@@kurtwagner350 Yeah. I can imagine spending your entire life as the Fire Lord, all that power and stress can push you to the extreme Doesn't really excuse the genocide though, lol.
@@Onaterdem I didn’t say it did, clearly he loved his nation a bit too much however there is a perfectly good explanation why he went to help the victims of a natural disaster
I don't think that's what they meant when they said bloodline. I think they meant between Zuko and Roku rather than Zuko and Aang. But yes, regardless of which Avatar you're talking about, Zuko and the Avatar are forever linked to one another.
I always saw Sozin's betrayal of Roku as a sudden thing. Sozin always cared for his nation, and when he saw the natural disaster engulfing the island, he went there to help. But when Roku was poisoned, he suddenly realized that an opportunity now presented itself to him.
yeah like a big part of it was to help roku but people forget it was also to make sure everyone else got to safety which they did by the point roku collapsed
Zuko was in the same spot at the end of book 2, He had a choice to made, his first insticnt was to confront Azula, but given enough though, everything he desired was unto reach.
This also parallels Zuko's decision at the end of season 2. He was on the path of good. If things continued, he'd probably eventually join the Gaang. Think about it. He has tried to gain his fathers love, and his honor back for years. HE and his uncle are now TRAITORS of the fire nation. There is absolutely NO WAY what he wants can ever be achieved. Just like Sozin could not get rid of Roku, as he was no match, and with Roku alive, he could never have what he wanted. But, once Azula showed up, Zuko saw an opportunity to fulfil his dreams he thought he lost.
You can also literally hear Sozin say "Without you all my plans are SUDDENLY possible." Emphasis on suddenly. That was a thought he JUST thought of, hence the inclusion of the word: Suddenly.
Just to clarify Roku and Sozin are Zuko's GREAT grandfathers: Roku had a child / this child had Ursa / and Ursa had Zuko and Azula. Sozin had Azulon / Azulon had Iroh and Ozai / and Ozai had Zuko and Azula. Only Zuko and Azula are descendants of both Sozin and Roku.
Yeah, it's always complicated because people tend to get caught up in the excitement that Zuko is related to Avatar Roku and forget that extra "Great" in "Great-Grandfather"
@@tsukimilopeople who watch the first time was to excited so that only focus on "...grandfather is avatar roku", they forget the "your mother..." part.
That is true, but it also makes no sense. I think the authors of the show forgot that there are a hundred years between the start of the war and the start of the series. Roku and Sozin must have had children while being really old, and their children must have had children while being old, too. And yes, men can do that, but I don't think Ta Min or Rina (Ursa's mother who was shown in a comic and did not look older than fifty) could. Alao, why would a Fire Lord who starts a war not want to secure his succession? Why wait until he's in his nineties? Makes no sense. There should be like two more generations between Roku and Zuko🤷🏽♀️ Maybe I'm missing something, but the math ain't mathing here🤷🏽♀️
This episode gets me everytime "Some friendships are so strong they can even transcend lifetimes." watching that Roku and Aang bonding through friends in multiple lifetimes makes me cry.
Telling the back story of the main conflict in the whole series ✓ Showing how avatar training should be done ✓ Amazing cinematography ✓ Twists after twists after twists ✓ Subtle hints for future events ✓ But my favorite thing about this episode is how Roku and Sozin's conflict and conclusion was foreshadowed in their spar when they were teenagers. 1. Roku and Sozin fought: firebending spar // not talking to each other for decades 2. Force of nature knocked Roku down: tree root // volcano eruption 3. Sozin came to rescue: holding unbalanced Roku // helping Roku containing the eruption 4. In the end Sozin let Roku fall: releasing Roku // leaving Roku to die
I have rewatched this series and specifically this episode I’m not even sure how many time at this point and I have never realize that parallel. Great analysis!
"Without you all my plans are suddenly possible," is one of the best delivered lines in the whole series and gives chills every time. Such an amazing episode.
Before the fight in the throne room, Sozin believes he could beat Roku after all, his always beating him as a teenager. After that fight, he realized how powerful the avatars were and essentially believed roku was invincible. when he saw the volcano, It never crossed his mind that Roku could be killed, so he just reacted. Maybe he wanted to help fire nation citizens. maybe he just wanted his friend back or maybe he just didn’t want to be enemies anymore with one of the most powerful forces in the world, but when he saw Roku down, he realized he could beat a child avatar, and he didn’t even have to lift a finger he could just leave. It was then he decided to continue his plan and let roku die.
Human beings don't plan their life out in advance. Despite grudge, he wanted to save his friend. Despite friendship, he couldn't resist opportunity once it was right there. Human beings are always conflicted.
Seriously. So many questions would be answered and more information retained if they could pause and discuss. Or, like many good reactors do, jot down simple notes to remind them of talking points for discussing the episode AFTER it's over.
It's important to remember that Sozin and Roku's friendship WAS real, to both of them. To the point where Sozin even tries to involve Roku in his plans. I think he came because he couldn't let his friend, or his countrymen, die without trying to help. And he betrayed Roku because, when push came to shove, he couldn't resist acting when he saw an opportunity. Even if it meant killing his friend. Sozin cared for Roku, but he was also a ruthless man willing to commit atrocities and acted accordingly when the moment presented itself.
Roku was so weak and stupid, not killing Sozin the moment he mentioned his plans at the wedding, and not fleeing the island on his dragon. Places, people, and things can be taken away from you, so never attach yourself to these things, that's what it means to be an avatar.
"But why go at all, though?" Isn't it obvious he was conflicted? That was his best friend for a very very large part of his life and he hadn't seen Roku for 25 years when this happened. All that happened in the end is that Sozin's evil side defeated his good side, and the dying Roku was in no position to stop him.
It's also far from certain either of them would have made it out alive if he had tried to help Roku. Why risk your life for someone who your life would be easier if they were dead.
@@DaDunge because initially the opportunity wasn't there. He wasn't willing to actively kill Roku but he was willing to let him die. There's a big difference between the two.
It's frustrating watching people react to shows or movies sometimes. It's Ike they're not paying attention at all. Why wouldn't a man who's being a best friend to another despite their conflict, not want to help him when seeing a desperate situation at first?
yup. i dont get reactors like this. especially when its a group, or duo, trio. etc. like, you wanna watch, or talk? there's also a pause button if you wanna air what you're thinking.
11:51 "why show up in the first place?" - because people are not one dimensional characters, people are more complicated than that. 😀 He probably showed up with the intention to actually help his old friend. But then he suddenly saw his one chance to get rid of Roku and acted in the spur of the moment.
lmaoooo low key my favourite part of this channel is maple and arianna having full side conversations and completely missing crucial plot points 😂 it never fails
Yeah, it's pretty obvious that Sozen showed up to HELP Roku; but seeing Roku start to falter and get close to death Sozen "saw" the possibilities of a world where the Avatar could NOT stop him. I mean Sozen says as much to Roku. so i' was always confused as to how people didn't immediately put that together.
