The next episode has its problems, but it also has this. (Just noticed Pearl getting protective over her sock after Smoky threatens to knock it off.)

In terms of characterization, it’s interesting that Smoky is the second fusion who isn’t named Garnet to be treated like their own person, rather than an ostentatious short-term mish-mash of personality traits. So far it’s just Stevonnie and Smoky. The Steven fusions.

Given the whole show is from Steven’s perspective, I guess it’s a given that his fusions will tend to *have* a perspective, but. I guess maybe his empathy gives them a level of stability that other fusions might struggle to reach? If he’s ready to fuse, it’s going to be complex.

Assuming this is anything like representative, one wonders where Amethyst and Steven would sit on this chart. Apparently Stevonnie is about halfway between Pearl and Garnet, in raw strength. Which is something, considering they’re 75% human.

The episode starts well, and then the ending… man. The middle doesn’t work at all, unfortunately. It’s one of those things that — it feels like it was carefully thought-out on paper so well in advance that it’s stripped down to nothing but an idea.