Steven Universe

This conversation kind of makes me wonder where Peridot is in ranking, because she seemed under the impression she was in charge of the cluster mission, but the Rubies were under the impression that Jasper was in charge.

edited 19th Jun '17 6:54:52 PM by xanderiskander

Jasper hates fusion. Despite her respect for the caste system, I can't imagine her being happy that some fusion gems outrank her. Rebecca Sugar called Topaz and Aquamarine "very very high ranking blue and yellow gems." Meaning Topaz probably outranks Jasper considerably. Though obviously Aquamarine is higher, Topaz is not considered low by any means.

edited 19th Jun '17 7:54:14 PM by SilentColossus

Eh, low opinion of fusion aside, the Topaz was doing it "the right way" so at most I'd image it would be a minor annoyance to Jasper.

While some types of gem are clearly more valued, respected, influential, or independent than others, and there is a chain of command, I don't think every single type is its own tier on an all-encompassing hierarchy.

For example, Pearls aren't the "lowest" gems, they're just the ones treated most like property and stereotyped as being weak/stupid/useless. But despite the lack of independence, they're still probably considered relatively valuable.

I don't think Peridot heard the "We're here to retrieve the leader of the Earth mission!" line. Jasper was definitely in charge, and Peridot always knew it, hence she grudgingly went along when Jasper decided to change the mission.

Again, she said a Peridot having a Pearl was laughably unlikely, Yellow Diamond called her a "puny Peridot", and Jasper shut down her objections offhand. Peridots clearly have little to no authority, no matter how our Peridot may act.

When?

For Topaz and Aquamarine's rank:

edited 19th Jun '17 8:50:29 PM by SilentColossus

You guys didn't get the impression that Aquamarine and Topaz were extremely high ranking gems? Seemed obvious, especially when one of the Crystal Gems (can't remember which one) expressed surprise that they bothered to send an Aquamarine and a Topaz fusion. I wonder if both (all three?) of them have their own Pearl.

Aquamarine was obviously high ranking, Topaz less so, mostly because she was just taking orders.

Topaz could still be an Elite Mook.

If a tree falls in the forest and nobody remembers it, who else will you have ice cream with?

The muscle usually takes orders from the brains, even if they're equal in status.

It was Pearl (she said" Blue and Yellow Diamond must have sent them personally."), and I remembered that. I just didn't remember Sugar saying anything.

> The muscle usually takes orders from the brains, even if they're equal in status.

This,they are both elite gems in their respective courts,but since Aqua is the one who actually asks for the ones they want to kidnap she's in charge,Topaz doesn't really communicate because she's a soldier following orders,not a diplomat

One thing I do wonder about is if events in The Trial lead to some sort of rift between the diamonds,not necessarily causing a civil war like it was suggested a few pages back but enough of a rift that the Diamonds aren't on friendly terms any more.

edited 21st Jun '17 10:49:59 AM by Ultimatum

New theme music also a box

We know what Homeworld thinks of fusion, but what about shapeshifting? The only time anyone besides a Crystal Gem has talked about shapeshifting is Peridot in "Too Short to Ride."

And even then, it was to note that Peri can't due to being an Era 2 gem.

Hmm... I don't think there's anything canon to say for certain, but I suspect that Homeworld would treat it in a matter not at all dissimilar to fusion - something useful but only in very limited circumstances, and something that is deemed heretical (for lack of a better word) if indulged in beyond what is necessary for a task.

Reminder: Offscreen Villainy does not count towards Complete Monster.

I mean, the reason Era-2 Periodots can't do it is a matter of practicality, not distaste. I don't really see a reason to assume Homeworld hates something they were very clearly going out of their way to manufacture into their Gems. I mean, they don't even hate fusion, just the idea of Gems of different types fusing.

@50860 On the other hand, if it were that simple, why didn't Homeworld just manufacture gems to only be able to fuse with the same type of gem? I think, to some extent, they can't give only partial abilities (e.g. only the ability to shift into a couple different forms, or only be able to fuse with your own kind of gem). It's either the whole ability or no ability, and Homeworld just uses social pressures to control to what extent these are used.

Reminder: Offscreen Villainy does not count towards Complete Monster.

Why did you list my post number instead of using an arrow? You're post is directly below mine?

Onto the actual content, I'm not really sure what you're point is. It's obvious they use social pressure to keep gems from doing a lot of things, and we really have no idea how they manufacture the powers into them.

But I see no reason to think there's as big a stigma on shape-shifting as there is with different gem fusion. Even the Crystal Gems (and Lapis) don't use it very often. Shape-shifting doesn't seem to be considered as personal or intimate as fusion.

edited 22nd Jun '17 12:55:18 PM by LSBK

No Gem really ever does the ship-shape-shifting....

So maybe there's something about it...

YO. Rules of the Internet 45. Rule 45 is a lie.

Ship-shape-shifting? Huh?

> and we really have no idea how they manufacture the powers into them.

There was thing in 'How Are gems made' where Amethyst mentioned a goo being injected into the ground,I suspect their powers are derived from the formula used in the goo,plus whatever nutrients the goo takes from the soil while it incubates the gem.

Their resource shortages on Homeworld could be linked how the goo is made and sourced,it might that the core ingredients are harvested and sent on to Homeworld to be processed into the Goo before being shipped out to the kindergartens.

New theme music also a box

I meant how they're manufactured with their powers. We know the general mechanics, but not how they make specific types of gems with specific powers. Or even just the general powers they seem to have but can choose not to put in, like shapeshifting for peridots.

He was saying that maybe they use different goo depending on what they want the gem to do.

Maybe White Diamond is somehow part of how it's made too. Whether it's just running the process, or being the gem queen bee or whatever.

edited 22nd Jun '17 2:22:12 PM by xanderiskander

On my phone and in a hurry, so kind of just skimming. I noticed that later.

Probably because even the best shapeshifters get exhausted holding a form for a few hours, whereas fusions can last indefinitely.

Likewise, any cultural impact of gem reformation seems to have been minimized by the limits on how much they can change their Shapeshifter Default Form.

---

In my continuing attempts to make a timeline of the show's present, I've decided to just try organizing by seasons of the year. I can elaborate on my reasoning if anyone cares.

• Spring 1: "Gem Glow" to "An Indirect Kiss"
• Summer 1: "Mirror Gem" to "On the Run"
• Fall 1: "Horror Club"
• Winter 1: "Winter Forecast", "Maximum Capacity"
• Spring 2: "Marble Madness" to "Sadie's Song"
• Summer 2: "Catch and Release" to "Buddy's Book"
• Fall 2: "Mindful Education" to "Gem Harvest"
• Winter 2: "Three Gems and a Baby"
• Spring 3: "Steven's Dream" to present

I can't wait for the White Diamond reveal,the best theory I've heard so far is that she's giant mecha formed from the handships and that statue on Homeworld

New theme music also a box

That thing could easily be something more than a statue, but the armships don't seem to be anything but vehicles.