Zuko Alone - The Complexity of War (Avatar: The Last Airbender) 

“Growing up, we were told the Fire Nation is the greatest civilization in history. And somehow, the war was our way showing our greatness to the world. What an amazing lie that was. The people of the world are terrified by the Fire Nation. They don’t see our greatness; they hate us, and we deserve it.” Zuko.

It’s was Zuko alone who redeemed the fire nation

Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor and it can never be used to hurt you.

I never was mad at the town for turning on Zuko. Sure, he saved the kid's life. But he not only was the son of "Fire Breathing Hitler"- but he proudly boasted it. Proclaiming he is the heir to the throne. The future Fire Lord. A title that has amassed so much fear and hatred towards it. Sorry, but that's not the type of shit that people can just "get over" after one small act of kindness. And their fears are of him are ultimately justified. Zuko ends up selling out their entire kingdom for a shot at taking down the Avatar, the hero of the world. A shot at gaining favor with their Hitler. Sure, he eventually sees his mistake but it's a long journey to get too- and was never a sure thing. Zuko is my favorite character in the series by far, but it's fair to see why people were afraid of him for a good portion of the show.

I don't blame the mother at all. It's subtle but the family is thinking Zuko could possibly stay with them and fill the void of their son. On the flip side of that Zuko sees he could finally be surrounded by a family that accepts him. So when the lady finds out he's is fire nation and the Prince she is heart broken on different levels.

The dagger: "Never give up without a fight." Ursa: "That's who you are, Zuko. Someone who keeps fighting even when it's hard." Zuko, episode 120: "I don't need luck, though. I don't want it. I've had to struggle and fight, and it's made me strong. It's made me who I am."

Zuko standing triumphant, then turning to those he saved only to be rejected as they fear the banished prince and his firebending. And Zuko’s slow turn away, not saying a word, head down and not looking back. god what a powerful scene, good stuff as always Sage 🔥🌧

I love how theres always so much to talk about Avatar.

The episode also showed how little Azulon understood Ozai. Seriously does anyone think Ozai would have given a rats ass if Zuko died? Much less learned anything from it?

The most tragic part of this episode for me was seeing firsthand how lonely Zuko’s childhood was, how devilish his sister was and how close he was to his mom. The book 2 episodes with Zuko really stood out to me. I believe it was earlier in book 2 when Zuko is screaming at the sky during the thunderstorm, that scene was powerful. The show is a master class in how to get viewers to care about the antagonists.

Zuko have one of the best redemption arcs. Every time I saw his transition, conflict and struggles, it's makes my heart weep. 😭

People forget is zuko used this experience in his speech against his father during the comet

This show ended in 2008, and is still being talked about 11 years later. For me, the greatest cartoon/anime ever made

I am a simple man. A Sage's Rain video is posted. I watch the new Sage's Rain video again and again.

In avatar: the search comic. Ursa told ozai she can kill azulon with a poison that is hard to detect and he can slip it into azulons tea to kill him and save zukos life. Ozai agrees but makes sure ursa leaves so she cant do the same to him

I always wondered how this village reacted to Zuko and his ascension .

“ If there’s one thing we know about Zuko , it’s that he never gives up. “ -Sokka

"The effect of the war has created an ingrained hatred towards them. where even acts of kindness are quickly forgotten" Moral of both life and the video right there

Zuko's redemption arc in TLA is what Jaime's was supposed to be in GoT. *_Change My Mind._*

Zuko is one of the best written characters I’ve ever seen. Such a great journey to regain his and the fire nations honor

I am a simple man. I see a avatar video from sage's rain, I like.

When you realize the final Agni kai music is playing in the background...

In the first season he proudly proclaims that he is not a prodigy like his sister and that he became strong through struggle. He says it in a way that seems like it's something REALLY ingrained in him. This episode explains why, good foresight in the series. They plant some seeds pretty early.

This episode made me root for Zuko to find himself. He really went through the mud and kept going and going. I admire that about him.

2:11 To me, it always was like a throwback to the boy he was before he was banished. To the reason, why he was banished. It has nothing to do with uncle Iroh but with his mother raising him right. To a compationate, open, helpfull boy who knows what is right and what is wrong even though his surroundings shows the opisite. Despite his father wanting him to see compation and care as weaknesses and disrespect. It is deep in his core. He might be angry and bitter, but he was nether cruel. He always was good and honerable at heart, while the outside decided to try to take it from him.

A fourth season of Avatar could have been amazing if it showed the slight steps in the healing process between the nations.

The subtle tragic Final Agni Kai music that was played in the background of Zukos flashbacks of Azula and Ursa, is truly beautiful well done.

Thank you for this- Zuko is my favorite character and I’m so happy you covered this episode!! ❤️🖤

Don't forget an old man in the crowd mentioned how the fire lord banished and disowned him, even this is not enough for people to not instantly hate Zuko because he is a fire bender.

