Rose Quartz was a gem that was fueled by her own passion for life and humanity in an effort to protect earth. An individual that believed that gems should be able to do as they please and be who they want to be. She was the leader of the crystal gems alongside Pearl, while proceeding to carry through with an attempted rebellion as a way of forcing the home world gems to leave earth. However, there are various pieces of the story that tend to be constantly shrouded in a fog of mystery, an oath of silence or an idea of “this does not make sense.” However, the bulk of the matter was how every piece of offered information had led her own son, Steven, into another closed door that could only be opened by his mother, Rose Quartz.

For many fans, viewers and theorists of Steven Universe, the latest episode “A Single Pale Rose” truly did set off a variety of alarms and realizations. The many portions of the series, “Steven Universe,” had encompassed this mystique and mystery of What was the true identity of Rose Quartz, for what purpose did the rebellion serve and the main question: Why was Pink Diamond shattered by ‘Rose Quartz’ in the first place?

This episode can be a tad confusing, especially when you consider the variety of elements and transitions that occur within so little time. Also, having to re-process the information offered and allow the missing puzzle pieces to be put into their proper place. This has caused an amount of backlash and up-rise within the community. However, for those, such as myself, that have already considered this theory long ago also realize that this play through of “the big identity reveal” might have been obvious but forced.

What is The Truth and Why?

The episode has displayed the most critical answers for the questions that resonate constantly within the show. The “Rose Quartz” that everyone one had come into contact with, and remember, was not who she truly was. This ‘Rose Quartz’ was an alter-ego created by Pink Diamond to escape from her duties, proceed with her plan to protect earth, while attempting to gain freedom through manipulation and betrayal. What is theorized is that she was able shift forms when necessary: retaining her leadership role as Pink Diamond while being able to become a separate leader as Rose Quartz.

Within the “Pearl-ception,” meaning that alongside Steven we were able to travel into the darkest portion of Pearl’s mind and memories, we were able to discover the truth. As a whole, to display each level that we traveled, I have created a small bullet list describing each pearl we had met in chronological order:

Physical Entity Pearl (Before we enter her gem) Persuades Steven to travel into her gem to “find her phone.” Then, explains that once he finds her phone, he should text her. Organizational Surface Pearl (First Level Pearl within her gem) Assumes that Steven is meant to be put away in her organizational compartments. However, she seems to have also “misplaced” the cellphone that Steven is looking for. She attempts to persuade Steven to resist going “there” because “it is a mess.” However, he was persistent in wanting to travel deeper into pearl’s gem to find her phone. Emotionally Shattered Pearl (Second level Pearl within First Level Pearl’s gem.) The scenery changes to represent the past, the past that emotionally hurt Pearl. Making Steven realize that this goes back to the romance that blossomed between his mother and father; allowing for the awkwardness to sink in. This pearl is seen crying over the idea of Rose conceiving a child, followed by her anguish of not knowing what will occur if she loses her. Steven also brings up the “Cellphone” issue and this pearl is willing to say where she thinks it is. Referring to the location, “it’s probably where I lost everything else.” She made the initiative to transport Steven within her own gem to the specific place. Logically Shattered Pearl (Third Level Pearl within Second Level Pearl’s Gem) This scenery also changes to the aftermath of the battlefield (reference to the rebellion). Various gems lying around and Steven attempting to light the situation as he denies that her cellphone would be within her “repressed war memories.” Pearl is seen in shock, alone on the battlefield speaking about being the only ones and how they thought they had won, also questioning why she had done what she did. When questioned by Steven about whether this was truly about her phone, she made the same initiative as the “Second Level Pearl” had done and transported Steven within her own gem to the specific scene of what ‘she’ did. The Muted Pearl (Fourth Level Pearl within Third Level Pearl’s Gem) The scenery changes again to depict the darkness, sadness and realization that swirls within Pearl’s memories. Steven finds shattered gem pieces but is shocked to view his mother shattering what ‘was’ Pink Diamond. He doesn’t understand why his mother would be here since this is Pearl’s memory. ‘Rose Quartz’ is crying however, as Steven approaches, she opens her eyes and they are not black, they are glossy blue and with a turn of her head, a ‘Pearl’ gem glistens upon her forehead: Pearl has shape shifted into his mother ‘Rose Quartz.’ Allowing Steven to realize that it was ‘Pearl’ who had “committed the crime” of shattering Pink Diamond in the form of ‘Rose Quartz.’ However, when Steven refers to her, she opens her hand, revealing the actual Pink diamond un-shattered. This pearl again proceeds to take the initiative to transport Steven within her gem again. The Pressured and Honest Pearl (Fifth Level Pearl within Fourth Level Pearl) The scenery changes again but now Steven is inside Pink Diamonds Palaquin within the specific scene that has always been questioned and referred to throughout the series. ‘Rose Quartz’ and Pearl can be seen behind the throne, Rose is seen whispering ‘her plan’ to Pearl, Pearl questions her method but, Rose mentions how Yellow and Blue diamond simply do not care since it was “Pink Diamond’s Colony.”

