Steven Universe Wiki

Spoilers will be present! Please browse at your own risk.

READ MORE

Steven Universe Wiki
Register
m (Reverted edits by Reny6531 (talk) to last version by Dcj)
(211 intermediate revisions by 84 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
<center>{{Quote|I wanted to tell you for so long.|saidby = [[Pearl]]}}</center>
{{Stub}}
 
  +
<center>
 
{{Quote|I wanted to tell you for so long.|saidby = [[Pearl]]}}
 
</center>
 
 
{{Episode
 
{{Episode
|season = 5
+
|season = 5
 
|episodenumber = 18
 
|episodenumber = 18
 
|overallnumber = 146
 
|overallnumber = 146
|image = A Single Pale Rose 000.png
+
|image = A Single Pale Rose 000.png
|airdate = May 7, 2018
+
|airdate = May 7, 2018
|production = TBA
+
|production = TBA
|viewers = 0.735<ref>http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-monday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-7-2018.html</ref>
+
|viewers = 0.735<ref>http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-monday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-7-2018.html</ref>
|writer = [[Amber Cragg]]<br />[[Hilary Florido]]
+
|writer = [[Danny Cragg]]<br />
  +
[[Hilary Florido]]
|director = [[Ki-Yong Bae]] & [[Jin-Hee Park]] (animation)<br />[[Liz Artinian]] (art)<br />[[Kat Morris]] (supervising)
 
  +
|director = * [[Ki-Yong Bae]] & [[Jin-Hee Park]] <small>(animation)</small>
|previous = "[[Can't Go Back]]"
 
  +
* [[Liz Artinian]] <small>(art)</small>
|next = TBA
 
  +
* [[Kat Morris]] <small>(supervising)</small>
 
}}
 
}}
'''"A Single Pale Rose"'''<ref>[[File:3KrGSpdIYUQWwB-ArBkS8SF5t6-oSTqoEfpHh2_7GdA.png|50px]] Retrieved from https://www.cartoonnetwork.com/shows/steven-universe/characters/index.html</ref> is the 18<sup>th</sup> episode of the [[Season 5|fifth season]] of [[Steven Universe (TV series)|''Steven Universe'']] and the 146<sup>th</sup> episode overall.
+
'''"A Single Pale Rose"''' is the 18<sup>th</sup> episode of the [[Season 5|fifth season]] of [[Steven Universe (TV series)|''Steven Universe'']] and the 146<sup>th</sup> episode overall.
   
== Synopsis ==
+
== Official Synopsis ==
  +
<!--Do not change this-->
[[Steven Universe (character)|Steven]] helps [[Pearl]] find her cell phone.
 
  +
[[Steven Universe (character)|Steven]] helps [[Pearl]] find her phone.<ref>[https://www.cartoonnetwork.com/video/steven-universe/a-single-pale-rose-episode.html "A Single Pale Rose" on CartoonNetwork.com]</ref>
   
 
== Plot ==
 
== Plot ==
  +
[[File:ASinglePaleRose (97).png|200px|left|thumb|alt=Pearl tries to pull her hand from her mouth.]]
The episode starts with Steven anxiously waiting to ask Pearl about Pink Diamond while she and Amethyst have shenanigans with the cell phone. Amethyst leaves to get Pearl a phone case and Steven uses the time to ask about what he's seen. Pearl immediately covers her mouth and doesn't answer, seemingly shocked. Amethyst returns and she swiftly changes the subject, leaving Steven hurt.
+
Upon returning to Earth, Steven anxiously waits to ask Pearl about [[Pink Diamond]] while she and Amethyst try out her cellphone. Amethyst leaves to get Pearl a phone case and Steven uses the time to directly ask whether Pearl shattered Pink Diamond herself, instead of [[Rose Quartz]]. Pearl immediately covers her mouth and doesn't answer, seemingly shocked. Amethyst returns and she swiftly changes the subject, leaving Steven hurt.
   
  +
[[File:ASinglePaleRose (216).png|200px|right|thumb|alt=The camera zooms into Pearl's sparkling gem.]]
The scene changes to Steven eating outside a food truck when he suddenly gets a text from Pearl. In it, she apologizes and says she can't tell him. Steven returns home and confronts her about it, to which Pearl responds she hasn't used her phone since that morning. Trying to retrieve her phone from inside her gemstone fails, and eventually Pearl tells Steven to go inside and get it himself, saying to "let me know when you find what you're looking for." With that, Steven is sent inside of Pearl's gemstone.
+
After getting something to eat, Steven suddenly gets a text from Pearl. In it, she apologizes and says she can't tell him. Steven returns home and confronts her about it, to which Pearl responds she hasn't used her phone since that morning. Trying to retrieve her phone from inside her gemstone fails; eventually, Pearl tells Steven to go inside and get it himself, asking he "let me know when you find what you're looking for". With that, Steven is sent inside Pearl's gemstone.
   
