Ep 4. Keeping it Together / We Need to Talk

In the episode "Keeping it Together" of Steven Universe season 3, the Crystal Gems travel to a Kindergarten facility where they find that the Homeworld Gems have been experimenting with fusing shattered gem shards together in an effort to create new soldiers. The discovery of these fused gem experiments shocks and horrifies the Crystal Gems, particularly Garnet, who is herself a fusion of two separate gems. The episode explores themes of trauma, loss, and the ethics of experimentation as the characters grapple with the disturbing implications of these experiments.

In "We Need to Talk," the episode that follows, Greg and Steven try to learn more about fusion by practicing together and talking to Garnet about her experiences. This proves challenging, as Greg struggles to understand the complexities of fusion and the importance it holds for the Crystal Gems. The episode delves into the dynamic between Steven and his father as they navigate their different perspectives on the Gem world and their shared history.

Overall, these two episodes continue to develop the world of Steven Universe by exploring the darker aspects of the Gem's past and the complex relationships between the characters. "Keeping it Together" is a particularly heavy episode that deals with themes of trauma and experimentation, while "We Need to Talk" is a more lighthearted but still emotionally resonant exploration of Steven's relationship with his father and the significance of fusion in the Gem world. Both episodes offer a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations, and help to build a richer, more complex narrative for the show as a whole.