First off, spoilers for the Steven Universe episodes The Return and Jailbreak.

I’m sure a lot of us were surprised to find that Garnet is a fusion. It makes total sense in hindsight, but the writers were able to keep it secret from us due to making her look nothing like what we were told a fusion looks like.

Non-fused Gems are humanoid, but the various fusions of the Crystal Gems all have multiple limbs.

But not all fusions look like that, right?

I had assumed that Stevonnie’s less freaky-looking fusion was due to the fact that half of the fusion was human. Maybe multiple limbs only occurs through Gem-Gem fusions? The concept of a Human-Gem fusion was hyped up as something that’s never happened before: Of course Stevonnie would be an exception to the rule.

But then there’s Garnet.

What’s notable about Ruby and Sapphire’s relationship? What’s the one thing that was emphasized in the short time the episode had to introduce the two characters?

Their love for each other.

Knowing that, what’s the significance of this simple scene that was originally played for laughs?

Garnet was the only one of the three who understood: Steven and Connie are perfect for each other. Not only that, they’re more of a perfect match than Ruby and Sapphire.

Remember: Garnet has three eyes. I believe this is a character trait that’s meant to show us that, like most relationships, Ruby’s and Sapphire’s isn’t perfect, but like any good couple they work through it because they’re worth it. Still, the fact that they’re 99% in sync with one another is nothing to scoff at.

tl;dr, A fusion’s shape indicates the health of the relationships of the Gems involved— the more humanoid, the more in sync they are with each other.

“Yikes. They are really bad for each other.”