Sworn to the Sword

"Someday soon, we may be fighting some really bad guys. And when that day comes, I wanna fight with you, together."

"Sworn to the Sword" is the 9th episode of Season 2 in Steven Universe, and the 58th episode overall.

Synopsis
Connie trains with Pearl to be a sword fighter.

Plot
The episode starts with Steven tuning his Ukulele while Connie is tuning her Violin. They then proceed to sing “Jam Buddies”. They conclude their jam session then Steven sits down and spreads some jam on a biscuit. Seagulls then charge at Steven but Connie shoos them away with her violin bow. Steven eats his biscuit and praises Connie for being such a good sword fighter but Connie explains she isn’t, but wants to learn how to use a sword.

Steven brings her to Pearl but she is having second thoughts about teaching someone as young as Connie. Connie then explains she wants to fight alongside Steven and protect the Earth. This convinces Pearl and she takes them to the Ancient Sky Arena to train. Connie gets a little dizzy from the Warp Pad but quickly recovers and they both follow Pearl up the stairs. Pearl explains that the Arena was where Gem Battles used to take place. She hands Connie a sword whilst explaining to her the concept of being a Knight. Pearl tells Connie to bow to both her and Steven. She then proceeds to summon Holo-Pearl, which spooks Steven and causes him to summon his bubble by reflex. Steven deactivates it and steps to the side for Connie to start. Pearl explains the stance and starts to sing “Do It For Him/Her” while a montage of Connie’s training plays. Throughout the montage, Steven seems noticeably uncomfortable, and Connie improves her swordflighting ablity

The montage ends and Steven tries to talk to Connie and his uncomfort. Pearl states they have training to do and warps away with Connie. Amethyst and Garnet come out of Amethyst’s room, and Amethysts asks why Steven is looking so sad. Steven explains he is worried for Connie; Pearl is asking him to do all this dangerous stuff for him. Garnet expresses understanding, and explains to Steven how Pearl risked her life many times for Rose, and that is makes sense that Pearl is training Connie to do the same for Steven. Steven then warps himself to the Arena to try to stop Connie. Before he can get there, Pearl summons fog over the Arena and they start training.

Steven enters the fog to try and find Connie, but stumbles upon a Holo-Pearl, which Connie stabs to save Steven. Steven then saves her from another Holo-Pearl, convincing her that she doesn't need to be his knight; they are a team. Four more Holo-Pearls show up and Steven summons both his shield and bubble, which deflects their attacks and defeats them. Pearl then clears the fog and scolds Steven for interfering. Connie and Steven then attack Pearl to prove their ability as a team. Pearls is surprised at first, and they seem to be winning. Pearl soon overcomes her surprise, and knocks Connie and Steven back. Steven and Pearl argue, and Pearl has a breakdown. She drops her sword and sits on the edge of the Sky Arena. Steven and Connie apologize and comfort Pearl. After a brief conversation, she calms down and comes around to their viewpoint, and exclaims that they will both make great knights. Pearl then hugs both of them and the star-shaped iris closes on a sword laying on the floor.

Characters

 * Connie
 * Pearl
 * Steven
 * Holo-Pearl(s)
 * Rose Quartz (flashback)
 * Cloud Connie (mentioned)
 * Amethyst
 * Garnet
 * Unknown Gems (flashback) strongly resembled jasper
 * Seagulls

Objects

 * Robot Shooty Thing (mentioned)
 * Warp Pad
 * Rose's Sword (flashback)
 * Connie's Violin
 * Steven's Ukulele
 * steven's book on how to talk to people

Locations

 * Beach City
 * Beach House
 * Crystal Temple
 * Ancient Sky Arena

Songs

 * Jam Buddies
 * Do It For Him
 * we are the crystal gems (new intro)

Trivia

 * This episode was the beginning of the second StevenBomb.
 * The episode was hinted in the promo art with a drawing of Connie's head.
 * This episode is the first to feature a new opening for Season 2.
 * Steven is shown to be able to summon a shield and bubble simultaneously.
 * Pearl states that Steven will start his training, most likely using Rose's Sword in the future.
 * It is revealed that during the war for Earth, Pearl risked her life many times for Rose, as she is shown retreating into her gem multiple times in Garnet's story.
 * The unknown Gem from Pearl's hologram strongly resembles Jasper.
 * This is the first and second time Connie sings a song, with Jam Buddies and Do It For Him.
 * Steven has better control of his gem powers, confirmed this episode.
 * Its the first time the temple statue hand was showed  in the show, not only in the ending

Cultural References

 * Connie's training outfit resembles Kid Gohan's gi from Dragon Ball Z.
 * Like in Steven the Sword Fighter, some of the sword fight shots are shot-for-shot homages to sword fights in the anime, Revolutionary Girl Utena.

Continuity

 * Connie is the second person Pearl tries to teach sword fighting, the first being Steven in "Steven the Sword Fighter".
 * This is the third episode where Connie uses a sword, the first being "Lion 2: The Movie" and the second being "Open Book".
 * This is the second episode where Connie's Violin appears.
 * This is the third time Holo-Pearl appears, the first being in "Cheeseburger Backpack" and the second being in "Steven the Sword Fighter".
 * Upon seeing Holo-Pearl, Steven backs away, apprehensively. He appears to be remembering the events of "Steven the Sword Fighter."
 * Holo-Pearl's outfit was also updated due to Pearl's regeneration.

Errors

 * When Garnet appears behind Amethyst's door, she hasn't got part of her right glove.
 * When Garnet is about to sit down and talk with Steven, Amethyst's design changes back to her pre-regeneration shirt.
 * When Pearl gives her final talk to Steven and Connie, she makes a sniffling noise with her mouth rather than her nose.
 * When Pearl and Steven are arguing, Connie's face bandage disappears then reappears.
 * When Steven and Connie attack Pearl, Steven's teeth are transparent in one frame.
 * When Connie and Steven are fighting Pearl the bandage on Connie's right cheek disappears twice.

Transcript
View the episode's transcript here.