Shout Out / Steven Universe: Alternate Future

Part 1: Little Homeschool

Little Homeschool

• This line from Jasper as she rejects going to Little Homeschool.
  Jasper: The day I decide to become a peace-loving loser who's forced to hang around with a bunch of other Gems who hate my non-existing guts and are brainwashed by the son of the Diamond who basically ruined my life. On THAT day, I'll send your stupid Earthling butt a call saying I give up.

Guidance

• Steven declares "I've made a huge mistake." when all the Gems start doing poorly at the jobs he chose for them.
• Amethyst compares Smoky Quartz's new time-slowing power to Lapis's manga, though she's disappointed it doesn't come with the power to summon steamrollers.

Cracks and Buds

• Hippie Rose yells "Zoinks!" when the Pearls are about to be rejuvenated by Shell in "Cracks and Buds".
• Hippie and Shy Rose try to ram into the shell Pearl and Volleyball are trapped in using Superfan Rose's head.
• After Shell's defense systems are turned off, Shoulder Rose channels Rainbow Dash when saying "That, was, SO AWESOME!".

Bluebird

• When being pranked by Bluebird Azurite, Bismuth outright declares "I know something I hope they really won't like.", followed by "Of course those little runts realize, this means war!"
• Lapis essentially repeats the Sunny D commercials when offering drinks to Bluebird. When her prank fails, Lapis states "Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be a big carbonated kaboom."
• Steg declares Aquamarine and Eyeball bonding over their shared hatred of Steven to be bad comedy.
• Aquamarine and Eyeball leave Earth via what is essentially a Saiyan space pod.

Snow Day

• Amethyst echoes Luther while trying to get Steven to play Steven Tag with her.
• Pearl admits to Lapis that she has a Spider-Sense that alerts her to what happens to Steven, even far away from home.

Why so Blue?

• When Lapis discusses her history with the Lapis twins and claims they were essentially a Girl Posse back on Homeworld, Steven asks if they played croquet or wore pink on Wednesdays.
• Also like in Mean Girls, 2F8D tries to make "wet" into a Catchphrase. It quickly becomes an Accidental Innuendo until 1J9G tells her that it's never going to happen.
• Lapis echoes Josuke Higashikata's Stand cry during her fight with the Lapises.
• Mean Lapis uses "End, of, discussion." whenever she's questioned. She attempts to use this on Nice Lapis when she considers coming to Little Homeschool, but it doesn't work.

Rejuvenated

• Lars says to Padparadscha "You crack me up little buddy." at the end of "Rejuvenated."

Black and White

• White Topaz's shadow puppet version of "Dewey Wins" ends with her making Connie say "Screw you Steven, I'm going home!".
• Garnet says "safety rules" while discussing how horrible things have already happened in alternate timelines.

Part 2: Graduation

Little Graduation

• Buck compares the dome Steven traps everyone in during "Little Graduation" to Under the Dome.
• The ending of "Little Graduation" has Lars asking if he and the Off-Colors should do something good, bad, or a bit of both.

Prickly Pair

• Pearl brings up a childcare author named George Ikari during "Prickly Pair." Ironically, the character George is based on is one of the most famous Abusive Parents in all of anime.
• Steven calls Cactus Steven Mini-Me, which prompts Cactus Steven to say "Eeee!"

In Dreams

• The United Guardians of the World show that Peridot mentions Lapis watching got a reboot that seems to be a Take That! to Darker and Edgier reboots. In particular, Peridot mentions it also being Bloodier and Gorier and the character of Mangolin likely being a Sir Swears-a-Lot, most likely a reference to the infamous first trailer of Titans where Dick Grayson says "Fuck Batman."
• This line by Steven regarding his dreams.
  Steven: I've been having these weird dreams lately. Like, are any of them real or- (gets interrupted by Peridot)
• Later in the chapter, the relationship between Rodrigo and Jasmine is criticized by Peridot as them being Strangled by the Red String, which was a major source of debate in the Star vs. the Forces of Evil fandom.

Eye in the Sky

• Chrysocolla has a love for Alexander Hamilton.
• Blue Chalcedony, aka the Gem Cave Creature from "Arcade Mania", describes her drills as so top of the line, they impossibly kicked reason to the curb.

Bismuth Casual

• The man running the skate rental booth at the Starlight Roller Rink is an Expy of the Squeaky-Voiced Teen. His voice actor is even listed as Dan Castellaneta.
  • Part of Bismuth's motivational speech to Steven in "Bismuth Casual" has her declare "Don't let your dreams be dreams, so JUST DO IT!"

A Fusion Too Far

• "A Fusion Too Far" opens with Lapis teaching a dance class where she plays "Once in a Lifetime."
• This entire exchange between Jasper and Lapis before they go over an Inevitable Waterfall.
  Jasper: Uh oh.
  Lapis: Don't tell me, we're going to go over a waterfall.
  Jasper: Indeed.
  Lapis: Sharp rocks at the bottom?
  Jasper: No, unfortunately.
  Lapis: Doesn't matter, bring it on.
• Lapis says that two enemies becoming friends can't just treat everything they did to each other like stealing forty cakes.

The Warning

• Yellow Zircon's campaign posters are a blatant parody of Barack Obama's "HOPE" posters.
• In the time between Unleash the Light and "The Warning", Hessonite essentially became Batman, complete with Squaridot as her Robin.
• Lars uses a shoryuken during the fight with the Monochrome Pearls.
• Morganite's speech sounds very similar to General Hux's speech before the firing of Starkiller Base. It also sounds very similar to John Ross's analysis of the Wau.
  Morganite: Greetings, I am Morganite, a proud artist and esteemed designer of the Diamonds. Like you all, I too am a supporter of this new era. At least I was until I saw the true colors of the Crystal Gems. (summons a paint brush as a projector and then proceeds to show the shenanigans that happened during Guidance and Why So Blue. She then points to the recordings.) At this very moment, hundreds of lightyears away, the Crystal Gems are trying to force gems like you and I to abandon our birthrights in the name of their so-called "peace and love", while hypocritically ignoring the gems who are completely null and void without a purpose. Like a storm, they are trying to keep the land fertile, but in the process, are causing unnecessary damage. What exactly are they expecting gems designed for one thing to do in a multi-purposeful life? Where is the line drawn between what is right, and what is wrong? Would letting gruff soldiers break delicate belongings be acceptable? What about a bunch of terraformers who are destroying more things than they can create? We simply cannot put our lives in the hands of those who can't comprehend them! Fortunately, we will right this wrong by cleansing the Gems who have been poisoned with the lies of these renegades, starting with the planet Earth! We will show them the error of their ways, and undo all the damage that has been done! They may be as elusive as the wind, but we are as strong as a mountain! And no matter how loudly they howl, WE WILL NEVER BOW TO THEM!

• Afterwards, the Gems present at said speech begin chanting "OUR HEARTS AND GEMS TO HER (Morganite/Black Rutile) CAUSE!" A similar chant was uttered in Attack on Titan in its third opening, and later after the death of Darius Zackly.
• The abrupt death and subsequent disposal of one of Demantoid's Bismuths is similar to the death of the Spider-Man of Miles Morales's universe in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Bonk's death at the hands of The Joker in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.
• Lars makes the Destiny Destroyer do a barrel roll. When Hessonite tries correcting him by saying it was more like an aileron roll, Lars imitates Wolf O'Donnell by declaring "CAN'T LET YOU DO THAT HESSONITE!" and then adds "Ruin the joke."
• During the climatic space battle, Emerald yells out "RAIN FIRE!" When one of her Citrines tells Emerald that they'll be firing at the Destiny Destroyer, she replies "JUST DO IT!"
• This line:
  Emerald: How are you Off-Colors, now that you're on your way to destruction?
• Hugh Laurie makes a surprise appearence as a doctor examining Lars after he crashes to Earth.
• As the Cluster Gems awaken at the end of "The Warning", Black Rutile shouts "They're all alive!"

Enemy of my Enemy

• In the author's note for "Enemy of my Enemy", Lightyearpig confirms that the Legion of Doom was specifically inspired by the Evil League of Mutants from Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
  • Also from the author's note, the Bad Future sequence was inspired by "Deliver Us" from The Prince of Egypt.
• The United Defenders of the World are fully seen for the first time as an old Super Friends-inspired 70s cartoon, complete with Alan Oppenheimer as Professor Poindexter, Ph.D., who is a merger of both Lex Luthor and Brainiac. He assembles supervillains based off of Kraven the Hunter, Black Lightning, Ultron/the Robot, The Scarecrow/Sinestro and Ma'alefa'ak J'onzz/the Xenomorph. Meanwhile, the United Defenders themselves are all expies of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Firestorm, Green Lantern, Cyborg and Martian Manhunter.
• Black Rutile's Villain Song is to the tune of "Snuff Out the Light" from Kingdom of the Sun, the film that would become The Emperor's New Groove.
• One last bit from the author's note, the debate about restorative vs retributive justice is stated to be inspired by the Theseus' Ship Paradox sequence from WandaVision.
• When Connie saves Steven from falling, she declares that she'll be with him till the end of the line.
• Part of Black Rutile's final words to the Crystal Gems before she escapes them is "Alright, keep your secrets brat."
• After nearly dying, Steven channels Tony Stark and suggests they go for pizzas.
• Steven names the other two Light Prisms after Elaine Benes and Cosmo Kramer, though the latter is named Cosma.
• In regards to Steven's current mental state, Jasper declares "There is something very wrong with that kid."

Part 3: Fragmented Mind

Together Forever

• Much like how George Ikari is basically Gendo Ikari, he mentions a son named Shane during his first physical appearence in "Together Forever", who is likewise an Expy of Shinji Ikari in that he also lost his mother and would rather run away from his problems.

Growing Pains

• The B-plot of "Growing Pains" is a Courtroom Episode that the author compares to Ace Attorney and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law. As such, many shouts of "OBJECTION!" are this to the former.
• When Cat's Eye is first introduced, Amethyst says "Who's the new pussycat?" She later calls Cat a puddytat.
• When Pearl asks how she's doing, Cat's Eye says "Miserable, my darling Pearl. Perfectly wretched."
• Cat's Eye also paraphrases Judge Judy twice, the first being "Well I'm here because I'm smarter than you think I am! Not because I'm so gorgeous! Though I really am." and "Do I have 'stupid' written on my Gem?!"
• Cat's Eye also frequently declares "That DOES NOT, MAKE, SENSE!" whenever there's something she believes is wrong with the Crystal Gems' case.
• After being declared guilty, Holly Blue is dragged away by the Quartz guards and has an interesting choice of words for the Crystal Gems.
  Holly Blue: I hope you're happy Crystal Gems! Era 3 has ruined our society! Pretty soon, everything will burn! And we will all go down in flames! Pretty soon, this era of peace, will become an era of chaos! ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!
• Once again, someone says they're with Steven till the end of the line. This time, it's Greg.

Change your Heart

• Steven meets Kevin again while they play an arcade version of Undiscovered. Other games mentioned include Champion of Conflict, Pressure Scramble and Road Ragers.
• Once again, Kevin gets Steven mixed up with other Cartoon Network protagonists. This time, he calls Steven Finn and Ben.
• This exchange between Steven and Kevin when Kevin learns about the marriage proposal from "Together Forever".
  Kevin: Aren't you a little too young to get married?
  Steven: Yes, yes I am.

Gems' Night Out

• This chapter is littered with these, a fact that the author is very proud of.
  • Garnet puts on a shirt depicting Goliath.
  • A homeless man who confuses the Crystal Gems for succubuses starts begging for one of them to give him money by holding up a styrofoam cup and yelling "Aw come on, help a guy out, will ya?! Come on, change!"
  • Lapis and Amethyst meet an expy of James Bond, who is even voiced by Pierce Brosnan. The Big Bad of this episode is also played by Christoph Waltz with a name that sounds similar to both Ernst Starvo Blofeld and Franz Oberhauser.
  • Pearl matches wits with an uptight film director who was previously described in an earlier chapter as a mix between Zack Snyder, Michael Bay, David Cage and Neil Druckmann.
  • Neil Michaels's film is a parody of The Birds called The Bees, which is a Multiple Reference Pun to not just that film, but also The Birds And The Bees and "Bees. My God." from Amazons Attack!. As an added bonus, the lead actor featured in said film has the last name "Cage", which is almost certain to bring "NOT THE BEES!!!" to mind. He also mentions having directed "Morning of the Dead Living."
  • Peridot runs into a neckbearded collector who seems to be a parody of Gollum with how much he refers to his trinkets as precious. In addition, he's played by Andy Serkis.
  • At the convention, a pair of otakus are seen fighting over whose waifu is better. In the process, they re-enact part of the "elf wenches" scene from Rocko's Modern Life.
  • Later, Pearl decides to purchase some soup for Amethyst at a nearby stand. As it just so happens, the proprietor of the stand is revealed to be none other than the Soup Nazi. Pearl's meeting with him even ends just like George's, voicing that she's being charged extra for bread when everyone in front of her got theirs for free, and an angry shout of "NO SOUP FOR YOU!"
  • After the soup salesman calls Pearl a Karen for demanding to see his manager about being charged for bread, Neil gets the idea to make a horror-comedy film titled "Seeing the Manager", presumably about Karens. A film similar to that actually exists.
  • Steven's Pre Ass Kicking One Liner before his fight with Black Rutile is "If you want to get crazy, we can get crazy!"
  • Francis von Bowling's henchmen are named for Lennie Small and George Milton. Ironically, Milton is the big & strong yet slow-witted one while Lennie is the ratlike schemer.
  • Lennie tries to get rid of Bane Jones by giving him some lasagna with a bomb in it.
  • During the Your Mom joke battle between Pearl and Neil Michaels, Neil brings up Lord Boxman and has to explain it to Pearl when she doesn't get the joke. Also among the jokes exchanged are "She looked out the window and got arrested for mooning!" and "The only time she's low is at limbo!".
  • Black Rutile says "Think Steven, think!" at the end of their battle in the ending.
  • Francis von Bowling imitates fellow Blofeld expy Dr. Evil's "pinky to mouth" Character Tic when Lennie & Milton report to him about Lapis & Amethyst.
  • Amethyst tries to use a key hand to free herself, Lapis, Bane Jones, Garnet, Bismuth and the Officer from a cage. However, she quickly discovers the cage is locked with a number pad.

Playdate

• When Steven turns on the radio, the announcer says that Royalty just finished playing their song "My Lord" before moving onto Rhiannon Giddens and her hit single "Wandering Roads".
• The gift shop owner who sells Spinel her fanny pack is voiced by Jeff Bennett and has a massive blonde pompadour.
• Tom Kenny once again works at a restaurant, but this time he's the cashier.
• Maramba Stadium gets it's name from Irineo Maramba, a character designer for Transformers: Animated.
• Aside from Beckham Jordan, the members of the Empire City Vipers' starting lineup get their names from Looney Tunes characters and animators. Ben "Bugs" Avery gets his name from Bugs Bunny & Tex Avery (in addition, Bugs being a nickname for Ben comes from Ben Hardaway, the source of Bugs's name), Daniel "Daffy" Jones from Daffy Duck & Chuck Jones, Percy "Porky" Freleng from Porky Pig & Friz Freleng, and Rory "The Runner" McKimson from the Road Runner & Robert McKimson.
  • The Vipers' team colors are blue and yellow, and their star player is voiced by Hugh Jackman. Remind you of anyone?
  • There is also a referee who shouts "I say, I say!" and calls Steven a schnook, ala Foghorn Leghorn.
  • Makoto Fuji switches out her cheerleader uniform for a tank top depicting Michigan J. Frog.
  • The Empire City Vipers play against the Charm City Coyotes.
  • Just like his namesake, Avery does a Rabbit Season Duck Season routine against a Coyotes player to steal the ball, a move that the announcer dubs despicable.
  • Beckham reveals that he once played for the the Jayhawk Pussycats.
• Beckham Jordan reminisces on his time in Jayhawk and recommends to Steven that he visit the local Los Pollos Hermanos if he ever visits.
• Beckham Jordan once starred in a movie with Dogcopter that he said was a promotion for a line of sneakers because he was young and needed money, but still had a fun time doing the film.
• The Secretary of Health that Beckham shakes hands with in a picture is named Benjamin Rouleau.

Pumpkin Patch

• The first scene in Little Homeworld shows Peridot, Squaridot, Bismuth, Cherry Quartz, and Teal Zircon building a swimming pool that Lapis, Laz and Zuli are set to be lifeguards for. Zuli compares the uniforms to the female lifeguards of Coast Patrol.
• Peridot runs into an Expy of Eustace Bagge, who even scares her away with a scary mask much like Eustace at the end of Courage's title sequence. Although unlike Eustace, this farmer is a bit more understanding towards Peridot's grief.
• Peridot's farewell to Pumpkin takes some parts from Superman's goodbye to his Lotus-Eater Machine-created son in For the Man Who Has Everything, specifically the adaptation in Justice League Unlimited.
• The song of this episode draws quite heavily from Frank Sinatra's "My Funny Valentine" and Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World".

