0 RIZZ AZULA. 100 RAGE ZUKO! | Avatar The Last Airbender Book 3 Episode 5 Reaction 

"Azula's just a gamer" has to be the most accurate take yet

Azula may know how to conquer a continent, but she knows jack shit about being a teenager.

Love how azula managed to be a girl boss and a girl failure at the same time in this episode

"Because I don't know the difference between right and wrong anymore." Such a great line. Zuko started out doing the right thing and immediately got burned for it. Literally. Then he spent all that time trying to do the right thing by capturing the Avatar. Then in Ba Sing Se he had that transformation. When he turned on Iroh, it wasn't because he thought Azula was right but because he thought that right and wrong didn't matter. It seems like he turned to his Dad's side but really, he just gave up. He's been around the world, he knows the fire nation's imperialism sucks, but he just got tired of doing the right thing and getting shafted. Just look at how he's been with Azula, he doesn't trust her, he doesn't think he's on the right side, he's just trying to pretend not to care. It's really great writing because instead of his betrayal being just s relapse, it was instead in line with his character growth. Now he just needs to figure out what is worth caring about.

I think something that sometimes gets missed with Mai and Zuko is that she's one of the only people in Zuzu's life who's always been candid with him. She might not always 'get' him. But she never lies to, or manipulates him.

So in this episode Ty Lee mentions being one of 7 daughters and “being part of a matching set” is why she ran away to the circus. In comics, we see her sisters and we see that the sisters all actually paired off, leaving Ty Lee all alone. Also in this episode, you can really see how much weight and muscle mass Zuko lost due to starvation from his time as a fugitive/refugee in the Earth Kingdom. Not only did they leave the scar on Aang's back, you can also see where the lightning exited on the bottom of his left foot.

I feel like anyone not matching Azula’s ambition would be beneath her, but if she were to find someone with matching level of drive and competence , she would just become rivals and strive to prove her superiority instead.

Something that I think goes overlooked a lot is that Azula is the one to explain Mai's trauma during the campfire scene (you had a controlling mother who had certain expectations etc.), because that also applies to her. She had a controlling father who expected her to be this perfect, cruel, prodigy that we see, and if she steps out of line, or shows compassion or anything? Well, how did that turn out for Zuko?

Here's an interesting detail: Zuko got so much skinnier since the time we saw his body in the first season. The exile in the Earth Kingdom got him rly exhausted and hungry it seems. So cool

Mei covered Zuko's eyes because she didnt want them to steal her man

Alicia to give you some clarity, Zuko and Mei's relationship isn't one that was rushed in. If you look back at Zuko Alone, you'd see a younger Mei who had a crush on Zuko since they were kids. In the storm, we saw Zuko was very kind and compassionate to others, Mei was repressed and we can assume Zuko helped with that. He was gone three years and remember BURNED for caring about other people and his family. They're not as much rushed as they're kids who were really close but separated and went through some hard shit. Mei is opposed to emotions, and Zuko is emotional, right? Ya get me? God..these kids need therapy.

Seeing how the firelord managed to make his children screwed over in any social situation that isn’t combat based, is kinda impressive.

There is a scar on Aang's back where the lightning hit him, but there is one on the bottom of his foot too, from where the lightning left him

27:24 Obviously nobody is supposed to be right in the scene, but I'm 99% sure that Mai is alluding to Ty Lee cheating on guys or leading them on to feel validated, not that shes in a polyamorous relationship. She deserves validation, but using people's attraction to her to make them tools and tossing them aside like trash isn't the right way to get it. I know what you're trying to say about how if your friend is doing something like that, you shouldn't care if it doesn't affect you, but I'd highly disagree if it's negatively affecting others who don't deserve it. If my friends are using other people like tools for validation, I'd tell them how messed up it is, and I trust them to tell me if I do anything like that. Like I said, everyone in the bonfire scene is wrong in one way or another, but that also includes Ty Lee, even if she's arguably the least morally corrupt of the group.

Fun Fact: Some of the best episodes from season three are directed by Joaquim dos Santos, a portuguese storyboarder who worked in Spider-man into the Spider-verse, the original Justice League cartoon and Justice League Unlimited

The fact that a beach episode is one of the best in the series truly speaks to the quality of this series!

