Now that's a redemption story!

[sistermagpie]

So yeah, I'm going to write about Avatar again--and again I feel like I'm just stating the obvious but nothing excites me more than a story that just stuff really really well so I'm satisfied!



So...Zuko. Oh, what a satisfying story. ::sigh:: Especially having just finished the 7 books taking place in the Potterverse, aka "The Land that Redemption Forgot (but if you earn it our hero may grant you some measure of approval and won't that be wonderful for you)." I was listening to ATLA commentaries the other day, and the creators talked about how they were kind of surprised when fans figured out where Zuko was headed back in the first season. Not that this bothered them, because it wasn't about the surprise but how they got there. (And that alone makes me love them, because what is the obsession people have with surprise at the expense of all else sometimes? If all you've got going for you is the surprise, there's no reason to think about it later.)

Anyway, the creators said how they got all these angry letters when Zuko chose "evil" in CoD, but they felt that was the only choice he could have made at that moment, as he was angry and confused and angry and confused people make bad decisions.

But here's what I love about it, is that it's not just about redemption but maturity...and in fact those two are linked together, which is one of my favorite pairings! I love it when stories show that being a good person is actually smart and intelligent and badass. If Zuko had chosen to side with Aang and Iroh et al. in CoD--well, it still could have worked, but he wouldn't have really switched sides because he would still be confused. His choice there would have been less about him truly choosing the Avatar and more about him choosing one father (Iroh) over the other (Ozai as represented by Azula). He would be doing what Uncle thought was right and also still following along his muddled ideas about fate. If they had done that, I think they would have needed Zuko to waiver and be untrustworthy to the group until they truly finished that part of the arc. They knew he wasn't done changing yet. He was still in the middle. (Iroh was not completely correct—this wasn’t Zuko’s crossroads. He was rushing it.)

I mean, at that point in the series he's admitted that he has these impulses towards protecting or helping Aang and others, that he isn't so sure about the war. But he still isn't sure those aren't just weaknesses that keep him from being a good Fire Nation Prince. Iroh tells him that he's stronger and wiser and freer than he was before, and he's right, but Zuko doesn't see that yet so it’s just Iroh trying to get him to take the path he (Iroh) thinks is best for him. (Zuko’s still operating under that pesky Bad Faith!!) Actually, it's kind of interesting given Iroh's own past and relationship with Zuko that he always avoids the real thing that Zuko's about, which is his father. Azula doesn't--she jumps right in about how if he fights with her he'll have his father's love. That's what even later Zuko admits it was more about for him. I wonder if Iroh just didn't want to go there. Because he can't really say to him: "That stuff you long for as a son? Not gonna happen."

In fact, the whole Iroh/Zuko father/son relationship probably deserves its own post the way it informs that whole relationship and especially Iroh's actions imo, while at the same time Zuko has to work out his dad issues completely on his own with no overt help from Iroh.

The creators just totally hit a personal story kink of mine by not having Zuko switch sides here where he'd be listening to Iroh. He's not just Iroh's successful project. In order to make a strong decision he had to be thinking completely for himself for the first time. So we get that whole section where he returns to the Fire Nation and still feels uneasy and angry. But it takes him a while to really know why. At first he keeps trying to find old reasons for his anger, ones that fit his old child pattern. If he just feels badly for not doing what Iroh wanted he's back to where he was with his father and can lash out at Iroh. Only Iroh refuses to play that role. Zuko’s last scenes before he decides to switch sides play on that even more--he's angry because he's been cut out of the war meeting and sulks that he won't go--that's the sort of thing he was always angry about before. But then it turns out he has been invited and they're waiting for him and he's still not really happy.

He's trying to fit himself back into his old role at court but he's outgrown it. Unfortunately he has not grown to fit the new role he's being offered either. So ultimately, as he tells Sokka in TBR, leaving the Fire Nation isn't that hard because it's the only thing that feels right for who he is. It's hard, but staying would be a lot harder.

