“Lars’ Head” is the 4th episode of the fifth season of Steven Universe and the 132nd episode overall.
Official synopsis
Lars finally lets Steven in.[3]
Conspiracy
After Steven’s accidental attempt to bring Lars back in the previous episode, Lars asks what happened. Steven hugs him and explains how he accidentally brought Lars back to life without knowing how he did it and says he should have asked. Lars is confused, especially about his “hue change”. Steven asks many questions about how Lars feels. Not really knowing, Lars finally replies that he feels really scared, as does Steven. Then the other gems, Rhodonite, Fluorite, Rutile Twins, and Padparadscha realize that more Shattering Robonoids are approaching. Fluorite has the idea to block the entrance with a large rock to prevent detection, and Steven helps them carry it out. Afterwards, Steven realizes that if he is still around, the shattered Robonoids will continue after them. They think they should find a new hideout, but Rhodonite points out that they’ll be found out, and Fluorite knows that if they stay where they are, they’ll still be caught.
Lars asks if he is a zombie because he died before Steven cured him. Steven reasons that zombies can’t talk and don’t have heartbeats. Steven listens to Lars’ heartbeat and backs away nervously. Even though he finds himself beating much slower than a human heart should, he’s at least glad that Lars isn’t a zombie. Steven also notices that Lars’ hair is now pink. But when she touches him, his hair lights up, much like the Lion’s Mane. Lars is shocked to notice this, but nothing happens when he touches his own hair. Lars asks Steven to repeat what he did, and Steven touches Lars’ hair, making it glow again. Steven tells Lars that he has an idea, but he refuses to do it, thinking that Lars doesn’t want it to get into his head. Lars questions if Steven is possessing him again (as in “The New Lars”), but Steven denies it. Lars then allows Steven to continue. Steven enters Lars’s head in a similar manner to the way he enters the Lion’s Mane.
While inside, Steven finds himself in a pink savanna and notices a tree on a hill, just like in the Lion’s Dimension. He then looks around and observes another tree further on. Steven walks over to it and notices that the tree is familiar. When he finally reaches her, he sees Rose’s Flag, Mr. Universe Shirt and everything nearby and on the tree. He realizes he is in the Lion Dimension. While testing this theory, Steven emerges from the dimension and leaves through the Lion’s Mane. Glad to be home, Steven packs some supplies for Lars after a snack, wishing he could let the others know he’s safe. Lion then approaches him, and Steven longingly wishes he could talk to Lion and get answers to his questions, 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 controversial position when Steven shows up. Lars asks what is inside his head and Steven explains his discovery that Lars’ head leads back to Earth. He explains how the Lion’s Dimension works, confusing everyone. Steven offers Lars food, but he declines, causing Steven to ask if Lars is feeling tired, to which he again declines, but says he’s still a bit confused. Steven, seeing that Lars has the same ability as Lion, says that he might need to eat “magic lizards”, but Lars disagrees. Rhodonite asks what a juice box is, not knowing what its purpose is; and Steven explains to her what people drink on Earth.
This confuses the Off Colors as they believed Earth was decimated by Diamond’s attack. Steven explains to them that there was an attack, but the gems still live on Earth and how it is full of life, using the food with him as an example. Rhodonite questions why the gems still live there, and Steven tells her that Earth is a place where everyone can live freely and be themselves. Fluorite comments that Earth sounds amazing. The others agree and want to go there through Lars. However, Lars notices a flaw in their plan and questions what he should do after everyone else leaves. Steven tries 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 have been in the underground nursery for eons and have never been found, reasoning that Lars needs their help to find his way around and that the Off Colors need to stick together. After a moment, Lars nods in agreement. They then decide to find an alternative escape route to Earth with Lars. Lars points out that Steven is in the most danger of all and urges him to return to Earth as 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 sees it as his redemption for all the times he was rude to him. After a meaningful hug, Steven returns to Earth with the help of Lars.
Shortly after returning, Greg, Connie, Pearl, Amethyst, and Garnet head back to the Beach House, still depressed about Steven’s disappearance. Pearl becomes stressed after their plan to go to Homeworld by repairing an unknown ship to drop the gems doesn’t work, initially unaware that Steven is there. Steven tells everyone he’s back. When the group sees him, they rush to hug him. Steven smiles and cries, happy to be back home.
Details
This episode has the same title card as the previous episode, “Off Colors”, which is different from the others shown so far. It has a Homeworld view of a white structure that resembles one of the murals on the Moonbase.
In “Legs From Here to Homeworld”, the structure is revealed to be a White Diamond ship.
After disappearing in “Lion 4: Alternate Ending”, the star iris returns.
Cultural references
Lars’s tree in his and Leo’s dimension is the Narra tree, the national tree of the Philippines.
Steven coming home is very similar to Garak, Worf, Dr. Julian Bashir and Martok being rescued on the Runabout from the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode, “By Inferno’s Light”
The episode’s title may be a pun on Herman’s Head, a sitcom that aired on Fox from 1991 to 1994.
Continuity
This episode takes place after “Off Colors”.
Reference is made to “The New Lars” when Lars worries if Steven will try to “take him over again.”
Steven returns to Earth in this episode after surrendering and being captured by Aquamarine and Topaz in “I Am My Mom”.