“My own mother thought I was a monster. She was right of course, but it still hurt.” *Keep this in mind for later.*

"Who has tattoos on their forehead." Crazy right? Like a child being tattooed with arrowheads from forehead to feet and hands. 😂 😂 But you get it. You always do. I love the contrast in this episode. Especially when it comes to azulas. One of few windows into her soul. Her disoriented relation with her mother. She accepted it. But still was so hurt by her nothers heart towards her.

Ty Lee is not much better on some aspects, she refuses to draw clear lines with people manipulating them into giving love she won't ever reciprocate. For these people she can do a lot of harm. In my friend group we had a few people who did that back in the days and it always ended up causing a lot of issues to the group in general. It caused a lot of conflicts mainly, but also anxiety to people who got their emotions played with. They represent most of the psychosocial toxic behaviours. Ty Lee is the avoidance type social butterfly, manipulating others by never committing to a relation. Zuko is ofcourse people with anger issues due to a lack of self love turning that self hate outward. May is apathy, people who cut themselves from their own emotions making them unable to empathise or sympathise. Azula is a true psycopath, she enjoys hurting others, has no shame, is cunningly manipulative and everything is a performance to gain something for herself.

I mean, Azula wasn't exactly wrong about Ty Lee being a tease. Not that she's malicious about it, but she DEFINITELY uses her looks to her advantage in a very manipulative way. Sure, it's cute when seen outside of the interaction, but I don't think having to deal with that kind of "does she or doesn't she" shtick would be good for anyone's anxiety levels or mental health.

Both Zuko and Azula have social issues, where they don't really know how to communicated well with others and don't know what's the right thing to say at times. And this episode showed that so great. it really showed that Both of them have problems but they may be able to work through it.

"Azula can't comunicate" The episode. I know she talks a lot in this one, but her talks are si socially akward that make her looks like the shy or weird girl of the group.

Look at how they all aired their dirty laundry and addressed their issues... they you have Azula who barely reveals her issue before deflecting with humour.

This episode was necessary for the character development for who we saw as 'villains' of the show. Anyone can be seen as evil or wrong if there isn't understanding for their actions. Having an inside view on these characters gives depth to the future actions and decisions they make. Thank you for reacting to this series! Keep it up, Alicia!

I'm always amazed at how much emotional data you can process. I've been watching Avatar since I was a teenager, and I still learn to see things from a new perspective from your reactions. Maybe I should have learned about how to write a story in college. I've recently been diagnosed with autism, and I think learning about how to write a story would help me process and understand emotions from others better.

New Character introduced "Oh. Neat." They stick around for more than one episode "Ooooooh shit, they're real trouble aren't they"

I love this episode because it's just them who have either been in high living, royalty, or worshiped. Here they are just seeing how normal they would be. It also helps zuko through seeing his view of right and wrong. Also, Mai and Zukos' relationship here is why I think Jinko is best ship. Maiko just keeps crashing and burning

Most shows would just use a beach episode to show off all of your favorite characters dress down into bikinis and shorts, Avatar features a cool fight, and realistic character development in a very relatable way. Excellent series that will forever live in my heart, it taught me so much about emotional maturity as a child, even if I missed half of the more subtle things back then.

Maybe it's cause I haven't watched the whole episode in awhile, but can we talk about how Toph was the one who noticed Aang had his tattoos showing?

This episode is almost a visualization of the phrase "Hurt people, hurt people"...

The one form of bending Azula could never quite master… Backbending.

Azula having no idea how to be a normal teenager is funny but also kinda sad

It always confuses me when people are surprised in this episode that Azula treats her friends like shit... like, she's literally a war criminal. Why would she have any social decency?

Fun fact that you may already know, the VA for Azula is also the VA for Delilah Briarwood in The Legend of Vox Machina, among many other roles in many other places.

