“Message Received” accomplished something I almost didn’t believe could possibly be managed with such grace. I’m really geeking out over this episode!
There’s always been the worry that Peridot’s ‘redemption arc’ might feel too forced or rushed. She makes for a great, entertaining villain, but I think it’s been generally accepted that since she’s in Steven Universe, redemption was at least highly plausible.
And while I wouldn’t call this total redemption, it is about as effective. The best part of it is that Peridot came to this on her own terms! In ways that totally line up with her motivations as a character!
I love how the episode is framed from the beginning to make it sound like Peridot was definitely deciding to ‘’’betray’’’ Steven and the others - that she hadn’t learned anything, she was too loyal to her diamond and Homeworld, had only been distracted by their bonding. Once you re-watch the episode, though, you can see how she’s actually viewing things, what she actually means.
Peridot has indeed changed her mind about Earth, in that she does think it’s worth protecting. But not due to sentiment or emotional attachment - at least, not wholly. Peridot believes Earth and it’s resources can be valuable to Homeworld. She honestly doesn’t think the Crystal Gems can ultimately save and protect Earth, but Peridot believes her ‘rational and reasonable’ Yellow Diamond, a gem she obviously reveres and is devoted to, can solve all their problems properly. Yellow Diamond, with her immense reach and power (and even moreso, her logical mind) can do what the Crystal Gems simply cannot.
There’s a reason they’re in charge. They’re objectively better than us! …Especially my diamond, Yellow Diamond. The most perfect, the most reasonable, rational, efficient decider ever to exist in the universe!
Peridot believes her objective leader will understand the logic behind Peridot’s suggestions, be reasoned with, and in this way Peridot can still save Earth, the Crystal Gems, and Steven.
Alright, look. I have a plan - allow me to explain? …I’ve figured it out! You simple clods keep trying to protect the Earth, but you cant do anything right! I let myself get carried away too… But don’t you see? None of that matters! All that matters is that I’m of use to Yellow Diamond! This planet can be of use to Yellow Diamond! I must contact her to reveal what I’ve discovered!
The following lines, with Steven accusing the diamonds of only wanting to hallow out/destroy earth and Peridot agreeing, saying “Yes! That’s the point!” definitely add makes what she’s saying sound bad, but now I think it was more of a “Yes, you’re right, but that’s why I have to contact her, to tell her there are options!”
Then we have the little fight and chase, littered with moments where Peridot accuses the others of ‘not knowing what they’re doing’ and ‘being bested by logic’. Then she struggles with Steven:
You don’t get it either! This [caring, hoping, wanting] is your whole problem! Your emotions rule out reason! I will do what has to be done!
Peridot isn’t implying that ‘what has to be done’ is for Earth to be destroyed. She’s saying the Crystal Gems/Steven’s way of doing things are just wrong, they don’t work, and that she knows the real, logical solution to their problem, even if they don’t like it.
Then she speaks to Yellow Diamond. She sort of explains what happens (purposefully omitting the bit about the Crystal Gems still existing, despite YD specifically asking who crashed her ship.) Then Peridot does what made me realize where the direction of this was actually leading: when YD says she’ll send a ship to pick up Peridot, to take her off of Earth and save her from the Cluster, Peridot continues on to suggest they stop the Cluster completely.
But Yellow Diamond ‘[doesn’t] care about potential and resources’. She just wants Earth to DIE, and she wants her geo-weapon.
And… that’s not very logical. That’s not reasonable, or objective. It’s not what Peridot expects. She doesn’t expect her Diamond to act this way. She doesn’t expect her to be wrong.
This is what’s so brilliant about this episode, I think - Peridot stays aggressively true to her character throughout the entire thing. Peridot formed her own opinion about Earth and what should be done, and she came to the conclusion through logic and reason. She thinks, surely, her Diamond will agree! But when Yellow Diamond clearly doesn’t care, doesn’t even bother to consider the benefits, is only interested in doing things how she wants…
Peridot can’t accept it. Because she has come to a logical conclusion, and that means Yellow Diamond is wrong.
It’s such an amazing turn, and I absolutely adore it! Peridot isn’t swayed simply by the efforts of Steven trying to be friendly. Another way things could’ve gone is if Yellow Diamond forced Peridot to stay on Earth, or threatened her in a way that made Peridot want to stay. But no, instead Peridot chooses to stand against Yellow Diamond for the simple fact that, based on Peridot’s logic, Yellow Diamond is acting illogically, unreasonably, and is wrong about the Earth.
I won’t do it!! I can tell you with certainty that there are things on this planet worth protecting!”
“What do you know about the Earth!?”
“Apparently, more than you! You CLOD!!”
2087
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