Steven Universe Season 3 / Heartwarming

open/close all folders

Super Watermelon Island

The Gems were a complete mess as Alexandrite in "Fusion Cuisine". Here, they again come close to splitting apart, but manage to keep it together, and are united enough to hold their own against one of the most powerful characters in the show. Driving the point home, Alexandrite's arrow turns into a projection of Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl holding hands, echoing how the Laser Light Cannon turns into a projection of Rose. It shows how far they've come as a team since the beginning of the series, which is saying a lot since they'd already been a team for thousands of years at that point.
- Granted, Guide to the Crystal Gems had Garnet state that Alexandrite was a deadly force in battle when the three of them shared the resolve to fight, which means this isn't all THAT significant, but it still feels heartwarming.
- The Gems are starting to take pages from Steven's book. Alexandrite offers Malachite a chance to not fight. It shows how much they came since their usual response to trouble is violence. And she only seems to fight Malachite out of concern for her component Gems, telling them they "should spend some time apart" and forcing them to Unfuse rather than destroying them.
- At the end of the fight, Alexandrite gently catches the unconscious Lapis Lazuli and Jasper in two of her hands.
Steven rousing the Stevenmelons to the aid of the Crystal Gems.
The Stevenmelons blushing as the Gems thank them and Steven for helping. This also counts as something of a redemption.
- What's more, the Steven-melons worked together with the Crystal Gems this time.
The Gems telling Steven they love him and he can do this before he returns to his body to save the world. You can just tell they have faith in him being able to. Which shows just how far Steven and his relationship with them has come. Believe in Steven...
Amethyst: You got this, dude! You know the drill.
Pearl: Be careful, Steven. Watch each others' backs.
Garnet: And Steven... we love you.
- And before that, Steven runs up to hug Pearl and she instantly recognizes him.
The Stevenmelons have made a functioning society, complete with baby melons. It's adorable.
After everything that's happened, when the Cluster's earthquake creates massive crevices, Amethyst is quick to reach for Lapis' hand and keeps her from falling in, and Pearl makes an attempt to reach for Jasper before she slides too far away, and Steven being worried when Jasper falls.
Two of the melons adopting a baby melon at the start.
Baby Melon is memorialized in a statue at the center of the melon town, with other baby melons being taught by the melon elder. Guess you might say they truly have learned from their mistakes, just as Steven advised them to in Season 1.
Malachite's reaction to the Watermelon Stevens attacking her. A genuine smile and an amused giggle. True, it might be because of how seemingly futile the Watermelon Stevens attack might be, or another reason that might belong more in Nightmare Fuel than Heartwarming, but either way it's probably the happiest moment in the life of a being made of hatred.

Gem Drill

Peridot saying that even though she still misses Homeworld, she appreciates the friendship of Steven and the Gems.
Steven's last words as he thinks he and Peridot are about to be killed by the Cluster (or at least the Earth being destroyed)?
Steven: I love you, Peridot!
- Peridot's response? A direct Call-Back to Steven's explanation on how to express gratitude in "Log Date 7-15-2".
  Peridot: (Teary-eyed) Wow, thanks.
- Before that, Peridot apologizes to Steven for failing to save him and "the billions of other lifeforms who matter far, far less to me!"
- Peridot and Steven clinging to each other when they think they're going to die.
Peridot straight up abandons the drill's controls to help Steven when his empathetic connection with the Cluster starts seriously hurting him, despite the possibility that dropping their offence could have gotten them killed.
Steven convinces the Cluster shards to bubble each other so they won't have to destroy the Earth.
- Let's put this in perspective: Steven defeats a planet-destroying Eldritch Abomination by talking to it until it decides to stay in the planet and become friends with itself!
- The entire scene with Steven convincing the Cluster shards to talk to one another. They begin greeting one another with hellos and hi's and some of them sound enthusiastic.
The Cluster itself has a pretty heartwarming moment when Steven tells it that forming would destroy the Earth. All the Gems in the Cluster just start saying "no" in a quiet, saddened tone. Added to later with how desperately they say "can't stop, going to form" when they start forming anyway. As Garnet said in Keeping it Together, most of the Cluster experiments were made from fallen Crystal Gems. They already died once to protect the Earth, and when faced with the knowledge that they're about to do something that would hurt it, they desperately don't want to.
Peridot hugging Steven after returning to the surface, exclaiming "You did it!" in preventing the Cluster from forming. Steven is quick to remind her that they did it together.
Even with all the risks involved and the impossibility of predicting what will happen, the Gems bring the unconscious Lapis back home with them, willing to give her the same chance that turned out so well with Peridot. And as their reactions from the previous episode detailed earlier show, they were willing to even try with Jasper, before she fell into that crevice.
It's brief, but when Peridot explains molten peridotite (the substance that earth-made peridots are made of) to Steven, there is something about her voice and expression that seems almost nostalgic, as though she were reminiscing about an old friend. It's quite a sweet little moment.

Same Old World

This sneak peek shows us Lapis laughing, twice! Happy Lappy!
Remember that fart joke in "Mirror Gem?" While flying over Jersey, some guy yelled and threw a boot at Lapis and Steven. The boot missed them, and what was Lapis' reaction? Doing that same fart joke to the guy as a response! She remembered~! After seeing Lapis so depressed for such a long time, it's nice to see this playful (if somewhat immature) side of her and it goes to show how close she is to Steven.
After millennia of being imprisoned and abused, Lapis finally has her freedom. Whilst she has trouble adjusting at first, she's finally ready to give the Earth a chance at being a new home.
- The way Steven gets Lapis to realize that is the case: do the one thing no one has done for Lapis for eons: give her a choice. He gives HER the choice to stay or go. To come to love the Earth or leave.
Steven offering to let Peridot come back to the Temple with them. Even if she didn't, it was still a nice thought.
Peridot gushing about how cool the trip to stop the Cluster was, while also not getting so wrapped up that she forgets to give Steven the proper credit and letting him tell his part.
- And the Gems all sit there and listen with full attention, even smiling amused at Peridot.

