I really like how Steven acted more “childish” than usual in Friend Ship- it reminded me about how in really serious situations, kids often try to act silly to lighten the mood because they don’t know how else to respond to such tension. While Steven has matured considerably as of late, let’s not forget that he still is a kid, and he still is thrown into situations he probably can’t fully process or cope with because of his youth. I’ve seen some people be put off by how silly he acted at times in the episode, but I suppose I thought that was the point- it is awkward, and tense, and Steven is just trying to make it a little less so, because he doesn’t know what else to do to make it better. Not only that, but alongside his age-appropriate behavior he was still whipping out his shield left and right, so it wasn’t like they regressed his character like some people are claiming.

Also now I’m curious about how Garnet fuses perfeclty in size ((human-sized)) and limbs ((still two arms and two legs)) but both participants maintain their eyes, since we now know Sapphire only has one eye. I figure that while they are a perfect fusion, it does go to show that even “perfect” couples often see the world differently and have differences because of it. Though, as we saw in this episode, successful couples are able to compromise and find solutions and common ground even when they do disagree and what’s in line with the theme of the show at its core is that successful bonds are formed upon communication. I love this show so much, there aren’t even words to express my adoration.

The more we see of it, the more we find out just how complex fusion is. I don’t think it really dawned on me until recently how a fusion is an entirely new entitity… when they’re fused well. Garnet only talked as Ruby and Sapphire when on the brink of splitting, as did Amethyst and Pearl when about to split from being Opal.

I don’t know the specifics of such a merged consciousness, but it seems that as long as the participants in a fusion are cosenting, they do maintain an entirely new entity with it’s own personality derived from the personalities of its participants. I was a bit confused at first because Sardonyx doesn’t act like Pearl or Garnet- but then I realized it was because she wasn’t Pearl and Garnet mashed together. Sardonyx is legitimately her own character, with her own personality that simply highlights some of the traits of her components.

And now I’m thinking so much more deeply about all of the fusions, and the extent of their converged consciousness and individuality as a separate sentience.

Half of me wants to sit down and write a twelve page dissertation on all the intricate analysis that can be made of this episode and yesterday’s.

But all that seems to come out “LOOK AT ALL THE GAY SPACE BABIES SO GAY SO SPACE WOW.”

Okay but can we just appreciate how real of a reaction Steven had. Sure, he didn’t do anything, and he probably knows that. But like most kids and a lot of adults, we see so much bad stuff around us that even if we had no part, we start to thing it’s our fault since it keeps happening around us. It’s scarily common in families where the parents are divorced, or in any sort of situation like that. I think it was a great commentary on the matter and really reminds us that Steven really is still a kid who is trying to figure this stuff out, and does begin to think it’s his fault when the viewers and the other characters know it’s anything but.

Also comorbitidty is a very common occurrence with both mental and physical illness so let me just make it abundantly clear that at the very least, I believe Pearl has OCD and PTSD, with possible other illnesses.

Current SU neuroatypical headcanons:

-Pearl has PTSD
-Steven has autism
-Amethyst has BPD
-Connie has some form of an anxiety disorder, specifically something along the lines of social anxiety with panic attacks.

You can disagree with these at your discretion but until given absolute canon to prove it, I’m holding to these. //Even then I’ll appreciate these sentiments so whatever.//

It is really important to me to headcanon Pearl with PTSD.