Did Pink Diamond Love Pearl? [Steven Universe Theory/Analysis] Crystal Clear

[@RoundtableVids]

I could even learn how to love...We're still catching up to all of your reactions on Stardust! STARDUST: stardust.app.link/Roundtable Tag us @RoundtableVids THUMBNAIL ART: citrinofull.tumblr.com/image/173807695115 boringartist.tumblr.com/post/173948043174/continuing-the-su-edits-with-piiiiiiiink-diamond

[@totalgelion6714]

I think she cared about people and gems just not the same way a normal person could I think Greg was the closest to loving for her

[@xhomiegreninjax137]

Hold on I just realized something... if Pink Diamond wasn't actually a Rose Quartz Gem, wouldn't that mean Rainbow Quartz and Smokey Quartz aren't Quartzes either?

[@emilyholson2717]

I LOVE your videos

[@mustachetwirler7617]

The Roundtable Crypto; “I’ve already learned a lot about love as it comes in two varieties on my part; one is my love of carnage upon humanity, and the other is when I go Bowchickawowow during my free time!” Orthopox; “I only learned one form of love, and it is loving myself as the omnipotent, ultimate, supreme emperor of the Furon race!”

[@Swacy873]

The Roundtable where is pink diamonds jem now if pearl had it in her hand

[@beanie7042]

I kinda thought that Rose mistook Pearl's love as a Pearl worshipping her Diamond, which was something Rose did not want. She thought of Pearl as a sister or best friend, but she couldn't see that Pearl was devoted because she was in love. At least that's my opinion. EDIT: Wow, I never got over 450 likes before. Thanks so much. 😊😁 EDIT: Over 600 likes?! Not gonna lie, this a first. Thanks. ☺️😄

[@LadyLuckyLu]

Fuzzy Paws Same

[@YourMajesty_1O1]

Fuzzy Paws i thought so too. But thats just too sad

[@leefollett6017]

Fuzzy Paws that actually makes me feel better about the tragic heartbreak feels.

[@LordofFullmetal]

Counter offer: Maybe she didn't "mistake it". It's entirely possible that Pearl's the one mistaking her gem worship for love. We don't actually know how much free will our Pearl has, especially since she never managed to separate herself from her diamond. Even now she's still technically "serving" the same gem. Unlike everyone else, she never really escaped her master. Obviously she's developed some, at least since Rose died - she HAD to. But as we've seen with Peridot and Lapis, it's not that easy to convince any gem to get over their diamond worship, let alone a Pearl.

[@JustThatLauren]

It's true. It may have felt wrong to her to reciprocate romantic feelings coming from the position of power she was in.

[@Champsr0ck2247]

It's weirder when you realize that Pearl _cannot_ disobey her master's orders. This begs the question: Did Pearl ever have free will?

[@amitks862]

Champsr0ck2247 The crewinverse confirmed that unless a diamond makes a direct order (“I order you” stuff like that) that pearls have free will

[@germyforev4495]

But how far does that go? Pearls are made to adore, love and care about there master above all else. To enjoy and want to serve there whims. A new slave needs to be ordered, a broken slave obeys without commands.

[@lynx105]

Mainly, why rose probably disappeared.

[@Hulk1566]

It does bother me that Rose didn't consider other peoples emotions which led to so many heartbreaks just like she doesn't think the Diamonds cared about her.

[@popburnsy3207]

Level: OP on some level, I think she may have thought she didn't deserve to be loved because she got all those Crystal Gems coorrupted too

[@ADAJ342]

I mean look at the conversations rose had with the other Diamonds. They cared,but did not show it.

[@popburnsy3207]

Adrián Alonso Yeah, they just wanted to destroy a planet full of life, but they sorta cared about their sister, so it all evens out...

[@dexdrako]

i don't get this view, it really disregards a lot of what the show tells us

[@sadlobster1]

I'm guessing once she met Greg. Rose/Pink may have changed her behavior...at least, a little

[@toetotipthatsabart5048]

I don’t think Rose Diamond actually loved Pearl. She loved the idea of a liberated Pearl. I don’t think she has loved anything other than ideas, the idea of having a colony, the idea of making her colony safe instead, the idea of accepting off colors and rejects, the idea of relinquishing ownership of a Pearl, the idea of having a child. Rose never loved anyone, she loved ideas. I don’t even think she loved Greg, not in a way that we think. She loved the idea of Greg, we saw that she fell in love instantly because of a dorky rockstar human. She didn’t fall in love with the pitfalls of Greg, with the failures and the panicked times. She fell in love with ideas. And that’s her ultimate flaw.

[@abi-fs5jt]

Toe to Tip That's a Bart damn!! that’s the tea

[@polakgaughan]

Yeah i hear you, i dont think she was capable of empathy: no matter how much she loved people and things, she loved them like objects and didnt experience them as having agency or autonomy, or feel a desire to cater to their needs - like a narcissist really.

[@genuineinterest]

Underrated comment. Damn

[@londonchavers7289]

I think she di love Greg stated she felt compelled to tell me everything thing's she wouldn't tell anyone and she didn't treat him like he and also she even had some amp that forwards the d others rose states your life is short and you have dreams i won't let you give up on everything you want

[@krack-a-lacker]

from the most recent episode,we find out pink's other ability is to share empathy so i do believe pd is capable of feeling that.

[@hangmingzhang5067]

"my diamond" is a sign of respect and loyalty not love, "my pearl" also doesn't have the meaning of love. I think it was more like Pearl mistaking Pink's respect to her as love since she is the only one referred to as "my pearl", that she thought herself special. I might even go a step further that because pearls are programmed to be servants, that pearl thought that the only way Pink respected her enough to call her "my pearl" is because Pink is infatuated by her, and this was never said by Pink, and she is either oblivious to this or she just didn't want to break Pearl's heart.

[@weirdo1836]

True

[@laurenmungaray3912]

That's why she's so conceited lol. Her diamond said " My Pearl" to her. I think Rose just saw her as a friend.

[@artemisia457]

I think that feelings come and go, change and transform. I wouldn't undermine PD's affection for Pearl only because it turned from romance to close friendship. She did care for Pearl but her feelings changed overtime and she fell for Greg. These things happen and it's no one's fault. We don't know if PD and Pearl had a conversation about it. While I feel for Pearl (I have a crush on my best friend, too), I can't find it in me to blame PD for things beyond her control. You can't decide who you fall in love with.