Barn Mates

Peridot, with the help of Steven, giving Lapis an apology card. And by the way, there's a crayon picture (Steven drew the pictures) of Lapis and Peridot smiling on the front◊! Somewhat undermined by the contents, though...
- Funnily enough, considering how much Peridot seems to appreciates finding out new things, she might have thought what she wrote was genuinely complimentary.
For the first time, we see Lapis content and comfortable with her surroundings. She's not angsting or brooding anymore, she's clearly relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere on Earth for the first time ever. Too bad her moments of peace don't last long.
Peridot giving her recorder, her most precious earthly possession, as a gift to Lapis in an attempt at a peace offering.
When Lapis tells Peridot that she doesn't want to be near her, Peridot leaves immediately, without arguing or complaining. It doesn't last, because of the Roaming Eye, but it's nice that her final decision was to do what Lapis needed, rather than telling her to leave or anything.
- After saving them from the Roaming Eye, Lapis asks if Peridot is o.k., Peridot responds with a huge grin and a giggle, making Lapis blush.
  - Even better. That may be Peridot's first completely happy smile in the series. Not a smug smile, not a cat smile, not a Slasher Smile, not a Laughing Mad smile, but one of pure joy. It's goofy and Adorkable, but hey, that's Peridot in a nutshell. Compare that face to her first appearance back in "Warp Tour", and marvel at how far she's come.
It's not that obvious, but when Lapis protects Steven and Peridot, Peridot says "Holy Smokes", only for the Gems to arrive and Amethyst to say the same thing. The two are apparently still very close, even though we haven't seen anything of that lately.
As irritated as Lapis gets with Peridot, she never lets that seep onto Steven. She instantly comes when he calls for her, humors him by using her wings as blindfolds, and gently lets him know that he isn't at fault for her temper.
Lapis' anger itself, ironically, has some sweetness to it. She never resorts to physically assaulting Peridot (Lapis could have easily poofed her, if so), even after she takes out her anger on Peridot's tape recorder first.

Hit the Diamond

The Gems all reacting happily when they see Ruby and Sapphire. Steven even rushes up and hugs them!
When Peridot wonders why the Gems are bothering to help her even though she's done nothing but cause problems, Garnet replies "We help out anyone who calls the planet home. Even clods like you."
- Even better is that Peridot appears incredibly touched by Garnet saying "clod".
Peridot: That's my word.
- What about the fact Garnet actually Unfused to protect Peridot? Given how much she doesn't want to do that under most situations, it says a lot about how she feels about Peridot now.
Lapis gives her human alias as "Bob". It's impressive that she still remembers Steven's "No prob, Bob" line way back in "Ocean Gem".
- Just the fact that Lapis is even playing baseball is pretty heartwarming. She thinks it's a dumb plan, and she doesn't really have to play, considering she hates both Peridot and the Crystal Gems. But if it's for Steven? No problem.
- She had clearly been developing a soft spot for Peridot since the end of the previous episode; if the events of this episode had happened at a much earlier point in time, Lapis would have ratted Peridot out just to get rid of her, even if Steven was present. The fact that she showed no intention of doing that, regardless of Steven, is a sign that she, albeit slowly, is growing a warmer heart and realizing that Peridot has truly become a better person worth fighting for.
- Very small moment; Lapis returns Ruby's high-five. Her hatred of the Crystal Gems is ebbing!
- Another small moment; Lapis gives a small smile to the Ruby with her gem located on her thigh.
- The fact that when the ruse gets revealed, Lapis just files in with the rest of the Crystal Gems without argument or hesitation. While it might be to protect Steven, the fact she doesn't complain or show any annoyance with it does say a lot about how she's changed.
Peridot attempts to sacrifice herself to save the others. It turned out to not really be necessary, but points for trying.
- It even seemed to get Lapis' attention, with her sour mood giving away to apparent surprise as Peridot was offering herself up. Another step forward to Lapis realizing how much Peridot has changed perhaps?
A small one. Pearl gleefully says "Nice" upon Amethyst getting a home run, even though she does so in a way that had a chance of blowing their cover. The Pearl at the very start of the show would've freaked out over that. She's come a long way.
The third Ruby to step out of the ship, the one with her gem located on her stomach. She's much more soft-spoken and outgoing than her teammates, gets entranced by the sight of the planet (which she immediately describes as "lovely"), and just looks so adorably blissful looking around.
A quick one but after Ruby (accidentally) hits a home run, Army and Doc run up to home plate to congratulate her. More heartwarming for the former given that she punched Ruby for (intentionally) striking out when the game began.
One that's more noticeable when rewatching. At two points in the episode, Leggy is seen pulling a Security Cling on Eyeball, who never objects to it. Considering what we later learn about Eyeball's personality and how expendable she views herself and her squad, it's a nice gesture between teammates who barely know each other.