I love how the end scene with Zuko and Iroh is shown from the perspective of Iroh being outside the jail cell and zuko being behind bars. It shows the symbolism of how trapped Zuko feels!
I just love how this episode illustrates the complicated nature of people. When Aang talks about anyone being capable of great good or great evil, I don't think he just means a person becoming wholly one or the other, but even a single person being capable of either/both throughout their lives. Their friendship lasted until the end of their lives, but it was heartwrenching and tragic due to Sozin valuing his ambition more greatly in the end (which I also believe he genuinely thought was a prosperous kindness). I think it's clear from the fact Sozin bothered to write down their relationship in his weird will scroll in the first place, and by the way Roku's spirit STILL wears that crown-piece. He didn't die with it on, he chose to have it. Such a BRILLIANT episode for me, especially that reveal at the end. I'm probably the only one for whom this episode makes me cry lol
So Sozin literally did come to first instinct help his friend but saw an opportunity beyond that. His relation to Roku was hinted in S2 in the dream with the 2 dragons red and blue roku and sozin as well as seeing himself as Ang, who is his ancestor reincarnated.
I'm completely unaware, I've seen it so many times but I don't think I've ever made that direct connection. It's also cool to draw a parallel with the colors of the dragons that are to come and Zuko's future dragon, this "good" and "evil" that tormented Zuko in this dream.
I agree that they missed a lot of plot details but I think they might have seen the Fang sacrifice and just not commented on it. I noticed that in a bunch of their videos, it might not seem like they noticed certain visuals/dialogue but then they end up casually mentioning it in the discussion or in future videos. Their reaction style is just really weird to me in general though. They are the only reaction channel I've seen get this far into a show and still not know/remember the names of key characters.
This is one of my favorite episodes of the show. I love the line “some friendships are so strong they can even transcend lifetimes,” I love that we see the parallels between Zuko and Aang again. What’s also cool is how the first flashback of Sozin saving Roku from the tree root before letting him fall mirrors the volcano because Sozin came into to help Roku before letting him fall to the volcano. And the replacement voice for Mako is Greg Baldwin, Mako’s protégé. This episode is also the first time that Iroh speaks in the whole season. The writer’s kept him silent for the first third of the season out of tribute and respect to Mako. And when Zuko is speaking to Iroh, all the camera angles depict him as the one being trapped behind bars in the darkness, while Iroh has a much open space, being closer to the light because even though Zuko got what he wanted, he is still trapped and even though Iroh is imprisoned, he’s really free. It's also revealed in the comics that Ozai married Ursa _because_ she was Roku's granddaughter, and that that's the only reason. Also, Sozin is voiced by Ron Perlman, which is just awesome. Fun Fact: Roku's earthbending teacher Sud was the original design for Toph before they decided on the current one. Sud is also the earthbender in the opening credits.
Notice the cinematographic setting of the talk between Zuko and Iroh. Iroh, who is physically locked in the cell, is lit more brightly and Zuko who is physically free, is pictured darker and always through the bars of the cell. This further symbolizes how Zuko is still "imprisoned" by what he thinks of himself and his relationship with the firenation, while Iroh has fully figured his path out and is at piece.
Holy jeebus, if you guys would pause before talking over minutes of dialogue, you might actually get the answers to the questions you ask and would stop asking for explanations to things that have already been explained
"Can all Avatars go into the Avatar state?" Doesn't that question answer itself? Some have a harder time than others but of course they all have the inherent ability. The Avatar state is so integral to being the Avatar as the control over all 4 elements. And Rokku was a fully realized Avatar there, so with ease.
Its funny too cause since they were talking so much during the explanation they didn't even realize he already went into the avatar state against his fight with sozin. Then again for the volcano
8:45 “Can other avatar’s go into the avatar state?” Yeah…. Kioshi did. Aswell as Roku when he helped protect aang from the fire sages and zhao. It’s called the avatar state for a reason. It’s something all avatar’s can do.
Although his eyes didn't glow at 6:28 when you bend all 4 elements together your in the Avatar State. The first episode of Book 2 was called "The Avatar State" and the 4 previous Avatars before Roku were all shown using it. These 2 aren't the sharpest tools in the garage.
I hope their patreons answer their questions because I swear they miss soooo many obvious things! "Things progressed so quickly" no girl, it took decades for Sozin to act. They even seem to miss Monk Gyatso being Roku's friend part. Also, Zuko and Aang do not share a bloodline, a past life is not the same as being a blood-related descendant. And Roku and Sozin are GREAT-Grandfathers, hence it being way over a hundred years ago.
Zuko's paternal lineage: Sozin (Great-grandfather) Azulon (Grandfather) Ozai (Father; current Fire Lord) Zuko's maternal lineage: Ta Min (Great-grandmother; Avatar Roku's wife), Rina (Grandmother - not covered in the show) Ursa (Mother; Fire Lord Ozai's wife) Hence, Avatar Roku was Zuko's maternal great-grandfather, and Fire Lord Sozin was his paternal great-grandfather.
Guys, please pause the video and react if you have a lot to say. Its rly sad you guys dont seem to listen to all the lines spoken carefully, coz there are always some things you should pay attention to.
8:44: Of course other avatars can go into the avatar state. Roku explained what it was while showing examples of 4 avatars from each element bending it at its full power in the 1st episode of the 2nd season. 10:52: That's because Roku is in the center of the island, not the edge of it. He has to make do with where he is. Just because Roku had initial difficulty with waterbending doesn't mean he still has that same problem. He even said at the end of his scene of waterbending: "But in time, I mastered it as well".
I honestly don't understand how many people this confuses. Sozin went there in the first place to help, then his ambition got the better of him when the opportunity presented itself but his first instinct was to help because he is not a one dimensional mustache twirling maniacal evil person
why wouldn't other avatars go into the AVATAR state?? I mean before this episode you've seen other avatars go into the avatar state! Also roku as a beginner water bender had trouble learning but he eventually mastered it as he said in this episode😂😂
Also as others have mentioned, avatars aren't related by blood, it's just the so-called "avatar spirit" jumping from one person to another, so if the previous avatar was a firebender who died, the avatar spirit would think that it was a firebender before, fire has 4 letters, there's an avatar cycle and the cycle is a circle, so multiply 4 by pi and you get 12.56, the first number is 1, the first letter in the alphabet is "a". On the other side of the decimal point add together the 5 and 6 to get 11, but there's still a 2 left on the opposing side of the decimal point, take that away and you get 9, the 9th letter is "i". You calculate the circle's circumference from the length of the radius times pi times 2, so you need to multiply 9 by 2 and get 18, radius is symbolized by "r" which is the 18th letter, so it must be the final letter and as such you get "air" and therefore the avatar spirit needs to find an airbender child to continue the cycle. Whereas for Zuko it would've just been that Roku had a child, Roku's child had a child and Roku's grandchild had a child with Sozin's grandchild to create Zuko. That's how that works, so no direct connection there.
