With all this in mind, “Future Boy Zoltron” makes a hell of a lot more sense. It’s far from one of the show’s greatest episodes, but it’s genial enough until Mr. Frowny turns up, after which it gets… weird, and uncomfortable.

In particular, as a follow-up to “Mindful Education,” the trouble with Mr. Frowny here, it… like. This is not going to be an easy season, okay. By way of Garnet’s future-vision, the foreshadowing is made literal in the same way as “Steven and the Stevens” resetting the pilot.

Incidentally, Mr. Frowny’s original character design was… rather different. Also, lots of people read in the last part, though even with that knowledge and looking for it, the subtext is super unclear. But, guess it’s fully intentional!

I know I had more to say on this topic. I can’t seem to figure out where I put my notes, though. Hm. Will update if I come across them again.