If you’re a fan of the animated series Steven Universe, then you are probably familiar with the character Peridot. This green gem is one of the most interesting characters in the show and she has quickly become a fan favorite. In this interview-style post, we will be exploring everything there is to know about Peridot, including her backstory, personality traits, and what makes her such an important figure in Steven Universe.
Q: To start things off, could you give us a brief overview of who Peridot is?
A: Sure thing! Peridot is a character from the popular animated series Steven Universe. She’s a green gem with a small build and spiky hair that sticks up in all directions. When we first meet her in season 1 of the show, she’s initially portrayed as an antagonist working for Homeworld (a group of alien gems) trying to capture the Crystal Gems (the main protagonists). However, over time she becomes more developed as a character and switches sides to join forces with Steven and his friends.
Q: What can you tell us about Peridot’s backstory? How did she end up on Earth?
A: Well without giving away too many spoilers for those who haven’t watched every episode yet – it’s revealed later on in the show that Peridot was originally sent to Earth along with two other gems (Jasper and Lapis Lazuli) on a mission by Homeworld. Their objective was to find and retrieve some sort of “weapon” that had been created by Rose Quartz (Steven’s mother). However, once they arrive on Earth they encounter resistance from both Rose Quartz’s followers (the Crystal Gems) as well as various creatures native to our planet. Eventually Jasper gets corrupted during battle causing confusion among them which allows for Lapis Lazuli to fly away while taking Jasper away leaving behind only Peridot stranded on earth where she starts learning more about humans through interaction with Steven.
Q: How would you describe Peridot’s personality? What makes her so unique?
A: Peridot is definitely one of the more complex characters in Steven Universe. When we first meet her, she comes across as cold, calculating and logical with little regard for anything besides her mission objectives. However, as the show progresses she starts to open up and reveal different sides of herself that make her a really interesting character.
One of the most notable things about Peridot is her intelligence – she’s incredibly smart and has a talent for analyzing situations quickly. She can also be very sarcastic at times which can come off as callous or rude but it’s usually just because she hasn’t fully grasped how human emotions work yet.
Another thing that sets Peridot apart from other characters is how much she changes over time. We see her start out as an antagonist who views humans as inferior beings but eventually grows to appreciate them and even become friends with them. It’s rare to see such a drastic transformation in any character, let alone an animated one.
Q: Are there any specific moments or episodes that you think really showcase Peridot’s development throughout the series?
A: Absolutely! There are actually quite a few standout moments for me when it comes to Peridot’s growth throughout Steven Universe.
One episode that immediately comes to mind is called “Too Far” (Season 2 Episode 5). In this episode, we see Peridot working on a project with another gem named Amethyst. They have differing opinions on how things should be done which leads to conflict between them. During their argument though we begin seeing some vulnerability from peridots side where she opens up about feeling like shes not good enough since failing Homeworld by getting stranded on earth without fulfilling its objective.The conversation ends up causing both gems to learn something from each other and strengthen their friendship.
Another episode I’d recommend watching if you’re interested in seeing more of Peridot’s development is “Log Date 7 15 2” (Season 2 Episode 29). This one takes place after Peridot has officially switched sides and joined the Crystal Gems. It’s basically a diary entry in which she reflects on her experiences thus far – everything from her first encounter with Steven to learning about Earth culture. It’s an interesting peek into her thought process and really highlights how much she has changed since the beginning of the series.
Q: How does Peridot fit into the larger narrative of Steven Universe?
A: I think in a lot of ways, Peridot serves as sort of a bridge between two worlds – the world of Homeworld gems and the world of humans/Crystal Gems. Because she was sent to Earth originally by Homeworld, she has a unique perspective on their society that none of the other characters have.
At the same time, because she spends so much time with Steven and his friends, she starts to see things from their point of view too. I think this makes her an important character when it comes to exploring themes like empathy and understanding different perspectives.
Additionally, given that all gems are portrayed as genderless throughout most of Steven Universe (with some exceptions) but still having feminine features such as voice acting or clothing choices can be interpreted for representation purposes regarding non-binary or gender fluid individuals who feel they are in-between genders.
Q: Lastly, do you have any favorite moments or quotes from Peridot that you’d like to share?
A: Oh man, there are so many! One quote that always sticks out to me is from “Catch And Release” episode where peridot says “I’m not going anywhere…you’re gonna take care of me forever.” That line just shows how much trust peridot had developed towards steven despite being enemies before.
Another scene that stands out for me is when Pearl tries teaching fusion dancing with Garnet but Peridot insists on sitting it out. Pearl is offended and accuses Peridot of not being able to appreciate the beauty of fusion, but Peridot fires back: “What’s the point? You’re just going to change into something else when you feel like it.” That line always makes me chuckle because she’s kind of right – fusion can be confusing since two different gems merge together to create a new entity.
Overall, I think what makes Peridot such a great character is how much she grows and changes throughout Steven Universe. She starts off as an antagonist with little regard for anyone besides herself but ends up becoming one of the most interesting and endearing characters in the show. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking out some episodes that focus on her story arc!