The Worldbuilding in Zuko Alone | Avatar: The Last Airbender

There are tons of great free features to use, but the code HELLOFUTUREME - will get 25% off all 6 and 12 month memberships of master tier and above.
www.worldanvil.com/author which has more features for DMs/writers/worldbuilders
Thank you so much to my patrons, truly. If you want to support this kind of educational content, please consider doing so at / hellofutureme (+Discord community access!)
INSTAGRAM: / tim_hickson_hfm
TWITTER / timhickson1
BUY MY BOOK tinyurl.com/y5mwpyyj (It contains all my educational writing/worldbuilding content up to a point + extras, super easy to reference and use compared to videos.)
EMAIL [e-mail]
FACEBOOK / hellofutureme
SECOND CHANNEL tinyurl.com/ybhtz42g where I put extra notes for videos, vlogs, board game reviews, and other stuff from my life
POSTAL ADDRESS (if you're kind enough to send me a letter or something!)
Tim Hickson
PO Box 69062
Lincoln, 7608
Canterbury, New Zealand
Script by meeeeeeeee
Video edited by Cuenin (99% of the time) over at / @cueninscove
The artist that designed my display pic! serem01.deviantart.com/
The artist who design my cover photo:
- raidesart.deviantart.com/
- / raidesart
- / raidesart
Music by Epidemic Sound: epidemicsound.com/creator
Stay nerdy!
Tim

[@HelloFutureMe]

24 hour Charity Livestream for the Child Rescue Coalition on December 4th - sharing this image wherever you can would mean the world imgur.com/gallery/nXOqE5B I hope we do even better than last year when we raised over $22,000! Stay nerdy and vigilant! ~ Tim

[@pyeitme508]

Cool but meh.

[@mero7731]

Have you’ve seen garo studios zuko video? It’s pretty good

[@younggamer7218]

1 DAY ago!

[@DianneAlexander4858]

How is this 1 day ago

[@mero7731]

@@therandomd2717 idc about being saved I don’t believe in Christ I just want to know why you decided on a random video to comment

[@AlphaOrion98]

Also here’s an interesting side note. An old man in a secluded earth kingdom town knows about how Zuko was burned and disowned by his own father. Yet zuko’s own crew thought it was a training accident. This shows that the fire nation lies to its own people. Maybe just lied to zuko’s crew, but their own people nonetheless

[@starscream319]

That's a good point. I never noticed that detail before. I think it makes some sense that random Earth Kingdom people could know. The Earth Kingdom would totally use the fact that the Fire Lord burned and banished his own son as propaganda that the Fire Nation is weak and fracturing at the top. I do think there's a way it can make sense that Zuko's crew didn't know the story, and I don't think it's because the Fire Nation lied. The Agni Kai was pretty public; Ozai didn't try to hide it at all. I think it's weirder that his crew hadn't heard, but I think it probably has to do with their place in Fire Nation society. Ozai wouldn't have wanted to waste a good crew on Zuko so those guys were probably just as outcast in the Fire Nation military as Zuko himself. The news might not have reached them, and then if they left on Zuko's mission pretty immediately after the Agni Kai they would have been cut off from Fire Nation society completely. Zuko sure wouldn't have talked about it and Iroh waited until he absolutely had to divulge it. Tl;dr: Zuko's banishment was probably Earth Kingdom propaganda and his crew were probably so outcast they didn't even hear the story before they left with Zuko and were cut off from the Fire Nation completely.

[@usmanazam449]

Nope, it's just a mistake

[@AlphaOrion98]

@@usmanazam449 let me have this

[@KurosakiRuka]

@@AlphaOrion98 XD

[@omarjimenez8895]

Also makes you wonder why the rest of the Fire Nation in general knows so little about Zuko. His crew don't know much, boiling rock prisoners don't recognize him, neither do Chan & Ron Jon or anyone on ember island

[@nicolehoh242]

Imagine the earth village people seeing “lee” become the new fire lord

[@seankrkovich2869]

"Huh, that's odd"

[@mikewade1604]

Shit, probably shouldn't of bullied that kid.

[@appa609]

I mean "I am Zuko, son of Ursula and Fire Lord Ozai, crown prince of the fire nation" pretty much says it all eh?

[@joshuakusuma5953]

@@appa609 "son of Ursula". So does that mean Zuko's mom was a mermaid tentacle witch?

[@vaughnjohnson8767]

@@mikewade1604 lol

[@Sthuthukile]

It just hit me that when the dad talks about fetching his son from the frontlines, he's talking about his body.

[@henrypaleveda7760]

things like that are why this episode hits hard

[@gennybaratta2460]

Which explains why Zuko flashes back to the news about Lu Ten’s death :(

[@vizthex]

oh shit, you're right.

[@abdulahsacko6771]

I never even realized that till your comment

[@powpowouchy5]

Do we know this for sure? All they said was that his convoy was captured. They never said he died. if the fire nation captured, THEN killed sen su, how would would the dad be able to retrieve his body? He’d still be in fire nation possession. Plus, we see war prisoners all the time in the show. Hakoda and Suki come to mind.