Mister Universe

• Greg's parents get their names from Tom Jones and Gloria Gaynor.
• A younger Greg sings "Starman" in a flashback.
  • That same flashback mentions a rock star named Ozzy Cooper who seems to have suffered a Role-Ending Misdemeanor in the past.
• Steven and Greg turning the radio on and off brings to mind a similar (and memetic) scene from A Goofy Movie.

Fragments

• Black Rutile begins her speech to her remaining followers with "Hear me and rejoice!"
• "You're not just one Spinel, you're an entire circus of them!"
• When Steven calls Black Rutile a callous bully, Black Rutile responds with "WAKE UP STEVEN, WAKE UP!
• Amethyst turns into a Dalmatian to help search for Steven.

Part 4: We Will Always Be Your Family

• This mock trailer for Part 4 is a deliberate parody of the first trailer for Zack Snyder's Justice League, which also used Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".

Homeworld Bound

• Blue Zircon's campaign video seems almost word for word lifted from Sentinel Prime's video from "This Is Why I Hate Machines".
• The Diamonds believe Steven's issues may have something to do with puberty (pronounced as "pub-erty".)

Everything's Fine

• Black Rutile gives this speech to Aquamarine and Eyeball.
  Black Rutile: But know this, you may be afraid of what could be to come, but remember that fear is but the precursor to valor! And to strive and triumph in the face of fear is what it means to be a warrior. Don't think, become.
• White Topaz mentions an attempted occupation of Zembilla and how Pink Diamond objected to it because she had grown attached to the orange-colored fauna, a reference to Charles Zembillas, who did artwork for Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter.
• Steven declares how life always finds a way after accidentally unleashing the Topiary Stevens.
• Teal Zircon yells "WITNESS ME!" as she's tossed by Steven out of the pool.
• Aquamarine cites all the trouble Steven has caused in Little Homeworld as "all the more tools to humiliate the boy."
• Steven's inner voice urges Steven to play dumb when Connie, Greg and the Gems state how worried they are for him. When Steven mentions how he broadcasts his subsconscious, the voice adds "NOT THAT DUMB!"

I Am My Monster

• Major General Wade Grant's name comes from DC Comics villain Wade Eiling and Ulysses S. Grant. Likewise, Theresa Maxwell's name is a combination of Mother Teresa and Maxwell Lord. And since Theresa is voiced by Wendie Malick, she's also named after Burdine Maxwell.
• Benjamin Rouleau makes his first physical appearance in this chapter, and with him are other secretaries who are named after certain Cartoon Network shows and their creators.
  • Secretary of state Finn Ward is named after Finn the Human and Pendleton Ward.
  • Secretary of defense Benson Quintel is named after Benson and J.G. Quintel.
  • Secretary of the Treasury Ben Darwin is named after Ben Bocquelet and Darwin Watterson.
  • Secretary of agriculture Tulip Dennis is named after Tulip Olsen and Owen Dennis.
  • Attorney General Clarence Page is named after Clarence and Skyler Page.
  • Secretary of the interior Craig Levin is named after Craig Williams and Matt Levin.
  • Secretary of transportation Juniper Winick is named after Juniper Lee and Judd Winick.
  • Secretary of housing Steve Peters is named after Pizza Steve and Pete Browngardt.
  • Secretary of energy Edward Daniels is named after Ed, Edd n Eddy and Danny Antonucci.
  • Secretary of education Beatrice McHale is named after Beatrice and Patrick McHale.
  • Secretary of veteran affairs Chloe Chong is named after Chloe Park and Daniel Chong.
  • Secretary of homeland security Nigel Warburton is named after Nigel Uno and Mr. Warburton.
  • Secretary of labor Victor Molano is named after Victor Calavera and Diego Molano.
  • And finally, the secretary of commerce Eugene Quartey is named after Mr. Gar and Ian Jones-Quartey.
• There is an Area 51 parody called Area 42.
• The Watermelon Stevens attempt a Big Damn Heroes moment to help the Crystal Gems save Steven via a battleship made from literal Bamboo Technology and what seems to be vertical manuvering equipment. When that fails, two of the Watermelon Stevens recreate Jack and Rose's separation with one of them garbling "I'll never let you go." before the other falls into the ocean.
• During the montage taking place at Eduardo's emergency address, Bane Jones speaks to a corporal named after James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

Fusion Frenzy

• The Bad Future sequence is one big reference to the Knightmare scene from Zack Snyder's Justice League. This is most evident in Black Rutile's first appearance, in which she takes the role of The Joker.
  Black Rutile: Oh come now Mama-Say-Mama-Sah-Warren, I've lost people too. Heck, you saw how Steven killed my old gang!
  Bismuth: Well frankly, you had it coming for all that. Now pipe down while I smash you to pieces.
  Connie: Bismuth, stop. I think she might be our best chance at surviving yet.
  Peridot: Are you serious?! It's all because of her that Steven went nuts, shattered Jasper, and then started rampaging across the planet and maybe beyond! All our friends and family are dead because of Black Rutile, and you think she might help us?!
  Sapphire: We kept you around despite being a Homeworld loyalist.
  Connie: So anyways, you might be our best chance at stopping Steven. (sticks out her hand) You in?
  Black Rutile: (shakes Connie's hand) I'm going to assume that if I don't play by your rules, I'll pay with my life?
  Connie: You bet. When I found White Topaz before Steven shattered her, she begged me, with her last words that when I'd kill you, and make no mistake I will kill you, I'll give you the slowest and most painful death I can offer. And if you try and run away, I'm going to honor that promise.
  (Black Rutile is left silent at this threat before she starts laughing)
  Black Rutile: Honor? Really kid? You know we live in a society, or at least what's left of one, where honor is but a distant memory.
• In yet another reference to the DC Extended Universe, Black Rutile's Motive Rant is taken from General Zod's in Man of Steel.
  Black Rutile: Look at all of this. This is the chaos I've wanted to engender for so long. I wanted to build a new Homeworld order where you failed, but you chose Steven over your own people just because he's family. The purpose of me and my colleagues was to fight for the Gems, that is the sole purpose you have given us. And now, we barely have any people left to fight for. That is what you have taken from us. That is what you have taken from ALL OF US!
• Greg yells "WOLVERINES!" as he rides into battle on Lion's back.
• Jasper says "Let's stop them properly this time." before charging into battle alongside Turquoise.
• Turquoise wields her liquid metal swords just like Roronoa Zoro, two in her hands and one between her teeth. She also fires a Kamehameha.
• During the banter between soldiers about whether it's sexist to target the Gems since they're female-presenting, one soldier believes they can't procreate because they don't have the goods, adding a "nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more, say no more" for emphasis. The soldier driving is even called Private Eric.

Made Me Realize

• The chapter gets its name from the tune from Awkward. of the same name written by Brad Breeck, who would later go on to compose the music for Gravity Falls.
• Amethyst calls Private Eric Patton while being hauled into Area 42.
• The previously mentioned Zembilla returns in a flashback sequence, with the wildlife stated to resemble bandicoots and ottsels.
• During another flashback that quickly turns into an Imagine Spot, Black Rutile celebrates Pink Diamond's shattering by dressing up in a pinstripe suit and dancing like Michael Jackson. Said sequence also echoes a Clip Show from Transformers: Prime, which also features a villain busting a move to celebrate the death of someone they hated, in that case Starscream and Megatron.
• A pair of Men in Black resembling Agents K and J appear to tell everyone that Connie and Greg are attempting a break-in.
• This exchange between Black Rutile and Spinel in the flasback taking place prior to the movie.
  Black Rutile: Now then, your job is to go down to Earth, inject this pink bio-poison that will slowly kill all organic life, and take down anyone that stands in your way with this. Should you fail, you will pay the price when the time comes. Are we clear?
  Spinel: (with a Slasher Smile on her face) Crystal.
• White Topaz calls Black Rutile a bad friend when she starts her Heel–Face Turn, much like another character voiced by Lauren Ash.

Be-All, Cure-All

• Lightyearpig admits the sitcom segments were inspired by WandaVision.
• The dream world version of Amethyst asks Steven "Got any cheese?"
• This line by Steven:
  Steven: I got all this homework to do, those three keep telling me I'm living a dream, and the prom's tomorrow!
• Negative Steven declares to Steven "In spite of everything you've done for them, eventually they will hate you, just like how you hate her despite every good thing she's done."
• Jasper's reconciliation with her past self in the mirror seems almost exactly like a similar scenario involving the Panda King in Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves.
• Negative Steven prepares a Spirit Bomb empowered by Steven's bad memories and calls Steven a goody goody-two-shoes before throwing it.
• At the end when a revenge-crazed Black Rutile attacks, she turns her sword into the Buster Sword.

Love Like You

• Black Rutile's first line.
  Black Rutile: I wanted to make Homeworld great again, I wanted to save it from monsters like you who think forcing peace and love down everyone's throats would make everything better! But you all took it away from me! YOU TOOK EVERYTHING! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!
• There is also Black Rutile declaring "Fine, now I'm the bad guy."
• When Black Rutile attempts to shatter Jasper:
  Jasper: No, you're wrong. You're no hero that wants what's best for everything, you're cracked, through and through!
  Black Rutile: YOU ABANDONED ME, YOU ABANDONED YOUR PEOPLE! (...) LOOK INTO MY EYES!
• Jasper and White Topaz's fusion dance is described as similar to a a beauty and a beast in a ballroom.
• Steven, Rose and Pink's "No More Holding Back" Speech before fusing into Ultimate Steven begins with this line.
  Steven: Because even in the darkest of times, there's always a light that will never go out!
• When the chest within Lion's mane is finally opened and the Crystal Gems realize there's nothing inside, Steven believes the real treasure was his personal growth, like he's the secret ingredient in the secret ingredient soup.
• This bit of banter between Orange Moonstone/Banded Onyx and Pietersite/Eagle's Eye as they enter a Brawler Lock.
  Orange Moonstone/Banded Onyx: This ends now! I won't let you destroy this world, and hurt these people!
  Pietersite/Eagle's Eye: Fat chance,lug-lard! Because everything I destroy is nothing more than fuel for my burning hunger! Hunger for endless power!

The Future

• Black Rutile gets one last Motive Rant in before being poofed.
  Black Rutile: I wanted you to hurt, to witness everything you've ever worked, fought, and hoped for die. I had a dream! A dream of a perfect society ruled by actions, not words! Ruled by strength, not compassion! Where power is in the hands of those that truly earned it, not those who think peace and love should be forced onto everything while those who object are punished! You and your empire are diseased, rotten to the core, and I selected myself as the cure!
• We also have Black Rutile saying "What, you want me to enroll in that kindergarten and live your warped view of happily ever after?!"
• One of the people waiting at the therapist's office bears similarities to Crocodile, namely the scar running across his face, his black-striped orange vest, many rings, and how he offers Steven a cigarette. He also asks Steven "Do you want to know how I got this scar?"
• Emerald's new form includes a chest piece that looks like a tank top, not unlike some of the armors worn by Vegeta.
  • Similarly, Laz's new outfit seems to be based on the one worn by Ashe.
• This exchange between Steven and Greg echoes a similar one between Simba and Mufasa.
  Steven: Hey Dad, we're pals, right?
  Greg: Always, Steven. (...) Hey, one more thing. Every time you look at the stars at night, just remember that the Gems will always be there for you, and so will I.
• "I'm with you til the end of the line" is repeated once again, but this time "To infinity and beyond" is added too.
• One of the quotes at the end of the credits is the exact same "Keep moving forward" quote by Walt Disney that served as the Arc Words of Meet the Robinsons.

The Black Pearl Brigade

Orientation Day

• Braids is a Blood Knight who sometimes yells "Glorious!", not unlike Varvatos Vex.
• Pony asks if they can attain freedom by doing all the dirty jobs, a phrase commonly used by Simon Furman in his run on The Transformers (Marvel).
• Cap says "Less chitchat, more combat!" during the raid on Fire Agate, also said by Gwen Tennyson in Ben 10: Secret of the Omnitrix.
• The two planets visited in this episode are called Dangan-40 and Boba-80.

A Fool and their Money

• Bopbe's name comes from switching the syllables of Bebop.
• Among the parts found by Braids are a chameleon circuit, a multimodal reflection sorter, a gyro-stabilizer, an arc reactor, a daxial array, a crystallic fusion cell, and some pizzazzium infininite.
• Upon being given the offer to join Black Rutile, Pyrite says "You spawn of a glitch, I'll take the deal!"

Predator and Prey

• The first line of the chapter is a Peridot recording a log she titles 10-5-83, the birthday of Shelby Rabara.
• Dalmatian Jasper mockingly calls Pink Amethyst "pinkalicious".
• Another Furmanism is used. This time, it's "a short, sharp lesson".
• The desert planet Lancerik-40 is named for Lance Henriksen and his birth year of 1940.
• Zoisite's flashback involves the assassination of the king of Chazelle.
  King of Chazelle: If anyone of you doesn't find anything, I will personally gut you like a porcub!
• While Zoisite murders the king for shattering her team, she becomes covered in the king's pink blood.
• Bloodstone offers to talk about her theories on unobtanium.

Brain Brawl

• The Intelliga's home planet is named a portmanteau of Albert Einstein and Nikola Tesla's names.
• After losing to Bloodstone in the first round of the Brain Brawl, IQ begins to doubt her own intelligence by asking "If I'm not the smart one, who am I?!"
• For the second round of the Brain Brawl, the Pearls build a robot who resembles The Terminator, and it's pitted against Bloodstone's robot, which is colored red and gold with circular lights on its palms and chest. IQ's robot is also dubbed Sculder.
• The robot fight begins when the announcer declares "ROBOTS, ACTIVATE!"

Giddy Up

• The planet that serves as this episode's setting is called Sergione-29. Among the regions of the planet mentioned are East Walleef, Alabastaquerque, and Yooka & Zooka.
• Yellow Diamond and her Pearl quote Moff Gideon almost word-for-word during their ultimatum.
  Yellow Diamond: Greetings, leaders of Sergione-29. Your astute panic suggests that you understand your situation, but I would prefer to avoid any further violence, and encourage a moment of consideration for you just surrender your planet to me.
  Bartender: What do you propose?
  Yellow Pearl: Reasonable negotiation. The assurance my Diamond gives is this, we will act in our own self-interest, which at this time involves your cooperation and benefit. You have something we want, so either hand it over, or your storied lives will come to an unceremonious end.
• The Arc Words of this episode, courtesy of the bartender, are "You give up a few things protecting what you love."
• Mr. Manco is said to be a massive cyborg humanoid who's more machine than man and is an utter Blood Knight, much like Sundowner. They even share the same voice actor too.
• Likewise, the sheriff and his deputy are named for Spike Spiegel and Radical Edward respectively. However, the sheriff looks more like Jet Black, complete with being voiced by Beau Billingslea, while the deputy looks and sounds like Spike.

Hard as Stone

• Pyrite is optimistic that she and the other failed lieutenants will be released from their cells soon and says they should always look on the bright side of life.
• The failed Concrete prototypes are demonstrated in a similar fashion to the RoboCop 2 prototypes. The second even tries to take off its head like a helmet.
• The Pearls are first seen stopping a Ruby uprising on Yi.
• Cinnabar describes the Concretes as bulletproof, fireproof and can think faster than a supercomputer.
• Black Rutile's view on the Diamonds' change of heart is that they've become the very thing they've sought to destroy.
• The Rutile Rebels' base's Self-Destruct Mechanism skips the number seven while counting down, only to say it was just joking before starting over with seven. When the countdown ends, it declares "Have a nide day." before exploding.

Seeing Pink

• Xenotime's green gem is on her wrist and is in the shape of an hourglass, bringing to mind the Omnitrix. In addition, Xenotime spends her days in hiding on a farming planet in the Bennyson system.
• Jodie Whittaker once again plays a character heavily assosciated with time.
• While in prison during her flashback, Xenotime is restrained via a straitjacket and muzzle.
• Cinnabar proposes a toast to herself, the Rutile Rebels, and to Steven, just like Mysterio did.

Black, White and Red All Over

• A flashback to Cinnabar's first meeting with Black Rutile borrows heavily from a scene from Hellsing Ultimate Abridged.
  Black Rutile: And what has brought you into my army, little Gem?
  Cinnabar: I have a burning devotion to the Homeworld cause that can only burn brighter with the shards and subjugation of the Crystal Gems!
  Black Rutile: Haha, you'll fit right in, kiddo!
• Upon first discovering the Sun Incinerator, Lars declares "Danger Will Robinson." This prompts Rhodonite to ask who Will Robinson is, to which Lars replies "Homeworld is just no fun!"
• The firefight between the Pearls, the Off-Colors and Hessonite against Cinnabar's forces takes place in the Bouchard system.
• The realization of the Concretes' modifications prompts this exchange. Even more amusingly, the chapter was released two days before May the Fourth.
  Cap: They fly now!
  Pony: They fly now?!
  Tails: They fly now.
• Xenotime's Last Words before getting poofed include "Here I am, here I remain!"
  • Pony then responds with "I've had just about enough of this Gem. Her smug aura mocks me."
• When it's revealed that Cinnabar's team survived crashing into Shell, Pyrite says that it's at least better than getting scammed by the Clorfors.
  Pyrite: Dirty, money-grubbing Clorfors, tried to clorf me right out of my Minerals!
• Zoisite declares "We got no lair; we got no place to make Pearls; our ship is falling apart!". When Cinnabar says that they need a new approach, Kyanite responds with, "So you're telling me there's a chance?"

