DIRECTOR'S CUT: Villain Therapy — ZUKO from Avatar: the Last Airbender

I've always thought that the "I have changed" bit was meant as a link to the North Pole episode, where Katara defeated Zuko — you know, in a 'I have changed, now I will defeat you' kinda way.

Dear guys, why didnt you include the scene of Zuko confronting his father? I think it was a Pinnacle point for him to confront his biggest fear (wanting the love and approval of his father) and finally standing for who he is and wants to be.

You had a video on anastasia confronting her trauma demons but didn't include zuko confronting his?????????? That was such an EPIC scene!!!!! I got patreon in the hopes that scene was included here!!!! Noooooooooooo

YOU DIDN'T INCLUDE THE SCENE WHERE ZUKO STANDS UP TO HIS FATHER DURING THE SOLAR ECLIPSE???? WHYYYYYY??? I think that's the true end to this

Love that Aang’s old friend Kuzon and Zuko’s name are so damn close to each other. Love it!

Oh my gosh, I was so disappointed.You guys never showed the part.And talked about the part where zuko finally meets back up with uncle airo.That literally made the entire show for me period that I watched the series over and over and over again just to get back to that part.

PLEASE on the Iroh episode! He's suuuuuch a good character and a perfect example of non-toxic masculinity! Also- I think part of why Zuko wants to channel lightening so badly in the scene where he is yelling at the storm is to prove to Iroh- and himself- that there isn't conflict within him and he does still want his father's approval above all. The internal conflict is eating at him and he's holding on so hard to his previous beliefs (because changing them is scary and a ton of work). Iroh told him he would be unable to channel lightening until he resolved his inner turmoil so he wants to prove to himself that he still holds those fire nation values dear and his loyalty is not wavering. I also love how when Zuko dreams, he sees himself without the scar which is a pretty visual defining characteristic of his "dishonor".

Zukooooooooooooo! Good lord I freaking love him so much.

My mom WAS Katara, and maybe a bit of Aang. She was deeply hopeful, and emotional, deeply committed to nonviolence, and she refused to judge other people unequivocally. She was steadfast in her support for "others." I hear her voice every day, and I swear that she sounds like Katara in my mind - caught between empathetic emotion and fear of other's intentions toward the less fortunate. She taught those values to us, almost to a fault.My dad was Zuko, a child of of a violent Texas childhood, though I think he wanted to be Aang in his heart. But, as a former fundamentalist fire and brimstone preacher as a child, he was more a Zuko, tortured by expectations visited on him by a culture he did not agree with in the end. I did not realize the connections to these characters until I saw this.

I think I can somehow relate to the part of the metamorphosis and that personal growth hurts. A few years ago I was in a situation where I felt like I was being rejected by everyone around me and I kept pushing people away because of that. I sank into depression and got these anxiety attacks thinking about having to meet those people (I was in a commune so I lived with them). It all exploded when we went to group therapy, and I shared all my fears and anxiety with them, along with the feeling of rejection. And at first I hurt them when sharing that. They felt attacked. But I think it's something that I needed to happen, that I needed to get out of my system. Because these were not a reflection of reality but it's still what I felt, and they learned to accept that. I started going to therapy since then and learned to put less value in what other people think of me, but it wasn't easy, it was even ugly sometimes. I'm still not entirely there, I'm not sure I'll ever will be, but I'm learning to accept these insecurities as part of myself and not the whole, and that helped me and my relationship with the people around me, and I think I'm better for that.

Zuko's Book 2, lone ranger/samurai/cowboy storyline is one of my all time favorite things in the world.

Finally watched this, so good! So glad that you guys immediately started working on an Uncle Iroh episode after this and Aang 😊 I wonder how you all liked the live action? I thought it was okay, and hope to see them live up to the potential in seasons 2 and 3; it was great seeing them greenlit for it. Looking forward to the episode on Uncle Iroh later this month 🍵

Iroh! Iroh! Iroh! "What are you doing?" "I'm mugging you, old man!" (Doubtful look) "With *that* stance?" (In other words, an Iroh episode please!) Though also, Zuko! Such an incredibly written (and acted) character. The original AtLA is so amazing. It has its lesser moments, but they are few and far between. I watched it with my kids, and I'm so grateful for that experience. (And of course we've re-watched it many times.) It's so well, and so maturely, written, indeed far better than many things meant to be for adults.

One of the most incredible decisions in story history in my opinion is having Zuko never be able to lightning bend when so many around him could. It really cemented his character and arc and is a relatively small but ultimately massively impactful feature!

SO...when is the Iroh episode coming out? Dying for this one! You guys better gush over how AMAZING of not only a character he is, but how such an INCREDIABLE role model he is for healthy masculinity. He is one of the BEST written characters EVER! With love Z.

Yes please for the Iroh episode! So glad y'all did this episode about one of my favorite animated character's redemption arc.