He ends up in a cleanly compartmentalized area featuring another Pearl who sorts everything to maintain order. Steven asks the whereabouts of the phone and she responds that it may be with the "other Pearls," and that he shouldn't go to where they are because it's a "mess." Nevertheless, Steven insists, and Pearl takes him inside her gemstone yet again. The cycle continues several times as Steven is taken further into Pearl's gemstone, passing through her memories of Rose's pregnancy, the aftermath of the Gem War... Finally, he reaches the scene from his dreams, except this time, it's Rose Quartz having shattered Pink Diamond. He steps closer, and when she raises her head and opens her eyes, Steven realizes it's Pearl in Rose's form. He questions this, and Pearl holds her hand out, revealing Pink Diamond's gemstone, before taking him into her gemstone once more.
+
He finds himself in a cleanly compartmentalized area featuring another Pearl who organizes all of Pearl's possessions. Steven asks the whereabouts of the phone; after a search by Pearl fails to find it, she guesses that it may be with the "other Pearls", but advises him not to go to where they are because "it's a mess". Nevertheless, Steven insists, and Pearl takes him inside her gemstone yet again. The cycle continues several times as Steven is taken further into Pearl's gemstone, passing through her memories including Rose's pregnancy and the aftermath of the Gem War. Eventually, he reaches the moment where Rose Quartz has just shattered Pink Diamond. He steps closer, and she raises her head and opens her eyes, which resemble Pearl's. [[File:ASinglePaleRose (433).png|200px|left|thumb|alt=Pearl, as Rose, shines her gem on a confused Steven as she shows him Pink Diamond's gemstone.]] "Rose" turns towards a scream, revealing her pearl gem.  Steven realizes it's Pearl disguised as Rose. Steven sadly takes this as confirmation that Pearl was the one who shattered Pink Diamond until Pearl holds her hand out, revealing Pink Diamond's gemstone. Steven is confused before being taken into her gemstone once more.
He's inside of Pink's palanquin hearing a conversation between Rose and Pearl behind the throne. While Pearl is hesitant to do what Rose's asking, Rose insists, and tells her that their life will be better and they'll be free afterwards. Pearl finally agrees to Rose's plan and, to Steven's shock, "Rose" reverts into Pink Diamond. They step out into the open and Pink holds out her hand, which has a handful of dirt and the head of a single, pale rose, which she hands to Pearl. She then changes the dirt into the lookalike of diamond shards and swallows them, then before she reverts to her Rose Quartz form, she gives one last order, a Diamond to her Pearl: she orders Pearl never to speak of those events again. Pearl then turns to Steven, who has been watching speechlessly the whole time, and holds out her cellphone with apologetic words. Steven wordlessly takes the phone, and Pearl pulls him out of her gemstone.
 
   
  +
Inside Pink Diamond's palanquin, Steven overhears a conversation between Rose and Pearl behind the throne. While Pearl is at first hesitant to do her assigned task, Rose is adamant, assuring her that this is the only way to end the war, their lives will be better and they'll be free afterward, saying that if this is really her world then she wants to give it to the Crystal Gems. Pearl agrees to Rose's plan but says she can't believe she is going to do it. Rose reassures, saying that "I can't exactly shatter myself". The two hug and Rose begins to shapeshift, her gem rotating and revealing itself to be a diamond. Rose Quartz reveals herself to be Pink Diamond, much to Steven's shock. [[File:Shapeshifting into Pink.gif|thumb|220x220px|Rose reverts to her true form as Pink Diamond|alt=A gif of Rose's form glowing as her gem rotates and she transforms, as a surprised Steven looks on.]] Once out in the open, Pink shows Pearl a handful of dirt with the head of a single pink hibiscus and gives her the latter. She then changes the dirt into fake diamond shards and swallows them. Before Pink leaves, she gives one last order as a Diamond to her Pearl: never speak of these events again. Pearl then turns to Steven, who has been watching speechlessly the whole time and offers her cellphone with an apology. Steven wordlessly takes the phone as Pearl shapeshifts into "Rose" to stage the fake "shattering". Once Steven texts Pearl that he found her phone, she pulls him out of her gemstone.
Outside, Pearl says she wanted to tell Steven for a very long time. Somberly, he realizes that his mother wasn't a Quartz, but Pink Diamond. Behind him, Amethyst and Garnet, who just walked in, stare and gasp in shock.
 
  +
 
Back outside, Pearl says she wanted to tell Steven for a very long time. Somberly, he takes in the fact that his mother was Pink Diamond. Behind him, Amethyst and Garnet, who have just walked in, react with shock; Amethyst says, "Whhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!"
   