This show has so many good moments that cover so many different ideas and topics and character growth. But every once in a while there's a moment or an episode that reminds the audience that the oldest of the main characters is only sixteen. They're still so young and are going through so much. The underlying themes around growing up continue to push further and further as this series continues, even into Legend of Korra (which is all I'll say to avoid spoilers). Watching this show when it was coming out, I was the same age as some of these characters. Seeing them deal with issues that obviously weren't the same as my own experience, but in a way that I understood and related to, helped cement this show for me as one of the greatest pieces of media and storytelling of all time. The pressure and expectation to be something more or different from what you are, while still trying to hold onto any shred of the life you're being pulled from just by getting older, hit me hard then and still hits me hard now. And honestly, the part that hits me hardest from A:TLA may be this exchange from Book 1: Aang: I can't do it... (to himself) I can't do it. Katara: What happened? Aang: I must have taken out a dozen Fire Navy ships, but there's just too many of them. I can't fight them all! Yue: But... you have to! You're the Avatar. Aang: I'm just one kid... Frick dude this show is so good.

I just call saggy booba the "Deflated fun bags". Great reaction and insight on the characters, thanks for the upload :)

truly the episode which cemented in my mind that azula is one of the best and most entertaining characters on the show, and when I’m not a bit terrified of her and her involvement with the main plot she’s JUST an icon

The thing about the eyeball on the forehead is that Avatar is inspired (clearly) from multiple asian cultures and the eyeball guy is probably inspired by the hindu god of destruction Shiva. It is said that he is one of the most benign and caring and loving gods but when he gets angry, his third eye opens and destruction is inevitable. So the guy is probably from a culture that worships Shiva.

Edited: 1) I think I subbed not long after we shared a cry with Edgerunners 2) Azula has a demon in her heart. I think she is so driven to be the most dominant that she only keeps "useful" people around her. Her "best friends" are outside the norm, but they are skilled tools she can use 3) Also, spoiled melons.

Azula awkwardbending the hell of this party.

So glad you saw azula’s intention with the camp fire talk :)

Combustion bending is such a mind-bending bullshit, I'm still amazed someone said "You know what, woldn't it be nice if there was this sniper guy who can shoot freaking PRECISION EXPLOSIONS out of his forehead?...". One cool thing about it is that after Zuko was trying to shoot lightning episode having explosions like that isn't too weird, because that's kinda what was going on there, except Zuko wasn't focusing and controlling those explosions, they were just an accidental byproduct. Also metal man having an arm and a leg missing is kinda fitting with his explosions, dude probably made some mistakes training...

I absolutely love their dynamic this episode. All of them working through a lot of their problems and seeing Azula's human side even though part of it is her being a bitch. I love Azula as a character

I actually like when close people start to say honest things that've been on their mind for a while. Yeah, if it's someone who isn't your friend or family, they better keep their mouth close, but if it's someone close, it's better when people speak everything and not hold it inside, then after that if friends or family can survive this conversation, their bonds become really strong and now their relationships move to the next level. If people hold these things inside, they will slowly become more and more distant.

This is where I’m like wait a minute, Azula actually cares for Zuko, she’s just crazy lol 😂, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have feelings, their just all fucked from their dad I think, Also I believe their big argument wasn’t to be mean, but to push eachother to talk about themselves, because they are all close, they have been friends since they were kids, but Ty lee really is an airhead sometimes and doesn’t understand that her being nice and her leading the boys on just to get things from them isn’t a great move, and Zuko needs to let out his frustrations to confidants he can’t keep that bottled in, Mai just needed to get a reality check and Azula… we’ll sue doesn’t care as much as the rest but she has her own demons that she avoids, it’s all them working through it together in a very unhealthy way but honestly better that then not at all

Can't watch this video yet since I'm still binging through your previous "Avatar" reactions as fast as I can, but as someone who usually just lurks & doesn't comment, I have to say that I absolutely love your insightful commentary (as well as your audience making sure you have as great as experience with the series as possible), & I hope you continue to enjoy until the finale & beyond! (^u^)d (Now to dart back to see how bad "Tales of Ba Sing Se" gets you. XD )

You nailed it until you didn't. Yup, that's Azula's story. My take on Zuko is that he went back to her because they had dated before he left, and he was desperately trying to recreate his old life. She went back with him for the same reasons, but she cared for him, and hoped to help him back to "the way things used to be." They need to find a real connection and reason to be together. And Zuko has to figure some things out, and lose his anger at himself before he can be truly there for anyone else.

