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[Solifuge]

Heyo Neonivek and Putnam. Not to wade headfirst into a poopstorm, but here's two cents. (Note: This post is Steven Universe Spoilers of the worst kind.)

Spoiler: Focusing only on recent Jasper-related episodes and plots, we have... (click to show/hide)

Super Watermelon Island: (Jasper-Focused)
The cast fight and defeat Malachite, freeing Lapis and Jasper from their unhealthy fusion, and resolving the Malachite plot. Jasper falls into a fissure opened by the Cluster, seemingly taking her out of the picture. This lets focus shift back to the Cluster, Peridot's redemption arc, and laying the groundwork for Lapis' future plot.

Same Old World: (Tangential)
Lapis is pretty emotionally fried by her time fused with Jasper, and Steven tries to get through those emotional barriers and help her find a place to fit in. We see hints of Jasper's influence on Lapis, and a vignette hinting about the Rebellion, and how Lapis' Mirror was damaged and left behind as everyone fled Gem Corruption (Side Note: on rewatch, apparently Bismuth poofed Lapis during the Rebellion?)

Hit the Diamond: (Tangential)
The cast meet an all-Ruby task force from Yellow Diamond, and try to protect Peridot from them with the powers of Baseball. In the end, it turns out they were actually looking for Jasper; this works as a quick reminder about her, and how her fate is still uncertain.

Monster Reunion: (Tangential)
Centipeetle's temporary revival offers a bit more plot regarding Gem Corruption and it's relationship to the Diamonds and the Rebellion, which lays important groundwork for Jasper's future plot.

Alone at Sea: (Jasper-Related)
Lapis, Steven, and Greg go sailing. Lapis continues to process some post-traumatic stress and other feelings from her time fused with Jasper as Malachite, and some of her regrets from her attempt to escape Earth. Jasper emerges from the ocean, revealing that she's still alive. The episode culminates in a confrontation between Lapis and Jasper, and deals with their unhealthy fusion in a way that reads like an abusive relationship, complete with the desperate attempt to get back together after it ended.

Gem Hunt: (Jasper-Related)
The cast chase some Gem Monsters. The end reveals that Jasper is hunting Corrupted Gems for some reason.

Crack the Whip: (Jasper-Focused)
Garnet and Pearl go looking for Jasper. For the rest, fun times are interrupted when Jasper's Corrupted Quartz army attack, and Jasper personally kicks Amethyst's butt. Steven and Connie end up saving her, but that and Jasper's words leave Amethyst with serious self-doubt issues.

Steven vs. Amethyst: (Jasper-Focused)
Amethyst and Steven train and spar to beat Jasper. Amethyst processes her newly rekindled inferiority issues, and bonds with Steven.

Beta: (Jasper-Focused)
Amethyst, Steven, and Peridot investigate the Beta Kindergarten, and Jasper's Origins. Amethyst vows to beat Jasper, just before they stumble on her and her Corrupted Gem "Army".

Earthlings: (Jasper-Focused)
Amethyst rejects the others' help and faces off against Jasper again, getting trounced again. Steven and Amethyst bond again over not being what or who they "should" be, and fuse, kicking Jasper's butt together. Foil this against Jasper, who then attempts to fuse with one of her unwilling Corrupted Quartzes, failing to hold the fusion for long, and remarking how no one she fuses with wants to stay. Jasper ends up partially Corrupted, and after refusing Steven's genuine offer of help, and Peridot's explaination (Jasper's flaws aren't physical, but rather in her ability to trust others). Before getting mercy-poofed, Jasper reveals how Rose shattered Jasper's Boss, Pink Diamond. That plus earlier plot tells us that the Corruption of all the Gems on Earth seems to have been retribution for Rose killing Pink Diamond to liberate Earth. It also explains why Homeworld left Earth alone for so long (and why they were surprised any Gems were left on Earth), and why Jasper has a personal vendetta against Rose (which has now been transferred to wee Steven). Amethyst bubbles Jasper's corrupted Gem, thus wrapping up Jasper's latest arc for the time being.

Back to the Moon: (Tangential)
Yellow Diamond's Rubies return, looking for Jasper. Amethyst attempts to fake them out and impersonate her, revealing a bit of Jasper's reputation in Homeworld, the history of the Rebellion and Rose Quartz, and playing off their whole being foiled against each other.

Bubbled: (Tangential)
The Ruby that served on Earth alongside Jasper recounts some of Jasper's exploits, further explains their shared vendetta over how how Rose shattered Pink Diamond, and further establishing that ethical conflict between Steven and his Mom.

That all aside, I'm glad the show doesn't let a "Big Bad Evil Guy" plot completely take over the heart and soul of the series. SU is at it's best when it's doing character development, and exploring the joys, difficulties, and growth of it's various characters, and the relationships between them. This includes antagonists like Jasper, and explores her character and history even when she's not in the frame.

