Steven Universe Analysis - Pearl

[@DEATHxTHExKIDx1]

u broke her down very well. every reason you gave is why she's my favorite.

[@astridrollen9072]

Same.

[@reflectivevagrant5531]

Hehe... I remember an old song from an old show about a "Pearl" Ahem: "Pearl, Pearl, Pearl, come let us see our girl Are you still our valentine? Do you still look so divine? Come and let us see our darlin' Pearl" -Beverly Hillbillies.

[@pokepok3265]

I'll break her down

[@leamazingegg6445]

+nik jordan Here's some mallets.⚒⚒

[@jackyoh971]

She's my favorite too!

[@gabem4208]

I'm still 90% certain that pearls real gem is sodium chloride

[@AJUniverse]

+Toa Dragonitus Seems legit.

[@shy_swimmer5750]

OH MY GOSH xD

[@jonask.5682]

OMG IKR XDDD

[@ralphryker464]

😤👌👌👌👌👌YES

[@crystalqueen3601]

Nnnnnnnooooooooo!!!!!!

[@N0VANE0]

In the real world, pearls are formed in the ocean. No wonder she's so salty.

[@michealyoutube4911]

Lol

[@bluesnote1]

+Josh29 You bring up a good point. I've always wondered this. Pearls are made from clams, which is organic life. So how do pearls form on Homeworld if there is no water or organic life? There can only be one answer. She, and all the other pearls, had to be formed in earth's oceans. This would imply that there is more than one kindergarten on Earth. Just a thought.

[@N0VANE0]

bluesnote1 Um... Sure? I was just saying that cause' she's really salty.

[@jabberjayy]

+bluesnote1 yeah Peridot confirmed that about the kindergarten , and this was also confirmed in the episode it could have been great with the monitor showing all the kindergartens on earth.

[@jabberjayy]

+bluesnote1 but I don't think pearl was formed on earth , she seems too detached from it unlike Amethyst , and while yeah Amethyst has never left earth before , I think it's would be more likely that pearl was formed on homeworld. I think that warrior type gem's or Quartz were massed produced for war , and while pearls are massed produced I don't think they take nearly as much energy from the planet to form. It's more practical to make pearls on homeworld where they can immediately be sent off to work than to have to wait for the pearls to get to homeworld.

[@KanaHyoshi]

I adore Pearl. She's my favorite Steven Universe character. She isn't perfect and she has so many layers to her. For me, she is the gem I relate to the most. I feel like I am similar to Pearl. She often becomes so focused on her goals that she is blinded to things outside of what that goal needs. She is very insecure and shows her insecurity in a different way than Amethyst. Her perception of herself is different from subject to subject. She is so imperfect yet so dedicated to what she wants to do, whether it is protecting the Earth and caring for Steven. Pearl tries very hard, but, like with many people, has a hard time realizing that some of her faults are not as minor as she thinks. I look forward to an episode where Pearl sees that her obsession for Rose is holding her back. In that kind of situation, what do you think she would do?

[@Merroko]

Same here! I'm captivated by Pearl's character and I too see some of myself in her, esp with her "perfectionist" attitude, feeling of self-worth, and her motivation to be a better version of herself, which prob explains why I can relate to her so much. She has so much depth even though we (and even Steven) don't even truly know that much about her, she is flawed in many ways but shows that she can learn from these things which is another thing I love about her character. And she has developed so much in terms of self-worth, she's a really inspiring character and def my fav, I cant wait to get some episodes on her background.

[@KanaHyoshi]

+Leiah C I especially want to see episodes that elaborate on her role in the war. When she was training Connie, she seems certain that Steven would not be by Connie's side. Yet, in The Answer, it seems like Pearl and Rose were a close duo. Something had to have happened to her when Rose wasn't around or vice versa. I gotta know what.

[@quacknaround]

Pearl is one of my favorite characters ever. It's amazing how they wrote such an adult character into a kids show. I say adult because although the other characters are older and even wiser Pearl does everything to try and better herself. She may not be able to control her emotions always but she is mature enough to accept failure and understand her flaws even when it is painful and not only is she a previous slave but also a refugee, rebel soldier, and alien to the planet. But besides all that she still holds her loyalty for the gems and for Rose. She is still working through how to keep on fighting with out a plan or leader. She battles for her place in the world everyday and her actions never contradict who she is. Yes she has made terrible mistakes but everyone does and she isn't the warmest or most stable of personalities and yet she still chooses to fix them.

[@korvincarry3268]

"she isnt the warmest or most stable of personalities and yet she still chooses to fix them." welcome to my life, real life, male pearl at your service.