Azula was isolated all her life because of her dad. Her dad is the reason she is the way she is, its sad

A beach episode above the rest. You called it. Also, the juxtaposition of the terror on the guards faces after seeing the biggest threat to their nation versus Aang's childish delight is most amusing. Mei and Zuko don't click as well as I remember, but both are emotionally stunted and edgy, so.... Well, he did have a preestablished crush an Mei from back when things weren't so bad at home, so it's also trying to find the new normal in his old life. Azula doesn't know how to chill. I didn't consider how "Don't you know who we are?" might rub Zuko the wrong way for being out of the loop for the last 3 years and change on the first watch. "I forgot about him!" Not going to be a problem for long. Ty Lee is overwhelmed by her success. She is a little too in her element. 18:25 Just a reminder that Azula is 14, and this is how her brain is working! And this isn't hyperbole from her either! Zuko is trying, but too hard. Mei and Zuko COULD work, but both need to deal with their issues. "Can we burn this house down?" "Okay, enough angst stress on the audience. Time for the FEAR STRESS!!!!!" Behold. COMBUSTION BENDING. A sub form of firebending even more rare and destructive than lightning bending. It is exceptionally broken. So it is fortunate that it is insanely rare. Unfortunately, it only takes one to leave all the marks. An Avatar along with the greatest earth and water savants of their age, and the best they can do is make a diversion to get away! Time for everyone's baggage in the fire squad to be aired! Mostly through mutual angry dragging! All these kids need so much therapy. A pity that's probably not a thing yet. Mei and Ty both suffered neglect. Just in different forms and dosages with different coping mechanisms. Though she may try to deflect, Azula let us see her pain. For just a moment, we saw cracks in her armor.

Yeah this episode azlie, zuko, ty Lee, and mai said "aight, these hands rated E for everyone, who wants this work"

This episode always reminds me of a funny quote I saw a guy post a while back: "My whole history of toxic relationships started when I decided I liked Azula more than Ty Lee."

I know it can seem extremely unhealthy how Zuko and the others "therapy'd" eachother through insults instead of the usual loving way, but honestly it just makes me think of the boys. Guys do that to eachother all the time, not only does it help with the usual therapy stuff, but it also challenges you and pokes you into standing up for yourself. Note how is brought the three of them (minus azula) into standing by their own convictions. It helped them process their trauma, sure, but it also helps make them more confident. In my experience a large portion a guys also just happen to respond better to "challenge" therapy than simply talking about it normally. Don't misunderstand, there is a healthy and a very unhealthy way to go about how they went about it, and theirs borders a bit bc of Azula, but her aside, that was a very good example of how poking at and pushing at people you care about sometimes can help them A) process the problem B) poke them into standing up for themselves, which builds confidence and conviction. and C) Draw out their words and get them to talk about something they may not have otherwise. You think any three of them would have opened up about those things if they weren't challenged? Ramble, I know, but that scene always makes me think about that, and how many people don't fully understand that and just assume they're bullying eachother. Especially in a world where traditional therapy doesn't seem to understand that guys process differently and may need a different way to help them. I love how they implemented the way guys usually therapy eachother in friend groups. Also fun fact, its comorbid with how the boys always flirt and act gay with eachother, it helps them both learn how to flirt and to build confidence in doing it. Guys use eachother for social training like that, both for courting and for the therapy/confidence/convictions thing so they handle social situations better, both romantic and in more conflicted scenarios. This goes back thousands of years. Sorry for long comment, I love to ramble about things I think are interesting, and AtlA is such a great show for teaching mental health to anyone. It's still my comfort show when my mental health is slipping.

21:10 I think that’s Ozai holding Azula and playing with Zuko. 28:10 a lot of people see it as self destructive and don’t want their friends to go that way.

Oof dante bascos performance in this episode. You felt zuko z pain and agony shout out to him

"If you cant love yourself, how the HELL you gonna love somebody else?".

Probably one of my favourite episodes, fleshes out the antagonists, adds perspective to them and sets up Zukos inner turmoil pretty well.

You know, it's also quite a curious thing that Zuko doesn't have friends his own age. And sure, yeah he was exiled but what about before that, before the scar? Surely after getting "redeemed", at least to the eyes of the Flirt Nation, friend groups from his past with come running back, right? And I keep forgetting that Mai and Tylee are Azula's friend group and not his, so he's sort of just tagging along with his little sister's friends.

