History Recap / StevenUniversePilot

JustForFun/{{The one w|ith}}here it all originated.

** Pearl looks like Music/DavidBowie back when he was Ziggy Stardust (even having a different skin color than the final design) and a more casual-looking outfit.

* SeriousBusiness: Comebacks. Because the gem was primed to only be used to deliver them, Steven can only travel back in time if he can think of a good enough comeback to a previous insult.

* {{Bifauxnen}}: This iteration of Pearl; she looks more androgynous, to the point that one might mistake her for a [[PrettyBoy really pretty guy]] until she speaks.
* BigStupidDooDooHead: Garnet calling Steven a "butt face".

* ComebackTomorrow: Steven's chosen purpose for the time-traveling crystal is retroactively [[AvertedTrope averting]] this trope (depending on how you look at it). When Lars insults Steven, Steven leaves the store angrily, only to realize he could have made a comeback to him; however, the crystal allows him to go back in time and make the comeback.
* EarlyInstallmentCharacterDesignDifference: The designs of the characters are closer to Rebecca Sugar's normal drawing style than the more simplified versions they'd become in the series. Garnet doesn't have an afro and has a looser-fitting bodysuit. Amethyst is chubbier, has long sleeves and a fannypack, and has painted fingernails. Pearl looks like Music/DavidBowie back when he was Ziggy Stardust (even having a different skin color than the final design) and a more casual-looking outfit. Steven, like Amethyst, is fatter but also taller. Sadie is also taller (with longer, thinner legs), though still OneHeadShorter than Lars. Lars has black hair and a darker complexion.

* ChekhovsTimeTravel: The pilot episode has, after Steven's abuse of a time travel MacGuffin attracts the attention of a powerful alien, [[TheStoic Garnet]] pull a rather out-of-character move by declaring "Steven, why are you such a buttface?" When the Crystal Gems are beaten, Steven remembers the insult and uses the MacGuffin (which is triggered by him coming up with the perfect comeback to an insult) to go back before the attack and save everyone. Garnet's reaction to the comeback implies [[BatmanGambit she did this deliberately]].

** The art style in general is more detailed and has a considerably darker color palette, closer to Rebeca Sugar's personal drawing style. For instance, all the gemstones have some sort of metallic lining around them.

* AllThereInTheManual: Unlike episodes of the series proper, the EpisodeTitleCard [[TitlePlease does not give the episode title]], instead simply reading "Steven Universe: Created by Creator/RebeccaSugar". ''Steven Universe: Art & Origins'' reveals that the pilot is titled "The Time Thing".