I was thinking a lot about this moment. Somehow it feels like the agni kai was a watershed moment not only for Zuko, but also for Iroh.
I think this something that Iroh is intensely ashamed about – and is the source of all the patience he has with Zuko and his determination to make things right for him.
Because Zuko’s scar is not just a testament of Ozai’s cruelty as a father, but is a scar on the soul of the entire Fire Nation.
Their supreme ruler publicly mutilates on his own son, a 13-year old child, who merely spoke the truth about a nation that in a quest for power has lost perspective on the worth of human life – and everyone cheers.
The scarring and humiliation of the young prince (who should be really the symbol of the future to his people) is a grotesque public spectacle.
And Iroh, who was once next in line to leading these people, former great war hero, one of the most powerful benders, and still one of the nation’s leaders – all he can do is to look away.
The boy who spoke the truth, who stood up for kindness, who tries to do the right thing, who refuses to fight his own father, who begs for forgiveness – he faces completely alone his horrible punishment, and nobody speaks up for him.
And I think this is Iroh’s moment of truth – that disagreeing privately is not enough, he cannot look away anymore. He realizes that healing this boy could be the chance to heal the Fire Nation, that he is maybe destined to be their leader, but not from the throne of the Fire Lord. He has to get Zuko through this trauma and show him kindness, love and acceptance in a way he has never experienced it. He has to teach him that speaking up and saying sorry should not and will not lead to harsh punishment, that kindness is not weakness and cruelty is not strength; that honor is not violence, but doing the right thing.
yknow what? mr. firelord i am inviting you to meet me in the fucking agne kai pit and i do not care that i am not an expert firebender and will be facing you with nothing but my wrath and my 2 fists i am going to die historic + i WILL go down calling you a bitch and a chode. thank you in advance.
Monthly reminder that Azula only lost to Katara because of plot armor
This Katara libel on my dash?
the entire gaang jumped azula and she was fine and she damn near killed aang while he was in the avatar state AND even iroh didn’t wanna go against her….do you legitimately think azula couldn’t take on katara 1v1 and most likely kill her if it wasn’t for her lil plot forwarding breakdown….
Azula was always unstable and didnt like loss. We see that through her entire character arc where anything less than perfection isn’t good enough, to the point where perfection didn’t even satisfy her. The bitch was strong but she was crazy, and let her guard down.
It’s hubris sis, they’ve been doing this since ancient Greece dont act high and mighty because you dont understand Hamartia.
Also let’s not forget that Katara is an insanely powerful waterbender. Like her skill is unique at her age. She stops rain out to like 20 feet away from her and mastered blood ending after only working with internal water for about a day. We see Zuko even be scared of her power and impressed by her restraint.
There is only one bitch who matched Azula’s raw bending power and her name is Katara so gtfo.
Also in that scene where Azula got a (lucky) shot at Aang in his avatar state, someone was kind enough to bring up that Katara was going to to toe with Azula and nearly ran her into the ground until Zuko came to help her ass. So no, if anyone could beat Azula it was Katara
Bitch, Katara was about to fuck up LEAGUES of Dai Li agents when Aang went into the avatar state in the Earth Kingdom. Zuko knew he couldn’t face Azula alone on her best day so who did he ask to come with him? Katara. This is a girl who went up against a waterbending master and held her own so well that it made a culture change their values and customs. Don’t you EVER disrespect queen Katara like that.
fuck off with ur Katara disrespect. not in my house.
zenosanalytic said: yeah. I absolutely get why he didn’t kill him, and I think that’s the right choice narrativeways, but it’d def complicate things. Then again it’s also an opportunity. Like: Zuko could shop around HIS OWN conspiracies to free Ozai as a way of identifying disloyal nobles.
True. Not like the kid’s averse to a little incognito action if the whole Blue Spirit shenanigans are anything to go by. Pose as the ringleader of a rescue mission and then launch a sting operation.
See this is why I’m always bummed when stories end with the mcs winning. That’s when the good shit starts. And by good shit I mean all the bizarre maneuvering required to retain that victory.
The next two Avatars, from water and earth, live without ever knowing who they are.
Zuko still spoke out at the meeting, he still refused to fight his father in the Agni Kai.
Zuko was banished, and in his search to find the Avatar, earth bends.
He is the Avatar and doesn’t know what to do about it.
Okay but consider:
Zuko, punching the air: “I MUST FIND THE AVATAR!”
*rock goes flying*
Zuko, waving his arms for emphasis: “IT IS THE ONLY WAY”
*strong wind knocks over grunt in the background*
Zuko, stomping dramatically: “TO RESTORE MY HONOR!”
*deck behind zuko becomes covered in ice*
Iroh, stroking his beard: “…. hmmmmmm…”
And Iroh just decides to mess with him and just goes “Well, I suppose we should start searching” and Zuko doesn’t find out until later in the episode
Nah man, gimme a whole season of Zuko and Iroh’s hijinks as they search for the avatar and it’s Zuko the whole time. A whole season of Iroh waffling between goofy uncle and “here let me teach you about balance-” “I DON”T NEED BALANCE I NEED TO RESTORE MY HONOUR” “okay cool you do you kid i bet the avatar’s behind that rock please move it for me”
zuko saying he needs to find the avatar, when actually, he just needs to find himself is his original story arc
just moving along like everyone else 