[@headcanon6408]

It’s crazy that this episode doesn’t have any of the main members of the gaang (at the time) and it’s still one of the best episodes in the show

[@colehamilton5066]

@@therandomd2717 There is no absolute proof of god. Only belief. If you wish to spend your life worshipping an invisible deity, than do so.

[@Ray03595]

@@therandomd2717 ah, yes, religion. the original fake news

[@bl4cksp1d3r]

Honestly, it's so great, I need to rewatch the series at some point

[@bluethunderbolt9631]

To the first three guys, what the hell happened here?

[@Rupnisha1400]

I think that this episode works because the gaang isn't present. Aang is the future of the world of Avatar, the hope and change people need. Wherever he went, he bought with him a seed of that future. This episode shows you the present, the dark bleary reality of the world and reaffirms to you what it is that needs to be saved. It isn't from the point of view of a 12 year old saviour. In fact I'd argue that it isn't even from the perspective of Zuko and his very black and white understanding of honour. It's from the perspective of that village, the little people who suffer while the ones in power grapple for things that are to them absolutely redundant. The villagers can't care about hope or honour because their primary need is to survive.

[@SpammytheHedgehog]

I hope Zuko visited the village after the war ended

[@mellowdie-deranged]

The boy might feel so bad...but then that would be a very good comic book

[@DavidMartinez-tn6wg]

@@therandomd2717 I don't think that has anything to do with Avatar

[@shadowofchaos8932]

Zuko and Aang could have found his brother and return him home with the war being over. Signifying a change in the world and end of tyranny by warlords.

[@unknownnumber4914]

That could go badly

[@unknownnumber4914]

Also, please don't start a religious war in the comments.

[@tiffanypersaud3518]

That Zuko rendered kindness and was still rejected and it did not cause a change of heart in others is a hard lesson for kids to learn. It didn’t cause the change Zuko wanted because the injuries ran too deep, something I feel inspired him to use his position of power to rectify a lot of things afterward. I loved when he claimed his title in this episode. Zuko Alone is an episode about privilege, power and responsibility and I’m so happy this is a kids show. It’s done very well.

[@spelcheak]

It shows how disgusting it is to reject someone seeking forgiveness or acceptance (followed up by Iroh's embracing Zuko) or to even blame a person in the first place for guilt by association with a nation or family (previously covered with Iroh explaining Zuko's banishment to the ship's crew). Although they are hot topics right now, no one in this episode had any real power, privilege or responsibility… unless the message was simply use your power(s) to help rather than exploit others, but I don't think this episode could be boiled down to just that.

[@xRaiofSunshine]

@@spelcheak It’s not on the victims of a crime (or a whole host of crimes) to accept forgiveness just because it’s being offered. Even if the perpetrator is being 100% genuine, those words and even the actions that *should* follow won’t undo the harm that’s been done. All you can do is recognize your flaws and do your best to address them so the hurt you caused doesn’t happen again.

[@grayfulbester]

@@xRaiofSunshine while I agree with the original idea, at least in this case, Zuko is as innocent and as much of a victim as any of them, had this been kyoshi island I the idea that a victim is not obligated to forgive anyone would ring more true. But here Zuko has done nothing and it has been that way for a while, in this town his only crime is being born a fire bender, that's it, I understand why they blame him for their suffering they want an scape goat and they found one, that doesn't mean that is right to blame anyone for the crimes of their father or nation.

[@maxi_brz]

I love how the show actually evolves this messages. Yes, zuko and the fire nation did a lot of bad things and this episode smashes him with the hard truth. But at the end, the show teaches you to embrace the people who are willing to change, to let the Zukos join your team, to forgive the Jets, to trust the Irohs. I love how this show always evolves its own conclusions.

[@murraymanitos]

Wow, beautiful comment.

[@thetep13]

Lee to Zuko: I hate you. Zuko to Ozai: They hate us and we deserve it.

[@Yumyum-yo6op]

Wow such a good point

[@Lunafroyo]

It’s the way Zuko doesn’t hold any grudges against the people who discriminated him cause he understands the pain and suffering his nation caused others, instead he takes full responsibility for the actions his people did and even some that he was apart of too. It was humbling for him and he took it like a G.

[@c.a.mcdivitt9722]

Just a note here, but I liked how they subtly hinted that Zahu wasn't that good of an Earthbender, using his giant hammers as sort of a crutch to make up for what was probably a very weak natural ability.

[@alfredthedeadleaf9319]

You're right, i never paid attention to that detail!

[@johndice4067]

This kind of resembles Zuko's duel swords. Not avatar but this also applies to Thor (at least MCU Thor) Zuko has really good firebending but compared to Azula he needed a supplemental skill. Thor used his hammer because he thought he needed it but it was just training wheels. I love how each of them have a secondary tool along side their powers and have different ways of using tool.