Of course, just because he's not just making decisions based on what Iroh thinks doesn't mean Iroh's not still a role model and Zuko can't still imagine what Iroh would say when he's confused. That's another thing I love in the post-DBS Zuko, the way he can't ever be Iroh when he's trying to be (his imitation in WAT and "silver sandwich" blathering in TBR) and yet doesn't notice the times when he actually is being Iroh. When he tries to imitate him he focuses on Iroh's personal quirks of language, using metaphors from the natural world and speaking in abstractions. He sucks at that because that's not how he talks.

But at times when he's just being sincere and passing on his own wisdom gained through experience (which is what Iroh was trying to do) he can be quite the guru! Just in more straightforward language. Like his speech about honor when he approaches the GAang the second time to explain why he wants to join them or his advice to Sokka on what not to base his decisions on in TBR. He isn't aware of it, since he's still speaking in his own straightforward way, but the concepts can still be confusing. He even gets a confused reaction from Sokka in TBR like he might have given to Uncle in the past, but with Sokka's personality ("Is this supposed to be helping?") when he talks about failure.

Zuko's been wonderfully goofier since embracing his Avatar love, since he's not taking himself so seriously and isn't so afraid to show when he's at a loss or make mistakes. But in the moments where he knows what he's doing, he's far more interesting and charismatic than his old, robotic self. Zuko's cool!

Comments

[ali-wildgoose.livejournal.com]

I cannot respond to this properly right now as I am sitting in an airport with 18% on my battery. But you should def repost this to atla_unspoiled my dear <3 <3 <3

(O ZUKO!!! *sighs*)

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

I'm on it!

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is some damn nice meta.

I agree - while I was shocked and disappointed in Zuko post-CoD (I actually wrote almost 2,000 words of meta on it), I totally understood why he made that choice: because it's everything that he's spent years wanting, and I couldn't see if turning away from it.

I wonder if Iroh just didn't want to go there. Because he can't really say to him: "That stuff you long for as a son? Not gonna happen."

That's exactly why Iroh didn't say anything. Because Zuko, at any point (possibly even now) would react negatively, because it's everything he was refusing to admit to himself, and would chance his whole purpose in his life.

That said, while I think it was important for Zuko to return to the fire nation, I felt that having 10 episodes to show how unhappy he was was really, really unneeded. Five would have been much better, imho. (Also, if Mai/Zuko is going to be the relationship he ends the series in, they did a really, really bad job of setting it up, because Zuko with Mai was everything you don't want in a King, and Mai is someone I don't ever wan to see with power. I almost slapped them in "Nightmares and Day Dreams" when they're bonding via being awful to the servants.)

He's trying to fit himself back into his old role at court but he's outgrown it. Unfortunately he has not grown to fit the new role he's being offered either. So ultimately, as he tells Sokka in TBR, leaving the Fire Nation isn't that hard because it's the only thing that feels right for who he is. It's hard, but staying would be a lot harder.


Well said. There court is still ruled by Azula and Ozai, so there is no room for Iroh's son to exist and doing anything worthwhile, and Zuko's changed to much to be comfortable molding himself into the person he knows that his father wants as a son.

(Randomly, I'd love to hear your problems with redemption in HP - because I have mixed feelings about it.)

[glamaphonic]

because Zuko with Mai was everything you don't want in a King, and Mai is someone I don't ever wan to see with power.

That's only when one erroneously blames Mai for Zuko's state of mind/actions during the first half of season three. It's not Zuko With Mai that was the issue. It was Zuko Confused, Conflicted, and Trying To Be His Father's Ideal of a Prince that was the problem and during this time he happened to be in a relationship with Mai. (Mai who, mind, did the best that she could as an emotionally screwed up 17-year-old girl to support him, counsel him, and make him happy, while still notably calling him out on being an ass when necessary. But the fact of the matter is, she isn't magical. She couldn't know what was wrong with Zuko [who is, frankly, far more worldly and experienced then her when it comes to real considerations of morality as opposed to the propaganda that they both grew up with] when Zuko didn't even know himself. Then as soon as he DID know, he didn't tell her about it or explain, he just flitted off in some gallant attempt to protect her from such nasty business.]

