1.13: "The Blue Spirit"

[lizbee]

For the curious, Nickelodeon's pop-up extras have been posted to Tumblr here, although I can't speak for the quality of either the imagery or the commentary.

Comments

[selvage]

I didn't get a chance to comment on last week's episode (short: I LOVE IT), but I'm back now for The Blue Spirit.

This show just keeps on ramping up the awesome. I honestly never expected that Aang would be captured so early on (even if it is resolved in this episode). The tension is incredible.

One of my favourite parts, upon rewatch, is how organically Zuko and Aang work together naturally - when they're fighting Zhao's troops they fight almost seamlessly. And the little scene with them in the swamp was pivotal, I think, for Zuko.

In conclusion: OMG THIS EPISODE <3

[lizbee]

I AGREE WITH ALL OF THIS.

[lizbee]

This is an amazing episode, especially in the context of what's to come. And it stands up really well to re-watching. I know this, because I've watched it three times this year and it's only March.

I love that we see, not for the first time, Zuko doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. And somehow, in his mask, he's freed from self-doubt and anger, and becomes supremely competent which is hot. It's a shame (though typical of Zuko's taste for self-sabotage) that his heroic alter ego becomes a vehicle for petty crime in season 2.

I do, however, find it both intriguing and amusing that Zuko is apparently in the habit of just hanging out and spying on senior Fire Nation officers. Or is this something he reserves for Zhao The Coincidentally Promoted?

...Speaking of coincidental promotions and other bits where, okay, maybe the cracks in the story are showing, I am really sad that we never see the Yu Yan Archers again. And it's maybe a tiny bit obvious that Aang's staff is going to come in handy, when he looks at it, considers taking it, then decides to leave it behind.

FURTHER ON THE ZUKO FRONT: I also observe that he demonstrates some very fine knife-throwing skills in this episode. I cannot even begin to imagine what his dates with Mai look like.

OTHER THINGS I LOVE: EVERYTHING.

No, seriously. Sokka's hilarious delerium. Momo's incredible lack of helpfulness. The Appa bed. The Herbalist and Miyuki The Amazing Vegetarian Cat. The design-work on the Fire Nation base. Music night! "Lieutenant Jee sang a stirring love ballad." Zuko's angsty monologuing. "It's been over an hour and you haven't given the crew a single order."

And the incredible creepiness of Zhao's promise to keep Aang just barely alive, which -- if you have a vivid imagination, at least -- goes into really dark territory for a kids show.

[dancing_serpent]

I think Zuko keeps definitely updated on Zhao. He seems to be the only one (that we can see, that is) who displays the same obsession with capturing the Avatar as Zuko.

Sokka's hilarious delerium.
Hee! Indeed. "Who's this Aang kid you keep talking about, your highness?" Katara's grumpy face is priceless, too. And I love how we see her from Momo's POV - nothing but gibberish. *g*

Oh yeah, for a kids show there are lots of parts that go into dark territory. The bender prisons, the mind-bending, blood-bending and many more things which are pretty creepy when you take a closer look.

[dancing_serpent]

I'm so full of love for this episode! In fact, I love this it almost a tiny little bit more than The Storm.

Zuko as the Blue Spirit shows more patience, imagination and competence than we are used to seeing from him. Great skills with the dao, and managing everything without firebending even once - even going so far as countering a fire blast with a bucket full of water!

And the almost instinctual way Aang and Zuko move and fight together is very very impressive!

Zhao's voice (Jason's voice *sigh*) when he says: "Knock out the thief." Sends chills and shivers down my spine.

Aang actually waiting with Zuko until he's conscious again, instead of rescuing him and hurrying up to get the frozen frogs - awesome!

Also, the music in this episode is fantastic. I still love the Zuko's fight theme from episode two and the Agni Kai theme from episode three the best, but the Blue Spirit theme and Iroh's tsungi horn are just beautiful!