I would really LOVE a whole video on Zuko’s first days of being good, trying to win over the gang, what happens when he first joins team Avatar and stumbles a bit to fit in and earn their trust/friendship. And how he finally earns it with the 3 original members who he’s done wrong in the past. I’d love to see John and Alan talk about that. Bonus: A while back I found a very fiery and feisty abandoned baby kitten, I took him home and I named him Zuko because of his fiery temper. Then soon after I realized that he had a burn scar (from hiding on a hot car engine) on the left side of his face above his left eye, just like prince Zuko! I was shocked, this was fate.

I loved this!!! I do see things a bit differently when Iroh stays silent in prison after Zuko comes in asking for advice. I have watched this series like 5 or 6 times already and it's just my general interpretation of it. I think everyone, including Iroh have always tried to influence Zuko one way or the other and he has come at a point in his journey where his decisions really have to be his own. Zuko already knows what the right thing to do is he just wants to feel validated by someone and I think Iroh is crying because it's so hard for him not to offer the advice, or the love, or the acceptance that Zuko so deeply desires at this moment, but he knows that Zuko must develop the strength to choose the right thing on his own, despite what anyone else, Iroh included might say. I think Iroh understands how powerful the approval of a father figure is for Zuko and he is somehow withholding the need to sway Zuko towards where he wants him to go, so that when he does, Zuko feels it's truly his own merit. Just a thought.

I always thought Zuko's grandfather, Firelord Azulon never meant to kill Zuko. He literally is very understanding of General Iroh's defeat in Ba Sing Se and the loss of his son. What he tells Zuko's father, and Azula over hears, is you need to "understand the loss of loosing a son." I always presumed it was a test on Ozai and most likely, Azulon was planning on putting Zuko in Iroh's care and one day possibly making him Iroh's heir. Remember Azula always lies. This is who we hear the story from.

Thank you so much for doing this episode. I think Zuko is probably the best written character of all time. He’s so unbelievably real, and I find so much hope in his story. One of my favorite things about Zuko is that he is always capable, but he’s not the best at anything. He’s just a guy who keeps trying and, with the help of those who truly love him, comes out on the other side of his trauma. Speaking of people who truly love Zuko, god I would kill to see an episode about Iroh.

Thank you for this episode! A friend of mine recently pointed out how rare Zuko is, given that he is a character with a full redemption who does not DIE to redeem himself but owns his mistakes and actually lives out what he's learned. It's so powerful.

The single most painful thing I am dealing with in my own life right now is the reality that my mother loves me so, so much... And she has been the single most emotionally manipulative and hurtful person I have ever met. And she has hurt me emotionally in ways that are going to take so damn long to recover from. It's going to be okay. It just hurts.

all right, if 500 of the comments are for which tv video ya'll should do next, I vote zuko's redemption arc. Fantastic job on both videos, I don't have the funds to stay a patron but if I contribute to something after christmas, it's to show my profound appreciation for those deep dives and to support the hopefully budding idea of producing more ATLA content ^.^

We need Iroh because he is the embodiment of someone who is interested in you, listens to you, offers his help to others unconditionally. In his words "Sharing tea with a facinating stranger is one of lifes true delights." I know the feeling of "Losing controll" from things like...losing acess to things you use daily on your computer, like one time cleared all my caches and when i tried to lock into twitch i had to authentise my account via my phone number. Some weeks ago i got a new phone number so i could not acess the SMS. Trying out everything i could i got more and more stressed as silly as that sounds because i got stuck at a problem i had no solution to and started to get more stressed out the harder i tried to brute force it SOMEHOW. I then tried to change my Phone number via a request by twitch, something that would take 2-3 days at best. Getting a slight headache already and lying down at some point i booted up my old phone that i used before just to see if THERE could by something i could do. The ammount of relieve when i discovered when my old phone had an authentication app with a code for twitch on it i got up and rushed to my pc, got to twitch, type in the code and EUREKA! IT WORKED! THE PROBLEM IS FINALY SOLVED!

I absolutely loved this show as a kid and it's so meaningful watching it as an adult too. I've compared ever redemption arc I've watched since to Zuko.

Now you have to do the REAL villain therapy for Azula

I love the line where Iroh says “The Avatar gives Zuko hope” it’s such a defining moment for Uncle Iroh

Iroh and Jonno

Yes! Please do one on Uncle Iroh! Thank you for this one on Zuko!

Why didnt you cover his redemption?

One of the fascinating things about Zuko's... "cinematography" is how Zuko is framed. Whenever he makes a bad decision, his scarred side is shown - representing a choice born of his trauma.

Would love you guys to do Family Therapy on The Mikaelson Family and Villian Therapy on Klaus Mikaelson from The Vampire Diaries/The Originals, but I know it's too long because it's across multiple seasons on 2 different shows, maybe one day though.

Iroh, please!! I’ve watched this series at least once a year for the past 10 years. Zuko is my favorite, but Iroh is a close second!

