It's Theory Tuesday! August 04, 2015

Two theories:

First of all, Lapis won't join the crystal gems. Not to stomp on any other theories, but I think this runs counter to the larger themes of the show and Lapis's own personal conflicts.

Lapis's big problem is that she exists in a world that two powerful groups conceive of as being divided by conflict - the Crystal Gems and the Homeworld. As such, these groups tend to interact with others along that premise, treat new people as aspects of this conflict. This is an issue for her because she is not motivated by the prevalent agendas of the conflict, wants no part in it. She just wants to return to her home, the place she feels she belongs, but unfortunately that necessitates taking part in the conflict - as the Homeworld is mobilized against the Crystal Gems. Not being motivated to side with them, she is sort of displaced, as she furthermore is not motivated to 'fight for Earth and the humans,' as that is also not her home.

In this way one of the big problems for Lapis is the inability to find a sense of belonging in a world stratified by factional conflict. Some people suggest that finding a place in the Crystal Gems is a solution to this, but I disagree, adopting their motivations and factional allegiance is at best adapting to enforced pressures of a problematic world. I think the show believes something better can be achieved.

In my mind the best thing for Lapis would be to disassociate with the conflict. Find a place where she can belong - perhaps Earth - without being forced to take part in a conflict she is not motivated by - whether being captured by the CGs, or manipulated by the Homeworld. I could see her eventually choosing to fight alongside the CGs but not as a member of the faction, just a singular person motivated by their own emotional cause. Any less than this would compromise her agency - being forced to join and fight for a faction because she has no other choice. I do think the show believes abandoning the conception of factions is a choice, and then choosing to act regardless of ones own will is possible, and perhaps the best course of action.

Now, my second one is more of an analysis of where the themes are going than something specific to the narrative. It may appear self-evident but I think one of the core points of the show is that emotional support is a central aspect to personal development, both the ability to recognize its availability, and also to utilize and offer it meaningfully.

I won't talk too much about this but I would like to point out that the greatest moments of personal development in the show have been associated with the intercession of other people in the emotional well-being of those they care for. So Pearl's greatest strides in her grief and issues with self-worth have been predicated by Steven's unassuming empathy and encouragement. Something similar occurs between Amethyst and Pearl in both directions.

I think one of the things that really spoke to this for me was the end of the bridge in the extended intro:

The odds are against us, it won't be easy but we're not gonna do it alone

All of the characters announce their motivations - with all of the implicit complications - and then in chorus make that statement. It almost comes across as a maxim for the show. Really powerful stuff.

On the one hand it very literally means there is a great conflict looming but they can rely on one another to overcome it. This could refer to the war against Homeworld. But furthermore it refers to unmitigated trauma that the characters face, issues that they can't seem to move past and may appear insurmountable. The ability to rely on one another for emotional support is what helps them through this.

Thinking about it, counter to that, the period in which Lapis maintained her antagonism towards Steven and the CGs was one where she was unable to overcome her sense of helplessness. Even now she keeps herself in emotional stasis, so to speak, because she is unwilling - perhaps unable - to admit a need for help and to accept it when offered.

But yeah, very generally I think that's something the show will continue to grow and outline.

/r/stevenuniverse Thread