Zuko Alone is an episode about infighting. Infighting between the Fire Nation Royal Family and infighting between the Earth Kingdom Soldiers and Earth Kingdom Villages. You're not just fighting an enemy, you are fighting yourself. Ursa told Zuko to never forget who you are, but sometimes doing so leaves you alone.

God, he has probably the best character arc I've ever had the pleasure of watching unfold.

The world needs "Avatar: The Last Airbender" more than ever!

Easily one of my favorite episodes

Anything bad happens to my friends Me : that’s rough buddy Nobody understand expect one of my friends who just fangirls with me it’s great

One of the things that made this series a classic and must watch was the subtlety and nuance of the series, always questioning “what and who is good or bad? Can we view the world in absolutes?” That they didn’t smack us in the face with the meaning that they left a lot up to us to read into and interpret brought the story to the level of literature and not just entertainment

Zuko resting, eating, working, and socializing with earth kingdom citizens reminds me of jon snow angrily defending himself when stating that " AYE!!! I talk like a wildling. I ate with the wildlings. I climbed the wall with the wildlings. I lay with a wilding girl...". Just because the protagonist sees the perspective of their supposed inferior enemy and can now relate with their shared experiences as opposed to everything being one sided

I was still a kid when this episode came out and it was one of the few times a cartoon ever made me cry. At the time the thought of him being shunned because of where he was from despite his heroic act was too complex for me to grasp. Its still my favorite episode of the series.

7:46 "Though, thankfully, he had Uncle Iroh." This is somewhat deceiving. I feel no one talks about Iroh's character development enough because it's something not all too focused or understood due to Iroh's lack of screen time and the stalling of the character after Mako's death. You stated this: he was a general during the siege. In that moment, Iroh A: Loved all of his family and B: Was willing to inflict harm onto others through the war effort for the sake of his nation (regardless of moral/ethical objectivity). This changes after the death of his son as Iroh then feels the same pain he had been inflicting on others and B now changes to BB: Wants to help be a force of good in the world for the entire world. That's an important change, but ALSO now A and BB now *completely* oppose each other due to the war. In the two-year period between Ursa's disappearance and Zuko's banishment, Iroh may have been physically there with Zuko (maybe), but I have no doubt at all that Iroh must have been struggling to maintain A and BB which means he would only be able to provide Zuko with love but not council like Zuko's mother used to give to reassure Zuko due his lack of understanding (Zuko's mom was able to give both because she loved Zuko and damn well understood the turmoil of the royal family). It could even be argued that this state of Iroh remains the same throughout the next two years that Zuko and Iroh are at sea. In effect, Iroh helped, but Zuko would still have been lost (alone) with how to handle the evil in the royal family for years after Ura's disappearance. That ends the original point I was making, but it's extrapolated even further when thinking of the events of Book: Water and early Book: Earth. Although Iroh now started to at least not aid in the war effort, he was not actively attempting to stop the fire nation UNTIL he tried to defeat Admiral Zhao/help Aang and friends in the North Pole. Then when Book: Earth starts, we see the fire nation (manifested as none other than Azula, a branch of the royal family) retaliate by attempting to capture Iroh and Zuko and then branding them as traitors. With not only that but Iroh also telling Zuko he seems him as a son at the end of Book: Water and when both Iroh and Zuko cut off their top knots in the beginning of Book: Earth (a voluntary physical change of an important aspect of their outward appearances to reflect the change in BOTH of their hearts), Iroh's arc is nearly complete: A changes to AA: Loves the good people within his family. With both AA and BB, you may think Iroh's arc *is* complete. You might think he can now just live his live helping others and loving the one good member left of his family, but no. No one is *only* good. This is why Zuko's betrayal STINGS as we are all led to believe that Zuko philosophically kills the concept of AA and leaves Iroh with no other options as Zuko was his last hope for a connection to his family as he is left to rot alone in a jail cell for believing in the idea of AA. We come to learn (as Iroh did) that good people still have the potential to commit evil acts or simply make mistakes. This is why Iroh wasn't angry when Zuko apologizes (and we all cry during the scene) because he came to understand this idea: AAA: Love the people attempting to be good in the family and forgive them if they inflict evil on you now and then (mistake or intentional). All I'm saying is that this all means a LOT less if what I said in the first paragraph isn't picked up on. Iroh isn't a character that was morally sound his entire life and underwent no change throughout the show. Believing this discounts or deafens some of the most important lessons in the show because it de-humanizes Uncle Iroh and makes us think the same conclusions he came to don't apply to us and own lives. Yes, I did just take an idle statement you made and wrote out an entire article. Mb.

i watched this show when i was a kid and i always liked it but i was pretty young so i never really thought about it. a year ago i started watching videos about it and realized how complex this show actually is. it‘s insane how much depth every character has and that you can still find new details about them even after years. i love this show and it will always have a special place in my heart.

Tbh I always wondered about this family after Zuko became Fire Lord and tried to change things for the better in the comics and such

I could fall asleep to this guy's voice.

