It’s Steven’s birthday! Garnet wakes him up at midnight to be the first one to wish him well. Garnet was originally going to reveal her unfused self to Steven, but since that cat got out of the bag, she settles telling Steven the story of her to constituent gems met and fell in love.
The Answer
The hiatus is over and we are back with a Steven Bomb. That means every night this week is a new episode. As I am only human, I will do my best to recap in a timely manner.
So let’s begin. It’s Steven’s birthday! Garnet wakes him up at midnight to be the first one to wish him well. Garnet was originally going to reveal her unfused self to Steven, but since that cat got out of the bag, she settles telling Steven the story of her to constituent gems met and fell in love.
We learn that back during the colonizing days, the rebels (aka Rose and Pearl) were proving troublesome, so Homeworld sent a delegation to investigate. Chief among them was the aristocratic Sapphire. Accompanied by her three nearly identical Ruby guards. Here it is confirmed that while gems of certain designations are functionally identical, the gem location on their body is not. Also the Rubies are all the rough-and-tumble type.
The back Ruby gets knocked into Sapphire and is mortified by her transgression. Sapphire manages to be both magnanimous and non-plussed about it. Sapphire leaves the three Rubies to confer with her leader, Blue Diamond. This basically confirms a long standing fan theory that there are three diamonds, a yellow, blue and pink. This is based off iconography found in gem ruins and structures. And we get to meet a partially veiled Blue Diamond and her servant Pearl (not our Pearl mind you).
Sapphire predicts an attack by the rebels, resulting in the defeat of 7 gems including herself. On the bright side, the rebellion would end. Being precognitive, Sapphire just excepts her coming trials with quiet dignity… and then the Crystal Gems attack. Rose and Pearl dispatch the background gems and face off against the Rubies, who fuse. Apparantly when identical gems fuse, they become larger versions of themselves.
However they are no match for Rose, who defuses them. Pearl hacks up two. Sapphire accepts her fate and thanks Ruby for trying. But Ruby ain’t having none of that. In an impulsive and impassioned move, Ruby saves Sapphire from Pearl and in doing so creates Garnet for the first time.
This scandalizes the onlooking gems. Rose retreats with Pearl leaving the gems to turn their frustration on the now defused Ruby and Sapphire. Clearly fusing with non-identical gems is VERY taboo. Blue Diamond is furious that Sapphire was wrong and that the rebels escaped. Ruby takes the blame and is sentenced to be broken. Sapphire doesn’t like that and escapes the area using her supper speed.
Ruby reveals that she doesn’t really understand individuality, and Sapphire understands that her future vision is not infallible. Ruby puts her own discomfort aside to help Sapphire escape so they both can hide. Sapphire is very appreciative, and that loving gaze gets Ruby figuratively and literally hot.
Ruby feels guilty for not having Sapphire but Sapphire assures her that she in fact, already did. Sapphire remarks on their fusion and we learn that identical gems fusing usually just results in a psyche without change, but when unmatched gems fuse, a new persona is born. The too coyly and innocently flirt over the issue, and Ruby allows a smile to break her worry.
So they set off exploring to a sweet song, with lyrics comprising them stammering their feelings and flirtations to one another. It is seriously adorable, and it culminates with them dancing and purposefully fusing. Sharp-eared fans will recognize the tune Sapphire hums as the same one she uses to call out to Ruby when they were separated in the Season 1 final battle.
Porto-Garnet has some trouble adjusting to her new form, but she catches on. Until she stumbles right into Rose’s hideout. Pearl confronts Garnet but Rose steps in. Garnet is worried that her form upsets Rose, and based on her response, Rose just might be a little weirded out. But she puts that aside in favor of focusing on Garnet’s feelings. When Garnet questions here new identity, Rose simply replies with the Crystal Gem’s oft repeated phrase…
Final Score Time
Additions to the Lore: Lot’s this week. We learned that gems of the same class are physically identical except for their gem location. We learned that there is in fact a Blue Diamond, aiding a huge fan theory of the three diamonds. We learned way more about early colonization of earth. We learned that gems fusing with gems of a different class are very scandalous in gem society. Most importantly, we learned how Garnet came to be.
Geek References: This episode heavily on “save the princess tropes”. In fact the setup as a bedtime narrative had a definite Princess Bride feel.
Queer References: This entire episode was about the beginning of a lesbian relationship. Two clear moments stand out. The crowds reaction in the base, regarding Sapphire and Ruby’s fusion is a parallel to open and bigoted disgust sometimes displayed towards queer relationships. The second belongs to Rose. When asked what Rose thinks of Garnet, Rose deflects saying how Garnet feels is far more interesting. This is a good parallel for those uncomfortable with queer relationships, but aware enough to realize that it doesn’t affect them and that others deserve to be happy.
Final thought: This was a very strong start after a hiatus. The visuals were beautiful. The heartstrings were tugged and we even got a song. It evoked a very Disney-esque beauty. It expanded immensely on gem lore and allowed us insight into the show’s most stoic character. For showing us the beautiful story of Ruby and Sapphire, this episode gets 5 gems out of 5.
Next Episode: “Steven’s Birthday”, Jan. 5 @ 5:30pm EST
Please feel free to add things I missed, your reactions, theories, and whatever else you’d like in the comments!
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