[@helicopterus1934]

Love takes time, it’s not a fleeting feeling, it’s a commitment to each other. Garnet spoke about it very clearly in the show. Pearl was committed to PD. PD, however, wasn’t too mindful. There is no excuse for Rose’s actions. Besides, she dated humans before multiple times, but never truly cared about them. What I think about her choosing to give up her life to give birth to Steven is that in Greg she saw the qualities she herself wanted to have. The ability to truly love, to change, to invent yourself. It wasn’t human love, it was love for human spirit, an almost fetishizing adoration.

[@ej73223]

But what about all the humans she had relationships with for thousands of years? Pearl was always an afterthought to her after the war.

[@artemisia457]

Love is different to everyone. Pearl was aware of PD's various dates and she said she's okay with it because she knew these people don't matter. She knew Pink Diamond's feelings were strong. It was PD's affection for Greg that changed everything. Garnet was right love is about commitment and PD and Pearl, while having one-sidedly open relationship, were committed to one another. Again, PD wasn't going behind Pearl's back - Pearl knew everything and consented to this kind of a relationship.

[@ej73223]

CosmicSong pearl was SUPER not okay with roses other relationships my dude where you been at

[@artemisia457]

"I was fine With a man Coming to our lives Now and again. I was fine Cause I knew That they didn't really matter." - "It's Over, Isn't It?", Pearl. Besides in recent episode, Pearl's Pearl admits that it's not even Greg or pregnancy that bother her. It was permanent loss of Rose/Pink Diamond that made her cry. Greg is just a human. He'll die in a blink of an eye while the Gems are timeless, nearly immortal beings. Pink Diamond would be back to Pearl's side in no time at all. I'd even dare to say that he was another passing fancy, only slightly more important than other humans Pink Diamond was seeing before.

[@miladysenior1264]

PD made the most rock solid friendzone around Pearl

[@Dave102693]

Ded! 💀💀💀💀👻👻👻👻

[@lillydoessomething3278]

I'm done. lol

[@j3891]

BAHAHAHAHAH i love you😂😂😂

[@etona6147]

Hahahaha rock cuz they're gems ok I'll see myself out 😂

[@laurabbb1506]

Pearl: the most friendzoned character in all of TV history.

[@JustThatLauren]

Ew

[@doraemonsirobotkucing6201]

lmao

[@CainWuzHere]

*Friendzoned*

[@fnaffangirl123]

Lol I feel like marinette is the most friendzoned character but pearl is definitely up there

[@brownimposter2601]

JustThatLauren what. Ew?

[@Godzillawolf1]

One thing that I think does apply here, in addition to what was said already, Gems don't really have a concept of marriage, or even romantic relationships, at least as a species. We kinda see this in the Zoo: Gems know humans form couples and it's necessary for reproduction, but they don't seem to have much understanding of it. Gems don't NEED romance on a physical level, as they reproduce asexually, but while they do need love emotionally like anyone, it's simply not part of their culture. Gems are very structured and while how same Gem fusion is allowed, how Homeworld feels about same Gem romances isn't really clear. So individuals DEVELOP a concept of Romance, but as a civilization, they simply don't, and even those individuals sometimes have completely different definitions of it. Take Garnet and Fluorite for instance: Garnet explicitly says she wants to stay a two Gem couple, but Fluorite is a six Gem relationship, and fully willing to add more if it's the right one. So what might have happened is, Rose may simply have had a different acquired definition of romance than Pearl does and saw no problem with having Pearl AND Greg, while Pearl saw it as 'me or Greg'. We get hints of this, since Pearl outright said Greg isn't the first human Rose fell in love with, but the first who she came to love to that degree. Now yes, she did decide to have Steven with Greg and sacrifice herself, but it may have been that Rose simply had a different definition of things than Pearl does. Gems having to LEARN romantic relationships in the first place kinda complicates things.

[@gabrielabarbosa8827]

Godzillawolf1 best comment ever

[@kellabdjfoo]

@@gabrielabarbosa8827 you can say that again

[@moonchild9688]

I think she did truly love pearl but as like a close friend

[@Dave102693]

Pretty much

[@popburnsy3207]

Or a sister

[@simpayshenaides]

She doesn't meant to love her as lover , it was her pearl who is more loyal, because it was her servant

[@Michimich97]

I think she really did love her, but not in a romantic way. The thing is that we don't really know if Pink was aware of this or if Pearl ever confesses her feelings.

[@Lupiterz]

I don't believe Rose had any ill will toward anybody. But I believe all of her acts were ultimately self-serving, as she is portrayed to be childish and does not understand or does not care about the weight of her actions.

[@NNightmareWelcomeEnjoy]

The Diamonds should have paid more attention to her. This whole thing is kind of like how Gowasu was a terrible teacher and Zamasu went to do his whole Zero Mortal Plan.

[@Lupiterz]

I absolutely agree on that. If anyone's at fault here, it's still yellow and blue but it's not likely that there's any malice at all, literally all just misunderstanding.

[@sakuraogami6885]

NNightmare03 Well, *cough* That actually makes sense.

[@etona6147]

Lightningwing Skye Yeah she didnt seem to fully understand what she was doing but I think she mustve felt somewhat guilty when both her court gems and the rest of the crystal gems were corrupted, that's why she dedicated most of her time to finding and to bubbling each one of them. Rose didnt learn though, she still made another selfish decision to have a kid and leave her unfinished business of bringing peace to all the corrupted gems to the crystal gems and Steven. Or maybe Steven was right in the episode Storm in the room when he said that Rose just made him so that she could run away from the mess she made. I hope its not the later tho this could just make her look even worse to her son.

[@yicel486]

agreed 👏😔

[@stitch0blue]

our pearl seems more like a teacher. Rose seemed like she really did respect pearl(even as a teacher) and it could have been easily misinterpreted as love. What if pearl was made to teach pink how to be more mature and how to be a leader? That's why our pearl is so smart and tends to ask more questions.

[@astolat2262]

Tf are you talking about

[@cristinaramos6127]

She loved her....AS A FRIEND!

[@kerkounosil115]

Fandom Trash fuck noo

[@kerkounosil115]

She love her

[@lucasmartinez5703]

According to Word of God, it's apparently more complicated then that. Later episodes will probably clear this up.