[@xjojorez]

Like Kyoshi's mother's fans.. I'm on board with this observation 🙃

[@DavidElendu]

I think Zuko learned how to use swords because originally he wasn't an amazing firebender but later in the show it's a reminder that he's not just a firebender. As he relies on his swords it shows how he is not just about being the basic firenation person. No other firebender uses weapons but Zuko. It gives him more character and adds to how his isn't just one thing just like Sokka. When he starts to use fire in the fight it is soon followed by him adding his fire nation lineage and full lineage to flesh out who he is. The adding of additional weapons to each person's arsenal shows how each person is more than just the nation they come from just as each element comes with a marital art and lesson about how one can go about life

[@eitakou]

@@DavidElendu I have the urge to mention that after Zuko was banished, before the show started he met the "Blue Spirit" himself but it was just an older brother trying to save his little brother from the fire nation soldiers Zuko questioned why the brother didnt use his fire bending while on the mission and the reply was to cover up that he's also from the fire nation and to stay as a mysterious person to avoid suspicions. Idk thats just how I connected a bit of some facts of why Zuko uses his swords to fight aside from fire bending after some years from the whole being useless with his abilities when he was young Just some facts I like to connect

[@JGooden762]

I love that idea: War doesn't make anyone more of anything. It makes everyone lesser. I wish more people would understand that. How fitting that a show for kids teaches this lesson so well.

[@TheSuperRatt]

Well, it does make some filthy rich.

[@Barakon]

It makes you more traumatized.

[@Barakon]

@@TheSuperRatt but those who do could probably do the world a favor if they just fucking stopped, oh and those who sell weapons and tech could do so for self defense and other reasons.

[@aidanderson53X]

​@@TheSuperRattthat's not war, that's the military industrial complex.

[@supahsmashbro]

@aidanderson53X Exactly, I was about to say that but surprised to find another based lad. The military industrial complex profits from human suffering....gets filthy rich. But I guess you could argue their humanity is "lessened"

[@jorenbosmans8065]

The fact that the earth kingdom wasn't the good guys, is what I loved with the second book. Even in the first episode, the general was a terrible person. This combined with the third book where the fire nation isn't all evil is what makes the last airbender wonderfull

[@luckyabdurrahman1085]

it shows that in war there's no 'good' or 'evil', there's only people fighting for a cause they think is right

[@jorenbosmans8065]

@@luckyabdurrahman1085 indeed. It Also shows that we should be carefull with hating everyone who fights for our opponent's cause and Also not simply believe that the enemy of our enemy is a good person.

[@anatoldenevers237]

@@jorenbosmans8065 General Fong wasn’t just a bad guy, he was also probably the dumbest person in the entire series

[@jorenbosmans8065]

@@anatoldenevers237 not sure if I would call him dumb. If I would use a term to make him less terrible, I would say desperate. But yeah, the fact that he wanted to use something that made Aang feel terrible and he couldn't control makes him terrible for me 😄

[@anatoldenevers237]

@@jorenbosmans8065 he was very dumb. Trying to get Aang into his most powerful and dangerous state, by attacking him and threatening his friends. Why did he think that would go well for him

[@Emperor_Oshron]

"Zuko Alone" is so good that it could've been the pilot to its own series

[@theawesomeman9821]

I'd watch it

[@sonderly7820]

i mean it’s good but i feel like we need to see zuko and his beliefs in season one. like he actually believes the war was justified and this was the moment where he realized everything he was taught was a lie.

[@Emperor_Oshron]

@@sonderly7820 i'd meant, like, if it was entirely self-contained as its own thing separate from Avatar--Zuko and so on with the serial numbers filed off--then this could be the first episode of its own entire franchise ;)

[@floricel_112]

Samurai Zuko. Or the Blue Spirit

[@facundogonzalez5453]

@@sonderly7820 We do see his believes. But we see them in a subtle way. He "Looks for the Avatar to regain Honor" and the more we see his acts in season 1 we see that he is the honorable one. But his nation is twisted. He adress Sokka and Katara as pesants, showing his "elitism" even when Katara is a bender herself, he naturally assumes he is superior. We seem mostly in his uniform and giving orders aboard a military ship. Showing he fully supports the imperialism of the Fire nation.

[@TheRoomforImprovement]

Ozai’s conversation with Azulon got me thinking: What if Azulon greatly favored Iroh over Ozai, perhaps even told him he was lucky to be born? This could explain why he greatly favored Azula, his second born.

[@ethanwall2443]

That would make a lot of sense.

[@AbelDuviant]

That's a reach, considering the explanation for why he favored Azula was **very** clearly because she's a prodigy whilst Zuko sucked at firebending

[@geraldgrenier8132]

@@AbelDuviant And the search explains why that favoring didn't just result in Zuko being ignored, but actively put down

[@gabrieldossantos1116]

Well, that makes sense. Iroh was supposed to be the heir, so it is natural in a monarchy for the eldest son to receive all glory, and on top of that, Iroh was a prodigy on fire bending and one of the greatest Military leader of the fire nation.

[@alexc6390]

@@therandomd2717 Why’d Jesus let Karen take the kids then, eh? God ain’t real and never will be, stop simping for invisible sky daddy. Also report this dude for spam.

[@slightlyembittered]

Good world building looks effortless, which belies how difficult it is to make. Also, "Zuko Alone" is a nice segway between the more goofy beginning of the season and the more serious arc of finding Appa. Great job on the video as always.