 
== Features ==
 
== Features ==
Line 37: Line 40:
 
* [[Amethyst]]
 
* [[Amethyst]]
 
* [[Garnet]] (non-speaking)
 
* [[Garnet]] (non-speaking)
* [[Rose Quartz]]/[[Pink Diamond]] (flashback)
+
* [[Rose Quartz]]/[[Pink Diamond]]
* [[Jasper]] (flashback)
 
 
* [[Ruby (Eyeball)]] (flashback)
 
* [[Ruby (Eyeball)]] (flashback)
* [[Stevonnie]] (cameo)
+
* [[Stevonnie]] (flashback)
 
* [[Zircon (Defense)]] (flashback)
 
* [[Zircon (Defense)]] (flashback)
 
* [[Blue Diamond]] (flashback)
 
* [[Blue Diamond]] (flashback)
 
* [[Yellow Diamond]] (flashback)
 
* [[Yellow Diamond]] (flashback)
  +
* [[Unknown Gems#"A Single Pale Rose"|Unknown Homeworld Gems]] (flashback)
   
 
=== Locations ===
 
=== Locations ===
  +
* North America
{{Stubsection}}
 
* [[Beach City]]
+
** [[Delmarva]]
** [[Beach House]]
+
*** [[Beach City]]
  +
**** [[Crystal Temple]]
  +
***** [[Beach House]]
  +
**** [[Beach Citywalk Fries]]
  +
* [[Pearl's Dimension]] (debut)
  +
* Europe (flashback, in Pearl's Dimension)
  +
** [[Gem Battlefield]] (flashback, in Pearl's Dimension)
  +
* [[Gem Homeworld]] (flashback)
  +
** [[Gem Homeworld/Locations#Unknown City|Unknown City]] (flashback)
  +
*** [[Gem Homeworld/Locations#Known Locations|Trial Room]] (flashback)
  +
* Asia (flashback, in Pearl's Dimension)
  +
** Korean Peninsula (flashback, in Pearl's Dimension)
  +
* Earth's Moon (flashback)
 
** [[Moon Base]] (flashback)
  +
* [[Jungle Moon (location)|Jungle Moon]] (flashback)
  +
** [[Jungle Moon Base]] (flashback)
   
 
=== Objects ===
 
=== Objects ===
Line 55: Line 73:
 
* [[Rose's Sword]]
 
* [[Rose's Sword]]
 
* [[Rose's Scabbard]]
 
* [[Rose's Scabbard]]
  +
* [[Diamond Palanquins]]
* [[The Great Diamond Authority/Transportation#Pink Diamond's Palanquin|Pink Diamond's Palanquin]]
+
** [[Diamond Palanquins#Pink Diamond's Palanquin|Pink Diamond's Palanquin]]
   
 
=== Music ===
 
=== Music ===
 
==== Instrumental Songs ====
 
==== Instrumental Songs ====
  +
* "[[No One Can Know|No One Can Know/Pink Diamond]]"
TBA
 
   
 
== Trivia ==
 
== Trivia ==
* This episode reveals that Rose and Pink Diamond are the same person, and thus Pink Diamond is Steven's mother and Pearl's role in Homeworld as Pink Diamond's Pearl is confirmed.
+
* This episode reveals that Steven has technically always had Pink Diamond's gem. Therefore, by Homeworld's established laws, he rules the Earth, the Moon Base, and Pink Diamond's Zoo. It also means that he owns Pearl, is Jasper's superior, and has his personal court. 
  +
** Though in continuity, Pink Diamond as Rose Quartz has had already "freed" Pearl of her Diamond-level servile duties when they executed Pink's death ruse.
* After this episode, Steven is now a Diamond. Therefore, in Homeworld's term, he literally owns the Earth and the Moon Base.
 
* The reason Pearl never speak about the Diamonds and tries her best to shut her mouth about Pink Diamond is revealed to be the final command of Pink to her to make the fake shattering of Pink is always a secret.
+
* The reason why Pearl never spoke about the Diamonds and is forced to cover her mouth every time she attempts to do so is revealed to be due to Pink Diamond's final order to never speak of her faking her death.
  +
** Crewniverse member [[Joe Johnston]] confirmed that this is part of a Pearl's functionality – they cannot disobey a clear order from their owner.<ref>[http://joethejohnston.tumblr.com/post/173772462443/sir-but-how-do-we-know-everything-pearl-did-for Joe Johnston's Tumblr]
* Garnet once stated that Rose shattered Pink so Pearl can be free. However, since the shattering of Pink Diamond is a ruse a whole time, it can be indicated that Pearl was never free from her servitude role as she had been executing Pink's final order for centuries as well as fighting along side her for a whole rebellion.
 
  +
<br />"Q: ''Sir, but how do we know everything Pearl did for Rose wasn't just that Pearl-caste-programming kicking in because in truth, Pearl knew Rose was infact her Diamond. Sure Pearl had feelings for her, but how do we know whether or not the servant mentality still didnt play a role in Pearl's allegiance with Rose.''
* Clips of "[[The Trial]]" and "[[Jungle Moon]]" are shown in Steven's flashback.
 