They played, "Let's boss some servants around," for laughs, and Mai was clearly only suggesting these things to cheer Zuko up because he'd just been showing off to her in this way so she assumed it would make him feel better. Is it an amazingly nice and kind thing to do? No. Does it indicate that a character whose first appearance featured her very specifically not caring about the royal treatment would be sooo terrible when given power? Also no.

And this comment is long enough now, so I'm not going to go into Mai's heel face turn and how it was done and what can be taken from it...just there is a disturbing tendency for people not just to unduly associate Mai with Zuko's bad decisions/behavior in the first half of season three, but to blame her for them. Which is unfair and inaccurate.

[scriva.livejournal.com]

That said, while I think it was important for Zuko to return to the fire nation, I felt that having 10 episodes to show how unhappy he was was really, really unneeded. Five would have been much better, imho.

I have read this critic on several forums, but I didn't have the chance to make a reply. I don't agree completely. I can understand why the first half of season 3 seems a bit fillery to many people, because it was mostly build-up to the first climax of the season. I liked most of the episodes and they contain many of the elements I like about Avatar aside from the characters (especially the parodies of other movies or trops), but I can understand the problems other people might have with them. However, the creators made the decision to place the Day of Black Sun in the middle of the season and coincide the eclipse with Zuko facing his father. This is in my opinion a demonstration of effective story telling, it allowed for great dramatic and exciting moments.

Once that decision was made, they had to show the build-up to this moment which brings me back to your comment and to where I really disagree. First, on a less serious side, they did tell Zuko's story in five episodes. ;) Second, I think that every episode in which he figured showed a different step towards his decision and a different moment in his inner journey. And that is the main problem with Zuko's conflict: it's entirely internal and the only things they can effectively show is how his state of mind reflects on his interactions with other people. That's what they show in The Headband, when he searches for Iroh's advice. They also showed it in The Beach when he blows up over everything and when Mai tells him that his past doesn't excuse everything, when he realises that he can never return to the moments he remembers, when he lets out for the first time that he is angry at his father, and when he finally admits to himself and to the others what's wrong with him. The execution of these scenes is not always perfect, but they show that he has really hit rock bottom. The Firelord and the Avatar and even Nightmares and Daydreams contain other turning-points, and I talked about the war meeting in my general reply.

I'm not going to touch the Mai/Zuko in detail, because they would lead to another long reply. I just think that Mai is a character in evolution, just like Zuko, and she can grow out of some her unpleasant attitudes without losing all of her character.

(I'm sorry for the long post, but I had these things on my mind for quite a while. )

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

Also, if Mai/Zuko is going to be the relationship he ends the series in, they did a really, really bad job of setting it up, because Zuko with Mai was everything you don't want in a King, and Mai is someone I don't ever wan to see with power.

I almost put in a little nod to the Mai/Zuko relationship but stuck with Zuko. It's (relatively) easy for him to leave the Fire Nation, and anybody who comes with him when he leaves ("leaving" here basically just meaning turning their back on the current FN philosophy and fighting against Ozai) has to make that same change. I think Mai in BR kept herself in the game. She's not yet evolved into somebody in the right frame of mind, and we don't know what will happen with her, but as of now I'd say the writers are keeping that potential. In fact, it took a step forward when she rescued Zuko in TBR.

I've read some criticism of that action of hers, basically just people pointing out that she didn't do right because it was right, she just protected Zuko--and that's true. But it's possible for Zuko to be the catalyst towards Mai's own change as a character. They made clear in The Beach that her problem is not caring about anything, but she cares for him. So if she has an arc, it probably means she has to come to care about something, and that something could be the right thing.