[@samyen3210]

Sad but true

[@wills5945]

Fandom Trash just gals being pals.

[@umiiarose7614]

I feel like rose did love pearl but pearl was really easy for rose to take advantage of.

[@Cocoeskoko]

Random realization. The colors of Lars and Lion match pink diamond so that was another hint that Rose was PD. Dark pink skin/fur but lighter pink hair/mane. Just random comment lol

[@bigbitch584]

Space Dad Seven that was thought of ages ago. Why are you so slow lol

[@bigbitch584]

Grizzly Axolotl Lars’s didn’t change

[@Cocoeskoko]

OT-C Watch the episode, Lars LITERALLY changes color. And the fact that Rose was revealed as Pink Diamond and he was shocked doesn't mean he figured it out early. Calmeth downeth

[@Cocoeskoko]

Also if you meant Lar's hair texture, nah that didn't change but his appearance itself did lol sorry for misunderstanding

[@lupper]

in a relatively old interview with rebecca sugar, the interviewer asked her something about pearl’s unrequited love for rose. rebecca’s only response was “i wouldn’t necessarily call it unrequited” so i mean, somethin was goin on at least. (i honestly can’t remember who was interviewing her or where the interview is, i just remember listening to it)

[@Cloud-zb8lw]

Greg: I have sword and I'm not afraid to use it on YD.

[@winterwoods2625]

兵士Cloud *go bigger, go home*

[@soul6733]

Did you just....?

[@jeffcee500]

???

[@mollz3704]

You again??

[@Cloud-zb8lw]

Soul6 Yes.

[@tater4442]

"Isn't it funny how, the people we like, find us fit for friendship, but out of shape for dating"

[@u877___y]

I like to believe that Rose was something of a benevolent sociopath: she's incapable of truly feeling love. She wants to love people like Greg, but can't feel anything deeper than a shallow imitation. Maybe that's why she chose suicide by birth: so she could use Steven as a vessel through which she can experience love. Edit: Oh my god I don't remember typing this wtf, this comment was literally copied and pasted from a person who wanted to spread the word and I just did them a favor, I would never say anything like this.

[@arnor398]

what being asexual have to do with this? maybe you mean "aromantic"

[@u877___y]

@Liza Johnson I want to thank you for bringing me back to this comment after 2 years, irrelevant but I am frankly surprised I posted this??

[@digimonalvatrax2738]

Tbh I think she just wanted to treat Pearl better than her former pearl

[@taliemccarroll2079]

I think PD did love Pearl, but when she met Greg, she had lost her feelings for pearl and gave them to Greg.

[@taliemccarroll2079]

Cometa Blanco I mean that’s your opinion

[@taliemccarroll2079]

Cometa Blanco Again, maybe they didn’t know how to express romantic feelings before earth, so they never did anything about it.. Like I said, it’s not a fact, so therefore it’s probably an opinion.

[@londonchavers7289]

I don't think it was cheating because I don't think pearl ever told her how she really felt and she said she was fine with the men that would come in to roses life because she knew they don't matter so her and rose could still be friends you could say

[@forestrose244]

Props for that one girl who said she was right even when people called her stupid. I dont know who you are but I'm so glad you were right.

[@skysuniverse4587]

I think Rose valued Pearl but never took it romantically like Pearl did. In "A Single Pale Rose", Pearl wears the hibiscus on her right ear. In Hawaii, wearing a hibiscus on the right ear means that a woman is single/available, while wearing it on the left means that she is married or in a relationship.

[@davidford3115]

While I think Rose/Pink was fond of and appreciated Pearl, I don't think it was romantic love. I think it was more the affection one has for a comrade in arms and a confidant. Pearl's affection for Rose/Pink on the other hand is more that of a fanatic/zealot/sycophant due to her preprograming as a loyal servant. Now maybe over time on Earth that changed, but the fact that she still has not moved on shows a selfishness, immaturity, and infatuation rather than a mature caring love. Maybe I am being harsh, but true love is putting the wellbeing and happiness of the other above your own feelings and desires. And I do agree that Pearl's conversation with Rose in "Rose's Scabbard" was before the events she showed in "A Single Pale Rose".

[@aguardianangel981]

I think its unfair to call Pearl's affection towards Rose childish and selfish. We need to see the circumstances of her situation. She loved Rose for thousand of years and they went throu a lot together. its also possible that She also dind't understand how an immortal creature could choose someone who could love them just for a few years over someone who could litterally give them eternity. When Rose got pregnant, Pearl might have felt like Rose would prefer to die than to be with her even just as a friend. All of this hit Pearl hard and I don't think its fair to call her selfish for not getting over all that in a snap of the finger

[@davidford3115]

You missed the last line "love is putting the wellbeing and happiness of the other above your own". Has Pearl shown that? Hers is classic unrequited love. And while Victorian era ideals depict it as honorable and unselfish, that hardly makes it healthy. Indeed, the obsessiveness of it prevents one from coming into their own and developing any other relationship that could be more. Being able to let go for the happiness of Rose is something Pearl still has not entirely done. And that is holding her back.

[@sakuraogami6885]

David Ford Nah. You’re being really harsh and ridiculous.

[@samimay05]

I don't think pearls in love with Rose/ PD but I think Rose either doesn't know or doesn't care. I definitely think Rose sees her as more of a servant

[@davidford3115]

Goku Black, Got evidence that refutes my scenario or a logical argument that better fits the data? You have failed to debate me with anything more than an emotional and reflexive response.

[@oliviamacarthur18]

I wonder how Peridot is gonna react. Will her Diamond adoration return and will focus on Stephen more in that way? At least for an episode...

[@Champsr0ck2247]

Olivia Mac Arthur Would be funny if she address Steven as "My Steven"

[@Coolsomeone234]

Champsr0ck2247 Lol

[@deannamccrimmon6422]

Lol it’s Steven

[@rainhardravenclaw809]

Great idea ! That would be a great episode ! Peridot adoring steven and act like a slave to him until in the end he tells her how he thinks of the diamond-authority and that he doesn't want this

[@bigbitch584]

Olivia Mac Arthur Steven...not Stephen

[@UndernetBroker]

Maybe like a best friend sure, anymore than that and I'd have to question it a bit.

