“I found it incredibly chilling how Steven almost repeated the Diamonds' past mistakes, showing just how much his trauma has distorted his sense of self.” TV Tropes

Critics and fans often point to this episode as the "point of no return" for Steven's mental health before the finale.

" Homeworld Bound " (Season 1, Episode 17) is a pivotal, unsettling chapter of Steven Universe Future that highlights Steven’s deepening psychological spiral. Seeking a "fix" for his newfound instability after the shocking events of "Fragments," Steven returns to the Diamonds, only to find that their radical changes make them unable to help him. Plot Summary

The episode reinforces that while the Diamonds have changed, Steven cannot use them as a shortcut to bypass his own mental health journey. His refusal to accept help from his family—preferring to run to the former "villains"—highlights his extreme avoidance. Community Perspectives

“The way the Diamonds have changed is great, but it was heartbreaking to see that Steven is now the one who is 'broken' in a way they can't simply fix.” TV Tropes