Post by Alleluia on Mar 12, 2008 23:50:14 GMT -5
I have had this idea for a while and a freind told me I should make this a thread on another forum, so I figured.... Why not make it here, too? ^_^
In episode 305 "The Beach", we have a Campfire Chat between Zuko and thefallen Angels. In this chat we learn the supposed reasons why our three ladies are the way they are. "The way they are" meaning: on the evil side, into hurting(or actually killing) young boys with arrow tattoos on their heads, and possessing of certain personality flaws that make you want to attack them with a dull spork just to get some kind of emotional response.
The problem with this little chat, and the reason why I say "supposed" somewhere back in that last paragraph, is that I don't buy it. And by "it" I mean the idea that the chat was a genuine, spontaneous sharing of feelings and back story.
I have to say I *do* buy Ty Lee's actual story. Her story basically explains why she was so eager to leave the ranks of the Fire Nation nobility and join the circus, which was its point.
I also believe Mai's story, in itself. If you read it, she never says her mother was controlling and evil. What she actually *says* about her family and home life could very well be true and doesn't necessarily contradict what we have seen of her parents. It is in *Azula's* little analysis Mai's mother is labeled controlling and the negative connotations that contains are implied.
Up to that point, the whole situation just seems to look like it is what it is. The audience is being "treated" to some insight into the Angels. (Whether that insight was anywhere near good enough to garner new audience affection for any particular character is another matter entirely and separate from what I am talking about.)
But when Zuko starts talking about his anger, things get wonky. Before that moment, everything is just a (relatively) laid back sharing of feelings. But when Zuko admits he is angrier then ever, it turns into this:
Azula: There's a simple question you need to answer then. (she leans forward) Who are you angry at?
Zuko: No one, (he looks down) I'm just angry.
Mai: Yeah, who are you angry at, Zuko?
Zuko: Everyone... (he covers his ears in frustration) I don't know.
Azula: Is it Dad?
Zuko: No, no!
Ty Lee: Your uncle?
Azula: Me?
(Cut back to shot of Zuko who shakes his head in frustration)
Zuko: No, no... No, no.
Mai: Then who? Who are you angry at?
(The camera quickly pans right, stopping on Azula)
Azula: (sternly) Answer the question, Zuko.
Ty lee: (pleading) Talk to us.
(Cut to shot of Zuko looking confused and frightened)
Mai: Come on, answer the question.
Azula: Come on, answer it.
(Cut to wide shot of group. For a moment there is silence)
Zuko: (yells suddenly) I'm angry at myself!
[Transcript from AS.net]
When the focus turns to Zuko the tone COMPLETELY changes! It turns into a rapid fire interrogation. And it comes out of *nowhere*!
And after he admits his anger is at himself, suddenly(and suspiciously to me) the mood of the group just goes back to normal. Up to now, Mai had been really mad at him, but suddenly she walks up and kisses him? Why??? She was mad cus he was angry. He didn't fix that. In fact, he blew up the campfire. >_> And then in the end of the episode he helps destroy a guy's house. The same guy he had gotten angry *with* before which had been the whole cause of their falling out in the first place!
The whole thing just makes me feel like I am missing something.
Another thing that set my alarm bells ringing was Azula's final comment after Mai makes up with Zuko. She claps slowly and drawls, "Well, those were wonderful performances, everyone." (italics added by me. lol)
Mike and Bryan *love* to put in little bits of foreshadowing in their dialog. Things that a character will say that aren't true at the time(or at least they don't know they are), but becomes true later. Usually to the surprise of the viewing audience. Its M&B's exercise in dramatic irony and they enjoy it (a lot if the commentaries on the DVDs are anything to go by). This "performance" comment seems to fit their MO.
So, I think that's just what the whole thing was. A performance. I think the stories they told were true, but that there was hidden purpose in the telling. I think it was planned by Azula and done expressly to gauge Zuko's mindset.
Why? Honestly... I am not entirely certain. Maybe she wanted to get him over this so that he would be back on good terms with Mai at the end of it and be able to be kept on a short leash again. Keep him controlled thru his relationship with her because as long as he was with Mai he wouldn't be off on his own where he could overthink that whole "difference between right and wrong" thing and screw up whatever designs Azula has in store.