Thank you for doing these avatar episodes I've been waiting for you to do episodes on avatar since you first started this channel. Obviously an Iroh vs Jono episode would be awesome

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I come on to find TWO HOURS of ATLA!? I can't just watch this casually. I need to have food, get comfortable, turn off all distractions, etc. I'm very excited.

Thank you so much for this episode I was one of these who kept begging for episode about zuko :D Personally I don't think zuko was that afraid of his father because he was powerful, I think he just didn't want to fight him because he was his father, he loved him and he wanted his approval. Episode about Iroh would be absolutely great. Imho he is something like reverse Umbridge. There aren't really people who like Umbridge and there aren't really people who hate Iroh. It's just physically impposible unless you are psychopath. There definitely should be some episode about Hook :D Batmsn TAS also has lot of potential :D

YES!! Please do an episode with uncle iroh!!! ❤️

Hi I didn't see the show but I can relate to Zuko, But I relate to Zuko about Self love which I always think I am the black sheep in my family despite reaching new heights So I started to think everyone will leave me even I do good..Thanks for doing this..I should listen to my inner self

I was just over the sky super excited when I saw in my feed that an Avatar: The Last Airbender character was FINALLY going to be cinema therapyied!! 😯🥰 Not that I would've hated you guys or anything if you never did lol, but yeah, Zuko is my favorite character because of his complexity and because he arguably had to overcome the most adversity in terms of growth and just how many stumbles and falls he went through. I only wish you guys showed and went over the scene where Zuko and Iroh reunite in the Order of the White Lotus camp towards end of season 3 and how heavily emotional it was. Many of the actors portray the emotional scenes well in their voices often through all seasons of the show but this scene is the one that always makes me tear up the most because it shows just the sheer amount of monumental love they have for each other and how it comes out so raw in their voices.

Loved this one!! I feel like the fire nation royal family just presents a huge opportunity for family therapy. I think toxic masculinity in Azulon and ozai and healthy masculinity in iroh would be a cool angle! And just looking at Iroh’s background from being a murderer and warmonger to just a quiet mentor trying to help Zuko get on the right path sooner than he himself did

Ok now we need a phsycology of a hero for Zuko. This was absolutely. Zuko might be my favorite character ive loved him zince his first episode. I could just sense there was something about him lol.

I literally just finished my rewatch of Avatar and was hoping you guys would do a video on Zuko and look what I cam across today! I love it!

I am SO excited you guys did this episode. I've been watching you guys since you started and I've been wanting you guys to cover ATLA since then. If you guys do do the Iron episode PLS cover the scene when Iron and Zuko reunite before the comet. It's one of my favorite scenes and I would love to hear what you guys have to say. As always, loved this video and can't wait to see more!!

YES AVATAR FINALLY!! Loved this episode so much! More please!!! :D

Iroh episode when plz?

Another little bit about Zuko’s dream sequence. Yes, the dragons are voiced by Iroh and Azula which represents his current conflict, but the dragons themselves represent his generational conflict. The blue dragon that is voiced by Azula resembles the blue dragon that Sozin had while the red dragon voiced by Iroh is the dragon that Roku would ride. Amazing how deep the writers and animators get with some of these scenes.

I personally think you lacked some of our favorite moments because as soon as he joins team avatar he has beatiful interactions and the moment when he is affraid to ask for foregiveness from iroh and he expects him to be angry and iroh is just happy to see him in team avatar its awsome. Buuut this is just what I was waiting for, for so long I thought you would never do it but I cried with alan

It took me so long to watch this series and finally caught up during the pandemic. I loved the character of Zuko just like I loved Snape. The "bad guy" who really has good in him is one of the character types I will never get tired of. While I only live 8 feet away from Burbank, I can't help but feel immense pride when I realize that this genius series was made just around the corner. So awesome! Thanks for covering it. It was really worth going out of the movie realm just for a little while. I will be looking forward to seeing the live action remake on Netflix!

I was almost 14 when this show started and I’ve loved every moment!

Question for Alan: how is it even possible to have such an amazing recap episode? I always thought they have to be boring per definition. Yet "the Ember Island Players" maybe my favorite episode of the whole show. On a (even more) serious note: some characters - like Iroh - are so incredibly well written. Do authors for these kinda shows ask professional therapists to actually look over the scripts, or would these lines be geniously be from "just" an (amazing) author?

I would love to see more Alan’s cinema analysis in episodes, esp the YouTube cuts, always so insightful

I need more avatar therapy content lol especially about Zuko. Maybe a hero therapy about his journey after making his choice to be a hero.... 😁

I'd love to see a video on Azula. I once had a debate with a friend who was insisting she was just born bad, but I was of the opinion that she was just as abused as Zuko, just in a very different way. She had all her worst attributes praised and fostered, and she learned to crave that approval. Nobody gets to a full blown psychotic episode at the age of 14 on their own. Ozai destroyed her in a way he never managed with Zuko. Would love to hear Jono's take on that.