I don't think, if the series ends with some future ideas about pairings, that they would pair Zuko with the same girl he's with in The Beach. They'd surely see how Mai would have to evolve to be a good partner for him. But if she's going to change, it probably only just started. In the first half of the season the gap between her and Zuko is really obvious--I think even she is vaguely aware that she's not as close to him as she wants to be because she doesn't get what's going on with him. In BR when he tells her he's doing this for his country, and that he doesn't share her views on his being a traitor, she's probably only listening to him because it's Zuko, but at least she's potentially listening.

Randomly, I'd love to hear your problems with redemption in HP - because I have mixed feelings about it

Heh--as you could probably tell, I was disappointed! I felt like there were sets ups for some real redemption stories that turned out not to be about that at all. After DH I got a totally different view of it. Some people turned out to be not-so-bad, but Zuko is a great contrast for me to show what *wasn't* happening there. People earned some measure of pity, but there was no true transformations imo. Which was kind of depressing--I kept feeling like I was bumping my head on the ceiling with my expectations!

[scriva.livejournal.com]

Nice meta. I don't have much to add, because I have a similar love for the character and the story arc. Crossroads of Destiny was a real emotional roller coaster for me, because I felt so much sympathy for all the involved characters, meaning Aang, Katara, Zuko and Iroh, their conflicts and their pain. I also didn't think that Zuko could have made another decision, and maybe, he didn't realise immediately during the fight that Iroh would really fight them. Luckily, I have come to Avatar only lately and I didn't have to wait ten months for the continuation.

I also loved the commentaries, and what they creator told about the character and earning the right to make the right decision. I think that they chose maybe not the best possible, but the dramatically most effective moment for Zuko to make his choice. It's a bit unfortunate that his turning point and the final shattering of his self-illusions was off screen, but the DoBS clearly showed what was debated during the war meeting: the trap for the invasion forces and the use of the police forces as bait. So, it would really have been a kind of deja-vue.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

It's funny, because it's easy to say that you want the characters to earn choices etc., but this show really demonstrates what they're talking about there. I remember watching CoD as soon as I saw what Zuko was doing I sort of intellectually knew that this made sense, but it was still breaking my heart. Not just for him but for everybody involved. For all I can see why this way is better, I really wanted him to do the right thing.

I, too, was lucky that I was watching it on DVD and didn't have to wait 10 months for what happened next.

[r-ganymede.livejournal.com]

I think this is pretty much why I spent most of the series alternating between "O Zuko" and "OMG switch sides already you moron". Because Zuko's sort of right near adulthood, but not yet an adult. So I usually end up half-sympathetic and half-annoyed with the mistakes he makes, because in some ways he should know better, but in others he is still just a kid, and it's really hard for a kid to do the things he needs to do (hard for an adult too, but much harder for a kid). The way it's so well balanced in the show is one of the reasons I love it so much.

Thinking about Avatar in relation to Harry Potter makes me LOL, because I end up imagining Zuko at Hogwarts. I think he'd be a Gryffindor (brave, never thinks things through), but I also kind of think he'd hate all the other Gryffindors.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

I do love the whole teen thing with Zuko. I sort of go back and forth on how hard it would be if he were older. I guess Iroh changed when he was older...but then, he had the death of his son to get him over that hump.

It's scary to imagine who Zuko would have become without all this. Even if he hadn't been scarred he probably would have grown up seriously twisted.

[kittyjimjams.livejournal.com]

That's another thing I love in the post-DBS Zuko, the way he can't ever be Iroh when he's trying to be (his imitation in WAT and "silver sandwich" blathering in TBR) and yet doesn't notice the times when he actually is being Iroh.

I liked this whole analysis, but I just thought this was such a good point I wanted to quote it. I loved Zuko's "failing over and over again" speech because it was such a Zuko-ish way to put it, but so clearly something he had learned at least partly from the time spent with Iroh. Zuko has changed, and made decisions about how to change, for himself - but he couldn't have been the person who did that without Iroh. I LOVE the way the show has done that.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

It's wonderfully subtle, too, because Iroh's really hands-off combined with intrusive. Like in Tales of BSS where Iroh makes him go out on his date and he has this scary but nice time. And he comes home all upset but then peeks his head out and says yeah, he had a good time.

