#the avatar and the firelord

[charlesoberonn]

That one scene in "The Avatar and the Firelord"

#avatar #atla #firelord sozin #avatar the last airbender #the avatar and the firelord

[sokkastyles]

I am thinking more about "The Avatar and the Firelord" now because I do think this episode is commonly misunderstood and it works so well as thematically being about generational trauma rather than its common fandom interpretation as a simplistic message about good and evil. The way Sozin and Roku's disastrous friendship is a parallel to Zuko and Aang's. The way Sozin tried to force Roku to join his cause in the war and turned against him when he didn't mirrors so well Zuko asking for Aang's forgiveness because he understands now the destruction that fire can cause, closing that loop. The way that the last drago, at least in in the public eye, died with Roku vs Zuko finding a dragon egg and feeling its warmth in his hands.

#zuko #aang #roku #sozin #the avatar and the firelord

[bestepisode]

Vote on more episodes here!

Find the full list of round 3 polls here.

#atla #avatar the last airbender #atla best episode #the avatar and the firelord #sozin's comet #zuko #sokka #toph beifong #princess azula

[knightofthenewrepublic]

#my memes #avatar show #avatar memes #the avatar and the firelord #avatar the last airbender #avatar roku #roku #fire lord sozin #sozin #atla sozin #atla roku #this is one of the best line readings in the whole show! #avatar the last airbender memes #avatar the last airbender live action #the hundred years' war on palestine #fire nation #fire nation royal family

[nexstage]

Something that got me curious about the whole deal Zuko and Iroh have with the concept of destiny is how ingrained in their minds it is concerning stuff that they believe must be theirs at any cost or it is theirs from the start because they feel it or say so despite the evidence against such sentiment or how questionable it is. And that got me wondering: what if it was a family thing? And well, I rewatched a fragment of The Avatar and the Firelord episode because I wanted to know if this destiny stuff had started during the several years before Sozin and Roku met each other again. Guess what? It did happen during that time or that is what Sozin’s dialogue implied: “I've been thinking hard about the state of the world lately.” Lately as in the several years before Roku’s return? Or lately as in the time it took Roku to ask Ta Min to marry him until the talk they had during the wedding party? Anyway, Sozin had been thinking and that’s where “destiny” comes into play: “Right from the start, I was destined to be Fire Lord. And although we didn't always know it, you were destined to be the Avatar. It's an amazing stroke of fate we know each other so well, isn't it?”

With that mentality, Sozin believed it was also destiny to expand the Fire Nation, to “share their prosperity with the world” and that both best friends had this great future handed to them until Roku refused to be part on his delusions of power.

Other thing that is interesting is that even when Sozin had been thinking lately about such destiny, maybe there was an external influence that pushed him toward it, like his father’s teachings or words, or the greatness of former Fire Lords and what they had accomplished to make him believe world domination was his “destiny call” to make history.

Still, this context is super intriguing because it puts more weight into this mindset that we’ve seen on Zuko and Iroh. It’s not just reaching the top and make your mark on the world, it’s also like a family tradition. Though, while it was both of them for Iroh, for Zuko, destiny was tied to his self-worth too. Beyond the typical entitlement of a prince, there was also this high value his father had put on concepts like power, strength, dominance that were deeply connected to being a ruler, to be on the throne, and concerning the throne, that was also on a high pedestal. Heck, Ozai even created a new throne by naming himself the Phoenix King because he believed that was his destiny. So, when Zuko was stripped from his title and banished, his destiny AKA the throne, was taken away from him. No destiny means you were worthless or you screwed up so big you didn’t deserve to be close to what you have been told should be yours as long as you showed your power.

The same happens with the concept of honor, Zuko thought he was trying to restore it but in the end chasing Aang was just to please Ozai and get his love and approval. Honor and destiny are tied to his self-worth and this imaginary path he had paved in his head: getting his honor back means he finally did something right and he’s not a failure anymore, fulfilling his destiny means he has reached his true potential and is not a worthless excuse of a prince but someone worthy of the throne that is the embodiment of that potential.

The problem is that this attachment is not only unhealthy but also dangerous. Nor the show or the comics push Zuko to understand and come terms to with the fact that the throne is his not because of destiny but because of how the family inheritance structure works: if you are the firstborn, you will rule, if you aren’t, you won’t. And in very rare ocasions, if there were in ancient times, if the firstborn died on birth or childhood, another baby would have to take their place. Oh, but let’s not forget that he wasn’t even on the list, it was Lu Ten until he died on the Siege of Ba Sing Se and then Ozai schemed against Iroh and killed his own father to steal Iroh’s birthright, so Zuko’s case can be categorized as a special one of brother’s treachery and power usurpation.

