As her old friends Pearl and Garnet rejoice, Steven eventually learns why Bismuth was kept hidden all these years.

[1][2] While in Lion's mane, Steven (Zach Callison) accidentally pops a bubbled Gem that was stored there, which regenerates into Bismuth (Uzo Aduba).

Steven brings her out of Lion's mane, and Garnet (Estelle) and Pearl (Deedee Magno Hall) joyfully introduce her to Steven and Amethyst (Michaela Dietz) as one of the original Crystal Gems, thought lost during the Gem War.

Steven, intimidated by the intensity of the sparring, offers to show Bismuth some Earth traditions: badminton, card games, making pizzas and watching movies.

This episode received a great deal of praise, particularly toward Aduba's performance as Bismuth.

Furthermore, Thurm felt that the episode was "the opening of a floodgate" into the experiences of the Gem War.

[4] Vrai Kaiser of The Mary Sue made particular emphasis on the episode's portrayal of the ethical turmoil of war and its inevitability as "a means of Steven finally having to draw a line in what he believes that isn't a categorical win".