[glamaphonic]

I don't really have anything to add to the actual meta (uh, sorry for Mai and Mai/Zuko metaing all over your comments?), but to say that I pretty much agree. I actually am generally bored by redemption arcs, but I've always really enjoyed Zuko's (or the idea of it) because of how well it's been executed. I wrote giant meta post-season two as one of the few people who wasn't at all upset about his choice in the finale that was basically nothing but gushing over how much I loved him and how much sense it made.

So. Yeah. *thumbs up*

[ali-wildgoose.livejournal.com]

AND THAT WAS HOW WE MET.

MY ARGUING WITH HER IN THE COMMENTS.

<3 <3 <3

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Oh, don't apologize! I love reading the comments--including the Mai/Zuko. it's all part of the canon. Redemption arcs can be done really well, but they make it awesome!

I am totally going to seek out that meta of yours now, of course. Gushing or no.

[seaislewitch.livejournal.com]

AH! I want to read this post, but I'm still watching the first season. (It's on in eight minutes.) I look forward to coming back, though...

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Definitely hold out until you see it. I'd love to hear your thoughts later. Yay for Season One!

[opal-skies.livejournal.com]

*sigh*
I could totally gush with you about Zuko. Just reading this made me happy about him. I love Zuko! I'm so proud of how far he's come. <3

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Hee! I am so excited to see Iroh see what he's become!!

[etrangere.livejournal.com]

Awesome essay.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[aangryjerk.livejournal.com]

Good meta. I actually liked Zuko's choice in CoD, because it made him a more interesting character for me (and it was a cool battle scene too). I was sad for his Uncle's sake, but I also was impressed at him taking over the reins of his own life instead of letting people control it for him. It was a step he needed to take. I think if he had done what his Uncle wanted, he would have been reduced to a mere tagalong.

About not fitting into his old role: Remember in The Beach, that little clay plate with his child's handprint that he tried to fit his hand into? That scene really stuck with me. Perhaps that was the moment when he started to realize he wasn't going to get his old happy life back because he wasn't the same person anymore.

I like your thoughts on how he's trying to emulate his Uncle, and doing it very badly, but he still has his own wisdom to share. I was taking his role in the recent episodes are mere comic relief, but yeah...it's cool to see Zuko being wisest when he's not trying.

I generally do like redemption stories, although I hadn't even realized HP HAD a redemption story in it. I guess that goes to show it wasn't very good...kudos to Bryke for getting it right.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

I had forgotten the handprint! But yes, that totally fits--and his burning or all that stuff is almost a way of pushing himself forward when he's tempted to long for the past--something that he was unconsciously doing for a while.

ITA that if he'd turned in BR he would have been a Tagalong. It was Iroh who got the GAang there to rescue him and told them he had good in him, and I think if they'd both fought the other kids would still be looking to Iroh as the person making Zuko "good." But he had to go back to the Fire Nation and deal with those issues with his father. I like, too, the way that when he confronted him it was in a calm way. He didn't get hit upside the head with an Azula betrayal or an Ozai betrayal that suddenly showed him he'd been a fool. Azula and Ozai were on their best behavior with him and he was still able to walk away.

[brandt82.livejournal.com]

Did you read MY LJ?

[godspoodle.livejournal.com]

EEEE!! MAKE MORE POSTS!! *WANTS*
I guess my last comment did hinge on certain things happening-- it's funny how my perspective changes (at least on Zuko) but my actual perception of the character still follows a steady arc. My favorite thing is how I always knew he *would* change, but I still got angry and frustrated with him, even if I knew, I realized if he changed when his uncle wanted him to it would've been too easy. Haha well I don't have a complex rationalization for it like you do (and it makes sense), but I still knew it would be too easy. Even so, it was aggravating, and Zuko in those days he spent at the palace was even more annoying and aggravating, to the point where I questioned whether I liked his type :P 'Cause he's so totally my type of character (I'm a sucker, what can I say), and yet I was like 'just snap out of it already, why are you such a total loser!!' hehe. I think that makes a good story!