EDIT: Whoops, I forgot "Alone at Sea". Added it to the list.

[Neonivek]

I guess it is difficult to understand my position but I'll put it as plainly as possible:

I think Steven Universe should have hinted or implied that the Crystal Gems were looking for Jasper, even if it is as something as small as a throw away line or a visual easter egg.

That is it...

------

It doesn't matter how many episodes focus on Jasper or hint at Jasper. It is essential.

It is why Mermaid Melody Season 2 doesn't get a pass just because the Main Villain is in every episode.

[Solifuge]

Well, Garnet and Amethyst did do exactly that, immediately after they discovered Jasper was still alive in "Alone at Sea", while Pearl, Connie, and Steven went north to hunt Gem Monsters (and inadvertently ran into Jasper). And at that point all the characters continued to look for her until this latest Jasper arc was resolved in "Earthlings", didn't they? I don't need to defend the show, and I know that everyone's got preferences when it comes to storytelling, and maybe I don't understand precisely what you mean... but doesn't that fit the bill?

If you're mad they took so long to bring Jasper back after she fell out of the plot, and into a magma-filled chasm split down to the core of the Earth, I get you. Consider this, though. From the characters perspective Jasper was destroyed, trapped underground, or otherwise gone. From the writers perspective, they want to keep the plot fresh, and not linger on one conflict (Malachite/Jasper) or Jasper's story overlong, and neglect all the other plots going on. Peridot still needed to wrap up her redemption arc, Lapis needed to deal with the emotional aftermath of their fusion, Steven needed to figure out why Jasper (and Homeworld) hated his Mom, etc.

Anyway, I was looking forward to a Jasper redemption arc too. The Crystal Gem team needs a gigantic orange emotionally-inept butch space rock who secretly just wants friends, IMO. But we may not see that for a while, when/if Steven figures out how to cure Corrupted Gems or something... and I have a feeling that's a long-term plot.

[Neonivek]

Running into Jasper doesn't count.

And at that point all the characters continued to look for her

]

That is the thing... they absolutely didn't do that. Your assuming they did based on how it makes sense that they would.

If you're mad they took so long to bring Jasper back after she fell out of the plot, and into a magma-filled chasm split down to the core of the Earth, I get you. Consider this, though. From the characters perspective Jasper was destroyed, trapped underground, or otherwise gone.

A) No I am not
B) No they did NOT think she was dead...

[Solifuge]

Okay, this is gettin' silly friendo.

In addition to the episode-by-episode rundown I did 4 posts ago, I guess could cite the episodes, minutes, and seconds that all those things happened, but I kinda gotta do other stuff. :I

[Neonivek]

Okay, this is gettin' silly friendo.

In addition to the episode-by-episode rundown I did 4 posts ago, I guess could cite the episodes, minutes, and seconds that all those things happened, but I kinda gotta do other stuff. :I

I mean I COULD use your own episode by episode rundown... >_<

[Putnam]

That is the thing... they absolutely didn't do that. Your assuming they did based on how it makes sense that they would.

Crack the Whip starts with Garnet explicitly telling Connie that her and Pearl are leaving to track down Jasper, as was mentioned earlier.

[Neonivek]

That is the thing... they absolutely didn't do that. Your assuming they did based on how it makes sense that they would.

Crack the Whip starts with Garnet explicitly telling Connie that her and Pearl are leaving to track down Jasper, as was mentioned earlier.

THANK GOODNESS! Sure took waaaaaaaaaay too long.

[Putnam]

here's the exact mention.

You may even notice that Pearl explicitly says that they should be tracking her down and gives reasoning for it.

[Neonivek]

here's the exact mention.

Thank goodness.

Though goodness that is the only time. Still bad but isn't abhorrent.

[Putnam]

You seriously expect the main-character-in-training to be actively seeking out an incredibly strong villain who is as strong as a fusion by herself?

[Neonivek]

You seriously expect the main-character-in-training to be actively seeking out an incredibly strong villain who is as strong as a fusion by herself?

I REALLY REALLY don't think you guys understand me. xD

It is when someone argue something that only tangentially relates to what I said...

[ggamer]

so from the some of the leaked images of "First one out of Beach City," it looks like we're getting a 'bad pearl' episode, at least as far as character design goes

Spoiler:  if you care aboot that sort of thing (click to show/hide)

[Putnam]

You seriously expect the main-character-in-training to be actively seeking out an incredibly strong villain who is as strong as a fusion by herself?

I REALLY REALLY don't think you guys understand me. xD

It is when someone argue something that only tangentially relates to what I said...

Then you seriously expect the topic to be brought up explicitly in every single one of the 11-minute episodes during the arc? I have no idea what you're trying to say...

[Solifuge]

Methinks it's time for us to step away from the personal head-butting sessions, find our inner Chill Composure, and get back to talkin' about cartoons.

Cartoons are neat.