Ever since the introduction of Padparadscha, the Sapphire who can’t see the future but instead sees things that have just occurred, there has been speculation about whether she can be useful in some way, or if she is just around for comedy relief.
In fact, Padparadscha doesn’t seem to be able to connect to the present at all.
(I found this gif through another website with no source listed. Do let me know if you know who made this gif so I can give them credit.)
All Sapphires have their eye hidden by their hair, but in Padparadscha’s case, it seems to be more literal than for Garnet’s Sapphire.
So what is Padparadscha’s purpose in the story other than providing us with a laugh every now and then? Surely the writers understand that the Slowpoke meme also gets tiring eventually?
Theories have suggested that Padparadscha might have the ability to see the past, but so far we haven’t seen any indications that it would be the case.
However, Padparadscha seems to be able to see things that happened beyond what is right in front of us.
When Garnet meets the group, Padparadscha straight up tells her that she predicts Garnet is going to make everyone uncomfortable. Garnet did not see this until Padparadscha pointed it out. Padparadscha could see something that wasn’t clear-cut and obvious- the feeling in the room.
Padparadscha’s abilities become even more clear when she says that Lars is going to push the wrong button. Nobody knew that it was the wrong button. They knew he was pushing a button, but not that it was the wrong one.
I don’t know about the correct terminology for a power like this…
Whatever said ability would be called: it proved to be useful in this episode, and I’m sure it’s going to serve a greater purpose later on, when we least expect it.
Harvest Guardian 