I was late into the game on watch it, and I caught up literally the week before the last episode so far aired, then the show went on winter hiatus. That was a harsh transition, I can tell you... It is so well written. Like some of the best cartoons, it's there for kids, and it does teach valuable lessons without seeming preachy most of the time. But there is a lot of subtext and story weaving that really appeals to older audiences as well.
Replay to de_la_Nae
I'm certain the gem caste system has been in existence for a very long time. I don't think it's a chicken or egg situation though. I don't think the caste system is much of an issue when it comes to fusion. That said, we've only seen a gem fusion from Homeworld gems once.. And see how that worked out. Mostly though it seems like it's considered a tool of war. Gems fuse to become strong, and only when they need it. Some gems look down on it as a trick for weaklings, like Jasper. And the idea of staying fused for long periods of time, when not fighting is just... Strange and disturbing. The forced shard fusion monsters do show that they are willing to weaponize the process. Though it's not yet been shown why the Homeworld needs so many gem soldiers and gigantic, planet buster fusion monsters.
The monstrous gems are definitely gems, I'm just saying that, past Lapis, I'm not sure that it's just cracking that causes the degeneration, though we've definitely seen that the Gempire recycles people (Lapis, the shards from "Frybo", Peridot's reference to the Red Eye).
By the way, pretty sure it was Garnet who said that.
Which is part of why I fear Rose cut a Deal.
In regards to the query posed in the OP:
If you consider Garnet's origin episode (well, I suppose this is the main episode prompting this query) upon their fusion, one of the gems states "this is unheard of!" Which, to me, indicates that it hadn't even been a consideration due to it literally never having occurred before; Ruby and Sapphire were revolutionaries... or... a revolutionary, I guess? I think the caste system pre-dated the ban simply because fusion with gems other than one's own type (and, like Neko_Ali said, probably merely a technique to make multiple gems into one bigger/stronger version) had not even been attempted. It only happened because Ruby cared so much, I want to think. Fusion seems to happen at a heightened state of emotion; the anxious fight/flight response kicks in*, dopamine implied in romantic** attraction, the latter of which is likely why The Crystal Gems implement fusion as a dance later on. Even Rose and Pearl were surprised; I think it's reasonable to assume Rainbow Quartz hadn't even happened yet.
*this entirely presumes gems are at least somewhat humanoid and have some sort of similar sympathetic/parasympathetic systems going on, of course!
**probably not the right word to use here...
On fusion
Consider this. 3 Rubies fusing you get one giant ruby. the thoughts and actions and identity is a ruby. Fusing Sapphire and Ruby create a whole new gem and identity that is the sum of their parts. It breaks the status quo on what a person is both with and without fusion which may be why its unheard of at the time. Though Jasper despises fusion she respects the tactic (likely used int he war) and used it herself with Lapis. I am not sure how modern gem society views cross fusions at this point, as Jasper was willing to do it (although perhaps out of desperation, though she knows how to fuse). As far as "The Answer" goes Garnet was the first and it was surprising, even to Rose Quartz who wasn't sure how to handle the situation (both strategically and socially) and retreated.
(http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/steven-universe/images/6/6e/Centipeetle_-_Semi-Corrupted.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/270?cb=20160728000610)
Loved this episode. Went in deeper about the shattered monsters.
Was hoping she'd be cured
I haven't seen the new one yet "Alone at Sea" but compare the flash back drawings from Monster Reunion with Same Old World's Lapis flash back. They coincide! A flash with a sound like music or a loud noise. Following this Centi was either broken/corrupted and Lapis's gem war cracked during the panic which then lead up to the explosion. Centi used the homeworld symbol with the flash showing that either the Diamonds or their forces did something. I am wondering if they more or less nuked the battlefield with both rebel and homeworld gems on it. This caused most of the gems to be shattered, broken, and/or corrupted.
Also we learned the difference between broken and corrupted Gems
Seems like broken ones are just physically damaged Gems and corrupted ones have severe mental anguish. Steven has figured out how to repair broken ones, and it may be his mission to figure out how to heal the corrupted ones. I wonder if his dream abilities may help with this. It did help Kiki about letting her sister walk all over her.