Greg Baldwin took over the role of Iroh after Mako passed. Apparently when at conventions, people have asked him to sing “ Leaves on the Vine,” and he refuses to do so. Mako was the one who performed it, and so it is Mako’s song.

the irony is that suffering DOES teach zuko respect... but not for ozai, or fire nation imperialism. it teaches him respect for himself, and for all the people of the world.

I would love to see you guys talk about Kenshin humora from "rurouni Kenshin" such a good character build and really good story

I feel like there needs to be a part 2, because you cut it right when Zuko joins Team Avatar, but you didn't cover his activities with the Gaang, or him confronting his father, and there's a LOT of character growth in those stories as well as payoff to the things you discussed in this video. That said, I get it, video's already an hour long, but there's still meat on those bones lol.

There are some things in this show that haven’t aged well(*cough* Kataang *cough*), but Zuko and Iroh’s stories are not among them.

I was hoping you would catch one of my favorite bits of I suppose visual storytelling but during the scenes where Iroh is in prison the bars were mostly shown to be over Zuko.

Yes! Iroh & Jono!

ABOUT DAMN TIME YOU COVERED A:TLA! But in all seriousness, I’m glad you guys finally got around to covering this show because it is just AMAZING all around I would not only enjoy seeing Jono take on our favorite firebending uncle Iroh, but I’d also love to see you cover Team Avatar (or the Gaang) since a lot of their journeys are quite fascinating, especially Sokka’s, and I’d love to see you try and therapize the rest of Zuko’s family… especially Azula. Fun fact regarding Jono’s favorite character The Boulder: He was voiced by Mick Foley, a wrestler in the WWE known for having several different personas throughout his career and he based his performance of The Boulder off of his tag partner and fellow WWE wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Now that you know that, Have A Nice Day!

I'm so glad this is the first thing I've gotten to watch as a new member. Avatar (and its sequel) has been so impactful on my personal journey and helped to shape who I am today. I would love a million videos on this series, but I would especially be interested in a villain therapy for Azula. She is a deeply complex character, who was raised in the same environment as Zuko and ended up taking a totally different path.

I tried to watch Airbender years ago, just before the movie came out. All my friends had seen it, and there was all this buzz around it that I just had to see what the fuss was about. I made it about two or three episodes in before I couldn't take it. It was too slapstick and kiddish for me. I remember thinking that it could only have been that all the adults were remembering a favorite beloved goofy kid's show from their middle-grade years and it was nostalgia driven. But earlier this year a friend persuaded me to power through the first handful of episodes and assured me that I would be hooked soon enough. He turned out to be right, and I'm so glad I listened to him. This is a phenomenal show.

It occurs to me that Sixth Sense would be a good candidate for your Movie Therapists videos.

Yes, do Iroh!

So I'm *really* curious. Seeing that this was your most requested episode (which I actually suspected was the case a while ago, given how insanely popular Airbender is), what was y'all's reaction after having seen the whole thing? Was there any kind of sense of "No freaking wonder people were pushing for this" or anything else?

Love the episode! Kinda unrelated but just curious have Alan or Jono ever watched any material fron Daniel Sloss? I kind of get a George Carlin vibe from him where his comedy makes me think about life. If you guys have seen it curious on your opinion of his Jigsaw bit 🙂

This was *so* good. Honestly feel like it helped me process some trauma. ❤️ Thank you guys!

Love you two analyzing Avatar.

I would love to see y'all do more Avatar!

another great video! One scene that wasn't touched on, but I LOVE is when Zuko apologizes to Iroh. and Iroh forgives him. And is proud of Zuko for finding his way back. That little scene shows (in my opinion) how far Zuko went from being prideful, to humble.

more avatar content like one on Azula, team avatar and iroh

I once gave myself a “nervous fever” like I was a main character in a gothic novel. It felt entirely plausible to me that Zuko would give himself one too.

I want ALL Avatar the Last Airbender content you can give us. Iroh, Aang, Azula, etc, give it to us!

When asking whether to do an episode on Iroh. Allow me to quote Edna Mode: Is this a question?!

I keep meaning to watch this show all the way through, but keep failing that. I feel like the show is already spoiled to me, but I’ll eventually get around to actually watching…after I finish Stranger Things! 😅 It will then help me regain my honor!

I’m out folks. More episodes to prep for you! Also a script for a movie to write!

Peace out

This was a great present(jk just coincidence on it being on my bday)

Hope there will be a next time!

✌️🩵

Thank you so much everyone at CT (as well as Alan & Jono) for joining us! This has been great fun 😊 While I remember: it turns out Live Drops on Patreon are hard to stay "live" with, if you join late and try to catch up. I ended up being a bit further ahead than everyone else at times! Might be something to explore more in future? Definitely need more of them though, thank you so much for doing it guys! ❤️🙏

This was so fun!! Thanks, boys!