The Firelord believed that because he happened to know the Avatar it must have been some kind of fate. He interpreted this as meaning it was his destiny to accomplish something great with his friend. He believed, due to being a royal, that the fire nation was somehow superior and thought that if he expanded the Fire nation he could spread their prosperity and superior culture to those he considered less fortunate and inferior. Avatar Roku tried to remind him that all people are different and that the rest of the world wouldn't want to live under "superior" fire nation rule the way Sozin was envisioning but he was so caught up in the cosmic coincidence of him knowing the Avatar that he couldn't understand that wasn't his destiny
In his final days Sozin deeply regretted everything he did, he was very remorseful for all of the pain that he had caused the world, unfortunately it was too late for him to atone for his actions. Sozin passed away as a miserable, lonely, and broken man.
Roku and his wife had a child, who in turn had a daughter named ursa. Firelord sozin and his wife had a son named Azulon, who in turn had two sons. Iroh and ozai. Azulon arranged for ursa to marry ozai, so that the dna of the royal family would intermingle with the dna or the Avatar, making powerful offspring. Successfully so
"Even the Firelord and the Fire nation have to be treated like they're worth giving a chance" I think that indicates Roku's regrets of shutting Shozin off completely when he brought up his dream instead of hearing it out and talking to him genuinely like a friend would. I think Shozin had a good intention
12:00 he had the intention of helping his friend but when the opportunity was right in front of him he reverted to his base desire. He was always conflicted.
my favorite aspect of this episode is how in sozin and roku's first scene, sozin briefly saves roku from falling before eventually dropping him. the same thing happens in their last scene together as well
I'm genuinely surprised how many people confuse "great grandfather" with "grandfather". I'd wager at this point, more than 75% of the reactors on RUclips think of Sozin as Zuko's grandfather. I think that it's because the great grandfather relationship is so rarely discussed, people have a hard time conceptualizing it quickly. But just to clarify, the paternal lineages of Zuko's parents are - Sozin - Azulon - Ozai - Zuko, and Roku - Jinzuk - Ursa - Zuko.
I get they split things up to have variety on the channel, but I don't understand how anyone would NOT binge this entire season in one sitting, its so freaking good
Fire Lord Sozin was 82 years-old when he began the war, and lived to be 102 years-old. Some say the comet's power is what allowed Sozin to live for so long.
Something people speculate is that the avatars have the resemble the person they loved the most in their previous life. Which is why avatar kora looks like katara
With the new rpg we get more information on Avatar Roku life as the avatar and the world issues. Also Sozin had a queer sister who is with an air nomad the irony of it all. And Roku has a new novel that’s coming out.
Lmaoooooo I allways laugh when in the reveal people think Sozin and Roku were related looool Like, mom and dad come from different families usually lol
I think you got there in the end, but Zuko doesn't share a "bloodline" with Aang per se, it's just a "spiritual" relation. Aang _was_ Roku is a prior life, but's he's not his blood descendant of Roku in any physical sense. Aang's parents were Air Nomads, and so were his grandparents and great-grandparents. Roku was Fire Nation and all of his blood descendants are Fire Nation. Spiritually Zuko is more like Aang's great-grandson than his cousin.
I love the fact that the previous Avatar was Roku, a firebender from the Fire Nation, arguably the most powerful, famous, and respected firebender in generations. If anything Roku brought honor and glory to their nation by traveling the world, establishing important relationships with other respected leaders, learning about their cultures, and mastering their fighting styles. Prior to the war, the whole world probably viewed the Fire Nation positively due to Roku's example. In fact, there was a huge temple in the Fire Nation run by sages in honor of the avatar, who at one time practically worshiped Roku. We also see that AFTER the war, the Fire Nation did everything they could to forget/discredit Roku as a traitor, to the point where the sages were even corrupted.
8:44 we saw Kyoshi go into the Avatar State in during the flashback to her creating Kyoshi Island in "Avatar Day" and in the season 2 opener "Avatar State" we saw multiple scenes of Avatars going into the Avatar State.
I believe Sozin had a few reasons for going to Roku’s island. For one he wanted to see with his own eyes if the avatar was still alive. And when he came there and found his old friend battling the elements to save his family and home, he decided to help him. Why did he do that? I don’t think that Sozin ever gave up on his idea of he and the avatar building a great empire together. Perhaps if he saved him and his home then Roku would join him. Or maybe he thought that his grateful friend would turn a blind eye to his imperial ambitions. Whatever his reasons, when he saw his friend fatally hurt, he also saw a chance to realize his lifelong dreams. So rather than helping him, Sozin chose to leave Roku to die. Not without a little regret, and certainly not without hating himself. But he made his decision, and began his war. Say what you like about Sozin, but he wasn’t all bad. After his death he left the Fire Nation strong, rich, and victorious. For a leader there are worse legacies. And never forget, Iroh and Zuko are just as much a part of that legacy as Ozai and Azula are.
Sozin showed up to help because he is conflicted- his first instinct was to help his friend in need, but once he was there he realized if his friend died, he would be free to pursue his conquest.
Interesting to think after watching this episode, remember in season 1 episode 8? While trying to help the gang get out of the crescent island temple, Roku burned Zuko’s chain away setting him free allowing him to escape. Neat bit of foreshadowing
The line of fire lords goes like this: Sozin (started the war with the comet) --> Azulon (father of Iroh and Ozai, Azula is named after him) --> Ozai (you know him) --> cabbage merchant (sorry, didnt mean to spoil the ending)
sozin didn't want power at the start he genuinely thought speeding the way his nation is would benefit everyone and that with the backing of the avatar it would have very little blood shed but then he didn't back down.
The worst non-reaction of the entire series. Way too much talking and BSing. Missed EVERYTHING. It’s okay to listen and not chat during reactions. You don’t always have to be moving and talking like Chuck E. Cheese robots.
When you watch the conversation between them, even though Iroh is the one imprisoned, it looks like Zuko is the one behind bars. It was brilliantly done and you can notice how the animators visually framed their different perspectives.
Sozin was probably corrupted by yes men surrounding the fire lord, telling him that he's the greatest leader for a decade while Roku was away training and not there to keep his friend's ego in check (which no one else would do to a fire lord). So when Roku returned Sozin would've assumed that Roku being his best friend would agree with the yes men. After that it was Roku's friendship vs Sozin's ego and it was mostly friendship winning while the resentment grew within Sozin from feeling that Roku is the only one holding him back, he lashed out at Roku, but was spared, but he wouldn't kill his friend, so only seeing his friend dying from something else was what let his resentment win and abandon the friendship. I think that's the simplest explanation of what may have happened in the background.
