The Diamonds were less of "I think you can change" more of a -- look, we really need y'all to stop being dictators and see the error of your ways for the better of your people. Steven still feels very much uncomfortable around the Diamonds. He feels as much in Future. In fact, he straight up has impulsive thoughts that we see when he possesses White Diamond where he wants to straight up kill her because of all the shit she's done to him. And still, he lacks any real way for the Diamonds to be punished for their actions that don't involve their direct consent because of their sheer
power. It's not the best outcome and it was rushed as all hell, but I'm tired of people saying that Steven's always a softie when he really is not.
The people he thought could be redeemed were because they all showed that they weren't all bad. Lapis was justifiably pissed because she was trapped inside a mirror for god knows how long. Peridot had information that the Gems needed in order to stop the goddamn world from blowing up, and her redemption came after Steven witnessed her signs of growth and connection to the Earth. And Spinel? She
deserved better. Steven wants to make up for what his mom did to her because she didn't deserve what caused her to lash out in the first place. Why wouldn't you try and redeem someone who you were shown at their natural instincts is kind and just wants to be a friend? And Jasper? Steven is just frustrated with her.
Because he sees what she could be, but she just straight up refuses to be anything better because of spite. Notice how this man isn't singing kumbaya with her at this moment. He's trying to reason with her, and angrily so.
And Steven was just mentally unstable in general in Future. The guy was suffering from panic attacks every second because of the massive weight of his trauma and his mind was not in the right place, which was pushed even further by Jasper in that episode when she allowed his negative emotions to take over him, causing him to murk her in the negative headspace she pushes upon him and encourages, training him to fight her until he is capable of brawling her to death. He is far from someone who wants everyone to be perfectly redeemed, and it's shown OUT RIGHT in the Bluebird episode that Aquamarine and Navy just will not ever change and stay mad for the rest of eternity. Whoever keeps saying Steven's just
plays ukulele and makes you good through song has only seen Change Your Mind and nothing else.
****.
My fault, that was a lot, I just had to defend my bro after years of seeing the same shit online, carry on.