Love ya to Jono

I'm going to have to Bing avatar again now! Loved this!

Love you all! I'm out. - Jono

Definitely do this again ^^

Definitely hit a lot of sore points for me ><

This was a blast! Any notes for Patreon folks (who are lurking) on how they can improve Drops?

Aww, I made it only at the end....

So good!

Alan is secretly the bolder

More avatar!!!

That was helpful and painful. Thank you.

Hi Corinne! ☺️

Thank you everyone for joining us!

Och, thank you guys. This was awesome

Well done fam, and Merry Christmas! This was a great gift, I appreciate it deeply

Now I get to go back and watch it again lol

More drops please. 10/10 experience

Woo, party complete!

Awesome 🙌

Thanks for doing this with us! Drops is fun! - producer Corinne

Ahhh this was so good!!

HI DOG I LOVE YOU

Puppy!!

Adorable dog ^^

We suck at ending our episodes haha!

Gandalf

Gandalf cameo!

I 😭 WAS 😭 NEVER 😭 ANGRY 😭 WITH 😭 YOU 😭

Ooh. Are you really bad at that, or are you bad at meeting someone else's expectations of who you "should be" basically sums up my family dynamics

FINALLY HE IS A BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY

Oh no!!! Ending music.

I don’t want it to ennnnd

Wait wait wait this episode is almost over but we haven't seen THE SCENE

"I can do this all day."

"Zuko is the rocky of personal growth" is the best thing I've heard in so long

How did an angsty, arrogant, firebending bother be seated at the right hand of the father?

I will reference Rocky whenever I can

Zuko can take a punch

I hate the feeling of "i really want this! But.... i know its not me"

Zuko healing his generational trauma through finding inner peace? That is, as I believe the kids say, "goals"

Generational trauma and toxic family dynamics. Jono has his work cut out for him.

To be fair, I’d almost argue that a bit less realism makes Zuko’s breakthrough stand out a bit more for the audience.

I feel like all of us are focused on the bar transitions now lol. That’s so cool

OOOH the bar n face transition

Yep. Dialogue should be messy, except when you NEED clarity. Because conversation is messy. And natural is better than not, except when it isn’t. I should start a channel talking about film… 🤦🏼‍♂️

His Girl Friday is a must-watch

LOST dialogue is that way too, they’re always shouting over each other when they argue

Instead of him discovering and finding himself

I will say, I've found great stress relief in hucking the medicine ball around at the gym. Especially because contact sports would just get me squished like a grape.

We need to hear more about Alan lighting mountains on fire 👀

Alan the troublemaker

Man I love Grey DeLisle

“Because I couldn’t” lol

Fun fact when tai lee explains her fears, azula actually looks at her with subtle concern

It’s giving “Answer the question, Claire”

Azula has no doubts because she is a psychopath lol

Azula over here causing breakthroughs

Goosebumps

Say the line Zuko...

The damage is still there

Oh dang there's no zero Toph until now!

Toph is a queen

"California High School but anime" Alan, if this isn't your next project I'm gonna be disappointed! 😂

The Boulder is amazing

I love The Boulder 😂

The same cabbage merchant was cast for the live action series

I love how weird and awkward Azula is in this part

Ember Island is my favorite place in ATLA.

Ohhh, ember island cuts deep

Someone give Zuko a hug 😭

Zuko don’t be like that

Mai my queen

Wait... now bars on iroh... Is iroh now chained by his love for zuko?

Sparky Sparky Boom Man!!

Zuko has what he wanted and regrets it, Dr Horrible could relate

The Mako funfact also always needs to be mentioned. Also, Komodo chicken sounds absolutely crazy.

This is hitting me hard ><

Few shows and moments have broken my heart like Iroh's heartbreak when Zuko rants at him. Very very similar to the scene in Harry Potter (OOTP). You can see in that his regret, heartbreak, and quiet. Alan's right, whatever the reason for it, it's _so_ powerful and moving.

Makooooo 😭

🖖

Alan surely approves of prequel memes too

❤️Spock

Revenge of the Sith is always welcome, imo

Iroh-bi-wan kenobi??

It always shows Zuko through the bars instead of Iroh, Zuko is in a prison and Iroh is still free

She's out of line, but she's right

She’s manipulating him

The best lies are the ones mixed with truth

"I mean shes right" "Noooo"

Azula's theme is so strong

Oh shit! The fire n water even looked like the dragons

You have chosen....poorly

Damn, I never saw it. My parents didn’t let us watch shows with fighting in them. No Batman, no ninja turtles, no power rangers lol

Batman the Animated Series is sooo good

BATMAN WAS A MASTERPIECE.