[@Adser261]

There is one point where I disagree with you. Pearl never became independent, she was forced to do so after Rose became part of Steven. She followed the Rose all the way, and that helped her to maintain her confidence, she was both following her programming and her desires by helping Rose, the fact that Rose treated her as a friend and confidant and the loyalty that those actions generated got added to her intrinsic servant programming to make a REALLY loyal Pearl. That's one of the reasons why Rose ceasing to be was so hard on her, she lost her north and was now completely lost. That's why Garnet told her in "Friendship" that she was her own gem, not Rose's, not Garnet's and not Steven's. Just now is she starting to truly become independent.

[@BenJammin29]

I am inclined to agree as well. Our Pearl is white with her gem on her forehead which leads me to believe she belonged to White Diamond. I believe she and Rose fused which resulted in Pearl's loyalty to Rose.

[@sarahxie5421]

There's an episode coming in the Summer of Steven called "The Pearl Who Owned Herself"

[@tigerella714]

Pearl backstory?

[@sarahxie5421]

Tiger Ella HOPEFULLY AHHHHH

[@springgreengoober]

or maybe a different pearl that becomes a part of the show

[@sarahxie5421]

Dr. Kittens That'd be awesome

[@PastryRatty]

The "Summer of steven is over". The title feels fake anyway..

[@anthemlog]

I felt that when Pearl refuses to take baby Steven it was more of a, "You have no idea of the panic attack I will have if I have to hold crying baby Steven/Rose. You don't even know."

[@Frenchaboo]

I love Pearl to the bits. One of my favourite, if not THE favourite female character ever. She's so interesting and all her actions seem logical to me. I wonder if one day we'll get a Pearl-centric ep about her telling Steven the story of her and Rose. I guess yes, but probably after some major reveals regarding the Diamonds since Pearl clearly had something to do with either Pink or White. When you mentioned the part about maternal instinct, it's nice to point out that while Garnet is mostly passive towards Steven, she does seem to be a lot more motherly than Pearl. It might be because she literally is a couple of parents in one.

[@violin2971]

A good character is not necessarily a likable one to everyone saying that pearl is their favorite. It is clear that she is extremely well developed and rounded character but in the show she can do pretty despicable and thoughtless things. It is ok to like characters that are not as perfectly developed, for instance amethyst. amethyst is not a bad character but her character is not as deep as pearls, its ok to like a character simply because you relate to them

[@Albastory]

+violin so..wat u r saying is that people who thinks pearl is their favorite, can't like her? wat

[@AJUniverse]

+Albastory That's not what this comment is saying at all.

[@crazyinvaderfangirl1]

I don't think that her reaction to baby Steven derives from her not wanting to look after or protect him..... We know that she genuinely loves Steven and sees him as his own person. Sure she has her slip ups like in sworn to the sword and those moments where she's so overcome with emotion that she's paralyzed and can't even think straight like in roses scabbard, but I hardly think that means that she didn't care for baby Steven. it just means that as you said, mothering behaviors would need to be taught to gems and the gems never had much to do with baby Steven as far as actually taking care of him so it's understandable that pearl would have no idea how to respond to a baby..... It's not that she didn't like him at all. She still loves him. It's also understandable that she would compare Steven to Rose and miss Rose dearly and still have unresolved feelings about her but still love Steven just as much and see him is his own person. She can want/love them both at the same time.

[@gabriel55671]

i think that the reaction pearl have with the baby steven its because the first thing she saw after rose quartz disappearing forever was baby steven (or at least, for now)

[@crazyinvaderfangirl1]

i don't agree, and there is nothing in the show that supports that theory. there is only proof of the opposite.but i will say this. in chille tid, when pearl dreams for the first time, she dreams of rose, a PREGNANT rose. and talks about how she wants to travel the galaxy with her and that she should forget greg. so, in her ideal world, rose leaves greg after she gets pregnant, travels the galaxy with pearl, has steven, and all THREE of the live happily ever after traversing the cosmos together, just the three of them. Pearl, and her two favorite people in the universe. she obviously want's both of her loves at the same time but in reality, that can never happen. she's messed up about it sure, but she's also messed up over her ptsd resulting from living through multiple wars, which on top of the fact the fact that shes a pearl and that her lover just died recently and she was the only reason pearl is there in the first place, resulting in her being necrotic, jumpy, easily startled, desperate for approval and stability, fearful, and desperate to be in control of every situation and person, including herself, because she could never be before. she is also depressed. but steven is helping her heal in ways rose couldn't. and you can see that throughout the show. she is never once depicted as hateful or bitter towards Steven, not even greg,(anymore). she shows nothing but genuine love and kindness and a DEEP motherly affection for her young ward. she loves and respects him as his own person, and loves to baby him and protect him. these are things you can't fake. if she secretly hated him or though he was rose, she would be acting VERY differently, considering she is a horrible lair, and can't help but being brutally honest even if it comes off as incentive, so we would know if she didn't like steven, or didn't see him as his own person.