  +
<br />
  +
A: ''I’ll put it this way, if Pink Diamond we’re to say “Pearl, I ORDER you to do such and such…” because she’s her Pearl, she would have to do it. Of course her servant mentality played a role in her allegiance to Rose, how could it not. BUT, that relationship clearly grew and changed as naturally as any relationship will, and it wasn’t due to Pink Diamonds powers or influence...''"</ref>
  +
** Specifically, Pearl could not disobey Pink Diamond's orders because Pearl ''was made for Pink Diamond''.<ref>[http://joethejohnston.tumblr.com/post/173775789328/so-we-know-that-rose-is-able-to-order-pearl-around Joe Johnston's Tumblr]
  +
<br />"Q: ''So we know that Rose is able to order Pearl around if Rose so chooses to (and that Pearl only has to obey her IF Rose orders her to). I just want to know if Pearl is the only one Rose is capable of ordering around in that way (forcing someone to do something). Is it part of her being a Diamond, or does it only apply to Pearl?''
  +
<br />
  +
A: ''It only applies to Pearl.
  +
  +
BECAUSE our Pearl was made for Pink Diamond, she must follow her orders.
  +
  +
Rose did not have this power or control over anyone else, and its ONLY because Pearl was made for her that Pink/Rose had this power over her.
  +
  +
Pink is a Diamond, she could order around lots of gems, but they follow because of hierarchy, not because the Diamonds are mind controlling them.
  +
  +
Is this making sense? I’m try to clear this up for everybody, but people still seem confused.''"</ref>
  +
* This episode marks the first time we hear Pink Diamond speak, excluding [[Stevonnie|Stevonnie's]] dream in "[[Jungle Moon (episode)|Jungle Moon]]" in which Stevonnie plays her role. It's also the first episode in which we clearly see her entire body.
  +
* This is the first time Pearl has been shown to shapeshift.
  +
* This is the first time a Diamond's physical form is broken on-screen.
  +
* It is revealed that there are multiple Pearls (persona-like entities) inside Pearl's gem; each Pearl represents her specific memories and thought.
  +
**While the first Pearl tries to file Steven in alphabetical order, some items around also appear alphabetically, which include:
  +
***Candelabra, cannon, candy, card (ace of clubs), carp, carafe, cassette, cauldron, cellophane, cleaver, clock, comb, compass, controller, cream, crepe, and Cheeto; the place for "cellular phone" is vacant (which was supposed to appear between "cellophane" and "cleaver").
  +
***Scissors, screwdriver, [[Minor Objects/Miscellaneous#Sea Pals|Sea Pals]], seashell, shotgun, [[Gem Sloop|sloop]], stapler, stethoscope, sticker, sugar, suitcase, sunscreen, tinfoil, tissue paper, and TV set; Pearl initially attempts to place Steven between "stethoscope" and "sticker".
  +
***A potted plant, photos, phone books (yellow pages and private), multiple phone numbers, and a portable telephone.
  +
** Some of the telephone numbers have area code 240, and others have area code 301. In the real world, these two area codes are overlaid in western Maryland.
  +
*It is revealed that [[Zircon (Defense)|Zircon's]] accusation against [[The Great Diamond Authority|the Diamonds]] is not completely inaccurate since Pink Diamond's shattering was indeed ordered and covered up by "someone of supreme authority," Pink Diamond herself.
  +
*A packet of sugar with the brand "Rea Sugar" can be seen alongside the large variety of items stored within Pearl's gem, which is most likely a reference to [[Rebecca Sugar]].
  +
*[[Zach Callison]], the voice actor for Steven, revealed at the Swedish convention Närcon that Rose being Pink Diamond was planned from the start of the series and that he recorded his lines for this episode a year before it aired.
   
 
=== Cultural References ===
 
=== Cultural References ===
  +
* The numbers 555<ref>[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FiveFiveFive]</ref> which can be seen in all of the cellphone numbers stored within Pearl's gem is a common trope used in fictional media whenever a phone number is presented. This prefix, which is not generally used for real phone numbers, appears in order to avoid prank calls to real-life people.
* TBA
 
  +
* Steven's descent through nested levels of another person's mind, culminating in a highly emotional moment, mirrors the plot of the movie ''[[Wikipedia:Inception|Inception]]''.
  +
* [04:37] The white controller on the left bottom resembles the Xbox 360 controller.
  +
* During the aforementioned scene showcasing Pearl's cellphone numbers, one of the notes also includes an email address consisting of a scribble and "@gmail". The latter is the domain address for Gmail, Google's email service.
   