Then reflection on how far you’ve come

Anyone who loves this series should check out the channel Hello Future Me! He does a TON of fantastic content on ATLA and Zuko 🥰

The animaniacs 😂

Great Alex Hirsch quote I love, when asked how he made Gravity Falls such a clever show for kids: "I don't think it's 'for kids', and I don't think kids are stupid" SOOOO true

Change is slow!! This show does it beautifully

Powerful connection here

Katara? Giving speeches about hope? Idk, sounds kinda sus 👀

That's rough buddy

Tea what a great idea 👌

Literally drinking a hot cup of tea while watching this inspired by ATLA.

When I did CPT therapy that was VERY unpleasant. Totally worth it to get to the end though.

Tea ❤️ I miss tea

That’s happened to me ><

Iroh has explored himself and found beauty there and knows that others have beauty in them as well

Haha, Jono dropped the funfact in chat 10 Minutes ago

WORD.

Uncle Iroh tea fixes EVERYTHING. Also Ted Lasso is right, and tea is hot brown garbage water.

Nah, Jono, it's not a kid's show - it's a FAMILY show. It explores grown-up themes in ways that are accessible for kids but still teaches the adults something as well. Like peak Doctor Who or Star Trek

This is an everyone show

Oh no, that it 100% a thing, Alan. I also have that reaction 😂

I think I prefer blue vs red dragon to angel vs demon on my shoulders

You’re not alone, Alan. I’ve had illness tend to hit me after overcoming major obstacles for a number of years now.

Don't worry Alan, we are on crazy pants island together, the parties are spectacular

I never noticed that it's the two dragons!!

It’s funny how our parents can sometimes teach us to believe terrible things about ourselves not just by what they say but what they’ve done.

Same.. when i took a good long look at my negative attributes to embrace them as me.

I want to vacation on Crazy Pants Island

Diagnosis: crazypants

I relate to zuko in that aspect so much...no contact with my parents for 7 years now

I disappointed my parents I still do , I wish I could reach through the screen to hug you Alan =;^;=

I’m still working through that stuff myself with my parents. I don’t doubt they love me but I had a lot of anger toward them until the past couple of years because I did not feel prepared to be my own person

Yep. This is all very familiar.

The power of *Jazz hands* CINEMA! 🎥

Zuko has the redemption arc I would have wanted for Snape or Draco in HP

I can relate…..

Well crap…. Now I wanna reach through the screen and hug Alan… :( <3

Instead of take the time to understanding you as a person and wanted and passions Alan =;^;=

Be yourself, everyone else is taken. Only one you

Alan: "idk how we'd diagnose Ozai" Jono: *immediately starts internally trying to diagnose Ozai* 😂😂😂

Even when your wounds heal the memory of them can still affect you imho

The loss of his son... and while it is never explicitly stated, I firmly believe his wife committed suicide after Lu Ten died.

Azula seems psychopathic too

🫂🫂🫂

Awwwwwwww

Iron is probably one of the only (on scren) members of the fire nation that can see the toxic culture of the nation he lives in. I wonder how he was able to get past the brain washing?

Crap Jono that hit hard

Awwww Alan….

How dare you come for my weird self and my perfect sister like this, r00d

Let it gooooo

I love Iroh so much here

Awwwww Appa 🥺

"Why do noses run but feet smell" Oh that wasnt one?

If you don’t like traffic Jonathan, stay away from Los Angeles freeways

Yip yip mfers

WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU WANT?

Seriously, traffic is one of the few things that makes me angry

Harsh truths

Appa 😭

Oooof, I wasnt ready. Jono always puts it so well <2

My dad is a shoot-first-ask-later type so my default has become, "This isn't working. What am I probably overlooking or goofing up?"

Wait, me liking to watch Zuko-Drama, make me a sadist?

I live in PA... I lash out at the weather daily 😤😤

Don’t tease us, Alan 😂

Oof. I needed to hear that, especially today. Thank you so much Jono 🙏

This is definitely a power house of intense emotions 😳

Okay, (writes note) Make Iroh Episode…

I like that he didn't get what he wanted

Yes to Iroh

The music, goodness gracious

It’s wonderful for children to learn these kind of emotional lessons within the safety of fiction

Live your life in a way that would make uncle Iroh proud...

Yeah! Iroh fan club!!a

Fun fact, Dave Filoni got Clone Wars because of his work on ATLA. Man knows how to take a silly kids show into grownup epic territory.

The fact that zuko is totally unaware of his own feelings until the beach episode in season 3. I think him figuring everything out on his own and having that explosive moment of realization is so powerful

Iroh needs all the love, our hearts are ready for this

BATTLE OF THE CUDDLY FATHER FIGURES

Yes XD

Please do this

Iroh Fan Club

Yes!!! Iroh episode!!!

YES IROH PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

GOD YES!

Yes!

YES IROH EPISODE ASAP

UH DUH YEAH IROH EPISODE PLEASE LOL

Omg yes do it

YES

Bingo. Bad script, bad movie.

