Iroh’s Mistakes

Transcript of my most recent YouTube Video

Iroh’s is every millennial’s wise uncle. Even as a kid watching ATLA in its original airing, I was struck by his avuncular charm and evocative use of metaphors that punctuate his wisdom. He always knows the right think to do and the best way to communicate that knowledge. He’s a basically a saint to us, a character of myth. He’s Iroh, he’s perfect.

Except, he isn’t perfect, because if he was, Zuko wouldn’t have been a villain until half-way through season 3. But don’t cancel Bryke just yet; Iroh’s imperfections are a compelling factor in the drama of Avatar.

Let’s begin at the beginning. By which I mean, pretty close to the end. In the second half of season 3, (clip from “The Western Air Temple”) we see a flashback to an interaction between Iroh and a 13-year-old Zuko just a week after his banishment. Iroh gently advises Zuko to open his heart to the possibility that his father’s command of capturing the avatar may not be the only way to restore his honor.

By the time we first meet Iroh and Zuko a full three years later, Iroh seems to have more or less accepted Zuko’s unacceptable behavior. He defers to him even as he abuses his crew and terrorizes a village of children and old people, and generally coaches him on the best ways to capture the Avatar.