There’s a long standing rumor in the fandom (though I don’t know it’s ever had official confirmation) that the girls’ swimsuits in this episode were originally much more risqué. The story goes that some fans who won a backstage tour saw the original designs and said that even most ecchi anime would be hesitant about using them, and the thought was that the creators originally put them forward so that the censors would agree to the “toned down” design the creators really wanted.

“Did his hair get longer?” -Book 2 Zuko in a nutshell.

12:44 yeah… I got ADHD, autism, & I’m a veteran (so I was literally programmed to believe 15 minutes prior is 15 minutes late to being 15 minutes late). I will literally show up to places & just sit outside in my car & wait for the appropriate time to “arrive” despite having been there 30-90 minutes beforehand. 😅

"I show up on color-people time." Dude, I had no idea there was a name for what my family does! xD

23:03 "No sane person wears a mark on their forehead" Millions of Indians wearing Bindi: Well fuck us, I suppose.

“Possessive zuko” is not good… I hate when people romanticize possessiveness. It’s not good or healthy, it’s incredibly off putting to me. This is supposed to show his insecurity and anger he’s dealing with.

bruh these subtitles broke me, my whole life i thought dude said " a back rippin' message " but he was sayin' " a black ribbon message " i feel so dumb

He’s just a firebender. It’s superheated air that explodes on contact with resistance.

Alicia surprised the villains are mean to eachother lmao

My sister was telling me the other day " so I always heard Azula was evil, but when I was watching the show I was like, she can't be evil evil, shes too hot for that " lol

20:13 idk if anybodys going to read this but like, the switch up here was crazy. from "ooh we love protective zuko" to violence is never the answer. our girl really does see red flags as end goals huh? XD

25:01 Well...that kind of IS the explanation. They don't say so in the show, so it's not much of a spoiler. This is called "combustionbending" a sort of...psychokinetic firebending. It works by channeling chi through the forehead, often marked with an eye shaped tattoo over the chakra point it's released from, superheating the surrounding air and producing an explosive beam that explodes upon contact with a solid surface. However, this bending technique requires a clear and uninterrupted chi flow that is properly calibrated (with breath and concentration) to be effective. As shown in the series, if the chi flow is hindered, tampered with, or disrupted in any way, can cause the process to catastrophically malfunction. It's a bit like a complex reactor. If even the slightest thing goes wrong, there could be a meltdown...

"Some of the most important teenagers in the Fire Nation will be there." He's not wrong.

after the s2 ending, and this episode, i feel like him making the correct choice in s2 would have been emptier than him making the wrong choice and having to come to terms with the choice.

The guy with the eye ball tattoo is called a combustion bender, a fire bender type and they’re extremely rare.

Idk if Sparky Sparky Boom Man's power was ever officially explained, but in my headcanon I always think of the episode where Zuko kept failing at creating Lightning. It kept blowing up in his face. I think "Combustion Bending" as it's called was discovered by people who couldn't do Lightning Bending. Instead of being calm and balanced enough to produce Lightning they lean heavily into the inner turmoil that creates the explosion, and learn to use it as an attack instead of a failed Lightning.

I’m actually kinda surprised that Azula is bad with boys given her desire and drive to excell at everything and given the political realities of her situation. She is the most eligible woman in the Fire nation. Azula is the de facto heir to the Fire Nation. While Zuko might nominally be Crown Prince i cannot see Ozai or Azula herself allowing that. From Ozai’s perspective Zuko has already proved himself weak and now is potentially tainted by Iroh. Azula on the other hand is effectively a copy of her father with exception that she is more attached to him than you were to your own father. With Azula as the heir it means she is gonna have to marry. As such everyone who matters in the Fire Nation should be trying to position some relative in front of her as a suitor. She had to know that as well. I can very easily believe that she should be able to wind men around her little finger

"Maybe she's into Polyamorous relationships" Goodmorning miss, may I interest you in my favorite ship: Sokka/Suki/Ty Lee?

27:20 I know how this looks like but after watching too may times I think Mai was rightfully trying to analyse her and nothing more. Given her personality, it looks like she was trying to roast her but I don't think she really was. She just doesn't realize figuring out people out loud in front of them just like that is still rude.