[@shanec3098]

I think that in Rose's Scabbard they were speaking of the revolution to try and drive the other diamonds away from the planet and agree to leave the life alone. Whereas in A Single Pale Rose it was about staging the shattering as a last resort. Pearl was reluctant because she *did* have to stab the love of her life, but it was the only way to stop the diamonds.

[@potatofairy8535]

Goodness, Rose being Pink has opened up so many questions and possibilities that RoundTable hasn't even made a video on KO's newest battle with Shadowy Figure! Jesus, it's almost like Rose foreshadowed the fandom making theories when she said in the episode Lion Straight to Video *This world is filled with so many possibilities*.

[@baraxor]

I don't think that Pink loved Pearl, not in the way Pearl did for Pink, or how Ruby and Sapphire do each other. However, I believe that it's off the mark to contend that Pink only liked Pearl for what she gave her, only thought her useful as a tool. I believe that Pink truly treasured Pearl and recognized her worth, was glad for her friendship and loyalty, and tried to help her with her fears and insecurities...BUT, Pink didn't regard Pearl as an equal partner, was well aware of her shortcomings, and unquestionably felt that she could not share all her secrets with her Pearl. Greg is probably the first entity Pink felt she could treat with on roughly equal terms.

[@genuineinterest]

I agree. At the same time, though, remember that (from what we know as of right now) she never told Greg any of her past history and it's very likely he never knew she was Pink Diamond. Referring to the episode where Steven wants to know more about his mom but Greg tells him he never pushed her to share her past, because it was in the past. And she never did. I feel like Rose just drove herself into a corner with all her secrets but she never found anyone she thought she could confide everything in. Pearl knew her past, and some things like the armoury. Greg knew much of her present. It's questionable if anyone at all knew about the lions.

[@baraxor]

Nazish Talati When asked by his son whether Rose talked to him about Pink Diamond, Greg was evasive. He didn't say "yes", or "no", or "who?" What Greg did say that there were things that Rose didn't like to talk about, and that he never pressed her...and follows this by saying that he felt that Rose wanted to confess everything to him. So, I'd say that it's slightly better than 50-50 that Rose Quartz did tell Greg about her original identity, secure in the knowledge that he wouldn't reveal anything to the others, plus that "Pink Diamond" is merely a couple of words to him, unlike to the Crystal Gems.

[@jadziajan]

Rose might have jsut loved Pearl platonically. She looked up to her or cared for her, but had no romantic feelings for her. Also, "my Pearl" not being proof of ownership kind of helps proving that Pearl isn't Pink Diamond's pearl, which I strongly believe.

[@lucy-bs9cx]

Wait I JUST FOUND SOME FORESHOWDOING TO ROSE BEING PINK DIAMOND In the sea spire episode She said to Steven THIS PLACE IS TOUR HERITAGE as in hey Steven you own this spire

[@13angelsfalling]

It's really sad the relationship between Pearl and Rose. Rose kind of manipulated Pearl, and lied to Greg. It's horrible, she didn't care about Pearl or the Diamonds, Rose never really had empathy.

[@dexdrako]

except that's not what happened. pink made no declaration of monogamy or even that kind of love to pearl, she love her like a sister of best friends and she fulfilled there promises of living with pearl on earth as that sisterly BFF way. its not pinks fault for not feeling as deeply for pearl as she did for rose. and the show already said Rose was going to tell Greg as he told Steven in one of the epoisdes where Steven asked about rose " she felt she had to tell me everything but i told her all i care about is who you are right now."

[@13angelsfalling]

dexdrako Yes, but also she started a gem war and let thousands of gems die, just for a single planet.

[@dexdrako]

rose didn't start they gem war just for earth, another large part of the war was to free gems form the oppressive rule of home world. sure you can say the war "failed" because most of the crystal gems where taken out but that doesn't mean Rose wasn't honest about why she fought the war. after all Rose didn't plan for the diamonds to use the corruption song that was their doing not hers. rose wanted a world where humans and gems could live as they pleased. if it had worked who knows how much father it my have went, rebellion tend to spreads like fire when people see it can work.

[@germyforev4495]

Yet it is all made pointless as none of the crystal gems were ever free. They simply served another diamond that allowed them more freedom.

[@dexdrako]

that's were you're wrong Germy Forev. the show makes it clear pink didn't want to be a ruler, she may have been leading the rebellion but that doesn't mean she'll be a queen after. her own words say she want to live free and earth like with the rest of the crystal gems. but even if that was the case its like saying people weren't free after the American revolution because they had a president. the gems didn't follow rose because of where she can form or because the social order said so. they followed rose because she inspired them with her words and action. the gems that followed her were free

[@laurellee1435]

I had kinda assumed that Rose was somewhat poly and that she loved lots of people intimately in her own way but that due to her narcissism and lack of connection with people and easily distracted and independent personality and various other issues is not a very healthy lover, discards people easily, forgets about other people’s feelings etc. I think with Greg she was probably more monogamous but more importantly she learned how to respect someone and take their feelings into consideration more. I don’t think she ever fully got over her flaws I’m not sure that gems on homeworld have actual romantic relationships. They’re non sexual and fuse for practical reasons. They can have very intimate relationships with their own kind and court without labels. Family, friendship and flirtatious love all intertwined... Tbh as someone poly with adhd and the relationship issues that come with that such as obsession with someone quickly and then getting easily distracted by something and running away when something gets difficult to do something new, I relate closely to Rose. If there wasn’t a clear framework and communication about what people typically want and respect from relationships I’m sure I’d hurt people pretty badly

[@laurenmungaray3912]

Pearl and her was never in a relationship! 🙄 Plus, you're just assuming things but whatever it's your opinion. I can't change your mind.

[@M.W.K6996]

Care about Pearl? I'm sure. But actually love...I don't think so. Pearl is supposed to be the one that doesn't belong to anyone. But that's a lie.

[@Z.n.A.r.20]

I think that Pink Diamond loved Pearl as a friend because BD and YD always give lectures to PD about acting like a diamond , while pearl just acts like how pearls act sweetly with their diamonds . Also love your theories The Roundtable

[@Adrianandthrust]

Pretty sure what's going on is that White Diamond gave her Pearl (our Pearl) to Pink Diamond to help her with colonizing Earth and since White Diamond probably has higher authority, so does her Pearl.. so in a way even though Pearl is lower than Pink Diamond, I think Pink might respect her more than just any other Pearl. There could also be an appreciation besides hierarchy seeing that they created a more special relationship together.

