Though if anything, those two particular humans should be grateful that any chance of them being shipped together are intact). Overall, it seems all things are good though Holly Blue Agate longs for the old days of Era 2 perhaps a bit of foreshadow that not EVERYONE is happy with the changes. Where it builds up from here remains ill-determined, but at least Steven is able to work out some issues involving the Rose Quartz soldiers, who admire for having a personality of their own (Though it makes me question that one just happens to share the same form his mother chose for Earth).

Volleyball:
We've been waiting for this moment for some time, when Steven tries to investigate the cause of Pink Pearl's scar and if he can fix it. Turns out she not only states that it was a result of Pink Diamond's temper tantrum (Which given one episode isn't too surprising) and not White Diamond's which I admit is what I thought was the cause, but it also makes me wonder if White Diamond told Pink Pearl that. Anyways, there's an argument between two Pearl's perspectives of the late Pink Diamond: The perspective where she's trying to atone for her mistakes and the other not accepting Pink Diamond could change. We once more see Steven's powers go a bit out of control, only to unintentionally cause potential danger for his old friend (And new one) but this also provides an opportunity to see the two Pearls fuse together into what I admit is a beautiful being.

Even though we'd have like to see Pink Pearl's scars cure, as we know with scars (Physical or mental) they never truly go away... They just fade until we barely notice them. Plus, we get this concept that we're not talking 'literal' scarring but psychological which turns out it's going to take a lot of time for Pink Pearl herself to use before she can truly ready to embrace her own future (One without Pink Diamond).

As the beginning of the new series, these four episodes were enjoyable in their own way. Granted there were a few easy hiccups that did bug me a little, but they were still fun all the same. We get to see some matters from the previous series taken under the spotlight, we see how all the characters are adjusting plus we are building up to this fact that if there's really only one major antagonist we need to look out for right now, it could be Steven himself. At first these new powers of his seem cool, gaining him abilities he hasn't done as often (Thus far, only Pearl and Amethyst have experienced this), but we also see they are stemming from his emotional negative distress. At some point, it may go so beyond out of his control that next time he won't be able to stop it. The question is: How will this dilemma escalate? And will the series progress longer than ten announced episodes? I certainly hope it does.

As for my thoughts on each episode:

Little Homeschool:
The way the episode was building up, you'd think Steven would have a difficult time integrating this one former Quartz soldier into this new school even though it's been working just fine for all the former Homeworld and Corrupted Gems. But turns out it was Jasper who chose to distance herself from the school and Steven's been trying to help her in between the two years after the 'White Diamond' fiasco (Even though Amethyst made it clear Steven can't help 'everybody', which will be a recurring theme in this series). Now I knew Jasper was going to appear at some point in this series, but I didn't think it would be at the start. Turns out that when talking was not good enough, Steven had no choice but to fight Jasper (Even introducing this mysterious force that gives him a more aggressive personality) and turns out Jasper doesn't need to 'learn' anything, when she's already a mentor (But only to teach Steven about this strange development). Now I doubt this is the last we see of Jasper, many think she's going to play a huge role in the remainder of the series, but for the time being it's nice to see it seems the two have developed a bit of respect (Even Jasper allowing Steven to visit her once a while, if he chooses to).

Guidance:
We all know Steven always puts himself out there to help and even though his intentions were good of getting gems out of their comfort zones, rather than their usual work on Homeworld, it makes us think Steven was taking away what Amethyst was already accomplishing. This episode is relatable for me because it's how I feel when I had these great ideas for my ex writing partner's projects, ideas that 'our' fans would enjoy, but he either says NO to all my ideas or throws them away entirely as if so worried it's ME who is taking the spotlight from him (Jerk). I like how the episode poked fun at the usual endings of 'Steven Universe', only to introduce the idea that there is 'consequences' to Steven's actions even if he didn't intend them to be. Granted, at least one Homeworld gem would find something she enjoys besides ice sculpting and this way we see some character from each of the former corrupted Gems who normally didn't get lines (Plus solving mysteries as to which Gems are Bismuth's former war buddies). Overall, it was a pretty harmless episode to kick off the start of the series but it not only further grows Steven's new abilities but demonstrates that even Steven Universe isn't right about everything. Plus, he spends all this time trying to solve everyone's problems the series also makes it clear that really the only one who should be getting help... That would be Steven himself.

To be continued...

