ATLA - 304 - Sokka's Master

[retro_eidas]

I can't tell you how inordinately excited I got when we saw the the White Lotus scene from "The Desert" (?) in the previouslies. Secret societies YAYZ!! And this one I've been hoping to see more of... and with this tantalizing tidbit, we're bound to see them again in a greater capacity as the season progresses. I. cannot. wait.

Although I'd wonder if Sokka's Master knew the Avatar was traveling with water tribe Sokka because White Lotus has been tracking him right along in the shadows?

Oh I do love Sokka lots. He's the normal guy who comes up with the plan (although I'm sad that wasn't mentioned amongst Sokka's attributes. Map reading? The funny guy? Come on now. He's better than that.)

Iroh is a bad ass. Of course, we knew these things. Planning a break-out solo or waiting for the opportune moment when the nephew gets his damn head out of his damn ass? As we also know, Iroh is a member of the White Lotus. This isn't based on much at all, but I'm starting to wonder if Iroh - apart from his genuine love/concern for his nephew - may have ulterior motives for his closeness and mentoring of Zuko? Iroh possibly fashioning a new Fire Lord in Zuko for his sake (it's either Zuko or Azula and by God, I doubt anyone wants Azula to be Fire Lord. Considering Iroh also likely suspects what happened to his father while he was away? He doesn't want Zuko to share the same fate), but also the sake of the world (or, specifically, the world White Lotus hopes to help build)? Maybe there's prophecy involved? Involving both Aang and Zuko playing major roles? Unfortunately, Iroh has hit a snag with Zuko's betrayal, but by the looks of Iroh's Pump YOU Up, he's FAR from lost hope.

Toph's crush on Sokka became a little more obvious in this ep (with her blush), although a damper may get put on her feelings if/when Suki comes back. Stress the "if". As I haven't been keeping up with the spoilers or writers interviews, have we gotten any input at all regarding Suki's fate? It would be too depressing if Sokka lost yet another sweetheart to the long sleep, so for now, I'm going to assume she's alive somewhere. Thus, Toph is going to have her heart broken, which I'm already bracing myself for.

As far as the preview, Azula certainly loves the megalomaniacal shtick, doesn't she? Needs the practice when she kills her father horribly and takes over Fire Nation. And Ty Lee!! Missed her.

Comments

[mshepnj.livejournal.com]

This was a great episode. Sokka rocks and Piandao is a great Master. Gives me hope for the whole Avatarverse.

As we also know, Iroh is a member of the White Lotus. This isn't based on much at all, but I'm starting to wonder if Iroh - apart from his genuine love/concern for his nephew - may have ulterior motives for his closeness and mentoring of Zuko? Iroh possibly fashioning a new Fire Lord in Zuko for his sake (it's either Zuko or Azula and by God, I doubt anyone wants Azula to be Fire Lord. Considering Iroh also likely suspects what happened to his father while he was away? He doesn't want Zuko to share the same fate),

I think so. The whole White Lotus Society story is intriguing and it looks the connections are broad - throughout the 4 nations and deep - going back at least a century waiting for the right moment.

Was it ever established (as a fact) that Azulon was murdered? It certainly seems likely. Anyway, I happen to believe tha Ozai is a usurper to the throne and Iroh - the rightful successor - is grooming Zuko, *his choice*, to succeed him. It makes the silent treatment all th emore interesting. When Iroh tried to instill certain values in his nephew, Zuko shrugged them off. Now Zuko is forced to figure things out for himself. Maybe that's what he needs at this point.

Maybe there's prophecy involved? Involving both Aang and Zuko playing major roles? Unfortunately, Iroh has hit a snag with Zuko's betrayal, but by the looks of Iroh's Pump YOU Up, he's FAR from lost hope.

Iroh has a plan. Yes, he does. The buffness is just building up an "all-business" physique to go with the shrewd mind. I think he knows his nephew well enough to know all hope is not lost. As for a prophesy, there was a spoiler-ish episode summary that suggested a past connection between Zuko and Aang.


I think the Toph crush is very sweet, but I'm hoping that if and when Suki shows up again (no word that, like Jet) she's dead, so maybe no news is good news. Hopefully if she does turn up Toph will have moved on. See, this is why I have issues with shipping kids.

[mshepnj.livejournal.com]

My grammar seems to suffer for the Cabernet. Sorry. Ahem.

[eido.livejournal.com]

I think so. The whole White Lotus Society story is intriguing and it looks the connections are broad - throughout the 4 nations and deep - going back at least a century waiting for the right moment.