 
=== Continuity ===
 
=== Continuity ===
  +
* Flashbacks from "[[Back to the Moon]]", "[[The Trial]]", "[[Jungle Moon (episode)|Jungle Moon]]", and "[[Your Mother and Mine]]" are shown.
TBA
 
  +
* This episode takes place right after "[[Can't Go Back]]".
  +
* Pearl covering her mouth when details surrounding Pink Diamond's shattering are brought up was first shown in "[[Back to the Moon]]".
  +
** However, the first time this was shown as an unpreventable physical reaction was in "[[Gemcation]]".
  +
*Some items that appeared previously can be found in Pearl's gemstone.
  +
** Mystery Girl's number is seen again in the episode, next to a handful of other cellphone numbers that Pearl had previously acquired.
  +
**"Pearl Points", which appeared in "[[Steven vs. Amethyst]]", can be found in the "S" category (as "sticker").
  +
**Sea Pals (from "[[Love Letters]]") and [[Gem Sloop]] (from "[[Cat Fingers]]") are also present.
  +
* Pearl's phone makes its second appearance.
  +
** Its first appearance was in "[[Letters to Lars]]".
  +
** Amethyst says Pearl has had her phone for a month.
  +
*** This implies that "Letters to Lars" takes place around a month before the events of this episode, assuming that Pearl first got the phone around the time of the episode.
  +
* Pearl's aversion to shapeshifting is revealed to stem from her role as Rose Quartz in the staged shattering of Pink Diamond and the trauma from the loss of nearly all of her comrades in the [[Corrupting Light|ensuing retaliation]].
   
 
== Errors ==
 
== Errors ==
 
* The exact shape of Pink Diamond's gem cannot be directly translated into a 3-dimensional object, because it is impossible to transition from a straight edge to a curved edge in a facet of a series. The circular shape of Rose's gem could be explained by the separation ring we can see in some pictures of this episode, for example in the shot of Rose-Pearl's hand after she poofed her Diamond when Steven came back to the real world (the same kind of separation ring we can see through Amethyst's gem, which is featured in "Reformed" when Amethyst is poofed and both sides of her gem are revealed). However, this ring mysteriously disappears from Pink's gem when she turns back to her real self.
* Pink Diamond's gem turning to look like that of a Rose Quartz gem doesn't make sense. If Pink Diamond's gem were to turn because of it's angular design, it would be hexagonal, not circular.
 
  +
* Just before Rose/Pink flips her gemstone, the pentagonal facet can be seen pointing down instead of up like usual.
** The circular shape of Rose's gem could be explained by the separation ring we can see in some pictures of this episode, for example in the cameo of Rose-Pearl's hand after poofed her Diamond when Steven came back to the real world (the same kind of separation ring we can see through Amethyst's gem, which is featured in "Reformed" when Amethyst is poofed and both sides of her gem is reaveled). However, this rings never showed up again since the pilot (where it was golden on Steven's body and not pink), and mysteriously disapear from Pink's gem when she turn back to her real self.
 
  +
* When Garnet and Amethyst are seen comforting Pearl after what appears to be Rose's death, Amethyst's bare arm is seen. Judging from "[[Three Gems and a Baby]]" and [[We Are the Crystal Gems (short)|We Are the Crystal Gems]], Amethyst did not wear her off-shoulder mauve tank top until sometime when Steven was in his adolescence, instead wearing an off-shoulder mauve sweater.
  +
** Also in the same shot, Garnet's shoulder pads appears to be oval-shaped like her current regeneration instead of cube-shaped.
  +
* When Amethyst screams "What?" at the end of the episode, her tank top is rounded at the bottom instead of ripped.
   
 
{{Transcript}}
 
{{Transcript}}
 
{{Gallery}}
 
{{Gallery}}
  +
  +
== Video ==
  +
<gallery>
  +
Steven Universe Pearl Finally Shares the Truth Cartoon Network
  +
</gallery>
  +
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Episodenav}}
 
{{Episodenav}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Single Pale Rose, A}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Single Pale Rose, A}}
  +
[[es:Una Sola Rosa Pálida]]
  +
[[it:Una Rosa senza spine]]
  +
[[pl:A Single Pale Rose]]
  +
[[pt:Uma Única Rosa Pálida]]
 
[[pt-br:Uma Única Rosa Pálida]]
 
[[pt-br:Uma Única Rosa Pálida]]
  +
[[ru:A Single Pale Rose]]
  +
[[tr:Tek Bir Solgun Gül]]
 
[[Category:Season 5]]
 
[[Category:Season 5]]

Revision as of 00:14, 25 May 2020

I wanted to tell you for so long.

Pearl


"A Single Pale Rose" is the 18th episode of the fifth season of Steven Universe and the 146th episode overall.

Official Synopsis

Steven helps Pearl find her phone.[2]

Plot

Pearl tries to pull her hand from her mouth.