[@crazyinvaderfangirl1]

***** lol i was just trying to have a conversation and i had a lot of thoughts.... i had no way to shorten it. sorry if that scared u tho! :0

[@immaneedadeathray8493]

There's also the fact that Greg handled Steven's babyhood all by himself. The Gems only took part when Steven was older, maybe a little bigger than a toddler. Pearl wouldn't have had any experience with an infant unless she had cared for another one prior to Steven. She wouldn't have known how to handle baby Steven and might not have wanted to mess anything up or hurt him.

[@crazyinvaderfangirl1]

Adrianna Novilla yeah that's what i said.

[@Laylabelle97]

Well in "Sworn to the Sword", Pearl talks about learning of Knights, which was a great way to rewrite her role as a subservient being into something heroic, something she could have an active agency in.

[@ramirol6319]

Pearl's idol is rose (as always). once rose was gone... pearl lost a bunch of confidence and maybe jealous of (cough cough) Greg for that chance to happen

[@heart-song]

+Ramiro L I feel like she relies on Garnet now somewhat instead of Rose to feel worthy and good about herself. That's why she tricked Garnet into fusing with her.

[@nlmfilms6641]

One of the reason that Pearl is one of my favorite characters in Steven Universe, is because she’s so relatable. Pearl reminds me a lot about myself because like Pearl, I work very hard to learn from my mistakes and fight for what I truest believe in.

[@stawbellyy]

I never really thought about Pearl (possibly) having PTSD. She's always been so...mysterious to me. It's so weird that I've been obsessed with this show for so long and yet I haven't thought about these things. I guess It's possible that my brain was so confused that it didn't want to comprehend her character.

[@shultzvalentine5229]

In Sworn to the Sword, pearl makes a fog out of clouds. In Mr. Greg, Pearl is seen seeing clouds moving in the sky in different shapes of herself, Rose, and Greg. Was she just thinking of that, or was she using some sort of cloud power to make the clouds move? Does pearl have the ability to manipulate clouds, kinda like how lapis controls water and how peridot can control metal?

[@stopit6229]

Don't forget, she also manipulated the sand a little bit in Giant Woman

[@faithnunez1362]

Pearl is my favorite gem (not counting Steven) because she is so developed and deep. Her behavior is so realistic. As you said, even when she makes terrible decisions, we can understand why even though we disapprove of her actions. We have all either been Pearl or known a Pearl before. You did a great job covering all the bases of her personality and why she acts the way she does. I can't wait for more videos like this!

[@Hexcimal83]

I'm glad to hear that you are handling your depression. your videos are great and I always look forward to the next one.

[@AJUniverse]

+Michael Colling Thank you

[@parkerlynnn]

I think you should make fusion analyses, and more character analyses. I hope you can talk about Lapis Lazuli and maybe Peridot? Idk just saying 😜

[@drekaflugan]

I feel like a lot of Pearl's character is influenced by the characters Utena and Anthy from Revolutionary Girl Utena. Someone could even do a whole video of how Utena inspired the show. For example, in Utena the characters fight with swords usually drawn from Anthy's heart in a magical sparkly way similar to how the gems summon their weapons. In Pearl's fight with Holo Pearl they even used frames that look exactly like Utena's signature attack. I know Rebecca Sugar has drawn Utena fanart, and Katie Mitroff drew Stevonnie dressed in a Utena inspired outfit.

[@claytongriffith8323]

to those who state that pearls are servants because peridot says servants first some slaves do act as servants second she also says a peridot owning a pearl anyone owning something of equal life is slavery

[@AJUniverse]

+Clayton Griffith YES Thank you.

[@claytongriffith8323]

***** that's live saying different races aren't equal life they are all the same species so they are equal life

[@AJUniverse]

Clayton Griffith You beat me to it. Additionally, you have to remember that Pearl, Quartz, etc. are just names. Gems are all made from the same stuff.

[@radiant6645]

+AJ Universe you are wrong Pearl do not have Connecticut powers she's the same thing as lion the justify my answer the same thing as all the gems Garnet for example her gloves does not come out of Connecticut powers it does appear inside the air it appears from her gem

[@frostbite7154]

+AJ Universe Do you think Yellow Dimond will find out about all the gems they bubbled and try to take them back?

[@dragoniraflameblade]

Totally my favorite character. I relate to her in so many ways (even putting others above myself or freaking out when things aren't normal or routine). Watching her grow is inspiring. And great writing example to learn from!

[@warmsorbet6667]

I feel you on the depression. And I also feel you on the whole pearl is a slave thing I feel like pearl is a slave because in real life pearls are not considered gems. I love how pearl seems like she has depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

[@blufaerie]

I thoroughly enjoyed this analysis! You did a great job explaining how complex Pearl is.

