rose and pearl revisited
Watching Steven Universe last year, Pearl was my absolute favorite. This was solidified the more I knew her story. One of the most compelling elements being her relationship with Rose and the lasting affects it has through her relationship with Steven. I just wanna go through and talk about it today and really deep dive into the RosePearl dynamic now that's I've got the whole picture.
Yes, my Diamond
Pearl was specifically designed and created to make her Diamond happy. She was presented to Pink as a replacement to her last and they were supposed to start their first colony together. On Earth, Pearl was the one that suggest Pink went as a Quarts to explore Earth without being noticed. Because of Pearl's idea, Pink explored the world and became so in love with Earth & all its natural beauty and wonder - she did not want to see it destroyed in place of a gem colony
Pink could not convince the other Diamonds to stop colonization, so she went the Hannah Montana route and posed as Rosequartz to lead a rebellion to save Earth. Pearl was her right hand gem - it was her duty as her Pearl. But Pearl also loved Rose. She wasn't about to go anywhere without her. I remember having a conspiracy about how Pink was killed by her pearl - well she kinda was.
Meeting Garnet was the ultimate game changer. Rose & Pearl were exposed to the idea that any gem can fuse, not just with gems like them. This was the kind of freedom Rose fought so hard for. This was the freedom that Earth was meant to have. There was a moment when they attempted fusion, becoming Rainbowquartz. Was Pearl the only one who ever fused with Rose?
Pearl said she imagined even when she wasn't told to. Again, this is the freedom Rose rebelled for. While Pearl never deviated from her role as a Pearl, she still developed uniqueness and individual thought. "I wanna live here with you. We'll both finally be free." Pearl never sought the kind of freedom Rose desired. But her freedom meant living with Rose on Earth forever. That was Pearl's drive through the Rebellion.
The Diamonds unleashed the Corrupting Light on Earth after Rose & Pearl staged the death of Pink Diamond. Earth was far from saving for their own purposes. Rose, Garnet, & Pearl were the only ones left, eventually joined by Amethyst. They continued to be the protectors of Earth though the Rebellion was over. It was literally hundreds of years for the og squad hanging out at their temple & collecting corrupted gems together. For Pearl, this is the happily ever after she could've dreamed for.
Rose's Rebellion is such an impactful story. Anti Racism in the form of interracial relations. Anti Colonialism and preservation of nature. Freedom against labels, roles, and laws of what I guess is some form of a totalitarian imperial authoritarian hierarchy. Rose was an activist, a visionary, and a hero. Pearl never lost admiration of the Gem Society and was the only one who actively taught Steven about Homeworld. Amethyst didn't know and Garnet didn't care. However, Pearl admired Rose and everything she stood for. Pearl changed how she perceived the world because of Rose and for that she owed Rose everything.
Then Greg came along.... It was obvious this was more than a fling by the time Rose was pregnant with Steven. From Peal's perspective, I can see why she hated Greg for being around at all. Pearl did everything for her since the beginning. Greg was just a guy who lived freely and played guitar. Pearl didn't just love Rose. They were together for hundreds of years and it was all over because of a human Rose knew for 5 minutes - that was indeed a betrayal. The 15 year grudge she held after was not enough.
Steven was born and Rose was gone. I can't imagine the heartbreak Pearl had to go through while also forcing herself to be devoted to this infant hybrid. I also have many complaints about Steven's 4 parents, but mostly about the dad who just accepted the fact that he doesn't know anything about gem stuff so let his moms raise Steven while he lived in a van across town. I don't care if the gems were overbearing. Like geez, even my own deadbeat dad fought harder for custody.
Do it for her
At the beginning of Steven's story, we first see Pearl as the tactical and protective guardian who was as much a teacher as she was a caretaker. She cared for Steven and had most regards of his safety.
In the 2nd season, a whole dimension is opened up when Pearl decides to train Connie. "Do it for her that is to say do it for him." There's a lot to unpack there. I think one way to evaluate that connects to the whole mystery of what Steven is to begin with. This was something we didn't really understand at the time and there was a huge possibility that Steven was just Rose but like the Avatar or something? These lyrics also evaluate Pearl's feelings toward Rose & Steven. It didn't matter who or what Steven was - that was Rose's son. Pearl protects him in Rose's name the same way Severus Snape protected Harry in Lily's name.
The lingering grief becomes clear. I'm sure Garnet & Amethyst loved Rose and respected them as their leader. But Pearl's emotions toward her was always on another level. What happed truly devastated her. Steven is the living symbol of Pearl's worst day of her life yet she loves Steven as an adoptive mom. Pearl is revealed to have quite complex emotions at this point and as a Pearl fan, I remember being so excited to see her different layers revealed.
It's over isn't it
Through the series, we continue to see Pearl adapt and learn as Steven's powers continue to evolve. Pearl remains protective but is proud to see him grow.
Season 3 sees the infamous episode - Mr. Greg. Pearl confronts both her grief over Rose as well as her bitterness toward Greg. She blamed Greg for Rose's death - when you're angry, someone has to be blamed and Pearl was never going to blame Rose or Steven. While I have my own criticisms about Greg, Pearl showed immense strength tackling her jealousy and grief. While I'd compare Pearl to Snape - this is where those characters differ the most. Snape never healed. He hated James and grieved Lily until the end. Pearl had to be strong for Steven, but Snape didn't really have a positive motive to let go of the past or move on.
A single pale rose
With the Diamonds at the front of our Gem drama - it was finally time to learn the truth about Pink Diamond. It is revealed Pink & Rose are one and the same. This adds another level to why Steven is considered so special. I just want to bring back my original comments on the big reveal:
"Now I remember during the trial when that Pearl was about to conclude Pink was killed by a diamond, I thought it was gonna say “she was killed by her pearl” in the moment. And now that’s coming back full circle.......... It was a pearl... but.... brooooooo. OUR PEARL IS PINK DIAMOND’S PEARL and Pink was Rosequartz and Steven’s mom was Pink the whole time and the Pearl Rose dynamic finally makes so much sense now that we know the roles of pearls but this makes pearl like not a rebel because she still is following orders of Rose after all this time, always, and this is such a big plot twist ahhhhhhhhh
This literally makes Pearl’s angst toward Greg hit different. Pearls were literally created to love and be devoted to their diamond. Pearl would break the universe for her Pink diamond. Greg was just a human that existed. He did so little to warrant Rose’s affection and eventual demise while Pearl sacrificed literally everything and did everything for Rose. That was her purpose in life. The pain Pearl feels everyday, how she loves and cares for Steven so much despite him being the embodiment of what essentially was a betrayal - that's deep."
So while Pearl has developed into her own, she never truly strayed from her original role. Rose fought for Gems to be free from the constraint of their given roles, yet her right hand gem never strayed from what she was designed for. Pearl was this criminal with class, but really she was just being her Diamond's pearl. She continued to keep Rose's secrets and protect her son long after she died. Her loyalty to Rose was never in question and her devotion never faltered, even as she healed from the trauma.