Within this scene, we get to view Rose’s other expressions, followed by a more direct and thorough tone in comparison to how we’ve always seen her originally. Pearl continues to label this plan as “crazy,” followed by addressing her own concerns of where “her purpose” and Roses “status” would stand. Rose displays her passion and interest in humanity, her desire to give her “world” to the crystal gems, including her desire to live with Pearl and attain freedom.

Pearl is officially set on accomplishing this task, after blushing from the plan of living with rose and a promise of freedom; still retaining her own thoughts of disbelief. ‘Rose’ also states to Pearl *major spoiler* of how she “can’t shatter herself.” Rose proceeds to shape shift, her gem begins to turn upward as she reverts to her original form: Pink Diamond.

Pink Diamond picks up some soil, Pearl taking the flower from her hand, and crushes the soil to appear as shattered gem pieces. Pearl agrees that the gem pieces look convincing as Pink Diamond replies: “Soon it will be just Rose.” Pink Diamond consumes the pieces and proceeds to tell Pearl that no one can ever know that they did this and does not wish to look back.

Pink Diamond brings Pearls hands up and proceeds to place them on Pearls mouth as a symbolic gesture of silence. As Pink diamonds final order to Pearl as a diamond, she tells Pearl to never speak of this again and that no one can know. As Pink Diamond leaves her Palaquin, the sequence is interrupted as Pearl apologizes to Steven for making him come all this way and hands him her phone. Pearl proceeds to shape shift as Rose Quartz and continues to the sequence while Steven text messages the “Physical Entity pearl” that he “found it.”

her Palaquin, the sequence is interrupted as Pearl apologizes to Steven for making him come all this way and hands him her phone. Pearl proceeds to shape shift as Rose Quartz and continues to the sequence while Steven text messages the “Physical Entity pearl” that he “found it.” We view the conclusive sequence of Pearl (Shape shifted into Rose Quartz) proceeding to “shatter Pink Diamond” (while holding Pink Diamonds gem secretly within her hand) with ‘Rose Quartz’s Sword.’

From then onward, we proceed to exit out of the various pearl gems, followed by clips of the rebellion and the memories of the crystal gems on earth along the beach. Steven pops out and says “I know,” Pearl has tears as she breaks her silence stating how she wanted to tell him for so long. Steven finally speaks the truth: “Mom was Pink Diamond,” in front of Garnet & Amethyst.

Now, considering all the information we have taken in, we can now truly realize various things that we have overlooked or have been mislead to believe about certain scenes and songs. Even though this was a forced and foreseen plot twist, this adds value to the reasoning behind Rose’s character, the confusion about why there is a lack of information of the true Rose Quartz and why Pearl silences herself.

Within Pearl’s iconic song “It’s over, isn’t it?” there is the simple speculation that she has still not gotten over Rose Quartz (assuming that you are viewing it as a love interest). However, the lyrics begin to gain a strong amount of value when you read into it with this new episode. Pearls devotion, loyalty and willingness (which can be considered normal for a Pearl and her Diamond master) was taken for granite. She has actually been taken advantage of through an abusive format of mental and emotional manipulation that still resulted in a loss.

Another example can be the scene of Greg attempting to fuse with Rose Quartz, proceeding to ask her ‘personal questions’ yet reveals facial gestures that do reveal her willingness to avoid answering with short responses. Specifically the response towards Gregs’ comment of “I barely know you.”

Also, if you can recall within the episode, “The trials,” the Zircon gem lawyer begins to state where the issue of the shattering scene had faltered; specifically specifying that this attempt to explain the shattering process “doesn’t make sense.” Every Diamond has, at least sapphires and a ‘Pearl,’ nearby as security to protect their Diamond from harms way. Yet, now we can return to this exact scene with answers to these statements and accusations.

