Ursa's Influence on Zuko and Azula

Throughout Avatar: The Last Airbender Ursa is nowhere to be found. Only appearing in flashbacks in Zuko Alone and as a figment of Azula’s imagination. Even with her not being present, she still holds a great deal of influence on both of her children. Shaping their perspectives and what their primary focus is. In this video, we are going to break down both Zuko and Azula's stories to really see Ursa's influence on them. Understanding why they do the things they do and what they truly searching for.
This is just my opinion. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so if I got something wrong, or you have something to point out please do so in a constructive way. We’re here because we’re all passionate about this show. Be kind and willing to listen. You never know what you might learn!
MUSIC
madiRFAN - 2020 - Falling Down - Far Away by MADiRFAN
CHANNEL INTRODUCTION
Overthinking movies and tv shows, so you don't have to.
Subscribe for more overanalyzed content: www.youtube.co...

[@cynicaloptimist970]

My personal theory is that Ozai, not wanting another "weak" child like Zuko, threatened Ursa into staying away from Azula so that he could raise her the way he wanted to, unless Ursa wanted to lose her daughter... forever (hint, hint).

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

That's interesting! Maybe that's some of the reasons she's named after her grandfather? Hopefully we get more information about Azula and her mother in the new comic coming out soon!

[@Giulia-om2gl]

Damn..it actually makes so much sense

[@AndalusianPhilosopher]

I want to add that perhaps after seeing that Zuko was weak when he was infant or even worse potentially a non bender Ozai and Azulon forced Ursa to have a second child. Whether Ursa wanted it or not.

[@mellemadswoestenburg1296]

@@AndalusianPhilosopher that would not surprise me at all. There was physical and emotional abuse in Ozai and Ursa's marriage, sexual abuse doesn't seem like a stretch. In Smoke And Shadow we see that Ursa is unable to sleep in the same bed she shared with Ozai. Maybe he forced himself onto her to impregnate her with Azula.

[@carolinedisalvatore9768]

@@AndalusianPhilosopher Yeah and considering how Azula is only one or two years younger than Zuko I think it’s safe to say that Ozai didn’t waste a whole lot of time wanting another child.

[@bloom8024]

Ursa's impact on Zuko, Azula and the story as a whole is crazy considering she's only present in a few flashbacks

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

Haha, I know right! It's crazy that they were able to make such an influential character!

[@rockmegently]

@@bloom8024 Well, she is their mom.

[@solkun8316]

I think when your child thinks that her mother thinks of her as a monster something went wrong in your parenting. She needed guidance and understanding from her mother. Ursa treated them both differently. I can understand where she is coming from being abused by their father. She might develop mental issues herself. Even resentment towards her child who reminds her of her tyrannical husband. But that's her child who needs a mother who understands her and loves her and guides her. I might be projecting lol

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

You are right! However, I feel it is hard to put the blame on just one person. This family has so much going on. (Honestly think they all need therapy) When it comes to Azula and Ursa...it's complicated. I do believe that they love one another. But what they truly need is to sit down, maybe drink some tea, and talk about their issues head-on. I know a new Azula comic is coming out soon maybe we'll see them sort some things out.

[@Giulia-om2gl]

The real question is..why does Azula think that Ursa thinks she’s a monster?From what?She never said it yet she’s still so convinced about it

[@Claudia_Crimson_585]

Ursa's parenting wasn't perfect but it wasn't bad either. Ursa would scold Azula when she was acting violent and cruel like a normal mother should then her father would praise her for the way she acts. Azula must have thought that because her mother wasn't praising her behavior like her father was and came to the conclusion that her mother is scared of her and sees her as a monster.

[@Lifeofalexp1]

@@Claudia_Crimson_585 you have to realize that Ozai was the main problem. I don’t think he wanted her influence on Azula

[@teopalafox]

@@Giulia-om2gl we haven't seen azulas entire life lol

[@OmarO_721]

I see Azula’s and Ursa’s relationship as a parent scolding a child, for doing bad things. And that’s what all mothers should do. Ursa was simply trying her best to be a real mother to both her children. But in this case, Ozai’s negative influence on Azula had already taken its toll. Therefore, Ursa had trouble showing the motherly affection to Azula, that she gave to Zuko. But in the end, despite Azula’s behavior, Ursa still loves them. She even wanted to take both Zuko and Azula with her, when she was banished.