Sozin had good intentions, but he also had an ends justify the means mentality. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions". He wouldn't be the first dictator that wanted to beat and kill people until they recognized he was raising them up. He went to help an old friend. Again, his intent was honorable. He saw an opportunity to do nothing and let death take Roku. So, he took it. The despicable thing about all of it was how dispassionately Sozin carried out mass genocide. Remember, Aang was playing with his fellow child monks. Some were even younger than Aang. Dead, all dead.
11:50 To answer your question, Sozin came to his rescue for the same reason Roku spared his life: they are best friends. Even after everything they went through, Sozin's instinct was to help his friend in his time of need. It was never a trick or a trap of any sort. He only changed his mind when Roku was clearly on the verge of death. He had no intention of killing his friend...but he was already dying. He suddenly realized if he did nothing, then the main obstacle to his plan to build a "better world" would be gone. That's another element some people miss. Sozin's original intentions were noble, just in a twisted way. He actually believed that by expanding the Fire Nation he would be bringing prosperity to more people and making the world BETTER. That initial good intent turned bitter over the years and eventually died with him, as his successors had no desire to help anybody aside from the Fire Nation (though even then they seemed ruthless in using their subjects as pawns to make themselves more powerful and feared).
The Earthbender Sud that taught Roku was the original design for Toph and is the earthbender in the intro sequence. Toph was first intended to be an adult man and ofcourse the oldest member of Team Avatar to introduce a different perspective to the rest who are all children/young adults. They eventually decided that it didnt really fit all that well and redesigned Toph to be the complete opposite, a small girl that is the youngest in the group. They instead used that finished designs on Sud to be Avatar Roku's earthbending teacher and technically still Aangs too (since he is a reincarnation), the remnants of this first idea is why Sud is the earthbender in the intro sequence, which was originally intended to be Toph.
I guess you could look at the Kyoshi episode in book 2 and think that the Earth Kingdom (the largest nation) was not in a good place during the time of Kyoshi and probably went down hill after she died and before Roku took up the responsibilities So given the Fire nation was very prosperous as Sozin said then you can see his excuse for wanting to “share” it with the rest of the world However he was just power hungry
This is my second favourite episode since it was foreshadowed in my favourite episode in the blue spirit. “If we knew each other back then. Do you think we could have been friend?”
So far as we know Roku and Sozin are not related. However, they're grandchildren married and had Zuko and Azula It's like finding out your dad's grandfather and mother's grandfather were friends before your parents even met.
Uh no, just because Aang is the reincarnation of Zuko's great grandfather (Roku) does not mean Zuko and Aang are related. Aang was born in the Air Nation and absolutely no family ties bind Zuko and Aang together - even though Aang is Roku's reincarnation. And yes, all Avatar's since even the first one have access to the Avatar State, but with each new Avatar it becomes more powerful. All of Roku's skill and knowledge was 'added' when he died
Sozin is a monarch. No matter how wise and educated he still comes from a world view of being above most people. He wanted to share fire nation prosperity with the world earnestly. But a king only knows how to do that one way. By commanding people to do what he tells them.
No they’re not cousins. Roku is just Zuko’s mom’s great grandfather. Sozin is Ozai’s great grandfather. Ozai was arranged to marry Ursa by Azulon’s wishes to fulfill a prophecy that would end up making their bloodline strong. And Sozin helped Roku because he knew his friend was in trouble. However once the reality set in that with Roku out of the way, he could go forward with his plan - he abandoned his friend. That’s why he initially helped.. because he still cared for his friend but his heart turned cold when he realized how roku’s death would actually help with his goals
Sozin legitimately wanted to help Roku at first, but then saw the chance to take advantage of Roku dying once he started faltering at the volcano.
foreshadowed in the beginning when they spar
I think he also cared about his people and nation and wanted to help them
Nah I think he show up to make sure himself the avatar is surely dead
@@kurtwagner350 Yeah. I can imagine spending your entire life as the Fire Lord, all that power and stress can push you to the extreme
Doesn't really excuse the genocide though, lol.
@@Onaterdem I didn’t say it did, clearly he loved his nation a bit too much however there is a perfectly good explanation why he went to help the victims of a natural disaster
Zuko and Aang do not share a bloodline, Zuko's great grandfather on his mother's side is Roku. They have a shared spiritual connection through Roku.
Really?
I don't think that's what they meant when they said bloodline. I think they meant between Zuko and Roku rather than Zuko and Aang. But yes, regardless of which Avatar you're talking about, Zuko and the Avatar are forever linked to one another.
That's basically what they said bro they said there basically spiritual related
@@blakeverdon4492Ariana called them cousin’s at 13:17.
@@kingjames6948Ariana called them cousin’s at 13:17.
I always saw Sozin's betrayal of Roku as a sudden thing. Sozin always cared for his nation, and when he saw the natural disaster engulfing the island, he went there to help. But when Roku was poisoned, he suddenly realized that an opportunity now presented itself to him.
yeah like a big part of it was to help roku but people forget it was also to make sure everyone else got to safety which they did by the point roku collapsed
Zuko was in the same spot at the end of book 2,
He had a choice to made, his first insticnt was to confront Azula, but given enough though, everything he desired was unto reach.
This also parallels Zuko's decision at the end of season 2. He was on the path of good. If things continued, he'd probably eventually join the Gaang. Think about it. He has tried to gain his fathers love, and his honor back for years. HE and his uncle are now TRAITORS of the fire nation. There is absolutely NO WAY what he wants can ever be achieved. Just like Sozin could not get rid of Roku, as he was no match, and with Roku alive, he could never have what he wanted. But, once Azula showed up, Zuko saw an opportunity to fulfil his dreams he thought he lost.
You can also literally hear Sozin say "Without you all my plans are SUDDENLY possible." Emphasis on suddenly. That was a thought he JUST thought of, hence the inclusion of the word: Suddenly.
not sudden, Sozin is an opportunist.
Just to clarify Roku and Sozin are Zuko's GREAT grandfathers:
Roku had a child / this child had Ursa / and Ursa had Zuko and Azula.
Sozin had Azulon / Azulon had Iroh and Ozai / and Ozai had Zuko and Azula.
Only Zuko and Azula are descendants of both Sozin and Roku.
Yeah, it's always complicated because people tend to get caught up in the excitement that Zuko is related to Avatar Roku and forget that extra "Great" in "Great-Grandfather"
@@tsukimilopeople who watch the first time was to excited so that only focus on "...grandfather is avatar roku", they forget the "your mother..." part.