Steven Floats

The Gems spending all night keeping Steven company.
Sadie is genuinely happy to see Steven again and instantly tells him to be early to get a freshly baked donut.
- It's even sweeter: when Steven gets his donut at the end, he mentions that it's his favorite kind. Sadie didn't make just any donut, she made Steven's donut.
While yes, she's in a bit of a panic, it's nice to see Pearl back in doting mother figure mode. Recent episodes have spent a lot of time on her issues (specifically the Rose-related ones that muddy her relationship with Steven), often meaning that we see her resentment and insecurity issues before we see her genuine devotion to Steven. It's good to see her fully concerned and affectionate again, no strings attached.
- When Steven asks to be weighed down with items in order to fall faster, Pearl drapes a jacket over him with a tender expression. It didn't help Steven's purpose, but its sweet to see what her priorities were.
- She gets disappointed when Steven, in his rush to get to the Big Donut, forgets to hug her on the way out. Hopefully. she did eventually get that hug she wanted (and knowing what a Cuddle Bug Steven is, she did with interest).

Drop Beat Dad

Steven helping Sour Cream with his show.
- Steven's speech about roadies. He loves the spotlight, and he wants to make sure everyone else loves being in it too.
Steven's response when he sees his dad's old jerk manager is back in town? Declare he'll protect his dad!
Yellowtail's Papa Wolf reaction to seeing the jerk who knocked up his wife and abandoned his stepson.
Yellowtail proving he cares more about Sour Cream than Marty does by getting his DJ gear at the last minute to salvage the show.
- Before that Yellowtail left the show to get the gear and Greg called out to him to stay, thinking he was leaving in a huff:
  Greg: Yellowtail, come back! Your son needs you!
- And after Yellowtail brings him his gear, Sour Cream calls him "dad" for the first time. Aww.
Sour Cream not just Calling the Old Man Out, but speaking the same gibberish as Onion and Yellowtail while doing so.
When Sour Cream sees Marty again, he goes for a hug and instead gets a rather impersonal handshake. At the end, he sheepishly offers Yellowtail a handshake, obviously remembering what Marty had done earlier, only for Yellowtail to grab him into a big hug.
Yellowtail, Vidalia, and Onion attending Sour Cream's rave. The moment can be seen here.
- Earlier in the episode, Yellowtail can be seen sheepishly waiting for the show to start in the crowd near Greg.
Greg receiving $10,000,000 at the end of the episode. Given the implications of his financial situation, it's well deserved.
- The fact that Marty was willing to give Greg the check at all, especially when it's revealed that the only reason he helped Sour Cream was for the money. He told Greg he was "legally obligated" to give him the check, so that may indicate that there is at least one line Marty won't cross.
Despite his flaws (his many, many, many flaws), even Marty seems to like Steven, and is never rude or cruel to him. It's not much, but it's the best we can hope for from him.
When Steven heads out on stage to do a mic check, somebody in the audience cheers "Woo! Steven Universe!" The whole town loves this kid.
Yellowtail and Sour Cream's interactions as a whole can come across as this for kids who may struggle with their own stepparents. They may butt heads, but they do care about each other and it's made clear that Yellowtail doesn't consider him any less his son than he does Onion. Despite their problems, Yellowtail wholeheartedly loves Sour Cream and wants him to be happy.

Mr. Greg

The fact that Greg is so completely content with his life with Steven that there's next to nothing he can think of to use the money he's come into for. He's got everything he could ever want as it is.
What do I do, with all this money? I'd rather just spend time with you
- His only idea? Putting Steven through college. Steven's first idea? A house and car for Greg.
Steven drags Pearl along to Empire City with him and his dad even though they don't get along all the time. Turns out, he actually did it on purpose because he wants to get them to talk about their feelings and make up.
One of Pearl's lines is about how she's just happy to spend time with Steven.
Pearl is utterly confused about what is going on when they arrive at the hotel, leading to the point where Steven and Greg stare at her mischievously from the pool... but instead of throwing her into the pool, they dress her into a suit as well.
The Universe's giving large tips to the hotel staff.
Pearl and Greg bonding over their memories and shared love of Rose and realizing they're not so different. The episode ends with them happily chatting away in the van on the drive home.
Pearl and Greg dancing. Let us repeat that: Pearl, and Greg, dancing. The ultimate symbol of love and trust in this series, and Pearl and Greg are doing it with each other. They are half a step away from fusing.
- This gets even more emphasis by the pose that Pearl and Greg have at the end since it reflects the pose of Pearl and Rose during fusion, only with Pearl now holding on instead of being dipped.
Steven probably realized that Rose loved both of them as well and would have wanted them to get along.
- The pink glow that encompasses them both when Steven sings "you both love me and I love both of you." It almost seems like Rose is singing through Steven — and given the mysterious nature of the whole thing, it's not entirely implausible that she isn't.
In the end, after so many years of not being able to talk to each other, Greg and Pearl communicate in the only way they have left: Dancing. The symbol of love, trust, and friendship in the series, and it is once again used to mend a relationship.
Even though they were romantic rivals, it seems like Pearl and Greg never really hated each other.
There a bit of understated heartwarming in Pearl's song It's over. isn't it?. She's singing to Greg (the lyrics address him), despite him being asleep, but not one bit of it is insulting. The lyrics give a bit of insight into Pearl and Rose's relationship and Pearl's mindset. She's effectively confiding in Greg (even if he doesn't know about it).
The fact that the show never punishes Greg for his extravagance. The bill is long enough for him to cringe at, but there's absolutely nothing to indicate he blew through all of it, or even most of it. Because let's face it... if anyone deserves one night of throwing money around, it's Greg Universe.
- This is confirmed later in "Beach City Drift", where Greg references the fact that he is still rich.
- Fans have calculated the possible maximum price of all of their one-night amenities at around $250,000. That's still extremely expensive by average standards, but nowhere expensive enough to put anything but a very small dent in Greg's money. (Only about 2.5% of his total money)

