New Avatar tonight

[Donovan Morningfire]

Nope - I think he has to go through the ultimate sacrifice. Even if he was to continue on, he's proven to be too fragile to be reliable. If he was ever to grow a backbone and begin fighting the good fight, this was it. From here on out he'll not only be a target for Aang & Co., but also Azula as she snipes at his back to further her own gains.

Oh I'm not saying his redemption has to be painless. But I'd rather it be psychological as he finally owns up to the simple fact that he's caused so much pain by his actions, and not only to himself. As a character, he's still growing. I think it's a good sign that at the end of the episode, even after Azula gives him a comforting speech and shows him more affection (geniune or not is irrelevant) than anyone other than Iroh has ever freely given him, Zuko is still torn up inside about the consequences of his actions, and that he betrayed the one person that was always there for him (even if, as I kinda theorize, he felt that Iroh had "betrayed" him by going to the Avatar for help). Maybe I'm putting too much faith in the writers of the show, but I can't see them tossing out a full season of character development just have Zuko's spiritual journey end on such a sour note.

Heck, for all we know, his aiding Azula was part of a very hastily formed plan to keep him and Iroh from being imprisoned/killed by her or the Dai Le. And to him, if he could get him and uncle out of danger and maybe even salvage his "honor," then so much the better. Too bad that old saying about a certain road and good intentions is all too often true.

Now that I've actually sat down and mulled the episodes over, I think Zuko acting the way he did will make for a much better story than him taking the expected path and leaping to Aang's side. By his own admission, Zuko's always had to struggle in life, so why should his redemption be any different. Though again, I'd like for him to survive it, unlike Jet, who managed to redeem himself but has (apparantly) paid the ultimate cost for his sins.

 

[Victim]

Are there any reruns for this show? I have alot of catching up to do.

 

[Nightfall]

Victim,

Probably but I have no idea when.

Don,

Grey has done a number of good characters, but you are probably right as this will stand out as one of her best. Sort of like comparing Mako's Aku, Mark Hammil's Joker, or even Ron Pearlman's Hellboy/Slade. (Tied in my opinion since both are excellent characters).

I agree this season finale was definitely Empire Strikes Back end worthy. I also hope no furry bears warriors are used to fight against the Empire/Fire Nation.

I honestly think Jet isn't dead. But then again I admit to being wrong here.

 

[Donovan Morningfire]

Don,

Grey has done a number of good characters, but you are probably right as this will stand out as one of her best. Sort of like comparing Mako's Aku, Mark Hammil's Joker, or even Ron Pearlman's Hellboy/Slade. (Tied in my opinion since both are excellent characters).

I agree this season finale was definitely Empire Strikes Back end worthy. I also hope no furry bears warriors are used to fight against the Empire/Fire Nation.

That's some mighty impressive company, though given her performance in the finale, I can't really argue the point otherwise. Just being included with Mako, who I think is awesome regardless of what role he's playing.

I think we've gotten enough furry bears in the form of the Earth King's pet bear (I still chuckle at the whole bear discussion from City of Walls & Secrets).

 

[DMH]

Victim, it is on Nick at 6:30 and Nick Toons 2:30 and 10:00 (both PM and EST). They have different episodes on each channel.

 

[bento]

Oh I'm not saying his redemption has to be painless. But I'd rather it be psychological as he finally owns up to the simple fact that he's caused so much pain by his actions, and not only to himself. As a character, he's still growing. I think it's a good sign that at the end of the episode, even after Azula gives him a comforting speech and shows him more affection (geniune or not is irrelevant) than anyone other than Iroh has ever freely given him, Zuko is still torn up inside about the consequences of his actions, and that he betrayed the one person that was always there for him (even if, as I kinda theorize, he felt that Iroh had "betrayed" him by going to the Avatar for help). Maybe I'm putting too much faith in the writers of the show, but I can't see them tossing out a full season of character development just have Zuko's spiritual journey end on such a sour note.

I guess that's the thing - no matter how much we want a story to go in one direction, the creator, who has the ability to push things into another direction, with a bigger payoff. To me though Zuko's final actions was like tossing out a half season of character development.

Heck, for all we know, his aiding Azula was part of a very hastily formed plan to keep him and Iroh from being imprisoned/killed by her or the Dai Le. And to him, if he could get him and uncle out of danger and maybe even salvage his "honor," then so much the better. Too bad that old saying about a certain road and good intentions is all too often true.

I think there was no better time to get the edge against Azula than when she squared off against Aang and Katara. The Dai Le was still in a state of hesitation, and if Azula couldn't pull off the fight against those three, I don't think they would have come in to give her a final push to victory. But this is just one viewer's opinions and not the creators, right?

Now that I've actually sat down and mulled the episodes over, I think Zuko acting the way he did will make for a much better story than him taking the expected path and leaping to Aang's side. By his own admission, Zuko's always had to struggle in life, so why should his redemption be any different. Though again, I'd like for him to survive it, unlike Jet, who managed to redeem himself but has (apparantly) paid the ultimate cost for his sins.

No doubt - a pat ending where everyone wins would not truely be satisfying at this point. Seeing the characters twist and turn more certainly raises the anticipation when the series kicks off again!

 

[Donovan Morningfire]

Hey, I never said it was a good plan. Zuko's never been one for strategy.

Heck, he may not have even fully decided until the very last moment. After all, it was his intent to join Azula outright, he did have a pretty sweet shot at a totally unaware Aang. But instead, he launched a fireblast to let everyone know that he was there.

Also, by that point I doubt the Dai Le were hesitating. Not a that long prior, they had turned on their leader, whom just one episode prior the Dai Le had said they remained loyal to. They were solidly in Azula's camp. The only reason they were hanging back was because Azula, being as cocky and self-confident as she is, told them not to interfere until she gave a signal. Heck, she may have even figured that she could handle Aang and Katara on her own (last time she fought Aang, he just barely squeaked out a victory).

As for Zuko, I don't see it as tossing out half a season of character development. He had many years prior to the series to become the person he was when the show started, and having him change overnight would be disappointing. He's still developing, the look of regret when it sunk in what the consequences for his choice to betray Iroh shows that he hasn't regressed back to his "angry boy" routine from the first season. And again, Azula tempted him with the perfect bait, saying exactly what deep down inside he's been desparate to hear since his mother vanished.