People in the Jasper fandom (which includes me, she is a massive candidate for my favourite - it goes Pearl; Peridot; Jasper; Steven) seem to be getting their knickers in a right twist over this ep because she didn’t come back as a paragon of shining redemption.
Now, as much as I wish she would, and it hurts me to think she might never be a CG/redeemed etc. this episode was so necessary.
This wasn’t about Jasper - this was an episode about consent.
Consent is a big important theme in Steven Universe and Sugar herself mentioned how important it is to teach this to children.
Both Lapis and Jasper are described as abusive, and Lapis first brought that up in Same Old World (I believe). Lapis was the one holding Jasper in an abusive relationship, not the other way around. She effectively brainwashed fusion into Jasper - who previously hated the thought - who is now begging her to be fused again.
How many times in a toxic relationship have the words ‘I’ve changed’ been brought up. These are red alert words that often show abuse in a relationship.
However, it’s also showing Jasper to be just as much of a victim. She is begging Lapis to take her back because she feels worthless without her.
This episode taught us that sometimes relationships go sour on both sides. But it’s important to vocalise your feelings when someone tries to force your way of thinking.
If it took Jasper getting punched into the ocean to get across this VERY IMPORTANT message to children and even older people, then I am willing to sacrifice her hopeful redemption for a few more episodes.
Steven Universe was created and exists for many reasons - to showcase relationships and consent is one of them. Unfortunately, our glorious buff princess is a victim of a two-way abusive one, and we gotta be respecftul of the Crew’s decisions.
This was not a Jasper episode, this was Lapis learning about the confusion of being in a relationship with someone who isn’t matched to you, and passing on the very valid message of consent.
Whilst I’m unimpressed with the fact that Steven keeps siding with Lapis so much, despite her objections, he’s not perfect and is still so young. He’s had no positive experiences with Jasper but in the past has defended her. He doesn’t hate her and has more than enough room in his heart.
Stay strong, Jasper fans. She was only punched into the ocean, not shattered. Calm your orange and red panties. Also we heard her laugh, just sayin’
no no no no no, Lapis was absolutely not abusing Japer. Lapis didnt brainwash jasper into wanting to fuse, remember she had to want to fuse in the first place before that. Jasper made lapis fuse with her to make herself more powerful and lapis used that to imprison her to PROTECT EVRYONE ELSE. Lapis did the only thing she could have done to help in that situation and Jasper begging Lapis to fuse again DOES NOT mean lapic was abusing her. abusers beg to come back ALL THE TIME but it doesnt mean theyre being abused into thinking their worthless without their abusee. Lapis sisnt show a single sign of abusiveness towards jasper, she didnt want to be in that relationship with her, she had to to protect steven. she didnt fuse with jasper out of selfishness for herself like jasper wants to fuse to make herself stronger.
Smh Lapis literally owns up to being abusive and problematic and people still can’t see it. Jasper initially asked Lapis to fuse, yes, but did not force her. Jasper would have only used Malachite to hurt the CGs and would most likely unfuse: fusion is seen as a last resort weapon to her. She didn’t even know it could have been a relationship thing until later on as Malachite. Lapis kept Jasper in Malachite not the other way around and Lapis constantly talks about this. it’s not until Malachite fights Alexandrite that Jasper sees another purpose to fusion. Lapis was abusing Jasper, Jasper was abusing Lapis. Also can we drop the whole ‘Lapis was protecting the world from Jasper’ because literally if Jasper was left to roam Earth and somehow ended up at the Temple I think a swift Opal, Sugilite, Sardonyx or Alexandrite would have taken her out easily. Not to mention Alexandrite destroyed Malachite, what literal threat was Jasper?
Lapis was keeping Jasper for her own reasons. Lapis is far stronger than Jasper. Toxic relationships aren’t always Abuser v Abused. I would know. It can be a mix of two damaged people. Aka Jasper and Lapis. The world is not binary, it’s not black and white. There are depths beyond that.
Lapis even admitted that one reason she stayed fused so long was because holding jasper like that was a way for her to lash out with pent up anger and hate. To give her an outlet to release her hatred.
i like how the proper reveal of the pokemon go team leaders has turned everybody into those weird npc gym trainers who basically do nothing but talk about how great their leader is and fight anybody who disagrees
okay but like Jasper’s growing hatred towards Steven specifically seems to be a Thing and IMMMMMMM A LITTLE WORRIED-
Me too man, I don’t like Jasper that much but I would want to see all of the Homeworld Gem Trio to be redeemed and become Crystal Gems! But seeing how the Crewuniverse is building Jasper and Steven’s relationship I am a little worried too…
honestly I’m hoping for redemption because then this building tension specifically between Jasper and Steven would could have some WICKED interesting results!
I feel like it is important, too, because since Jasper’s introduction there’s been emphasis on her and Steven’s interaction (most noticeably that Steven has never had a chance to talk to Jasper directly, only ever reacting to her while she was interacting with/being influenced by other gems). I really think the moment in Chille Tid when Jasper sees him and does little more than hatefully repeat “it’s YOU” over and over in her wrecked state was MAJOR foreshadow.
Because I mean honestly, why wouldn’t Jasper grow to earnestly hate Steven at this point? He helped ruin their mission, was the reason Lapis chose to imprison them in the ocean (along w/ Lapis wanting revenge), and now she chooses to see him as the reason Lapis denies fusing with her again. Not to mention she basically thinks he’s a weird, little Rose Quartz, leader of the rebellion, whom Jasper fought herself.
I’m really REALLY excited for Jasper and Steven to end up in a situation where they’re more or less alone together and get to interact directly… I feel like only the most interesting things can happen…!
I am hoping that Jasper calms down and seeks out the Crystal Gems to get their help and learn about Fusion. And then at whatever the next climax is, she and Lapis fuse into a more stable malachite. Probably whenever they’re fighting the rubies