Too Short to Ride

Steven giving Peridot her tablet, which she very much enjoys.
Amethyst and Steven spend the better part of a day trying to help Peridot learn how to use shapeshifting after finding out she's incapable of doing so.
Amethyst, after Peridot snaps at Steven and her by claiming that shapeshifting is an insult to their natural form, doesn't get mad. She simply looks at Peridot and asks what's really bothering her. This proves Amethyst really does care about Peridot and understands that Peridot tends to lash out when mad or upset, much like herself, so doesn't hold it against the little green Gem.
Amethyst reassures Peridot after the other gem is shown to be insecure about herself and her abilities, saying that they like Peridot for who she is. It's nice because Amethyst's had to deal with the same sort of self-esteem issues herself, and now she's helping others with them.
Amethyst: (to Peridot) This whole time we've been here you've just been focusing on what you can't do, of course you're not having any fun. You think that all you are is what you could be. But we don't hang out with you because of who you COULD be! We like YOU.
Peridot's discovery of her power to move things at a distance once more demonstrates that there is more to a gem than what Homeworld designs them to do.
Peridot's adorable reaction to the stuffed alien and Amethyst and Steven's determination to help her win it.
This episode was just a good day for Peridot. She gets a tablet from Steven, discovers she has ferrokinesis, and then uses said ability to win the stuffed alien that she adored.
Peridot and Amethyst's final lines in the episode:
Amethyst: (After Peridot uses her newly found ferrokinesis to win the stuffed alien she wanted) Give it up for Pei-Pod!
Peridot: No, give it up for the Shorty Squad.
Peridot's Twitter account is mostly hilarious, but she does have a sweet moment at the end of the (both in and out of universe) day:
PERIDOT: DEAR INTERNET I BECOME MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT EVERY DAY
PERIDOT: ... AND SO DO MY FRIENDS

The New Lars

Sadie and Lars actually getting closer as the episode ends.
Jenny, Buck, and Sour Cream rushing to Steven's defense after Lars regains his body.
Steven apologizing for his actions to Lars and even giving an apology letter. And even though Lars, understandably, rips it up, Steven doesn't get angry, knowing that he crossed a line.

Beach City Drift

Greg still has a big chunk of his royalties left, so he doesn't care about Kevin's jerkiness. Nice to see him doing OK.
Steven and Connie deciding to continue the race for themselves as opposed to trying to get back at Kevin.
- Once they resume the race on that resolve, they start enjoying themselves again. They even enjoy the view of Beach City, taking in its beauty and splendor as they drive. Once again, they are an experience, and a good one at that.
Stevonnie being the bigger person when they lost the race, even congratulating Kevin and showing an overall positive attitude despite it frustrating Kevin to no end.
Even though they lost Ronaldo and Jenny still rooted for Stevonnie when they got back. In addition, Jenny was just about to go up the mountain to check on Stevonnie after they had stopped unexpectedly until they had began driving again.
Steven's Berserk Button getting mashed hard where Kevin is concerned, to the point where he freely declares he hates him. The thing that triggers it? Kevin being a jerk to Greg.
- While Kevin being a jerk to Greg is what mashes the Berserk Button in this episode, the only reason that button exists is because of what happened in "Alone Together": Kevin being a pushy, inconsiderate jerk and invading his and Connie's personal space. Since we've seen Steven attacked, imprisoned, and nearly killed multiple times, one can assume he's more upset about how uncomfortable and violated Kevin made Connie feel, especially since it was Connie's half that was having the panic attack during "Alone Together".
Throughout the episode Connie (and later Stevonnie) wears a jacket that is identical to (and probably is) the one her father wears.
It's nice to see Ronaldo at the race and possibly accepted by the Cool Kids since it's been implied that he isn't really accepted around town.

Restaurant Wars

Jenny Pizza calling her sister Kiki "the cutest girl in Beach City".
- She then gives her sister a raspberry kiss on the cheek. As seen here.
When Mr. Fryman and Kofi find out that Ronaldo and Kiki are allegedly dating, they are completely supportive of the relationship and (almost) agree to stop the war because "love is a beautiful thing".
Fryman: Well, Kofi, love is a beautiful thing.
Kofi: Yes, love is beautiful. We must end this feud in order for this love to blossom.
Ronaldo having a girlfriend... until he loses her.
- A small note — Ronaldo calls Jane (his girlfriend), "ohime". What does that mean? Princess.
- After the breakup, there were a few sad posts on Keep Beach City Weird about it, one of which is Ronaldo desperately wishing Jane could take him back. She liked it.
Considering how the rest of the Crystal Gems tend to stay out of matters that aren't directly Gem related, and generally treat most human matters with a degree of apathy, seeing them step up and help Steven create a restaurant in order to end the restaurant war is pretty sweet. Even if they most likely only did it for Steven's sake.

Kiki's Pizza Delivery Service

Steven immediately apologizes for going into Kiki's dream when he realizes it, clearly feeling guilty about going into her mind. She isn't mad, but he shows how mature the little guy is about using his powers.
Kiki being so grateful for Steven's help that she even gives him free pizza.
Both the real and dream!Jenny quickly understand when Kiki puts her foot down, agreeing she deserves a break.
When Steven admits he can't keep up going into Kiki's dreams to protect her, Kiki completely understands.