"You missed music night. Lieutenant Jee sang a stirring love song." Oh, how much do I love this part. (In my head-canon he sang that one for Zuko. Down, bad girl. Tee hee.)

I love how both Zuko and Aang are lying awake, thinking of the other and of what-might-have-been.

[unjapanologist]

Aang actually waiting with Zuko until he's conscious again

That is rather incredible of him. I just started liking Aang a little more.

"You missed music night. Lieutenant Jee sang a stirring love song." Oh, how much do I love this part. (In my head-canon he sang that one for Zuko. Down, bad girl. Tee hee.)

If it's in your head canon and in mine, it will start resounding and echoing and eventually the amplification will be enough to make it real?

[dancing_serpent]

it will start resounding and echoing and eventually the amplification will be enough to make it real?
Awesome theory! We should tell more people about it, to make it real faster. *g* Poor Jee, though - he gave in to his feelings and serenaded his brat prince and Zuko wasn't even there to hear it.

[unjapanologist]

What feelings? Grizzled and grumpy Fire Nation sailors do not have feelings. Although they might... pretend to have some when it's necessary for serenading. But only then.

[dancing_serpent]

*snicker* Of course. How silly of me. At least not feelings of a more tender nature. Rage, fury, annoyance...probably the only "feelings" allowed.

[yukinoomoni]

So, I have to admit that I honestly had NO CLUE who the Blue Spirit was. I felt so dumb when it was revealed to be Zuko, and then my brain sort of melted and a big shiny heart appeared over my head, thus beginning my inappropriate crush on Zuko forever. And I discovered that this show is layered, incredible, and was definitely worth seeing it to the very end.

Also, those pop-ups - I've never seen them before. Didn't they cause controversy when they came up? "Zhao was up all night celebrating his promotion," and "Don't worry, the meadow vole is just sleeping." Lololol.

[dancing_serpent]

I hated the pop-ups. They air A:TLA in Germany with the pop-ups switched on, and they are full of spoilers and sometimes even wrong information. WTF?

[yukinoomoni]

I honestly have never seen them before, although I have heard about them - and about the whole Zutara controversy with it. I can understand how they would annoying, though.

[dancing_serpent]

Oh, I hadn't heard of that before. Phew!

[lizbee]

WTF? I like seeing them, since they range from cracksome to interesting, but not if that's MY ONLY OPTION!

[dancing_serpent]

Yeah, that's what made me buy the English dvds - I feared I wouldn't have the option of switching them off in the German version.

But no, what I've seen of them was totally annoying. Might be the translation, though.

[unjapanologist]

Zuko extinguishing and then tripping up the firebending guard with a bucket is so my favorite two seconds of this whole amazing episode. It's a hilarious and clever bit of out-of-the-box thinking, and once you know who it's coming from, it's twice as awesome. Zuko should have become a professional ninja instead of a Fire Lord, he seems so at home doing this.

Zhao, you are an incredible ham ("Send glowing testimonials...") and yet hideous and terrifying at the same time ("Do you miss your people?"). I don't even dare think about what could have happened to Aang and Zuko if they'd been caught while escaping.

The scene when everyone on Zuko's ship acts surprised when the other Fire Nation ship suddenly covers them in shadow always makes me giggle. Not one single person noticed that other big-ass battleship coming right at them? Apparently that pai sho game and... whatever Jee and Zuko were doing there in the corner was incredibly engrossing.

Aang, I love you. "Waaaait! My friends need to suck on those frooooogs!"

It's a bit of a shame that the Yu Yan never show up again after this episode, but then, everything would get solved immediately if the Yu Yan got involved.
Fire Nation Prince: fails to capture the Avatar for a whole season
Fire Nation Admiral: fails to capture the Avatar for a whole season
Ten random archer grunts: THWACK THWACK THWACK One Avatar, here you go.