[@superbeltman6197]

@@therandomd2717 ....... a little of topic?

[@seandabest4329]

@@superbeltman6197 off topic? What do you mean? Didn't you realise that backing up the works of the bible with the information found in that spirit Owl dude's library is exactly what lead to Aang finding Appa? Smh, this is why I prefer reading the Qu'ran limited edition set, illustrated by Banksy based on the unreleased concept art.

[@s.sumbrella7616]

@@therandomd2717 why?

[@albertthepeacock8020]

The Chad Zuko Alone and The Chad Boiling Rock arc

[@desiree7633]

@@seandabest4329 😭😭

[@atrium12]

My favorite world building was when the gaang had to take that secret boat to ba sing se as refugees but couldn’t bc they didn’t have passports. Seeing all and refugees then seeing the fire nation navy patrolling by the serpents path made the world feel bigger than the characters. With Appa in the mix they could just bounce around the world so they didn’t really feel grounded to what was going on. Without Appa they were forced to face things they’d otherwise fly away from. Also when Aang goes to the fire Nation school and they’re all harmless sheltered kids who don’t really kno anything about the war. And ALSO when Roku explains his relationship with Sozin. ALSO I like how Iroh and Zuko go from peasant life to high society in ba sing se. lotta good world building in Avatar.

[@Yumyum-yo6op]

Regarding your last point countless times Ba sing se has been referred to as a city of opportunity so it makes perfect sense how they progressed in society

[@obiwankenobi6871]

This episode just smacks of the whole lone cowboy or masterless ronin vibes

[@Born_Banjaxed]

@@therandomd2717 This is a very odd place to proselytize.

[@jacobandrews2663]

masterless ronin seems redundant haha, but yeah totally.

[@obiwankenobi6871]

@@therandomd2717 I don’t disagree but that was random lmao

[@obiwankenobi6871]

@@jacobandrews2663 yk what I meant 😂

[@ThrottleKitty]

Ronin does in fact imply master-less already

[@jonathanrobinson319]

my favorite episode too, for me what's more memorable is Zuko "nobility" as a character he is always in a clash against his own conscience but "alone" he chose the righteous path evem if he know how painfull it coud be.

[@OPT_DK]

I think we can all agree this show is a masterpiece

[@ryanbrown7489]

As if there was ever any doubt.

[@smallsnowball2689]

@@ryanbrown7489 unfortunately there is, among anime watchers and ppl who have never seen it think it's just a dumb kid show

[@tankunicorn134]

@@smallsnowball2689 so sad but true

[@mazen7844]

I've seen many shallow people hate the show after seeing random episodes and judging it in a dumb way, perhaps expecting some cheap super hero or action movie and don't bother to notice the depth of it

[@miaswapp]

@@smallsnowball2689 yeah it’s sad, and I find that these “dumb kid shows” usually have a better plot than most “adult” shows, sadly not a lot of them run with their amazing plot and the show goes down hill after two or three seasons but that’s more than just the same three plots “adult” tv shows run with

[@bwminich]

One thing I just noticed: the doll that Azula gets looks a lot like Toph’s current styling, as if to say that this was the height of fashion in Ba Sing Se years ago, but now it’s what the rich provincials wear, Toph is made fun of for her clothes these days. The fashions of Ba Sing Se pass to the countryside and stop being fashionable in the city. In 5 years time, someone looking like the girls will be laughed at. In addition, the doll represents the height of fashion during a war. So that is probably another reason things are more conservative - there’s less money, less caring about fashion. The styles are simpler because production is being focused on the siege and not on fashion. To some, it’s still important, but you can’t look flashy when your town is being attacked.

[@DarkThomy]

Daily reminder dose of "godamnit, Avatar is such a masterpiece"

[@joshuahancock7063]

The writers and geography illustrators of korra have said they purposely based wan’s last battle on the Field in zuko alone . The stone that zuko rides by without a thought was the same stone the first avatar died on . It’s so poetic .

[@duchi882]

The only thing that bothered me about Zuko Alone but I also liked, is that Zuko didn't even show anger towards the people he just saved when they rejected him. Its as if.. he accepted the fact that whatever came to him from the victims of the war they created, he deserved it as someone from the Fire Nation. Add to that, as the Fire Nation Prince as well.

[@overthinking2621]

He did deserve it. Zuko was an active part of the fire nation. zuko hurt many people.

[@benedict6962]

The moment he decided to leave, he accepted that what the fire nation was doing was wrong, and that HE was wrong for supporting it even against Iroh.

[@overthinking2621]

@@benedict6962 1) he didn’t accept the fire nation was wrong till much later 2) even if he did accept the fire nation was wrong he stil deserved it.

[@armonnewsom1187]

Yall are literally trying to shame the colonized for rejecting and not trusting their colonizer. The earth kingdom bandits may be wrong but Zuko stopping them doesn't negate the fact that he was an active part of a colonial regime that is the reason for the disarray in the earth kingdom in the first place. No redemption arc is gonna just undo that and they dont have to forgive let alone praise him if they dont want to.

[@stephenking9114]

@@armonnewsom1187 I don't think they are. It seems like the original comment was saying how Zuko accepted that he was responsible for the devastation around him, and was thus deserving of any punishment he was given.

