This is a new feature that I've decided to do. I'll pick an episode (at random, probably) and talk about why I love it so dang much. This feature will, hopefully, be updated weekly. Mondays, most likely (since that's...today. Or, it was Monday when I started writing this. Heh.)
The numbers that are at the tail end of the title (2:07) denote the season and episode number. So using this one as an example, it's season two, episode seven that I'll be talking about. Just so we're all on the same page here.
Now let's get this show on the road...
---
"I LOVE that episode!" - Feature 01 - Episode 2:07, "Zuko Alone."
"My dad decided to teach me a permanent lesson...on my face!"
-- Prince Zuko, episode 3:05 "The Beach"
Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation is one of the most angst ridden teenagers to ever be dreamt up. He's a boiling pot of confusion, pride, anger, bitterness and pure anguish. He's more emotionally tumultuous than any other character in the series. And to top it all off, he's got a permanent reminder that he's a failure branded on his face, courtesy of his father. He's armed with a heavy set of daddy issues and a streak of stubborn will that results in some bad situations for Aang, Katara and Sokka.
Throughout the first season, I didn't think much of Prince Zuko. He was your standard, run-of-the-mill bad guy that's only angle was "capture the good guy to benefit my needs". His character, to put it simply, was flat.
Like I said, I was extremely indifferent to Zuko and his plight through the duration of the first season. I had thought I knew all the reasons why Zuko was such a whiney little punk. Well, the show decided to throw me a curveball early in Book Two: Earth in the form of a little episode called "Zuko Alone".
"[My father] says I was lucky to be born. I don't need luck, though.
I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight and that's made me strong."
-- Prince Zuko, episode 1:20 "The Siege of the North, Part Two"
The episode is exactly as the title implies. It is a single episode focusing on Zuko as he wanders the Earth Kingdom alone. He is estranged from his Uncle Iroh, he's not hunting the Avatar and he's not evading Azula and her cronies. It's simply Zuko...alone.
As the story progresses, the audience is taken into Zuko's childhood memories. Most of these recollections revolve around his dynamic with his compassionate mother, Ursa. It also subtly suggests the favoritism played by Zuko's parents (Ozai's preference for Azula, and Ursa's soft spot for Zuko).
This glimpse into the angst-y prince's past works wonders on his character and his relationship with the audience. Or, it did for me, at least. As the drama of the episode unfolded, I began to obtain a firmer grasp on the skeletons that Zuko has in his closet. Understanding Zuko's family dynamic allows the viewer feel more sympathetic to his plight, and why he might be so darn angry all the time.
Furthermore, the episode offers the viewers a glimpse into what life in the Fire Nation is like. Up until that point, the Fire Nation had remained a very large question mark. So not only did "Zuko Alone" offer a better understanding of one the most misunderstood characters, it als
o helps the audience have a better grasp on what Fire Nation royalty life was like.
And as far as Fire Nation royalty goes--oh. My. Word. They are the most messed up people in the entire show. I was once having a conversation with my mother about this episode and she made the astute observation that an entire series could be dedicated to unravelling the issues and drama that went on behind the palace walls in the Fire Nation. In "Zuko Alone" there is plenty of inferences to foul play, deceit, and shady activity going on in the Fire Nation capital. Not to mention Iroh's siege of Ba Sing Se, his historic failure, the death of his son Lu Ten, Iroh's wife (she's never mentioned, but hello, he had to have one, he had SON. Come on, people. Get real), plus Iroh's relationship with Ozai, Ozai's courtship of Ursa, etc. etc. etc.
See what I mean? These people are a complex bunch. Zuko's just the tip of a very dysfunctional iceberg. But we're getting off topic. The point here is, Zuko's angst is legitimate. His sister is a sadistic psychopath, his father's a power monger hungry for dictatorship, and one of the only people he ever really trusted to love and be loved by disappears. I mean, come on. I would be a pretty moody person if all of this was going on in my life too. He has every right to be whiney and grumpy and pissed off all the time. And you have to admit, he's pretty tough for dealing with all of that emotional strife. Sure, he may not be the picture of good mental health but at least he had placed enough worth on himself to fight for his honor.
"Remember this Zuko: no matter how things may seem
to change, never forget who you are."
-- Ursa, episode 2:07 "Zuko Alone"
Another interesting thing about this episode that I adored was how well the audience got to know Ursa in such a small amount of time. She is, by far, one of the most captivating characters and she has very little screen time. The writers did a wonderful job of portraying her motivations and best qualities while not making her too overpowering. The episode was still about Zuko. Although she played a key role, she did not steal the spotlight from Zuko, who the episode was focusing on.
Overall, the episode does a wonderful job of taking a mildly annoying character and making them more relatable. As always, the writing was spot on. The animation? Fantastic. And the transitions in between the flash backs and the current plot were seamless and wonderfully placed. It's just a good episode in general. In terms of story, acting and animation.
And those are the reasons why I LOVE that episode!
---
Famous Last Words:
"My name is Zuko. Son of Ursa and Fire Lord Ozai.
Prince of the Fire Nation and heir to the throne."
-- Zuko, episode 2:07 "Zuko Alone"
