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Nightmare Fuel / Steven Universe Season 4

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    Mindful Education 
Mindful Education
  • After having his help rejected several times in season 3, Steven, who has taken almost everything in stride, has what can only be described as an emotional breakdown, caused with horrifying hallucinations of Bismuth, Jasper, Eyeball, and finally, Rose, which causes the music to become very unsettling and distorted. Listen closely, and it appears to be a distortion of Rose's theme.
  • As much as it is just heartbreaking, Steven's hallucinations all culminate into a glaring Rose Quartz, and Steven's subsequent meltdown about how he wasn't able to save Bismuth, Jasper, or Eyeball from their fates all because he's connected to Rose and her actions against them. If it wasn't for Connie snapping him out of it, they would have both died from the fall.
  • The outro music could very well be the atmospheric noise from a horror game.

    Onion Gang 
Onion Gang

    Gem Harvest 
Gem Harvest
  • While it's during a humorous scene, the Background Music that plays while Steven is carving a pumpkin in front of Pumpkin the newly-created pumpkin dog is an unsettling synth track, similar to the Leitmotif used for the Cluster Gems in "Keeping It Together".

    Three Gems and a Baby 
Three Gems and a Baby
  • Pearl, not yet understanding that Rose and Steven are not one and the same, very nearly pulls baby Steven's gem out. She ultimately can't bring herself to do it, but seeing her (as well as Amethyst and Garnet) being so confused about the entire situation is extremely painful.
    Pearl: Rose. I know you're in there. I can let you out! (reaches for Steven's gem, voice starts to break) We'll be... together... again!
  • The way the Gems kidnap Steven. Greg leaves the room to get one of Vidalia's baby books... and when he comes back, Steven and the Gems are gone. By the time he gets outside, they've already taken off in the van. The fact this could easily happen in real life only makes it worse.
    Greg: Steven! My van! (runs after the van) Give me back my babies!

    Steven's Dream 
Steven's Dream
  • Blue Diamond only came to Earth to grieve Pink Diamond. She spends all of her screen-time crying and never even raises her voice, speaking in a gentle brogue. She still ends up being absolutely terrifying, partly because of the Diamond Authority's presence and because of the eerie music that serves as her leitmotif. You also have to remember she coldly demanded Ruby be shattered for the crime of accidentally Fusing with Sapphire, and while she wants to preserve samples from Earth, she still has no qualms about destroying it. The scary part isn't her mannerisms—she simply comes off as a grieving woman. It's the irony. She's talking to Rose Quartz's lover, AKA the husband of Pink Diamond's killer. The eerie music and way her voice never rises above a whisper only make it worse. The effect seems to be building up to her finding out who she's really talking to and suddenly smashing Greg like a pancake. Thankfully, it never happens, but the anticipation is unsettling. Sure, we find out later she's become much less cruel than she was in "The Answer", but her kidnapping Greg instead is more than a little disturbing.
  • Just the fact that one of the Diamonds has been visiting Earth, like it's just this casual jaunt. She then returned to Homeworld before the Crystal Gems managed their faster-than-light trick. Despite the Galaxy Warp being down, Homeworld forces can still reach Earth very, very quickly, much faster than previous ships suggested.
  • The moment when Blue Diamond kidnaps Greg to take him back with her to Homeworld. Steven tries floating after them, but his targets move too fast for him to catch up, and he comes up too short. Garnet is panicking because she foresaw the whole thing, while also seeing that stopping it from happening would cause Blue Diamond to find her and the rest of the Gems.
  • When Steven starts falling back to Earth, he says "Dad" with tears in his eyes. He makes no attempt to bubble himself or fly. Because that at that moment, he just doesn't care what happens to him.
  • How about the fact that Blue Diamond made a freaking human zoo for Pink (even though the latter didn't want it)? And that the Crystal Gems were never able to save the poor humans... just what is it like now after thousand of years?

    Adventures in Light Distortion 
Adventures in Light Distortion
  • Though mostly comedic, a few of the Gems' "shifts" cross into Body Horror territory.
  • When the ship's speed exceeds that of light, stretching out Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl behind the ship over what's implied to be entire light years as they're dragged by their gems, leaving Steven all alone, in a spacecraft that's about to crash into the Human Zoo. The epilepsy-inducing Art Shift does not help matters.

    Gem Heist 
Gem Heist
  • The abusive treatment of the Quartzes by Holly Blue Agate stationed at the zoo gives off horrible implications for Homeworld. After the death of Pink Diamond by a Quartz, society began treating them like dirt because they were literally born from dirt (Earth), resulting in horrible internalization. It may explain why Jasper was so messed up.
  • Just the way Holly Blue Agate casually talks about how Greg was "thrashing about". And then cut to Steven's shocked face. Talk about Lack of Empathy.
  • One of the (larger) Amethysts that the Crystal Gems meet at the start makes a joke about throwing Steven out into space. We already saw this in an earlier episode and the threat of it happening again... okay, yes, it was really a joke, but still...
  • Steven getting stripped of his clothes, analyzed with photos taken, and his ears pierced. This happens to every human brought there, and evokes some rather startling imagery along with Blue Agate's treatment of Steven that reinforces how Gems don't even see humans as sentient beings, just things that come and go and eventually pass away. While it seems peaceful on the inside, the build-up to it makes it feel like Steven's about to get put to slave work or something.