Besides, by putting so much focus on destiny as this grand treasure that “he oh-so-rightfully deserves” it takes away the real struggles he had to endure to make sure the country is ruled appropriately. Sure, he was shown determined to restore the world with Aang after the war as a Fire Lord, but the comics have made him regressed a lot on character development making him incredibly entitled, abrasive, harsh, making poor decisions in politics, and arrogant by talking about how the throne is his and that’s law, blah, blah, blah. Though, to be a bit positive about how the comics portrayed Zuko, I have to say that they make him look like an ATLA version of Democles.

Have you ever heard of Sword of Democles story? He and the king, Dyonisius, swapped places and Democles starts enjoying the luxury and glamour of a king’s life, thinking that royalty is only that. He couldn’t have been more wrong because above the throne was a sword hanging by a single hair of a horse’s tail to depict the crude reality of being a king: facing multiple enemies and dangers that could eliminate him to take his throne.

Did Zuko have a sword hanging over his throne by a single hair? Technically, no. And symbolically, the comics made sure he was untouchable or that he got out of any trouble without confronting him with hard questions and realities in regards of always thinking the throne is his destiny instead of a duty based on loyalty to his people or how warped his sense of worth is by tying it to power. And honestly, with all the backlash I’ve read toward the comics, I doubt Zuko will be faced with such challenges.

#zuko critical #atla meta #the avatar and the firelord #atla comics critical #destiny this destiny that when will it be the time to address that this destiny is a warped sense of worth #heck even Eda from The Owl House knows destiny and chosen one stuff are cheap ways to feel special #Oh I forgot to mention Azula “divine right to rule” piece of dialogue #well I think she was talking with some spiritual knowledge she might have learned on the FN library

[juniperhillpatient]

The Avatar & the Firelord Re-watch

This is the episode where we finally learn the truth about Roku's past & the Fire Nation Royal Family's history with the Avatar. It's a really interesting episode & further illustrates the ongoing parallels between Aang & Zuko. The story really does come down to being about these two characters & how they are able to do better than their ancestors (or past lives.) I'm such a sucker for narratives about new generations doing better than their past narrative incarnations, so no wonder I love this show.

[ID: Sozin & Roku wearing Fire Nation robes. there is a sunset in the background. end id]

I loved all the flashbacks to Sozin & Roku. Especially when Roku had just been ignored by a girl so he lay in the grass & Sozin just started putting grass on his face. True friendship moment.

Also, this is where the Fire Nation's imperialism & colonialism come into play - "I've been thinking, we should share this prosperity with the rest of the world. [Cut to a shocked Roku with the camera closing in on him.] In our hands is the most successful empire in history. [Back to a close-up of Sozin.] It's time we expanded it." Yep, that's where the Fire Nation's evil started.

The parallel scenes between Aang & Zuko learning about their past work really well. I also like how we got various scenes throughout Sozin & Roku's lifetimes illustrating the gradual decline of their friendship, & the increase in Sozin's hunger for power. Meanwhile, Zuko & Aang's story is the opposite - they are enemies & have been for a long time & they're slowly building to friendship. This show is really, really well-written.

I need someone with more insight than me on Iroh to weigh in on what was going on with him in this episode because I'm not sure what to think of his speech to Zuko. @peony-pearl do you have any thoughts on the scene between Iroh & Zuko where Iroh tells Zuko he has a great capacity for both good & evil? If I'm putting you on the spot, no pressure, just ignore this tag. I just feel like there's a lot to analyze but my mind is empty lol

I loved the scene between the Fire Siblings when Zuko asks Azula about history & she teases him but gives him the answer. It's such a normal sibling moment filled with banter & soft affection. I live for domestic fire siblings scenes.

Then we have one of my favorite Gaang moments in the whole show -

Aang: Roku was just as much Fire Nation as Sozin was, right? If anything, their story proves anyone's capable of great good and great evil. [Cut to an aerial shot of the hardened lava wave.] Everyone, even the Fire Lord and the Fire Nation has to be treated like they're worth giving a chance. [Shot cuts to a close-up of Aang's face.] And I also think it was about friendships.

Toph: [Camera pans to Toph, and cuts to a close-up of her face.] Do you really think friendships can last more than one lifetime?

Aang: [Catching Toph's hand.] I don't see why not. Katara catches Toph's other hand.]

Sokka: Well, scientifically speaking, there's no way to prove that ...

Katara: [Annoyed.] Oh, Sokka, just hold hands. Sokka stops talking, and without moving, he thrusts out his hand to hold Katara's. Shot cuts to an aerial shot of Team Avatar, holding hands, and looking out toward the ocean.

I just love this scene. I love Aang's quote, I love the softness between the Gaang. Also, Sokka what the fuck you are best friends with the Avatar who just went on a spirit journey. Why are you like this?