Maiko does need some work but what relationship doesent I still love my edgy coupple.

I always thought the dynamic between Mai and Zuko in this episode was really sweet in a really weird way. She makes him realize he doesn’t have to do all the cliche romantic stuff to impress her. Just let the quiet emo introvert energy flow and occasionally talk about how everything’s pointless and that’s enough.

ATLA is one of a few shows that manages to make a "filler beach episode" one of the favorite, because of great writing and characters.

Her saying she was right and joking about it is definitely is her way to cover it up by joking about it so nobody not even friends and family can see her "weak" Imagine having emotions ughhh..

If Axula found a boyfriend as ambitious as her, you can bet one would try to backstab the other at some point. People like Azula love nothing more than power and control.

"Color people time" is a wild thing to say Alicia xD

With how little rizz Zuko and Azula have, I guess the fire lord line ends here.

"Your attraction to toxic women started when you chose Azula over Ty Lee"

20:36 "Can we burn this house down?" Well actually

9:25 Haha, Zuko was really ready to get those invitations from their dead bodies 🤣

Can we get some justice for chan and his family lmao

I'm not sure if you noticed but Azula and Delilah from Vox Machina have the same voice actress.

mei and zuko always great at points i do think ty lee would be good for him too just cause cheery and later i did like a another pair

The show is excellent in character development, that's why this show is so legendary

We all feel guilt and remorse for the bad and hurtful acts we commit. The others might have accepted their flaws and insecurities but Azula only showed that deep down she feels guilty for being a "monster" not that she accepts that about herself. The others had to endure a pain inflicted on them by others on the other hand Azula is feeling the guilt for the pain she inflicts on the people around her and that doesn't simply go away by accepting it. How can she when she thinks her own mother hated it her for it. As much as she wants to brush it off as something only her mother viewed her as, she knows deep down her manipulative behavior of the people closest to her is something only a monster would do.

A very minor detail is when aang was struck, the electricity went out his body through his foot. You can see the scar in a few shots

This is one of the best "filler" episodes in the whole series, not only do we get the incredible character and relationship growth for the villains, but that one bit where Aang shields himself from the explosion with his airbending is my favorite piece of animation outside of the finale. It's SO stunning!

MY THEORY on the explosion dude is that this "combustion bending" (as the communety calls it), is a sub catagory of fire bending derived from air nomad technikues. All of his scenes and allmost all of the scenes of a second "combustion bender" intruduced in "Avatar: The Legend of Korra" lead me to believe that: "combustion bending" requires a lot of mental focus. That all combustion benders are nearly or fully bald. That they swore an oath of silence that is only broken in dire circumstances. And that they all have that eye tattoo on theyr forehead. I believe this to be derived from air nomad technikues and teachings due to the forehead tattoo, the bald heads, the remote manipulation of gasses in the air (that is what seems to be happening i think), and the silence wich i interpret as eather a way to keep themselves focussed and or a cultural practice. But this is just my theory on what this strange form of bending is, it is never explained anywhere even the name "combustion bending" is made up by fans and we have only two examples of users across both Avatar shows available at this moment, so ill probably be proven wrong in the future that or im just looking way to deep into something that was never meant to be more than "look sparky boom dude made things go boom!".

Zuko didnt jump into his relationship with mai theve liked each other since they were kids

Watching the series along with you has been such a joy and I'm glad to watch along with you! I have to say though that the finale is in four parts and it you don't release it all at once as like a full hour long special or something I'm gonna riot I wanna feel it all at once dammit XD In all seriousness you are amazing and I'm so happy I found you from the second book when I did. Watching this show again has been a massive relief for me getting to see all my favourite characters again and your experience on top is more than the icing on the cake, I love it and I love you!!!! Keep doing what you're doing Alicia

Zuko and Mai already kinda liked each other before Zuko was banished.

The first time I watched this when I was young.... that moment where Zuko took his shirt off was a Moment(tm) for me. iykyk

17:00 was that girl that just ditched a firebender?

The legendary beach episode from Avatar is both unique from other beach episodes, and developing for the characters. Now we know them better, and they have changed. Any new changes in their behavior in the story from now on will work better because we understand them better and they're changing