Maybe its some variation of that or another reason entirely. All I can say is that I know the vibes I got from the whole ordeal. Something wasn't right about it and it reeked of manipulation. To what end? I don't know. But I know it isn't good.
Thoughts?
In episode 305 "The Beach", we have a Campfire Chat between Zuko and the
The problem with this little chat, and the reason why I say "supposed" somewhere back in that last paragraph, is that I don't buy it. And by "it" I mean the idea that the chat was a genuine, spontaneous sharing of feelings and back story.
I have to say I *do* buy Ty Lee's actual story. Her story basically explains why she was so eager to leave the ranks of the Fire Nation nobility and join the circus, which was its point.
I also believe Mai's story, in itself. If you read it, she never says her mother was controlling and evil. What she actually *says* about her family and home life could very well be true and doesn't necessarily contradict what we have seen of her parents. It is in *Azula's* little analysis Mai's mother is labeled controlling and the negative connotations that contains are implied.
Up to that point, the whole situation just seems to look like it is what it is. The audience is being "treated" to some insight into the Angels. (Whether that insight was anywhere near good enough to garner new audience affection for any particular character is another matter entirely and separate from what I am talking about.)
But when Zuko starts talking about his anger, things get wonky. Before that moment, everything is just a (relatively) laid back sharing of feelings. But when Zuko admits he is angrier then ever, it turns into this:
Azula: There's a simple question you need to answer then. (she leans forward) Who are you angry at?
Zuko: No one, (he looks down) I'm just angry.
Mai: Yeah, who are you angry at, Zuko?
Zuko: Everyone... (he covers his ears in frustration) I don't know.
Azula: Is it Dad?
Zuko: No, no!
Ty Lee: Your uncle?
Azula: Me?
(Cut back to shot of Zuko who shakes his head in frustration)
Zuko: No, no... No, no.
Mai: Then who? Who are you angry at?
(The camera quickly pans right, stopping on Azula)
Azula: (sternly) Answer the question, Zuko.
Ty lee: (pleading) Talk to us.
(Cut to shot of Zuko looking confused and frightened)
Mai: Come on, answer the question.
Azula: Come on, answer it.
(Cut to wide shot of group. For a moment there is silence)
Zuko: (yells suddenly) I'm angry at myself!
[Transcript from AS.net]
When the focus turns to Zuko the tone COMPLETELY changes! It turns into a rapid fire interrogation. And it comes out of *nowhere*!
And after he admits his anger is at himself, suddenly(and suspiciously to me) the mood of the group just goes back to normal. Up to now, Mai had been really mad at him, but suddenly she walks up and kisses him? Why??? She was mad cus he was angry. He didn't fix that. In fact, he blew up the campfire. >_> And then in the end of the episode he helps destroy a guy's house. The same guy he had gotten angry *with* before which had been the whole cause of their falling out in the first place!
The whole thing just makes me feel like I am missing something.
Another thing that set my alarm bells ringing was Azula's final comment after Mai makes up with Zuko. She claps slowly and drawls, "Well, those were wonderful performances, everyone." (italics added by me. lol)
Mike and Bryan *love* to put in little bits of foreshadowing in their dialog. Things that a character will say that aren't true at the time(or at least they don't know they are), but becomes true later. Usually to the surprise of the viewing audience. Its M&B's exercise in dramatic irony and they enjoy it (a lot if the commentaries on the DVDs are anything to go by). This "performance" comment seems to fit their MO.
So, I think that's just what the whole thing was. A performance. I think the stories they told were true, but that there was hidden purpose in the telling. I think it was planned by Azula and done expressly to gauge Zuko's mindset.
Why? Honestly... I am not entirely certain. Maybe she wanted to get him over this so that he would be back on good terms with Mai at the end of it and be able to be kept on a short leash again. Keep him controlled thru his relationship with her because as long as he was with Mai he wouldn't be off on his own where he could overthink that whole "difference between right and wrong" thing and screw up whatever designs Azula has in store.
Maybe its some variation of that or another reason entirely. All I can say is that I know the vibes I got from the whole ordeal. Something wasn't right about it and it reeked of manipulation. To what end? I don't know. But I know it isn't good.
Thoughts?