A Little R&R

• When the Black Pearls introduce themselves to the Crystal Gems, Amethyst asks if they're on an Explosive Leash that'll be triggered if they disobey orders.
• Thanks to Peridot, Sculder is now modified to become stronger in battle. It also now has a leather jacket and sunglasses, which was her idea.
• Black Rutile tells Cap to "Go home and get your stupid shinebox!"
• Braids compliments her upgraded axe by saying it could cut anyone who looks at it, before sticking her fingers in her mouth like she got cut herself.
• During the fight between the Black Pearl Brigade and the Rutile Rebels, the narration for Pony's battle with White Topaz went like this.
  Meanwhile, standing there, Pony realized that White Topaz was just like her.

On A Clear Day, I Can See Justice

• The title of this chapter borrows from the musical On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, though it also borrows from an episode of The Simpsons parodying the same musical for its title.
• Word of God proudly admits in the author's notes that Sylvia Spectre and Torius Vosania are based on Mira Nova and Darth Maul respectively.
  • It's also said that Sylvia has elements of Superman and Rainbow Dash too. Fittingly, Sylvia's father is voiced by George Newbern, the voice of the Man of Steel in the DC Animated Universe from Justice League onwards.
  • Sylvia's mother Grace is voiced by Elisabeth Moss, one of the stars of the 2020 version of The Invisible Man.
• Sylvia's boss at the Coalition of Galaxies is voiced by Chi McBride and has multiple eyes covered by an Eyepatch of Power, effectively making him the Nick Fury of this AU, whom Chi has voiced in multiple Marvel cartoons.
• The capital city of Invisibon-9 is named Griffin.
• The Brickhead Brothers that Sylvia contends with in the opening are parodies of the Vreedle Brothers, complete with being voiced by Rob Paulsen and John DiMaggio.
• Before meeting Sylvia, the Pearls were going on a mission to a planet in The Twilight Zone called Frozone.
• During the final battle of the episode, Cinnabar mentions that she gained the trust of Torius by helping him conquer the Third Vector of the Binary Galaxy.
• Sylvia says "Lali-ho" while confronting Cinnabar and stopping her from resetting the Pearls.

Through the Fire and the Flames

• The chapter gets its title from the DragonForce song.
• Kari Wahlgren once again plays a character associated with fire.
• Envyrno infiltrates the Servant by calling herself Escafil and claiming she's on the run from the Yeerk-Bajir. She also takes the form of a creature who looks like a dead ringer for King.
• Before discovering Escafil, some of the available jobs the Pearls suggest taking are going dragon-fighting on Whitmae, stopping a corrupted uprising on Zaunpilt, and clearing a Goa'uld infestation.
• After successfully earning the Pearls' trust, Envyrno brags to Torius that they bought her Wounded Gazelle Gambit like a Vecna would buy a Pelopennese.
• Two of the planets that the Pearls suggest they take Escafil are Dathofar and Zebes. However, the latter explodes, which causes Cap to complain how frequently that happens.
• Pony describes Escafil making every room she's in hotter than a sauna, but not as hot as a really big sauna.
• After being broken out of prison by Torius, Envyrno declares that it could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
• A kappa attacks Envyrno by performing a kancho and tells her to enjoy a thousand years of death.

Will of Iron

• The chapter contains multiple references to Transformers, a few in particular being:
  • The opening narration is near lifted from Optimus Prime's opening monologue from Transformers (2007).
  • The colony planet Budiansky-84 is named for Bob Budiansky, who created a majority of the Transformers lore for the Marvel comics, and 1984, which was the year the franchise began.
  • Mercury quotes the famous "One shall stand, one shall fall" phrase while talking about the potential war between the Gems and the Metals that could spawn from Cinnabar's conquest of Budiansky-84.
  • Titanium believes that Gold has the touch that will make him a great soldier.
  • Gold declares that he still functions when first meeting the Pearls.
  • The Tesquin inhabitants of Budiansky-84 are basically the Quintesson judges.
  • After Cinnabar's minions escape, Zinc says that she thought they were made of sterner stuff.
  • The Metals bid the Pearls farewell by saying "Till we are united!", an aping of "Till all are one."

Lords of the Universe

• Among the planets and galaxies mentioned in the opening narration are the Bogon Galaxy, the Sky Canopy Domain, the Aeron Galaxy, the Pegasus Galaxy, the Ford Galaxy, the Seraphia Galaxy, the Upside Down (which is rich in Illudium Q-36), Hellknight's Lot, the Makyo Star System, Melmac, Spira, Cepheus-18, Aldebaran, Thra, Zeenu, Shuggazoom and Petropia.
• Batsputin's Evil Chancellor is named Bartok.
• Being voiced by Christopher Lloyd, Batsputin says things that reference Lloyd's previous roles. Aside from being named for Rasputin, he also says "Great Scott!" and "I GOT DOZENS MORE FROZEN TODAY!"
  • In the same scene as the latter line, Batsputin calls Mr. Bartok a duncebucket while commenting on his cybernetics.
• The flashback of the battle between Batsputin and Torius Vosania in their youth harkens back to the battle between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.
• The Universal Lords are also walking references. Dionna of the Dunes seems to be an Expy of Wonder Woman, Reximillian resembles the Nextwave version of Devil Dinosaur, Empress Vigrid carries elements of Bayonetta and Eda Clawthorne, Wobbla the Great is an Expy of Jabba the Hutt, and Ezlipsia is an expy of Octavia Goetia.

Light the Way

• Cinnabar describes Torius as having the demeanor of a pouty child.
• Torius has a flashback to when he was working for a criminal named Phantomile on the planet Zeppeli.
• Bobbite describes Torius as having the drive and the power he hungers for, and the determination to devour anything he puts the work into while taking what he thinks is his.
• Torius tells the Brickhead brothers not to apologize for getting themselves arrested. After all, he never does.
• Spinel assumes Monkey D. Luffy's Gear 2nd pose before the fight against the Vosania Syndicate.
• Torius's Mecha-Mooks are named Tinnoids.
  • In another Warframe reference, Sylvia Spectre is reintroduced by having stopped a trafficking ring in the Origin system.
  • The Greenir are mentioned by Bobbite when he regrows his head, which sounds very similar to Grineer.
• When Sylvia makes her Big Damn Heroes moment, Braids yells "Cheers, the cavalry is here!"
• This dialogue between Saturn and Uranus once the Vosania Syndicate is finally defeated.
  Uranus: Hey, Saturn.
  Saturn: What is it, Uranus?
  Uranus: We're going to prison, Saturn.
  Saturn: I see that, Uranus.
  Uranus: Don't drop the soap this time. I don't think we have enough guys to take the fall for us this time.
  Saturn: I swear, I'm gonna shiv you and turn your gut into a nook, Uranus!

Shining Diamond, Part 1

• According to Cinnabar, the Black Pearls have captured enough Gems for her to call them all 20,000 hardcore rebels.
• Lars ends his Badass Boast to the Rutile Rebels with "NOW EAT THIS, SUCKERS!".
• During her massacre of the Off-Colors, Xenotime takes a moment to cry out "WRRRRYYYY!".
• Cinnabar's Rousing Speech is a near-perfect, and much shorter, recreation of the Major's.
  Cinnabar: My friends, it has often been said that I like war. Friends, I like war. NO! Friends. I. LOVE. WAR. I love genocide; I love destruction, I love causing confusion and delay, I love chaos, I just love every act of war that can occur on this or any other planet. My heart leaps with joy whenever there are enemies that try their best to resist, only to have their hopes completely dashed by our superior numbers and firepower. And the sight of traitors being strung up like the cowardly wretches they are is just as much an irresistible pleasure. But unfortunately, it seems now that I am forbidden from doing what I love doing, what I was meant to do. But thanks to all of you, my love for war has been reignited. (the Gems start chanting) My friends, all I ask for is war. A war so grand that it shall make the cosmos quiver! We may be but a large battalion, but we will remind all Gems what they were meant to be! We will remind them what it means to be warriors, to take what's ours with no remorse for who we take it from! My friends, all I ask is to bring them all hell.
• Kyanite combines two famous Badass Boasts for hers.
  Kyanite: Let's make one thing clear, Citrine. I'm not in here with you, you're in here with me! Let me clue you all in, you are all in danger, and that danger is me! A Gem opens the door and gets poofed, you think that of me? No, I am the one who knocks!
• Similar to Kyanite, Cinnabar quotes Breaking Bad for another speech. But this time, she quotes Gus Fring instead of Walter White.
  Cinnabar: Now we have no one left to oppose us! And to anyone that still won't obey, I suggest you pack your things and leave, or fight us all and die!
• The final piece of dialogue from the chapter is Púrén yelling "Pearls? Pearls?! PEARLS!"

Shining Diamond, Part 2

• Hessonite's origin story involves her protecting three Gems in an alleyway from a criminal, the latter being a deliberate nod to the origin story of Batman.
• Blue Topaz yells about how Hessonite's attempts to fight her are "USELESS USELESS USELESS USELESS!"
• Upon arriving in the prison tower to break everyone out, Sylvia says "Get in losers, we're saving the Pearls!"
• Cinnabar mentions planning to obliterate the Jinsakai if they don't bring her offerings.
• The Black Pearl Brigade's new suits are now Power Rangers-styled Color-Coded for Your Convenience. Cap is red, Pony is blue, IQ is green, Braids is yellow, Tails is pink, and Shell, now reborn as Nacre, is mostly white.
• When Lars and Hessonite leave for Earth, Nacre muses that their party may be down to eleven, but they're still as strong as an ocean.
• After Cinnabar's ultimate defeat and imprisonment on Revanche 666, Navy tries to cheer everyone up by singing "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life". She gets shut up immediately.

The Trial of Black Rutile

• It's revealed that Black Rutile emerged from a Zeta Kindergarten on Demorgon-419.
• Black Rutile expresses her desire to ascend through White Diamond's court to become The Dragon, where all shall love her and despair.
• White Topaz is said to have originated from a Sigma Kindergarten on Gustafring.
• In a flashback to Black Rutile's rivalry with Pink Diamond, she is shown invading the planet Utrokrang-847 in the Lairdman galaxy, where the inhabitants are small, brain-like aliens.
• Cat's Eye's first line in the one-shot channels a certain other Amoral Attorney.
  Cat's Eye: Did you know you have rights, my friend? Well, the laws of this planet say you do, and so do I! I believe until proven guilty, you are perfectly innocent, Black Rutile! And that's why I will fight for you!
• After calling Laz to the stand and once again insulting her nickname, Cat's Eye muses that if she had a Mineral for every court case where jury members had the most abhorrent nicknames, she'd have two Minerals. Which isn't a lot, but she finds it insane it happened twice.
• When asked by Laz after the events of "Why so Blue?" why she's on Aozul 2.
  Black Rutile: Well, let's just say I've been watching you and saw that you needed a comforting shoulder to cry on. What the jank do you think I'm here for?!
  Laz: I don't know, admiring the trees?
• After Laz, a fellow manipulater says her Gems will see right through Black Rutile's lies, Black Rutile responds with this.
  Black Rutile: One gem is clever, but a whole group of them will become confused and wild. They will then start craving for the truth, give it to them, and they will praise you for it.
• This dialogue once James Brenner takes to the witness stand.
  Cat's Eye: Objection! My client here is a sensitive Gem who was merely a victim of Steven's psychotic obsession with enforcing his twisted and fascist views on love and affection.
  Black Rutile: But I thought I was the one with the psychotic obsession. (the court starts laughing)
  Cat's Eye: Regardless, young Mr. Universe is an obsessive-compulsive, narcissistic, hero-complexed lunatic who needs to know that his distorted desires are harming others!
• When Lapis says she wanted to convince Laz and Zuli by force and decided to get dirty once all else failed, a member of the audience yells "Ha ha! Dirty."
• Black Rutile's final "The Reason You Suck" Speech to Steven takes a few cues from other, similar speeches.
  Black Rutile: Oh, here we go again. "La-dee-dah, I'm Steven Universe! I love emotionally abusing my so-called friends, guilt-tripping enemies into thinking that doing what they were made to do is wrong, and brainwashing the masses to think I'm a poor, misunderstood soul! But it's okay because everyone loves me, and I am totally not a sociopath!" No, I'm sick of this! I'm sick of all of this! The only connection between your mental issues and the sickness destroying your family is that everyone, especially you, uses kindness and love to justify that sickness! You can't just act like a complete psycho and then feel bad about it like that makes everything okay! You need to be better, Steven! But oh no, you kept pushing yourself to be the worst person you can be, and you're rewarded with the most perfect life imaginable where everything goes your way! You may think you're saving the world and helping others, but all you're doing is forcing everyone to adjust your corrupt ideals like a tyrant! It's just like Pink always did; you think you're entitled to everything because your black and white tunnel vision makes you think you're suffering! But suffering isn't enough! If you're too entitled to listen all the way through, let me make one thing clear. You are all things that are wrong with you. It's not the Gems, the Diamonds, your no-good mother, or even me! It's you, and how much of a BLASTED MIGRAINE YOU ARE!

Little Homeworld Life season 1

Enrollment

• Black Rutile's Waking Non Sequitur in the first scene is her declaring "I love being a turtle, dudes."
• Aquamarine greets Black Rutile by asking her "How has your day been progressing?"
• This exchange during the nightmare:
  Hive Mind: Steven is no fascist! He is our savior!
  Black Rutile: He is literally the grandson of the Gems we called gods!
• Black Rutile's Last Words before she wakes up are "CHOKE ON THEM! CHOKE ON THEM!"
• Word of God proudly admits that in terms of design, Serpentine is a blatant Expy of Medsusa Gorgon.
• Beryl introduces herself to every Gem she comes across by saying "Hi, my name's Beryl! Baa!"
• When Black Rutile spills coffee (or as she calls it, hot brown morning potion) on her whiteboard in response to Garnet and White Topaz barging into her home, she yells "Look at what you did!"
• Black Rutile's maniacal rant during Amethyst's class is basically her channeling her inner Saul Goodman.
  Black Rutile: I don't care about you; you are all nothing to me, less than nothing! You are all like a bacterium! A mindless scourge that only lives to spread, grow, and infect. But I am a vaccine that can travel to worlds you cannot even imagine! You can't conceive what I'm capable of, you all underestimate my full potential yet again! I'm so far beyond you, I'm like an angel wreathed in luminescent darkness!
• Aquamarine describes her sculpture of Steven as her sculpting the truth. She sculpted her truth.
• Black Rutile defines the words repugnant, squalid, and concentration camp to Beryl just like how Frieza defined repugnant to Goku.
• The Vortexxer seems to be a mix of the Stargate and Rick and Morty's portals. It also seems to be visually similar to the phase gates from Subnautica. The way Black Rutile describes it makes the Stargate reference even more obvious.
  Black Rutile: The device is essentially a hyper-advanced warp pad. It has been modifed to travel not only this universe but every universe as well. It's kind of like a ring-shaped gate. Comes with a dialer. You hit the symbols, it spins around, and lights come on.

Two Birds on a Wire

• The title for this episode comes from the Regina Spektor song of the same name.
• The log that Black Rutile presents has the code 6-18-12, the premiere date of Gravity Falls on June 18, 2012.
• One universe the Vortexxer led to was one where organics knew they couldn't change their society in a post-apocalyptic landscape, so they blamed creatures called Beasts rather than reflect on themselves.
• After a group of Pearls used as guinea pigs for testing the Vortexxer disappear, Black Rutile declares that they have been sent to some distant lands known as Ooo, and they might as well be as good as gone there. While one of her colleagues says it doesn't look too bad, she then remarks notcto judge it by its appearance as she describes the place as a nightmare pretending to be a daydream.
• After rediscovering the Vortexxer, Black Rutile takes the time to demonstrate universes outside of their own. As an example, she uses the canon Steven Universe world that she dubs Earth-2013 and its pilot, which she dubs super weird.
• Aquamarine tries to keep the rhythm between her and Eyeball in a flashback, and she adds" Not like you ain't got rhythm."
• After returning the Vortexxer to Little Homeworld, Black Rutile paraphrases Andrew Ryan by declaring "No gods or lords, only survivors!"
• As Eyeball performs a hostile takeover of the Ruby Squad at the end of the episode, she commands "Look at me! I'm the captain now! And you're gonna do what I say, whether you want to or not!"

