Watching this again after having seen Legend of Korra brought a whole layer of emotion to Toph's line at the end there.
"Do you really think friendships can last more than one lifetime?"
Really interesting episode. Now I know why the fire nation is so powerful. I finally understand their backstory
The way the story was told by Roku and Sozin was fascinating and made us understand more the dept of those characters
Sozin: "Without you, all my plans are suddenly possible. I have a vision for the future, Roku."
9/10
Shoot. I just had the absolute WORST realization about this episode and the entire show. I'm a complete and total sucker for reformed villains. Preeeeeeetty sure that all started with Zuko although I don't remember for sure. But I just realized that the thesis of this entire show is that some bloodlines can be hardcore evil with 0 redemption in them. I mean Uncle Iroh's letter said that knowing about his great-grandfather would change his destiny, and then it turns out that the great-grandfather he meant was Roku, not Sozin. So does that mean that the only reason he had the opportunity to be redeemed was cause he had some non-evil blood in him? Cause that would majorly screw up my whole love of redemption thing.
Also am I sensing some love love between them or am I just biased after reading an article about how Sarah and Ava fulfilled the fantasies of Kirk and Spock?
This has to be one of the best episode in anime genre
This entire season parallels the first in many ways. This episode is like episode 12 of season one because it is split between Aang and Zuko's perspective. This episode is even more interesting though, because they are both being involved directly to the same story by the perspective of the character they have a connection with(Sozin or Roku) Avatar Roku's Spirit seems to has his hands all over this episode- after all who knows how Iroh knows all of this, and furthermore how did he find the royal artifact- and furthermore have it in his jail cell? There is definately spirit activity helping him.
My guess is that he meditated into the spirit world and worked with Roku's spirit to bring Aang and Zuko together and restore balance. Roku did his part by showing Aang the story of the Avatar and the Firelord and helping him interpret the story in such a way that he said, "everyone, even the firelord and the fire nation need to be treated like they are worth giving a chance." which will be the principal that will lead Aang to accept Zuko and show mercy to the Firelord.
The Avatar and the Firelord is another backstory and lore centric episode for avatar. For me these are the kinda "eat your vegetables" of the show necessary good for you but not particularly. fun. Sozin and Roku's shared history was interesting. However `i think I was only really interested in the way his arc paralleled aang.
But circling back to this overwrought metaphor I'd say this episode was definetly more carlic roasted brussel sprouts than mushy peas.
although i love this episode a lot, i think the more i watch it the more i don't like it. like, there is no good way to explain why roku died there. why didn't he escape with everyone once he realized he couldn't deal with the volcano? there was nobody left in the village, all the people were safe. it's kind of pure hubris on his part to think he could battle a volcano... plus why did sozin come to help and then be like jk no i want you to die... he could've just... not come idk
zuko being avatar roku's great-grandson from his mother's side tore my skull open oh my god
Sozin: oh my best friend that I’m in love with is getting married
Sozin: gonna tell him my plan for world domination!!!!!!
(literally can’t believe Sozin started a whole fckn war because the man he was in love with married someone else I’m overwhelmed)
I never fail to cry when Sozin shows up to Roku. But then he leaves them and I cry for a whole other reason.
Also what do you think it would be like if Aang got to train the way Roku did? I'd so love to see that.
Shout by Julius S. PeytonBlockedParentSpoilers2017-03-02T17:59:51Z
One of the best worldbuilding episodes.