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

I would agree that scolding isn't inherently a bad thing. However, it can become a problem when that's all a parent is doing. It's sad that every time we see these two on-screen Ursa is correcting Azula's behavior. Again, not a bad thing. But those negative memories of being scolded destroyed her childhood. Not to mention her insane father wanting her to be the perfect Fire Nation general. The Fire Nation Royal family needs a show all to there selves because it is way more complicated than what met the eye. (Sorry went on a little tangent there) Ursa does love her kids very much. Hopefully, in the future comic, we can see the rift between mother and daughter get repaired.

[@dragonninjaghostgirl7981]

Ursa is a flawed parent not a terrible parent. She did regret on not being there for Azula but she truly did love her. Ursa didn’t have a favorites that was Ozai.

[@wingadept8793]

But she definitely gave more attention to Zuko than she did Azula, even if she may have loved them both. Zuko wears his emotions on his sleeve, whereas Azula doesn't and keeps her feelings bottled in. It's ironic really. Zuko craved his father's attention, while Azula secretly/unconsciously desired her mother's.

[@teamblack204]

Oh, she absolutely played favorites, and that's okay. First of all, Zuko took after her in the terms of personality. He was kind, loving and merciful like her, which obviously made it easier for Ursa to bond with Zuko. Azula, on the other hand, was pretty much like her father, personality-wise. Naturally, it was much harder for Ursa to reach out to Azula. In addition, Ursa said that she truly wished Zuko was Ikem's son (her childhood love and former fiance), not Ozai's. So with Zuko, Ursa could act like she actually had Ikem's child and pretend she's living her dream life. But with Azula, she couldn't do that. Azula was a constant reminder of her current life with Ozai. This most definitely caused Ursa to emotionally distance herself from Azula.

[@teamblack204]

@angiereyes7856 No, I agree to disagree. Ursa didn't show Azula the same sort of affection, but not because Ozai would treat her the same way he treated Zuko. If that were the case, then Ursa would have no choice but distance herself from Zuko as well since her affection was the supposed reason of the bad treatment he received. No, Ozai doesn't care how Ursa was treating Azula as long as he was able to influence her.

[@dragonninjaghostgirl7981]

Yo chill, So Ursa wasn’t the greatest mother in the world, not every good person is a great and perfect parent. Even parents makes mistakes, After all Ozai and Ursa marriage wasn’t out of love after all, its was only because she is the granddaughter of avatar Roku and firelords wanted her to make powerful firebending descendants as cold and wretched as they are. Well, it succeeded on Azula, but underestimated Zuko because he mostly got his good side from his mom side while Azula got her bad side from her Dad side. But come on, having a child like Azula wouldn’t be easy for a good person especially if that child has firebending powers. Azula would had kill her mother if Ursa was never banished. Azula did hate being disciplined.

[@teamblack204]

@angiereyes7856 If you read the latest Azula comics (Azula In The Spirit Temple), you can see where the favoritism has started and it had nothing to do with Ursa Also no, Ursa was a straight up bad parent. **(SPOILERS)** After telling Zuko to never forget who he is, she deliberately chose to forget her children's existence and her own identity just to bone her childhood crush... She even replaced Zuko and Azula with a new daughter...

[@TheUnknown-yx8zc]

I actually think azula had it harder than zuko. She never really had anyone in her life other than her friends. Zuko at least had his mother and uncle. I feel like if azula had more positive influences she could have been good too as she is also avatar Rokus grandchild

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

It is kind of hard to compare trauma from one person to the next. But I do feel sorry for her, she really didn't have anyone looking out for her.

[@wingadept8793]

Honestly the only positive influence she did have was Zuko of all people. Which is why in her own twisted way she was trying to help him in regards to him returning back to the fire nation, and trying to look out for him. Granted she was manipulative, but Zuko was in a way her rock, her moral compass. Someone that in spite everything did care for her despite their differences.

[@BlazeWolf9511]

I think it’s really easy for people to focus on how Zhukov was effected by their mom, so I’m happy that this video shined some light on Azusa’s relationship with their mother as well, especially since it integrated some stuff from the comics a bit too.

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

There is a lot more to Azula and Ursa's relationship than what meets the eye. Both have a lot in common. I truly hope at some point they get a "true" reunion where they sit and talk about the past.

[@AndalusianPhilosopher]

@@CinemaOverAnalyzed with new movies and stuff from avatar studios I truly hope so🙂

[@AndalusianPhilosopher]

@@CinemaOverAnalyzed also read fanfic I am just a problem. The reunion with Azula and her mother is done quite well.

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

@Andalusian Artist & Poet I'll give it a read! Thanks!

