Why ¨Reformed¨ is an important episode
Amethyst as a character goes through many changes trough out the series. She starts as inmature reckless gem that by the end of the story grows into someone who helps other gems with finding out their identity.
The episodes that are usually considered important when it comes to her character arc are ¨On the Run¨, ¨Too Far¨ and her arc in Season 3. However, I think there is one episode that is often overlooked by the fandom and this is ¨Reformed¨ from Season 2.
I’m going to try to explain why this episode is essential for Amethyst and her relationship with Garnet:
First of all, one aspect that I like from ¨Reformed¨ is that it explains how gem regeneration works. To expand this concept we get to see how Amethyst poofes and changes her default form multiples times and why rushing a regeneration may bring negative consecuences to the gem herself.
Back to Amethyst, this episode really explores how self-conscious she is about her abilities and how she is afraid of being not good enough for the team.
There are various examples of Steven asking personal questions to Amethyst that get her very nervous. Every time this happens, Amethyst answers by either snapping or changing the subject. This shows that she can very defensive when it comes to talking about her issues and inner feelings. She would rather avoid thinking about them completely than being honest with the person that is asking her the question.
During the episode she tries impressing Garnet and Steven in a few occasions. When they compare her to Pearl, Amethyst changes her form into something that resembles Pearl and starts imitating her out of jealousy. She makes fun of her saying how ¨Pearl needs constant approval from everyyone¨ which seems her proyecting her own insecurities into Pearl’s character.
It is made clear that Amethyst really cares what others think of her even when she pretends she doesn’t. It’s a mayor character flaw that she constaly struggles with in the series along with the reset of her issues.
Another character flaw that ¨Reformed¨ highlights about her is her recklessness and her immaturity. She doesn’t listen to Garnet and rushes her regenerations, which makes her an easy target for the gem monster she tries capturing.
This impacience is a trait that she carries in all the story of the show. Over time she learns how to think first before acting to avoid getting into trouble.
It has been implied that Amethyst’s insecurities come from how she was raised without restrictions and how she was allowed to do what she liked by Rose who wanted Amethsyt to be free and to not worry about her identity. This had an impact on her because while she really enjoyed being able to express herself, she didn’t have any idea of who she was supposed to be and what her main goals in life were.
This identity crisis is represented in this episode by her changing her default form to please Garnet. When Garnet implies she shouldn’t rush her reformation like Pearl, she changes her form to imitate Pearl. When she thinks Garnet is telling her she isn’t strong enough, she transforms into a bigger version of herself.
Reformed is a good episode for Garnet as well: In the first season she would usually ignore Amethyst’s antics as most of the time there weren’t many serious threats.The thing its that this episode takes place in Season 2.Homeworld knows that the Crystal Gems are still alive and there are actual gems that can easily take down the entire team.
Garnet knows they should start taking things more seriously. This is why she appears to be strict and cold with Amethyst when they go after the gem monster. She wants Amethyst to mature and be more responsible.
Garnet’s main problem was that at the start of the series she wasn’t very good at expressing her emotions. This made Amethyst misinterpred her and get angry at her for not understanding what she was expecting of her.
After Amethyst is poofed one last time, she doesn’t regenerate until a few hours later which makes the gems worry since her regeneration usually takes minutes to complete. Garnet mentions how she was being too harsh on Amethyst and she should have been clear with her from the beginning of the episode.
Later Amethyst regenerates into a form she feels comfortable with and not what someone else asked her to be. Garnet, Pearl and Steven support her new form by telling her they really like it. Amethyst pretends to ignore their comments but seconds later is shown she is happy they like it.
In the end Amethyst learns she shouldn’t let her identity be defined by other people and Garnet understands she has to learn how to communicate better her commands to grow as a leader of the team.
In conclusion Reformed its important because:
It develops Amethyst’s insecurities.
Develops her relationship with Garnet.
It develops Garnet as a leader.