Anyway, I so totally loved how his whole personality shifts from annoying-brat-who-takes-himself-uber-seriously to charismatic-guy-who-can-laugh-at-himself. That made me sooooo happy, since it's his taking-himself-too-seriously that was really getting on my nerves and making him seem unlikable. It's also the flaw his sister has, though not as magnified-- self-centeredness, megalomania. It's because she can't see anything but herself, and it was ridiculous to see so much of it in Zuko, 'cause I could always tell he was better than that! And yet no matter what, he was soooo self-centered! Ugh! Y'know? hehe. And then suddenly he released it, like he was holding a fist, and suddenly it was such a relief to be allowed to like the guy he actually IS! That was awesome. His little monologues to himself approach Sokka-level cuteness. Even his voice seems a little different, maybe 'cause he's not angry all the time (man, that gets tiring too). <3<3<3<3 Sokka also gets cuter all the time, but maybe that's just me. The only person who's getting less cute is Katara (she's getting all mature in a motherly way, but then the boys do need it!!).


Anyway, yeah, Zuko's how it's supposed to be done, all the way, totally. <3333 YEAH!! FINALLY! Staying in HP fandom made me ashamed of my redemptionista tendencies, man :O Not cool!!! :D Hahah earn forgiveness. But it isn't about anyone forgiving you, just like it isn't about regaining honor, because who you are is who you are, and that's what it's about. Though making new friends and finding out who your real old friends were, that's a perk. Wasn't it awesome that Mei was loyal? And then the other girl was loyal to Mei? That made me so happy. Even though I'm not sure I like him with Mei long-term, maybe, they're still cute, and anyway I'm glad she showed him good faith since so many people don't. But not as many as Zuko thinks. It's not like he ever thought his sister had good faith towards him, so it's only his dad, and his dad... well, has issues.


And yes, maturity!! SEE! SEE! I always said, ok, I always said that what I really wanted for Draco was for him to Grow Up. And not in a fake 'oh now I see the light' sort of way like 292339039 writers did it, but like, with difficulty and problems and setbacks and... believable steps, etc. Because growing up is HARD. But in the end, 'redemption' for teenagers has gotta be like that. And for adults, it's still like that, because an adult may make mistakes, but he doesn't make really stupid mistakes if he listens to both his heart and his reason, not ego or the childish grudges inside. Snape never really grew up though, so it was all muddled. He listened to his heart in a sort of stilted way. It totally wasn't satisfying at all, at least to me. But anyway, ZUKO! Hehe I'm so happy I can now think 'Zuko' and 'CUTE' in one thought. <3 He just keeps on being cool and admirable since he left. Iroh would be so proud. :D!

[godspoodle.livejournal.com]

I think just like Sokka and Katara, making your father proud isn't something you do on purpose, 'cause it doesn't quite work if you try hard. It's more about making use of what they taught you to do what you think is right. Becoming your own master. I love how all of them are being masters as they progress-- literally mastering their skills. This whole thing about maturing and mastering is linked, too :D MAN THAT EP WITH AANG AND ZUKO <333 They really do make a great team :D

[leia-naberrie.livejournal.com]

(And that alone makes me love them, because what is the obsession people have with surprise at the expense of all else sometimes? If all you've got going for you is the surprise, there's no reason to think about it later.)


