Spoiler: I mean I would absolutely dispute the "Jasper did nothing" thing, and those caps are indeed a compelling refutation. And I think a lot of Tumblr's Jasper-is-only-the-victim crowd seriously underestimate (or completely dismiss) the effects of learned helplessness. But it is undeniably true that Lapis had options. I incline to thinking that she couldn't see them, but they were there.
Completely off-topic, but if you could only pick one episode which would you use to convince someone to watch the series? Spoiler: answering my own question My first thoughts are all spoiler-heavy, either plot- or character-wise (Jailbreak, Sworn To The Sword, Back To The Barn), but maaaaybe Giant Woman? It's got a nice mix of "cool alien worldbuilding" and "silly character moments," and an introduction to Steven's... spontaneous music thing. The last of which is probably a make-or-break point, considering how much he sings.
I'd probably second Giant Woman. It's the one that got me into watching it, and it's a nice introduction to both the character conflict and conflict resolution of the CGs and some of their strained relationships with each other.
Spoiler: alone at sea discourse For me, yeah, learned helplessness - Lapis's trauma seems to ring heavily as having to submit - being forced to submit to interrogation, forced to dwell in the mirror for centuries, presumably forced to tell Homeworld about Earth, forced to come along on the mission. In a situation like that, I think it's very likely that she would both feel she had to submit again to fusion - and, when she has power over someone, to make them go through the same thing because it's all she's known for so long. The water was an option, but she didn't see it because of her own trauma. I'd say she's been re-enacting the trauma she felt onto Jasper, and, like - I've been the abused party under someone who was re-enacting trauma, it was Not Fun and Definitely Abusive. Saying 'no' to it afterwards was testament to the work she's done to try and establish a narrative for herself outside of one who submits or one who makes others submit. Also, my first pick for episodes to show people tends to be So Many Birthdays, because that's when the show hits the ground running and goes 'hey, you know this cute fluffy cartoon? Yeah we're gonna deal with some heavy shit.' Rose's Room is my pick for people who love horror undertones in their cartoons, too.
Thirding Giant Woman--it's a fun episode and definitely one of the best early ones, it introduces a major concept in the series (fusion) but doesn't spoil anything that I can think of, the song is adorable and catchy, and it's generally a pretty good introduction to the series. An Indirect Kiss could work too, but Giant Woman would likely be the best starting point if you're only gonna show 'em one episode. I personally started from the beginning, but I think the first episode I saw before deciding to sit down and watch the show was Story For Steven. Probably not actually a good intro episode, since it works way better in the context of the show itself, but eh.
Spoiler: Jasper and Lapis discussion That last sentance. She could have done all sorts of things. She could've taken the risk of refusing to fuse, she could've just held Malachite there and let the Crystal Gems attack, she could've just used water to hold or knock away Jasper without fusing, she could have accepted Steven's help but no, she chose the most mutually destructive option possible. Yeah, I'd go with Giant Woman as well. That's the point where I stopped spite-watching SU and started genuinely wanting to know more.
Same more or less, except replace "spite-watching" with "trying to figure out the hype" and "wanting to know more" with "starting to actually get the hype."
SU is a show that makes a lot more sense watched in order. That said, the first episodes don't hold up well to most of the series, IMO--I feel like the first episode to really hold its own in any capacity is Cat Fingers. I think it kinda depends on who you're showing it to? Some people don't mind a slow start, but it's also definitely a series where the start is slow enough that I feel like some people might be turned off by it. (I'd still recommend watching the show in order, but I'd probably suggest a few more meaty episodes first.)
I just. Really honestly could not handle watching something out of order. It's genuinely upsetting to me so I cannot offer any other starting point save the absolute start. Otherwise my head just screams at me constantly about how WRONG everything is.
the first episode I went to for showing a friend of mine was Cat Fingers. it was good. he enjoyed it.
Spoiler: warning: learned helplessness Try to refuse? That gets you hurt, in her experience. Rely on the Crystal Gems, who kept her in a junk pile for centuries? Hardly. Fight Jasper directly? I doubt the idea that it was possible even crossed her mind at that point. And then existence became a constant struggle not to let their minds become one or their bodies become two, and she only realized afterwards that she'd been enjoying it too much.
Ooh, yeah, also a sound idea! I think if I could expand one episode to a few episodes, I'd suggest Bubble Buddies, Giant Woman, and An Indirect Kiss?
Spoiler: Live reactions! Giant wailing stone Ooh, camping trip The great north... so Canada? Oh, Sword Training camping trip! CONNIE MISSION! I bet it's not going to simple. Pearl's feet are so small. Oh, Garnet can detect corrupted Gems I hope they fuse into Stevonnie. ...wait. She looks a lot like Watermelon Tourmaline, the pufferfish... ...Uh-oh. And they're communicating. Aww Pearl. Plus the wilderness is dangerous and even if Pearl's a crystal gem it could take her a while to find you guys if something went wrong. ...well walkie talkies help. And they're cookie cats! Awwww they're adorable. Connie is a survivalist? ...Good point Steven. CONNIE CALM DOWN. ...and friends. Are Steven's empath powers kicking in? A song? Nope, rolling down the hill. I remember that song! Oh Pearl. Wait is it switching back and forth? How would that HAPPEN? Wow Connie came super prepared. Though someone could've just brought teabags... Connie likes Scooby Doo! I think Centipeetle is weighing heavily on Steven. Steven, empath powers! "I'd hate to be responsible for putting you two in danger" This design is pretty cute. Like Where The Wild Things Are Oh shit Wow he has quick reflexes NO YOU TWO FIGHT TOGETHER STEVEN DO WHAT RUBY DID 'don't tell Garnet' WHAT THE FUCK HOW DID SHE GET HERE JASPER DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE ....Jasper what in the name of god are you doing. Pearl you're such a sweetie
