The epic hour long episode
Change Your Mind sure delivered on a lot of promise. It was a bit rushed at times and did a little too much but as a longtime fan of the series I couldn’t really complain when the high points were so high and so much of the episode appeared to be animated on 1’s. It was a visually glorious episode of animated TV! I would certainly say the episode is a highlight of the series so far. It’s a phenomenally overstuffed -
some story & character bits don’t land as much as they should in my eyes because so much happens so quick but the stuff that lands LANDS - hour of SU.
So many plot lines and characters arches were wrapped up:
White Diamond has seen the error of her ways. The three Diamonds have essentially turned a corner and become good. The Diamondriachy will apparently become benevolent. Steven has made peace with his past regarding his mother and this was visualized when White pulled Steven’s gem expecting Pink and all that was there was Steven. Steven embraced who he was - in a shot animated by the legendary James Baxter I think? - and has no more doubts on who he is or his past in regards to all the storylines set up in the past 150 or so episodes. All the Gem Fusions fans have been anxiously dying to see - besides whatever legend the series MVP’s Lapis & Peridot would make - were rushed through and given quick cameos in like the ultimate fanservice scene imaginable. Lars & the Off-Colors have made it back to Earth. Sadie & Lars have embraced who they are. All of the Corrupted Gems have been cured and brought back to life. The Gems have all wrapped up their own arches and made peace. Steven is happy. Etc
In fact so much was done in Change Your Mind that I really don’t even know where the show is supposed to go next. Essentially every important storyline that the series has dealt with since the 1st Episode that I can think of was wrapped up. It doesn’t feel like a Season Finale but feels like an Absolute SERIES FINALE.
But it isn’t. Cartoon Network has already set a Steven Universe TV movie for a Fall premiere date. Some of the voice actresses have mentioned on social media they’ve been doing voice work for a sixth season and Rebecca Sugar is still working on the series. Soooooo they’ve got something planned. Just no idea what in the world it could be. 2019 should be an interesting time for the series. I have to assume whatever the Fall TV Movie is about will act as a start of the new main narrative perhaps.
Hell, maybe they’ll go full anime and:
Do a major time jump. The Gems will stay the same age but they can age up Steven, Connie and the other humans. Steven’s voice actor is in early 20s now and still voicing a squeaky voiced kid.