This creates an interesting reversal of the event that precipitated Zuko’s banishment. His father not only invites him to the war council and waits for him to arrive before starting the meeting, he actually invites him to speak on a crucial dilemma for the Fire Nation-how to subdue Earth Kingdom rebellion in occupied areas. Here, we get to see him achieve what he had been seeking for so long. This scene also plays into the idea of coming full circle. This event, along with the knowledge he learned from Iroh about his connection to Avatar Roku, were what finally pushed him to decide to defect during the eclipse. Zuko’s flashback to the war council provides an important connection to episode 9 (“Nightmares and Daydreams”) by filling in the blank of what happened in that meeting that so upset him. (On the other hand, who knows if the city still would have fallen if he hadn’t joined his sister then? There’s an interesting AU idea in there somewhere.) But for the sake of this plot point, the timing of Zuko’s defection was crucial-he would not have known Ozai’s plan (or indeed, had an unwitting hand in it) if he had not gone back to his father after Ba Sing Se fell. But Zuko knows that the stakes are higher than the others realize: Ozai plans to use the comet to destroy the Earth Kingdom.įor many fans, Zuko’s turn-around came much later than expected. With Ba Sing Se fallen, they consider the war lost, and so they see no point in confronting Ozai on the old schedule-trying to beat Sozin’s comet-when it would be better to allow Aang to have more time to train.
When the dust settles on Aang and Zuko’s battle, we learn that there is a crucial misunderstanding between Zuko and the rest of the group. By the end, Aang has been separated from the group, and it is Zuko that the rest of the group looks to to lead them, since he is so experienced in tracking Aang. In fact, a couple of elements in this episode give a sense of “coming full circle”, especially for Zuko. Zuko’s attack is reminiscent of his prior antagonism against the Gaang. Zuko interrupts the beach party with a sudden, aggressive attack against Aang, trying to shock him into action.
The audience may identify with Zuko’s impatience-I certainly did. Zuko is the only one who can’t relax, impatient that no one seems concerned about what to do next. The episode begins with a humorous set, as the Gaang enjoys some down time at the Ember Island Beach House. I’m finally on the home stretch, with the first part of the four-part finale.
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