Steven only put himself on trial because he would rather sacrifice himself, then allow a group of helpless people (One of them his love interest) take the fall. Growing up, we want to believe that parents are meant to love their children unconditionally, to nurture us, teach us the ways of the world, be that shoulder to lean on when in need of guidance, and no matter how many mistakes we made they would always be there for us when we let them.

The sad truth is: Not many families are like that. The way the Diamonds treated Pink is an example of one of those families, especially when it unintentionally carries on to someone who ends up paying for someone's mistakes. Steven is just lucky that he does have a 'family' in some form, one that has always loved and guided him long before realizing his full origins.

You are forgiven. All I hoped is that you understood 'why' it was decided the Diamonds should be redeemed. Two years have passed and even after 'everything' they've done, they are 'trying' to make amends though a thousand year war can never be forgotten. I'm sure there would be some 'flashback' episodes to show how the Diamonds were learning between the two years prior to the movie and even if there's not, there's always some fan writer in the world willing to give it a chance even if it may not be the best written story on the internet. I just hope that you realize that you understand just because people have done terrible atrocities, are you as a 'man' willing to stoop to do the same thing even if the excuse is saving your own?

Always remember: If there 'is' to be killing to solve a conflict, it should always be the 'last' resort... When all other options have been played out and failed. There's always hope for a diplomatic, peaceful approach... You'd just have to hope the other party has the humanity within them to compromise.

And do you really think Steven would've been willing to destroy them? In his weakened state when his Gem was taken, it's true the form from the Gem itself was so powerful that it 'could' destroy the Diamonds if it reached full power. But Steven did not want it to go through with it for two reasons, the second reason being that as the Diamonds shared some familiar bond with Pink Diamond they were like his aunts and all Steven wanted was to get through at least the head Diamond herself because only by combined did they have the power to free the Gems of their uncorrupted state. But the biggest reason would be that for that being to use it's full power to shatter the Diamonds right then and there, it would endanger his family under the control of White Diamond and they would've been crushed by some debris if that were to occur.

In the end, Steven Universe has always been a 'pacifist' since Day One. True, he displayed some fight in the earlier seasons such as the time he used a refrigerator to distract the Centipeedle long enough for the Gems to poof it during that first initial contact. But even if Steven were to poof many Gems, he would never think to take in the initial human urge to take a life proven greatly when he refused to use the 'Breaking Point' even if the weapon was strong enough to destroy even the most powerful of foes. If it were anyone else, they would take action and punish them without question because they are natural killers.

But I think the question is: Would you do it? If so, then it would only prove I'm right given the 'nature' of your words. But if you believe that's the best thing, please... Say it. Only if everything you believe is 'true', that killing solves 'everything' even by today's standards.

Well what would you have preferred to happen? That they'd be shattered into pieces, so Steven and his friends would be feared by every Gem on all of Homeworld? Thereby proving that the Diamonds were right about the influence Pink Diamond had upon those against their system?

If you can offer some justification, maybe then we'll see if you truly feel they deserve the hate for their change. I'm listening.

While I do admit I thought Spinel was going to be a villain who refused to reform or at least feels they came too far to go back, once we got an idea of her backstory I felt the most sorry for her. I've been in her place before, I know how it felt thinking you had it great with someone you called a 'best friend' but then they just leave you behind proving they wanted nothing to do with you. I don't know if we'll ever see Spinel again, but at least she's at peace.

Now as for the Diamonds, to better understand their reformation we must take example for their behavior in the movie. True, they seemed to act very clingy insisting that Steven takes his mother's place on the throne so they can be closer together. But when he'd rather be on Earth and since they were determined to make up for lost time with Pink (In some form), they were willing to live on Earth with him even if they weren't particularly fond of his planet (Boy were they as late for the big battle as others I know). But the moment they recognized Spinel from Pink's living years, though how she got that drill was beyond me, and since she in a way reminds them so much of Pink with her comical jester-like behavior (When she's not going all Harley Quinn) they decided to have her live in the palace so they can shower her with the love she had forgotten for thousands of years.

Bear in mind, before hand the Diamonds were too busy with their own duties and their own colonization projects to pay much attention to Pink. This was also back when White was stuck inside 'her own head', insisting on how perfection is vital for the stability of their civilization, even when things were going wrong. Because of their own neglect for Pink and refusing to hear what she had to say, thereby leading to her eventual rebellion and death, they felt so guilty about it over the years that they realized they took Pink for granted. I hope this helps to understand their psychology.