Date Night

• When Jasper asks if Garnet really means that she'll teach her how to act on a date, Garnet responds with "Yes. Definitely. Absolutely."
• Jasper has a particular question to ask during her practice date with Pearl. As it turns out, Pearl immediately recognizes where the question came from.
  Jasper: So, uh, has it ever occurred to you, Pearl, that the process that creates this boredom that we see in the world now may very well be a self-perpetuating, unconscious form of brainwashing created by a world totalitarian government based on money, and that all of this is much more dangerous than one think?
• Bismuth mentions a cartoon she likes called "Harry's Hot Dogs", about a family running a hot dog restaurant and the adventures they get into.
• The waiter at the Crab Shack introduces himself by saying "My Name Is Earl". This is especially fitting since the Crab Shack is named after the Local Hangout from that series.
• White Topaz orders herself a strawberry sunrise with no ice and a little umbrella to go with her sauteed crab legs. When Jasper orders herself some shrimp fried rice, she wonders if a shrimp was trained to fry the rice.
• A man named Lynn expresses his admriation for Jasper, much to the shock of his wife Bobbi. Given the Bob's Burgers reference earlier, it's likely these two are genderbent versions of Bob and Linda Belcher.
• Lapis echoes Jasper's thoughts about shrimp fried rice, which causes Bismuth to say that a shrimp lifting the frying pan would make it the eighth wonder of the world.
• When Jasper discovers the Crystal Gems watching her and White Topaz share their first kiss, she yells out "AND IS PERIDOT SERIOUSLY FILMING US RIGHT NOW?!" as Peridot records it with a video camera. She was likely one Precision F-Strike away from turning into Moxxie discovering Blitzo stalking him and Millie.

The Big Lazuli

• As indicated by the title, the episode is a Whole-Plot Reference to The Big Lebowski, featuring Lapis in the role of The Dude, Peridot as Walter, and Teal Zircon as Donny.
  • The other titular Lazuli is Jeffrey Lazuli, an Expy of Jeffrey Lebowski played by John Goodman, right down to sharing the same first name. Similarly, his daughter Tara fills the role of Bunny Lebowski, while his wife Maude is named after Jeffrey Lebowski's daughter. In the latter case, they're both played by Julianne Moore.
  • Jeffrey Lazuli's butler is named after Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays Brandt in Lebowski.
  • Lapis, Peridot and Teal are led to the Lazulis' mansion on Rosebud Mountain by a cowboy who seems to be a reference to the Stranger.
  • The Deity is a blatant reference to The Jesus. He is also said to drive a Torino.
  • Upon first meeting Jeff, Teal Zircon takes a moment to compliment the carpet in his office. Jeff replies by saying that it ties the room together.
  • Jeffrey proclaims "The Lazuli abides." at one point.
  • Teal Zircon quotes one of The Jesus's Badass Boasts to describe The Deity.
  Teal: If we pull any crazy stuff on him, we flash a piece out on the lanes; he'll take it away from us and do who knows what horrible things he can do.
  • During the bowling game between Peridot and The Deity, Teal Zircon tries to raise a losing Peridot's spirits by saying this could turn into an underdog story while also saying "I bet you can see where it goes from there." Peridot's response?
  Peridot: Whatever, that's, like, your opinion, TZ.
  • Mr. Shreds is a parody of Jackie Treehorn, while Tank and Collar are parodies of the guys who pissed on the Dude's carpet.
  • At the end of the episode, Peridot declares this to be the weirdest day they've had yet and decides "Come on Lapis, let's go bowling."
  • The final scene of the episode is The Deity getting a face full of ash.
• Much of the episode takes place in Lizwater, Montana, a town famous for its dinosaur digsites which are described as like a "Jurassic park".
• Jeffrey Lazuli lives up on Rosebud Mountain, which is said to be a great place to sled on in the winter.
• Aside from Mr. Shreds and his goons Tank & Collar, Tara has been targeted by nihilists, creepy hitmen, crazy car salespeople, and runaway chain gangs.
• Tank asks Collar "Why are we walking like this?" as the two scale Rosebud Mountain when they could've easily go up the mountain trail and climb the fence.
• After Lapis and Tara are kidnapped, Jeffrey asks Peridot if she expected their plan to go like The Prince and the Pauper.
• Jeff mentions a friend named Roseanne who he can call to help pay the ransom.
• Among the various obstacles Peridot and Teal go through to save their cash from the bluejay are wisecracking store clerks.
• A woman tells Peridot to Follow That Bird.
• The Deity frequently hangs out at Big Bills Bowls.
• After Peridot demonstrates her ferrokinesis, The Deity brags that he can flip her off in American, French, Japanese, and Italian style.
• When lying about using Peridot's suitcase full of cash to help his starving village, The Deity declares "I guarantee it. Would I lie?" while giving an Aside Glance.
• As The Deity makes his getaway, he declares "Nothing bad ever happens to The Deity!"

But Wait, There's More!

• As the title implies, a ton of famous commercials are referenced in this episode.
  • The episode opens with a parody of Big Bill Hell's.
  • Teal's first commercial is a send-up of The Most Interesting Man in the World with a dash of Burt Reynolds' pin-up poster.
  • The second is a parody of The Man Your Man Could Smell Like.
  • The third features Teal Zircon dressing up as Billy Mays.
  • The fourth has Teal channeling Flex Seal.
  • The final one is a parody of Vince Offer.
• After the first commercial, Teal suggests something related to cricket, causing Peridot to say this.
  Peridot: Cricket?! Nobody understands cricket! You must know what a crumpet is to comprehend cricket!
• As a way of demonstrating her mirage band's illusion powers, Teal Zircon dresses in a jester costume and calls the Gems puddin', turns the set into a disco club before telling everyone to shake their groove things, and finally recreates the Titanic while declaring "My friends, it's been an honor playing with you."
• Black Rutile's attempted propaganda video has her referring to herself as a humble veteran cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate.

A Fandom Divided

• The author admits to this episode being a near Whole-Plot Reference to the Amphibia episode "Civil Wart".
• Before Peridot introduces Camp Pining Hearts, a few of the Gems profess some of the shows they like to watch. Teal mentions Challenge of Castles, Watermelon Tourmaline says she likes The Gandolfinis, and Desert Glass finds herself relating to Black and White Are The New Blue.
• Pearl is a little wary about screening Camp Pining Hearts out of fear that this will turn the fandom toxic, like a certain Crying Breakfast Friends fan-artist who nearly committed suicide because she was bullied for drawing Sad Spoon too thin. The author said he wanted to reference a certain incident in the Steven Universe fandom for ages, and it seems the Zamii070 incident was that one.
• The hunter in the "Hunting Season" episode is basically just Elmer Fudd, complete with his signature speech impediment. He also shouts "Oh, a deew! A femawe deew!" when discovering a doe in the forest.
• The actor playing Pierre is named Jacob Steele. Likewise, the actors who play Percy and Paulette are named Edward Christian and Bella Anastasia respectively.
• In addition, Jacob is voiced by Jensen Ackles, who has experience with teen dramas and Die for Our Ship.
• Aquamarine dubs the shipping war between Teal Zircon and Cat's Eye to be A Futile and Stupid Gesture.
• The two Imperial Topazes guarding the greenhouse emulate the Emerald City guards by declaring "NOBODY GETS IN TO SEE THE GRAND SHIPPER OF PIERRE AND PERCY, NOT NOBODY, NOT NOHOW!" When Peridot reveals that she ships Percy with Pierre, one of them declares "Oh, I see you are a Gem of culture as well.
• Teal Zircon offers Peridot to join her side the same way Darth Vader tried convincing Luke Skywalker to join the dark side after revealing he's Luke's father.
• The Percy/Pierre shippers convince Peridot to join them with the catchy chant of "One of us, one of us! One of us, one of us! We accept her, we accept her! Be one of us, be one of us!"
• Cat's Eye says this during her debate with Lapis:
  Cat's Eye: Oh please, you think this is like a cartoon where you can make everything better in just a few minutes flat?! You need to let it go, little girl. You are indeed correct that this is the real life, not just a fantasy!
• When fretting about possibly betraying Peridot, Lapis is told of one teensy-weensy, but ever so crucial little detail she had forgotten about.
• Meanwhile, Peridot feels betrayed about Lapis backstabbing her, to which Teal replies with "It's always sad to see a friend go, isn't it?"
• When Peridot and Lapis engage in a brief attempt at a "I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight, Lapis proclaims "The good times are over!"

Wet and Wild

• Coast Patrol is brought up again, and this time it's implied there a reboot film starring a wrestler whose name Lapis can't get right, calling him names like The Stone and The Boulder.
• When Laz is tossed into the pool to demonstrate how to save someone from drowning, Zuli tells her to collect air bubbles and watch out for the creepy background music.
• When Aquamarine struggles to swim in the ocean currents, Laz yells at her to "FLY UP!"
• Once Aquamarine is saved, Lapis tells her that she's probably looking for the words "thank you", and replies with "you're welcome." Aquamarine then leaves be declaring "Screw you guys, I'm going home!"

The Krav Maga Gem

• If the title hasn't told you by now, this chapter is a Whole-Plot Reference to the The Karate Kid films, complete with Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, and Hilary Swank all making cameo appearances in a flashback. Theresa even says that her Krav Maga training reminds her of the film and compares her Old Master to Mr. Miyagi.
• The two rival characters of Divine Fighters of Mother Nature are named Jotaro Kaminashi and Seto Itadori. The former uses Autumn Leaves Breathing Style: Rake Flechette, while the latter uses Spring Breeze Overdrive: Butterfly Metamorphosis. The two are also voiced by Sean Schemmel and Christopher Sabat, best known as a certain other pair of anime rivals.
• While showing Teal Zircon the above-mentione show, Lapis suggests watching Planet Chasers: Starlight Excellent, which she states is so addictive, you could watch it all day everyday.
• Teal starts channeling Naruto Uzumaki during her first confrontation with Jasper. Coincidentally, the chapter was released on the 20th anniversary of the Naruto anime. Her comment to Jasper about if "if our insurmountable tension means we're actually in love with each other!" also echoes the Ho Yay-filled relationship between Naruto and Sasuke.
• Teal's Non Sequitur, *Thud* has her yell "I have seen raccoons and oysters dancing in the head of a pin with the angels. They are laughing!"
• During the meeting between the President and the Crystal Gems, Amethyst brings up a misogynist influencer named Andre Kate who Pearl is disgusted by and asks how people can take him seriously.
• Adding to the The Karate Kid references, Theresa describes Krav Maga using Cobra Kai's motto "Strike first, strike hard, no mercy."
• Theresa owns a Bel-Air Prince 1990, the equivalent to a Chevrolet Bel-Air, that she once won from Will Smith back in 2014.
  Teal: She's a Buick!
• While making dinner for Theresa, Teal gets a tomato thrown her way, and Theresa responds with "If you can dodge a tomato, you can dodge a big, orange Amazon!"
• Theresa keeps a vast collection of rare plants she goes out to collect, to the point where she refers to herself as Poison Ivy.
• When Teal finally realizes her training has mostly been doing chores for Theresa around Number One Observatory Place, she complains about how she didn't get to fire giant lasers from her hands, stretch her body like rubber, summon a ghost to do the fighting for her, or turn into a living weapon.
• It's revealed that Theresa came from Empire City and went to college at Empire State University. While studying there, she had roommates named Carolyn, Victoria, and Lilith.
• During her flashback, a teenage version of Theresa has dreams about being a witch with a human apprentice, a bratty demon son, a crush on a cute band geek, and a sister who cursed her to turn into a monster and was on the run from a genocidal fascist Puritan.
• Master Dan says to the young Theresa that the path to peace begins with a friendly ear.
• A few more Ninja Turtles references show up during the fight between Teal and Jasper. Teal starts yelling "JASPER! I AM HERE!", "JASPER, FACE ME!", and "Jasper, do you fear me?!", and later yells Casey Jones' "Goongala!" Battle Cry. Meanwhile, Jasper makes this declaration.
  Jasper: I, on the other hand, have been fighting since the day I was created, and I've forever known what you fail to understand! STRENGTH ALWAYS PREVAILS!
• As a parting gift for Theresa, Teal conjures up a horse head with her illusion bracelet.
• The final scene of the chapter is Theresa and Amethyst charging at each other as they prepare to fight. Amethyst also shapeshifts her attire into that which is similar to the one worn by Ryu for the fight. And then there's their pre-fight banter.
  Amethyst: Don't expect a flawless victory for you!
  Theresa: You're in for a real fatality yourself.

To Err Is Human

• The opening narration says that the Topaz family originally lived in Riverdale before Ash Topaz was transferred there by Hiram Lodge.
• The Topazes' new neighbor is Ted Sanders, a near dead-ringer for Ned Flanders.
• When Eyeball's human counterpart rushes to tell Ruth Black about Whitney Topaz, she starts panting so much that Ruth makes it out to be news that Dripping Yellow Madness has come back after moving out after fifth grade.
• Among Amy Thomas's homeroom class, aside from Whitney, Thea Zick, and Jasper Brooks are Thomas Olive, Susie Heckler, Joseph Wheely, and Kandace Flan.
• Whitney's phone number that she gives to Jasper ends with Jenny's Number.
• As Ruth Black gathers the student council to discuss Whitney, she recites a familar set of Arc Words.
  Ruth: If it cannot break out of its shell, the chick will die without being born. We are the chick; the world is our egg. If we don't crack the world's shell, we will die without being born. Smash the world's shell.
  Student Council: For the revolution of the world!
• According to Abbie Newman, the human version of Alpha Kyanite, Pete Parus was a student of Crystal High and the two even dated once.
• When the council suggests digging up some dirt on the Topaz family to ruin them, Xanthe Turner states that their records are all perfectly clean. Not one of them has done dirty deeds for dirt cheap.
• One of Biddie Matthews' students at her gym class is a hippie-like boy that Biddie calls Rogers.
• To Whitney's dismay, the lunchroom primarily serves beef jerky, clams and grape punch.
• Once Ruth Black's insidiousness is exposed and she's promptly stripped of her leadership of the student council, everybody at the football game starts singing a parody of "We're All In This Together". This extends to the source of the dream, which was White Topaz falling asleep while watching Boarding School Broadway.

From Russia With Hate, Part 1

• The author's notes specifically credits From Russia with Love and The World Is Not Enough as inspiration for the chapter, the former also being referenced in the title.
• The chapter opens with Bane Jones visiting a banker who is said to have information on the death of a fellow agent named Craig.
• Before the banker that Bane Jones visits is killed, he confuses the laser pointing at his head for a ladybug.
• Konstantin, Pavel and Leo are all described like this:
  They were three men in black military garb, one fat, one short, and one lean. These three crooks were quite different in looks, but all of them seemed equally mean.
• Tina borrows some of her fashion sense from Raven. When she reveals her true colors as Rasputina, her outfit is a near replica of Raven's costume.
• When Bane tells Amethyst that he wants her and Lapis to come along on his next mission, Amethyst asks where they're going while bringing up space, Japan, the Caribbean, and Korea.
• Among the gadgets displayed by G are the explosive pen, a razor-rimmed derby hat, a weaponized wristwatch, and a tricked-out version of the Rumbakini Tormenta. Amethyst also takes a a prosthetic nipple to sell online.
• Bane, the Crystal Gems and Tina visit a casino in Saint Petersburg called the Royale Casino, which Tina describes as the number one wretched hive of scum and villainy in all of Russia.
• While investigating the casino for The Sickle, Bismuth comes across a casino patron that looks like a dead ringer for Zangief.
• During the car chase out of Saint Petersburg, there are plenty of references to The Blues Brothers to be found. Bane declares "it's 37,500 miles to America. We got a full tank of gas and multiple gadgets, it's getting cold, and none of us are dressed for the weather." followed by Amethyst saying "Hit it!", and Bane escaping off the highway causes a massive car pileup. At one point during the chase, Jake and Elwood themselves appear, declining Peridot's offer to help them when Jake says that they're on a Mission from God, after which Elwood yells "Our Lady of blessed acceleration, don't fail us now!" as they race off.
• The spell Rasputina uses to restrain the Crystal Gems and Bane is cast by her saying Klaatu Barada Nikto. The fact that she used it while casting a spell from a mysterious book. makes this a reference to Army of Darkness.

From Russia With Hate, Part 2

• Rasputina's childhood stuffed bat is named Bartok.
• The Sickle is in utter disbelief of Rasputina being the great-granddaughter of Rasputin, and says "Next, you'll tell me he's still making comic books!"
• When Rasputina brings Bartok to life to prove to The Sickle that she isn't lying about her magic powers, The Sickle responds by screaming "THAT! IS! A! TOOOOOY!" Tina then replies with "You are a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity."
• As Amethyst wakes up inside a cell at The Sickle's headquarters, she mutters "You won't get away this time, Lord Gravy."
• The incantation Rasputina says before torturing the Crystal Gems is "Higitus figitus bibbidi bobbidi boo!"
• Bane Jones is forced onto a garrote much like James Bond was in The World Is Not Enough. He even does a similar Title Drop.
• Amethyst shapeshifts into a mouse and leaps onto Lennie's head before controlling him by pulling at his hair to free Bane.
• Amethyst tries to stop the missile launch, but the computer prompts her by saying "To halt missile launch, press any key." She then wonders "Where's the any key?"
• This exchange between Bane Jones and The Sickle before their fight on the nuclear missile.
  The Sickle: I'm afraid you might be too late to stop this missile, but if you'd like, I'd be happy to beat The Living Daylights out of you.
  Bane Jones: No thank you, Mr. Sidorov. I think I'll Die Another Day.
• Bane Jones' supposed Heroic Sacrifice involves him getting hit with missiles, just like the ultimate demise of his inspiration in No Time to Die. Unlike that film, Bane survives thanks to his Cool Car.
• When Black Rutile reads through Rasputina's book at the end, she briefly ponders on using the Eye of Agamotto, the Jewel of Four Souls, the Phoenix Gate, and the Planispheric Disk.