[@elishamiller6879]

I like many of these points, and though I agree that pearls are basically slaves, I think that it is more like the caste system servant class just because Peridot's explanation of Homeworld society depicts that to me. Aside from that, I'd really like to see someone talk about the fact that pearls are servants designed to be loyal and dependent to the gem that owns them. This explains why she was so close to rose and why she wouldn't be the leader of the gems. (Just saying Garnet has more power isn't enough because Pearl had way mores skills, Garnet was afraid of her at the beginning, and Pearl was a Crystal Gem longer). I'd also like to see someone comment on how Pearl isn't defective in the same sense as Amethyst. One of the biggest things that bugs me is when I hear people talking about how Pearl must have some physical problem because Jasper said she's a defective Pearl. It's pretty clear to me that Jasper was saying that Pearl was defective in the sense that she betrayed Homeworld and defied her initial programming. There's no physical or Psychological defect, she defected in the same sense as someone betraying a military group or as if someone in the Caste System were to decide to be higher up. We can tell this from the fact that Peridot says Pearl looks like a Fancy Pearl, therefore stating that there's nothing wrong with her. Peridot already clarified what Jasper was saying by stating that Amethyst was defective, in the sense of there being a defect, by telling us that she was supposed to be larger and by competing with Pearl constantly stating that Pearl was supposed to be a lower class servant gem for the most elite gems and that Pearl was beneath her. I think that if Pearl had a defect, then Peridot would have said so. Also, I would like to say that I don't think that Peridot saying that Pearls are a "Made to Order" gem was her saying that people actually order Pearls with unique designs. I think that she was saying that Pearls are Made to BE Ordered, emphasizing the fact that they are a servant class of gems.

[@AJUniverse]

It is a caste system, but Pearls were also very literally slaves. They were owned by other Gems.

[@elishamiller6879]

Yes, I agree. But what are your thoughts on my other points about pearl? Such as how she doesn't have a defect, but defected from her place in Homeworld's cultural structure. I get so annoyed when I here my sisters talk about how she has to have some physical defect because Jasper said that she was defective. My whole thing about it is that nothing seems to be wrong with her.

[@patiencewallace8453]

Elisha Miller yeah, I think jasper meant it as betrayal

[@mirrorlapis4224]

great analysis! i think you really nailed it, i love pearl and i can relate to her issues but damn she doesn't always handle them well. but it is more realistic in that, wow, the effects of trauma and abuse are very real and not pretty. sometimes you hurt the people you love because of it, and pearl is/will be a fantastic role model of working through these issues. (although this is kinda true for all characters just exemplified in pearl, as you hinted. lapis & peridot show very obvious signs of ptsd, and less obviously in garnet, amethyst has something resembling more of BPD. and all of the characters are rich and unique & we get to see them navigate their issues & support each other in their own individualized ways, which is an aspect of this show i absolutely love)

[@maja2851]

She's such a well-rounded and complex character, which is why she's my favorite. It's a journey to see her layers being peeled off in every episode and seeing her evolve into a better person. She's come a long way, but still has miles to go. I believe her character is going to develop into her letting Rose go and loving Steven for who he is, and not for being partly Rose.

[@SadieKiller604]

I connect with pearl so much in so many way's, it's like seeing myself inside the show... I love it :)

[@gringlestreams]

I love your approach to SU. You are so eloquent in your discussion and never overstep the limits of your subjectivity.

[@karenblan4505]

Love this video! Can you make a Peridot or a Lapis Lazuli analysis video?

[@KrisRN23935]

+Blue Shrooms We have to find more about Lapis in the next Steven bomb. I know we will and I hope we get an analysis of her soon. She's really a mystery that I long to uncover.

[@liz8597]

Pearl is my favourite character because i can relate to so much of her. I worry too much, i can be over protective, i put others above myself, i develop strong and often unhealthy feelings for people after long periods of depression. Like you mentioned, her character development is A++, i cant wait to see this incredible, inspirational character grow into the strong renegade pearl she once was

[@Slade1818]

Yes! My favorite gem! Thanks for starting with Pearl.

[@MrRAGE-md5rj]

If I may, I know this is about pearl and not you, but you said that you found yourself in a place similar to Pearl's feelings of unworthiness in your battle with severe depression, just as comedian Robin Williams had suffered with and tragically ended his own life. I want to ask you, if you'd be willing. what kept you going through it, against all the opposition you faced? God bless you man for making this video, and sharing that detail with us, showing how amazing and inspirational something as seemingly small as a fictional character could be. God bless you AJ Universe, thank you.

[@AJUniverse]

+Mr J Well, there were two times in my life when I went through depression. In middle school, it was stubborn anger and self-harm that kept me going mostly. I wouldn't recommend it. The more recent time was a couple years ago. I was hired on for a guaranteed three months of employment, with a high chance of permanent employment after the fact, at a decently-paying warehouse job, and I was finally able to move into a decent place, on my own, for the first time. Them I was fired two weeks later when the company suddenly downsized. It brought everything back to the surface again. I got through it by remembering that there were people who would be hurt if I weren't around, and keeping myself laughing. I discovered the Nostalgia Critic and time, which helped with that. And thank you.