Sucks for the other 2 great-grandfathers (and all 4 great-grandmothers) who aren't important for anyone's destiny
That is true, but it also makes no sense. I think the authors of the show forgot that there are a hundred years between the start of the war and the start of the series. Roku and Sozin must have had children while being really old, and their children must have had children while being old, too. And yes, men can do that, but I don't think Ta Min or Rina (Ursa's mother who was shown in a comic and did not look older than fifty) could. Alao, why would a Fire Lord who starts a war not want to secure his succession? Why wait until he's in his nineties? Makes no sense. There should be like two more generations between Roku and Zuko🤷🏽♀️ Maybe I'm missing something, but the math ain't mathing here🤷🏽♀️
Which messes with my brain bc that means Azula is also related to Roku 😂
This episode gets me everytime "Some friendships are so strong they can even transcend lifetimes." watching that Roku and Aang bonding through friends in multiple lifetimes makes me cry.
Toph asking if friendships could last longer than a lifetime and later getting her answer with Korra. 😀
@@mori1bundKorra is goated! Makes me happy to think all my good friends rn are people i knew in past lives ☺️
@@mori1bundomg you’re right about that 🥺
@@MrDrProfessorSir962 "Korra is goated"
Telling the back story of the main conflict in the whole series ✓
Showing how avatar training should be done ✓
Amazing cinematography ✓
Twists after twists after twists ✓
Subtle hints for future events ✓
But my favorite thing about this episode is how Roku and Sozin's conflict and conclusion was foreshadowed in their spar when they were teenagers.
1. Roku and Sozin fought: firebending spar // not talking to each other for decades
2. Force of nature knocked Roku down: tree root // volcano eruption
3. Sozin came to rescue: holding unbalanced Roku // helping Roku containing the eruption
4. In the end Sozin let Roku fall: releasing Roku // leaving Roku to die
Oh, dang. Good eye.
fuck me how have i not noticed that before. thanks.
I have rewatched so many times and only learned these now. Ty for the analysis
I have rewatched this series and specifically this episode I’m not even sure how many time at this point and I have never realize that parallel. Great analysis!
"Without you all my plans are suddenly possible," is one of the best delivered lines in the whole series and gives chills every time. Such an amazing episode.
Before the fight in the throne room, Sozin believes he could beat Roku after all, his always beating him as a teenager. After that fight, he realized how powerful the avatars were and essentially believed roku was invincible. when he saw the volcano, It never crossed his mind that Roku could be killed, so he just reacted. Maybe he wanted to help fire nation citizens. maybe he just wanted his friend back or maybe he just didn’t want to be enemies anymore with one of the most powerful forces in the world, but when he saw Roku down, he realized he could beat a child avatar, and he didn’t even have to lift a finger he could just leave. It was then he decided to continue his plan and let roku die.
Saving Roku would also have been difficult and may have resulted in both their deaths.
Well said!
Shame these 2 can't realize that.
Human beings don't plan their life out in advance. Despite grudge, he wanted to save his friend. Despite friendship, he couldn't resist opportunity once it was right there. Human beings are always conflicted.
Jesus, man, I read this in Irohs voice. Good on you.
@@varethedemon I'll try not to let that go to my head, but thank you.
Can you please pause if you're gonna talk over the episodes so heavily, at least wait till the end to discuss
Seriously. So many questions would be answered and more information retained if they could pause and discuss. Or, like many good reactors do, jot down simple notes to remind them of talking points for discussing the episode AFTER it's over.
It's important to remember that Sozin and Roku's friendship WAS real, to both of them. To the point where Sozin even tries to involve Roku in his plans. I think he came because he couldn't let his friend, or his countrymen, die without trying to help. And he betrayed Roku because, when push came to shove, he couldn't resist acting when he saw an opportunity. Even if it meant killing his friend. Sozin cared for Roku, but he was also a ruthless man willing to commit atrocities and acted accordingly when the moment presented itself.
Roku was so weak and stupid, not killing Sozin the moment he mentioned his plans at the wedding, and not fleeing the island on his dragon. Places, people, and things can be taken away from you, so never attach yourself to these things, that's what it means to be an avatar.
@@ncard00 Anyone who thinks the avatar should just be an emotionless robot who murders people at the least bit of provocation is weak and stupid.
"But why go at all, though?" Isn't it obvious he was conflicted? That was his best friend for a very very large part of his life and he hadn't seen Roku for 25 years when this happened. All that happened in the end is that Sozin's evil side defeated his good side, and the dying Roku was in no position to stop him.
#Wamen_brain
It's also far from certain either of them would have made it out alive if he had tried to help Roku. Why risk your life for someone who your life would be easier if they were dead.
@@DaDunge because initially the opportunity wasn't there. He wasn't willing to actively kill Roku but he was willing to let him die. There's a big difference between the two.
It's frustrating watching people react to shows or movies sometimes. It's Ike they're not paying attention at all. Why wouldn't a man who's being a best friend to another despite their conflict, not want to help him when seeing a desperate situation at first?
Dang y'all talked right through the some of the best parts of the episode. Oh well
yup. i dont get reactors like this. especially when its a group, or duo, trio. etc. like, you wanna watch, or talk? there's also a pause button if you wanna air what you're thinking.
11:51 "why show up in the first place?" - because people are not one dimensional characters, people are more complicated than that. 😀
He probably showed up with the intention to actually help his old friend. But then he suddenly saw his one chance to get rid of Roku and acted in the spur of the moment.
lmaoooo low key my favourite part of this channel is maple and arianna having full side conversations and completely missing crucial plot points 😂 it never fails
bruh they talk so much over dialogue & then wonder what’s going on
Yes 😭
Right
Yeah, it's pretty obvious that Sozen showed up to HELP Roku; but seeing Roku start to falter and get close to death Sozen "saw" the possibilities of a world where the Avatar could NOT stop him. I mean Sozen says as much to Roku. so i' was always confused as to how people didn't immediately put that together.
I love how the end scene with Zuko and Iroh is shown from the perspective of Iroh being outside the jail cell and zuko being behind bars. It shows the symbolism of how trapped Zuko feels!
The Saddest part about betrayal... is that it never comes from an enemy..
I know that feeling too well...
Mark Hamill portraying the voice of firelord ozei and Ron Perlman as sozin are chilling 🖤💜
I just love how this episode illustrates the complicated nature of people. When Aang talks about anyone being capable of great good or great evil, I don't think he just means a person becoming wholly one or the other, but even a single person being capable of either/both throughout their lives. Their friendship lasted until the end of their lives, but it was heartwrenching and tragic due to Sozin valuing his ambition more greatly in the end (which I also believe he genuinely thought was a prosperous kindness).
I think it's clear from the fact Sozin bothered to write down their relationship in his weird will scroll in the first place, and by the way Roku's spirit STILL wears that crown-piece. He didn't die with it on, he chose to have it.
Such a BRILLIANT episode for me, especially that reveal at the end. I'm probably the only one for whom this episode makes me cry lol
You are in for a treat. This episode is in my top three, not only of the series, but of any show I have seen.
So Sozin literally did come to first instinct help his friend but saw an opportunity beyond that. His relation to Roku was hinted in S2 in the dream with the 2 dragons red and blue roku and sozin as well as seeing himself as Ang, who is his ancestor reincarnated.
