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GC13, Ken, and Dakota think that #StevenBomb2.0 is starting off on the right foot: if Sworn to the Sword is any indication of what we’re in store for, it’s going to be a great week (with a podcast episode every day!).
So of course the new opening (with its apparent anime influences) come up, as do the songs in the episode. Pearl’s claiming of being inspired by knighthood, a concept less than 2,000 years old, before the rebellion is also brought up. Is it an error, an indication of a rebellion that only happened after the Kindergarten was shut down, or does Pearl not keep close tabs on human culture?
The eagerness with which Pearl indoctrinated Connie was also rather hardcore. Perhaps you could say that Pearl was overzealous? (We’re saying it for her own good.)
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The axe that the gem used against Rose was not the same axe as the one that Amethyst now has in her room. It only has one blade, “Jasper/Amethyst”s Axe had two blades on it in Pearls flashback.
I don’t think Pearl’s Freudian slip at the end was too jarring. I imagine she was reliving a similar argument she had with Rose about her sacrificing herself on the battlefield. Also she was sure projecting a lot in this episode *insert silly Steven emoticon here*
Pearl picking up the concept of knighthood from humanity still fits in with the time line “if” and this is a big “if “, Humanity already had an advanced civilization at the time of the Gempire’s arrival on earth. Such as Atantis,Lemuria,Ultima Thule, ect.
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That could also make a lot of sense. That was some very, very nice human-style armor Rose Quartz kept in her armory. I wonder if those were human champions who fought against Gems in the arena.
Oh I’ve got an unwritten fan fiction about Ancient Humanity and their contact then much later war with the Gempire. And the one who survived to the modern day.
It’s pretty clear from the episode that rose was NOT the reason Pearl felt that way about herself. She was born into a caste society where a gem’s work and social class is determined by their gem, she was indoctrinated by the SOCIETY, it’s worth noting for thousands of years. Rose actively discouraged that in Pearl, as we can see in the argument that plays out “WHY WON’T YOU LET ME DO THIS FOR YOU ROSE.” And “She made me feel like everything.” Rose knew that she was not more important than Pearl and encouraged the gems to embrace themselves and their differences.
I didn’t find the pacing off or too abrupt at all. She was projecting through the whole song, the outburst was very much lead up to. Actually really glad to see it addressed head on.
LOVE THE NEW INTRO.
you didn’t really mention it, but it really seems like Steven’s getting a handle on his powers now. He summons his shield when the other gems call their weapons in the new intro and uses the warp pad himself, and in this episode he both summons the shield and bubbles on command, even dispelling the bubble easily when he mistakenly calls it in reaction to holo-pearl. Really glad to see him coming into his own and ESPECIALLY LOVED seeing Connie and Steven fight side by side. Very much looking forward to more.
I agree that it was lead up to, def not saying it came out of no where. But that particular outburst was just too abrupt for that scene and conversation (for my taste). Making the build up in that scene specifically last another minute or two would have helped a lot (imo), but 11 minutes is just 11 minutes.
And I did talk about how cool it is that Steven is developing into an action hero. Super excited about that.
Guys. Guys. Guys….. Fajitas all the way
The reasons that Connie is so willing to take up what Pearl is offering is fairly well laid out in earlier episodes. Before Connie meets Steven she was extremely lonely and after they meet she is constantly questioning why he would hang out with her, pointing to some long standing self-esteem issues. She is an idealist and longtime believer in the kind of sprawling fantasy epic that could lend itself to the kind of story Pearl is telling. Steven truly has a grand legacy and destiny; it begs the question of what someone would be willing to give up to be a part of their favorite story.
What Peal is offering is so seductive because for all there is wrong with what she is saying it has an element of truth, even some the darker elements about being prepared to die being a real advantage. Pearl sells it so well because it’s a philosophy she lived and believed in completely not just something she is saying. In addition I think Pearl shares something of a common perspective with Connie.
Pearl is fundamentally giving focus and validation to Connie’s natural tendencies, even her fears and self-doubts are being utilized instead of being overcome; I think in much the same way Pearl used her own. Thankfully Steven manages to bring things back around to a much brighter place providing the same counterpoint to Connie’s insecurities that she did to his in Full Disclosure.