Working to bring back balance in the world... but not in an overt way (at least not right now). I'd say this whole White Lotus Society are all a bunch of masters of neutral jing. "Wait and listen." And they've been "waiting" for a 100 years for the Avatar, but he's only part of it. They've got to restore the primary instigator to balance as well and that's going to be a task that needs just the right ruler. They've probably been waiting for someone like Zuko to come along as well. I don't know if Iroh was always a member of White Lotus, but I'd bet Iroh may have been inspired to join or at least become a more active member after the death of his son. That's when I'd figure he lost all interest in Sozin's war or being the legendary general... and decided he was going to stop it at all costs and save Zuko from sharing his son's fate (Iroh probably always figured Zuko was different, but likely moreso after the whole war room incident that got Zuko banished). In this case, not only keep him from succumbing to the same fate as the rest of his family, but also fashion him to be the Fire Lord the nation needs (after Ozai and Azula have been taken out).

Although I'm wondering why Iroh didn't try for the throne himself? Is it because he lost his heir (possibly also died under suspicious circumstances we don't know about yet? Maybe he didn't die in battle like we've been led to believe and Iroh suspects otherwise?) and he was afraid any heir he would have or chose (Zuko) would die like his son did?

Was it ever established (as a fact) that Azulon was murdered?

I don't believe it was, but between Ursa's stating he was a "picture of health" and then his sudden death? Heavily suspicious circumstances, so yeah, I totally think someone killed him, we just don't know who did it yet.

When Iroh tried to instill certain values in his nephew, Zuko shrugged them off. Now Zuko is forced to figure things out for himself. Maybe that's what he needs at this point.

Sad thing is, I'd bet Iroh did at least consider Zuko betraying him, but now that it's happened, Iroh has to work with the situation if he still plans on saving Zuko / groom him to be the ideal ruler for post-war Fire Nation (and undo the damage started by his great-grandfather). If anyone can pull it off, it's Iroh (as he knows Zuko better than Zuko knows himself) and whatever he's planning, it looks like it's going to be big.

I'd also bet the writers intended Zuko's current state tying back to something Iroh says to him in "Lake Laogai". "It's time for you to look inward and ask yourself the big questions. Who are you and what do you want?" Zuko only believes he's done that by choosing his sister, but he's actually only in the process of making those decisions.

I think he knows his nephew well enough to know all hope is not lost.

Zuko's "I feel like I'm losing my mind" was probably a tip-off to Iroh that he hasn't lost the boy yet. He's still confused, doesn't know if what he did was right (and it SO wasn't). He can still win him back and I'm betting that's all part of whatever he's getting ready for.

there was a spoiler-ish episode summary that suggested a past connection between Zuko and Aang.

I was thinking that might have to do with the ep 6 title.

[mshepnj.livejournal.com]

Mike gave an interview recently that was linked today at Avatar Spirit from Newarama: http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=133106.

He basically confirms that forgiveness and redemption will be important themes this season, that Iroh's story is one of redemption (that he feels like a failure - but will do some major soul searching in prison and that *may* spur him to act) and that Zuko's anger masks this knowledge deep down that he did a bad thing. Not that this is a surprise.

I think you've got a good idea that Zuko is the other piece of this puzzle? circle? that he and Aang or both the embodiment of Sozin and Roku and both are needed to right things as the White Lotus Society works to influence things behind the scenes.

[eido.livejournal.com]

He basically confirms that forgiveness and redemption will be important themes this season, that Iroh's story is one of redemption (that he feels like a failure - but will do some major soul searching in prison and that *may* spur him to act)

Although that's all but coy writer code for it *will* spur him to act, he doesn't want to flat-out say it as that would be just giving it away. Although everyone pretty much could guess that Iroh isn't going to take this lying down, so Mike probably didn't feel like he was giving much away almost all but saying it. Iroh isn't going to abandon Zuko who - as that interview confirms again - is literally a son to him and as he lost one, by God, no way in hell he's going to lose another. Lu Ten's death is irreversible, Zuko's fall from grace IS. Zuko can most certainly still be saved, with the right encouragement, and I do think Iroh is finally going to be getting very serious where that encouragement is concerned.

and that Zuko's anger masks this knowledge deep down that he did a bad thing.

BTW, did you see the new "The Beach" clip re: Zuko's anger?

I think you've got a good idea that Zuko is the other piece of this puzzle? circle? that he and Aang or both the embodiment of Sozin and Roku and both are needed to right things as the White Lotus Society works to influence things behind the scenes.

Honestly? I don't see any other way for this story to resolve. The prominent Aang and Zuko parallel is going to have to converge at some point. The whole series has been leading up to it. There is just no way this isn't going to happen... and I doubt the really big way, the way that's going to matter most, is going to be as enemies.

Also, how much you want to bet that future comedy ep Mike mentions is something involving Zuko in the group? Possibly some comical butting of heads between Sokka and Zuko.