Monster Reunion

A small moment: Pearl stopping Steven from using his healing spit, because she doesn't want him touching a broken plate.
When Centipeetle reforms but is still partially corrupted, Steven assumes she just needs more healing magic and gives her a sweet kiss on her gem. Unfortunately, her gem is also her eyeball so it smarts a bit, but the thought counts.
Centipeetle remembering her love of Chaaaps chips after Steven sings a part of the jingle, even making her own rendition of the song and 'singing' the rest of the jingle with Steven.
Steven suggests that he and Centipeetle communicate through art, and draws a picture of himself. Centipeetle takes the picture and draws a stick figure of herself holding Steven's hand.
Steven: You remember we were buds!
Centipeetle: Ye-aah!
The reason Centipeetle stayed behind? She was looking for her crew.
The ending. Even though Steven couldn't uncorrupt Centipeetle in the end, he was able to take her back to her crew, who had been waiting for her this whole time. And the other Crystal Gems let her stay there, unbubbled, with her friends.
- In addition to this, its shown that Centipeetle still has the sentience she gained when Steven healed her, meaning that she isn't just a mindless beast anymore.
- Centipeetle's crew knew full well that the entire planet was about to be attacked by something that would very likely kill everyone and everything on it and they had a very short time to escape, they still stayed behind for their captain. Even as corrupted monsters, they're clearly happy to have her back after thousands of years.
- Even better, considering they're all clearly the same type of Gem as Centipeetle, and might have been tailor-made to be her crew, it's very possible they're the closest things Gems get to being her family.
Steven coming between Centipeetle and the gems when they try to "poof" her, refusing to let her be hurt.
The entire episode serves as one for Steven, as he managed to give Centipeetle something she hasn't had for at least 6,000 years; someone to listen to her and try with all of their might to help her. He may not have been able to fix her body, but he fixed her mind enough to let her find her crew and the gratitude she showed for his effort is absolutely heart-melting. He really lived up to his Friend to All Living Things status in this episode.
When they leave the ship. Centipeetle and her crew are peacefully cuddling each other.
Centipeetle is explicitly shown to have fought on Homeworld's side during the war but unlike the other gems who were affected by the rebellion such as Lapis and Peridot, she doesn't seen to hold it against them when she regains her mind.
Centipeetle is still a fundamentally damaged and broken, but that doesn't lessen her value as a person. She still cries, has complex feelings, cohesive thoughts, can communicate in writing, is intelligent enough to recognize her own reflection in a mirror (akin to Peridot in Steven's bathroom.), and is not dismissed is incredible. The Crystal Gems were ready to dismiss her the moment it was clear she wasn't "right", but Steven sticks by her and, through compassion and patience and just trying to understand her, figures out what she wants. Even as her humanoid form is failing and she's turning beastly again he still sticks by her.
A small one, but Amethyst was clearly uncomfortable when asked to poof Centipeetle and was visibly relieved when everyone agreed to let her stay un-bubbled. Given that Amethyst has been shown to be previously unsympathetic towards others at times, and is clearly feeling some sympathy towards Centipeetle shows some emotional growth for her.
- At the same time, Garnet shields Steven from having to watch Centipeetle get poofed.

Alone at Sea

Greg renting a boat to help Lapis overcome her fear of water despite having previously having been attacked by her, written a "The Villain Sucks" Song about her, and her not remembering who he was.
And despite some initial awkwardness and Lapis' previously standoffish behavior, the two seemed to genuinely get along. Throughout their whole trip, Greg strove to be understanding, friendly, and kind, while Lapis was polite and made an apparent effort to get along with him.
- Special mention to how Greg leaves Steven and Lapis in the captains room since Lapis actually enjoys honking. Instead of being annoyed or similar, he just decided to leave and do something else, leaving them to have fun on their own.
- Similary, Lapis wanting to help Greg catch a fish. She overdoes it and it is a bit awkward for both her and Greg, but it's sweet to see her make an effort for a human other than Steven.
Lapis defending Steven against Jasper, punching her sheer across the horizon!
- To say nothing of Steven immediately interposing himself between Jasper and Lapis in an effort to deter the maniacal, deranged Homeworld Gem.
Steven hugging Lapis after the event, actually managing to make her genuinely smile despite how badly the confrontation had affected her.
Even though she doesn't appear in this episode directly, Peridot's Twitter account (updated in time with the show's east coast airing) has a heartwarming moment all itself. During the episode, it has her fooling around with things, experimenting with her powers, and planning to show things to Lapis when she gets back. At the end, it implies she immediately noticed something was wrong when Lapis got home and dropped everything to comfort her.

Greg the Babysitter

The present timeline has Steven helping Greg at "It's A Wash".
Greg waiting by the warp pad to spend time with Rose.
- A small one: when Rose starts dancing the background changes to Love Bubbles, evidently in Greg's POV.
- One time when she returned, she gently lifts his head to kiss him.
- Another moment has Rose playfully throwing Greg up in the air and catching him.
- Greg falling asleep in the beach and Rose watching him with a smile. For hours.
- Garnet and Amethyst look happy to see Greg every time they warp in or out as well.
- The song it plays during the montage:
And me, I guess I'm content to be on the arm of someone who is as incredible as you/ I always did believe that love is all you need to be a happy man...
Despite being annoyed at his freeloading, Vidalia allows Greg a place to stay and washes his clothes when he spills milk on them.
Sour Cream copying his mother's actions.
Vidalia's worn out from being a single parent, with an infant that's still eating mushed up carrots and the father nowhere in sight. She doesn't let her fatigue get in the way of being a good mother, or threatening Greg that she will destroy him if anything happens to Sour Cream.
Rose's dialogue about how humans grow and change is heartwarming in itself.
Rose: (to Greg) When a Gem is made, it's for a reason. They burst out of the ground already knowing what they're supposed to be, and then...that's what they are. Forever. But you [humans], you're supposed to change. You're never the same, even moment-to-moment. You're allowed and expected to invent who you are. What an incredible power...the ability to grow up.
Rose's cute interactions with Baby!Sour Cream.
Although it's disturbing that Rose like Peridot had no idea about human fragility, she understands it better than Peridot did. She immediately tries to figure out the logic of it when Greg asks her why she let Sour Cream climb the Ferris Wheel, and follows his lead to rescue the baby.
Rose going into protective mode when Greg gets in danger.