Upon returning to Earth, Steven anxiously waits to ask Pearl about Pink Diamond while she and Amethyst try out her cellphone. Amethyst leaves to get Pearl a phone case and Steven uses the time to directly ask whether Pearl shattered Pink Diamond herself, instead of Rose Quartz. Pearl immediately covers her mouth and doesn't answer, seemingly shocked. Amethyst returns and she swiftly changes the subject, leaving Steven hurt.

The camera zooms into Pearl's sparkling gem.

After getting something to eat, Steven suddenly gets a text from Pearl. In it, she apologizes and says she can't tell him. Steven returns home and confronts her about it, to which Pearl responds she hasn't used her phone since that morning. Trying to retrieve her phone from inside her gemstone fails; eventually, Pearl tells Steven to go inside and get it himself, asking he "let me know when you find what you're looking for". With that, Steven is sent inside Pearl's gemstone.

He finds himself in a cleanly compartmentalized area featuring another Pearl who organizes all of Pearl's possessions. Steven asks the whereabouts of the phone; after a search by Pearl fails to find it, she guesses that it may be with the "other Pearls", but advises him not to go to where they are because "it's a mess". Nevertheless, Steven insists, and Pearl takes him inside her gemstone yet again. The cycle continues several times as Steven is taken further into Pearl's gemstone, passing through her memories including Rose's pregnancy and the aftermath of the Gem War. Eventually, he reaches the moment where Rose Quartz has just shattered Pink Diamond. He steps closer, and she raises her head and opens her eyes, which resemble Pearl's. 

Pearl, as Rose, shines her gem on a confused Steven as she shows him Pink Diamond's gemstone.

"Rose" turns towards a scream, revealing her pearl gem.  Steven realizes it's Pearl disguised as Rose. Steven sadly takes this as confirmation that Pearl was the one who shattered Pink Diamond until Pearl holds her hand out, revealing Pink Diamond's gemstone. Steven is confused before being taken into her gemstone once more. Inside Pink Diamond's palanquin, Steven overhears a conversation between Rose and Pearl behind the throne. While Pearl is at first hesitant to do her assigned task, Rose is adamant, assuring her that this is the only way to end the war, their lives will be better and they'll be free afterward, saying that if this is really her world then she wants to give it to the Crystal Gems. Pearl agrees to Rose's plan but says she can't believe she is going to do it. Rose reassures, saying that "I can't exactly shatter myself". The two hug and Rose begins to shapeshift, her gem rotating and revealing itself to be a diamond. Rose Quartz reveals herself to be Pink Diamond, much to Steven's shock.

A gif of Rose's form glowing as her gem rotates and she transforms, as a surprised Steven looks on.

Rose reverts to her true form as Pink Diamond

Once out in the open, Pink shows Pearl a handful of dirt with the head of a single pink hibiscus and gives her the latter. She then changes the dirt into fake diamond shards and swallows them. Before Pink leaves, she gives one last order as a Diamond to her Pearl: never speak of these events again. Pearl then turns to Steven, who has been watching speechlessly the whole time and offers her cellphone with an apology. Steven wordlessly takes the phone as Pearl shapeshifts into "Rose" to stage the fake "shattering". Once Steven texts Pearl that he found her phone, she pulls him out of her gemstone.

Back outside, Pearl says she wanted to tell Steven for a very long time. Somberly, he takes in the fact that his mother was Pink Diamond. Behind him, Amethyst and Garnet, who have just walked in, react with shock; Amethyst says, "Whhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!"

Features

Characters

Locations

Objects

Music

Instrumental Songs

Trivia

  • This episode reveals that Steven has technically always had Pink Diamond's gem. Therefore, by Homeworld's established laws, he rules the Earth, the Moon Base, and Pink Diamond's Zoo. It also means that he owns Pearl, is Jasper's superior, and has his personal court. 
    • Though in continuity, Pink Diamond as Rose Quartz has had already "freed" Pearl of her Diamond-level servile duties when they executed Pink's death ruse.
  • The reason why Pearl never spoke about the Diamonds and is forced to cover her mouth every time she attempts to do so is revealed to be due to Pink Diamond's final order to never speak of her faking her death.
    • Crewniverse member Joe Johnston confirmed that this is part of a Pearl's functionality – they cannot disobey a clear order from their owner.[3]
    • Specifically, Pearl could not disobey Pink Diamond's orders because Pearl was made for Pink Diamond.[4]
  • This episode marks the first time we hear Pink Diamond speak, excluding Stevonnie's dream in "Jungle Moon" in which Stevonnie plays her role. It's also the first episode in which we clearly see her entire body.
  • This is the first time Pearl has been shown to shapeshift.
  • This is the first time a Diamond's physical form is broken on-screen.
  • It is revealed that there are multiple Pearls (persona-like entities) inside Pearl's gem; each Pearl represents her specific memories and thought.
    • While the first Pearl tries to file Steven in alphabetical order, some items around also appear alphabetically, which include:
      • Candelabra, cannon, candy, card (ace of clubs), carp, carafe, cassette, cauldron, cellophane, cleaver, clock, comb, compass, controller, cream, crepe, and Cheeto; the place for "cellular phone" is vacant (which was supposed to appear between "cellophane" and "cleaver").
      • Scissors, screwdriver, Sea Pals, seashell, shotgun, sloop, stapler, stethoscope, sticker, sugar, suitcase, sunscreen, tinfoil, tissue paper, and TV set; Pearl initially attempts to place Steven between "stethoscope" and "sticker".
      • A potted plant, photos, phone books (yellow pages and private), multiple phone numbers, and a portable telephone.
    • Some of the telephone numbers have area code 240, and others have area code 301. In the real world, these two area codes are overlaid in western Maryland.
  • It is revealed that Zircon's accusation against the Diamonds is not completely inaccurate since Pink Diamond's shattering was indeed ordered and covered up by "someone of supreme authority," Pink Diamond herself.
  • A packet of sugar with the brand "Rea Sugar" can be seen alongside the large variety of items stored within Pearl's gem, which is most likely a reference to Rebecca Sugar.
  • Zach Callison, the voice actor for Steven, revealed at the Swedish convention Närcon that Rose being Pink Diamond was planned from the start of the series and that he recorded his lines for this episode a year before it aired.

