When Steven Universe wrapped up Season 5, it truly felt like a new path had begun. Steven Universe: The Movie further highlighted the new era, and with a 2-year time jump between Steven Universe and Steven Universe Future, the changes in characters and how far they've come is very evident.
The show is still just as clever, funny, and heartwarming as before, but now, the problems appear to be emerging more from Steven this time around, who is afraid of change and of feeling unneeded. In his existential crisis, he keeps taking it out on the people around him. As there are only 10 episodes so far, it remains to be seen what else will happen, but these episodes are a great start and here's how they stack up.
Guidance
"Little Homeschool" is the name for the new Gem education hub in Beach City that was formed over the 2-year time jump. While the Gems are educated on how to mingle there and find themselves, they tend to cross over to Beach City to live once they're set.
In "Guidance," Steven meets with Amythest to see how the Gems are fitting in. However, he feels they fit in too well, essentially doing the same thing they did on Homeworld. Unsatisfied, he decides to have them try out other roles and throws everyone out of their comfort zone in a misguided attempt to help them try new things. Hijinks ensue.
It's a fairly predictable and basic episode with a nice Smoky Quartz appearance, but other than that, it doesn't offer too much.
A Very Special Episode
Onion-centered episodes always get weird. "A Very Special Episode" is not really that special, but it's a good enough time. Essentially, Steven has to juggle multiple responsibilities regarding taking care of Little Homeschool and babysitting Onion, and steadily gets driven batty as he tries to go back and forth.
The whole episode is made in a kids' TV show episode style (even more than usual), complete with a little musical number from Radio Quartz 2.0, and heavy-handed pandering. It's pretty self-aware and amusing but doesn't contribute to a larger story.
Bluebird
Steven Universe Future, while exploring a new phase of Steven's life, does like to explore the past and a few unresolved plot threads here and there. Here two of his foes unite (literally); Aquamarine and "Eyeball" Ruby. Their fusion, called "Bluebird," is insistent on pranking Steven and getting revenge for his revolution on the old system, which they both were ranked highly in.
The episode is charmingly amusing, but a major event causes perhaps the most drastic change in the show for Steven's father, Greg. It's a massive bummer.
Little Homeschool
Steven Universe Future's first episode is perfectly adequate. A long term feud with one of the most unrelenting foes, Jasper, gets unearthed again.
While every other Gem has made full use of Little Homeschool, Jasper is still incredibly bitter towards the Crystal Gems, especially Steven. Despite his best efforts, Steven's attempt to stay patient fails, and he learns he has a new sort of rage ability. This new problematic power is the focus of many episodes in the show as Steven's calm facade begins to crumble. It's an intriguing first step.
Prickly Pear
First, there was Watermelon Steven. Now, there is Cactus Steven. Through his magic healing saliva, Steven has a tendency to give plantlife sentience. Little Cactus Steven has only one role model, Steven, so he models his behavior after his father figure.
"Prickly Pear" is the final episode of the initial batch of 10, so the previous episodes were establishing the rage problem Steven was dealing with. It comes to a head here, when Cactus Steven becomes a major threat, lashing out at everyone nearby and causing chaos.
Why So Blue?
Any episode featuring Lapis Lazuli can get pretty emotionally overwhelming. "Why So Blue?" is actually an exception to the rule, as it carries a fairly light tone.
Lapis and Steven come across 2 other Lapis Lazulis terraforming a planet and decide to try and get them to try something else to the time. Lapis is shocked to see how similarly they remind her of her old self and grows frustrated with their sarcasm and blasé attitude.
The episode is surprisingly hilarious. Likewise, seeing Lapis take control of herself and not be controlled by her past is a refreshing change of pace, showcasing her arc's completion. Now if only we could see where Lapis' relationship with Peridot goes.
Snow Day
Sometimes, a little nostalgia for the old, simple days of Steven Universe can pop up. "Snow Day" is an homage to the old low-stakes days (and short, neckless Steven) that reveals it's not just the audience, but the characters who also miss those days from time to time.
The episode is fun, somewhat thrilling, and sweet. It's basically a game of hide-and-seek in the snow. Steven and the Crystal Gems come to reconcile that the change they always knew would come has happened, and adjusting can be a little melancholic, but they're happy with where they are.
Rose Buds
Lately, as Steven Universe keeps churning out episodes, the mysterious aura and the legend of Rose Quartz fizzles out, and the real story begins to become clear. Rose was a very complicated person, guilty of both great and terrible things. As the truth of the bad things continually comes up, because it affects everyone in the show, the characters have a hard time reconciling that the person they loved did awful things. Things that haunt them into the present.
In "Rose Buds," several other Rose Quartz Gems crash around the Crystal Gems' house, and make everyone uncomfortable, because they look and sound like Rose. And while they haven't by any means done anything wrong whatsoever, they serve as a trigger for everyone in the house. The stakes are low, but the emotional situation is ridiculously intense, so the episode's plot revolves around Steven working up a diplomatic approach to dealing with the situation.
Little Graduation
People all have their own lives and agendas, and while we want them to do what's best for themselves, a selfish part of ourselves also wants to keep them around for our own sake. Steven's biggest weakness is probably that line of thought consistently serving to hold him down.
He's very empathetic, has a hero complex, and is highly sensitive. It's a bit of a concerning combo. So in a world where major threats are, on the whole, mostly eliminated, people can continue to live out their normal lives. Steven's friends are moving on. Sadie has a new partner, Lars is going back to space for adventures, etc. Steven, also used to the thought that Lars and Sadie would end up with each other, and used to their company, freaks out.
The episode deals with a very public incident in which people understand Steven's desire to keep everyone together, but simply can't do that for his sake.
Volleyball
The "Pink Pearl" that was formerly under the control of White Diamond's mind-control picked up the name "Volleyball" while in Beach City. While Steven is helping heal injuries, Volleyball approaches Steven and asks him to fix the massive cracks on her face. Assuming it was from White Diamond, Steven thinks it's out of his hands...only for Volleyball to reveal that Pink Diamond was the one responsible, AKA, Rose Quartz, AKA, Steven's own mother.
The revelation is just a cherry on top of the continual unthreading of Rose's mistakes, but despite the turmoil, Steven and Pearl decide to try to help Volleyball. Pearl and Volleyball both bond, as they share something in common: they both ired and worked for Pink Diamond as her personal Pearl. Likewise, they both begin to realize the problematic issue of putting her on a pedestal. It's a touching and warm episode that explores less about Pink Diamond's dirty laundry and more about how she affected people.