I'm completely unaware, I've seen it so many times but I don't think I've ever made that direct connection. It's also cool to draw a parallel with the colors of the dragons that are to come and Zuko's future dragon, this "good" and "evil" that tormented Zuko in this dream.
Pity they missed the detail of Fang protecting Roku.
They missed many things
@@Taiga-16exactly. They miss a lot. Especially when they talk over stuff. Always wondered why they don’t just pause it
@@damonestephens8722Well on a first viewing it's easy to miss what Fang did but yeah these 2 act like when Sokka & Aang "share a brain cell".
I agree that they missed a lot of plot details but I think they might have seen the Fang sacrifice and just not commented on it. I noticed that in a bunch of their videos, it might not seem like they noticed certain visuals/dialogue but then they end up casually mentioning it in the discussion or in future videos.
Their reaction style is just really weird to me in general though. They are the only reaction channel I've seen get this far into a show and still not know/remember the names of key characters.
This is one of my favorite episodes of the show. I love the line “some friendships are so strong they can even transcend lifetimes,” I love that we see the parallels between Zuko and Aang again. What’s also cool is how the first flashback of Sozin saving Roku from the tree root before letting him fall mirrors the volcano because Sozin came into to help Roku before letting him fall to the volcano. And the replacement voice for Mako is Greg Baldwin, Mako’s protégé. This episode is also the first time that Iroh speaks in the whole season. The writer’s kept him silent for the first third of the season out of tribute and respect to Mako. And when Zuko is speaking to Iroh, all the camera angles depict him as the one being trapped behind bars in the darkness, while Iroh has a much open space, being closer to the light because even though Zuko got what he wanted, he is still trapped and even though Iroh is imprisoned, he’s really free. It's also revealed in the comics that Ozai married Ursa _because_ she was Roku's granddaughter, and that that's the only reason. Also, Sozin is voiced by Ron Perlman, which is just awesome.
Fun Fact: Roku's earthbending teacher Sud was the original design for Toph before they decided on the current one. Sud is also the earthbender in the opening credits.
Notice the cinematographic setting of the talk between Zuko and Iroh. Iroh, who is physically locked in the cell, is lit more brightly and Zuko who is physically free, is pictured darker and always through the bars of the cell. This further symbolizes how Zuko is still "imprisoned" by what he thinks of himself and his relationship with the firenation, while Iroh has fully figured his path out and is at piece.
Holy jeebus, if you guys would pause before talking over minutes of dialogue, you might actually get the answers to the questions you ask and would stop asking for explanations to things that have already been explained
"Can all Avatars go into the Avatar state?" Doesn't that question answer itself? Some have a harder time than others but of course they all have the inherent ability. The Avatar state is so integral to being the Avatar as the control over all 4 elements. And Rokku was a fully realized Avatar there, so with ease.
Its funny too cause since they were talking so much during the explanation they didn't even realize he already went into the avatar state against his fight with sozin. Then again for the volcano
Plus they clearly forgot about the first episode of season 2 that was literally called avatar state and showed several avatars using it😂
@@dflo9330 True
@@dflo9330that’s what I was thinking lmaoo
Most people forget the last person to wear that hair piece was Uncle Iroh late son😢
Wouldnt it have been iroh himself since iroh was never firelord but he was the crown prince and his son died before firelord azulon, iroh's father
@@josefstalin9678Yes (think), But his son likelyhad something similar
@@DR_REDACTED im sure he would've but that one in particular was reserved for the crown prince which unfortunately Lu Ten never was
8:45 “Can other avatar’s go into the avatar state?” Yeah…. Kioshi did. Aswell as Roku when he helped protect aang from the fire sages and zhao. It’s called the avatar state for a reason. It’s something all avatar’s can do.
Although his eyes didn't glow at 6:28 when you bend all 4 elements together your in the Avatar State. The first episode of Book 2 was called "The Avatar State" and the 4 previous Avatars before Roku were all shown using it. These 2 aren't the sharpest tools in the garage.
@@TheMrPeteChannel you don't need to be in the avatar state to bend all 4 elements and he bent then one after the other
I hope their patreons answer their questions because I swear they miss soooo many obvious things!
"Things progressed so quickly" no girl, it took decades for Sozin to act. They even seem to miss Monk Gyatso being Roku's friend part. Also, Zuko and Aang do not share a bloodline, a past life is not the same as being a blood-related descendant. And Roku and Sozin are GREAT-Grandfathers, hence it being way over a hundred years ago.
Zuko's paternal lineage:
Sozin (Great-grandfather)
Azulon (Grandfather)
Ozai (Father; current Fire Lord)
Zuko's maternal lineage:
Ta Min (Great-grandmother; Avatar Roku's wife),
Rina (Grandmother - not covered in the show)
Ursa (Mother; Fire Lord Ozai's wife)
Hence, Avatar Roku was Zuko's maternal great-grandfather, and Fire Lord Sozin was his paternal great-grandfather.
“if only i could get more in touch with my third eye, i think i could make money off it” 😂😂😂😂
Best episode ever.
One of my top 5 for sure. It explains why for the intro as well.
Same, beside the final few, this is my fav episode of atla
Thats why when Zuko had the fever from internal conflict, there was the blue dragon and red dragon circling him - Sozin and Roku's dragons
Guys, please pause the video and react if you have a lot to say. Its rly sad you guys dont seem to listen to all the lines spoken carefully, coz there are always some things you should pay attention to.
8:44: Of course other avatars can go into the avatar state. Roku explained what it was while showing examples of 4 avatars from each element bending it at its full power in the 1st episode of the 2nd season.
10:52: That's because Roku is in the center of the island, not the edge of it. He has to make do with where he is. Just because Roku had initial difficulty with waterbending doesn't mean he still has that same problem. He even said at the end of his scene of waterbending: "But in time, I mastered it as well".
I honestly don't understand how many people this confuses. Sozin went there in the first place to help, then his ambition got the better of him when the opportunity presented itself but his first instinct was to help because he is not a one dimensional mustache twirling maniacal evil person
why wouldn't other avatars go into the AVATAR state?? I mean before this episode you've seen other avatars go into the avatar state! Also roku as a beginner water bender had trouble learning but he eventually mastered it as he said in this episode😂😂
Toph: "Do you really think friendships can last more than one lifetime?"
Remember that she said that.
Maple: I want a secret tunnel
Me: Who's gonna tell her?😂
I started singing it as soon as she said it.
They already saw that episode 😂
I think all women have a "secret tunnel" if you know what I mean.@@choppatool
@@fredrice8650I thought that was the joke in the first place😅
Me too. I was explaining it because it seemed to go over his head, and it was a good joke so I didn't want him to miss out.@@mxyzptlk1616
Sozin leaving him to die was a choice he made in the moment
Also as others have mentioned, avatars aren't related by blood, it's just the so-called "avatar spirit" jumping from one person to another, so if the previous avatar was a firebender who died, the avatar spirit would think that it was a firebender before, fire has 4 letters, there's an avatar cycle and the cycle is a circle, so multiply 4 by pi and you get 12.56, the first number is 1, the first letter in the alphabet is "a".
