I know the conversation for this episode is going to focus on Pearl (AND IT SHOULD HOLY HELL) but I want to take a second to talk about Connie, because this episode is SO IMPORTANT for Connie!

Like, we already knew she had self esteem issues. “I’m going to die without ever making a single friend” Connie. Connie who’s known since day one that Steven is this unimaginably powerful otherworldly being with a legacy of saving the whole earth and a destiny of unimaginable magnitude. And she’s…she’s not that. She’s human. She’s nothing.

THEN there’s Pearl, who comes along and VALIDATES all those fears and self doubts Connie has. But she twists them! She spins them to be positive! If and only if Connie can give ALL OF HERSELF to protecting Steven! Who cares if she’s insignificant? Who cares if she’s human? Who cares if she’s weak? So long as it means she can throw her life away in order to protect someone who is important?!

Connie is so quick to agree with Pearl on being nothing, not because she’s weak, not because she’s dumb, not because she’s worthless, but because she has these real insecurities that are being reinforced and twisted by someone who’s powerful and wise and strong and beautiful like everything Connie wants to be! And she can’t see how broken and insecure Pearl is. She can’t see how Pearl’s projecting on her. It’s Steven. Steven, who’s maybe 10 or 11, who’s not only willing but capable of breaking through that dangerous self destructive echo-chamber. It’s Steven who’s the strongest among them. And in a way, it’s always been Steven who was the strongest. Not in body, but in mind.

This episode was so important for everyone involved, and just so important for Connie. This is such valuable insight into her and I can’t let it go.