Why Didn’t Peridot Ever Fuse in Steven Universe?
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The question of why Peridot, the quirky and initially antagonistic Gem from Homeworld, never fused in Steven Universe is a complex one, woven into the fabric of her character arc and the show’s themes. The short answer is: Peridot’s aversion to fusion stems from a combination of her asexuality and aromanticism, her unique understanding of the concept of fusion, and her personal growth throughout the series. While fusion is presented as a deeply intimate act for Gems, often equated to a form of sex, it’s also about sharing vulnerability, emotional connection, and trust – things Peridot struggles with. Her lack of desire for this kind of intense, shared experience, coupled with her initial rigid, logical worldview, made fusion a concept she found baffling and even frightening.
Peridot’s early interactions with the Crystal Gems highlight her discomfort. When Garnet offers to fuse with her to help her understand the concept, Peridot is visibly shocked and even terrified. This reaction isn’t merely due to her unfamiliarity with the act, but also her inherent nature. As confirmed by storyboard artist Maya Petersen, Peridot is asexual and aromantic. This means she doesn’t experience sexual or romantic attraction, and thus, the idea of merging with another Gem in such an intimate way is not appealing to her. Furthermore, Peridot is an Era 2 Gem, created with fewer inherent abilities due to Homeworld’s resource depletion. This might have subtly contributed to her disinterest in fusion, as she may not possess the same natural inclination towards it as other gems. Ultimately, Peridot’s journey is about embracing her individuality and building genuine platonic connections, rather than following the typical Gem path of fusion-based intimacy.
Understanding Peridot’s Perspective
Initial Discomfort with Fusion
Peridot arrives on Earth with a very structured, logical view of the world, inherited from her Homeworld upbringing. Fusion, a concept that requires letting go of individual identities and merging with another being, contradicts her rigid perspective. Her initial shock and fear when witnessing Opal, the fusion of Pearl and Amethyst, highlight this deep-seated discomfort. She doesn’t understand the purpose or the process, finding it strange and unsettling rather than intriguing or natural. This initial reaction showcases how much Peridot’s perspective differs from the Gems who were raised with an understanding of fusion as a positive connection.
Asexual and Aromantic Identity
The most significant factor behind Peridot’s lack of desire for fusion is her asexual and aromantic identity. She simply doesn’t have the emotional drive or attraction necessary for the act. While the show often portrays fusion as a romantic or intimate experience, Peridot’s aversion challenges this view, proving that fusion is far more nuanced and doesn’t have to be driven by romantic or sexual attraction. Her experience also helps highlight how fusion is not necessarily a universal experience for all Gems, and that it is acceptable to not want to fuse. It is ultimately a personal choice based on different aspects of Gem identities.
Peridot’s Character Growth
Over the course of the series, Peridot experiences significant character growth. She learns to value individuality and build friendships based on genuine connection and mutual respect rather than fusion. She finds comfort in her unique identity and the platonic bonds she forges with the other Gems. She develops a loving friendship with Lapis Lazuli, and their living situation further solidifies that they do not need to be one being to be close to one another. She channels her passions towards other pursuits, like her love for learning, Earth culture, and Meep Morps.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Did Peridot ever fuse with anyone?
No, Peridot has never fused with anyone throughout the series. She consistently expresses discomfort and lack of interest in fusion.
2. Did Garnet and Peridot ever fuse?
No, Garnet and Peridot never fused. Garnet did offer to fuse with her in the episode “Log Date 7 15 2” to help Peridot understand the concept, but Peridot declined.
3. Why did Lapis hate Peridot initially?
Lapis initially hated Peridot because Peridot was the one who dragged her back to Earth. She also found Peridot to be unforgiving, grumpy, and rude, especially when Peridot destroyed her attempts to apologize.
4. Why didn’t Lapis and Peridot fuse?
Lapis and Peridot never fused due to Lapis’s trauma around fusion and Peridot’s general aversion. Lapis was not ready for fusion and Peridot didn’t seem to understand or want fusion based on the way it was presented to her.
5. What is the name of a potential Lapis and Peridot fusion?
A fan-coined name for a potential Lapis and Peridot fusion is Amazonite.
6. Why did Peridot betray Homeworld?
Peridot betrayed Homeworld because she became passionate about protecting Earth. She recognized the value of life and grew to care for the planet and its inhabitants.
7. Why did Lapis miss Jasper?
Lapis admitted that she missed Jasper because she enjoyed taking everything out on her. Their relationship was extremely unhealthy and traumatic, which is why Lapis never wanted to experience it again.
8. Why did Bismuth poof Lapis during the Gem War?
According to Rebecca Sugar, Bismuth was indeed the gem who poofed Lapis during the Gem War. This was not addressed directly in the show but was confirmed later.
9. Why is Opal forgetful?
Opal’s forgetfulness comes from the sense of peace and balance she achieves in her fusion. She becomes so tranquil that she sometimes loses focus on the task at hand, like forgetting the goal they were set out to achieve in the first place.
10. Is Peridot in a romantic relationship with Lapis?
While fans often wanted them to be, Peridot and Lapis are not in a romantic relationship. They have a very close, platonic relationship as roommates and friends, but nothing is canonically romantic.
11. Why is Garnet mad at Pearl in the show?
Garnet gets mad at Pearl when she discovers that Pearl was fusing with her to enjoy the emotional thrill and manipulate Garnet. She does not want to be used or taken advantage of like this.
12. Did Peridot ever get poofed?
Yes, Peridot was poofed when she was attempting to get the Crystal Gems to hear her out. The Gems bubbled her gem after realizing her limb enhancers were not part of her original form.
13. Why can’t Peridot and Lapis fuse?
Peridot doesn’t want to fuse, and while fusion can be seen as similar to sex for gems, it represents a lot more than that and simplifying her hesitation to an issue of asexuality oversimplifies fusion and her character.
14. Is Peridot autistic?
While not explicitly stated in the show, many fans believe Peridot exhibits traits that could be associated with autism. However, Rebecca Sugar stated that Peridot, along with other gems, should not be seen as neurotypical but rather, she doesn’t behave as is considered “normal”.
15. Why do Era 2 Gems have less power?
Era 2 Gems have less power because Homeworld was running low on resources after the rebellion. As a result, they manufactured Gems with fewer abilities to continue gem production.
In conclusion, Peridot’s non-fusion trajectory is a unique and crucial part of her character arc. It highlights the diversity within the Gem world and showcases that connection and intimacy don’t always have to come from fusion. Peridot’s story is one of self-acceptance, embracing individuality, and building meaningful, platonic relationships, which ultimately makes her one of the most beloved and relatable characters in Steven Universe.