[@pepsdeps]

*People before hearing Rebecca Sugar say the "My" thing:* Rose calls her her pearl, so she must own her. *People after hearing Rebecca Sugar say the "My" thing:* This is heavy, Rose respects pearl, and it was obvious from the start

[@adorablush]

"If I could begin to be, half of what you think of me... I could do about anything..." Guess that song was sung by Pink Diamond.

[@thewoollyviking5928]

I know people are still pretty much burning Rose in effigy since the reveal, but I can say with absolute confidence that YES, Rose loved Pearl. They clearly wanted different things from the relationship (Rose wanted to open up and be with humans too, Pearl wanted her all to herself) but that doesn't make either person bad. And many people are joking now that she can't be a "renegade Pearl" since she was still fighting alongside her diamond, but she didn't join her because she had to, but because she WANTED to. And keep in mind all the times Pearl interacts with homeworld gems, they point out how much more assertive our Pearl is. Behavior that was ecouraged by Rose. You guys can say what you want, I still don't think Rose is a bad person.

[@germyforev4495]

IT doesn't matter what pearl wanted or what she thought. Any pearl would have followed there diamond head first into a rebellion without being told. Pearls are made to serve and care for there masters above all else. Of course she's more assertive thats what her diamond wanted. Regardless of what name or face Pink wore she was still a diamond and her pearl was still justing serving her wishes. I have zero doubt homeworld would find her innocent as she was simply serving her masters will.

[@thewoollyviking5928]

Then why did Rose wait for the two to carry out her plan until Pearl agreed to go through with it? That shows that Rose is at least trying to encourage Pearl to make her own decisions, and I doubt that Homeworld under any circumstance would tolerate a Pearl that acted like OUR Pearl. Remember "Sworn to the Sword"? How Pearl's argument with Steven and Connie was rather explicitly reminding her of an earlier conversation with Rose? Where evidently Rose was trying to tell Pearl that she didn't have to keep sacrificing herself over and over and that she was important too? Yes, Pearls are made to be loyal, but Rose didn't want that to be why Pearl stayed with her. Or how about when Steven was angry with Peridot for still being loyal to Yellow Diamond, and Amethyst was making comments about making Peridot changer her mind, and Steven said "I don't want to make her think like I do, she should just know". Something to that effect. Rose couldn't help Pearl's nature, but she wanted to at least not make their relationship resort a toxic and slavish devotion.

[@germyforev4495]

Where does it say rose waited for pearl to be ready? Ive seen nothing to suggest that rose put off her plans specifically for pearls benefit. Rose wanted rose to stop needlessly risking her life? Good for you rose! You lied to literally everyone at several points throughout the series including pearl but at least you were a decent person once in your life! I wasn't even talking about rose, I was addressing the fact Pearl was never free. That there has never been a renegade pearl, the pearl that belonged to no-one is a lie, a fabrication because she never ceased serving her diamonds.

[@thewoollyviking5928]

How about the conversation in Rose's Scabbard? Where she gave Pearl the choice to either stay with her or go back to Homeworld? Or during their conversation in the palanquin, where Rose reminded them why they were; “If this is really my world, I want to give it to the Crystal Gems, I want to live here with human being, I want to live here with you." And they only did this AFTER Pearl said yes. She didn't belong to Rose, but she still loved her, that's why she was by her side all these years.

[@germyforev4495]

A meaningless choice, any pearl would have done the same. A master giving a broken slave a choice is no choice at all, she could never say no. She belonged to rose in all but name. She would never say no, she is programmed to love and serve her diamond. To do anything in her power to please her. It is a love programmed into her by homeworld, find me one instance of pearl fighting rose on a decision of her disobeying orders and Ill take it back.

[@carolinelutz397]

In my mind, she loved her but not like pearl loved her, just like her bigest friend, her confident

[@a2-2b-9s]

*Did Pink Diamond love Pearl?* Me: YES PLEASE

[@SherliseJ]

Pink calling Pearl "my Pearl" is almost like Lars calling Sadie "Player 2" while he was trying to get out of work

[@Izzy-jp8rm]

It’s most likely she was using her tbh , pearl only loves rose- I mean pink, that much because it’s in her “ code “

[@astrolord4325]

Pearl: All my hopes and dreams have died long long ago. Steven: How many years? Pearl: Idk, how old are you?

[@OneReallyGrumpyJill]

1)I believe that comparing newer episodes to older is a bit bad because it is clear that they didn't age too well. 2)I think that Pink liked Pearl as a friend at best, maybe had a fleeting crush on her, but nothing more. It was already made very clear that Pink was not the best person and I bet that her feelings for Pearl were momentary at best.

[@mange2696]

When Pink says my Pearl, Pearl may have been White Diamond's who's got a higher rank. But good theory! ^^

[@freesha]

Pearl loved the pink quartz rose diamond lady

[@lovesinganddance32]

Or it could be that rose called Pearl,"My Pearl "when they were starting the Revolution and she asked her to shatter her as pink diamond in the middle of the

[@elliestockwell1875]

yeah these are defiantly separate considering before the hologram pearl says "it was right here over (4000? i think) years ago."

[@Frooti.loopz23]

I think she did just not in the way Pearl would have wanted.

[@longtail4711]

I really cannot see Pink/Rose as a bad person who cared only about herself or unaware of how Pearl or the others felt about her. I think that's exactly why she decided to be with Greg and have Steven. I really do think Pink/Rose loved Pearl, and I think she never really stopped loving her. I think Pink/Rose realized that that Pearl would never stop acting like a pearl around her...meaning the relationship was never really as "real" as it was meant to be, and Pearl was never really free. I'm married, and I think if this was happening between me and my husband, I'd walk away from him too. Codependency is insidious and toxic, and Pearl deserved better. She deserved a chance to make a REAL relationship with someone of her choosing based on genuine feelings, not the remnants of slave mentality bound to someone she never had a real choice on being with. Pearl of course thinks it's ALL choice, she CHOSE Pink/Rose...but you really don't just forget about being a slave, especially when you are involved with your old master. Rose needed a change, Pearl needed a change, the Crystal Gems needed a change and a chance to stand on their own fused feet if they were ever to have any chance at defeating Homeworld. As long as Rose was there, they were never really living up to their potential because Rose was always their crutch. Steven was a perfect solution for all of them.