[@amk4956]

While uncle Iroh is slowly following behind singing this tune to himself while Zuko is alone Leaves from the vine, Falling so slow Like fragile tiny shells Drifting in the foam Little soldier boy Come marching home Brave soldier boy Comes marching home

[@Akbar_and_Shaa]

You have wounded me sir take your thumbs up you menace i must grieve

[@philipmccrevis3678]

Alright who's waterbending my eyes?

[@yuvalbar1775]

Jesus man thanks for the depression

[@yuvalbar1775]

@@philipmccrevis3678 jesus man thanks for curing my recently obtained depression

[@yuvalbar1775]

These seconds of my life were horrible

[@skullsquad900]

Thats what I love about Zuko's episodes, it switched from a typical shownen adventure fantasy to a more nuanced look at the effects of war and really helped build his character!

[@cosmojenkins3020]

Best character in the show, hands down. ✊

[@LaneyStudios5]

I have watched a lot of shows, and Zuko Alone ranks up there as one of the best episodes in any show I have ever seen, the atmosphere of it alone is phenomenal

[@kerzariz8717]

Also Appa Alone. :(

[@Born_Banjaxed]

@@therandomd2717 are you ok?

[@joshdoz9234]

This episode helps make Zuko that much more of a nuanced character. More than he already is.

[@crfstewarje]

The show has some of the best world-building I have ever seen in a cartoon.

[@Hekateras]

Incredible video. I hadn't realised precisely why this episode was so groundbreaking. So many things established about the worldbuilding - the war, the way it's affected the world and its characters, etc. - just feel like an intrinsic part of the AtLA setting, but in retrospect, that information needed to be introduced to us and this is where it happens. In this episode and season 2 in general, it's also quite interesting how often Zuko is assumed, by his scar, to be a victim of firebender violence... an assumption that's completely correct, even if he's not who they think he is (a helpless Earth Kingdom native).

[@joaquim2metros]

I feel like this episode almost talks about our planet itself. How once a beautiful, healthy and lively earth has been lived in and through, until the recent years of decline and destruction. That's what I live so much about this, they address the earthly without actually saying anything

[@darkus4711]

I watched Avatar 5 times and never realized that Zuko was traveling thru a old battlefield.

[@luvamiart8567]

First time I watched this episode I didn't appreciate it much, but each time I watched again the show I found on it more subtle substance, and you have explained it all really well here. It's a grim episode in which nothing is acomplished, nothing looks hopeful, the world of Zuko on his own, without the guidance of Iroh, goals or purposes, and the world under what seemed an endless war. And although it's sad to see Zuko alone, rejecting the company and wisdom of his uncle, he also needed to see this, to see how the world was, what that war was doing, and how some wounds cannot be healed with just a good act. Because even if he saved the kid, we can't blame him or his mother for rejecting him after knowing who he was, for not trusting him despite his good will, not after the pain his family has caused and the war. It's a very painful and hopeless episode indeed, and a very well depicted side of what war can make for being a kids show. Not my favourite episode, but after this video I value it more. Commenting also to help fighting the evil algorithm!

[@naor_cg]

I'm glad more people come to appreciate the subtle world building and storytelling that the environment and character design tell. It's easy to look past those little details but they really do build the world, and in the animation and game industry it's thanks to the fantastic artists working together.

[@kamikage9420]

Damn I love Avatar, and I especially love when you talk about it.

[@shosty575]

@@therandomd2717 stop spamming.

[@Leto85]

I'm watching Avatar on Netflix, thanks to you. I can confirm; that series is so incredibly amazing in its character development, worldbuilding, and storytelling, and especially in the three of those combined. I got the feeling there's a lot going on behind the curtains, but still, every episode manages to teach the audience everything in a very easy to understand manner. Zukko is my favourite character in this series, for his deep and complicated character. And I was utterly impressed with how much of the story we got to know in just the first 10 minutes of the first episode without the information being forced upon the viewer. Show, don't tell very well executed.

[@apoasdemon3672]

I've watched Zuko Alone about a month ago, during my ATLA binge, but still haven't figured out why so many people like it so much. Well, I guess the only logical answer is... Binge the entire show again!

[@StarlitSeafoam]

Personally, I love it for the insights into Zuko. It gives us so much info about why Zuko is so desperately trying to win back his place in the Fire Nation. The parallels between that Earthbender family and his own experiences are striking: someone they love disappeared, just like Zuko's mom, and they are being bullied by someone with more powers than they have, just like Zuko was/is by Azula and his dad. Then there is the stark contrast between this family's care and worry about their missing son, and Zuko's family's response to his mom disappearing, and to him in general. It forces him to face things he doesn't want to think about, to recognize that not all families are like his, that his isn't normal. Yet the ending when he chose to reveal his true identity felt like a step back, to me. Like he was once again grabbing onto the idea that he needed to be Prince Zuko the great firebender to be worth anything, even if it meant losing the friendship of people he obviously liked. To me, the whole episode is really about Zuko's battle with himself, and ends with pain winning, both for Zuko and the Earthbender family.