Anyway, this was a great episode & I know there's more to analyze but that's all I have for now! Tune in next time for more rambling :)

#atla re watch #the avatar and the firelord #atla book 3

[witchzoe]

The episode "The Avatar and The Firelord" is an interesting insight in Iroh's characters.

In the episode we learn about the story of Sozin Roku's friendship. And we see what conclusion's Iroh dreaws from that story, namely that Zuko is the only one able to fix the Fire Nation, because he is a descendant of the last Avatar. And to a lesser extent it is implied that Irohs views the bloodline of Sozin as inherently evil (Iroh says to Zuko that because of his legacy evil and good are always at war inside him).

And it seems like Iroh really believes this. It would explain why Iroh never challenged Ozai for the throne and end the war himself, despite being a great fire bender and being able to redirect lightning.

And it seems like the show does disagree with Iroh to some extent. Aangs conclusion, that everybody has good and evil inside him, comes as a rebuttal to Toph's remark about some people just being born evil.

So why does Iroh believe that only Zuko is able to fix the Fire Nation? There are a few possibilities, whuch all gives some insight in his characer:

Iroh heavily believes in destiny in generell. Besides this, Iroh also very heavily believed that he was destined to conquer Ba Sing Se, becoming very fixated on that city, as another example

It is very convienent for Iroh. If Zuko is the only one who can fix the Fire Nation, Iroh doesn't have to fix it. He can wash his hands of any responsibility he has in fixing the Fire Nation and repaying for the sins of the past. Psuhing all the responsibility solely on Zuko.

It could misplaced guilt. Maybe his beliefs that the line of Sozin is inherently evil, which would also mean that he would be inherently evil, is a result of guilt about his past actions and the resulting self-loathing.

It helps him with Lu Ten's death. Zuko was the only the fourth in line to the throne, he would only ever be near if Lu Ten died childless. So for Zuko being able to fulfill his destiny, Lu Ten had to die. Maybe the thought that Lu Ten's death was preordained comforts Iroh and absolves him of some of the blame he carries for Lu Ten's death.

These would be the reasons, that i can imagine for Iroh believing that only Zuko is able to fix the Fire Nation. If you can think about other reasons, please tell me them!

#atla #avatar: the last airbender #the avatar and the firelord #iroh meta #iroh #zuko

[biboomerangboi]

More reasons why Zuko being the Firelord is objectively the funniest thing on earth:

HES SEVENTEEN

He hasn’t been civilised in 4 years, his entire teenage experience consists of living on a boat and sleeping rough. The most stable bed he has was probably in Ba Sing Se he probably will just nap anywhere.

He has customer service experience which means he probably uses his customer service voice on his minsters.

Additionally he probably just wanders into to kitchen to get his own snacks and tea because he forgets what servants do.

He probably has no idea why he can’t just chase after an assassin he used to hunt the avatar for Agnis sake why is the captain of the guard demanding he stay in his room he’ll find the guy first (he’s probably right)

Katara probably has a free pass on Eco terrorism because what’s he going to do challenge her, she’ll beat his ass.

If he saw a minster doing something shady he will either invite lady Beifong to detect their BS or commit B&E and look for evidence himself.

He somehow found a baby dragon and raises it.

He will be far to willing to give Kyoshi island anything they want cause he feels bad and Suki scares him.

He randomly insisted on giving some earth kingdom village 100 ostrich horses.

The Avatar will just show up call him Hotman and demand the go on adventures and the Firelord will just dip because he’s been confined to long and has the Zoomies.

He takes far to much advice from Sokka and will genuinely believe if someone doesn’t get Sokkas plans they must be an idiot because Sokka is 16.

Sokka and Zuko also get into a lot of teenage rebellion phases by accident.

Toph just walks in breaks a wall of his palace and demands a field trip that always involves the Firelord having to explain himself to the cops.

He somehow knows every dangerous teen in the world and they all come for tea uninvited.

He has broken into both the NWT and Ba Sing Se.

He has a really well documented facial scar and official portraits but still disappears to be Lee the tea guy like no one knows.

HES SEVENTEEN.

#zuko is the funniest the circumstances just happen character ever #firelord zuko #zuko #atla #avatar the legend of aang #avatar the last airbender #zee rambles #zukka #zuko meta

[fancysmudges]

long hair zuko lives in my head rent free

#y'all this was supposed to be a quick sketch #zuko #atla #avatar the last airbender #firelord zuko #atla fanart #digitalart

[kindaorangey]

new purpose

(don't tag as ship)

#zuko atla #aang atla #atla #avatar the last airbender #avatar aang #firelord zuko #thunder's art

[sokkastyles]

Iroh being framed as a messiah while talking about eugenics

Perfect summary of everything wrong with Iroh

Yeah, no, actually. There's no point where Iroh argues in favor of eugenics, and in fact, the actual script of the episode has Aang refute the notion that it means some people are born bad, but that the point is that everyone has the capacity for great good and great evil. Eugenics is bullshit, but generational trauma is very real, and people have the capacity to end the cycle of violence with the choices that they make.

