Best episode of the whole series in my opinion. 10/10, the writing is incredible. It's a self-contained story, that also juxtaposes with flashbacks into Zuko's childhood, that brilliantly parallel what's going on in the village. It touches on so many of the core themes of the show: war, hatred, love, family dynamics, uobringing, identity etc. Not only is it a fantastic character episode for Zuko, but for Azula and even Iroh as well. The whole fire nation royal family is so interesting, and the dark plots we see in this episode are the epitome of it. We see that Iroh might not always have been the man he is now, laughing about "burning the walls of Ba Sing Se to the ground", but we see that losing his son greatly impacted him. Probably my favourite aspect of the episode, is how it depicts the differences between Zuko and Azula. They're both clearly products of their upbringing, both seeking to make their father proud. Azula was the more talented firebender though, and therefore her father praises her more, and she starts acting like he wants her too. Zuko was never as talented, and thus we see that his mother spent a lot more time with him than Azula, and Zuko then took more after her, than Ozai, despite still wanting to please him. The episode also depicts the losses of war really well, as it shows that both sides suffer from it. Both Iroh and the family in the village end up losing loved ones. And another thing it does, is that it establishes Zuko, a firebender, as a hero, while the villains are from the earth kingdom. The world isn't black and white, despite how easy it is to fall into that line of thinking, which is clearly shown by how the village switches up on Zuko at the end.
@solonec.42852 ай бұрын
This is definitely one of the best written episodes. If you pay attention closely enough, you can figure out the gist of what happened in the past. The writers cleverly insert a spoiler which people often gloss over because they are compelled by the misdirect from a well placed red herring that preys on the audiences' own biases.
@MattReactsToThings
2 ай бұрын
Oooh I like that, I might even go back and really delve into the episode and see what I can find!
@erachiiii2 ай бұрын
I feel like in a way, zuko's empowering little I Am Zuko Prince Of The Fire Nation speech was him misinterpreting ursa's words. She told him to never forget who he is. He defines himself by his family, his honor, and the life he longs to go back to, so after remembering her words, he decides to claim his title with pride (with honor, if you will). But I think for Ursa, it was more about his traits. "That's *who you are* zuko, someone who keeps fighting even though it's hard". I think she meant to tell him to not lose himself, to not let his strength of character, his perseverance, even his kindness, be poisoned now that she won't be there to protect him. But still, there's something in this scene that still feels like growth. Like you said, owning up to who he is and accepting their negative reactions
@MattReactsToThings
2 ай бұрын
Mmmmm that’s a really interesting idea, I’m gonna love going back and revisiting all of this when I’m done with the show
@solonec.4285
2 ай бұрын
I believe this is correct. Zuko's entire identity is still built around his country ("the Fire Nation prince") or his relation to others ("son of Firelord Ozai") and he's not able to recognize any identity outside of these. He's also in denial and is unable to accept his present circumstances as a Fire Nation fugitive. Ironically, I'm convinced that if Zuko had said that he is a Fire Nation fugitive instead of proudly proclaiming to be Firelord Ozai's son, the villagers would have reacted differently. Either way, this and his experience with Song provides Zuko with some much needed perspective: seeing how the war has harmed good people like Song's family and seeing all hatred the war inspires in others towards the Fire Nation.
@stellakeil96
15 күн бұрын
Thats how I interpreted is as well. But I also thought about what Zukos intentions were in that moment. It could be a declaration of pride. Pride for his ancestry and position. But it could also be a declaration of humility. Maybe it is him taking responsibility for the crimes his family committed and the pain they caused this village and the whole world
@Slugbug2 ай бұрын
I know people say that Ozai killed his father in order to take over, but this episode makes me think that his wife did it and then either left or turned herself in. The night the fire lord died her last words to Zuko were "Everything I did, I did to protect you." Azula wasn't lying in this case and her mother heard as well that Azulon was going to have her first born killed, so she struck first and Ozai took advantage of the situation. Maybe a more definite answer is given in the comics or something, but I think she acted to save Zuko's life.
@joce-in-stitches
2 ай бұрын
Potential spoilers? There is an episode in season three that pretty much confirms Ursa was heavily involved in Azulon's death.
@Majin1352 ай бұрын
Wild that the Daggers says, "Never give up without a fight" when Iroh took it from a General who surrendered.
@MattReactsToThings
2 ай бұрын
Trueeee 😂😂
@V1G4M1
2 ай бұрын
Well… to surrender, he still had to fight. If he saw no winning, surrendering isn‘t dumb
@stellakeil9615 күн бұрын
I'm sure you already figured this out, but everything you need to know to understand what happened in the night of Firelord Azulon's death is already in this episode. "Azula always lies, Azula always lies." Zuko repeatedly saying it like a mantra, while revisiting his past sounds like he has to convince himself, that she indeed was lying that day. Because he is starting to think she might have told the truth. There is no doubt Azula lies, if it benefits her, but this time she wasn't. That is Azulons punishment for Ozai. He ordered him to kill his own son. "Zuko, thats what moms are like. If you mess with their babies, they're gonna bite you back." Yes, Azulons death is very convenient. But not just for Ozai. Even more so for the survival of little Zuko. "Everything I've done, I've done to protect you." (Ursa to Zuko) Think of that what you want, but I believe its very obvious what happened XD
@MattReactsToThings
15 күн бұрын
@@stellakeil96 at the time I was pretty sure but didn’t want to jump to conclusions, I do know now though for sure 😅
@Pink-yeti232 ай бұрын
Fun fact: Zuko's character was NOT a part of the original script, and was suggested as an idea later on. COULD YOU IMAGINE this show, without him? Just kind of crazy to think about especially as you continue on with the series.