Samhain Night

• The author credits the early Treehouse of Horror specials as inspiration for the wraparound segments of the chapter.
• Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl and Black Rutile's stories are all parodies of classic horror movies.
  • Amethyst's story is a parody of Alien.
  • Pearl's story is a parody of Army of Darkness.
  • Garnet's story is a parody of A Nightmare on Elm Street, with a dash of Friday the 13th.
  • Black Rutile's story is a parody of The Exorcist.
• The Gems' various costumes are of other fictional characters.
  • Jasper is dressed as Vegeta.
  • White Topaz is dressed as Scorpia.
  • Garnet is dressed as Muhammad Avdol.
  • Amethyst is dressed as Ms. Marvel.
  • Pearl is dressed as Utena.
  • Peridot is dressed as Invader Zim.
  • Lapis is dressed as Penny.
  • Bismuth is dressed as Slash.
  • Black Rutile is dressed as Doctor Doom.
  • Aquamarine is dressed as Weiss Schnee.
  • Holly Blue Agate is dressed as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman.
  • Eyeball is dressed as Deadshot.
  • Navy is dressed as the Spy.
  • Cat's Eye is dressed as Catwoman.
  • Teal Zircon is dressed as Phoenix Wright.
  • Demantoid and Pyrope are dressed as Lil' Gideon and Haruko Haruhara. It also doubles as a reference to the author's previous work on Fooly Falls.
  • Beryl is dressed as Mabel Pines.
  • Emerald is dressed as Queen Emeraldas.
  • Morganite is dressed as Morgan Le Fay.
  • Desert Glass is dressed as Juliet Starling.
  • Serpentine is dressed as the Tenth Doctor.
  • Nephrite is dressed as Launchpad McQuack.
  • Albite is dressed as Monkey D. Luffy.
  • Laz and Zuli are dressed as Juvia Lockser and Aisha respectively.
  • Squaridot is dressed as Radical Edward.
  • Yellow Pearl, Blue Pearl, and Volleyball are dressed as Iridessa, Silvermist, and Rosetta respectively.
• The antagonists of Pearl's Army of Darkness story are called Skeletites, which take the form of the bones of prehistoric animals. Three in particular are a woolly mammoth, a ground sloth, and a sabretooth tiger.
• The special ends with everyone standing out in a field commenting on each other's costumes, just like in the Homestar Runner Halloween cartoons.

Snowfall Feast

• Quite a few parts of the narration harken back to classic Christmas stories, with How the Grinch Stole Christmas! getting alluded to the most. White Topaz even outright calls Black Rutile The Grinch in response to Black Rutile's hatred of Snowfall Feast. Black Rutile later sings a parody of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" as she robs Little Homeworld of the holiday.
• When telling the Gems to act like normal humans, one rule Greg gives is to don't mention the war.
• Aside from calling her a Grinch, White Topaz also calls Black Rutile The Scrooge, which Black Rutile takes to heart by declaring "bah humbug!"
• "Ruby, with your gem so bright, won't you help me steal Snowfall Feast tonight?"
• When Greg's parents arrive at the beach house for Snowfall Feast, Greg starts panicking and yells "Let's hide and burn the house down!"
• When Peridot takes offense to being called Steven's sister Dot, Lapis tells her to stop yacking and calls her a wacko.
• After Thomas nearly catches Garnet un-fusing into Ruby and Sapphire, Steven takes Greg into the bathroom to tell him how little faith he has in Greg's lie.
  Steven: Look, Dad, I know you're uncomfortable about talking to your parents about what you've been up to and especially about Mom, but I think this is all a lost cause. I mean, they probably know who the Gems are because they were already over the news. Why don't we just cut our losses and confess to them already?
• While the Crystal Gems eat dinner with the DeMayos, Amethyst tells the The Aristocrats joke, which makes Pearl bring up an equally disgusting booger story.
• Greg says that the story of him and Rose is a long and complicated one, causing him to ask "Got any gum?"
• In yet another reference to The Grinch, Teal Zircon takes the role of Cindy Lou Who.
• When Black Rutile declares that she was disguising as Santa to rob Little Homeworld, she proclaims Santa doesn't exist, like the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.

Two Sides of the Same Gem

Brand New Reality

• The very first line is Black Rutile declaring "I love it when a plan comes together." as she gets closer to finishing the Vortexxer.
• When Cat's Eye says she wants to find an alternate dimension where all her heart's desires are answered, Black Rutile derisively calls her a material girl in her material world.
• In the flashback to the Crystal Gems assigning White Topaz to stop Black Rutile's plans, Amethyst asks if White Topaz is a bad enough dude to save two worlds.
• Black Rutile gives a useful tip when it comes to Booby Traps.
  Black Rutile: When expecting booby traps, always make sure it actually catches boobies first.
• After successfully acquiring the Seer to the Void, Black Rutile declares "The Seer to the Void, I finally found it! Now, who's gonna stop me?!"
• The Multiverse that the Gems explore seems to be made up of many of the author's other works, both past and future. One universe is the Marvel Gems Universe, another shows Sly Cooper with Luz Noceda and Eda Clawthorne. We also see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fighting the Immediate Murder Professionals, Bumblebee alongside Anne Boonchuy & Sprig Plantar, Haruko Haruhara riding with Dipper & Mabel Pines, Michigan J. Frog performing for Saitama, and Star Butterfly in an argument with Jake Long.
• When Black Rutile comes to retrieve Cat's Eye from the universe she sent Cat to, Black Rutile comments on one universe she found that was home to a sport where human women engaged in combat sports using only their mammaries and buttocks.
• When White Topaz and Jasper travel between universes, they catch a glimpse of Rick and Morty and the Doctor in his TARDIS.

We are the Crystal Regime

• White Topaz describes the Mirror Universe concept as a world where everything you know is wrong, black is white, up is down and short is long.
• Once again, Black Rutile gets Connie's last name wrong. This time, she's called Macklemore-Swanson.
• The flashback begins with the words, "This is but one of the legends of which the people speak. Legends of how a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, the Gem Homeworld was ruled by the four Diamonds."
• Before deciding on Steven, the alternate universe Greg intially considers naming his new son Clark, Bruce, and Zach.
• When Greg realizes how evil the Crystal Regime is, it costs him his life since he was no longer useful to them. There were his last words.
  Greg: You mean all this time I was just nothing more than a baby machine for you guys?! But that's horrible; your empire is horrible! YOU'RE HORRIBLE! You're all a bunch of irredeemable monsters!
  Pearl: Oh my, I wonder what took you so long?
• Aquamarine tells Black Rutile to be careful around Lord Steven after she gives him the idea of a Villain Team-Up.
  Aquamarine: From what I've learned about human logic, I have discovered that everything that exists has a specific nature. Each entity exists as something in particular and has characteristics that are part of what it is. A is A. And no matter what reality he calls home, Steven Universe is Steven Universe.
• After jumping onto a dinosaur statue in the Lucent Gems' cavern lair and sliding down its tail, the rebel Black Rutile greets her mole within the Crystal Regime with "Greetings and bienvenue."

Gotta Get Back

• Cat's Eye's parody of Steven quickly turns into a parody of Caillou, much to her chagrin.
• The ancient society of sorcerers guarding the alternate Seer to the Void are called the Mystical Knights of Nog-Na-Tir.
• During one of Emerald's rants, Pyrope interrupts her by mockingly calling her Creator/Shakespeare and asking if she's going to say "Life is but a walking shadow" next.
• During a training session between Jasper and Amethyst, Pearl chooses to ignore Jasper being abused in favor of reading about Foster Kane running for president against Arnold Clump.
• The following exchange between Steven and Connie in her flashback:
  Connie: We, the Lucent Jewels, place you and your subordinates under arrest for your crimes against the universe! How do you plead?
  Steven: Are you threatening me, girl?
  Connie: The senate shall decide your fate.
  Steven: What senate? I AM the senate!
  Connie: Not yet.
  Steven: It's treason then.
• When thinking of a password to access the Big Dipper vault, suggestions include 12345 and drowssap.

Chaos on Two Earths

• The title of the chapter, true to its Mirror Universe theme, is based off the title of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, but with "Chaos" instead of "Crisis".
• The main universe Steven is reintroduced eating at Olympia Cafe.
• The Lucent Gems Black Rutile makes a "Not So Different" Remark at the main Black Rutile during their fight.
  Lucent Gems Black Rutile: Besides, vengeance has blackened your soul, my friend. Once, I feared that I would become that which I fought against. You, on the other hand, have swan-dived into that abyss with reckless abandon. And when it looked back at you, you blinked.
• When the Regime Garnet subdues and imprisons the main Garnet, she declares "Love is all you need!"
• The Regime Amethyst takes a few cues from Lobo during her fight with the main universe Amethyst.
• The various universes the Crystal Regime plots to conquer are all other Cartoon Network shows, such as Ben 10, Teen Titans, Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls, OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes, Dexter's Laboratory, SWAT Kats, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Adventure Time, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Villainous, and Uncle Grandpa.
• The regime Lapis demonstrates just how Ax-Crazy she is by painting blood on her lips to form a Slasher Smile similar to the Joker.
• Speaking of the Joker, the Regime Lapis has this to say about her good counterpart.
  Regime Lapis: You know, Lapis. You'd be real funny if you weren't so pathetic. Oh, what the heck? I'll laugh anyways! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
• A good portion of the dialogue between Steven and Lord Steven takes a lot from the fight between Batman and Justice Lord Batman.
  Lord Steven: But you don't understand, Steven, if you really want to make a difference, to change the system instead of patching it, you cannot be subtle. You must step into the sunlight and take over like we did.
  [..]
  Steven: They'd love what you've done with your place, wouldn't they? You know, your parents, Rose and Greg?
  Lord Steven: I never knew my father when I was young. As soon as I was born, the Gems saw him as a mere disposable human slave, and he had to be gotten rid of so he wouldn't be a bad influence on me. From there, they taught me the values I stand by today.
  Steven: Values that allowed you to seize power and become a controlling monster! Can't you see that you're hurting people all over because of what you're doing?!
  Lord Steven: You still don't get it, do you? Think of it, a world with no crime, no victims, no pain!
  Steven: And no choice. Who elected you to be the ruler of your universe?
  Lord Steven: Well, who elected you to become the Diamonds' master? That's the problem with politics. They almost always elect the one who'll turn out to be the most authoritarian idiot.
  Steven: You're the tyrannical idiot here!
  Lord Steven: My forebearer simply chose more extreme methods of peace, not unlike your version of Bismuth. Frankly, I'd have a lot more fun with that one rather than the deranged maniac who committed acts of terrorism as a hobby with her superweapons.
  Steven: You grabbed power!
  Lord Steven: And with that power, I've made a world where we can never live in constant fear of violence and oppression ever again! Isn't that what you wanted?
• In response to the above Armor-Piercing Question, Steven replies with a spin on the "You don't have to be the bad guy" speech from The LEGO Movie.
• In Lord Steven's final moments before his Uncertain Doom, he quotes a bit of Hamlet, but the way it's framed implies he's also quoting Dinobot.
  Lord Steven: Please, Steven, I urge of you. Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good, and let me be judged accordingly. The rest... is silence.

Little Homeworld Life season 2

It's Tough To Be A Star

• One of the tourists refers to the Crystal Gems as Earth's mightiest heroes.
• Another tourist takes off his shirt to show off his Amethyst tattoo before he makes a strange comparison.
  Tourist: Hey, you wanna know who Amethyst reminds me of?! MY MOM!
• The Gems' talent manager is Sam Galley, a corruption of Svengali's name, and is shown wearing a trilby hat.
• Sam Galley mentions having supported the likes of John Chaney, Velvett Johannason, and Jack L. Samuels in the past.
• Among the many possible pieces of merchandise Sam proposes is a Lapis Lazuli-themed water gun. Which somehow shoots boiling water.
  Sam: The test audiences love this one!
• Amethyst and Peridot's big musical number is a parody of "It's Tough To Be a God" from The Road to El Dorado.
• Sally Grove seems to be a thinly-veiled Take That! to Lily Orchard.
• When Neil Michaels gets yelled at by Pearl for adapting Steven's breakdown into a movie, he mutters that he hasn't been this disrespected since that party at Jeffrey's island.
• Amethyst and Peridot appear on a talk show hosted by Leonard Jason, a parody of Jay Leno who is even voiced by him. Similarly, Anderson Cooper voices the host of a parody of 60 Minutes that Garnet, Bismuth, Jasper, and White Topaz appear on.
• Peridot announces that she'll be pitching her personal reboot of Camp Pining Hearts to its home network The DW.
• During her chat with Black Rutile, Sally Grove defines 420 as either "ha ha ha, drugs are funny" or "adults who still watch cartoons."
• Sally says goodbye to Black Rutile by announcing her intentions to post a video defending K.A. Howling by saying people are just jealous of a woman being superior to them in every way imaginable. even Black Rutile finds the act to be positively repulsive.
• When the Crystal Gems start getting cancelled online, to the outrage of Bismuth, the Anderson Cooper Expy decides to end the show right there and declares that next time, they'll discuss if artificial intelligence can revolutionize the paperclip industry.

A Quick One While I'm Away

• As stated in the author's notes for the last chapter, this chapter's title takes inspiration from the Bojack Horseman episode "A Quick One While He's Away".
• In addition, this chapter is stated to take inspiration from The Beatles film A Hard Day's Night.
• While eating at the Best Diner in the World, Steven has a run-in with a reporter named Kent Clark, who is also voiced by Tim Daly. Kent briefly mentions how he often daydreams about being the Last of His Kind who is sent to Earth by his alien parents where he becomes a Physical God. After Steven leaves, Kent draws himself as a superhero in his notepad and comes up with names like Supreme and Superior. According to him, the former's already been taken.
• Throughout the later portions of the chapter, Steven is followed by four men resembling The Men in Black who wear individually colored ties and are named after four artists of the Italian Renaissance. Their leader is named Mr. Leonardo and he's voiced by Cam Clarke, while the other three, Mr. Donatello, Mr. Raphael, and Mr. Michelangelo, are voiced by Sam Riegel, Sean Astin, and Brandon Mychal Smith respectively.
• After being caught investigating the crater created by Steven, Mr. Leonardo uses a device that stuns Coach Monroe and the kids before fleeing while they recover. Said device seems to be very much inspired by the neuralyzers.
• Two members of the Empire City Vipers cheerleaders are voiced by Christy Carlson Romano and Sarah Michelle Gellar, who have experience playing characters like that before.
• The chapter ends with Steven finding himself at a Wood-Shavings music festival where what seems to be The Village People are performing.

Somebody To Lean On

• The title of the episode is derived from a lyric in the Bill Withers song "Lean on Me".
• When Cat's Eye is allowed to choose from a bunch of cats to serve as a therapy animal, some of them include three kittens dressed in pink, blue, and red respectively, a big cat playing with a stuffed frog, and a cat who seems awfully protective of a pudding cup he's eating out of. The cat that Cat's Eye chooses a black cat named Blake who carries a stuffed yellow dragon toy in her mouth.
• After a failed attempt at a trust fall where Pyrope proves too large for Demantoid to catch, a delirious Demantoid proclaims "Why, thank you senator. The fish was delish, and it made quite a dish. Creepy pants all the time get some. Sever your leg please sir; it's the greatest day."
• Teal Zircon declares "Oh, Black Rutile, I'm respecting your privacy by knocking but asserting my authority as a good neighbor by coming in any way!" before she barges into Black Rutile's house.

Little Homeworld Idol

• Brock Ridley is stated to have starred in Death of a Salesman, Angels in America, and Cats in his introduction. He also seems to physically resemble Rand Ridley, who is also voiced by Christian Slater.
• Jasper tries to hide how moved she is by Lapis's Triumphant Reprise of "That Distant Shore" by saying that she's sweating a watery discharge through her eyes.
• The Lucent Gem's big Villain Song is an extended parody of Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do."
• When Smithsonite suddenly becomes winner of the competition, Black Rutile complains "That impressed you?! I've been ripping off a song my whole act!"