[dancing_serpent]

*g* Depends on who they had on the look-out I think, and how distracted he was by who knows what (or whom). But it could have been fear, too, not surprise. (Zhao, nooooo, no please, please not Zhao again...)

[unjapanologist]

Wasn't really Zhao's ship, though, right? Just people bearing news of Zhao.

Jee and Zuko were standing smack in front of a huge window. Whatever they were thinking about, it must have been mighty distracting indeed :)

[dancing_serpent]

No, it wasn't - but I can imagine the first moments of panic that it might be him.

Both were secretly oggling each other while pretending to study a map, of course. *g*

[lizbee]

Zuko should have become a professional ninja instead of a Fire Lord, he seems so at home doing this.

I keep trying to write fic where the Fire Nation collapses all together, so Zuko and Mai become ninjas. Their love: you don't see it coming until it strikes.

I don't even dare think about what could have happened to Aang and Zuko if they'd been caught while escaping.

I don't think I've ever seen an AU along those lines, and that makes me sad.

Ten random archer grunts: THWACK THWACK THWACK One Avatar, here you go.

"All ready for spit roasting, Fire Lord."

But they could have been useful for so many other things! Like taking up sniper positions in case Zuko survived his Agni Kai with Azula -- hmm. Maybe it's best that they were a one-off.

[unjapanologist]

I keep trying to write fic where the Fire Nation collapses all together, so Zuko and Mai become ninjas.

Is there a reason why you're only trying? Anything I could do to help make this come into existence? *waves sparkly pompoms of encouragement* What goal/reason are they being ninjas for? Or are they doing vaguely criminal bounty-hunting? Possibly with June? (Sorry, recently discovered a new OT3 there)

I don't think I've ever seen an AU along those lines, and that makes me sad.

Never seen one, either. But want. Oh, want. It would probably be a very, very painful fic, though. Unless Uncle Iroh puts on a mask and ninjas them both out of Pohuai Stronghold before Zhao can start inflicting his personality on the prisoners. Uncle would be the Tea Spirit. He would be awesome and unstoppable.

[lizbee]

Is there a reason why you're only trying?

There is so much fic to write!

Or are they doing vaguely criminal bounty-hunting? Possibly with June? (Sorry, recently discovered a new OT3 there)

...well, they are now. *ships them lots*

Uncle would be the Tea Spirit. He would be awesome and unstoppable.

HE IS THE SPIRIT THAT BREWS IN THE NIGHT!

[unjapanologist]

Please do poke me if you write that fic! *hearts*

HE IS THE SPIRIT THAT BREWS IN THE NIGHT!

I immediately thought of this and now I'm imagining Zuko yelling a catchphrase every time the Blue Spirit comes on screen. Good thing the Blue Spirit does not speak.

[lizbee]

I immediately thought of this and now I'm imagining Zuko yelling a catchphrase every time the Blue Spirit comes on screen. Good thing the Blue Spirit does not speak.

I think it's best all around if Zuko just keeps his mouth shut at all times.

[unjapanologist]

Yes. One more reason for him to become a full-time ninja instead of taking on a position that requires constant talking to important people about sensitive topics. It's probably pretty liberating for him to have an excuse for not talking, too :)

[nam_jai]

Aang, I love you. "Waaaait! My friends need to suck on those frooooogs!"

XD One of my favorite lines. And then at the end, he can break my heart with a simple, "No, I don't think I did." For all this episode is naturally associated with Zuko, it was those two moments with Aang, one hilarious, one sad, that stuck with me the most.

[nonelvis]

My only complaint about this episode is that I wish there'd been a tiny bit more of a hint that Zuko was sneaking off to spy on Zhao, so that the reveal of who's behind the Blue Spirit doesn't feel quite so out of nowhere. But that's a very tiny complaint for an episode where Zuko shows what a badass he is with two swords, a wacky herbalist convinces Aang to make his friends suck on frozen frogs, and Momo shows exactly the same command of English my cats had.