You are worthy: Pearl and her relationship with Rose Quartz
After this past week’s Steven Bomb, and various tweet confirmations from the show’s creators and writers, viewers know that Pearl was in a romantic relationship with Rose Quartz before she met Greg Universe. It is unknown for how long this relationship went on, but based upon how she has stated numerous times she fought with Rose during the war against the Homeworld gems, it’s safe to say they were in the relationship for a long period of time. Even though Rose Quartz has disappeared, that relationship still remains strong for Pearl.
Pearl and Rose Quartz fought together and held a deep bond during their time together. Their relationship is a perfect example of strong females uniting together. It is clear from the episode “Rose’s Scabbard” how profoundly Pearl cared for Rose Quartz. As she recreates one of their last conversations, Pearl recites every word Rose Quartz said to her, and reaches for Rose’s hand as any lover would endearingly. Rose Quartz even affectionately calls her “my Pearl.” It is clear that their relationship was one that was “everything” for Pearl. There had been a strong relationship between the beautiful Rose Quartz and the intellectual Pearl. Rose Quartz is created to be the ideal woman within this series. With Pearl always striving for perfection, it’s easy to see how she would push herself to the limits to be perfect for Rose, and to protect her with all she could.
Pearl always saw herself as Rose’s favorite. Pearl knew about where Rose kept her most precious belongings and was always by her side. However, this would change for Pearl when other people began coming into the picture. When Greg first came into the picture, Pearl thought that he was “just a phase” for Rose and her fascination with humans. Throughout the series, it is clear that Greg isn’t Pearl’s favorite person. Viewers may have previously thought this might be due to his messy nature, or simply because he was a human.
However, during the episode “We Need To Talk” it becomes clear just how jealous she is of Greg. Through the episode, Pearl scoffs and Greg while he hangs out with Rose Quartz. Throughout the song “What Can I Do For You” Rose Quartz is seen as a romantic object to be competed for, her full lips zoomed in on, and her flirtatious actions easy to see. During Greg’s song with her, Pearl fuses with Rose Quartz in a very intensely romantic dance to become Rainbow Quartz. A fusion so easily formed could be compared to Garnet, the fusion of lovers Ruby and Sapphire. Then, when Rose Quartz leaves, Pearl gives Greg a piece of her mind, saying he won’t last. However, the viewers know that this will change, and Pearl will be pushed out of the picture for Rose as she has her relationship with Greg and has her baby.
With Rose Quartz now passed on her powers to her son Steven, Pearl has projected her feelings for her onto him. “I want to be your rock,” she tells Steven during the episode “Coach Steven” where she becomes jealous again of someone taking attention towards her away from Rose Quartz. She often projects Rose Quartz onto Steven, hoping he becomes strong like her. However, Steven is not his mother, and is his own person.
Pearl often becomes anxious and confused when she can’t be who she always was for Rose. With Rose’s weapon a shield; Pearl has always seen herself as her right hand man, her sword. During the episode “Sworn To The Sword” it is clear just how much Pearl projects her feelings for Rose Quartz onto Steven. When Connie wants to learn how to become a fighter like Steven, Pearl is excited to help her, but pushes a different sort of expectations onto her. “I don’t matter,” Connie repeats after Pearl’s teachings. However, Steven becomes upset when he learns that Pearl is pushing a different kind of self-worth onto Connie. “Why won’t you just let me do this for you Rose,” she screams projecting Rose Quartz onto Steven and conflicted inside with all that she knew how to do in the past. Instead of feeling like a worthless, and “defective” sword, Rose Quartz helped Pearl realize who she was, even if Pearl projected strong instincts towards her.
Despite how Pearl may seem too intense on being a perfectionist, she is just trying to look out for Steven as she did for Rose Quartz. She fully loved Rose both as a comrade and as a romantic interest. Now she fights alongside Steven and the rest of the Crystal Gems, learning to find her own path.