Fragments (Steven Universe Future)
Fragments is the 16th episode of the American animated limited series Steven Universe Future, which serves as an epilogue to the 2013–19 television series Steven Universe. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on March 20, 2020. It was directed by Kat Morris, Alonso Ramirez Ramos and Liz Artinian and written and storyboarded by Lamar Abrams and Miki Brewster. The episode was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Short-Form Animation.
"Fragments" | |
---|---|
Steven Universe Future episode | |
Directed by | Supervising: Kat Morris Alonso Ramirez Ramos Art: Liz Artinian |
Written by | Lamar Abrams Miki Brewster |
Original release date | March 20, 2020 |
Awards | See awards and nominations. |
Guest appearance(s) | |
Kimberly Brooks as Jasper | |
In this episode, Steven flees the Gems to be trained by Jasper in an attempt to hone his anger and aggression.
Plot
As the episode begins, Steven (Zach Callison) is being lectured by Pearl (Deedee Magno Hall) after crashing Greg's van at the end of the previous episode as she, Garnet (Estelle), and Amethyst (Michaela Dietz) try to get him to talk to them about his problems. In an ensuing outburst, he accidentally slows down time, during which he takes the opportunity to flee.
He goes to Jasper's (Kimberly Brooks) campsite, where after a talk, she pushes him to embrace his anger. After hesitation, Steven fights back, and she begins training him rigorously to fight well by honing his anger and aggression.
During training, she makes him climb a mountain while carrying boulders and then try to shatter them, sleep outside, run very fast, and pick up fish directly in a pond. Eventually, Steven glows pink again, grows taller, and his hairstyle changes.
After three days of training, Steven challenges Jasper to a rematch. During the fight, Steven becomes much more aggressive, even laughing maniacally. Using his powers, Steven traps her in a barrier and shoots spikes straight at her, shattering her.
Distressed, Steven, now back to normal, quickly returns home and goes into the bathroom, ignoring the concerned Crystal Gems. He frantically uses his remaining Diamond aura Jasper's gem fragments and begins crying. Jasper is successfully revived, and Steven apologizes. However, she responds by bowing down to him and referring to him as "My diamond", to his horror.
Reception
Viewership
The episode was watched by 525K people during its original broadcast.[1]
Response
The episode was favorably received by critics, who praised the darkness of Steven's transformation from a happy-go-lucky kid to the scarily powerful being. Shamus Kelly of Den of Geek praised the episode's darkness and Steven's arc leading him to a full breakdown.[2] Jourdain Searles of The A.V. Club gave the episode a score of A.[3]
Awards and nominations
Award | Category | Recipients | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Short Form Animated Program | Jennifer Pelphrey, Brian A. Miller, Rob Sorcher, Tramm Wigzell, Rebecca Sugar, Kat Morris, Alonso Ramirez Ramos, Jackie Buscarino, Lamar Abrams, Miki Brewster, Jack Pendarvis, Kate Tsang, Taneka Stotts, Joe Johnston, Hilary Florido, Nick DeMayo, Maureen Mlynarczyk and Sarah Gencarelli | Nominated | [4] |
References
- "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.20.2020 | Showbuzz Daily". www.showbuzzdaily.com. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
- "Steven Universe Future Episode 16 Review: Fragments". Den of Geek. 2020-03-20. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
- "Steven Universe Future is shattering our hearts". TV Club. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
- "Steven Universe Future". Television Academy. Retrieved 2020-10-15.