Cultural References

  • The numbers 555[5] which can be seen in all of the cellphone numbers stored within Pearl's gem is a common trope used in fictional media whenever a phone number is presented. This prefix, which is not generally used for real phone numbers, appears in order to avoid prank calls to real-life people.
  • Steven's descent through nested levels of another person's mind, culminating in a highly emotional moment, mirrors the plot of the movie Inception.
  • [04:37] The white controller on the left bottom resembles the Xbox 360 controller.
  • During the aforementioned scene showcasing Pearl's cellphone numbers, one of the notes also includes an email address consisting of a scribble and "@gmail". The latter is the domain address for Gmail, Google's email service.

Continuity

  • Flashbacks from "Back to the Moon", "The Trial", "Jungle Moon", and "Your Mother and Mine" are shown.
  • This episode takes place right after "Can't Go Back".
  • Pearl covering her mouth when details surrounding Pink Diamond's shattering are brought up was first shown in "Back to the Moon".
    • However, the first time this was shown as an unpreventable physical reaction was in "Gemcation".
  • Some items that appeared previously can be found in Pearl's gemstone.
    • Mystery Girl's number is seen again in the episode, next to a handful of other cellphone numbers that Pearl had previously acquired.
    • "Pearl Points", which appeared in "Steven vs. Amethyst", can be found in the "S" category (as "sticker").
    • Sea Pals (from "Love Letters") and Gem Sloop (from "Cat Fingers") are also present.
  • Pearl's phone makes its second appearance.
    • Its first appearance was in "Letters to Lars".
    • Amethyst says Pearl has had her phone for a month.
      • This implies that "Letters to Lars" takes place around a month before the events of this episode, assuming that Pearl first got the phone around the time of the episode.
  • Pearl's aversion to shapeshifting is revealed to stem from her role as Rose Quartz in the staged shattering of Pink Diamond and the trauma from the loss of nearly all of her comrades in the ensuing retaliation.

Errors

  • The exact shape of Pink Diamond's gem cannot be directly translated into a 3-dimensional object, because it is impossible to transition from a straight edge to a curved edge in a facet of a series. The circular shape of Rose's gem could be explained by the separation ring we can see in some pictures of this episode, for example in the shot of Rose-Pearl's hand after she poofed her Diamond when Steven came back to the real world (the same kind of separation ring we can see through Amethyst's gem, which is featured in "Reformed" when Amethyst is poofed and both sides of her gem are revealed). However, this ring mysteriously disappears from Pink's gem when she turns back to her real self.
  • Just before Rose/Pink flips her gemstone, the pentagonal facet can be seen pointing down instead of up like usual.
  • When Garnet and Amethyst are seen comforting Pearl after what appears to be Rose's death, Amethyst's bare arm is seen. Judging from "Three Gems and a Baby" and We Are the Crystal Gems, Amethyst did not wear her off-shoulder mauve tank top until sometime when Steven was in his adolescence, instead wearing an off-shoulder mauve sweater.
    • Also in the same shot, Garnet's shoulder pads appears to be oval-shaped like her current regeneration instead of cube-shaped.
  • When Amethyst screams "What?" at the end of the episode, her tank top is rounded at the bottom instead of ripped.

Transcript

View the episode's transcript here.

Gallery

New Gallery

Click to view the gallery for A Single Pale Rose.