Gem Hunt

Steven not losing his desire to try and help the Corrupted Gems, even after his failure to fully heal Centipeetle.
Steven squealing over Connie's first mission and taking loads of pictures for her parents.
Pearl being a protective mom as usual but also trusting the kids to go off on their own and praising Connie when she was disappointed in herself for being scared.

Crack the Whip

Amethyst recognizing that Connie's feeling upset due to the previous mission's failure, and giving her and Steven a fun day off to help them relax.
Steven and Connie playing in the ocean together, each saying the other is the best.
When Jasper insult Amethyst, saying that she's an overcooked runt, Amethyst says that Rose told "she's perfect the way she is".
Steven and Connie becoming Stevonnie and leaping to Amethyst's defense.
- The fact that they fused on instinct without meaning to—they're just that in tune with each other.
Lion nuzzles Stevonnie just before they clash with Jasper.
Amethyst forcing herself to regenerate as fast as she could in order to protect Steven and Connie from Jasper.
A small note — Kiki and Jenny are shown hanging out together.
There's something sweet about the fact that, despite everything that Jasper did and her trying to outright shatter Amethyst... Stevonnie repeatedly gives her chances to apologize for her actions. Most heroes would say This Is Unforgivable!, but not a fusion of Steven and Connie.

Steven vs. Amethyst

Pearl's reaction when Steven tells her that Stevonnie fought off Jasper. Instead of (understandably) freaking out, she's just proud of how all of their training paid off.
Steven asking Amethyst along to training in an attempt to cheer her up.
The Holo-Pearls are much more genial this time around, saying things like "defeat accepted".
When Steven realizes that Amethyst is bummed out over having performed poorer than him during Pearl's training lessons, he challenges her to a fighting game, then purposefully throws the fight so Amethyst will have something to feel proud about. It's doesn't work, but still.
When it comes down to a sparring match between the two of them, Amethyst marvels at the kind of techniques that Steven's pulling off (albeit subconsciously)—she may be jealous of his improvement, but she won't let it stop her from complimenting him.
- It actually is as funny as it is heartwarming, but Steven joins in as well, ending with both throwing some really angry sounding yet genuine compliments at each other as if they were insults. As angry and frustrated as both get, Amethyst is awed by how far Steven has come and Steven is still extremely impressed with what Amethyst is capable of.
After their attempt at ending the fight with a Cross Counter fails hilariously (both of them so exhausted by this point that they miss and collapse next to one another), Steven and Amethyst both end up laughing at the absurdity of the situation.
Although there are moments where they seem to be getting carried away, they spend the whole fight complimenting each other. Even after what seems to be a particularly serious attack, with Amethyst slamming Steven down into the ground with her whip, she stops to ask if he's okay.
Steven admits to Amethyst that he knows what it's like to feel outclassed; even with all his improvement, he still feels inferior to Rose.

Bismuth

Garnet and Pearl's utter glee at having Bismuth back, with Pearl positively wailing Bismuth's name in tearful delight.
- Their subsequent interactions are quite adorable, as they playfully banter like old friends(?).
- At one point, Garnet joyfully hooks Pearl into a one-armed hug in the background.
Bismuth accepting Amethyst and Steven as her friends and teammates instantly.
Bismuth treating Amethyst like any other quartz, never once bringing up her height and complimenting her whip. After what Jasper did to her, it's nice to see someone outside the Gems we know genuinely compliment her.
Bismuth: Not every Quartz can make a whip like this.
Bismuth telling Steven how, after ages of building things on orders from elite Gems, Rose asked her what she wanted to make.
Steven confesses to Bismuth the terrible pressure he feels living up to Rose's legacy. Bismuth tells him that he can be even greater by just being himself. It's the first time someone has told him that.
As heartwrenching as it is, Steven doing what Rose wouldn't: tell the Crystal Gems exactly what happened to Bismuth and why it happened is definitely a heartwarmer. It seems that A) rejecting Bismuth's ideas concerning the breaking point, B) poofing Bismuth, and most importantly C) hiding what happened to Bismuth really did a number on her. When the fight with her and Steven breaks out, she sees it as the same situation happening all over again. And up until the end it seems as though she's right. She fights "Rose" over the same reason as before and ends up about to be poofed and bubbled. So Bismuth has every right to believe she'll be bubbled and forgotten without even a reason why. That Steven promises to tell the others, to tell Bismuth's friends what happened to her as opposed to being bubbled and forgotten, allows him to provide a small comfort that Rose had not the previous time. It really seems to touch Bismuth as well, as she admits that Steven might be better than his mother. And after Steven returns, true to his word he tells Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl what happened and why. It shows that even to those he fights, Steven shows a great deal of care and consideration, maybe even more than Rose.
- After everything, they put the bubbled Bismuth into the Burning Room and comfort Steven, not at all angry that Steven had to poof and bubble their strongest ally, instead understanding the circumstances that forced Steven to go through the action and accepting it. It goes to show that no matter what happens, Pearl and Garnet will try their best to comfort him.
Before Steven retaliated an attack from Bismuth by throwing back the statue at her, Steven warns her first.
Steven: Bismuth, watch Oooout!
Rose seems to have kept Bismuth's fall a secret in order to not tarnish her memory.
- Think about it. Rose could have done any number of things to keep Bismuth's actions even more of a secret, like shattering her gem, not to hide the fact that Rose fought one of her closest allies, but to prevent another Breaking Point. Instead, Rose kept Bismuth in a bubble because she believed that someday Bismuth could be redeemed.
- Also remember that Rose and Bismuth were in a ziggurat, far away from the other gems. Not even Garnet and Pearl knew where they were or what happened. Rose could have covered up Bismuth permanently with none the wiser forever. And she didn't.
This promo of the gang with Bismuth.
Steven can't even bring himself to "kill" a fake target, and tears up when prompted to do so.
It's oddly adorable how the gems are just hanging out with Steven in the beginning, coaching him while he's playing his video game.
Bismuth, who is very gung-ho about battle, still fully enjoys the "rituals" Steven shows her - playing badminton and cards, making pizzas, and watching television together. The whole group spends a day playing around together, grins all around.
- Also, Steven makes up the couch as a bed so Bismuth can sleep if she wants. MC Bear-Bear is even sitting on the couch, possibly so Bismuth has something to cuddle with. Alternatively, Steven's offering her the use of his bed while he takes the couch. Either way? D'aaaawww!!!!