Oh kudos for them. It is rather obvious from the first couple of episodes where they are going with Zuko. Within moments of meeting him, we're given his motivations for hunting the Avatar - his honour and his father's respect (which is actually love even if he doesn't out and out admit it) & we see he has honour: both in his duel with Captain-turned-Commander-turned-Admiral Jaw (:P) and his honourably keeping his word about not destroying the water tribe village in exchange for Aang. I like the fact that it was built into the story from the beginning (it could so easily have been fanservice to redeem him because he was *cool*) and that the writers saw the fans guessing and we're pleased about it and didn't feel the desperate need to retcon his arc because the fans were too smart.


My hubby was totally ticked off at him after CoD for choosing Azula & his honour & Evil over Iroh. Actually, we both were. But I understood why he did it and it fitted his character arc. Of course, he had a choice. But I don't think it's the obvious choice: fight with Azula/against the Avatar OR fight against Azula/with the Avatar but I don't think that would be correct. I think it was more like: fight with Azula or free Iroh and run. Again. There was nothing in Zuko's conditioning that would ever make him go against his father to the extent of defending the Avatar. He could only have looked the other way - as he more or less did when he freed Aang. And he was tired of running. He had said so already to Iroh. Then there was the magic words: "honour"/"father's love". Azula, who I see as the Palpatine of the story even more than her father, knew exactly what to say to push Zuko's buttons.


Then Zuko comes back home, and nightmares of the Avatar returning and making him out as a fool aside, he finds out that his dream of restored honour/father's love/respect et al was just that: a dream. He had everything he wanted but he didn't want it anymore. Sure, some people don't need to drink poison to know it's bad. But Zuko isn't one of those people. Hubby and I are still arguing over whether that makes Zuko weaker or stronger. On the one hand, it takes great strength of character to, when offered, turn your back on what you've always wanted and do the right thing. On the other hand, it also takes great strength of character to have what you've always wanted, and then turn your back on it and do the right thing.


Zuko's cool!

He certainly is. He's not been the Character to Watch for me - that's Aang, followed by Katara and Sokka* - but he's been a close fourth, enough for me not to even mind chapters like "Zuko Alone" that focus exclusively on him.


*And there I was thinking I'd never find a story again where the main characters are actually flawed and likable. Here's looking at you, Harry P.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Sure, some people don't need to drink poison to know it's bad. But Zuko isn't one of those people.

LOL! That so sums up the character, I love it.

Hubby and I are still arguing over whether that makes Zuko weaker or stronger.

I think I'd go with neither--I mean, that it's not so much about weaker or stronger but learning style. Or maybe what he's learning. Like I said in the post, I think the problem with Zuko turning in that ep was that he always would have held onto a dream that was a fantasy. Even if he never betrayed the GAang--which he probably wouldn't because of the honor thing--there would always be a part of him that felt like he'd failed to regain his honor and that would define him. It was only by going back to the Fire Nation and seeing his father again that he really got it and understood what he wanted and why he couldn't get it.

One of the cool things about the show, I guess, is the way all the characters are so clear with their own issues and ways of learning. Zuko definitely seems to be the poison-drinker kind of learner. He's all about the senses and seems to need to experience things to really learn. As a comment above I think points out, his story is really all internal, but it's always played externally through his interactions with people. So that even when he's alone in WAT he has to imagine interacting with other people to try to figure out what to do.

Which is different from, say, Aang, who has his own things that he's uncomfortable with. Zuko always wants to try things with fire (even if things keep blowing up in his face), Aang would rather deflect or jump over things, Toph must face everything head on. And they all keep getting put in positions that challenge the way they do things. Zuko's all about that focus throughout the series, but he's focusing on completely the wrong thing that makes him conflicted and explosive. Aang would rather just be happy and avoid trouble and be friends...and instead he's forced to be the Avatar at the time the Avatar has to stand and fight.

And I love the three boys together, being so different. Like the way that Zuko and Aang seem to kind of fit well together, like they'd have been good friends if they met under different circumstances as kids, where as Sokka is also awesome but has more trouble with Aang. (And less with Zuko.) It's Katara who has the most conflict with Zuko. I just love how every relationship has something there!