Gem Hunt:
I think Jasper is now trying to catch corrupted Gems to try and fuse with them... :psyduck:
Gem Hunt:
I think Jasper is now trying to catch corrupted Gems to try and fuse with them... :psyduck:
That's what i thought to, even worrying about it during tonight's episode. But I guess not
Poor Amethyst
(https://67.media.tumblr.com/5dee3309cea6773d73583589d6448ac8/tumblr_nxy51fvGT01uhuilzo1_500.gif)
Steve vs Amethyst
Wow. Steven. Holy shit dude! Also digging Amethyst's new form. Although...maybe it would pay off for her to train. Maybe instead of training with Pearl (since she hardly ever takes Pearl seriously) she should try with Garnet?
Bismuth
Wow. Another great episode. I feel like they could still unbubble her and explain to her that all the homeworld gems do not deserve to be shattered. Peridot and Lapis are prime examples (although officially Lapis is not a crystal gem, but an exile).
Earthlings
Rose...killed pink diamond?!
Earthlings
Rose...killed pink diamond?!
I'm more shocked about what Jasper did, also Amethyst being the first gem to fuse with Steven.
My Thoughts on Kindergarten Kid
(http://i.makeagif.com/media/9-23-2015/k48c4g.gif)
A significant force of the Gempire is coming to Earth.
Yellow already knows she's lost assets there (Peridot's betrayal, Jasper MIA, and may realize Ruby squad MIA). She knows that The Cluster is almost ready.
And she knows she wants to watch Earth die.
In addition, Blue wants to save a few more bits of Earth in Pink's name. And Yellow will help her do it to try and move her on.
They're coming.
Just watched the 5 new episodes of Steven Bomb 6.
Wow. That Aquamarine is very powerful. I wonder what is going to happen to Lars and Steven on homeworld.
Oh shit, I'd completely forgotten Lars was still on the ship!
Oh man, the bit where he rabbits and doesn't save Sadie, my heart broke just that bit for her, y'know? Also THE FUCK IS AQUAMARINE to have that powerful-ass stasis beam?! I thought Navy was a ruthless mother, but DAMN.
I liked how ridiculously powerful Aquamarine is because it gives context to just how powerful the Diamonds are (and by that metric how powerful Rose Quartz was). I'm hoping they unbubble Bismuth to help them get Steven back.
I thought the hour special was a little anticlimactic, but also pretty deep
Poor Lars staying trapped on Homeworld, but also us finding out what Lion is
After watching "The Trial." *Puts tin foil hat on*
What if Pink Diamond didn't want to destroy the earth. Her love and kindness wanted to spare the living creatures there. Yellow Diamond, fed up with her crap and possibly jealous of Blue Diamonds affection of her, killed Pink Diamond. Rose took the blame as she fought off Yellow Diamond or her forces. Therefore painting herself as a rebel when really she was fighting for what Pink Diamond believed in. White and Blue believing in Yellow's story also fought the "Rebels" thinking Rose is the traitor, when really it was Yellow Diamond!
Do we call him "Larszerus" now? :claireface:
Ok, I loved the Stevenbomb, but is it just me, or is having Rose Quartz not be the one who shattered Pink Diamond disappointing? Partly because it feels like it undoes a lot of her complexity. She was extremely against shattering to the point that she bubbled a friend to stop it from being too easy, so the idea that we'd find out what made her take that final step against anyone was fascinating. Not to mention that if Rose Quartz even could shatter a diamond, it means Steven someday has a chance against them. I'm still holding out hope that at the very least, the lawyer gem got something wrong.
So what's the deal with seeding doubt that Rose Quartz killed Pink Diamond, and doing so really, really well, and then having Garnet tell Steven that she absolutely did? I can think of three possibilities, all of which are interesting:
a. Rose Quartz shattered Pink Diamond
b. Rose Quartz didn't shatter Pink Diamond, but Garnet doesn't know that
c. Rose Quartz didn't shatter Pink Diamond, and Garnet lied to Steven
C, of course, makes the least amount of sense, and now I'm worried that it's going to be what happened, especially since Justine's pointed out that Garnet has a Pink Diamond-like gem bubbled in her room.
Thoughts? Apparently there are gonna be two new episodes next week, anyone know if they've leaked yet?