Beta

Lapis's Little "No" while smiling when Peridot casually demands she fly them to the barn. This requires some explaining. All her life on Earth, Lapis has been forced to do what she doesn't want to do. Nobody accepted her "No's." Peridot cheerfully accepts it without complaint; Peridot's still learning about what's unacceptable to ask for or demand anyways. This may also be how Peridot sucked Lapis into her Camp Pining Hearts fandom. She's not pro- Percy and Pierre per se, but she's against Percy and Paulette (like Peridot is) because she sees denying it as cathartic to her own previous Malachite situation. And from the way Peridot asks, she seemed to know Lapis would say no and asked just to give Lapis the chance to say no (because why else would Peridot ask Lapis to fly them to the building they're directly in front of).
- Peridot just in general making sure what Lapis' boundaries are and not crossing them. For one, when Amethyst says Jasper, Peridot immediately looks over to Lapis in concern and tells Amethyst that she tries not to use the "J-word" loosely. It's a small indication of how much better she's gotten and being sensitive to others' feelings. And before they go off to see the Kindergarten Jasper was made in, Peridot stops to check in on Lapis. She really has come a long way from the cold, dismissive Gem she was first introduced as.
The simple fact that Lapis and Peridot are watching "Camp Pining Hearts" together, snarking at it. They've come quite a ways since "Barn Mates."
Nearly everything about Lapis and Peridot's relationship. Between watching TV together, the easy and familiar way to they talk to each other and Lapis humoring Peridot and taking her enthusiasm in stride, they seem more like sisters than roommates.
- Or perhaps like they may be growing even closer.
Peridot and Lapis putting on a little music show together.
Just look at how happy Lapis is when she sees Steven and Amethyst. After all her previous appearances of being desperate, hurt, shell-shocked, and dealing with guilt, she's finally able to enjoy herself.
Given the timing, it's possible that Peridot redecorated the barn with Lapis to cheer her up after "Alone At Sea", especially since the redecorating seems to have included the two of them going absolutely ham with their powers, and also making meepmorp to express themselves.
- Considering the gap in Peridot's Twitter update, it's possible that's what she's been up to.
- Notice how Peridot and Lapis' little 'loft' is made out of the back of the pickup truck stuck near the roof of the barn? Peridot has never been shown to like heights, nor is she able to get up there easily. Heights are what Lapis likes, and considering the metallic nature of the truck, Peridot probably helped install it there.
Peridot doing her absolute best to cheer Amethyst up after her defeat, which happens to also be the perfect antithesis to what caused the rift between them back in "Too Far."
- Even more so when you realize she practically gives Amethyst the same pep talk she gave her in "Too Short to Ride".
Peridot has adopted the same "thumbs up" system Garnet used with her in teaching Lapis about life on Earth, which Lapis seems to have taken to much more easily.
Even though Lapis' memories of the ocean were tainted by Malachite, she fills her new home with aquariums. She's not letting her trauma control her.
Peridot sacrificed her Alien plushie for its bowtie. She got the plushie because it reminded her of caring and empathy. Nice feelings are nice! But then Lapis comes home after "Alone at Sea" and Peridot realizes that Lapis needs caring and empathy way more, and simulated emotions don't carry over well. So she would have to become the being of caring and empathy. Peridot needs a symbolic gesture for this transformation; so she takes the bowtie from the doll and wears it, thus becoming it. The shell, its soul taken, is discarded. (Sorry buddy, you're just a a doll, this is my barnmate.) Wearing the bowtie represents her support for Lapis, which is why she leaves it with Lapis when she leaves to check out the Beta Kindergarten with Amethyst and Steven.
Peridot checking with Lapis to make sure she's okay after Amethyst brings up Jasper and checking in with her letting her know she's going to be gone in the loudest way possible, both funny and heartwarming as only Peridot can be.
Amethyst saying she wants to beat Jasper not just for herself but for all the imperfect Gems is, in its own way, fairly sweet.
Amethyst: ... And this mess. Yeah, I bet she was great.
It's small, but Peridot's reaction to the caged Corrupted Gems shows some sympathy for them, she may see them as inferior beings due to their Corruption ("Kindergarten Kid") , but she is clearly uncomfortable seeing them caged and willfully mistreated
Peridot: Why? Who would do this!?

