My previous review spoke about how disturbed Steven is, and how his past has completely fogged up his vision of his entire future. I also renowned it as the darkest episode of Future. Until this...this released. After feeling heartbroken over the ending of "Mr Universe", we begin on a very emotionally intense note, involving Steven and the gems arguing about his uncontrollable powers and how dangerous they have become. It is clear that the gems have worried about Steven since the moment they found out about his rant to the cactus during the episode "Prickly Pair", and this is the episode they decided enough was enough. However, Steven, fresh off almost killing his own father, decides to run away. And where does he run off to? Take a guess.
The interesting thing about this episode is that it feels like a massive homage to the very first episode of Future ("Little Homeschool"), as both episodes have mirrored scenes which are very interesting to compare with each other (I'll get to the scenes soon). Steven meeting with Jasper again shows how desperate he is to control himself whilst forging his future and moving past his traumatic childhood. He actually returns to a large portion of that trauma. The same person who told him that he is "the only one who needs help". The same person who attempted to kill him and his friends since her first reveal. He escapes the people who love him dearly, and relies on a person so far from reality, Steven has even forgotten that himself. Reinforcing my point earlier, compare "Little Homeschool" to "Fragments", and your mind will be blown (aside from if you are a die hard fan and already have noticed these things). You will notice a very mirrored structure of scenes, yet opposite. Steven smiling at the mirror in a bright coloured bathroom, whilst healing a corrupted gem, compared to Steven breaking down after shattering Jasper (yep, that's right). Steven and Jaspers' round two fight was also a major factor to this dramatic change, as we see the tables have turned. Steven proposes the fight in "Fragments" (completely parallel to the first episode), and instead of restraining as he does episodes back, he finishes her....literally. And despite him reviving her, the guilt has clearly not vanished (in a cold, damp bathroom, a wet, emotionally drained Steven sees his own reflection, no longer proud of who he became).
Fragments is one of the most powerful pieces of television I have ever witnessed. It is an homage to anime. It is a massive contrast to the first episode of this limited epilogue series. And it not only stands as an incredibly sad, depressing episode, but it is also filled with so much awe and unfathomable darkness, it feels like a truly religious experience. If this is what we're getting for the final episodes of future (except better), count me in 100%.
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