The Most Interesting Scene In Steven Universe

How does Steven Universe trick you into thinking everything you thought you knew was a lie? By playing the long game...

------
Support the channel:
------
Steven Universe Art Books
------

0:00 Intro
5:33 Part 1 - Doubt
7:55 Part 1 - Doubt (Rose Quartz)
11:49 Part 1 - Doubt (Diamond Dreams)
14:55 Part 1 - Doubt (Objectification)
17:39 Part 1 - Doubt (The Princess Gauntlet)
20:02 Part 1 - Doubt (Steven's Gemstone)
23:06 Part 2 - White Diamond & Identity
28:53 Part 3 - Perfect Steven
34:02 Outro
34:54 Credits

Blank Title Cards by

Music by
IW Production - Nighttime Birds
Soundcloud: @iwproduction

#stevenuniverse

[JamesWoodall]

You can see me respond to comments on this video in this Patreon Exclusive video:

[theblackbullet]

I'd like to point out that Steven line "I am a child what's your excuse" is really similar to a line he had in the pilot which is "I can't help it what's your excuse"

[bmprimer]

years later and "not all pearls know each other, steven" still gets me

[angeygirl]

I would like to make a little point about Rose's flaws being shown throughout the show. It's done in reverse chronological order. At first Rose is shown as a noble leader but by the time we get to Pink Diamond she's a bratty little kid. Rose's character arc was being shown in reverse, she really was a good leader but because of the way it was presented it cracks our perception of her.

[KuMo]

Something I absolutely love is that Rose never came back in any form. That video tape was the last thing we heard from her. Steven never found a letter from her or anything. Nothing. Rose’s thoughts, ideas and motivations are all gone along with her. She cannot apologize or explain anything because she is gone. Just like when someone dies in real life, you can’t get any answers anymore. She never gets to explain why she did anything that she did. And that’s …. Beautiful. I’m so glad Pearl or Greg didn’t know more of her motivations to become Steven or why she chose to live on earth. I’m glad there wasn’t another video tape with all the answers. She’s gone. They’ll never know why she did what she did. It’s absolutely amazing. And so rare, in tv shows overall, that neither the audience nor the characters get any sort of explanation or closure.

[bigboyart]

The "She's gone" scene hit exactly where it meant to, and it has stuck with me since it aired.

[SaiScribbles]

I was 99% sure Rose was gone and they wouldn't bring her back because that would go against all the themes built up. But this scene did put JUST enough doubt in me that the moment White took his gem I was nervous, captivated, and had no idea what would happen.

[saltydinonuggies]

I love that they got James Baxter to animate that scene. His animations are absolutely freaking beautiful and it makes that scene so much better. Perfect paper animation for Perfect Steven. I don’t think normal animation would take away from it but that fact that animation is so beautifully smooth and perfect adds to the “imperfection” White Diamond sees here.

[palichor]

I think an interesting thing I see no one talking about is Amethyst. The show constantly reminds us that gems can't age or develop, but we see Amethyst do it.
She's out of the kindergarden a blank slate, mimicking those around her (much like a baby would), and has limited speech. She develops interests and a personality overtime, grows out long hair after seeing Greg's long hair, and her physical form (and the other gems) grow presumably after Rose's death. I'm kinda sad the show didn't go more into detail with this. Under certain conditions, gems *do* grow and change. Not at a human's rate, but they do.

[ameur]

" the show has always been confident in its own identity, thats what makes it a real gem" I AM NEVER GOING TO RECOVER FROM THIS ENDING WTF SO GOOD 😭

[cinnamonbreeze]

the internet literally gaslighting me to make me believe that i actually hated the show that got me through highschool and then this video happens.
thanks dude.
(i acknowledge the criticisms about this show such as filler, inconsistencies, and pacing but to me, the characters / music / dialogue and other things were good enough that it didnt really matter to me in the end)

[YelloWool]

This scene holds so much power. Steven Just LET White take his Gem out. He didn't even try to stop her. He was starting to doubt himself, and believe that Pink was still alive.

[dionaeamuscipula]

I love that even in the most seemingly inconsequential filler episode; Say Uncle, there's an ever-so subtle hint as to Steven's true nature. When Steven first meets Uncle Grandpa and tells him about his shield problem, Uncle Granpda says "You should make sure you get this thing polished at least twice a year".

It's a reasonable and unassuming comment to make, but here's the interesting part; most professionals recommend that you polish a diamond *at least twice a year* to keep it perfect and pristine. It's such a minor detail that most people wouldn't even bat an eye when it's mentioned, it's perfect.

[NatManzano]

Loved this video. Thank you.

Having said that, the reason why Rose says "my pearl" is because saying "my diamond" is a sign of respect and distinction. So Rose is actually elevating Pearl.

[HellfireComms]

It's so rare to find a well thought out and delivered video essay on Steven Universe these days that's actually positive (let alone constructive to boot). From one SU loving brit to another, thank you for a great look at one of the best scenes in the show!

[mackielunkey]

I really like how you delve into Rebecca’s mindspace when she was making the finale. It makes her really interesting, and I hate how there’s a certain group of people that decry Rebecca as a bad person that should seldom be making cartoons. Because 1, she has showed in the past, and is showing now that she has sheer talent, and 2, Steven Universe is the very first show she created, so people should cut her some slack.

[CC-qlyq]

One good piece of unmentioned evidence that White Diamond has a weird relationship with her own identity: her first dialogue. Emphasis is mine:

"Hello, starlight, YOU certainly gave EVERYONE a scare. THEY'RE all just thrilled to see YOU safe and sound. [...] As for this latest little game of YOURS, thank the stars it's over. Did YOU have fun? Did YOU get everything out of YOUR system? [...] Good, good… EVERYONE is so relieved. Welcome home, Pink."

No ME, I, or even WE or US! It's downright freaky! Later in the show she does use first person pronouns, but the tone is set here. There is only EVERYONE and THEY. She sees herself as simultaneously separated and identical to *every* gem.

[jessdoritowhale]

I remember being on that “hate steven universe” bandwagon and after years of SU being over, ive realized that it’s just a bunch of adults wanting me to not enjoy for what it is anymore. I remember Rose’s video giving me so much comfort when I was little. My home life was more than depressing and my mom wasn’t being the warm and bright person that I needed at the time, and so I looked to rose for the longest time, even if in the future she turned out to be kinda bad.

This video put everything into place the message I was forgetting: self acceptance, and I wish I knew that when I was hating on Steven Universe. I wish I didn’t agree with those loud and confident points, I wish I just left all that unnecessary rage and enjoyed what I wanted to enjoy to without judgement. That show is my childhood, and I can’t believe that 3 1hour long negative essays ruined that, even if it taught me how to love and accept myself, even if it taught me to love who ever I wanted, even if it taught me how to love and accept others, I can’t believe a few people saying “the animation is bad” or “they shouldn’t be forgiven they are space Na*is!!” or any other over the wall crap, made me dislike the show.

Like dude- I listened to “here comes a thought” while crying in bed, DO NOT TELL ME I *actually* hated the show

[pumkin]

This video is a love letter to all the steven universe fans who have to witness all the hate the show gets. Don't get me wrong, I think the show messed up sometimes, but I did like the show overall and this video pointed out things that I didn't notice.

[eggverseoffficial]

I loved the finale of Steven Universe, and I was so confused as to why. Everything about it was lambasted as a rushed mess, and I couldn't find the words to refute that. Thank you for putting into words just how amazing this finale was.