Video

References

  1. http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-monday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-7-2018.html
  2. "A Single Pale Rose" on CartoonNetwork.com
  3. Joe Johnston's Tumblr
    "Q: Sir, but how do we know everything Pearl did for Rose wasn't just that Pearl-caste-programming kicking in because in truth, Pearl knew Rose was infact her Diamond. Sure Pearl had feelings for her, but how do we know whether or not the servant mentality still didnt play a role in Pearl's allegiance with Rose.
    A: I’ll put it this way, if Pink Diamond we’re to say “Pearl, I ORDER you to do such and such…” because she’s her Pearl, she would have to do it. Of course her servant mentality played a role in her allegiance to Rose, how could it not. BUT, that relationship clearly grew and changed as naturally as any relationship will, and it wasn’t due to Pink Diamonds powers or influence..."
  4. Joe Johnston's Tumblr
    "Q: So we know that Rose is able to order Pearl around if Rose so chooses to (and that Pearl only has to obey her IF Rose orders her to). I just want to know if Pearl is the only one Rose is capable of ordering around in that way (forcing someone to do something). Is it part of her being a Diamond, or does it only apply to Pearl?
    A: It only applies to Pearl. BECAUSE our Pearl was made for Pink Diamond, she must follow her orders. Rose did not have this power or control over anyone else, and its ONLY because Pearl was made for her that Pink/Rose had this power over her. Pink is a Diamond, she could order around lots of gems, but they follow because of hierarchy, not because the Diamonds are mind controlling them. Is this making sense? I’m try to clear this up for everybody, but people still seem confused."
  5. [1]
ve Episode List
Pilot Pilot
Season 1 A: Gem GlowLaser Light CannonCheeseburger BackpackTogether BreakfastFryboCat FingersBubble BuddiesSerious StevenTiger MillionaireSteven's LionArcade ManiaGiant WomanSo Many BirthdaysLars and the Cool KidsOnion TradeSteven the Sword FighterLion 2: The MovieBeach PartyRose's RoomCoach StevenJoking VictimSteven and the StevensMonster BuddiesAn Indirect KissMirror Gem/Ocean Gem

B: House GuestSpace RaceSecret TeamIsland AdventureKeep Beach City WeirdFusion CuisineGarnet's UniverseWatermelon StevenLion 3: Straight to VideoWarp TourAlone TogetherThe TestFuture VisionOn the RunHorror ClubWinter ForecastMaximum CapacityMarble MadnessRose's ScabbardOpen BookShirt ClubStory for StevenThe MessagePolitical PowerThe Return/Jail Break

Season 2 Full DisclosureJoy RideSay UncleLove LettersReformedSworn to the SwordRising Tides, Crashing SkiesKeeping It TogetherWe Need to TalkChille TidCry for HelpKeystone MotelOnion FriendHistorical FrictionFriend ShipNightmare HospitalSadie's SongCatch and ReleaseWhen It RainsBack to the BarnToo FarThe AnswerSteven's BirthdayIt Could've Been Great/Message ReceivedLog Date 7 15 2
Season 3 Super Watermelon Island/Gem DrillSame Old WorldBarn MatesHit the DiamondSteven FloatsDrop Beat DadMr. GregToo Short to RideThe New LarsBeach City DriftRestaurant WarsKiki's Pizza Delivery ServiceMonster ReunionAlone at SeaGreg the BabysitterGem HuntCrack the WhipSteven vs. AmethystBismuthBetaEarthlingsBack to the MoonBubbled
Season 4 Kindergarten KidKnow Your FusionBuddy's BookMindful EducationFuture Boy ZoltronLast One Out of Beach CityOnion GangGem HarvestThree Gems and a BabySteven's DreamAdventures in Light DistortionGem HeistThe ZooThat Will Be AllThe New Crystal GemsStorm in the RoomRocknaldoTiger PhilanthropistRoom for RubyLion 4: Alternate EndingDoug OutThe Good LarsAre You My Dad?I Am My Mom
Season 5 Stuck TogetherThe TrialOff ColorsLars' HeadDewey WinsGemcationRaising the BarnBack to the KindergartenSadie KillerKevin PartyLars of the StarsJungle MoonYour Mother and MineThe Big ShowPool HoppingLetters to LarsCan't Go BackA Single Pale RoseNow We're Only Falling ApartWhat's Your Problem?The QuestionMade of HonorReunitedLegs From Here to HomeworldFamiliarTogether AloneEscapismChange Your Mind
Film Steven Universe: The Movie
Steven Universe Future Little HomeschoolGuidanceRose BudsVolleyballBluebirdA Very Special EpisodeSnow DayWhy So Blue?Little GraduationPrickly PairIn DreamsBismuth CasualTogether ForeverGrowing PainsMr. UniverseFragmentsHomeworld BoundEverything's FineI Am My MonsterThe Future
Shorts Lion Loves to Fit in a BoxThe Classroom Gems: What Are Gems?We Are the Crystal GemsThe Classroom Gems: How Are Gems Made?UnboxingThe Classroom Gems: FusionCooking with LionGem KaraokeSteven ReactsVideo ChatSteven's Song Time