@MattReactsToThings
2 ай бұрын
Now that’s an insane fact. The entire show is great, but Zuko’s story has grabbed me more than anything, can’t imagine him not being a part of the show!
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The next 3 episodes are up on Patreon!
Best episode of the whole series in my opinion. 10/10, the writing is incredible. It's a self-contained story, that also juxtaposes with flashbacks into Zuko's childhood, that brilliantly parallel what's going on in the village. It touches on so many of the core themes of the show: war, hatred, love, family dynamics, uobringing, identity etc. Not only is it a fantastic character episode for Zuko, but for Azula and even Iroh as well. The whole fire nation royal family is so interesting, and the dark plots we see in this episode are the epitome of it. We see that Iroh might not always have been the man he is now, laughing about "burning the walls of Ba Sing Se to the ground", but we see that losing his son greatly impacted him. Probably my favourite aspect of the episode, is how it depicts the differences between Zuko and Azula. They're both clearly products of their upbringing, both seeking to make their father proud. Azula was the more talented firebender though, and therefore her father praises her more, and she starts acting like he wants her too. Zuko was never as talented, and thus we see that his mother spent a lot more time with him than Azula, and Zuko then took more after her, than Ozai, despite still wanting to please him. The episode also depicts the losses of war really well, as it shows that both sides suffer from it. Both Iroh and the family in the village end up losing loved ones. And another thing it does, is that it establishes Zuko, a firebender, as a hero, while the villains are from the earth kingdom. The world isn't black and white, despite how easy it is to fall into that line of thinking, which is clearly shown by how the village switches up on Zuko at the end.
This is definitely one of the best written episodes. If you pay attention closely enough, you can figure out the gist of what happened in the past. The writers cleverly insert a spoiler which people often gloss over because they are compelled by the misdirect from a well placed red herring that preys on the audiences' own biases.
@MattReactsToThings
2 ай бұрын
Oooh I like that, I might even go back and really delve into the episode and see what I can find!
I feel like in a way, zuko's empowering little I Am Zuko Prince Of The Fire Nation speech was him misinterpreting ursa's words. She told him to never forget who he is. He defines himself by his family, his honor, and the life he longs to go back to, so after remembering her words, he decides to claim his title with pride (with honor, if you will). But I think for Ursa, it was more about his traits. "That's *who you are* zuko, someone who keeps fighting even though it's hard". I think she meant to tell him to not lose himself, to not let his strength of character, his perseverance, even his kindness, be poisoned now that she won't be there to protect him. But still, there's something in this scene that still feels like growth. Like you said, owning up to who he is and accepting their negative reactions
@MattReactsToThings
2 ай бұрын
Mmmmm that’s a really interesting idea, I’m gonna love going back and revisiting all of this when I’m done with the show
@solonec.4285
2 ай бұрын
I believe this is correct. Zuko's entire identity is still built around his country ("the Fire Nation prince") or his relation to others ("son of Firelord Ozai") and he's not able to recognize any identity outside of these. He's also in denial and is unable to accept his present circumstances as a Fire Nation fugitive. Ironically, I'm convinced that if Zuko had said that he is a Fire Nation fugitive instead of proudly proclaiming to be Firelord Ozai's son, the villagers would have reacted differently. Either way, this and his experience with Song provides Zuko with some much needed perspective: seeing how the war has harmed good people like Song's family and seeing all hatred the war inspires in others towards the Fire Nation.
@stellakeil96
15 күн бұрын
Thats how I interpreted is as well. But I also thought about what Zukos intentions were in that moment. It could be a declaration of pride. Pride for his ancestry and position. But it could also be a declaration of humility. Maybe it is him taking responsibility for the crimes his family committed and the pain they caused this village and the whole world
I know people say that Ozai killed his father in order to take over, but this episode makes me think that his wife did it and then either left or turned herself in. The night the fire lord died her last words to Zuko were "Everything I did, I did to protect you." Azula wasn't lying in this case and her mother heard as well that Azulon was going to have her first born killed, so she struck first and Ozai took advantage of the situation. Maybe a more definite answer is given in the comics or something, but I think she acted to save Zuko's life.
@joce-in-stitches
2 ай бұрын
Potential spoilers? There is an episode in season three that pretty much confirms Ursa was heavily involved in Azulon's death.
Wild that the Daggers says, "Never give up without a fight" when Iroh took it from a General who surrendered.
@MattReactsToThings
2 ай бұрын
Trueeee 😂😂
@V1G4M1
2 ай бұрын
Well… to surrender, he still had to fight. If he saw no winning, surrendering isn‘t dumb
I'm sure you already figured this out, but everything you need to know to understand what happened in the night of Firelord Azulon's death is already in this episode. "Azula always lies, Azula always lies." Zuko repeatedly saying it like a mantra, while revisiting his past sounds like he has to convince himself, that she indeed was lying that day. Because he is starting to think she might have told the truth. There is no doubt Azula lies, if it benefits her, but this time she wasn't. That is Azulons punishment for Ozai. He ordered him to kill his own son. "Zuko, thats what moms are like. If you mess with their babies, they're gonna bite you back." Yes, Azulons death is very convenient. But not just for Ozai. Even more so for the survival of little Zuko. "Everything I've done, I've done to protect you." (Ursa to Zuko) Think of that what you want, but I believe its very obvious what happened XD
@MattReactsToThings
15 күн бұрын
@@stellakeil96 at the time I was pretty sure but didn’t want to jump to conclusions, I do know now though for sure 😅
Fun fact: Zuko's character was NOT a part of the original script, and was suggested as an idea later on. COULD YOU IMAGINE this show, without him? Just kind of crazy to think about especially as you continue on with the series.
@MattReactsToThings
2 ай бұрын
Now that’s an insane fact. The entire show is great, but Zuko’s story has grabbed me more than anything, can’t imagine him not being a part of the show!