Earthlings

Peridot's proclamation to Jasper that she is now a Crystal Gem.
Steven managing to reassure Amethyst after she nearly loses hope. Afterwards, he helps her up and she immediately pulls him close for a hug, causing them to form Smoky Quartz.
Amethyst: Steven, I can't win... no matter what I do, no matter how hard I work, she came out right.. and I came out wrong.
Steven: That's just what Jasper thinks, and she's the only one who thinks you should be like her.
Amethyst: But—
Steven: Stop trying to be like Jasper, you're nothing like Jasper, you're like me! Because we're both not like anybody. And yeah... it sucks. But at least I've got you... and you've got me. (tearing up) So stop leaving me out of this.
Amethyst: (also tearing up) Us worst gems gotta stick together right?
Steven: That's why we're the best.
Smoky Quartz is an incredibly harmonious fusion, with only a single extra arm on their otherwise perfectly humanoid body. It shows just how much Steven and Amethyst care about each other and the power of platonic love.
- They're about as perfect as Garnet. Remember every Gem fusions has the same set of limbs, eyes, or mouth as the number of Gems it takes to fuse them. While Sapphire and Ruby are in perfect unison they have three eyes between them. The same number Garnet has. Therefore there should be four arms like Opal, or at least four eyes like Rainbow Quartz had. Except they don't! They only have three arms and even then the one arm only splits into two at the elbow, so in a strange way they have 2.5 arms vs the 4 fans were expecting! Of course Smokey Quartz's uniqueness as a fusion could be that they're one-quarter human thus a fusion of their status would look more humanoid like Stevonnie...
After the fight is over, Amethyst leans against a comforting Steven, both exhausted. It's a short but sweet moment.
Despite everything Jasper did, Steven still tried to heal her.
Peridot defending the Earth to Jasper.
Jasper: How can you side with Rose Quartz?! Why... Why protect this useless shell of a planet?
Peridot: It's not a shell. There's so much life, living here. That's what I'm doing, living here! I've been learning new things about myself all the time! Like how I can make metal do my bidding!... The point being, Earth can set you free.
Even after everything Jasper put her through, Amethyst still shows some sympathy for her, even referring to her as "sis".
- Amethyst calling Jasper "sis" is a big one. Even though Jasper is completely unrepentant and hurt Amethyst and her friends repeatedly, she realizes just how messed up Jasper is. Jasper is the ultimate quartz, but she is utterly alone and practically incapable of having a healthy relationship, fusion or otherwise. Amethyst stayed in the ground longer than planned, but she was raised with support and compassion. They're both from Earth, and it's just a fluke that Amethyst didn't turn out just as cruel and untrusting as Jasper. So, for just a moment, she shows Jasper some sympathy.
Peridot happily planning to dedicate a new meepmorp to the formation of Smoky Quartz, chatting away to Steven and Amethyst as they leave the warp pad. Given how she looks out for Lapis nowadays, it's also possible that she's putting her newfound empathy skills to good use, lightening the mood and providing a confidence boost after the horror of Jasper's self-inflicted corruption.
Even though she was the most brutal antagonist seen yet, there is something oddly heartwarming about Jasper's attempts to avenge Pink Diamond. Even though Pink Diamond was effectively rendered an Unperson by the other Diamonds, Jasper was still loyal to her until the very end.
- There's also how Jasper was angry about "Rose" stripping away Peridot's limb enhancers, status, and dignity. Despite Peridot declaring her loyalty to the Crystal Gems and trying to distract and antagonize her former escort, Jasper barely responds, accuses Amethyst and "Rose" of taking away everything that would have protected and secured Peridot's position (as a Homeworld Gem, anyway), and sounds more bewildered than enraged when Peridot challenges her to her face.
It's safe to say that Steven Universe is not exactly Jasper's biggest fan, given the number of times she's kicked him around, harmed or nearly killed his loved ones, and displayed callous and violent behavior towards virtually everyone and everything in her path. Despite that, he doesn't want her dead, he really doesn't want her to become corrupted, and he's willing to put aside any sense of personal animosity and try to save her from her self-inflicted doom. And this is before he discovers that most of Jasper's awful conduct seems to stem from her rage and trauma over Steven's mother having shattered their Diamond, Pink Diamond.

Back to the Moon

Eyeball turns out to be a big Hero-Worshipper for Jasper, and is delighted to meet "her" at last.
Eyeball's reaction when "Jasper" pats her on the head and says that she trusts her.
Amethyst is thoughtful enough to ask Lapis if she's cool with playing prisoner.
- Followed by Peridot protectively grabbing Lapis' arm and glaring at the insensitivity.
Garnet going "awww" at the angriest Ruby, Army, and tucking her under the arm. Half of her did used to hang around other Rubies, so it's probably a nice nostalgic moment for her.
- In one scene, it looks like Army fell asleep in her arms. Awww.
All of the Rubies hating on Earth because it "purpled" Jasper. Their eagerness is adorable.
For the whole time on the moon base, Steven and Garnet are holding hands together.
The fact Amethyst doesn't take advantage of the fact she's impersonating Jasper to make her look bad as one would expect her to. If anything, she behaves such that it makes the Rubies like her more than they did (and probably was kinder than the real Jasper would've behaved to them). Shows that Amethyst's sympathy towards her 'sis' in the previous episode is still there.
The return of Sardonyx implies that Garnet and Pearl's trust is completely renewed.

Bubbled

Eyeball and Steven momentarily working together when they hit the asteroids. Eyeball even tells Steven to take cover.
Steven healing Eyeball after her gem gets cracked. Unfortunately, it quickly turns into a tearjerker and Nightmare Fuel.
Steven and the Gem's joyful reunion after they find him in the Ruby ship.
- Made especially poignant with the nearly complete version of "Love Like You" playing.
Garnet explaining to Steven why Rose shattered Pink Diamond; "The Earth belonged to Pink Diamond. Destroying her was all Rose could do... for Amethyst to be herself... for Pearl to be free... for me to be together... for you to exist."
- Steven's reaction to the truth, no matter how hard, is likewise uplifting:
Steven: Thanks for telling me.

Heartwarming / Steven Universe Season 3

Previous

Index

Next

Heartwarming / Steven Universe Season 3

Edit Locked

Previous

Index

Next