You've talked about all the reasons why this is my absolute favorite episode of the season

This is the best show ever created, so much character development, such a deep story, such beautiful relationships between people. I never get tired of watching it, and everytime I do, it makes me want to cry

I love these atla episode reviews please do more

Zuko is a well written character in my opinion

I love this episode, it's probably the best one in the entre series but I rarely rewatch it just because its so sad

I was in the middle of watching new episode of Young Justice, but had to stop to watch this video.

Honestly just thank you for continuing to talk about this series. There's really so much to unpack and appreciate but since it aired quite some time ago not a lot of people do. It's a wonderful series and I'm glad you're taking the time to look in-depth at the intricacies of it's themes and characters

*Todoroki didn't exist at this time so Zuko was purely alone*

I just noticed how he said he is son of Ursa before saying fire lord or heir to the throne he considers himself Ursa's son first and foremost and all other is just not as important

The sharing of scares is one of the greatest scenes in the show

This was my favorite episode of all remarking that no matter how kind you are sometimes it doesn't pay off

The combination of this amazingly put together video and his deep charming voice make me truly happy

I think he needed this, cause his whole life he was told the Fire Nation was Great & Respected by all Nation’s. And we all know all the Nation’s Feared & Hated the Fire Nation, something Young Zuko was not told

I really want to see one about sesshomaru and how meeting rin helped him find the compassion that was buried within him. "Sesshomaru's compassion" is the name I would give it.

Almost forget how deep fam voice is threw me off 😂

I absolutly admire this channel its just fascinating that so many years after it aired i can revisit these moments in these videos

Years later, and after a number of watch-throughs, this is hands down my favorite episode.

my favorite documentary is on again

Something I love about the battle between Zuko and the rogue soldiers is how he doesn’t unsheath his blades unless he absolutely needs to. He uses the hilt, he kicks and he dodges, but he avoids deadly action until as long as he can. I think this was his first step towards redemption.

This was an amazing and underrated episode.

The producers plan on going more in-depth and providing much more insight to "a much more complex background story" of Azula in hopes of resolving a "much harder internal conflict" as promised in the live action series coming in 2020. But i disagree with the statement that Azula's conflict is much worse than Zuko's

One of the greatest episodes ever made! Philosophical and fascinating!

Omg, combination of topic of Azula and her mother and „Last Agni Kai” track. Omgg yes

This was so beautifully crafted and put together. It tells Zukos story perfectly and highlights why he is the way he is and the reality of his surroundings. fantastic job

Dude my mind was blown to the point that I have replayed this 10 times 🙏 keep up the good work

Yesss been waiting for this and it's finally here

Looks like it's that time of the year I get to watch the last Airbender again

I actually logged on to see if you had another video out, and I was greeted with this as one the first videos recommended to me.

I love your Zuko content, thank you so much for your work!

Zuko is my favorite fictional character of all time.

Love your vids as always

I like that some people like you explore the deep meaning of avatar, because it has many to teach to people

Great video I just started to watch the entire series again because of your channel thank you

Thank you sages rain. You inspire me to pursue my craft.

Thank you so much for the content you post. You have no idea the kind of peace your voice and the sound of rain give me. You've got a gift.

you're too underrated man. your videos are always fantastically done. and amazing voice over, thank you!

you have a great voice and the same passion and love for the show as i. keep up the great work

You are literally my favorite RU-vidr please never stop making videos. You bring joy and comfort to my life every time you make another video.

I'm so glad there are channels still posting avatar content out there, makes me happy

Haven’t watched this show in years but damn for a ‘kids’ show to portray war emotionally

Such a beautiful show. I recently rewatched the series and I felt happy yet sad at the same time when it was over. I feared that this community had died off but I’m happy to see people still cherish this show. Keep up the good work Sage.

You have to watch this with headphones such a different experience

Rain... all of your work/analysis of shows have helped me see thing in a better light. Thank you for what you're doing man... You're a wise man, and you have my respect beyond a fan. Thank you for everything you do.

Great video thank you for your time and effort

Use who you are to bring peace and not destruction.

Crazy, I'm going through the series again and literally just got done watching this episode

Daaaaamn bro. That's a deep voice you've got

beautiful as always

Hiiiii!!! I am here 12 min after u uploaded, I love all of ur vids and ATLA! #Big fan!

You are the absolute best at what you do 💯😔

i love your voice it's so soothing

Makes you wonder if Zuko ever returned to that village (if he did in the comics, I didn't read them, so idk)

Those who insult Lee and his mother, I hope you never experience a real war, because, with their attitudes, they won't last long.

wow your voice literally makes me cry

I love this channel, please make more

Thank you for your insight, Ulysses

Dang the background music got me kinda emotional ngl

Great video today keep it up your doing amazing job 👊🏻👊🏻🎉🎉👊🏻

I always found Azulon's order for Zuko's death odd. I know it was confirmed to be true in various ways, but I originally thought that it might've been Ozai twisting Azulon's words around in a sick, preconceived plot to get rid of the son he didn't want and further elevate Azula's upbringing. He definitely had the mind for it.