On the other side of the decimal point add together the 5 and 6 to get 11, but there's still a 2 left on the opposing side of the decimal point, take that away and you get 9, the 9th letter is "i".
You calculate the circle's circumference from the length of the radius times pi times 2, so you need to multiply 9 by 2 and get 18, radius is symbolized by "r" which is the 18th letter, so it must be the final letter and as such you get "air" and therefore the avatar spirit needs to find an airbender child to continue the cycle.
Whereas for Zuko it would've just been that Roku had a child, Roku's child had a child and Roku's grandchild had a child with Sozin's grandchild to create Zuko.
That's how that works, so no direct connection there.
The Firelord believed that because he happened to know the Avatar it must have been some kind of fate. He interpreted this as meaning it was his destiny to accomplish something great with his friend. He believed, due to being a royal, that the fire nation was somehow superior and thought that if he expanded the Fire nation he could spread their prosperity and superior culture to those he considered less fortunate and inferior. Avatar Roku tried to remind him that all people are different and that the rest of the world wouldn't want to live under "superior" fire nation rule the way Sozin was envisioning but he was so caught up in the cosmic coincidence of him knowing the Avatar that he couldn't understand that wasn't his destiny
Tbf, this happens in almost all "royals" regardless of knowing an otherworldly being or not.
In his final days Sozin deeply regretted everything he did, he was very remorseful for all of the pain that he had caused the world, unfortunately it was too late for him to atone for his actions. Sozin passed away as a miserable, lonely, and broken man.
Roku and his wife had a child, who in turn had a daughter named ursa.
Firelord sozin and his wife had a son named Azulon, who in turn had two sons. Iroh and ozai.
Azulon arranged for ursa to marry ozai, so that the dna of the royal family would intermingle with the dna or the Avatar, making powerful offspring. Successfully so
"Even the Firelord and the Fire nation have to be treated like they're worth giving a chance"
I think that indicates Roku's regrets of shutting Shozin off completely when he brought up his dream instead of hearing it out and talking to him genuinely like a friend would. I think Shozin had a good intention
Oook y’all did not understand lots of key points 🤣 but it’s ok
Was hoping for a better reaction to see Monk Gyatso
Think they were a little too busy chatting and joking around to catch that.
12:00 he had the intention of helping his friend but when the opportunity was right in front of him he reverted to his base desire. He was always conflicted.
my favorite aspect of this episode is how in sozin and roku's first scene, sozin briefly saves roku from falling before eventually dropping him. the same thing happens in their last scene together as well
Maybe don't talk through the entire Iroh dialogue
lol I came here to say the same thing…
Also… the show is on YOUR HYPOTHESIS ISN’T NECESSARY.
However their channel I guess
I like how Sokka is the reasonable one, but they always make him shut that shit down when they're having a moment 😂
They live in a spiritual & reincarnated world but Sokka doubts it, even though his GF became the moon.
You had too much caffeine this time.
“I feel like the only thing that could ruin this is a woman”
War:👀
I'm genuinely surprised how many people confuse "great grandfather" with "grandfather". I'd wager at this point, more than 75% of the reactors on RUclips think of Sozin as Zuko's grandfather. I think that it's because the great grandfather relationship is so rarely discussed, people have a hard time conceptualizing it quickly.
But just to clarify, the paternal lineages of Zuko's parents are -
Sozin - Azulon - Ozai - Zuko, and
Roku - Jinzuk - Ursa - Zuko.
SECRET MESSAGE! SECRET MESSAGE!
It's too much fun to turn that song into being about anything secret LOL
"You are not very bright, are you?"
That's what I want to say watching your reactions..
Ikr. They talked way too much they missed a lot important detail
The way they foreshadowed how sozin is as a person in the beginning, he held roku's hand when he was about to fall, but eventually let go 🤌
They just really talked through the dragon sacrificing itself with Roku...🙄😮💨
I get they split things up to have variety on the channel, but I don't understand how anyone would NOT binge this entire season in one sitting, its so freaking good
Fire Lord Sozin was 82 years-old when he began the war, and lived to be 102 years-old.
Some say the comet's power is what allowed Sozin to live for so long.
Why no one talks about how Sozin takes the heat from the Volcano to the Air....that's epicc
Get ready to have your minds blown, ladies! 💥💥💥💥💥
Something people speculate is that the avatars have the resemble the person they loved the most in their previous life. Which is why avatar kora looks like katara
One of the best episodes of any show, an unquestionable 10/10
With the new rpg we get more information on Avatar Roku life as the avatar and the world issues.
Also Sozin had a queer sister who is with an air nomad the irony of it all.
And Roku has a new novel that’s coming out.
Lmaoooooo I allways laugh when in the reveal people think Sozin and Roku were related looool
Like, mom and dad come from different families usually lol
An early script for the premiere episode featured a scene where Sozin dueled Roku.
“I feel like the only thing that could ruin this is a woman.” 😂😂😂
I think you got there in the end, but Zuko doesn't share a "bloodline" with Aang per se, it's just a "spiritual" relation. Aang _was_ Roku is a prior life, but's he's not his blood descendant of Roku in any physical sense. Aang's parents were Air Nomads, and so were his grandparents and great-grandparents. Roku was Fire Nation and all of his blood descendants are Fire Nation. Spiritually Zuko is more like Aang's great-grandson than his cousin.
I love how Aang and Zuko have these parallel episodes, just showing how connected their stories have always been!
I love the fact that the previous Avatar was Roku, a firebender from the Fire Nation, arguably the most powerful, famous, and respected firebender in generations. If anything Roku brought honor and glory to their nation by traveling the world, establishing important relationships with other respected leaders, learning about their cultures, and mastering their fighting styles. Prior to the war, the whole world probably viewed the Fire Nation positively due to Roku's example. In fact, there was a huge temple in the Fire Nation run by sages in honor of the avatar, who at one time practically worshiped Roku.
We also see that AFTER the war, the Fire Nation did everything they could to forget/discredit Roku as a traitor, to the point where the sages were even corrupted.
8:44 we saw Kyoshi go into the Avatar State in during the flashback to her creating Kyoshi Island in "Avatar Day" and in the season 2 opener "Avatar State" we saw multiple scenes of Avatars going into the Avatar State.
I believe Sozin had a few reasons for going to Roku’s island. For one he wanted to see with his own eyes if the avatar was still alive. And when he came there and found his old friend battling the elements to save his family and home, he decided to help him.
Why did he do that? I don’t think that Sozin ever gave up on his idea of he and the avatar building a great empire together. Perhaps if he saved him and his home then Roku would join him. Or maybe he thought that his grateful friend would turn a blind eye to his imperial ambitions.
