Love Letters

"Love Letters" is the 7th episode in Season 2 of Steven Universe. It is the 56th episode overall.

Synopsis
Steven and Connie help Jamie the Mailman.

Plot
The episode opens with Steven and Connie taking selfies on the beach. Connie comments that Steven blinked in the last picture, and wants to take a selfie with the ocean view behind them. They try to take a selfie, but fail. As they try, Jamie arrives with the mail. Steven eagerly runs to meet him and introduces Connie. Jamie explains that he was in Kansas, trying to become an actor, but returned because he missed being a mailman. He then gives Steven a large mailbag and asks for lots of signatures.

As Steven is about to sign, Garnet suddenly appears from the sea, wet. Jamie instantly falls in love with her. Steven asks what Garnet was up to, and she says that she was checking for signs Jasper and Lapis Lazuli at the bottom of the sea, but there was no sign of them. Jamie is shocked that she could dive to the bottom, and Garnet simply replies that it was easy. As she she shrugs off the sea water, Jamie watches in awe.

Steven and Connie open his many new boxes of Sea Pals. Steven explains that the first one didn't come, so he ordered lots more and wants to set them free. Jamie returns with a love letter to Garnet, which he gives to Steven before running off gleefully. They rush to give the letter to Garnet. Steven reads it aloud to find a beautiful, poetic declaration of love. As he reads, he imagines Jamie dressed as a Renaissance-era man, writing the letter with a quill (that catches on fire from a nearby candle). Connie realizes that Jamie wants to go on a date, but Steven and Garnet instantly say that's not going to happen, especially since Garnet is a fusion of two lovers.

Connie sits down and tries to help Garnet write a letter back. Unfortunately, all Garnet can say is "NO" in the most harsh way possible. Steven and Connie go to give it to Jamie anyway, and find him on the beach. He tells them about all the rejections he encountered in Kansas, and how he couldn't bear another rejection. Connie tries to give him the letter, but Steven stops her.

Back at the temple, Connie tries to rewrite it so that the letter is poetic, but still lets Jamie down gently. After writing, they put it in the mailbox.

That night, Steven hears Jamie calling out for Garnet. He realizes Jamie misinterpreted the letter, believing it to be Garnet's declaration of love. Steven tries to tell him that's not the case, but Garnet arrives. Jamie thinks she's come to return his love, but she brutally shuts him down, saying she did not write the letter and does not want to be with him - ever. Saddened, Jamie runs off.

The next day, a new mailman, Barbara, arrives with Steven's mail. She explains that Jamie became very depressed and can't bear to deliver on his former route anymore. She gives Steven a book of coupons and leaves. Steven and Connie realize how badly they've messed up. Garnet decides to go talk to him.

The three find Jamie throwing mail into the ocean. Garnet sits down next to him and tells him that love at first sight does not exist, and that he has no idea who or what she is. However, she also compliments his acting, mentioning how he fooled both the kids and himself into thinking he was a lovestruck fool, and that he should try local theater. She slaps him hard on the back and leaves. Connie asks if he is okay, and he says yes. Steven asks if the letters floating on the sea were letters to Garnet, but Jamie replies they are actually letters he was supposed to deliver. Connie and Steven offer to help him pick them up,The episode ends with Jamie thanking them.

Characters

 * Steven
 * Connie
 * Jamie
 * Garnet
 * Ruby (mentioned)
 * Sapphire (mentioned)
 * Rose Quartz (pictured)
 * Lapis Lazuli (mentioned)
 * Jasper (mentioned)
 * Greg (mentioned)
 * Barbara
 * Tardigrade Gem Monster (debut, cameo)

Locations

 * Crab Shack (mentioned)
 * Beach City
 * Crystal Temple
 * Beach House
 * Kansas (mentioned)

Objects

 * Garnet's Lava Goggles
 * Jamie's Mail Carrier
 * Packages of Sea Pals
 * Coupon Book
 * Novelty "Movie Star" Sunglasses

Songs

 * TBA

Trivia

 * It is revealed that Jamie did not know who Garnet was despite Steven telling him about the gems in "Cheeseburger Backpack," and indirectly meeting the Gems in "Ocean Gem."
 * It is revealed that Jamie had a crush on Garnet in this episode. However, she rejected him harshly before coming back to explain why.
 * Connie appears to know about Ruby and Sapphire, most likely due to Steven telling her in "Full Disclosure."
 * Neither Pearl nor Amethyst appear in this episode.
 * This is Jamie's first major role.
 * The only time Jamie had a speaking role was in "Cheeseburger Backpack."
 * It is revealed that Jamie is a failed actor.
 * This is the first speaking role and second appearance for Barbara.
 * Steven became the first character in-show to confirm that Ruby and Sapphire's relationship was romantic.
 * This is the first time Garnet is seen in her post-regeneration outfit since "Joy Ride."
 * This is the first time Garnet (or the gems) have fought a gem monster without bubbling away its gem.
 * Jamie is the second human to have an unrequited crush on a Crystal Gem, first being Mayor Dewey with his crush on Pearl.
 * When talking to Jamie near the end of the episode, Garnet's shades seem to 'reflect' her behavior. Red was the dominant color when she illustrated Ruby's tendencies; blue was the dominant color when she illustrated Sapphire's tendencies.
 * Kansas seems to be a center for the motion picture industry, like our Hollywood.

Cultural References

 * When Steven asks Garnet to zap Jamie's memories, it was a reference to "Men in Black".
 * When Garnet emerges out of the ocean is reminiscence of Honey Ryder's introduction scene from the James Bond film "Dr. No."
 * The sea pals that Steven orders are very similar in name and looks to a 1950's children's toy called "Sea Monkeys."

Continuity

 * The way Garnet swatted away the water all over her body, was the same method she did in "Future Vision" when she swatted away the coffee all over her body.
 * When Steven and Connie first bring the love letter to Garnet, she was about to go swimming using the same goggles she did in "Giant Woman."
 * Garnet is still searching periodically underwater for Malachite.
 * All of the pieces from the gem warship is seen to be cleaned up since it is not seen on the title card, "Joy Ride."

Errors

 * Jamie hands Steven the Love Letter facing up, yet Steven receives it facing down.
 * Through-out the whole episode, the door to Steven's house opens to the left when originally it opens to the right.
 * When Jamie takes off his sunglasses after seeing Garnet,it disappears.

Transcript
View the episode's transcript here.