[@sakuraogami6885]

What about interdependence?

[@polakgaughan]

I totally agree, and think you have to bear in mind that gems are not like people in that they cannot adapt and change their nature, and that Pearl was made to serve and was bonded to serve PD eternally. Even if she was nominally/technically set free to do what she wanted with her life, her very nature predetermines her to want to take care of and cater to and to serve PD - that meant it couldnt ever be a healthy reciprocal balanced relationship.

[@longtail4711]

Goku Black -- Good question. Is it possible to have real interdependence with your old master and servant function? I don't think Pearl could do that. After the whole Sardonyx debacle, when Garnet and Pearl were being crushed, Pearl said "I'm just a pearl. I'm useless on my own." I think Pearl can be interdependent with Garnet and Amethyst, but I don't think that was possible for her to be with Rose.

[@sakuraogami6885]

longtail4711 Well remember Gems and Humans are different. Gems can’t easily just shake what they were made to do. It’s ingrained in them; probably forever. And that includes Pearl.

[@LordofFullmetal]

I mean, there is a LOT of evidence on the show to suggest that Rose rarely ever thought about the consequences of her actions, particularly when it came to people. I think she was too just immature to have a relationship like that. Even with Greg, it was basically a school girl's crush. As for Steven? I'm not sure how that helps anyone except Rose, sorry. The Crystal Gems were left with no leader. Pearl was left heartbroken for years. Steven was left to deal with his dead mother's problems without any choice or knowledge. As far as what the show has told us, Rose literally only did it because she was obsessed with the idea of creating life. OBSESSED. She couldn't let it go. If that's not selfish, I don't know what is. She didn't think about the position she was putting everyone in. She didn't know things would work out the way they did. All she was thinking about was what SHE wanted. I do agree on one thing you said, though - I don't think Pearl was "free" until Rose died. We've seen how hard it is to break a gem's conditioning to love their diamond - a normal gem, let alone a pearl who was still in active service to their diamond. I don't think she necessarily had free will.

[@stray_editori]

I didn't even realize that Diamonds always only called their pearls "Pearl", never "My Pearl"; so this def showed me something i didn't realize before.

[@ChipNoir]

I view Pink Diamond as sort of this...collosal child, albeit one that has an insane amount of power and influence. Think about how ill-adapted to human concepts Peridot was. Pink Diamond is going to have been the same, even if she took a shine to these concepts of love and friendship. But she's still this highly immature person at the time. So naturally, she's going to be self-interested in a way where she doesn't intentionally hurt people. Love like You is definetly Pink's theme. She learned a lot, to the point where I feel like Rose really became who she was in the end..and then Steven was her next step in evolution, realizing that she could give even more to the world by bringing Steven into it fresh, without any of the 'flaws' that Rose was never going to be able to break away from. It's selfish, but it makes sense. Steven has brought about so many changes that Rose never could as someone that could only change so much.

[@Shetasen]

Perhaps she didn't love Pearl romantically like Ruby and Sapphire have, but based on their interactions I would be confident in believing that Rose, PD had a genuine respect and trust in Pearl, this it is a different kind of love and loyalty. There many kinds of love. In Greg she found romance and a level she could share her inner desires of being "human" with, because he was human. Whereas she could never get that sense of compassion and understanding with another Gem. pearl still avoids certain human traditions such as eating but will do so only with Steven. These habits are something Rose was intrigued about and could only experience with a human. But we also see them fusing which according to garnet, a stable fusion is based on mutual trust. Pd being willing to fuse with pearl shows that there is a mutual trust and love. And rainbow quartz behavior, you can tell there is synchrony between them.

[@ChromosomeExcel]

It was already explain the Rose aka Pink Diamond doesn't understand love etc, and thinks of it as nothing more than them being showered with praise and affections. Pearl has shown through flashbacks that Rose has mingled with a lot humans way back. It wasn't until Rose met Greg that they started to somewhat understand but thought of it as nothing more than complicated. Whether she understood love before they had steven is up to debate. Rose said everything is just an experience. Which really downplays the whole feelings thing. Rose just does what she wants and wants to experience everything humans do regardless of anyone's will being or feelings. Thinking about it now, that's pretty messed up. But then again rose never consider the consequences of their actions. Rose is like a spoiled brat that no one never said no to. They pretty much always got what they wanted and never considered the downsides

[@everythingalldwight4939]

No she didn't. Before Greg she had no concept of love, and even then she has difficulty grasping the concept. She probably did respect her, but she didn't know how to love like Pearl did.

[@larsofthestars6205]

Wow man, Just laying that answer as clear as possible.. If Pearl were here she would- *insert Pearl talking off her saltiness BOI*

[@jajwritersblock]

Remember in Full Disclosure when Pearl said "Uhhhh I don't know. I don't really understand your human relationships"? I think that applies to most gems. Maybe one of the underlying arcs of the this universe is that gem kind is evolving that capacity but is nowhere near there. To Pink it was like an exciting new toy, like a kid with a brand new driver's license. They definitely still need limits how when and where they can drive, and they don't get the cheap insurance.

[@jayd7273]

I really enjoyed this theory! My only issue is that the supposition of this argument is based on romantic love, versus pure kinship. I believe Rose felt more of a kinship to Pearl, versus anything romantic (where we all know Pearl was romantically invested in Rose/PD). To PD's credit, Pearl was never vocal about her feelings. Maybe I just sympathize with Rose more than most and just don't see any malicious intentions versus just causes and effects that were more than she could handle alone.

[@pepinyostep3592]

“People called me stupid... i am but..” Someone please give this kid an oscar

[@Champsr0ck2247]

Nah, Rose always dated humans while Pearl was around. They just died.

[@thehopesystem3795]

I see your toxic monogomy and raise you some love is infinite and not limited to one person at a time.

[@Champsr0ck2247]

Miranda Cary That's fair, but I do feel that parties should share the same amount of love and care for all of their partners, or at least try to. Pink Diamond reveal notwithstanding, it feels like Pearl was just a rebound until another human impressed Rose. The only difference is that Greg challenged Rose and that's why she......stops dating Pearl?