This Zircon gem Lawyer proceeds to brings up valid points for consideration:

“Rose Quartz is flawed, I grant you. A shallow strata-gem who turned against her own kind out of a misguided attachment to a planet and creatures like these.” (0:14) “It’s indisputable that as the Diamond overseeing Earth, Pink was Rose Quartz’s enemy. Rose had everything to gain by shattering her. But even though she may have wanted to shatter Pink Diamond, could she?” (0:25) Now, as the records show, Pink Diamond was shattered just outside a palanquin much like this. Witnesses say Pink had just stepped out and had only taken a few steps forward when Rose attacked her from the front!(0:52) B-because at that time that Pink was shattered, Rose Quartz had been a recognized threat for several hundred years. There were no Rose Quartz soldiers in her entourage and none in her guard. So how did a Rose Quartz, with no business being anywhere near Pink Diamond, get so close in the first place? Where were Pink Diamond’s attendants? Her Agates, Her Sapphires? And where was her Pearl? (1:14) But none of them saw Rose Quartz approach? Wouldn’t her Sapphires have seen Rose Quartz coming? Wouldn’t her Agates have tried to fight her off? (1:50) Even if she did, wouldn’t her Pearl have cried out an alarm, “Watch out, My Diamond!” No, whoever did this was already close to Pink Diamond. Someone her guards would allow to get near her, someone she would listen to when asked to stop her palanquin and step outside, and someone with the authority to cover it up afterwards! Someone with supreme authority… (pauses) Someone… like one of you! (points to both of them) (2:04)

Within these statements, the pieces can be viewed more clearly with respect to, the mystery and who the “someone” was. The irony from this series has already increased because of this. Even now, Roses (Pink Diamond’s) character begins to shift once more and now, some characters can be viewed differently; such as Blue Diamond.

Her character can be understood better because of this new information. She is grieving alongside Greg for the same person yet with distorted views of the main persons alter egos. Even she herself begins to realize that earth does have valuable things; greg being able to relate and understand the loss of loved one.

The realization that Steven’s dreams are the past life memories of Pink Diamond.

Through another realization, Pink Diamond can be viewed as both selfish but un-selfish. True, she can be labeled ‘childish’ and ‘demanding’ but she was also not respected (for the theory that she could have possibly been defective) by her fellow diamonds. She did not have any planetary ruling until the moment where she possibly ‘demanded it’.

“You have so many worlds, and I don’t even have one! It’s not fair! I. want. One! I want my own army! I want my own planet! I deserve it! I’m just as important as you!” (2:33)

As far as we know, Diamonds are leaders and they are “perfect” therefore, their murals depict their status and authority. Pink Diamond does not necessarily look like her mural because of the possibility that it was a cover up. She can be compared to the height of Stevonnie and her clothing displays a different personality.

Who are you? (Manipulation and Distortion)

Rose Quartz is guilty of a common practice that is known within society. The many people you meet can have various views of you based on the way you present yourself and the information you offer. She is a gem that has been labeled various things yet, there are no responses that are the same. Everyone views her differently because of both a “He said, She said” scenario and what was proposed to them about her.

In a theoretical perspective, Rose Quartz did not mind the manipulation and distortion, she wanted to remain as a mystery, no one truly knowing who she was deep down. Some gems label her negatively, due to the crimes of shattering Pink Diamond, while others label her positively due to the rebellion, her leadership and dedication to allowing gems to be how they want.

Conclusion (Aftermath and Future)

The ones that have suffered the most within this game are Pearl and Steven. As reiterated, a Pearl’s purpose is to serve and obey their diamond through thick and thin. Of course, Rose knew that Pearl’s loyalty had no end. She knew that Pearl would acknowledge the plan, do as she was told and proceed with the command to keep quiet of the taboo act. She was led to believe that doing all this would give her the spoken “perks” of spending the rest of her time free with her diamond; a one sided love interest with Rose Quartz.

Besides Pearl, Steven has also been on a never ending game of hide and seek with his own mother’s memory. He has to face her mistakes and take the blame from others for the things she had done prior. A son that just wants to understand who his mother truly is and why she is the way she is (or was). He has all these various identities and different perceptions of his mother that he does not know what to believe or who is truly telling the truth.

Rose Quartz’s reasoning and passion for doing what she did can be viewed on a balanced positive and negative. The positive being that she did carry through with her plan of giving earth to the crystal gems, “somewhat” save the humans and live freely. The negative being that she had done this master plan through her own agenda manipulation, mental abuse, lies and an attempt to stage her own death to escape her duties.