[@MrRAGE-md5rj]

AJ Universe God bless you man, I mean that, thank you for sharing that with us. I'm glad to see you're keeping on in the fight, and I hope that in the times when you remember the pain you went through, I hope you know that there's a few good people in this vast world we're living in that truly love you and care about you deeply,all you have to do is take a good, hard look. I'm hoping that this speaks to everyone reading this here, that for those who are facing the same pain AJ went through, you're not alone. Thank you AJ.

[@AJUniverse]

Mr J Thank you.

[@lkhamchimegbaatarhuu1068]

i think you should be a *THERAPIST* sorry if i spelled it wrong

[@MrRAGE-md5rj]

Lkhamchimeg Baatarhuu too much studying, but I do think that my calling is working with people. ;)

[@MasterFive94]

Duude super nice video analysis on pearl! I learned things i never noticed about pearl's character

[@leandraseke38]

I can't wait to see more of pearl's past especially how she met rose

[@livingdeaddollsjunky9543]

I really hope we see an episode of lapis telling her story to Steven on the beach and become a crystal gems full heartedly learning to love like him

[@Lestrangest]

Pearl is quite literally the best character in Steven Universe, there's just so many layers to her character! And you have to take into account that Rebecca Sugar said that out of all the gems Steven has encountered (yes, even the Homeworld gems) Pearl is the one Steven knows less about. Even Garnet doesn't fully know Pearl's past, only Rose did.

[@SuperGodzilla2]

this was a great vid dude, Pearl is the one gem ( next to Rose ) that we know almost nothing about, i mena we know a lot about her during the Thousand Year War, not not a lot before that. keep up the great work man

[@ecollins3486]

Pearl is a very great character. My favorite episode was Roses Scabbard because it has so many feels and it gives us a little more details about Pearl.Pearl is my favorite character mostly because she has perfect imperfections

[@TowardsTruth191]

Little butler.. little butler.. LITTLE BUTLER THAT'S YOOOOOOOOU!

[@cassthea18]

Love this video :) Pearl is the gem I identify with most and I'd call her an inspiration to me. My only note on this video is you say Pearl made the snap decision to join Rose and fight against home world even though she still clearly misses it. I don't think we've seen evidence anywhere that indicates whether it was a snap decision or not. Personally I imagine she agonized over it a bit. Hopefully a future episode will offer more insight :)

[@oljones31]

great theory. great breakdown. I can't wait to see more of the other pearls.. yellow especially. Pearl wears her feelings on her sleeve, she is often emotional, and I too struggle with thoughts of being worth more, or doing better. awesome sharing of your personal struggle. sometimes we all have those days. keep up the videos, I'll be watching.

[@michaelrelli5141]

Man I'm going through some wicked depression right now but whenever I binge through Steven Universe it always gets me right :) Love this show and your break downs

[@AJUniverse]

+Michael Relli I'm glad I can help, even if just a little. Keep at it. You're awesome.

[@michaelrelli5141]

AJ Universe Thanks bro, glad you got through it. How did you?

[@AJUniverse]

Michael Relli Depression? Honestly, I haven't, not entirely. It's constant work. But honestly you guys help. I love being able to make videos for you guys, and it helps me feel like I have a purpose. Otherwise my life starts to feel aimless. That's how I felt before I started doing this. Thanks to you guys, I'm succeeding at something, and I'm considering going back to school to learn video production. I also made sure to surround myself with people who care that I'm here, and listen to me when I need it. In real life, and online. And I make sure to remember that I'm the only me. That the world would be less without me. Same thing goes for you, or anyone else. Just remember that no one else can ever be you. That the world would be missing out on something if you were gone.

[@michaelrelli5141]

I think I'm in that stage, just feel like I'm going through the motions with stuff. I'm glad we can help each other out like that :) Keep on keeping on man, I'm sure you're helping a lot of people out. You could be saving lives.

[@AJUniverse]

Michael Relli Thanks. You keep it up, too.

[@heart-song]

I really relate to Pearl a lot, thank you for this wonderful analysis. You are my favorite SU KZbinr, and Pearl is my best gem by far

[@Juliet_Marie]

Coming back to this analysis and your words regarding how it almost broke Pearl not to be the only confidante... It must've broken her to know that Pink Diamond, even after all the secrets Pearl kept, couldn't even claim to know her above all others which to someone in love and an unrequited love at that, would've been one of her few comforts after losing her... The idea that even though she lost her she still got as much as she could and knew as much as she possibly could about her love and felt betrayed.. The same way I predict Garnet and Amethyst who saw her as a leader/sister/mother figure, must be feeling now too.

[@mowgli773]

I love Pearl. She is my favorite Character because I understand her feelings and actions. To me she is one of the most real characters out of all the Gems.