[@AndalusianPhilosopher]

@@CinemaOverAnalyzed you can an analysis of this fanfic. Not always one needs to focus on canon stories☺️

[@WizardToby]

I like how Ursa's theater side shows up in the shows. Like how Zuko mentions "Love Amongst The Dragons" and such. It's a nice touch to show he still fondly remembers that part of his childhood among all the trauma from Ozai.

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

That's really cool! I think that influence is still with Azula as well. Just the way she says certain things overdramatically like "Those were wonderful performances." in The Beach. One could argue that she's always putting on her own performance.

[@nessenessekim1038]

2:18i read that "zuko" can mean "failure" or "loved one" I guess the creators chose this name on purpose

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

I didn't know that! Thanks for sharing that interesting fact =)

[@AndalusianPhilosopher]

Just want to add that Azula can reconcile with her mother. Her story past the comics is not known leading up to Korra, and in Korra era Zukos family is least known about. A lot can happen during this time. Comics only extend 3 years past ATLA so there is a lot of uncovered time leading into Korra.

[@AndalusianPhilosopher]

The ball is in creators court to expand and properly conclude Azulas story. Like I said in other comment threads Azulas story had been up in the air for years. And her story post show does not extend that far so there is a huge gap leading to Korra where Azulas story is unwritten.

[@AndalusianPhilosopher]

Hey did you get the chance to read new Azula comic?

[@chaseaphrodite3398]

Also, Azula was just a kid. She is 14 by the time of the last agni kai. Ursa isn't perfect. But she was the adult that should SEEN that Azula needed support. In the end, Zuko had Ursa, Iroh, Mai and the Gaang. Azula had herself. She tried to have her father and Ozai is Ozai (like even Iroh thought she was a monster) I still think at least Iroh and Ursa owe Azula an apologie.

[@Benjawin6671]

No one owes Azula anything. She is pure evil and has been that way since she was 9. No reason to think she would change considering she was still a hellspawn at 14

[@changvasejarik62]

Ursa is a character I have immensely mixed feelings over. While her kindness and willingness to protect her kids is admirable, and she deserves what happy ending she got. At the same time I think azula has a good reason to hate her. Because the isolation and Ursa’s inability to truly understand Azula is what made Azula see herself as a monster. Plus try as I might I found Ursa erasing her memories and face to be unforgivable considering she knew just what danger her kids would be in. That choice unintentionally validates azula’s belief that fear has more power than love.

[@teopalafox]

Dont mess with avatar fans, we cant be bothered to take aeay messages that the writers slap us in the face with. If azula isnt redeemable, zuko isnt and iroh isnt. ​@Benjawin6671

[@Giulia-om2gl]

Someone could literally make a whole movie or something similar about their family issues..i swear it’s so much stuff

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

I would totally watch that. There is so much drama in this family it's INSANE!

[@Giulia-om2gl]

@@CinemaOverAnalyzed RIGHT?!!Damn

[@matchapatissiere5146]

As much as her bad experiences, she's one of the few villains that I don't want a redemption arc. She really is a good villain in ATLA. Manipulative, cunning, calculated, the only time she had a hard time fighting is at the final Agni Kai and her 1v1 with Katara where she's on the verge of losing if Zuko doesn't intervene.

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

I think the interesting part about Azula is she's a lot deeper than just a villain. There are a lot of layers to her. I think that's what makes her a great character in general. One of my all-time favorites!

[@zubaydahtalukdar8088]

7:45 - I also think that Ursa needed a safe environment to properly parent both her kids in order to give them both attention and affection ❤🥰and offer her teachings as well, but unfortunately for her and her kids, that’s just not possible 😔😭. Overall though, I’d say that Ursa did the BEST she could for both her kids and I do hope that Ursa & Azula will get to reconcile sometime between ATLA & the LOK, especially now that Ursa is back 😊😮‍💨.

[@Orurandokun]

8:28 is not a bad mother? She chose to forget about her children to live a happy life with a man. Don't come with a lame excuse that "it was because Ozai". Because she could have gone to the Earth Kingdom as a refugee. But she didn't.

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

I was more referring to her parenting style towards Azula during the "Zuko Alone flashbacks." It's up to you if you think she's a bad mother after that point.

[@AndalusianPhilosopher]

The reason as to why Ursa chose this path is because she was going through a lot of pain and trauma I think. Also because she realized that it is unlikely she will ever see Zuko and Azula again, the only way is from the distance can she see her kids. It was a terrible situation in a family.