De-Clustering

• Black Rutile describes her plan to use the Cluster to gather new recruits to her cause as "brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!"
• When the Rutile Rebels decide on starting with three Gems to turn into members, Eyeball proclaims that three is a magic number.
• This conversation between Black Rutile and Amazonite/Merlinite is quoted nearly word for word from the Powered by a Forsaken Child exchange from The Venture Bros..
  Amazonite/Merlinite: Pink Diamond? Wasn't she shattered by a Rose Quartz?
  Black Rutile: Well, not entirely.
  Amazonite/Merlinite: What do you mean...
  Black Rutile: Okay, the Rebellion was started for a few stupid reasons.
  Amazonite/Merlinite: Just tell me one.
  Black Rutile: (mumuring) You see, Rose Quartz was actually Pink Diamond.
  Amazonite/Merlinite: She was what?
  Black Rutile: Rose Quartz was Pink Diamond.
  Amazonite/Merlinite: Did you say Rose and Pink Diamond were the same this whole time?!
  Black Rutile: Yes, exactly, excellent listening.
  Amazonite/Merlinite: Our grand opponent was that forsaken child?!
• Amazonite declares "No one man should have all that power." when she accepts Black Rutile's offer to join the Rutile Rebels.
• During Tanzanite/Tiffany Stone's flashback, a Condor Agate says "Impressive. Most impressive." to Tanzanite as she shows how much of a Determinator she is.
• Hessonite shattering Tanzanite/Tiffany by stabbing her in the back seems to be inspired by King Andrias stabbing Marcy Wu in "True Colors".
• Angry at how the Crystal Gems knew Pink Diamond disguised as Rose Quartz and lied to everyone about it, Tanzanite declares whoever Steven is, he is just like his mother as they never think of the consequences. A similar accusation was made by Regina Mills in the third season finale of Once Upon a Time.
• Black Rutile starts her speech to the new Rutile Rebels by saying "CAN YOU COUNT, SUCKERS?! I SAY THE FUTURE IS OURS! IF YOU CAN COUNT!" She later states that miracles is the way things ought to be.
• Once Jestrix awakens, he complains about how ten thousand years can give you such a pain in the neck.
• To demonstrate his Reality Warper powers, Flipso transforms Konstantin, Pavel, and Leo into a drinking cup, a large fry, and a wad of meat respectively.

Fun in the Sun

• Teal Zircon says "I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold." while engaged in a water gun fight with Diaspore.
• Part of Flipso's beach attire seems to include Max Tennyson's Hawaiian shirt.
• This line by Flipso:
  Flipso: Heard you guys were headed for the beach. Frankly, I can see why because, lord almighty, I can feel the temperature rising!
• One video that Sally Grove has in production is "Steven Universe is a Garbage Person and Here's Why".
• The Giant Enemy Crab that Flipso summons has a white pony clinging onto its back with a sword.
• Teal Zircon says that the giant crab is making her scared, but also really hungry.
• White Topaz calls the giant crab Sebastian.
• Once the crab is defeated, Jasper declares "It is over. Finished."
• Black Rutile muses how Flipso's powers keep getting curioser and curioser in response to the Spirit of Competition hijacking Emerald's body to start a beauty contest.
• Reginald Johnson is stated to be a parody of the likes of Alex Jones, Ben Shapiro, and Tucker Carlson, and it shows in his Establishing Character Moment.
  Reginald: Now you may be wondering, how could I hate a group of people I've never met who probably don't know I exist?! Well, I don't like what they're putting in the Earth that turns the freaking rocks gay! Do you understand that?! They're no better than those mentally ill preschoolers who think they're fighting climate change ^note Alluding to Ben Shapiro's feud with Greta Thunberg or everyone who says I can't have a crush on this fictional candy mascot! ^note Alluding to Tucker Carlson's infamous response to the desexualization of the Green M&M Well then, whose bright idea was it to depict the candy as a beautiful woman, huh?! The world is a cruel parent but an effective teacher too. Its final lesson is carved deep into our psyches: that the world, and all its people, are diseased! Free will is a joke because we'll all soon become nothing more than mindless puppets for the minorities of this world!
• As Flipso initiates an Indy Ploy to distract Pearl from finding Black Rutile, he outright says "Indiana Jones, I hope you're watching!"
• When debating what to do to end their beach day, Teal Zircon says she feels like roasting the heart, lungs, and liver of a sheep boiled in its own stomach over the bonfire.

Famethyst Reunion

• During training at the beginning of the episode, Holly Blue calls out Cherry Quartz for getting the neck pinch wrong.
• According to Holly Blue's flashback, she was created in a Kindergarten on the planet Glados.
• When the Rutile Rebels hear the human zoo descending to Earth from outside, Flipso guesses that it could be his mother-in-law, who he states once gave the One Above All a spanking.
• Holly Blue starts having a panic attack at the thought of reuniting with the Famethyst, which Flipso dubs a a realistic portrayal of a panic attack.
• Flipso believes Holly Blue to be catastrophizing her trauma just to make people feel sorry for her, like his distant cousin not knowing about death even though he gave a fascist Puritan dictator the means to commit magical genocide.
• Flipso is seen playing what is clearly Cookie Run.
• When asked to use his powers to make the Famethyst go away, Flipso pulls out Da Rules to read from rule 24601, which prevents this from happening.
• One of Holly Blue's plans to get rid of the Famethyst goes like this.
  Holly Blue: I'll get them all poofed, and then I'll put them in a box! Then I'll put that box inside of another box, and then I'll mail that box to myself, and when it arrives, I'll smash it with a hammer!
• Cat's Eye responds to the above with "Holly, my dearest friend, your mouth is moving. Words are coming out. This is not good." Later, Holly quotes Xander Harris by saying "As of this moment, it's over. I'm finished being everybody's Butt-Monkey!"

Being Human

• Black Rutile's Rousing Speech takes a few cues from a similar speech by Bane.
  Black Rutile: Take heed, my followers! Around us stands a symbol of oppression: Little Homeworld. Where dozens of Gems have languished under the names of these rebels. They have been held up to us as a shining example of kindness and forgiveness. But I say you have been supplied with false idols. To stop you all from tearing down this corrupt reeducation camp! And will we just lie down and accept such a terrible fate? NO! For you see, I am now on the cusp of attaining phenomenal unlimited cosmic power courtesy of the cosmic jester Flipso, who I shall release via this ritual!
• As part of the ritual to release Flipso from his imprisonment, Black Rutile and Rasputina chant "Owa Tagu Siam".
• Upon his escape, Flipso yells "Hot diggedy dog! This place is magnificent!"
• Teal Zircon suggests that nobody should feed Flipso after midnight.
• Upon realizing that Flipso managed to discover her attempted betrayal, Black Rutile tries to hide it by speaking Spanish, in particular saying "Uh, quesadilla, matador, chihuahuas bravos, ¡Los Diego!"
• Flipso does a Badass Boast where he claims himself to be four parallel universes ahead of Black Rutile's 12th level intellect.
• When Flipso steals the Seer to the Void, he yells "SHABOOEY!" before casting the spell that turns all the Gems into humans.
• Black Rutile's history lesson on Flipso's backstory reveals that in response to Flipso's reign of terror, Solaris Noctua assembled Physical Gods such as the New Gods, the Celestialsapiens, the Children of Oberon, the Ninja Tribunal, the Thirteen Primes, the twelve Gods of Destruction, the Eternals, the Great Dragon, the Q Continuum, and the Eight Guardian Generals.
• Flipso turns Marty into a decapitated head smoking a cigarette who says "Kill me", to which Flipso replies with "Later!"
• At the beginning of the wrestling match, Flipso makes an entrance while quoting John Cena, The Rock, Hulk Hogan, and Randy Savage all at once.
• Da Rules shows up once again, and this time Flipso refers to Rule A-113, which tells him to play fair and give everyone their weapons back.
• During Black Rutile's brief dance with godhood, she announces her plans to use Flipso's powers to eradicate Steven once and for all. But then she goes a little further.
  Black Rutile: I can see it all now. Not only can I use these abilities to be rid of Steven for good, but I will use them to hunt down any young hero like him! Trollhunters fighting their last battle, huntresses losing that more honest soul, Invincible champions reduced to puddles of blood, an age of wonderbeasts coming to a destructive end, human witches and warriors of calamity meeting their untimely demise, princesses of power, heroes of heroes, vampire slayers, guardians of light, dragon protectors, all of them destroyed with a mere wave of my hand!
• However, her omnipotence doesn't last long.
  Black Rutile: No, I will destroy everything! Destroy, destroy, and destroy more until this world disappears! That is the reason I'm standing here today! (she suddenly has an epiphany) No! Now I see the universe for what it is: We are all dust, bound by one enormous, universal force. No, not universal, not even multiversal! This omniversal force continues forever, in every direction through every reality! ''(she then turns to Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl)'' My lust for power, my hatred of Pink Diamond, it isn't just evil, ultimately; it's pointless. I could never truly destroy you. You would only have been not unexistent in what could have not now been the past, present, and partial future. To tear down and destroy is of no consequence or quality; to create is divine.
• Solaris Noctua says that Earth has had more than enough interplanetary visitor dudes as is. He then remarks "Dudes. Such a silly word."
• At the end of the episode, Flipso is shown playing cards with Discord.

Seeing Black

• Word of God describes Andesine, Amber, and Howlite to be his personal Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Bones McCoy respectively.
• Amber seems to be a Gem version of Yang Xiao Long, right down to sharing her voice actor and combining her outfits from Volumes 4 and 8.
• When the Black Pearl Brigade and the Off-Colors fall for Andesine's fake surrender, she declares "Flawless victory."
• Among the members of Cinnabar's group shown in prison, Dalmatian Jasper kills time by throwing a ball against the wall of her cell.
• Andesine declares that "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." Howlite counters by saying fear is the mind-killer and the little-death that will bring total obliteration.
• Dalmatian Jasper and Amber pretend to argue over who would win between a Viltrumite and a Chimera Sui Generis as part of the escape plan.
• Xenotime describes her abilities as wibbly wobbly timey wimey powers.
• This line from Howlite when it's revealed that Hessonite was watching the breakout from a security camera running on backup power.
  Howlite: Well, because I wanted us to fail, and I was a mole for the Crystal Gems this whole time. (Beat) OBVIOUSLY, I DIDN'T KNOW!
• Lars tells a story of how he and the Off-Colors narrowly escaped the Trandoshans after interfering with their hunt.
• Sally Grove says she Does Not Like Men because she believes "they're all the same dumbasses who not only do not realize how much is handed to them but still think they're the victims when they mess everything up because of their lazy entitlement and fragile egos."
• When renovating the Servant into a house, Pony lays out a carpet heavily resembling the Magic Carpet, which Tails says really ties the room together.
• Lars confronts Bluebird Azurite and tells her "Run. Run away, Bluebird, back to your master."
• This bit from the final scene:
  Black Rutile: Now then, let me ask you one thing. People talk loud when they want to sound smart, right?
  Bloodstone: (loudly) CORRECT!

Eye of the Beholder

• The episode opens with Squaridot watching an episode of "The Wonders of Creativity" with Ross Roberts.
• Continuing from the above, there's Ross's sign-off message.
  Ross Roberts: So from all of us here, I'd like to wish you a happy painting; God bless us, everyone, and remember, hugs, not drugs.
• Peridot objects to the idea of buying art for the barn because of how expensive they can be, which causes her to bring up a Japanese painting of a fire ninja fighting an ice ninja that's worth $1,081,992.
• When Squaridot tries out painting, she ends up copying The Mona Lisa, the Vitruvian Man, the Great Wave off Kanagawa, and The Starry Night.
• During her flashback to her brief time as a member of the Rutile Rebels, Squaridot tells Morganite about a nuclear fusion device she plans on using to threaten the Decapodians into servitude.
• This line from Morganite during the flashback.
  Morganite: Just go away so Hessonite and I can talk one-to-one. Just You and Me and My GUARDS!!
• Upon having a "Eureka!" Moment from remembering Ross Roberts' lesson, Squaridot admits to having Floating Advice Reminders for some reason, two of which are Serena and Bellicus while the third one is Mr. Butlertron.
• Black Rutile's statue of herself holding hands with Aquamarine while they stand atop Steven's dead body is a clear parody of the Disney theme parks' Partners statue.
• One of the photos shown off by the Black Pearl Brigade is one of an unseen adventure to the planet Yorha.
• Teal Zircon's artwork is a painting of a number 2 pencil. She doesn't know why she painted one however.
  Teal: I don't know why I painted this, but it helped me remember that the most important thing in life is to use a number 2 pencil. (growling) Number 2!
• Yellow Pearl, Blue Pearl, and Volleyball present a statue serving as a tribute to the struggles Pearls faced as servants that they call Little Rebellions.

The Gem-Lympics

• The opening scene of the two teams standing underneath a big torch borrows from the opening sequence of Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.
• Apatite calls Black Rutile's latest plan bad comedy.
• The gymnastics competition between Cat's Eye and Tiger's Eye is set to music by the Japanese electro-swing bad Mad Rat Dead. Prior to the competition, Cat's Eye proclaims "Face it Tiger, I'm about to hit the jackpot."
• When Black Rutile explains how she's biding her time until she can strike at the Crystal Gems when they least expect it, she declares "The best puppeteers never use strings."
• Marty tries, and fails, at selling Guacola during the event, and he claims he made it less vomitrocious this time.
• Apatite gives up on the 400m race halfway through and says "Screw you guys, I'm going home."
• Albite mentions learning about ping pong through watching a Ping Pong anime.
• Tanzanite yells "I AM THE HYPE!"
• While preparing for the archery event, Amazonite tries telling the story of Robin Hood to Beryl, but Beryl is barely paying attention.
• Amazonite wins the archery contest by making a bullseye and walking down the archery range while shooting at every other target.
• After Beryl loses, Amazonite had a few choice words about being a good archer.
  Amazonite: To successfully make a shot, you gotta follow and master basic steps. Your stance is the foundation. Where you draw your strength. Nock the arrow and grip. Realize you are wielding a weapon. Mindset. Focus solely on your goal, regardless of your surroundings. Be in the now. Set up and draw.
• In regards to Black Rutile's motivation, James Brenner repeats a lesson his aunt once told him.
  Brenner: My aunt once stated that revenge is like a poison. It can take you over, and before you know it, it can turn you into something ugly.
• Serpentine says "Face me, if you dare!" before fighting Black Rutile in the final event.
• Black Rutile says she doesn't consider herself fully evil, she's nuanced.
• After the Rutile Rebels win the Gem-Lympics, everyone celebrates by staging a riot and tearing the stadium apart. A swimming pool that wasn't involved in any of the events gets flipped in the process.
  Amethyst: Unacceptable? Did you see the pool?! They flipped the bitch!

A Temple Divided

• Amethyst's first line in this chapter.
  Amethyst: What do you mean you're on a wedding cake shortage?! Who in the world could possibly want that many cakes?! Oh, the Royal Family? Yeah, that makes sense. I'll just call someone else. Thanks anyways, choom.
• Reginald Johnson's plot to take over the White House for Black Rutile is dubbed Operation: Olympus Down, named for two movies about terrorists taking over the White House.
• Black Rutile's speech about The Power of Hate mentions how if you expose someone to anger long enough, they will learn to hate. She then concludes by declaring that fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate shall lead to suffering.
• President Eduardo Suarez's children are named Huey and Riley.
• Reginald quotes Monsoon by saying "It's in our nature to fight and hate, Eddy, and you simply can't fight nature! The wind blows, rain falls, and the strong prey upon the weak!" For an added bonus, Word of God admits to basing parts of Reginald off of Monsoon, even admitting to resisting the urge to have Reginald say "Memes: the DNA of the soul."
• Reginald says "That boy ain't right!" while chasing Eduardo, who yells "Yippee-kay-yay, hijo de puta!" in response.
• After testing the Rejuvenation Blaster on Emerald, Morganite, Demantoid, and Pyrope, Black Rutile turns to her remaining subordinates and asks "Will anyone else attempt to fill their shoes?"
• This line from Aquamarine after she reveals to Lapis that Bismuth poofed her:
  Aquamarine: For you, the day Bismuth ruined your life because she saw you as a mere soldier was the most horrible day of your life. But for her, it was just another day on the battlefield.
• Some of the party decorations Lapis bought for the wedding anniversary party were napkins that read 'TALE AS OLD AS TIME, SONG AS OLD AS RHYME'.
• Black Rutile proves to Eduardo and La Résistance in One Observatory Drive she means business by having a secret servie agent ripped out through the window and having his head nearly crushed in the door jam, much like Wilson Fisk killed Anatoly.
• When the Rutile Rebels interfere with the Crystal Gems' civil war:
  Black Rutile: This is delicious!
  Pyrite: I guess abducting the Crystal Gems and holding them hostage won't be necessary, huh, boss? They're already occupying themselves as is.
  Black Rutile: Oh, don't be hasty, Pyrite! Not until I'm sure it works perfectly! (she fires a shot from the Rejuvenation Blaster at an Amethyst, causing her to poof) YES! YES!
• Teal Zircon tells Topaz "We might win this one, you get to the panic room!"
• When the dust has settled and The Bad Guy Wins, Teal performs a rather familiar monologue.
  Teal Zircon: I don't understand. I don't understand how this all happened. How we go through this. I mean, I knew the Crystal Gems, and then they're just, they're just taken down by some crazy Rutile I thought was running a book club, and I don't understand why she can't just get over her horrible losses and live a quiet life. It's stupid. It's human and stupid, and, and Lapis was crying and not talking, and earlier I was having fruit punch and I thought, well, I got fruit punch all over me, surely that'll be just one part of a day we'll look back on and laugh. And she'll never see Peridot, or Bismuth, or the others, not ever, and no one will explain to me why!
• The final line of the chapter is Black Rutile laughing as she declares "Who can stop me now?! WHO?!"

