The Zuko Redemption
Most of all, how it annoys me. No, I am not annoyed at the idea that Zuko will become a good guy (more on that later), or that him and the gang will eventually get along fine. What bothers me is the idea that Zuko needs to be forgiven, and even more that the whole point of his story is to receive that forgiveness from the gang (especial Katara, according to a lot of people).
First thing is first: I do not think that Zuko needs to become a good guy; I think he already is good person who happens to be on the wrong side. Allegiance does not determine morality. Seriously, there are good people on the bad side and bad people on the good side, both in real life, and in avatar. Actually, I believe that was the theme of the episode Jet. Also, I didn’t see anyone saying that Iroh would have to redeem himself back when he was still helping Zuko to capture the avatar, instead of discouraging him. Or even when Iroh was helping Zhao attack the Water Tribe. So, I don’t think he did anything that necessarily needs forgiving, any more than the average Fire Nation soldier fighting for his country does. (Well, except the theft and the aggravated assaults while he was a refugee, but for some reason I don’t think that’s what people talk about when they say “redemption story). I think, overall, that is what Zuko is-a soldier, through and through.
Anyway, yes I want Zuko to work with the gaang and defeat the Fire Lord, but I don’t want them to forgive Zuko so much as to …I...dunno...understand him…no…more like, put the past behind them and work together. Now, how is putting the past behind them different from forgiving him? Well, forgiveness implies that the gang has moral superiority, that they have the right to cast down judgment on his allegiances. Putting the past behind them is more like recognizing they were enemies because of circumstance, but they aren’t anymore so it doesn’t matter. More of an equal, mutual thing. Besides, can you really see Zuko asking for forgiveness?
Finally, I just don’t see the point of Zuko’s story being to get the gang to forgive him for being on the wrong side. I see it in two parts. First, like pretty much everyone else in the series, it’s about growing up. But his maturing isn’t just for personal reasons. I think it’s about him becoming a great leader. Now, he had more development during the second season, but he had no one to lead then, he was just Iroh’s follower, so it was less obvious that it is about leadership, and I think season 2 did focus more on him growing up in general. Season, on the other hand, is about Zuko attempting to be a good leader for his crew (shame they didn’t get a lot of devolvement), whether it be reattaching himself to his own belief that the safety of those serving under him are more important than results, or attempting (vainly) to keep a calm head (Warriors of Kyoshi). And in season three he is going to be with Mai and Ty Lee at the least, so I think his leadership from season 1 will unite with his personal improvements from season 2 (although I guess he will be following Azula, but I don’t think that will matter so much).