[@marcelamedeiros9524]

OMG, you said everything I always thought about her and that's why she is problably my fav char of SU.

[@alexgunt356]

I love pearl

[@MsFluffyninja7]

I have a love/hate relationship with pearl I love that she is a 3- dimensional character with flaws and I love it when she overcomes those flaws but her flaws are now starting to effect the others Like when Steven almost died because of her, she lied to Garnet to make her fuse with her putting the world in danger just so she can feel better about herself. I know in recent episodes she growing past that but I can't help but to feel that in a future episode Pearl is going to say or do something to Steven that's going to severely damage their relationship I hope that it won't get to that point because I do like Pearl and I want her to continue getting better

[@AwsmBloop]

Probably it'll be when they (steven and Pearl) fuse and she sees that its not the same Rainbow Quartz. Immediately defuses (well at least after she gets a good look at herself) and spazzes out, hurting Steven's feelings(further confirming his inner beliefs that the gems blame him for his mother no longer being with them like he said in the episode Joy Ride)

[@MsFluffyninja7]

juanmata1994 I kinda thought that if her and Steven fused she would kinda want to stay fused or find reasons to fuse with Steven because it would remind her about fusing with Rose but Steven overhears or Pearl says that she likes being fuse with Steven because it reminds her of Rose not because she enjoys being fuse with Steven I would think that would also confirm Steven feelings from joy ride

[@kiss_begins_wit_kaykay5853]

Though I dislike pearl I do believe she is growing as a character. Her emotions are at time relatable and I guess I can see her becoming something important. I can't wait to find out more about how rose felt towards pearl. I wonder if rose actually shared the same feelings pearl has for her.

[@phlpcockrell]

You never cease to impress

[@korvincarry3268]

i havent watched the whole video, but 1000X yes! shes my favorite character!

[@korvincarry3268]

wow, the way you said everything (asides from slavery) is stuff ive had to deal with as well. i always say pearls my favorite because of her personality and a few of those things if extra details are needed, but ive never seen them so spot on, not even from me. ive neglected subscribing because im subscribed to 5 other su content creators, but youve deserved this newest subscriber, from the deepest, darkest depths of my heart and mind.

[@goonbaboon2433]

I like pearl,all her issues make her beautiful character and she is my favorite

[@Darktree6621]

The "Pearl a slave" thing really ties in to the fact that a pearl isn't a real gem (like bismuth in the Bismuth Theory Video). Maybe a reason she enjoys fusing is that she actually becomes a real gem.

[@jawsh5628]

awesome analysis of Pearl!

[@pipercharms7374]

I really like Pearl, I don't know why but she is my fav character in steven universe

[@geebeedee9509]

So Pearl is in my opinion: A strategist and perfectionist who values reason. She thinks low about herself and has a pretty low self confidence and self-esteem. She can pay attention to such little details and is overprotective and does not think of her own sake to fight for someone they love. Overall, she is an intelligent and perfectionist gem with low self-esteem. She still doesn't believe she is strong but is trying to now. How can you relate to Pearl?

[@universemirror4669]

First of thank you for making a video on Pearl my favorite character of all time other than Ford and I have a theory we know that Rose isn't Pink Diamond but what if lion was or lion could have been a Pink Pearl at one time but was shattered and Pink Diamond felt remorse and let her fallen Pearl live on as a lion

[@tonyhenderson2276]

great work aj

[@AJUniverse]

+Tony henderson Thanks.

[@ilovebooks49]

I love your opinions so much. Everything you say I seem to agree with... your videos are so great !! :D

[@brettg.2405]

I feel like pearl was, like the other pearls we've seen, belonged to a diamond, more specifically White diamond. As not only is she white, like her blue and yellow counterparts, her gem placement is exact to the ones seen in the murals of white diamond.

[@thegaminghamster6004]

I love his videos

[@HollyQualia]

wonderful analysis!

[@willockshade5520]

love your videos man, you are really honestly great at this

[@poptart123456jb]

Even though she has a strong overprotectiveness for Steven/Rose she doesn't do it for their safety. It seems like more of a selfish thing, because as we've seen, she's put Steven and others in danger when you would think she would do anything to keep them safe. The episode 'Rose's scabbard' stands out to me for this. I know she was really distraught but Steven almost fell to his death and she didn't do anything! That made me not like her much as a character since it kinda made me wonder whether she truly cares about Steven or even Rose or if it's more about feeling important. She's always trying to prove her worth (or feel worthy) that she doesn't take the the other person's wellbeing into account. I think she even says something along those lines in the episode with Sardonyx, that she just wanted to feel like she was apart of something and to feel more powerful. She does have a lot of feelings of worthlessness that she needs to get past as it putting herself and others in danger. I'm also a firm believer that you can't love someone else until you love yourself. So with Rose, as was said, she was probably the first person to treat her more than just a pearl and make her feel valuable. I don't think it was true love, Rose just made her feel good which for her was something that she needed and would do anything to keep so thats why she got so possessive over her and in turn Steven. This ended up being way longer than I wanted. I had a really hard time trying to explain my thoughts and saying what I wanted to say so I hope that it makes sense.

