2.19 and 2.20: "The Guru" and "The Crossroads of Destiny"

[lizbee]

(My apologies for being so late with this. First I missed a weekend, and then I went interstate to visit my family and couldn't get a whole lot of time to myself.)

Comments

[nam_jai]

Just thoughts on The Guru for the moment:

The first time I saw this, I did not know what to make of Zuko. I still don't know what to make of it, really, this temporary personality transplant. It seemed to make Uncle Iroh happy -- was he taking it at face value, perhaps because it's hard to doubt seeing your fondest wish come true? I was just unsettled and squirming with embarrassment. I can't even decide if it was a good choice on the part of the writers -- I guess it did signal that this change was not really real. All I know is that I much prefer the truly redeemed Zuko we got in the third season, still recognizably himself, still short-tempered and morose much of the time. I like him that way! So, kudos for relentlessly cheerful Zuko being temporary, anyway.

Other things:

-- I noticed on this rewatch that the man who nudges Hakoda when Sokka walks in has burn marks on his arm. I just liked that little detail.

-- I also think I spotted among the Airbenders in Aang's vision that grumpy guy who didn't want Aang wasting his time playing pai sho, and I was touched that Aang would grieve him too.

-- Then Aang made me tear up in his request for onion and banana juice. One of those moments where I think how much his voice actor impresses me.

-- Toph, you are indeed the greatest Earthbender in the world. :D

[unjapanologist]

Regarding Pod Person Zuko - I found him unsettling too, but in a creepy rather than an embarrassing way. The change was so complete that it was downright frightening. I kept thinking of Jet immediately post-brainwashing, and expecting hints that Zuko was experiencing a similar brain-breaking situation. It's a pretty fascinating development no matter how you look at it, and my only complaint is that the writers didn't do more with it. He seemed back to normal the moment Azula walked into the room.

As for Iroh's reaction, I suppose Pod Person Zuko was rather a lot like Zuko used to be as a child. Maybe Iroh didn't quite (want to) think about how odd this sudden return to pre-Agni Kai good spirits really was.

(The fellow with the burned arm, wasn't that Bato?)

[yukinoomoni]

It was Bato! I love continuity <3

[nam_jai]

Oh, okay! Obviously, I didn't recognize him, and I liked that kind of attention to detail on just a random guy, but continuity is nice too! :)

[yukinoomoni]

Nah, it's cool! It took me a moment, too, the first time I saw it =3