Lars' Head

"You brought me back to life! Just let me be someone who deserves it."

"Lars' Head" is the 4th episode of the fifth season of Steven Universe and the 132nd episode overall.

Synopsis
Lars finally trusts Steven and lets him in his head

Plot
After Steven's attempt to bring back Lars in the previous episode, Lars questions what happened. Steven hugs him and explains how he accidentally brought Lars back to life, unknowing of how he did it and states that he should have asked. Lars is confused, especially regarding his "change in hue". Steven asks numerous questions about how Lars feels. Since he really doesn't know, Lars finally answers that he feels really freaked out, as much as Steven is.

Then the other Gems, Rhodonite, Fluorite, the Rutile Twins, and Padparadscha, realize there are more Shattering Robonoids from the previous episode. Fluorite has the idea to block the entrance with a large stone and prevent detection, and Steven helps them carry it out. Afterwards, Steven realizes that if he's still around, the shattering Robonoids will still be after them. He thinks they should find a new hiding spot, but Rhodonite points out they'll be exposed, and Fluorite knows if they stay where they are, they will still be caught.

Lars questions if he is a zombie, since he died before Steven healed him, but Steven points out that his heart is still functioning. He makes a point about how zombies cannot talk nor do they have heartbeats. Steven listens to Lars' heartbeat, and steps back nervously. While he finds it to be beating a lot slower than a human heart should, he is at least glad that Lars is not a zombie. Steven also notices Lars' hair is now pink. But when he touches it, it hair glows--much like Lion's mane. Lars is shocked when he notices, but when he touches his own hair, nothing happens. Lars requests for Steven to repeat what he did, and Steven touches Lar's hair, causing it to glow once again. Steven tells Lars that he has an idea, but he refuses to do it since he thinks that Lars doesn't want him getting inside his head. Lars asks if Steven will possess him again (as in "The New Lars") but Steven denies it. Lars then allows Steven to proceed. Steven enters Lars' head in a way similar to how he enters Lion's Mane.

While inside, Steven notices a tree, noticing it was just like Lion's Dimension. He then looks around and notices another tree further away. Steven walks to it, noticing the tree's familiarity. When he finally gets close to it, he notices Rose's Flag, T-Shirt, and everything near and on the tree. He realizes he's in Lion's Dimension and is standing on Lion's mane. Testing this theory, Steven ducks out of the dimension and exits via Lion's mane. Steven is happy to be home and after snacking, packs some consumables for Lars while wishing he could alert the others that he is safe. Lion then approaches him and Steven longingly wishes he could talk to Lion and have his questions answered, upon realizing that Lion died a long time ago and was magically resurrected. Steven then re-enters Lion's Mane and rushes back to Homeworld.

Meanwhile, Lars is adjusting to his new form and his questionable status as living when Steven emerges. Lars questions what is inside of his head and Steven explains his discovery that Lars' head leads back to Earth. He explains how Lion's Dimension works, which confuses everyone.

Steven offers Lars food, but he declines, which causes Steven to ask if Lars is feeling tired, to which Lars declines but says he's still a bit confused. Steven, seeing that Lars possesses the same ability as Lion, says that he may need to eat "Magical Lizards", but Lars doesn't agree. Rhodonite asks what the juice box is, unaware of what purpose it serves; and Steven explains to her what humans drink on Earth. This confuses the Off Colors, since they believed that Earth was decimated from the attack of the Diamonds. Steven explains to them that there was an attack, but Gems still live on Earth, and how it's full of life, using the food with him as an example. Rhodonite asks why Gems still live there, and Steven tells her Earth is a place where everyone can live freely and be themselves.

Fluorite comments that Earth sounds wonderful. The others agree and wish to go there via Lars. However, Lars notices a flaw in their plan and asks what he is supposed to do once everyone else leaves. Steven attempts to pull Lars into his own head, but fails. Steven tries to come up with a new idea, but Lars tells the others to leave him and go to Earth, telling them how beautiful it is. He expresses his sadness and regret that he took his life on Earth for granted.

But everyone (except Rhodonite) refuses to leave without Lars. Fluorite also states that the Gems had been around the underground Kindergarten for eons and have never been found, commenting on how Lars needs their help to know his way around, and the Off Colors need to stick together. Lars, after a moment, nods in agreement. They then resolve to find an alternative escape route to Earth with Lars. Lars makes the point that Steven is in the most danger out of everyone and urges him to go back to Earth, since it won't be safe for him to be around. Steven refuses, but Lars doesn't want to argue. After Steven helped him so much, Lars views this as his redemption for all the times he was rude to him. After a meaningful embrace, using Lars, Steven goes back to Earth.

Shortly after returning, Greg, Connie, Pearl, Amethyst and Garnet then warp back to the Beach House, still depressed about Steven's disappearance. Pearl stresses out after their plan to go to Homeworld by fixing an unknown Gem drop ship didn't work, initially failing to realize Steven is there. Steven tells everybody that he's back. Upon seeing him, all of the group members rush to hug him. Steven smiles and tears up, glad to be back home--therefore ending the episode and the Wanted special.

Characters

 * Steven Universe
 * Lars Barriga
 * Rutile Twins
 * Padparadscha
 * Rhodonite
 * Fluorite
 * Lion
 * Pearl
 * Garnet (non-speaking cameo)
 * Amethyst (non-speaking cameo)
 * Rose Quartz (pictured)
 * Greg Universe (non-speaking cameo)
 * Connie Maheswaran (non-speaking cameo)

Objects

 * Rose's Battle Flag
 * Mr. Universe Shirt
 * Chaaaaps
 * Durian Juice
 * Warp Pad

Locations

 * Gem Homeworld
 * Lion's Dimension
 * Beach City
 * Beach House

Instrumental Songs

 * "Lion's Mane"
 * TBA

Trivia

 * This episode has the same title card as seen in the previous episode, "Off Colors", which is different than the others shown so far. It has a view from Homeworld of a white structure that resembles one of the murals on the Moon Base.
 * The episode confirms that the pocket dimension can now be accessed through Lars.
 * Pearl is the only Crystal Gem, not including Steven, to speak in this episode.

Cultural References

 * Lars' tree in his and Lion's dimension is a Narra tree, the official tree of the Philippines.
 * Steven returning home is very similar to Garak, Worf, Dr. Julian Bashir and Martok getting rescued on the Runabout from the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode, By Inferno's Light.

Continuity

 * This episode takes place after "Off Colors".
 * A reference is made to "The New Lars" when Lars is worried if Steven is going to try and "possess (him) again".
 * Steven returns to Earth in this episode after turning himself in and getting captured by Aquamarine and Topaz in "I Am My Mom".

Errors

 * The circular gem on Fluorite's forehead has a circular facet in this episode despite having a triangular facet in the previous episode.

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