[@blackpants7385]

Well, when Steven fell she did get worried up to the point she understood that he was safe in her mind. The Crystal Gems put him in constant danger by allowing him to go on missions with them. They may look out for him, but they also let him have a little freedom and run some risks. I think that the moment he managed to hold into something and had to climb by himself was one of those times. Of course, your view on that may diverge, and I'm pretty sure that at a normal state of mind, Pearl would actually help him instead of just saying "yeah, he's okay".

[@MsTerraStar]

I loved this. Fantastic job!!!

[@stewart7521]

I love Pearl. I've been playing Attack of the Light, and I love her move set. If i could date any of the Crystal Gems it would be Pearl.

[@wlweavski]

slightly strange but ok.

[@goonbaboon2433]

Beautifully made I mean

[@ThePeppazmint]

I'm just getting this out before I watch the video and maybe it matches up Pearl masks her insecurities with being orderly and by learning how to be capable. It's like, she's doing everything she believes is right so that nobody has a reason to disregard her or reject her but it's never enough. She saw Greg as a lazy slob and everything she's the total opposite of and Rose still chose him over her. She thinks that no matter what she accomplishes is going to be enough to be accepted but she keeps trying anyways. I can imagine that feels like hitting your head on a brick wall over and over and over

[@cottagecreations2431]

I think rose just wanted to protect her master (okay in her case mistress) and that's where the feelings of love came from, wanting to protect the woman who made her feel like a legit person and that's why she's so protective of Steven, because rose is half of Steven, Steven is now Pearl's "master"

[@korbenferguson404]

tbh as a sufferer of social anxiety I'd like to point out how nervous and anxious pearl can get sometimes

[@isaacjohnson8796]

cant wait for garnet, lapis, and peridot Question tho- will u be doing side characters like Sadie or Connie? and will u do all the fusions in 1 video (i would imagine they would be tough to talk about and probably couldn't reach 10 minutes individually).

[@anythinggoesguy]

While Pearl has made nostalgic statements about Homeworld, I don't think she ever clearly stated she wanted to go back. In Space Race, she laments about being stuck on Earth and not able to travel the stars, but I don't think she specifically says she wanted to go back to Homeworld.

[@clauddavidguerrier5929]

I gotta say something pearl is AWSOME but your right pearl is always protecting rose whenever we see both of them in battle EVEN THOUGH ROSE HAS A SHIELD THAT HAS NEVER BEEN BROKEN BY A WEPON OR SOME SORT OF ATTACK TO THE SHIELD SO PEARL WAS WASTING HER TIME!

[@nicholasinzunza8887]

I didn't like pearl in the earlier seasons... but she has become a favorite in the later episodes!

[@wratched]

Yes, Pearls are slaves, but isn't everyone else? No one in Gem society has a choice in what they do; they were all made to do the job they perform. The real question for me is, are the Diamonds slave masters, or are they also slaves to the system themselves? It reminds me of a quote from Terry Pratchett's "Small Gods"'; when a theocracy invades a country with slaves, the lead invader snidely remarks that his country doesn't even have a word for slavery, to which the ruler of the invaded country responds, "Just as fish, I am sure, have no word for water".

[@tavionlittle4540]

I have a theory.... well the speculation that rose was once punk diamond I feel is not true at all but she was a warrior gem that was made from pink diamond's influence (just like peridot with yellow diamond where she states that was the gem she was made for). Also we know quartz are for a fact warriors based on another thing peridot pointed out while talking to amethyst about her "defect". So getting to my theory I think that when gems came to earth and started building structures and started gen production (kindergarten) that rose started to feel uncomfortable about the whole thing. So where this ties into pearl is at the sky arena. My guess is that all the diamonds or at least two (white and pink diamond ) attended a battle where our pearl was watching along side of white diamond. being the important gems that the diamonds are they had tons of gaurds there such as Rose. pearl being a slave was worked to make sure of white diamond's comfort was treated like crap and rose stepped in. At this point pearl feeling intraled by this act of kindness defended Rose after she showed defiance to a diamond while also showing her views about how they were hurting the planet in a similar scenario escaped the sky arena and that's where their rebellion started. I have not identified any holes in this theory yet please let me know if you do

[@DEATHxTHExKIDx1]

My favorite Character man.

[@pianoplayer017]

Based on Peridot's and Saphire's descriptions of Homeworld, it seems ALL gems are in slavery. Peridot says something to the effect of, "We were created to serve them," which implies they have no other purpose than to serve The Diamonds.