Hostile Takeover

• Black Rutile comments that her victory over the Crystal Gems is the happiest she's ever been since the siege of Tweenis 12.
• After the reprise of "Wither the Rose", we get this scene.
  Black Rutile: People of Beach City, do not look away! You witness a Rutile's revival, and the birth of her new empire!
  Lars: What do you want now, Black Rutile?
  Black Rutile: What I want is recognition! As you can see, I have officially conquered Little Homeworld and taken the Crystal Gems as my prisoners. The means as to how it can fly can all be blamed on their dear friend, Lapis Lazuli. Despite what the Crystal Gems believed, Little Homeworld was the aspiration of idiots and dreamers! A mere tool to indoctrinate poor, unfortunate Gems who were living lives free of their tyranny. But unfortunately for them, I am far smarter than the average Gem, so I continued planning my revenge for months on end, which leads me today. Either surrender to me at once or else your pathetic little town will go bye-bye! Bye-bye.
• Teal Zircon declares she's ten million percent certain that The Plan she put together will succeed.
• Jasper asks White Topaz "Are You Pondering What I'm Pondering?", and White Topaz, true to one of her inspirations, replies with "I think so Jasp, but Pete Rose? I mean, can we trust him?"
• Doug Maheswaran says "Sweet Manila in the Claws of Light" when he and Connie watch a news report covering what just happened.
• During White Topaz's shadow puppet show recapping the events of the last episode to Connie:
  Puppet!Pearl: Top thirty reasons why Bismuth is sorry. Number 5 will surprise you.
  Puppet!Lapis: Top thirty anime deaths, number one: YOUR BUTT RIGHT NOW!
• Black Rutile's mangling of Connie's last name continues. This time, it's Meka-Leka-Hi-Meka-Hiney-Ho-Swanson.
• Kevin declares "Aw, what the heck, I haven't got that long a lifespan anyways." when everyone gathered by Teal Zircon shows their willingness to fight Black Rutile.
• Spinel applies some Percussive Maintenance to free Hessonite and Citrine from prison, and she adds an exclamation of "Ey!" immediately afterwards.
• During the flashback sequence, Sally yells "I can buy and sell you, old man!" to her father Carl when she's told to come down for dinner.
• Black Rutile's speech from "I Am My Monster" interrupts Carl and Maureen Grove's plans to watch American Idol.
• This line from Maureen.
  Maureen: Thankfully, she hasn't done anything super serious, but she's also formed lynch mobs online against random people she hates, and cyberbullied her so-called friends away. And let's not forget that she wrote some really disturbing fanfiction!
• When Eduardo Suarez says he'd like to have a public debate with Reginald Johnson face to face, Mr. Shreds says "As absurd as your request is, I shall grant it."
• How Black Rutile offers his We Can Rule Together offer to the Crystal Gems.
  Black Rutile: What I'm trying to say is that there are special people like us who should run the world, and then there are the disgusting humans who deliver our food and fight our wars.
• When Black Rutile chooses a Crystal Gem to test the Disintegrator on.
  Black Rutile: Bismuth, do you volunteer as tribute?
• Black Rutile appears before the New Crystal Temps by jumping up into the air, landing with a Three-Point Landing, and striking a pose with her sword before saying "Well, don't start on my account."
• As the New Crystal Temps prepare to fight the Rutile Rebels, the Crystal Gems join the fight and Garnet has this to say.
  Garnet: CRYSTAL GEMS! Assemble.
• When Sally Grove has her combination Engineered Public Confession and Villainous Breakdown, Doug disdainfully says tthis to her.
  Doug: It's the same story I've seen so many times. A fine, upstanding bigot. Your nose is so close to the grindstone, you can't see anything else. Meanwhile, the world changes and grows, and you're blind to it! Ignorant and proud of it too.
• Tanzanite's entire Motive Rant for why she joined Black Rutile is a near-perfection recreation of a similar one by Sabine Wren.
  Tanzanite: It's because I just wanted to save everyone from what I suffered. My friends! My family! Everything I did was for the galaxy, for the Crystal Gems! But it was all for nothing, Pink Diamond used all of us to avoid the consequences of her actions. I had to use my skills on friends; on family; Gems that I knew. She controlled us through lies. (starts Cry Laughing) Homeworld, no better than the rebels Rose created. I helped terrorize my people! I wanted you to stop it, I had to stop it. I spoke out. I spoke out to Black Rutile, to save everyone from you! But when I did, I only stood with a monster. You chose Pink Diamond. You left me, gave me no choice! The Diamonds wanted to destroy worlds, and they did. Pink destroyed mine.
• Black Rutile's idea of a joke during her Villainous Breakdown is "What do you get when you cross a depressed loner with a society that abandons her and treats her like trash?! I'll tell you what you get, you get what you deserve!"
• James Brenner's final monologue once Black Rutile is finally brought to justice.
  Brenner: At the end of the day, we are all but individuals crying for fairness in our lives. You won't get everything, but you'll get something. The Crystal Gems finally restore peace, while Black Rutile hopefully realizes how futile her schemes were. In the end, we just need to decide what is fair and what isn't.
• The Stinger revealing King Jormagundr and his mysterious friend the Lapidarist is a recreation of the end of the Amphibia episode "The First Temple".

Snake Eyes

Home is Where the Heart Is

• One of the first lines of the story is Black Rutile declaring how a wise man once said a wise strategist gathers all his information before deciding on a course of action.
• This argument between Kyanite and Bloodstone regarding the reproductive organs of a certain species.
  Kyanite: Come on, they have one female servicing a large group of males, that implies a species that lays eggs.
  Bloodstone: Oh my Diamonds, you're crazy! They are so obviously mammals!
  Kyanite: Please, she'd be in estrus 24/7 if she didn't lay eggs!
  Bloodstone: But they don't lay eggs! I don't have to keep telling you this!
  Howlite: You're both wrong. They are beings who reproduce asexually, therefore they have no reproductive organs to procreate with.
  Kyanite: Dang Howlite, why you always gotta get so smart on us?
• As Black Rutile abandons the Rutile Rebels in her escape from the Slytherophidians, she tells them "Adios turdnuggets!" while implied to be Flipping the Bird.
• After Black Rutile's ship crashes on Earth and she emerges from the wreckage, she declares "Help me Steven Universe, you're my only hope." before falling over.
• Greg calls Steven Steven Seagal.
• After being helped to her feet by Steven, Black Rutile describes the coming of the Slytherophidians like this.
  Black Rutile: It's been eons since we last saw them, but they found us! They're hungry! AND THEY'RE COMING!
• As part of the Running Gag of Black Rutile getting Connie's last name wrong, this time she's called Mecha-lecha-chimichanga-habba-hooga-swagger.
• After Aescul offers his spaceship to help Steven and Black Rutile reach Serpentes, we get this scene.
  Steven: Please tell me this is going to be a normal, non-life-threatening adventure.
  Black Rutile: With you? No way! Now snakeman, make it so!

Let the Games Begin

• One of the Slytherophidians, later referred to as Maverick, invading Little Homeworld says this to Jasper.
  Maverick: Perhapsss you'd like to ssssee how ssssnake-like we can BE!
• As Spinel is carted away along with the other important Homeworld Gems by Goose, she rants "I want a lawyer, I want a doctor! I want a cheese sandwich!" Coincidentally, this was released after the death of Harley Quinn's original voice actor Arleen Sorkin.
• When it's confirmed that the Diamonds tried covering up their genocide by saying they only targeted planets without sentient life, Hessonite namedrops Hosnian Prime, which Citrine believed was destroyed with a giant laser until now.
• Bialyoom Milamin's first name is derived from Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom from The Producers, while Meinerr's name is a corruption of the song "Mein Herr" from Cabaret.
• Two elderly Slytherophidians who laugh at the Crystal Gems' expense are references to Statler and Waldorf.
• The two commentators are parodies of, and voiced by, Jim Ross and Michael Buffer.
• Whenever someone in the Contest of Champions is defeated, the audience urges the winner to kill their opponent by chanting "FINISH HIM!"
• The Decimator and Earthos appear to be expies of Kratos and Wolverine respectively. We then have this exchange between Amethyst and the Pearl about their opponents.
  Amethyst: Uh, maybe they're friendly?
  The Decimator: I have butchered millions on countless moons!
  Pearl: I doubt it.
• After defeating the Decimator, Amethyst declares "Life goes on, but I believe we'll forever carry the pain on the inside." She claims to have gotten the line from a janitor on TV.

Here Comes a New Challenger

• When Pyth first meets Steven he says "Your mission, should you choose to accept it..."
• Steven and King Cobralan sing a parody of "The Other Side" together when Cobralan tries convincing Steven to join the Contest of Champions.
• The other competitors in the Contest are one Expy after another. Aside from the already mentioned Earthos, Decimator, Sylvia Spectre, Envyrno, Sheriff Spiegel, Deputy Edward, and the Metals, there's Monty the Moarchean, who's a parody of Miek, Captain Gearfeet seeming to be a take on Guybrush Threepwood, Rigby Starglow's name being a parody of Ziggy Stardust, Michelle Angelon seeming to be a mix of Tifa Lockhart and Sephiroth, and Lady Imagineer being a parody of NiGHTS.
• Naja commences the battle between Steven and Sylvia Spectre by shouting "Heaven or hell, let's rock!"
• Bialyoom's response to Steven deciding not to kill Sylvia.
  Bialyoom: There-are-three-ways-to-win. One, you-knock-your-opponent-out. Two, the-opponent-quits, and-shouts-'Uncle!' Three, you-kill-them-right-on-the-spot!
• Black Rutile grumbles about how she was robbed of having Sylvia as a potential ally by Steven's use of talk-no-jutsu.

Climbing the Ladders

• Envyrno yells "LUUUUNCHTIIIIME!" as she begins her battle against Lapis.
• After accepting his defeat at the hands of Peridot, Titanium tells her "You are who you choose to be."
• When making her debut in Garnet and Amethyst's battle against Sheriff Spiegel and Deputy Edward, Sugilite asks "Who be jammin' now?", to which the audience replies with "YOU BE JAMMIN' NOW!"
• Ronaldo's introduction during the Contest.
  Ronaldo: ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?! (he holds up his sword) This sword is a replication of the Shining Finger sword from the hit anime series Mobile Home Warrior Gatha, used by its titular protagonist in his fight against evil superpowered land developers trying to destroy his trailer park home, and I shall use it in his name!
• Andesine says "Well, don't hesitate on my account." before her and Cinnabar's fight with Captain Gearfeet and Rigby Starglow.
• Captain Gearfeet reminisces on when he fought for his soul in Dayve J'onzz' Bunker or when he took on Starbeard for Sil V. Erman's legendary treasure.
• After ripping off Gearfeet's mechanical arm with her bare hands, Cinnabar says this.
  Cinnabar: Looks like you've been disarmed! ''(chuckles)'' Get it? Disarmed?
  Gearfeet: (now with one arm and hopping on one leg) Who needs arms, when you have spirit!?
  Cinnabar: You're a looney.
• After getting slashed across the back with Andesine's flaming sword, Rigby complains that the pain is like ashes to ashes.
• Peedee claims he managed to sneak onboard Aescul's ship behind everyone's back through learning stealth from watching Iron Gear Solid cutscenes on TubeTube.

Be Prepared

• The chapter is named after, and features a take on, the signature Villain Song of The Lion King, though it particularly derives from the lyrics from the the live-action remake and the deleted reprise.
• Some of the races a young Nosiop suggests the Slytherophidians conquer include the Ood, the Shamoians, the Mooninites, and the Watchdogs.
• Nosiop believes that Pyth is suggesting that he kill Cobralan for refusing to listen to him, to which Pyth replies with this.
  Pyth: No, my boy, I'm way past killing parents! What do you think I am, Uncle Claudius?!
• Andesine tries blaming her The Starscream behavior on Kyanite, who responds with "Hey, I've only been here a few minutes! What's going on?!"
• Lars mentions how he and the Off-Colors were abducted from a planet called Wasprus by the Slytherophidians.
• Lars says he'll be onto the Rutile Rebels like a Langdon Cobb movie.
• In another Futurama reference, Aquamarine says "No one destroys a boy like you, my Rutile."
• When Steven starts doubting himself before his rematch with Black Rutile, Ronaldo says "Believe in the Ronaldo who believes in you." Peedee then follows up with "Some people can't believe in themselves until someone believes in them first."

Folie a Deux

• The two Slytherophidian scientists examining the Diamonds are named Mercer and Heller, after Alex Mercer and James Heller.
• The conversation between Steven and Greg before Steven's fight with Black Rutile borrows heavily from a similar conversation between Ben Tennyson and Grandpa Max in the Ben 10: Ultimate Alien episode "Absolute Power".
• Garnet calculates a 32.33% chance of Steven making it out of the fight with perfect mental health, repeating, of course. Jasper then says "Well, that's better than what he usually does."
• The fight between Steven and Black Rutile is loaded with these.
  • Black Rutile's entire Villainous Breakdown in the first part of the fight about how Steven has practically ruined her life is based on similar speeches by Majin Vegeta and Katsuki Bakugo. In response, the narration says "Everyone has seen Black Rutile laugh, but now Steven isn't sure if anyone has ever seen her cry."
  • Afterwards, when Steven remains Defiant to the End, Black Rutile says "Too little, too late. Story of our lives, Steven Universe."
  • How Inner Steven reveals himself to Steven in the climax of the fight:
    Inner Steven: You're really just going to stand there and let her kill you? Do you give up? Will you abandon their hope? Can you not feel their desperation? Will evil forever rule the universe? HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN?!
  • Once Inner Steven is allowed to take control of Steven's body, he makes his presence known to Black Rutile with one word that Ron Perlman is familiar with.
    Inner Steven: FALL!
  • The form Steven takes when under the control of Inner Steven evokes Naota Nandaba becoming Atomsk. To complete the reference, Black Rutile paraphrases Haruko Haruhara when she says "Steven, you can't do that! This victory is mine!"
  • Inner Steven declares "This is what happens when I cut loose and show you how powerful I really am." before trapping Black Rutile in the Hundred Cracking Fist of the North Star.
  • Black Rutile starts begging for mercy soon after.
    Black Rutile: No more, Steven Universe! Grant me mercy, I beg of you!
    Inner Steven: You, who are without mercy, now plead for it? I thought you were made of sterner stuff.
  • And after that, we get this line.
    Inner Steven: No need to wonder where your god is, Black Rutile, for he is right here. And he is fresh out of mercy.
    Black Rutile: Oh, how cute, he thinks he's a-OH SLAG!
  • In another Justice League reference, Steven forces Black Rutile back into the hole she created while saying "This is where you belong, Black Rutile. Under. My. Heel."
  • The way Black Rutile tells Steven to kill her goes like this.
    Black Rutile: Go ahead, kill me. Kill me now. DO IT!
• As a humiliated Black Rutile cries alone in her quarters, she quotes FLCL once again with "I thought this time, just this once, I thought I was gonna get what I was fighting for."
• This final exchange between Black Rutile and White Topaz.
  White Topaz: Then you truly are lost. Goodbye, my Rutile.
  Black Rutile: Topaz, get back here at once! Topaz! TOPAZ!

Gods and Monsters

• The Sheriff from "The Big Lazuli", now referred to as Murinus, suggests to King Serpentes I that they quit the Tomb Raider business and cut back on searching uncharted lands and temples of doom.
• The Lapidarist's history lesson starts like this.
  The Lapidarist: Before you came to be, there was us. We were a race of scholars and artists, a proud civilization that was the pinnacle of evolution, that lived in vast shining cities. We devoted our existence to helping all life. But we wanted to learn of how these beings came to be. Cells, molecules, atoms, from ions to pions, muons to gluons, neutrinos, gravitinos, and more are what we learned of from our neighbors from long ago. While we were generous, there were those who abused our generosity. They used our gifts as weapons for conquest and destruction. We would not allow it, so we waged a war. A war to end all wars, but it was futile, no matter how many we slayed, more would simply take their place. We tried to create a race of warriors to eradicate them, but our earliest attempts being failures. The Conretes while string and sturdy, were sluggish and stupid. The Magmen however while powerful were too volatile, and thus we left them on Hifotia. But out of all of our failed attempts, the worst was SQUAMATA. A being of pure darkness and chaos created in a vain attempt to suck out all the negativity in the universe. Instead, we created something far worse, a cosmic horror that devoured countless worlds to sustain itself, with millions of voices suddenly crying out in terror before they were just as suddenly silenced. We tried all could to stop this new threat from becoming more powerful. And while we succeeded in containing it within the depths of this planet, it came at the cost of our entire civilization. The last of use banned together to create a race of beings of light and order that would unify all life. We created, you.
• Gem, aka the future White Diamond, is shown fighting a Grendel that strongly resembles The Incredible Hulk.
• This exchange between White Diamond and the Lapidarist:
  The Lapidarist: Do you remember what happened afterward?
  White: Do you not?
• Gem created the first Gems in a part of Serpentes known as the Devil's Palm canyon.
• When King Serpentes discovers the early Gems, they all greet him like he were Norm walking into Cheers.
• Before their fight, Diamond and Serpentes have this exchange:
  Diamond: Then come on, enough talk! Have at you!
  Serpentes: I will do what I must.
  Diamond: You will try.
• The Lapidarist apologizes to the Crystal Gems for being the author of all their pain when she finishes her history lesson.
• The Accretionator can restore planets to life by functioning like the Secret Heart.
• When the Crystal Gems debate on whether to take the Lapidarist's deal, Jasper says "If Steven didn't completely break her body and her spirit, she'd accept the deal faster than you can say, 'Pull the lever, White Topaz'."
• After Steven leaves once he calls out the Diamonds for lying about killing intelligent life on the planets they conquer, the Lapidarist reveals a prophecy that says "Enlightened warriors of clashing kinships come from afar to banish the Eclipse. Only when united in heart and mind, can they stop the worlds from being aligned."
• Lars says "Looks like our princess wasn't in another castle after all." after rescuing Naja.
• At the end of the chapter, Nosiop gives a speech revealing his plans to Serpentes that he ends with this.
  Nosiop: Let this be a wake-up call to you Slytherophidians, the Universal Lords, the Gem race, and the ignorant masses across the entire universe! I shall soon arrive with an entire army of loyal Gems at my side to face down an ancient foe my father has hidden from you for so long! We all must answer to the hand of fate, and fate has chosen me to conquer this world!

