Ep 3. Sworn to the Sword / Rising Tides, Crashing Skies

"Sworn to the Sword" is the third episode of the third season of Steven Universe, a popular animated series. This episode follows Steven and Connie's adventures as they train together to become warriors by Pearl's side. Connie is full of excitement to learn, but Pearl takes their training very seriously and demands total obedience from the duo. As they progress in their lessons, Connie starts realizing the truth behind Pearl's teachings, which causes her to question what it means to be a warrior and whether she really wants to follow Pearl's path. Meanwhile, the second half of the episode, "Rising Tides, Crashing Skies," features Ronaldo Fryman, a conspiracy-theorist blogger, as he tries to investigate a possible alien invasion happening in Beach City.

The first part of the episode, "Sworn to the Sword," is an emotional experience that explores Pearl's character and her past. As the de facto leader of the Crystal Gems, Pearl has always taken her role as a protector very seriously. She was once a warrior who fought for the freedom of her homeworld before defecting to Earth to join the Crystal Gems. Pearl's intensity is especially felt in her training methods, which are quite rigorous and sometimes harsh. She believes that there is no room for error when it comes to being a warrior, and she expects total obedience from those she trains.

Connie, however, brings a different perspective to the table. As a human, she has never had to fight for survival and has no experience with war. She is fascinated by the concept of being a warrior and cherishes the idea of standing by Steven's side, the other half of her favorite duo. However, it soon becomes apparent that Pearl's training goes beyond what Connie expected, and she starts questioning Pearl's methods. Her doubts are compounded when she realizes that Pearl's early life was spent learning to follow orders without question.

As Steven, Connie, and Pearl progress in their training sessions, Connie starts feeling increasingly isolated. This leads her to question her initial eagerness to become a warrior. She and Steven have always been in sync, but she now realizes that Pearl's strict methods threaten this balance. The episode explores the tension and fracture created by Pearl's approach to training, and how it affects both Stevens's and Connie's self-identity.

In "Rising Tides, Crashing Skies," Ronaldo Fryman, a recurring character in the show, takes center stage. Ronaldo is a self-proclaimed fanatic of conspiracy theories, which range from beach city's local restaurants serving alien food to an alien invasion plan. Ronaldo is convinced that an alien invasion is imminent and tries to convince Steven and company to take him seriously. Meanwhile, we see the media frenzy happening in Beach City, as the local reporters try to make sense of what they believe is an alien invasion.

The second part of the episode is a parody of conspiracy theory culture and the news media's propensity to blow things out of proportion. Ronaldo's frantic attempts to prove himself a serious investigator fall on deaf ears as everyone thinks he is simply over-imagining things. His 'evidence' seems flimsy at best, but Ronaldo is convinced that the truth is out there somewhere.

Overall, the episode is a great example of Steven Universe's ability to balance humor and emotional depth. It deals with themes such as self-discovery, the idea of heroism, and loyalty in a way that is approachable for younger audiences but still resonates with adults. The episode is notable for the way it continues to drive the plot forward while also exploring the personalities and relationships of its characters. The end of the episode leaves plenty of room for continued investigation into the conspiracy-laden world of Beach City.