[@londonchavers7289]

I don't think she get dated pearl Mandy or had suspicious that she liked her but when she started to date pearl never said anything which he a sign of oh she doesn't like me

[@onegenericman]

Maybe pink diamond started to realize she didn’t really understand the feelings of others and that is what drew her closer to Greg and wanted to be more like him even if it meant leaving behind what she was to be forever fused with Greg

[@kellharris2491]

Pearl was literally made to be what pink wanted. Pink gave pearl her freedom but that programing was still there. I think pearl genuinely loved pink but it must be hard to have relationship because pearl almost has to do what pink wants. That's not a good basis for a relationship.

[@trolleyfan]

You know, "just strung her along" seems...unlikely when you're talking about timespans as long as 5,000 years.

[@camsmith3123]

I have to say it’s manipulation. Between pink Diamond charisma and the programming pearl has I can’t really see anything else. I mean diamonds can already rule through fear and discipline why not from what appears to be a caring nature. As for pearl I do believe pink was using her programming to sort of brain wash her. I still don’t believe we’ve seen how that conversations in a single pale rose or rose’s scabbard really went down since it was from a biased view. I don’t know they probably were. But when it comes from a character like pearl who was zeolot like tendencies I can’t be to sure.

[@MrHodoAstartes]

Rose/Pink clearly respected and valued Pearl, but she had no romantic feelings for her. Pearl was her companion and trusted servant, co-conspirator and knight. A sister in arms and beloved friend, but never a lover. Pearl was simply deluded all this time. Inflating her position in her own mind and never told otherwise. Why? For the same reason everything in the show happened. Because Pink Diamond could not stand a confrontation, could not ever just say no to the people she loved. She did everything and more to avoid having to face her peers with her convictions. She rather made excuses, started a war and even faked her own death just so she did not have to stand up to Yellow and Blue. The same way she has never told Pearl to move on, but just strung her along somehow, trying not to hurt her. And what suffering has come from that. I believe that this is the final big lection of SU. That it is better to be honest with your family, even if it hurts. Because the lies hurt more in the end.

[@laurenmungaray3912]

I agree.

[@laurenmungaray3912]

She was a people pleaser.

[@laurenmungaray3912]

I wish I can save this comment so I can read it over and over again!

[@krissaguirre8391]

Pearl: My Diamond! Pink: Yes Pearl? Pegarle:i love you! Pink:I love you too! Your my best friend! *Pearl is friend zoned *

[@shael_zero4955]

I still am convinced our Pearl was Pink Diamond 'tutor' to how to become a real decent Diamond ruler , assigned to her by White Diamond, the original owner of Pearl. Gem placement and 'rebellious change' on character in time will not be ruined that way, with the big reveal Rose/PD XD.

[@ShakaCB]

I think what you present is more accurate. She did love Pearl, but her new life carried her on a different path than Pearl would have predicted. What you have to remember is, Pink/Rose found she loved all of the Earth. She felt free there. That became so important that she gave up her royalty for it. Her becoming part of life on the planet, finally birthing Steven was what she needed to do, what her very being needed her to do... It was tough on Pearl of course, and all the CG's, but her love led her that way.... There are better ways she could have handled it, had she more experience with how feelings work, but all she knew was to follow her heart per say...

[@yourlocalnoob4938]

I feel like Rose/Pink never stopped loving pearl romantically. Not for a second. I think either she didn't understand monogomy and Pearl was afraid to say anything in fear of the person Rose/Pink choses not being her, or that Rose/Pink just figured the human would die soon enough and then she'd have all of eternity to make it up to Pearl. And maybe Pearl didn't say anything because of how short a human lifespan was, and she was sure whoever Rose/Pink dated would be insignificant in the long run, so she should just grin and bear it. No matter the reason Rose/Pink got away with being with other people, though, I'm certain they were deeply in love. Both of them.

[@isabellatornabene6129]

The one thing that rubbed me the wrong way was in a single pale rose was that when PD was listing all the great things about living on earth, she named Pearl last which really makes me question how much PD loved Pearl.

[@dr.avalanche4994]

I saw your ed edd and eddy tweet I cracked up

[@abbsett3732]

Great video this is a difficult thing to ask because it's hard for me to think pink diamond is mature she seems really childish like she was just playing with everyone which is pretty messed up

[@tamiradotson3668]

For one it seemed like they never actually "defined" their relationship which was probably a big part of the issue.. they clearly had 2 different ideas on their relationship. For one, it's worth pointing out due to lack of intergem fusion allowed, romantic relationships don't actually seem to be a common thing on home world(remember Ruby described she just felt like her self with the other rubies but I was a completely different experience with sapphire). I honestly think that it was situation when you know you're friend / best friend is in love with, and you love them , but not in the same way, yet there's a curiosity in your mind that lingers if it could ever work romantically. Plus also keep in mind before Greg Rose never experienced "true equality" she was leader everyone looked up to as Rose, people worshipped as a diamond, over looked by the other diamonds, and simply a novelty by humans & vice versa. Nobody had ever demanded equality & had conversations the way Greg had. Ultimately I think that's why Rose couldn't see Pearl in the same, bc deep down they couldn't truly shake the Pearl & Diamond dynamic. Someone else said Pearl was more so in love with ideas than actual things & people ( which is ironically the most human trait you could have, lol), which is an agreeable point of view. I would like to think though, right before having Steven she was capable of have true love & appreciation for the people & Gems she had in her life.

[@nziom]

She loved her as a friend plus she knows that pearl was programmed to obey/love her unlike humans

[@joelreichenbach5466]

I think that Rose/Pink, after the war and everything, wanted Pearl to take charge so she could go run off and do stuff. We have seen Pink being a stubborn child throwing tantrums and Mommy Yellow and Blue and when she got what she wanted she turns around and said "NO I don't wanna rule, I wanna go around try this'screwing' thing with humans." She was a child mentally and didn't want to change. When Pearl did not take charge and just went to Rose with everything she became disinterested.

[@drunkmangrenade8967]

There was also that moment when Connie asked if those made her feel like nothing and pearls response was "Rose made me feel like everything" I believe she did love Pearl.

[@fink1345]

Now that I think about it, PD might be the one to sing Escapism. But I'm find with pearl sing Escapism too.

