I love pearl's faces and expressions and how the artists draw her in every episode but this one particularly. There is such a variation of emotions she expressed and the way her face signaled that iss just amazing. Like, it just astounds me how many different ways they can draw pearl's face and still make it look pearl. godd
My favorite thing about cartoons is expressions and just how much you can show and convey with it and this show is ALL about expressions. I SO respect this show for how much it does with subtlety. Small things like a subtle change in expression, eyes tracking, looking away briefly, small breaths, etc. It usually small changes to show big things and its so good because its so human. Not just with Pearl but Steven too, in this episode, before he hugs Pearl it holds on him for a few seconds and you can see him thinking, reach out to touch her and maybe say something, think some more, before deciding what the best response would be.
Pearl is always great with expressions and yea this episode was absolutely fantastic with them. Because this show doesn't restrict itself with being 'on model', it can do SO much by changing the face slightly to really convey the emotion. This show really is devoted not to telling you how to feel, but showing you, making you feel it, in the expressions, the coloring, the music.