[@DucklynStark]

@@StarlitSeafoam this journey foreshadows his arc later in this season.

[@EChacon]

One of my favorite episodes but a very heartbreaking ending that even after Zuko defeated the Thug, Zuko revealing his name on who he is and where he's from caused everybody in the town to be against him. 😕

[@alorockss]

Yeah, he defeated the thug in turn, but his family and nation are the reason why that village had to go through that in the first place. And get in the shoes of the kiddo, a big war started and his big bro had to leave to fight in it, and now his dad left, and then you find out that your new friend is the great grandson of the dude that started the war in the first place, I’d be furious...

[@TheSuperRatt]

Yeah, it's almost like WAR IS COMPLICATED.

[@alanalindie5119]

This gave me a new view on Zuko Alone. I always understood that it showed Zuko’s journey but to me it was more of a filler episode feel like Tales of Ba Sing Se. I need to go rewatch this episode (and probably all of ATLA, because why not?) now.

[@cherusiderea1330]

Leaves from the vine ~

[@ukenfuknfriends]

Agreed, I didn't even fully remember the plot of this episode because it didn't really strike me at first will rewatch it asap

[@benl2140]

One of the great things about ATLA is that even the "filler" episodes (i.e. ones that aren't essential to the plot) can have a surprising amount of depth. Hell, even the _beach party_ episode is pretty important to understanding the characters of Mai, Ty Lee and Azula.

[@anatoldenevers237]

@@benl2140 I love the beach episode. Depth to those characters like you said, also more for Zuko and it’s nice seeing the Fire Nation just being normal people

[@wintersking4290]

It's basically a classical Western movie starring Zuko. Lone stranger challenges bandits that have taken over a town.

[@malcomchase9777]

Like how Logan uses a western movie to deliver the moral of the story. Violence is not that heroic.

[@gweenpoole3545]

My goodness, you made me cry, idk why but it hurt when you talked about loss, maybe it is because tomorrow its the day of the death (I'm Mexican), and the loss of my grandparents is more present than usual, but it's strange that I cried out of nothing. You are an excellent narrator, my dear pal.

[@ember-brandt]

Zuko passing through the exact same field where the first Avatar, Wan, died... gives me chills every time now.

[@porter5224]

The Ehasz-es are too good at writing, it's illegal

[@simpforazula2687]

Seriously . It should not be legal

[@bforthigh1617]

Leave it to a fundamentalist to bring up their religion for no reason and shove it in everybody else's faces.

[@Yumyum-yo6op]

@@bforthigh1617 huh?

[@KoOkiEzRoCkz]

ATLA's display of war in a kids and/or fantasy type story will always amaze me. No stark "Light vs Dark" most of the time. But instead very complex, real side effects of a population stuck in conflict.

[@Giovanna-rv3gx]

"War makes everyone lesser" that hits hard

[@hydrasaurandre]

Fun fact: The battlefield Zuko travels through is the one that Avatar Wan died at.

[@siru47]

True or lie idk

[@darkelmo2023]

I only just realized this, but Zuko and Azula look like kids dressed up as the white power ranger, in their father's inauguration ceremony! 😂 Excellent video by the way! I bring this channel up to all my Avatar friends!

[@klaasfaak4039]

Elizabeth isn't Ehasz anymore she and Aaron divorced in the early 2010's

[@Lucama221]

A damn shame, they were an amazing pair of writers.

[@aaravos4371]

no they are still together i think or thats what google told me

[@aaravos4371]

she helped with through the moon and ither TDP thungs as well

[@toe_sucker_4165]

@@therandomd2717 get your own comment, nerd.

[@raghunathb402]

Nope they are still together

[@rachellesch8681]

I can picture “Old Town Road” playing during this episode

[@pikazilla6405]

My favorite part of the episode is how it’s essentially the mid point of zuko’s development, he’s grappling with his mothers words to be himself and be proud of who he is but he misinterprets her words to be “be proud that i am prince zuko” when she means “be proud im zuko” he defines himself by his royal status and the expectations that come with and it’s terrible for him, he shows that when he announces he’s prince of the fire nation to these people like they’d welcome him

[@Sephentos]

My favorite part of this episode is zukos undercover name, is lee, when he talks to the family, he finds out that the kids name is lee, then he gets asked his name, and zuko doesn't answer, he stays silent for just a bit too long. And the father says it's okay, he doesn't have to share. I think this is because zuko didn't want to use his undercover name, because that might create some sort of bond with this kid, that he didn't want because he knew he won't stay for long, and he struggled to come up with a different name for himself.