    The Zoo 
The Zoo
  • While treated surprisingly well, the humans at the Zoo effectively have every aspect of their lives decided. When they sleep, what they eat, how they feel - all carefully and efficiently controlled enough that they don't even know what bad feelings or physical pain are.
  • There is also apparently a "breeding program" of sorts, known as The Choosening, to keep numbers up. They do not choose who they get Choosened with, it is determined for them.
  • Humans from 5,000 years ago were taken from Earth and put in a zoo. People from ~3,000 B.C. were taken to a ZOO, placed in a false environment, that is floating in space light years from everything they knew, and were NEVER rescued. They were taken from their homes, never to return.
  • When Greg rejects the other humans at the Choosening, they all immediately break down as if outright traumatized and horrified by the mere thought that someone they liked would reject them. The fact that they practically chase Steven and Greg like a small horde afterwards doesn't help, even if not maliciously.

    That Will Be All 
That Will Be All
  • The reveal that if Yellow Diamond had her way, the entire Rose Quartz species would've been shattered for Rose's rebellion. Yes, Blue Diamond spared them, but it's still a chilling example of Disproportionate Retribution.
  • Although for the rest of the episode she is a Woobie, Destroyer of Worlds, Blue Diamond has a moment of pretty unsettling Tranquil Fury the moment Holly Blue Agate announces Sapphire had completed a task she'd never given her. It makes the situation extremely nerve-wracking.
    Holly Blue Agate: You'll be pleased to know that your Sapphire has completed your special delivery!
    Blue Diamond: (coldly) What special delivery?
    Holly Blue Agate: Erm... The special delivery you requested from Earth, of course!
    Blue Diamond: (eyes narrow) I never asked any Sapphire to go to Earth.
  • When Blue Diamond becomes forlorn at the window of Earth's "specimens" closing because of the Cluster, Yellow Diamond asks Sapphire if it had emerged. When given the answer "no", she turns to Blue Diamond with an unnerving grin, the lighting putting a shadow on her face, and says: "Then there's still time". In other words? She's planning on going back to Earth to "collect" more humans.

    Storm in the Room 
Storm in the Room
  • Connie is unable to get hold of her mother when the latter is extremely late picking her up from Steven's. Her growing panic is not only relatable, but pretty terrifying.
  • The sudden Mood Whiplash when Steven's talking to Cloud Rose. It starts with him talking about how he was always inspired by her portrait... and then devolves into a long stream of accusations and questions, as the clouds begin to swirl and Cloud Rose lifts into the air, her face shrouded in shadow. The constant flashes of lightning don't help.

    Room For Ruby 
Room For Ruby
  • At the end of the episode, when Navy betrays the CGs, she doesn't drop her serene voice, cheerful disposition, or sweet smile the whole time. Turns out she was right about getting mad being the only thing she can't do.
  • The face Navy has while telling Steven the only problem is that he, Lapis, and Peridot are still hanging on after she'd gotten Steven to open the door which caused them to be sucked out. That wide-eyed, wide smile face while doing so is especially unsettling.
  • Some of the music in the episode counts as this. It starts with light, casual music, but then when someone mentions something disturbing, the music plays a Drone of Dread. It's just... unsettling. Some of the stuff the characters say during this period does not help at ALL.

    Doug Out 
Doug Out
  • At the end of episode, it seems the one causing trouble at Funland was Onion, who apparently mistook Steven, Connie, and Doug to be people after him. Steven clears up the situation, everything seems fine, and they drive away. Onion starts walking home, only to hear thudding footsteps behind him. He then turns around to see the ones actually after him. Cue end of episode.
  • Just think of the entire episode from Onion's POV: Sure, he broke into Funland, but then he found himself pursued by not only Steven, Connie and Doug, but also by a pair of aliens with terrible powers that he stood no chance against. All he could do was run, and, when faced with the only person who could possibly help him (Steven), his speech problems left him unable to communicate. Trapped, chased, and unable to call for help. That's some Nothing Is Scarier stuff right there.