[@Alex2468ful]

I think there was genuine love on Pink/Rose’s part, but the years of servitude, the power inbalance in their relationship, and Rose’s status as an elite Diamond (which is basically a god) never would’ve allowed them to have a healthy supportive partnership as Pearl would’ve just catering to Pink’s emotions, Greg was a better partner in the sense that he didn’t truly understand what she was, what responsibilities and status she carried, partly because he was not as smart as Pearl but circumstances too would’ve bred an unhealthy relationship, but I do believe there was true and potential romantic love for Pearl as well

[@randypelow455]

There are many forms of love so it is possible that pink did love pearl for the fact that pearl was kind to her.

[@carabarabonanza]

I strongly beleive that pearls convo with holo rose in the scaberd really was a real conversation, one that took place after pink diamonds shattering. I believe that pink diamond didnt expect a war to come to fruition, that homeworld would just leave after she was shattered and call at quits, but soon Rose diamond realised she was very wrong and felt awful dragging pearl into this new found war so she tried seeing if she could give pearl an out since no one would know that pearl had anything to do with it, amd so this conversation takes place.

[@JetblackJay]

No she has a large amount of admiration because pearl gave her freedom from being a diamond but shes the type of person to do as she pleases

[@ellistorris]

Doing those painful ass tests and coming home to crystal clear. Pretty much balances things out. Good episode

[@ichihime9093]

I think PD/Rose genuinely loved pearl, like a sister. For Pearl's POV of course she saw it as something more but now this is where Pearl has to come to terms with herself and let the past go, Steven is the key for it. When the time comes then maybe we will see the Rainbow Quartz 2.0

[@hibouwolf571]

The conversation in Rose's Scabbard was not the same conversation that Pearl and "Rose" had right before "shattering" her.. Pearl states "Do you remember this place?" implying that THIS is where the conversation happened. This did not happen inside of Pink's palanquin. I imagine this conversation being held at the beginning of the rebellion. Pink was informing Pearl of her plans to rebel, but wanted to give her a chance to go back to homeworld before she got in too deep. She speaks of the consequences of winning and losing, she's talking about starting the rebellion. She was probably introducing Pearl to "Rose Quartz" for the first time. Notice how apprehensive Pink looks when talking to Pearl, and how relieved she seems that Pearl enthusiastically accepts her. The conversation in the palanquin however happened nearer to the end of the rebellion. They were already committed to the idea of rebelling. "Rose" had been a recognized threat for years before Pink was "shattered." Pearl knew about and was part of Pink's secret rebellion the whole time. In this conversation they are discussing Pink's radical tactic of faking her own death, not the pros and cons of Pearl joining the rebellion. To me it seemed like they had already been discussing this plan for a while. Pearl did seem hesitant to go through with the plan, but I don't think it's because she had only just been introduced to it. I think she was hesitant because of her programming telling her to be loyal to and never turn on her diamond. She was enthusiastic to support Pink in the rebellion, but the idea of attacking your diamond is so drastically opposite of a pearl's designed purpose.

[@forestrose244]

I loved that interview as well

[@prettynpinkmi]

I'm wondering how pearl was able to be the terrifying renegade pearl as well as pink diamonds pearl at the same time and not get recognized.

[@lucasmartinez5703]

She did love her. Just not as much as she would love Greg later. She genuinely fell for him because he challenged her and accepted her for who she was no matter what. I always got the impression that Pearl loved Pink D much more then Pink could ever reciprocate. That or she wasn't aware of the true depths of Pearl's love. It seems Pearl never came out and told Pink how she really felt, so Pink Diamond was always sort of in the dark. Pearl was content to just stay by her side.

[@prepperjackcorn623]

I honestly believe that Rose did love Pearl but wasn't in love with her as Pearl was with her and didn't know the difference between loving someone and being in love until she met Greg. In the episode "We Need To Talk", Greg tries to "fuse" with Rose and that's the moment when she learns about being in love for the first time. And as I think about it more, they did"fuse" as Garnet confirmed at the end of the episode, I believe that Steven is their fusion as Garnet is the fusion of Ruby and Saphire.

[@genuineinterest]

I really love the idea that Steven doesn't get his compassion and kindness and sense of caring from _Rose,_ but _Greg._

[@jermarule34]

*”They called me stupid; I am, but I was right about that.”* I’m crying rn

[@ztslovebird]

I think Rose loved Pearl as a pet, or a younger sibling. She cared about Pearl’s well-being, but didn’t see her as an equal or someone to take seriously. Pearl was made for Pink Diamond, programmed to love her & sacrifice everything for her well-being. Rose could never reciprocate Pearl’s feelings because she knew Pearl’s feelings weren’t real.

[@ToboOrnotobe95]

I think that When pearl is telling rose/pink about the thoughts she’s been having, she tells her about how she “thinks about meeting her on earth and even though she’s not hers, she makes her happy”. Rose calls her “ my pearl” in rose’s scabbard to show her that she really cares and that she is happy about having her with her.

[@izzymcgee2527]

I think the hologram flashback in Rose's Scabbard took place before Pink staged her rebellion.

[@jajwritersblock]

Yeah. Centuries before events of Single Pale Rose.

[@furrycricket]

I don’t know if anyone has talked about this before but I felt stupid once I realised it. But what I’ve just realised is the gems of the diamonds represents their authority/ place on the diamond symbol. White diamond is at the top of the symbol and her gem is at the top of her gem. Blue and Yellow are equal, next to each other on the symbol, and their gems are in the same place, just above their chest. Pink was at the bottom of the symbol and her gem is the lowest, on her stomach. Someone else has probably already pointed this out but I just to tell you if you didn’t already know :3

[@DannyPageOfLight]

Another factor that comes to mind for me is "Sworn to the Sword". Pearl was shown to be unhealthily devoted to Rose, constantly throwing herself in front of her and all. But on the other hand, the way Pearl accidentally calls Steven "Rose" in the heat of their argument still suggests to me that Rose/Pink was not comfortable with the way Pearl was throwing herself in all the time and had a very similar argument with her in the past. One that Pearl was reliving in her head as her son argued with her about basically the same thing.

[@michellegiacalone1079]

I don't think having Pearl make up a conversation out of whole cloth would be good writing, so I doubt it. I think Pink looked up to Pearl, who had been assigned to her to help her mature.

[@EdwardSanchezProductions]

Love is a powerful thing

[@yaboijay6861]

Does anyone notice how Pearl has different colors? Like most pearls have one color and maybe a darker/lighter color. But Pearl has Yellow,blue,pink, and white? Maybe Pearl used to be one serve all diamonds. Like a Super Pearl.