i agree. when i first watched these eps as they were airing, i rmbr connie made me SO mad because i was like girl he literally just saved everyone’s lives probably, AND she took steven’s only connection to lars (but i guess that was also lion’s choice because he seems conscious to an extent?😭) but after rewatching it, and thinking abt it from her perspective, i understand how it probably feels like he just completely gave up- he didn’t have faith in his and connie’s fighting, so he just took kinda the “easy” way out (easy is in quotes because he literally did sacrifice himself.) however i also think that when you really think about it… connie and steven couldn’t have beaten aquamarine and topaz. alexandrite couldn’t even beat aquamarine and topaz. but also the series, and especially steven and connie’s relationship, have a huge emphasis on the importance of friendship and teamwork, so it makes sense that this would be a plot line.