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 really appreciate that they took their time with Zuko's character arc, because shattering ones self-illusions (Bad Faith), is one of the hardest things in life, and it is, as Iroh put it "not a pleasant experience". Most people are still working on it, when they are adults, so it seems believable to me that a teenager can not come to the perfect solutions immediately. It's painful to watch at times, but they pay-off is worth it.

For all I can see why this way is better, I really wanted him to do the right thing.

Of course. And I guess that's the reaction they wanted to incite. I have to agree with them, that, even though, Zuko will only spend half of the season with the gaang, this time is really precious and emotionally rewarding. I think that, despite not being flawless flawless in the execution of individuell episodes, the show is a little masterpiece of story telling. And I love it when people create good and deep stories for children (that can appeal to the child in everyone), because most of modern books for children and adults underestimate their ability to appreciate a story that takes some risks.