IT REALLY WENT DOWN LAST NIGHT
(https://i.imgur.com/d6lAIzI.gif)
Wait so.....
Rose is/was pink diamond? I figured it would end up that way but it leaves so many questions!
Well dang, didn't see that they said they would delete it after so long. Here it is again:
(https://i.imgur.com/d6lAIzI.gif)
Wait so.....
Rose is/was pink diamond? I figured it would end up that way but it leaves so many questions!
I really hope a new episode is coming soon, the way they ended it it seemed like there may be a new one next week, but the fallout is gonna be immense
Fits perfectly with Pearl's neuroses, and the Bismuth ep where it was said Rose's sword couldn't shatter gems. I also wonder if Yellow Diamond knows, and has decided to maintain the lie - despite the harm it causes Blue - because the truth would embolden her own rebels (based on her aggressive behavior in the Trial)
.
Excellent ep, but I have to admit given the title, I hoped it was a return of Pearl's mystery girlfriend. Then again, in a way, I guess it was.
maybe, re: Trial, but honestly i wouldn't be surprised if it was just *she doesn't handle her feelings well*.
Yellow diamond seems like the kind to really steam roll or push her agenda onto others. I wouldn't be surprised if she pushed Pink diamond to the point of thinking war was inevitable, or if she just knew about the ploy and found that it would strengthen her own position to get rid of pink diamond. Perhaps even bring her closer to Blue Diamond is some sort of unrequited love?
sorry Lee, meant to reply earlier
Maybe, but honestly it's not like we don't have countless examples of what happens when people in positions of cultural power & privilege systems get invested in those. Especially ones that tend to express anger more easily or readily than other emotions.
She's a Diamond. This is Order. It is Right for We to Rule. Crush the dissent, kill the dissent, erase the dissent, and return to Order.
So in case anyone didn't know there's been a handful of episodes dropping most of the week.
they're uh, they're pretty good.
no unmarked spoilers, people.
Bismuuuuuuuuuth eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
also all the other stuff so far eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Whoa, that season finale was amazing. But where do we go from there?
I loved Rainbow Quartz 2.0 and Sunstone, also Peridot's rad shades
Damn, that was really something.
Honestly, it was a bit unsatisfying. It felt like a five-course meal all heaped up on a single plate. Blue and Yellow turn against Steven, and then they like him again, time to rebel against White! Now let's introduce three new fusions in the space of three minutes! Now everyone's grayscaled, Steven gets deus-ex-gemina'd, he works his magic on White and then everyone's fine again. Oh, and White Diamond's cracked Pearl was actually Pink's pearl, I guess? Okay, everyone go to Earth! Also Lars is back. Happy ending, roll credits.
Also, Steven, you literally just used your shield to deflect Yellow's attack on Blue, how did it not occur to you to try the same against White? Or shield bubble out of Garnet's grasp? C'mon dude.
Who knew this all the way from episode one would be a huge foreshadow
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nazd-KgCjVI/hqdefault.jpg)
Damn, that was really something.
Honestly, it was a bit unsatisfying. It felt like a five-course meal all heaped up on a single plate. Blue and Yellow turn against Steven, and then they like him again, time to rebel against White! Now let's introduce three new fusions in the space of three minutes! Now everyone's grayscaled, Steven gets deus-ex-gemina'd, he works his magic on White and then everyone's fine again. Oh, and White Diamond's cracked Pearl was actually Pink's pearl, I guess? Okay, everyone go to Earth! Also Lars is back. Happy ending, roll credits.
Also, Steven, you literally just used your shield to deflect Yellow's attack on Blue, how did it not occur to you to try the same against White? Or shield bubble out of Garnet's grasp? C'mon dude.
The episodes before showed the Pink Pearl in Steven's dream/memories and Blue mentions Pink would lose her Pearl in the dream/memory in this episode
I feel pretty good about it ending right there. Maybe an epilogue episode or special, but I feel like we're finished, it's done, that's it, more or less everything worth thinking about is in as good an ending spot as it can be.
yeah, probably a goodbye episode, more i think of it. but like i said, i'm tired of waiting on this show, as much as I love it. that hasn't changed. And it's run for more years than we deserve, perhaps.