    The Good Lars 
  • Lars's abrupt no-show at the potluck. What would normally seem like yet another sad case of him getting cold feet about opening up to others is made quietly unsettling by Steven being unable to find him anywhere when he initially doesn't turn up with Sadie, not helped by how much it clashes with how confident Lars was feeling about the whole thing. As the following episode reveals, there's a good reason for that: This is when he was captured by the same people chasing Onion - judging by his Ube cake being in the garbage can outside Sour Cream's house, he was kidnapped right before he was going to go in and join the party. And the worst part? Sadie and Steven just come to a perfectly logical but wrong conclusion about what happened. Imagine working up the nerve to show off your skills at a get-together with the cool kids, only to be grabbed and taken away just when you're at the doorstep, and your friends, knowing how insecure you are, never realize because they assume you just chickened out at the last moment. Good lord.
  • And if that weren't enough, the episode cuts on those same figures who were after Onion coming up behind Sadie...
    Are You My Dad? 
Are You My Dad?
  • The way the Topaz Fusion carries her prisoners around is terrifying: she unfuses, then Fuses back together around the people, encasing them in her torso. She isn't especially careful or neat about it, haphazardly hanging them around, barely expose enough of their faces to breath, and maybe leaving one limb dangling around helplessly.
  • Aquamarine in general. Whilst initially quite cute and rather silly looking, she shows herself to be a cruel, guileless character, taking childlike glee in imprisoning the humans and playfully spinning around when she uses her wand to launch Steven into a tree and knock him unconscious, doing so with a smile on her face.
  • The build-up to the whole missing-persons plot begins seemingly innocuously, with Steven waiting for a package and the mailman failing to turn up. Then Steven bumps into Sour Cream handing out missing posters of Onion and learns that he hasn't been seen for at least two days. Then he can't find Lars or Sadie and finds Barb instead at the Big Donut, searching for her daughter. Barb doesn't become seriously worried until Steven confirms that Sadie was definitely on her way home the last time he saw her. Barb then says that she saw Jamie just that morning, heading out to deliver Steven’s package. Their slowly coming to the realisation that four people they know have gone missing without a trace, and may have been so for hours, is very unsettling, not just because it takes place in a darkened room and is eerily reminiscent of real-life disappearances.

    I Am My Mom 
I Am My Mom
  • Topaz' response to being attacked directly by Garnet? Expose her torso with all the human hostages sticking out. Naturally, Garnet is stopped in her tracks and Topaz seizes the opportunity to counter-attack. The worries are very strong in this episode, considering that most of the hostages are children.
  • Aquamarine greatly outdoes her appearance in the last episode in the creepiness department, this time displaying several serious expressions. Special note goes to this moment:
    Aquamarine: Hey, Topaz, can you remind me - I mean, my memory is perfect, but... our orders were to bring back these six humans. I'm just not sure, did they specify... (expression changes to a stern one, pictured above) alive?
    (camera shows Steven and the Gems' shocked expressions)
    Aquamarine: (gleeful tone) You know... I don't think they did!
    • This is followed by Topaz gripping Jamie's head threateningly whilst Aqua tells the Gems that, if they care about the humans, they should tell her where "My Dad" is. The fact that they're not only willing to use hostages, but that she acts so gleeful and taunting about it is truly terrifying.
    • Jamie's reaction to the above is horrifying too. Jamie has a flair for the melodramatic, but when Topaz grips his head and ever so slightly squeezes, all that he says is "... S-Steven...?" which is so hushed and quiet that it's barely above a whisper. That is the reaction of someone who has dropped all pretense and is very genuinely fearful for his life.
    • And whilst not "creepy" and more terrifying in general, bear in mind that, later in the episode, she manages to effortlessly freeze Alexandrite using her wand. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this toddler-sized, bratty fairy Gem is capable of effortlessly stopping Alexandrite. Sure, she probably wasn't the reason she defused, it was most likely the shock and horror of the Gems at Steven's actions causing them to separate as soon as they could move again, but that's still a lot of power for such a tiny Gem to have, especially since her wand doesn't even seem to be her Gem weapon and is probably easily replicated on Homeworld.
  • Lars' very obvious trauma from being absorbed into Topaz. When Steven splits Topaz and frees the humans, Lars has a realistic panic attack, shaking, sweating and hyperventilating from the terrifying events occurring around him, while being completely oblivious to Sadie's pleas for him to run with her. Even when Sadie is grabbed by one of the Topazes, Lars is barely capable of doing anything other staring horrified at her, and, after considerable effort, gets up looking ready to fight, takes one look at her, and runs away and hides out of fear of the Gem.
    • Aside from Steven and Connie, there is literally no way for any of the other humans to fight back. And considering that Topaz seemed willing to kill one of them earlier, it's sadly completely understandable that Lars' reaction is to run and hide.
  • The episode's ending. Steven reveals that he's Rose Quartz to Aquamarine in order for her to let everyone go, which she does. After the Gems fearfully yell at Steven following it, the episode ends with Topaz and Aquamarine's ship closing and warping away, presumably to Homeworld, as Connie screams out Steven's name. Obviously doubles as a TearJerker.
  • The nature of "the list": Peridot's report to Homeworld after "Marble Madness", the same one where the Crystal Gems identify themselves to Peridot. Aquamarine's dismissive rebuttal of Amethyst repeating their identity, while citing the report, hammers in a rather chilling fact: the Diamonds know of the existence of the Crystal Gems in that specific area, but they just don't care. For four seasons, we have seen the Crystal Gems defy Homeworld gems time and time again, but Homeworld Gems barely even consider them a nuisance without Rose, and are dismissed as "Rose Quartz's old lackeys". Given how Aquamarine easily immobilized Alexandrite, one can't help but realize that Lapis was right - a fight against the modern Homeworld is suicide for the Crystal Gems.

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