What are your thoughts on this moment from Avatar: The Last Airbender? For me, it's both an impactful (and difficult to watch) moment.
After turning on Ozai for his cruel treatment of him (and accepting that Iroh is more of a father to him), Zuko, now with the intent of finally setting things right and redeem himself for his past mistakes, seeks to join Aang and his friends to fulfill Aang's need for a firebending teacher (an idea that Aang is initially hesitant about due to accidentally burning Katara beforehand), although he needs to prove to them first that his change of heart is now genuine. Unfortunately for Zuko, this proves to be easier said than done due to his past actions, which make it difficult for Aang, Katara and Sokka to accept the fact that Zuko has now truly changed for the better.
When Zuko does try to sincerely apologize for his past actions and explain himself (all while revealing his intent at being Aang's firebending teacher), he is immediately greeted with extreme hostility and intense suspicion from Katara and Sokka, who list all of Zuko's past misdemeanors and inconsistent actions, while Aang can only be emotionally conflicted upon learning that it was Zuko who saved Appa, who happily licks Zuko in gratitude (although both Katara and Sokka refuse to believe Zuko's claim, assuming that he only did it for his own benefit). Toph, on the other hand, is able to sense that Zuko was being honest and sincere with his apologies (and that he actually saved Appa) and is the only one who actually listens.
As Zuko continues his awkward attempt to apologize, he accidentally reveals that he was the one who sent the Fire Nation assassin, Combustion Man, after Team Avatar to kill them. This revelation intensifies Team Avatar's (except for Toph) ire and distrust towards Zuko and further solidifies their view that he is still an enemy (with Aang, despite Zuko's desperate attempt to remind Aang of their past connection and help him recall his previous offer that they could be friends, ultimately choosing to reject Zuko after being swayed by Katara and Sokka's vehement opposition, as well as his emotional bias), before furiously rejecting Zuko and demanding him to leave, ignoring Zuko's pleas that he is no longer the "Prince Zuko" they viewed him as. Fully understanding how his actions have deeply wounded Aang, Katara and Sokka and how he gave them little to no reason to trust him (especially for betraying them in Ba Sing Se, which he deeply regrets having done), Zuko is left with no other option but to retreat.
I feel really bad for Zuko in this part. We do see him as a tragic and conflicted character with painful internal struggles at finding the right path and he now truly has changed, meaning he is now willing to make up for all of his previous actions and change for the better. Zuko is additionally in his most vulnerable state yet since he is now all alone and without his uncle, Iroh, on his side (and that his firebending powers also have gradually weakened). Aang, Katara and Sokka, however, do not get to see Zuko's internal struggles and character development, and only saw him as a relentless pursuer and adversary, though their initial inability to see past his actions also served as a main obstacle for their necessity at getting a firebending teacher, which Toph, who is the only one who vouched for Zuko and defended him, pointed out. While Aang, Katara and Sokka's rejection of Zuko is completely justified (as well as serving as a direct consequence for his previous actions), I still cannot help but sympathize with Zuko and agree with Toph and her assessment that Aang, Katara and Sokka are, indeed, letting their negative experiences and distrust towards Zuko cloud and affect their judgment.
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What are your thoughts on this moment from Avatar: The Last Airbender? For me, it's both an impactful (and difficult to watch) moment.
After turning on Ozai for his cruel treatment of him (and accepting that Iroh is more of a father to him), Zuko, now with the intent of finally setting things right and redeem himself for his past mistakes, seeks to join Aang and his friends to fulfill Aang's need for a firebending teacher (an idea that Aang is initially hesitant about due to accidentally burning Katara beforehand), although he needs to prove to them first that his change of heart is now genuine. Unfortunately for Zuko, this proves to be easier said than done due to his past actions, which make it difficult for Aang, Katara and Sokka to accept the fact that Zuko has now truly changed for the better.
When Zuko does try to sincerely apologize for his past actions and explain himself (all while revealing his intent at being Aang's firebending teacher), he is immediately greeted with extreme hostility and intense suspicion from Katara and Sokka, who list all of Zuko's past misdemeanors and inconsistent actions, while Aang can only be emotionally conflicted upon learning that it was Zuko who saved Appa, who happily licks Zuko in gratitude (although both Katara and Sokka refuse to believe Zuko's claim, assuming that he only did it for his own benefit). Toph, on the other hand, is able to sense that Zuko was being honest and sincere with his apologies (and that he actually saved Appa) and is the only one who actually listens.
As Zuko continues his awkward attempt to apologize, he accidentally reveals that he was the one who sent the Fire Nation assassin, Combustion Man, after Team Avatar to kill them. This revelation intensifies Team Avatar's (except for Toph) ire and distrust towards Zuko and further solidifies their view that he is still an enemy (with Aang, despite Zuko's desperate attempt to remind Aang of their past connection and help him recall his previous offer that they could be friends, ultimately choosing to reject Zuko after being swayed by Katara and Sokka's vehement opposition, as well as his emotional bias), before furiously rejecting Zuko and demanding him to leave, ignoring Zuko's pleas that he is no longer the "Prince Zuko" they viewed him as. Fully understanding how his actions have deeply wounded Aang, Katara and Sokka and how he gave them little to no reason to trust him (especially for betraying them in Ba Sing Se, which he deeply regrets having done), Zuko is left with no other option but to retreat.
I feel really bad for Zuko in this part. We do see him as a tragic and conflicted character with painful internal struggles at finding the right path and he now truly has changed, meaning he is now willing to make up for all of his previous actions and change for the better. Zuko is additionally in his most vulnerable state yet since he is now all alone and without his uncle, Iroh, on his side (and that his firebending powers also have gradually weakened). Aang, Katara and Sokka, however, do not get to see Zuko's internal struggles and character development, and only saw him as a relentless pursuer and adversary, though their initial inability to see past his actions also served as a main obstacle for their necessity at getting a firebending teacher, which Toph, who is the only one who vouched for Zuko and defended him, pointed out. While Aang, Katara and Sokka's rejection of Zuko is completely justified (as well as serving as a direct consequence for his previous actions), I still cannot help but sympathize with Zuko and agree with Toph and her assessment that Aang, Katara and Sokka are, indeed, letting their negative experiences and distrust towards Zuko cloud and affect their judgment.
4 days ago | [YT] | 1