Ep 3. Rose Buds

Steven Universe Future season 1 episode 3, titled "Rose Buds," follows Steven as he helps the Crystal Gems with their various problem-solving activities, including repairing their damaged weapons and learning new fighting techniques. As Steven continues to grow and develop new skills, he realizes that he has a special connection to his late mother, Rose Quartz. Drawing on her wisdom and strength, Steven must find a way to reconcile his own identity with that of his mother, who was both a complex individual and a legendary figure in Gem history.

The episode begins with Steven visiting the Crystal Gems at their beach house. He finds Amethyst and Pearl working on their weapons, which have been damaged in various battles and need repair. Steven eagerly offers to help, and soon he is hard at work using his powers to fix the broken parts. However, as he works, he becomes increasingly distracted by memories of his mother, Rose Quartz, and her mysterious past. He wonders why she gave up her physical form to become him, and whether he can live up to her legacy.

As Steven grapples with these questions, he decides to seek advice from his other family members, the humans of Beach City. He visits his friend Connie, who is studying to become a doctor, and asks her about his mother's medical condition. He also talks to his dad, Greg, about his mother's musical talents, and tries to learn more about the songs and melodies she used to create. But despite his best efforts, Steven finds that he can't fully understand his mother's life or her motivations.

Meanwhile, the Crystal Gems are facing their own problems. Garnet has lost her confidence after a recent defeat at the hands of a powerful enemy, and she begins to doubt her abilities as a leader. Peridot and Lapis are struggling to find a new home after the destruction of their old one, and they start to bicker and fight with each other. And Bismuth, who has only recently returned from being bubbled for millennia, is trying to find her place in the group and reconnect with her old friends.

As Steven moves between these different storylines, he begins to see the ways in which his mother's influence has shaped each of the Gems in their own unique ways. He discovers that Garnet, for example, derives her strength from a confidence in her own vision of the future, while Peridot and Lapis find comfort in their shared love of technology and the natural world. And Bismuth, who was once a close friend of Rose Quartz, struggles with her own memories of their past together.

Throughout the episode, Steven also grapples with his own identity as the son of Rose Quartz. He is torn between wanting to live up to her expectations and wanting to forge his own path in the world. At one point, he even tries to emulate his mother by creating a magical garden, but his efforts fall short. In the end, Steven realizes that he must accept himself for who he is, rather than trying to become someone he's not.

Overall, "Rose Buds" is a thoughtful and emotional episode that explores the complexity of Steven's relationships with his family and friends. Through his interactions with the Crystal Gems, he learns to appreciate their unique strengths and abilities, as well as the ways in which they have been shaped by his mother's legacy. And through his own personal journey, he discovers that he has the power to create his own destiny, even in the face of his mother's shadow.