#big d's

[loycos]

The crossover of my dreams, aka Lilith is like baby territory if you stanned the Diamonds for years.

[loycos]

I just got the end of an era book... and most of what i suspected was indeed the case when it came to the diamonds.

If i had to sum up their era 1 dynamic...

White and Pink were like

Meanwhile Blue and Yellow were between them like

[loycos]

I've always wondered why the Diamonds couldn't just create "another" Pink. It'd be a perfect replica of her, 100% identical looks and personality, just without her memories, a blank slate. So in a way it'd be her but also, not. Kinda like sheep/dog cloning. I do not see how they couldn't achieve this given their advanced technology, Diamond magic and all, no?

Pink was like... a family member to them. Would you clone a dead relative?... thats creepy on so many levels to everyone involved. The Diamonds used to treat their subjects as replaceable and disposable (see the whole Pink Pearl debacle), but they DO NOT treat each other that way. That's the bridge they needed to cross to start being decent people- realizing other gems and species have the same value as them, and arent just tools or lesser beings. Thats why Steven even thought it was possible- the way the Diamonds treated each other showed theyre clearly capable of love, they were never a lost case.

[loycos]

I mean, the diamonds at the start really changed to impress steven didn't they? Not saying they didn't realize their mistakes after that, but at the start it definitely seemed like they just followed what steven told them (especially in the movie)

Nah, dude. This continues to amaze me that this view gained so much traction to a point people forgot WHEN the diamonds' change of heart began.

So, the reason a lot of people believe the Diamonds only started changing for Steven was The Movie. In the movie, the Diamonds are treated more like a comic relief, they only appear twice (at the very beginning and at the very end) and since they all appear at the same time (and because the movie didnt want to make things too complicated for new comers) they almost appear like the same character duplicated 3 times. We dont get to experience their personalities and worldviews like we did in the series, most importantly in Change Your Mind.

Yeah, CYM. remember that episode? This is the episode the Diamonds' change began. And during this entire arc that lead up to it, not once did the Diamonds cared about impressing Steven, despite thinking he was Pink. Yellow and Blue tried to make comprises, arguably like they did when Pink was still around, but its not like they faked their behavior around Steven. If anything, they showed him their genuine, more easygoing side, unlike what they showed their subjects.

What made the Diamonds change their minds wasnt Steven. He aided them in coming to hurtful conclusions, ones theyve been avoiding for a long time (in Blue and Yellow's cases, like he did with his own family) or ones they were simply not aware of (in the case of White). In CYM, each one of the Diamonds was forced to face a truth that made them question the way theyve been handling things so far. And in CYM each of the Diamonds' personalities actually mattered, they were not presented as a collective.

Blue started changing when she realized she was hurting those she cared about the most while she was thinking she was being helpful and supportive. Yellow realized thriving for perfection won't get her or her loved ones any happiness, in fact its been hurting those she cares about. White realized she was not right all the time, and she wasn't absolutely objective. That made her understand her forcing her own views on other people doesnt make them any more right than if they were to make their own decisions (basically white isnt above subjectivity). THIS is why they changed. And yes, Steven being there and helping them realize those things made them look at him as sort of a guru, because without their old ways they were totally lost. But they didnt change FOR him. They changed because they realized their own ways were making them miserable.

[loycos]

The Diamonds arc over the years

[loycos]

There is this underlying tone of the Diamonds being oblivious to a lot of things (which is why they make such good comic reliefs) but the main jab in the movie is their absolute inability to even consider the fact that their presence and company could be unwanted?? You see it in the way they "force" themselves on Steven- to them, this isn't "forcing" at all. They just assume that he would want to spend time with them. It isn't like Spinel, who is aware of the fact that Steven and co. wouldn't want her around. The Diamonds lived all their lives in a society that was built to worship them- every gem they interact with was literally shaking with admiration at their presence.

This is what makes scenes like "Steven! It's us! Are we interrupting something?" "Yes!" *Cut to the diamonds coming out of their ship anyway without acknowledging the thing they were apparently interrupting* and their decision to move in with Steven without asking him or even considering how inconvenient it would be for everyone so goddamn hilarious

[loycos]

In the movie, Steven (unsurprisingly and understandably) does not want to hang out with the Diamonds too much. I get him, I totally do, because I too have relatives that despite all their love just don’t understand things that are fundamental parts of who I am, as much as they’re accepting of them. People like this just... aren’t people you’d want to spend your free time with, but most of the time there is some obligation in seeing them (like old, more traditional thinking relatives).

BUT also. Steven. Steven my boy. you ripped them entirely out of their comfort zone, everything that they knew. You made them get rid of the old class system and roles, but they don’t really know how to interact with other gems outside those social structures. You left them without purpose, something we know gems have a hard time dealing with since they were all programmed with at least one. You left them with nothing to do. Of course they’d want to spend time with you! this is the only thing they have left! They’re not a project that you can get a grade on and call it a day.

I would’ve felt really bad for them, or even slightly disappointed in the crew, if this wasn’t so directly addressed with Spinel. in fact, the entire last act of the movie was the crew not only giving Spinel closure, they were also addressing the situation with the Diamonds. So it’s no coincidence that she was added to the Diamonds family- their stories are and situations are so similar.

“What about me? is that all you needed me for? to turn off my injector? (to heal all the corrupted gems?) What now? I did what you wanted- That’s it??” “Yeah! we can just forget this whole thing ever happened.” “how are you gonna forget with me around? I’m the source of all your problems! Don’t pretend you want me here! What’s your plan for me, huh? you’re gonna put me somewhere? You’re gonna leave me???”

up until now, that was his plan for the Diamonds. Well, I don’t think he was gonna pull a Pink and entirely leave them (I don’t think it’s possible, they’d come after him), but I’m pretty sure the Diamonds spent the entire time between their first appearance to the last staring at the wrap pad, waiting for him to return, until they came up with their master plan to move in with him. The difference between them and Spinel is that Spinel was sharp enough and emotionally intelligent enough to understand that Steven doesn’t want her in his life. The Diamonds are too oblivious to get the hint.