Super Watermelon Island

Plot

Steven wakes up in the body of a Watermelon Steven and finds that the Watermelon Stevens have built a society on Mask Island. His watermelon body is taken to a cliff for a ritual, but Malachite rises from the ocean and devours him. Back in his own body at the barn, Steven tells Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl that Malachite is active. They order him to stay with Peridot while they warp to the island to fight.

Steven astral-projects into another Watermelon Steven to assist. The Crystal Gems fuse into Alexandrite and battle Malachite, but Alexandrite accidentally destroys the warp pad. As Malachite gains the upper hand, Steven rallies the Watermelon Stevens, who arm themselves and attack. Malachite immobilizes Alexandrite in ice, but the Watermelon Stevens distract Malachite long enough for Alexandrite to break free.

Alexandrite defeats Malachite, who defuses into Lapis and Jasper, both unconscious. Alexandrite defuses back into Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. They thank Steven and the Watermelon Stevens, but the island trembles and a fissure forms. Amethyst catches Lapis, but Jasper falls in.

Garnet realizes the earthquake signals the emergence of the Cluster, a geo-weapon threatening Earth, and tells Steven he must drill to the core with Peridot. As he regains consciousness, the Gems remind him they love him.

Production

Joe Johnston and Jeff Liu wrote and storyboarded the episode. Direction was handled by Ki-Yong Bae and Sue Hong Kim (animation), Jasmin Lai (art), Joe Johnston (supervising), and Ian Jones-Quartey (co-executive producer). The Watermelon Stevens' attack on Malachite references Gulliver's Travels, paralleling the Lilliputians downing Gulliver. Instrumental songs "Watermelon Steven", "Collaboration/Malachite VS Alexandrite: Part 1", and "Malachite VS Alexandrite: Part 2" were composed by Aivi & Surasshu.

Broadcast and reception

The episode premiered on Cartoon Network on May 12, 2016, drawing 1.693 million U.S. viewers and a Nielsen household rating of 0.46. It was the first of a two-part episode that opened the "In Too Deep" special event, which aired five new episodes over four weeks. Reviews were generally positive, with James Whitbrook of io9 calling the event "show at its best" and praising the effective close to the storyline. Eric Thurm of The A.V. Club gave a B+, criticizing the Cluster assault as "increasingly-delayed" and the Malachite/Alexandrite fight for lacking "resolution of emotional stakes", though he noted he was "quibbling because of high expectations".