The Cosmos Quiver

• When Black Rutile asks what's even the point of continuing to rebel anymore, Nosiop comforts her by saying "To give people hope, dear Rutile, so we can rip it away from them."
• The cult devoted to releasing Serpentes that Nosiop and Pyth are a part of is called the Serpent Society.
• Pyth says "Long live the king." before trying to kill Cobralan.
• Turquoise calls Pyth Dorkus as she and Sardonyx rescue Cobralan from his clutches.
• Envyrno says that she wants to get the Abe Due Dumballa off of Serpentes and start causing some mischief. When Sylvia refuses to leave until Nosiop is brought to justice, Envyrno has this to say.
  Envyrno: You should embrace your inner bad girl already. Let's go kill some Horrible Bosses together, get a purge going! Live a little! In fact, I know of this great place to hang out at a few star systems away. It's a new club that plays really great hardcore techno for a really hip young crowd.
• Rigby Starglow tries calming the masses by singing "Face my Fears" at the Ouraborium.
• Sheriff Spiegel and Deputy Edward reminisce on some spice cultists back on Sergione-29 who shouted "He who controls the spice controls the universe!"
• Lapis, Laz, and Zuli send a message to the Contest of Champions fighters that simply says "B.U.T.T." According to Zuli, the last time they tried that was against some Gremlins on Tritek.
• Cobralan says to Naja, "Please stand, stand by us."
• Spinel calls Steven Steve Summers while running off to look for him.
• Mr. Manco reveals that he heard a rumor from a fellow prisoner named Titanius Anglesmith about the location of Squamata's resting place.
• Squamata's Establishing Character Moment tells us everything we need to know about his character while also paraphrasing another God of Evil played by Ray Porter. His color scheme also brings to mind Shenron.
  Squamata: I have turned hundreds upon thousands of worlds to dust in the name of darkness and devastation until I was robbed of my glory. I will stride across the remains of my enemies and bask in the glow of pure chaos, for all of existence shall be mine to consume!

Let The Endgames Begin

• Squamata reveals that the Lapidarist's name is actually Rebeugar, a corruption of Rebecca Sugar's name.
• This exchange between the Diamonds and Squamata:
  Yellow Diamond: Die, monster! You do not belong in this world or any world.
  Squamata: It is not by my will that I am free to consume the universe as I did in days long past. I was released from my confinements by mortals who wished to pay me tribute in exchange for assisting them with their own plans.
• Squamata chants "Ah-say-into-pie, oppa-maybe-uppen-die!" before spitting corrosive flames at White Diamond.
• Peridot coldly calls Black Rutile a murder drone.
• When the Crystal Gems tell Black Rutile that they don't believe her cries for help and think she's lying to get revenge, White Topaz decides to employ some brutal honesty.
  White Topaz: Look, BR, I know you seem like you want the Crystal Gems to forgive you for your sins, but we all think you're a lost cause. You obviously made up your mind a long time ago. Why don't you just cut your losses and get outta here for your own safety?
• When Black Rutile is left alone in the Jormagundrs' castle after being rejected by the Crystal Gems, she declares "I'm at the lowest of the low."
• Flipso refers to Squamata as "the great devourer of worlds, Bringer of Death and Chaos, the master of darkness, and wrecker of all our collective stuff!"
• Wobbla the Great yells "IMMA FIRIN' MY LASER!" before attacking Squamata with his Breath Weapon.
• In the conversation between Nosiop and Cobralan during the fight between the Universal Lords and Squamata's heralds, Nosiop mentions a planet called Koppar 9 that he wanted to conquer to turn its inhabitants into a Slave Race, but Cobralan signed the Lerdwichagul Treaty to make sure that doesn't happen.
• In response to the above, Constricta says this.
  Constricta: Now, son, no need to get all huffy just because you're not getting what you want. It's like some species say, you win some, you lose some. Do you want this to end up like the jockstrap incident? Hopefully, we can give Boa a break from digging all the holes this time.
• Kyanite's idea on how to deal with Squamata is to sit him down, look him dead in the eye, and tell him "Don't eat our universe."
  Kyanite: Trust me, he'd have to be awfully evil if it didn't work, and I'm not gonna lie, I like the cut of his jib.

Crossroads

• The authors' note says that Black Rutile's entire redemption arc takes inspiration for the portrayal of Megatron in The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the conversation between her and Cinnabar being based heavily off a similar moment with Megatron and Ravage in the comic's 32nd issue.
• Howlite calls Xenotime a terminator for threatening a repenting Black Rutile.
• When Black Rutile meets up with the Crystal Gems.
  Jasper: You have a lot of nerve coming back to us.
  Black Rutile: You have a lot of nerve being alive. I suppose you're all going to act super suspicious about what I have planned, but I'm here to prove you wrong by saying I'm sorry. (the Crystal Gems are in Stunned Silence) Hello, anyone? Bueller, Bueller, Bueller? Stop ignoring me.
• This entire dialogue between Connie and Black Rutile.
  Connie: Okay, I'll only accept that you've changed on one condition.
  Black Rutile: What's that?
  Connie: Say My Name. Can you Say It?
  Black Rutile: Of course I can! You're, uh, Connie Steven's-Annoying-Human-Friend!
  Connie: You don't even know my name.
  Black Rutile: I certainly do! It's Meeska-Mooska-Mickey Mouse-svetlana!
  Connie: Sometimes, it feels like you're not even trying to bother. It's Maheswaran, Connie Maheswaran. Can you say it?
  Black Rutile: Connie Maheswaran.
  Connie: Now say, "I'm sorry that I've tried to kill you and your friends and destroy the planet all the time, Connie Maheswaran."
  Black Rutile: I'm sorry that I've tried to kill you and your friends and destroy the planet all the time, Connie Maheswaran.
• Lepidolite makes her grand return by yelling "HEEEEERE'S LEPPY!"
• Lepidolite's Famous Last Words before being poofed.
  Lepidolite: This is goodbye to you all. To my Rutile Rebels, to my fellow Gems. And yes, even you, Steven Universe.
  In a brilliant explosion of black and white smoke, a mighty fusion was eliminated, and her components were reduced to their gems lying at Steven's feet. Once known as menaces to the entire Gem race, they made the ultimate sacrifice to defend the boy they called their greatest foe. They were Black Rutile and White Topaz, partners in crime turned Crystal Gems at heart.
  Nosiop: In their last moments, people show you who they really are.
• The chapter ends when White Diamond says "Thank you, Pearl, for that marvelous introduction."

The Ultimate Fusion

• When Black Rutile sees Steven in the midst of his crisis, she says "I always come back and all that."
• Inner Steven convinces Steven to talk with Black Rutile about his problems with the Diamonds by saying "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
• On that note, Black Rutile's speech to Steven.
  Black Rutile: Because it's not as simple as you think, Steven. This kind of stuff gets messy, and everybody's got issues, especially the Diamonds. And sometimes, they screw up. But that doesn't mean they won't just pretend like it didn't happen. Try to cut the Diamonds some slack. They may not always get it right, but they're trying. That's more important than you think.
• Stars, the fusion of Steven and Lars, is described as looking like he was dressed as a member of a lonely hearts club.
• Stevaldo, the fusion of Steven and Ronaldo, introduces himself by saying "I am Stevaldo! I Dare to Be Stupid!" Fitting as he's voiced by "Weird Al" Yankovic.
• Titanium's Optimus Prime-esque speech before the final battle.
  Titanium: In any war, there are calms between storms. There will be days when we lose faith. But there are also days when a few brave souls unite to save the universe. We can be heroes in our own lives, every one of us if we only have the courage to try. Now, we must take strength in kindred spirits, not as allies, but warriors If not in our vessels, then in our cores. I am Titanium of the Metals, and I send this to the fearsome Squamata. Leave this universe alone. Because we're coming for you.
• This Breaking Lecture / Picard Speech exchange between Squamata and the Lpaidarist.
  Squamata: So, you finally show yourself, my dear creator. What can one speck of light illuminate within the dark abyss that is I, Squamata? Countless stars. Countless worlds. Countless lives. All fell to me, all brought to nothing, and all because of you. You and your kind have tried so hard to keep your sins hidden away that you had no idea that there would be souls of darkness who wanted to unleash my wrath upon the universe. You simply could not live with your own failures, and where did that bring you? Back to me.
  Lapidarist: You will find that mortals are far more resilient than you believe, Squamata. Look at these people, these mortal beings. Consider their potential! They have done so many amazing things with the short time they have in the universe, yet they always made the most to ensure a brighter future for all! But in order for that future to become a reality, you must be snuffed out!
• When Stevaldo does his Big Damn Heroes moment after Squamata possesses Nosiop, he does a familiar Badass Boast.
  Stevaldo: I am the terror that flaps in the night. I am the one character in a superhero comic who is genuinely skilled in his own right yet is useless compared to the gods he surrounds himself with! I am Stevaldo, ally to good and nightmare to you!
• When the Diamonds ask Steven to forgive them.
  Yellow: We don't understand? Are you kidding? Us? Of course, we understand. I mean, do you call this a war, this funny little thing? This is only a small scuffle compared to what we endured!
  Blue: We did worse things than you could ever imagine! And when I close my eyes, I hear nothing but the screams of the Gems who gave their lives for us!
  White: And you know what you do with all that pain? Shall I tell you where you put it? You hold it tight till it burns your hand! And you say that no one else will ever have to live like this! No one else will ever have to feel this pain! Not on my watch! So go on, hate us all you like, but that won't change the fact that you would never exist without us! We need you as much as you need us! We're sorry for abusing you for what Pink did! Please forgive us!
• The Lapidarist's Last Words before she dies from Squamata's matter destroying venom.
  Lapidarist: I do not know what'll happen after I die. But I know that you are reality's last hope. I was wrong. You two shall make the ultimate fusion that will save us all. My time is short, but I shall leave you with one final message. Everyone, I urge you all, one final time. Believe in Steven.

End of an Era

• When Squamata first meets Rutilated Quartz, he sneers at the fusion and says "Look what you need to do to mimic even a fraction of my power." In response, Rutilated Quartz says this.
  Rutilated Quartz: Well, I'm nothing like Paragon, I am a warrior of awesome power who fights for love and for justice! I am Rutilated Quartz! And in the name of the cosmos, I'll punish you!
  Squamata: Heheheh, you're positively adorable. I'm going to eat your stones.
• While the battle between Rutilated Quartz and Squamata begins, King Cobralan and Yellow Diamond give a eulogy to the Lapidarist.
  Cobralan: We are gathered here today to pay final respects to our honored dead. And yet it should be noted, amid our sorrow, this death takes place in the shadow of a new beginning, the sunrise of a new era for not just the Slytherophidian people, but the universe at large.
  Yellow Diamond: Just when we were getting to know the deceased, her life was heartlessly taken by an unstoppable monster bent on destroying everything we loved and then some. A wise man once said that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. But while she did die in shame, she also perished knowing that she would be redeemed, and we will not debate her profound wisdom during this last battle. Of all the creatures we have met in our years of existence, she was among the most human.
• Garnet declares "As long as there are those willing to fight, you will never claim victory." before everyone fights Squamata's heralds.
• Before leading the heroes into battle, Cobralan says "You don't seem to understand. My world isn't yours to conquer."
• Rutilated Quartz is described as being faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to soar like leaping tall buildings in a single bound, and were phenomenally talented with the swords they dual-wielded in conjunction with Steven's shield.
• Rutilated Quartz yells "Aw yeah, this is happening!" after smashing Squamata's face with a meteor.
• This exchange between Rutilated Quartz and Squamata.
  Rutilated Quartz: Sheesh, dude, no need to be such a Debbie downer! Yeah, everybody fights with each other; it's the circle of life, and it moves us all and all that. Heck, I'm something of a fighter myself, even though I would much rather try to ask first and punch people later. Everyone, even those who proudly call themselves irredeemable monsters, can be capable of change. They gotta find the strength within to atone for what they've done.
  Squamata: Such paltry sentiments from one who is about to die!
  Rutilated Quartz: I've lived my life by those sentiments. They're well worth dying for.
• This line from Black Rutile when Nosiop frees himself from Squamata's possession.
  Black Rutile: There. That wasn't so bad, was it? After all, you can't have others carry you around forever. You should plant your own roots. I once carried myself on the roots of others, but I guess I was wrong. We are stronger together.
• Aescul says "Fly, you fools!" when he attempts a Heroic Sacrifice for the royal family.
• Cobralan leads the people of Serpentes in singing a parody of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" in a Heroic Second Wind against the heralds.
• When Rutilated Quartz is bitten by Squamata and infected with his venom, Smoky Quartz yells "I cannae do it, Captain! I'm giving her all she's got, but she can't take anymore!"
• Rutilated Quartz uses a Combined Energy Attack similar to the Spirit Bomb where they gather energy from across the universe and absorb it all into their sword. And then there's their speech.
  Rutilated Quartz: Do you see it, Squamata? This sword, THIS SWORD IS BURNING LIKE A STAR! IT GLOWS WITH AN AWESOME POWER! ITS BURNING GRIP TELLS ME TO DEFEAT YOU!
  Squamata: NO, I WILL NOT LOSE!
  Rutilated Quartz: TAKE THIS! MY LOVE, MY HOPE, MY ANGER, AND ALL OF MY SORROW!
• As Squamata is finally defeated and sucked into the rift created by Rutilated Quartz's sword, he asks who Rutilated Quartz thinks they are.
  Rutilated Quartz: Who am I, you may ask? Am I a Crystal Gem, a Rutile Rebel, or a Diamond? No, I am all of them. I am the fusion of Steven Universe and Black Rutile, the enlightened warriors of clashing kinships. Now they are united in heart and mind, and they shall stop the worlds from becoming aligned.
• Just like in the final chapter of Alternate Future, one of the final quotes is taken directly from an animated film. In this case, Stan Lee's quote is taken from the dedication to him in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Miscellaneous

• Chrysocolla says that since she was healed, she's become interested in Earth history. One name she mentions (and gets wrong), is Alexander Hamilton, who had a musical that her voice actor Phillipa Soo was featured in.
• Hugh Laurie appears at the end of "The Warning" as a doctor. They even share the same last name.
• Burt Ward appears in "Enemy of my Enemy" as an Expy of Batman in a Show Within a Show.
• "Gems Night Out" is full of these. Most notably, Pierce Brosnan and Christoph Waltz play a James Bond parody & his archenemy respectively while Larry Thomas basically reprises his role as the Soup Nazi for a scene with Pearl.
• Rhiannon Giddens sings "Wandering Roads" on Steven's car radio in "Playdate", which she previously sang on Nashville with Charles Esten as their characters on the show.
• The gift shop owner who sells Spinel her fanny pack is voiced by Jeff Bennett and has a massive blonde pompadour.
• Tom Kenny once again works at a restaurant, but this time he's the cashier.
• Daran Norris once again plays a Large-Ham Announcer at the basketball game.
• A scene in "Fragments" has Amethyst turning into a Dalmatian to help search for Steven.
• Lin-Manuel Miranda goes from one of the Founding Fathers to appearing as the President of the United States in Part 4.
• Among President Suarez's cabinet, David Tennant plays the Secretary of the Treasury, Ashleigh Ball is the secretary of agriculture, Gary Cole is the attorney general, Brenda Song is the secretary of transportation, Lily Tomlin is the secretary of education, and Clancy Brown is the secretary of commerce.
• A Minion with an F in Evil voiced by Lauren Ash calling her superior a bad friend.
• Theresa Maxwell calls a state doctor on the phone when it's suggested Steven finally see a therapist, and she refers to the doctor as Lily.
• When Steven makes his first visit to Dr. Rebecca, he notices that she plays the ukulele much like him, is married to a dark skinned man and has a brother who looks a lot like him, all of which Rebecca Sugar is too.
• The Snake People are called Slytherophidans, which seems to be a nod to the House of Slytherin.