[@fandomguy8025]

The thing about baby Steven is that Pearl simply has no experience taking care of something as fragile as a baby and probably worries she could hurt him. Also, though Pearl does often think of Steven as an extension of Rose, Pearl does think of him as his own person, saying thinks like "If Rose could See me through your eyes" and "Your mother" and whenever she speaks of Steven's special hybrid situation or especially when she yelled at him for never even knowing Rose. I also believe Pearl does have a relationship with Steven himself and cares for him individually, like when she says Steven is sweet and kind and only occasionally obnoxious when he's aging himself to death and how she worries for him seeing horrible things such as the Kindergarten. Y'know the thing about Pearl sacrificing her self is funny and really goes with what Garnet says about her putting Rose over logic. Rose Quartz is a soldier, she is definitely more capable defending herself than Pearl is protecting her but Pearl doesn't see that.

[@jacktaylor6155]

I appreciate the way you spoke of slavery. Thank you Aj. Also have you considered how with all if the fusion dances, we have seen Pearl involved in, she is always submissive or not the lead?

[@fandomguy8025]

Amazing. Pearl Is Amazing.

[@seanmanns7491]

Closed it and forgot to like, had to come back and like it XD

[@Jae-lv2nn]

My favorite gem

[@itzorin600]

pearl is( in my saying) is the the best character in this show

[@vaughnwesley9178]

I have a theory that sounds interesting to me and might sound interesting to you AJ or anybody that sees this comment but I have a theory that the corrupted gems were mostly all soldiers that served during the rebellion and due to their experiences in the war, they suffer extreme forms of PTSD which caused them to not maintain their humanoid form and become paranoid and violent due to it.

[@KrisRN23935]

+Vaughn Wesley Interesting.

[@sconex]

Garnet at the end of Bubbles: "For Amethyst to be herself, for Pearl to be free..."

[@lolawrld9870]

Pearl is my birth stone (June) and we have literally nothing in common,except that were skinny flat chested sticks but apart from that I think I'm more like amethyst

[@ryanwicklund5533]

Pearl Is a gem that that is a gem ya

[@janjant3968]

I like your idea of Pearl joining the rebellion due to her romantic feelings towards Rose and that the fact that she's gone, she misses homeworld and wants to go back. But its kinda sad to think that Steven is not really enough of a reason for her to stay on earth in the episode space race, not until she realizes it in the end of the episode

[@janjant3968]

btw this analysis is amazing but kinda short hehehehe i want to know more

[@victoriaheng8595]

I need more pearl! If I was a crystal gem, I'd be pearl! Pearl!

[@battlenuts6254]

Garnet is best mom and nothing can change my mind (not hating on pearl, she's one of my fave characters)

[@starscenical3]

What do you think of The Cluster? Do you think it was planted before or after Amethyst was found by the Crystal Gems? If it were before, maybe it was formed by all the Quartz gems and Amethyst was just lucky enough to not be included. If it were after, maybe it was intentional. This may seem like a stretch, but maybe she was some sort of prototype for the Quartz gems. Was she all alone when she "hatched"? Were there gems for her to interact with before she was taken in? I don't think they ever clarified. How could she have known she was made in a bad place other than just being told by the gems? There had to have been some kind of incident to give her the idea. Maybe that's why she's so rambunctious; because she either tries to make up for feeling like she's still a part of it, or because that's how she interacted with the other Quartz gems before everything happened. I'm really curious as to how she was picked up, and why her. If she was all alone, I understand. What drew the Crystal Gems to the Kindergarten in the first place, and how did they not know about The Cluster? That makes me think it was planted after they found Amethyst... I realize I'm jumping from a billion different points, but it's all connected somehow.

[@nathonbrown3596]

pearl has to be a broken character for the sake of the show. if she wasn't their wouldn't be a good reason for rose having kept secrets Understanding that pearl couldn't handle knowing everything, and she was sheltered from it. Adds to rose's caring and intellect. Also adds mystery to the show

[@AJUniverse]

+Nathon Brown Couldn't have said it better.

[@newcollector]

Are you sure Pearl's feeling for Rose is romantic and not just deep admiration? Admiring someone so strongly can lead to jealousy, selfishness, and even possessiveness do to putting them on a pedestal. And Pearl did place Rose on a very high pedestal.

[@Zenithal1843]

The writers did confirm she's romantically interested in Rose

[@thegoldenfret123456]

Pearl is my favorite character

[@likedmyowncomment3547]

Wow I just noticed that Pearl was almost completely white and Rose was completely pink in Garnet's flashback episode.

[@hawkersjetsammitt]

I sometimes find pearl creepy when I think that when Steven gets older that since she does see him as an extension of rose that she might have feeling for him then

[@blah7983]

i argue that pearls are nearly literally fancy toys, kinda like those intelligent toy robots that cost like 50000

[@GordieKat]

I've never found her unlikable.