[@drr6357]

Zuko alone is a wonderful gateway episode that binds the first half and the last half of the series. Watching this episode as a kid when it first aired went kinda over my head, especially these higher level themes. But upon rewatching as an adult 10 to 78 times, you can really see how it really impresses upon the viewer the importance of Zuko as a truly revolutionary character while, at the same time, not taking away anything from the Gaang

[@WilliamAndrews0]

That episode is so much different every time watching. At first time watching you still think of zuko as a villain, and he deserves to be hated for what he is. His family is responsible for the war, and he keeps lying about who he is. People shouldn't trust him. And just because he's doing some good, doesn't change the fact, that he is, at this point in the story, still a bad person. On second time watching you know he's turning and is a good guy at the end, and you'll be way more compassionate towards him. His experiences seen in the flashbacks aren't just "excuses why he's bad" but "explanations on how a good person can become bad." You'll root for him a lot more because you know how it ends. On the third time watching, it really opens your eyes on his doubleback. Why did he join the fire nation again before finally realizing his true calling? He did try to be a good person, and he tried to be an honest person, and his reward was rejection, anger, and hatred. His first steps towards being a better person were immediately punished. And he didn't have Iroh there to guide him through the experience. No one told him, "You did the right thing, and that is the reward in itself." He wanted to be accepted by someone because outside of his mother no one accepted him for who he was. Even though Iroh did love him, he did constantly try to influence and change Zuko to lead him on the right way. At this point Zuko doesn't know that's the right way, so he still feels like he's not getting accepted.

[@Calebgoblin]

A hello future me video immediately takes my morning up to a 10 period and will most likely result in a worldbuilding session!

[@Calebgoblin]

Now at the end of the video I am emotional and sad thanks for that... But I still love you!

[@KatherinaBathory]

Thank you so very much for this 😊

[@lordvader9072]

You actually posted this video just in time when I was in a rut in my own original novel. you are a godsend, my friend, giving me breakthroughs.

[@Laachen]

zuko alone is my favorite episode by far, even still I wasn't expecting an entire video on this episode alone

[@Xanderqwerty123]

I think the allusion to Clint Eastwood films in this episode really drives home Zuko's "I dont need anyone" mentality, and beats into the viewer that this is self-destructive. It shows how right Iroh is while making Zuko even more relatable. Great stuff!

[@Belodri]

I rarely comment on videos but I just wanted to tell you that your words moved me deeply. You're not just summarizing, you're expanding on what's already there with your words. "War makes everyone lesser."

[@adityav.p2745]

The World feels more Hopeless when I watch THE LAST AIRBENDER movie than ZUKO ALONE 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@designtechdk]

Could somebody translate this to english please?

[@Breidablik06]

@@therandomd2717 k

[@adityav.p2745]

@Jeremy Noel Not just in Ba sing se

[@vinny9868]

This episode taught us that a few kind or heroic actions cannot heal the wounds of the past overnight, the loss of loved ones, past traumatic experiences, or suffering cannot easily be forgiven and forgotten. It is not necessarily fair that the Earth peasants act so cold to Zuko after all that he did for them, but his association with the people who caused literal decades of fear and suffering for them, understandably makes them want to lash out. In my opinion, the episode would've been better if after Zuko left, we flash forward a day or two, and have the people reflect on what happened, reconsidering, that perhaps not all hope is lost, perhaps not all Fire Nation people are evil and there is still a glimmer of hope that things could change.

[@Yumyum-yo6op]

I feel it's better to leave it like how it is in my opinion

[@thefastmagician]

Someone told me to watch this episode before I ever watched TLA as I was on the fence for a YA 7 show but Zuko alone absolutely sold me.

[@vizthex]

another reason they'd build houses out of stone (or water) is because you can basically use anyone's house as ammo during a fight, giving you a field advantage. and easily fix it afterwards.

[@Yumyum-yo6op]

Because of how the Avatar world feels lived in it feels real.

[@StarlitSeafoam]

"is pain, is loss, is Zuko...alone" Wow Tim, way to hit me in the feels. 🥺😭😭😭😭

[@Xkittyloverr1997]

The little boy in this episode reminds my of Cinema Therapy's analysis of Prince of Egypt where they said that hatred comes from love. You either loved the person or people and were deeply betrayed by them, they are (or are perceived to be) a threat to those you love, or you were taught to hate by people you love. That boy was obviously taught by his loved ones and his nation, to hate anyone from the fire nation, and his family views them as a threat, especially someone like Zuko who claims to be part of the royal family who are the cause of the war

[@jobobminer8843]

13:23 - Read the article he wrote. 😂

[@kushagra_291w]

With every avatar video you post I understand that atla is even better masterpiece than I think it is

[@heictorbellato4894]

I just wanted to say thank you, i really like your channel, the way you make you videos and how you perceive details that are so much more important than they appear, it's just amazing. I have a history to tell, it's still doesn't have a ending, but it does have bunch of character, a interesting world (to finish building and developing) and some heat archs. One day I will write it, and I promise that I will send u a copie, because, your videos, are helping me. So I just wanna say thank you, and keep doing this, you are pretty good at it.

[@eruthor1884]

according to the avatar wiki the battlefield zuko walks through at the start is the same where Avatar Wan died

[@slightlyembittered]

Some fans say that Zuko is the main character rather than Aang, and often use this episode to justify that claim. However, Zuko is absent from 13 episodes, whereas Aang is only absent from 1. Bonus points to anyone who can name all 13 episodes Zuko isn't in.

[@zakariyyaatariq2049]

Blind Bandit first comes to mind. Don't know if that's correct. Serpents Pass? Great divide?