Whatever his reasons, when he saw his friend fatally hurt, he also saw a chance to realize his lifelong dreams. So rather than helping him, Sozin chose to leave Roku to die. Not without a little regret, and certainly not without hating himself. But he made his decision, and began his war.
Say what you like about Sozin, but he wasn’t all bad. After his death he left the Fire Nation strong, rich, and victorious. For a leader there are worse legacies. And never forget, Iroh and Zuko are just as much a part of that legacy as Ozai and Azula are.
Sozin showed up to help because he is conflicted- his first instinct was to help his friend in need, but once he was there he realized if his friend died, he would be free to pursue his conquest.
It's sad when people don't listen.
Interesting to think after watching this episode, remember in season 1 episode 8? While trying to help the gang get out of the crescent island temple, Roku burned Zuko’s chain away setting him free allowing him to escape. Neat bit of foreshadowing
Guess how Iroh snuck the Crown into prison
The line of fire lords goes like this: Sozin (started the war with the comet) --> Azulon (father of Iroh and Ozai, Azula is named after him) --> Ozai (you know him) --> cabbage merchant (sorry, didnt mean to spoil the ending)
such a great episode.. would of been really cool if they had made this a movie or a two parter!!
sozin didn't want power at the start he genuinely thought speeding the way his nation is would benefit everyone and that with the backing of the avatar it would have very little blood shed but then he didn't back down.
The worst non-reaction of the entire series. Way too much talking and BSing. Missed EVERYTHING. It’s okay to listen and not chat during reactions. You don’t always have to be moving and talking like Chuck E. Cheese robots.
When you watch the conversation between them, even though Iroh is the one imprisoned, it looks like Zuko is the one behind bars. It was brilliantly done and you can notice how the animators visually framed their different perspectives.
Funny that Ta Min (Roku's wife) voiced by Grey Griffin who also voice Azula
This is easily one of my top 5 favorites if not my favorite.
Bro watch the episode and stop guessing😂😂 yall are trying to piece it together while there trying to tell you.
Talking right through it😂 just wait to the end to have that discussion. Just my own opinion
Neat subtle detail that Roku and Sozin wears the same hair accessory thing.
Sozin was probably corrupted by yes men surrounding the fire lord, telling him that he's the greatest leader for a decade while Roku was away training and not there to keep his friend's ego in check (which no one else would do to a fire lord). So when Roku returned Sozin would've assumed that Roku being his best friend would agree with the yes men.
After that it was Roku's friendship vs Sozin's ego and it was mostly friendship winning while the resentment grew within Sozin from feeling that Roku is the only one holding him back, he lashed out at Roku, but was spared, but he wouldn't kill his friend, so only seeing his friend dying from something else was what let his resentment win and abandon the friendship.
I think that's the simplest explanation of what may have happened in the background.
Sozin had good intentions, but he also had an ends justify the means mentality. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions". He wouldn't be the first dictator that wanted to beat and kill people until they recognized he was raising them up.
He went to help an old friend. Again, his intent was honorable. He saw an opportunity to do nothing and let death take Roku. So, he took it.
The despicable thing about all of it was how dispassionately Sozin carried out mass genocide. Remember, Aang was playing with his fellow child monks. Some were even younger than Aang. Dead, all dead.
11:50 To answer your question, Sozin came to his rescue for the same reason Roku spared his life: they are best friends. Even after everything they went through, Sozin's instinct was to help his friend in his time of need. It was never a trick or a trap of any sort. He only changed his mind when Roku was clearly on the verge of death. He had no intention of killing his friend...but he was already dying. He suddenly realized if he did nothing, then the main obstacle to his plan to build a "better world" would be gone. That's another element some people miss. Sozin's original intentions were noble, just in a twisted way. He actually believed that by expanding the Fire Nation he would be bringing prosperity to more people and making the world BETTER. That initial good intent turned bitter over the years and eventually died with him, as his successors had no desire to help anybody aside from the Fire Nation (though even then they seemed ruthless in using their subjects as pawns to make themselves more powerful and feared).
The Earthbender Sud that taught Roku was the original design for Toph and is the earthbender in the intro sequence.
Toph was first intended to be an adult man and ofcourse the oldest member of Team Avatar to introduce a different perspective to the rest who are all children/young adults. They eventually decided that it didnt really fit all that well and redesigned Toph to be the complete opposite, a small girl that is the youngest in the group. They instead used that finished designs on Sud to be Avatar Roku's earthbending teacher and technically still Aangs too (since he is a reincarnation), the remnants of this first idea is why Sud is the earthbender in the intro sequence, which was originally intended to be Toph.
No offence you guys talk alot and miss alot of info just saying need to pay attention your gonna need it.
We have subtitles on and read and watch at the same time we aren’t lost I promise ❤️
@@MapleDivine Ohhh cool.
This is such a good episode. Great excellent backstory given. And the reveal of Zuko's two great-grandfather's is pretty great.
Sozin initially planned to help, but seeing Roku dying he just took it as his opportunity to see his plan through
I guess you could look at the Kyoshi episode in book 2 and think that the Earth Kingdom (the largest nation) was not in a good place during the time of Kyoshi and probably went down hill after she died and before Roku took up the responsibilities
So given the Fire nation was very prosperous as Sozin said then you can see his excuse for wanting to “share” it with the rest of the world
However he was just power hungry
Will the upcoming two parters be split or shown as one? Also, they're high right? Lol
This is my second favourite episode since it was foreshadowed in my favourite episode in the blue spirit. “If we knew each other back then. Do you think we could have been friend?”
So far as we know Roku and Sozin are not related. However, they're grandchildren married and had Zuko and Azula
It's like finding out your dad's grandfather and mother's grandfather were friends before your parents even met.
Uh no, just because Aang is the reincarnation of Zuko's great grandfather (Roku) does not mean Zuko and Aang are related. Aang was born in the Air Nation and absolutely no family ties bind Zuko and Aang together - even though Aang is Roku's reincarnation. And yes, all Avatar's since even the first one have access to the Avatar State, but with each new Avatar it becomes more powerful. All of Roku's skill and knowledge was 'added' when he died
Sozin is a monarch. No matter how wise and educated he still comes from a world view of being above most people. He wanted to share fire nation prosperity with the world earnestly. But a king only knows how to do that one way. By commanding people to do what he tells them.
No they’re not cousins. Roku is just Zuko’s mom’s great grandfather. Sozin is Ozai’s great grandfather. Ozai was arranged to marry Ursa by Azulon’s wishes to fulfill a prophecy that would end up making their bloodline strong. And Sozin helped Roku because he knew his friend was in trouble. However once the reality set in that with Roku out of the way, he could go forward with his plan - he abandoned his friend. That’s why he initially helped.. because he still cared for his friend but his heart turned cold when he realized how roku’s death would actually help with his goals