Zuko’s been modeled ego and power almost exclusively so it’s hard for him to function outside of that

Hang on imma write that down

Quite Shakespearian ?!?

WHAT SELF AWARENESS!?

This is exactly what fascinates me about ATLA though. It was “targeted” for kids, but is one of those shows that has elements for all ages to deeply appreciate

Maaan... Rip OG Iroh

People mention that every episode gives things to talk about: Nostalgia Critic did 10 Minute Avatar Vlogs after seeing every episode, it's wonderful seeing him fall in love with it.

Lmao zuko’s level of self awareness could use some work

The best "kids' shows" DON'T TALK DOWN TO KIDS.

I think I have at least one of the graphic novels… I buy books aspirationally so I don’t think I’ve read it yet but I’ll have to start

Ooooo 🥺

Got an idea just now: Psychology of a Hero: The Iron Giant!

Small note: I recommend the graphic novels that continue the ATLA story, since one of them involves Zuko searching for his mother (I think it’s called “The Search”). Pretty solid as a series follow up.

Zuko is imposter syndrome

🎶I get knocked down! But I get up again! You're neeever gonna keep me down! 🎶

Yay childhood trauma?

Awe Jono 🥲

Zuko' mom 😭

Poor Azula

Jono and I are connoisseurs of quality action, and this show holds up INCREDIBLY well.

Rufio!!!

I love Alan's thoughts on the visual storytelling. ATLA does that so well

I didn’t know that!

Ru-fi-oooooooooo

The fights are incredibly choreographed

The art design of the show is really incredible

Whoooaaa

Woah! Never thought of the swords symbolic for zuko..

I swear you could make a video on literally everyone and I find that crazy as a show with 61 episodes

Iroh is the only person who shows Zuko unconditional love

Zuko rejecting Iroh kind of reminds me of people who reject therapists who accidentally try to dive in too quickly on things they aren't ready to talk about yet

"I'm bad, and that's good! I'm not good, and that's not bad!"

I have a friend i play Baldurs Gate 3 with who often goes " are we the baddies"

I was so hoping there was gonna be a Mitchell&Webb reference!! Wonderful comedians - and now Mitchell has written a history book, which is also completely hilarious and a must read!!

Iroh is just goals to me, I want to enjoy hot spring baths and drink tea as my main vice

Alan, you know Mitchell and Webb!!!

The amount of impact Iroh has on The positive aspects of Zuko’s journey… I hate to think of where the character would have ended up without him.

"Why am I so bad at being good?" is such a mood. - Jono

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Mitchell and Webb. Not enough Americans know about them.

Oh lol!

"Are we the baddies?"

Not the “am I the villain” meme 😂

Bruh this is an HOUR! let's GOOOO

Are we the baddies?

Would also L O V E to see an episode exploring Iroh, as a character. He's pretty similar to (book) Dumbledore - did horrible things in the past, spends the rest of his life trying to make up for what he did

I was really pleased to find a show like this where the main character expresses so much joy instead of Harry potteresque angst

I love that moment!

My husband made Uncle Iroh's tea set , and it is so awesome that it got entered into a juried exhibit at a local art gallery.

Love Sokka's character development. Especially when Suki challenges him on his season 1 sexism

Honest Trailers really made a great point - this show manages to be so successful as a kids show because there's SOOOO much slapstick humour and silly sound effects! It's their secret trick for how they sneak the heavy grown-up themes across 😉

This is me n my friends xD

I want to be iroh when I grow uo

MUSHROOM FRIEND

Iroh is my favorite character.

Sokka not Sonja lol darn it autocorrect XD

The Blue Spirit is such a strong episode. Really shows the duality between Aang and Zuko. Aang reaches out, and Zuko completely misreads him

Iroh is fantastic.

Iroh is a top tier comfort character

All the characters are essential imho, they crafted a perfect team balance and they all perform such different narrative roles

Gotta love Sonja’s bluntness lol

Sokka was the heart of this! It does NOT work without sokka

I feel like my son is also very Sokka like hahaha

I think Alan would love sokka

Yay Sokka

My son is 100% Sokka

Lmao Sokka

I joined on my personal Patreon account (producer Corinne 👋) but my comments are posting as the main CT account?

Aang is the polar opposite of azula

I have a great picture of Zuko bonding with Todoroki over their shared parental trauma.

That Katy Perry slime bit hits so hard

Don't get me reflecting on old Nickelodeon! 🤭

I’ve watched some of the show with my almost 5yo daughter… I think she needs a few more years before she can really engage though. She gets scared easily

Feel so bad for Katy Perry there. That was FORCEFUL slime.

Maybe restart the app

It started automatically for me

Like fire nation feels culty to me lol with the way they view the rest of the world… they just also gained huge power

Who else is watxhing this at work? Cinema therapy or die

I think Zuko definitely has ptsd and has also sort of been raised in a cult

He got through lol

One question I can see fast forward 10 sec buttons... does tht affect everyone if one of us hit it?