Azula stans, especially, try to insist that it's about eugenics so that they can be fake outraged about it, and then point out the logical fallacy in the argument (the one they insisted was being made to begin with, despite the episode itself disproving this). If Iroh was trying to argue Zuko was just good because of his blood, then wouldn't that argument also apply to Azula? The Azula stan argument is that Iroh is just being hypocritical, instead of realizing that the argument was never about blood in the first place, but about legacy and choices, which is what Iroh has always believed in. Yes, the same argument does apply to Azula. Because it's about the choices we make.

The A and B plot of the episode are juxtaposed together for that reason. When Aang says he believes friendships can last more than one lifetime, it recalls how he told Zuko about his friend Kuzon and asked if they could have been friends if it weren't for the war. It's all about generational trauma. All of it. Even the melding of Roku and Sozin's bloodlines was part of a legacy of greed, consolidation of power, and domestic abuse.

It's all about generational trauma and choosing not to continue that cycle, but I can understand how that's uncomfortable for Azula stans who are invested in the idea that everyone else is at fault for awfulness don't want to admit that. Kinda puts the lie to the idea that they actually want her to heal, though, because believing in such a fixed mindset is the reason she won't.

Also, @malevolentlightning, I know you are the one sending these sock puppet messages to multiple accounts. Truly classless behavior.

#Zuko #Azula #Iroh #The Avatar and the firelord

[bestepisode]

Vote on more episodes here!

Find the full list of round 2 polls here.

#atla #avatar the last airbender #the southern air temple #the avatar and the firelord #atla best episode #atla best episode 2 #sokka

[knightofthenewrepublic]

I saw someone online talking about how Sozin's move channeling the steam of the volcano through his body is reminicent of a waterbender's style, much like Iroh's lightening re-direct.

And the thing to keep in mind is, ironically, Sozin grew up in a time when cross-national studies would have been more common. He was probably a more skillful bender than many of his descendants, because his own actions closed that door to them!

#avatar the last airbender #atla #fire nation #fire lord #fire lord sozin #the avatar and the firelord #fire bender #fire bending

[madscientistenthusiast]

Personally I think that Azula should have been redeemed simply so that she can become Zuko's horrible little advisor who whispers evil little plans to him so that he can do the exact opposite

#the only reason she gets this job is bc he doesnt trust her anywhere else in the palace #its like enrichment for manipulative girls #also so that he can set her on asshole deligates like a rabid little lapdog #she just has mean fuckin pomeranian energy that thing bites then lights you on fire w flames so hot theyre cold #i think their sibling dynamic could be sooo fucking funny its insane #azula #azula atla #atla #avatar the last airbender #zuko #atla zuko #firelord zuko #DISCLAIMER I AM YET TO READ THE COMICS SO IDK WHAT HAPPENS TO HER IN THEM #also long overdue for a rewatch of the show its insane

[sevrinve]

comfy casual firelord

#atla #atla fanart #zuko #Zuko fanart #Firelord Zuko #avatar the last airbender #fanart #it will soon become apparent I have a thing for men with long hair #this is Zuko a bit older obviously #idk how he can deal with all the heavy armour and robes #the pattern on the pants killed me btw #the dragon armband was referenced #draws #my art

[ursa-majora]

Everyone talks about how Appa is apparently obese for a sky bison and Aang is over feeding him. Undeserved in my opinion (hes just big boned obviously)

But nobody talks about how Druk (Zuko's dragon) is a complete fatass compared to other dragons.

For example: These are pics of Roku's Dragon, Fang, and Sozin's Dragon

Do you see how long and noodley they are. They're actual dragons too, not Wyverns like GoT dragons. (Note the 4 legs)

And heres Ran and Shaw:

See, still very noodley. And these are quite old, large dragons.

And this? This is Druk:

And Its not just the angle because even when he is sitting down he's fat

Obviously Druk has lived a life of luxery, he's a pampered little prince

#I know Zuko has treats in the bag #What are you feeding him #whys he so big backed #big backed dragon #does he come running when you open a bag of fire flakes #does Zuko feed Ozai sympathizers to him or something #atla #avatar the last airbender #legend of korra #zuko #firelord zuko #fire lord zuko #appa #aang #atla druk #Atla dragons #ran and shaw #atla fang #zuko mother of dragons