[@bakthihapuarachchi3447]

@@zakariyyaatariq2049 there is also the Deserter, Nightmares and Daydreams, the Puppet master, the one about the library etc.

[@adityav.p2745]

Actually there is 13 episodes 1)King of Omashu 2) Jet 3)the great divide 4)the fortuneteller 5) Bato of the Water Tribe 6)The Deserter 7)The Northern Air Temple 8) The Blind Bandit 9)The Desert 10)Appa's Lost Days 11)The Painted Lady 12)The Runaway 13)The Puppetmaster

[@bakthihapuarachchi3447]

@@adityav.p2745 damn son

[@nightingale4786]

@@bakthihapuarachchi3447 zuko actually shows up in nightmares and daydreams though, it's the episode where he's all sulky abt the war meeting only for it not to start until he was sitting next to ozai. great set-up for day of black sun pt 2 where he goes to face his father before joining the gaang :]

[@Sarapontmercy]

I didnt watch the video yet but im already saying YESSSSS

[@jacobholly2096]

It would make me cry seeing zuko as firelord go to the same village and bowed to ask for forgiveness for what his father and the entire fire nation has done. And promises to make things right.

[@thehellhound8582]

I just got home from a long, hard and tiring shift, I'm so glad that you made this video it really helped me feel less spent and cheered me up.

[@paultowl1963]

Nicely done. I really enjoy the deep dives you take into the series. Gives me a fresh perspective.

[@faviann]

I remember when I saw that episode for the first time (over a decade ago if I remember well). I was blown away but could not put words as to why. Thanks for sharing this video, it hit so many aspects I could've never put words on

[@toothedacorn4724]

Germany: *invades Belgium* Britian: "you've lost life privileges, hand it over"

[@vaughnjohnson8767]

Everyone: What does this have to do with avatar? Me: eh Britain. Literally everyone: okay

[@henrypaleveda7760]

@@vaughnjohnson8767 I was going to say that it took them nearly a year but that's pretty fast for mobilizing a continent

[@hansgomez1317]

Quarantin draggin so long that even Tim is growing a beard

[@fizzledimglow3523]

Been a while since I heard from you on avatar, friend! Looking forward to this.

[@Ayjrin]

This might be my favorite video of yours so far. Love ya bud; keep up the good work!!!

[@Kth7o9]

honestly, this is in my top of your best videos ever made. You do an amazing job at that! Ps. love your book ^^

[@oscarromarioflorezcamargo6342]

Oh yes, my favorite western.

[@ethan-loves]

What a fantastic analysis. Thank you for sharing it!

[@mavg.]

I love you're Avatar videos!

[@maddinar6727]

I actually watched all of Avatar for the first time in the last five days because you uploaded this video and always talk so enthusiastically about it. And I enjoyed it so much. Now I can finally watch this video without getting spoiled for the entire (amazing) series. :)

[@Croutonium]

Great video! I've personally used World Anvil's timeline feature a lot. Helps keep track of events in the past as a DM

[@calipigeon]

Love this commentary, this series is so good and it makes me so nostalgic to see these scenes.

[@Bob-fj7lr]

Wow, your analysis of the economy of the earth kingdom is so cool

[@DareToEntertain]

this and korra alone are top notch episodes. Absolutely insane.

[@Ray03595]

Im so glad they were able to replicate this kind of storytelling so well in Korra Alone. I love S4 of Korra and hate when ppl dismiss the whole show because of one wonky season.

[@DareToEntertain]

@@Ray03595 literally this^^ completely agree. The show for me (only first watched it 3-4 months ago) has aged like Fine wine. Joining this Atla and korra community as Been such nice turn of events. Love both shows to bits

[@pencils7351]

I loved how during the review you were making a mock up of ATLA, I especially started laughing at the episode descriptions

[@ztslovebird]

Anyone else notice Gau could only Earthbend with his war hammers? Avatar Kyoshi needed her mother’s fans because she was ridiculously OP & the fans helped her focus her power, but I think the opposite is the case for Gau.

[@astrouphel]

I jump at every one of your Avatar videos. Keep it up!

[@rayrowley4013]

I just like Zuko's Inigo Montoya/ Maximus Decimus Meridius line at the end.

[@Samuel-bm5ov]

I'm loving that facial hair growth you got going on. Keep up the good work my man' we appreciate you.

[@miriamrosemary9110]

Thanks for giving me new insights into an episode I already knew and loved ❤

[@johncowart9536]

I love the nuance and considerations you bring to topics such as this. *hug* You're awesome

[@bookoo995]

Loved the video. Really hope all your vids don't turn in to 40% ads.

[@Miriam-ob8tz]

Can I just say, the ending of this video, in fact all of it, was beautifully and powerfully written. God bless you 😊

[@doubleasworkshop1692]

I would honestly love it if you made more this type of videos for FMAB. That show really needs people to dissect it and put it on display with its amazing writing

[@mcuba3646]

Glad you made this I love zuko

[@danyt1232]

It would be interesting if an animated story was made about that father leaving his family to find his son who was captured

[@hocusing]

so ever since ive watched the episode about the fire nation i have been waiting for this episode and now im so happy its out