Is it fair to say that Zuko has PTSD? Or is he still too in the trauma currently for it to be "post" traumatic?

Aang in All My Friends Are Dead

Not old. Vintage, like the best comic books!

It was so perfectly crafted for you to gradually gain empathy for him and it feels like such a victory when he finally accepts being part of the good team

Welcome, Jono!

This is Jono btw

I'm here! Sorry, I'm old and tech confuses me

Zuko is, officially, the BEST redemption/anti-hero arc of any show ever. Period. There are a surprising amount of shows, films and stories out there with writing as good as ATLA, but NONE of them have redemption arcs this good. It's incredible, and I don't know how they did it.

Mark is a great villain took me awhile to realize it was voiced by Mark XD

Iroh is the father figure we all need in our lives

The Patreon Discord has a bunch of Tabletop players right? Should I run a Avatar themed game for beginners on the Discord?

Iroh is the GOAT

Mark Hamill just does great as a villain.

Oh I am going to have to enjoy this on Tuesday with the live chat. Thank you guys for doing this episode ATLA is amazing and epic and is worthy of all the love it receives!

Azula is the most wild batshit character… omg when she’s chained up at the end, that impotent unbridled rage is so incredible. This show is amazing

Hour long Zuko episode letssssgooo

Will this video be available via the normal pattern site later? Didn't realize that 'drops' are only available on mobile.

You know what? I drop a Superhero tier for you guys doing the thing 😆

I cannot wait to see their reaction to “Hello. Zuko here.”

I know nothing about this at all. This is gonna be another ted lasso situation isn’t it.

David is a delight, I love whenever we get to see him

Im gonna watch this so hard!

OMG so excited for this!!

Love that last comment 😂

David continues to be a treasure.

Lol

This so so cool! Thanks for testing Drops with us!

Iroh is so awesome!!

Sure did! Good job David

I would marry iroh if that weren’t bigamy… and also impossible since he’s an animated character.

Fire nation red?

Yayyayyayay

David absolutely cut a BANGER of a trailer for that episode!

Zuko's actor's voice work also went through one heck of a development arc, too!

HE SAID THE LINE

Iroh is just the best

Zuko has one of the most interesting character arcs in recent years

Azulas face in that scene. Ugh

I agree!

Zuko has one of my favorite character arcs in all of fiction. Flawless redemption story

Sweeeet

Here we gooo

Im so excited ATLA is the best

Awake. ish. But here 😵‍💫 Guinea Pig time! Let's see how this shindig works!

Hypppppeeeeeeee!!!

Hype!

30 seconds!

So far so good!

So far so good! This is a brilliant feature.

I’m very curious to see how this works.

Oh neat, I like the chat change! This layout makes sense now

I’m so excited about this!

5 minute mark!! Let’s gooooo ✨🙌🏻

I would love to see your takes on Azula as well, if only because I feel I'm alone in the fandom in feeling that her issues predate Ursa leaving, and are much less a result of Ozai's abuse. Her perfectionism is from within herself, not a result of an overbearing abusive parent, and she genuinely delights in cruelty. She is unrepentant to the end, and therefore redemption is unlikely.

You guys should do an episode on Son's of Anarchy. Gemma Teller would be a good subject 👌

I would love azula but I'm curious for aang especially at the end of the series when he's on the turtle lion's back

I’ve been waiting for this one for years! Avatar is one of my absolute favorites since I was a kid! Can’t wait to hear everything you guys have to say on this masterpiece of a redemption arc!

06 Japanese time, I must wake up a little!!!

I can't wait!!!!! I wish you guys could review this whole series!!!!!!!!!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO EXCITED!!!!!

How does this work? Am ibgoing to have to watch the broadcast on my computer so ican chat on my phone ? Because thisbchat Windows takes up the whole Phone screen...

I’m so excited for this!! This is one of the greatest character arcs in all of modern media.

Okay, anyone else hear the countdown beep from 24 as soon as they saw the timer here? 🤭

Eeeeeeeep!!!

i'm gonna scream cry

You did it! YOU ACTUALLY DID IT. I didn't think y'all would. Granted the total runtime is comparable to a movie trilogy, but I didn't have much hope y'all would delve into a series. I'm so happy y'all did!

😱😱😱😱😱😱😱

Me right now 😂😂😂😱😱😱😱😱 https://giphy.com/gifs/nba-dance-8rFgzA7aBR0aomiOMj

I cannot even BEGIN to describe how much I NEED this in my life! I already know this will be a #CryingWithAlan video! 😂

Seems like it was just yesterday that Alan said they couldn't do Avatar because it was too long on the Wandavision episode 😂 so stoked we have finally arrived!

YESSSSS

😭😱😍

LET'S GO!

HELL YEAH! Super stoked for this one!

Is it possible for azula after this one? I think there’s plenty on azula and boy does she need therapy.