[@eduardofarias6810]

@@AndalusianPhilosopher +/- In the comics, she admitted that she didn't love Zuko or Azula enough, making it clear that Kiyi and her husband are more important (she apologized to Zuko after recovering her memory). Zuko only forgave her because he's desperate for love, but anyone else probably wouldn't want to look at her face any longer. This decision by Ursa is understandable because of the trauma caused by Ozai, but in the same way, Zuko and Azula are not to blame for this, they did not ask to be born. Therefore, it is also understandable that they did not forgive her or did not want to live with her. Remember that she also sent a letter stating that Zuko was not Ozai's son (knowing that Ozai would read it and doing so only to anger him and that this would only bring more suffering to Zuko). The most pathetic thing about the comic is that Ursa never once asks about Zuko's scar.

[@teamblack204]

Ursa to Zuko: Never forget who you are Also Ursa: **Deliberately forgets her children's existence and her who she is just to bone her childhood crush**

[@3nc335]

@@eduardofarias6810 god I can't with the Ursa slander 🙄

[@midnightconstellation]

Great video! It's interesting to think about Ursa as a person instead of just the figure we saw her to be, if that makes sense. She was just as complex as any other character in the show, even though we only saw her in a few flashback scenes, and her impact on the characters she came into contact with is tangible

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

I understand what your saying! She is more than just a figure Ozai looms over his children's heads. She's a protective parent who will do anything to protect her children.

[@teamblack204]

People saying that Ursa *loved both of her children* and didn't favor Zuko... Well, she indeed loved both her children, BUT she absolutely *favored Zuko.* Zuko took after his mother in the terms of personality: he was kind, loving and merciful like her, which obviously made it easier for Ursa to bond with Zuko. Azula, on the other hand, was pretty much like her father, personality-wise. Naturally, it was much harder for Ursa to reach out to Azula. In addition, Ursa said that she truly wished Zuko was Ikem's son (her childhood love and former fiance), not Ozai's. So with Zuko, Ursa could act like she actually had Ikem's child and pretend she's living her dream life. But with Azula, she couldn't do that. Azula was a constant reminder of her current life with Ozai. In conclusion, yes, Ursa did favor Zuko and that's okay. She was also a victim of abuse. And even though her treatment of Azula wasn't the best, it was far from being the worst. She still loved her children at the end.

[@keybladechosn1]

Ursa is a Boy Mom. It's all about her son, and though they love their daughters, the heart is with their sons. She's just a Boy Mom.

[@SharpAsRavenClaws]

1:10 it’s interesting, Ursa is a name of a bear constellation, if you know how a mama bear is when her babies are threatened.

[@jp3813]

Being a good/bad parent isn't just a matter of loving your child, but about how you raise your child. No parent is perfect, but I think one can validly accuse Ursa of being half of a bad mother. For there's wondering what's wrong w/ your child, and then there's actually trying to find out what's wrong w/ your child.

[@olived9560]

great video!

[@vetarlittorf1807]

I don't think Azula was justified saying Ursa thought of her as a monster. In reality, Ursa thought of her as an ill-behaved twisted child that needed help. But the problem is that Azula is a sociopath and helping her would require her to be put in an institution, which Ozai would never approve of.

[@CinemaOverAnalyzed]

Azula does need help from a professional...honestly so does Zuko. Their childhood was terrible. Even Ursa has some PTSD from entering the palace after all those years. When it comes to Azula, she still needs love from both Zuko and Ursa to overcome her demons.

[@vetarlittorf1807]

@@CinemaOverAnalyzed I think Ursa genuinely loved Azula, who was in denial about it because she was split on her desire for love (triggered by Mai and Ty Lee's betrayal and Ozai's refusal to let her accompany him) and seeing love as a weakness. That split represents how she was influenced by both her parents. Unfortunately, Ozai was the stronger influence on her and he only nurtured her capabilities as a fierce warrior and an influential princess. But every parent has a favourite child whether or not they show favouritism, and Ursa favoured Zuko because he was the closest to her concept of a happy family.

[@AndalusianPhilosopher]

@@vetarlittorf1807 true. Anyways I see hope for Azula. Her story is mostly unwritten. There is still 70 years worth of unanswered questions leading up to Korra. In Korra Azulas eventual fate is never adressed. She is never mentioned not even in flashbacks in LOK. In fact Zukos family is never fleshed out the way Kataras and Tophs families are.

[@vetarlittorf1807]

@@AndalusianPhilosopher It's not as fleshed out because the creators liked the idea of Zuko being the most successful parent.

[@AndalusianPhilosopher]

@@vetarlittorf1807 still it would have been nice to know more. Even Korra and Izumi interacting. I mean Izumi shows up only in Season 4 very briefly. Also Izumi has a daughter, which we never seen. It would have great to see Fire Nation in Korra. See how Fire Nation changed. Also see how Zuko and his family changed.