History Recap / StevenUniverseS1E35Lion3StraightToVideo

-->'''Rose:''' Isn't it remarkable, Steven? This world is full of so many possibilities. Each living thing has an entirely unique experience; the sights they see, the sounds they hear, the lives they live, are so complicated and so - ''simple''. I can't wait for you to join them.\\

--> '''Rose''': Isn't it remarkable, Steven? This world is full of so many possibilities. Each living thing has an entirely unique experience; the sights they see, the sounds they hear, the lives they live, are so complicated and so - ''simple''. I can't wait for you to join them.\\
'''Rose''': Steven... we can't ''both'' exist. I'm going to become half of you. And I need you to know... every moment you love being yourself, that's ''me'', loving you and loving ''being'' you! Because you're going to be something extraordinary. You're going to be a human being.\\
'''Greg''': Hey Rose!\\
'''Rose''': Take care of them, Steven.

* AbsenteeActor: Michaela Dietz and Estelle don't have any lines in this episode, even though Amethyst and Garnet make a brief appearance.

* {{Dissimile}}: Steven describes Lion as an "adorable pink human being," except he's not, because he's a lion.

* WholePlotReference: The plot of finding an old cassette recording and having to find a compatible player recalls "Speak Like a Child", the 18th episode of ''Anime/CowboyBebop''; the tape in ''Steven Universe'' even directly mimics the contents and purpose of the tape in ''Cowboy Bebop'', as do the way the tapes' audiences react to them in-universe.

* WholePlotReference: The plot of finding an old cassette recording and having to find a compatible player recalls "Speak Like a Child", the 18th episode of ''Anime/CowboyBebop''.

* WholePlotReference: To "Speak Like a Child", the 18th episode of the acclaimed 1998 anime ''Anime/CowboyBebop''.

--> '''Rose''': ''Isn't it remarkable, Steven? This world is full of so many possibilities. Each living thing has an entirely unique experience; the sights they see, the sounds they hear, the lives they live, are so complicated and so - ''simple''. I can't wait for you to join them.''
--> '''Rose''': ''Steven... we can't ''both'' exist. I'm going to become half of you. And I need you to know... every moment you love being yourself, that's ''me'', loving you and loving ''being'' you! Because you're going to be something extraordinary. You're going to be a human being.''
--> '''Greg''': ''Hey Rose!''
--> '''Rose''': ''Take care of them, Steven.''

* BookEnds: In a way. In the beginning, Sadie mentions how her mom still makes her packed lunches for when she's at work, which embarrasses her since she's fully capable of making her own. At the episode's end, after watching Rose's message to Steven with Steven, Sadie comes around and reconciles with her mom.

* CatsAreMean: Seems to be the case when Lion keeps trying to suffocate Steven, [[SubvertedTrope until he realizes]] that Lion's actually trying to send him into his mane.

* DoubleMeaningTitle: The name seems to be a play off the previous Lion episode, which has the subtitle "TheMovie" (whereas this episode is DirectToVideo). As it turns out, a videotape plays a major part in this episode.
* FreezeFrameBonus: The briefly shown Big Donut menu has three strange item: the Dog-Nut ([[NutritionalNightmare a hotdog with several donuts on it]]), the Nut-Dog a hot dog covered in ''[[CordonBleughChef unshelled]]'' peanuts; [[CaptainObvious "may contain nuts"]]), and the Spicy Pretzel ([[OurSloganIsTerrible "So spicy, you'll die!"]])

* IrisOut: Rose triggers one in-universe when messing with the effects on Greg's camera; see LeaningOnTheFourthWall.

* MoodWhiplash: During the home video, Rose gives a speech about how amazing Earth is, right before turning the camera to her face, and with a serious expression, saying: "Steven. We can't both exist." It gets better again, though.

* PocketDimension: Lion's mane leads to one.

* TearJerker: In-Universe, Rose's video is one for Steven and Sadie.

* VideoWills: Rose leaves one for Steven inside Lion that tells him he will enjoy the world and what would be of her when he's born.

* TheGhost: Finally subverted, as this episode marks the first time Rose Quartz ever appeared except in the painting in Steven's house, as well as the first time her voice was heard.

* YourDaysAreNumbered: Rose knew when she was pregnant, possibly before Steven was even conceived, that she'd cease to exist in her current form upon his birth. [[NotAfraidToDie She isn't at all upset about it]] because she accepts Steven coming into existence is worth it.

* DoubleMeaningTitle: The name seems to be a play off the previous Lion episode, which has the subtitle "TheMovie" (whereas this episode is DirectToVideo). As it turns out, a videotape plays a major part in this episode. [[invoked]]

* ShapeshiftingLover: Rose was this to Greg, and in the video, she looks notably more human (both in features and skin tone) than the other Gems. [[spoiler:(Most likely it's because, as a Diamond, her shapeshifting powers are far more advanced than those of other Gems.)]]

* AbsenteeActor: Michaela Dietz (Amethyst) and Estelle (Garnet) aren't in this episode, even though Amethyst and Garnet have a brief appearance.

* ShapeshiftingLover: Rose was this to Greg, and in the video, she looks notably more human (both in features and skin tone) than the other Gems. [[spoiler:(Most likely it's because, as a Diamond, her shapeshifting powers are far more advanced than those of other gems.)]]

Venturing inside despite the lack of air, Steven finds a number of items sitting beneath the tree. There's a tattered pink flag bearing the same symbol as his shield, one of his father's "Mr. Universe" T-Shirts, a strange bubbled gem, a mysterious chest... and a VHS tape with a label that says, "For Steven".

* BookEnds: In a way. In the beginning, Sadie mentions how her mom use to make her packed lunches for when she's at work, which embarrassed her a lot. At the episode's end, after watching Rose's message to Steven with Steven, Sadie comes around and reconciles with her mom.

* KissingDiscretionShot: Rose's video tape ends with the camera turning off due to lack of charge, before she and Greg share a kiss.

* DoubleMeaningTitle: The name seems to be a play off the previous Lion episode, which has the subtitle "TheMovie" (whereas this episode is DirectToVideo). As it turns out, a videotape plays a major part in this episode.

* CatsAreMean: Seems to be the case when Lion keeps trying to suffocate Steven, [[AvertedTrope until he realizes]] that Lion's actually trying to send him into his mane.