Soko Dayspa VI

[femaleairbender]

Interesting theory, Aqua!

[inuyatta]

Ok guys, quick attempt at discussion here.

We all know Zuko has to change before he's ready for a relationship with a girl, but what about Song? If they were to ever get together, would something have to change about her? And if so, to what extent?

Also, since we're still seeing Song getting branded as a Sue by those who aren't really willing to actually pay attention and see what she's really like, what traits does Song have that you would consider to be a flaw? We've all come up with reasons as to why she's great, but to truly appreciate a character, you have to admit their flaws as well. I've naturally got my own answers, but I wanna see some from this crowd first.

Ok, go~!

[aquavi]

First off, the only reason I can think of why Song could be a Sue is because she's an underdeveloped character, which technically isn't a Sue at all. A Sue is ment to be ideal, 'the whole package' in a sense, and Song isn't. And so, I'm breaking it down to common Sue traits that Song most certainly doesn't have. Hopefully I'll get to her faults.

Her physical design is pretty 'plain-Jane' with her having brown hair and eyes which genetically is the most common traits in any culture. Not to mention they put her in a hanbok which give us no idea of what she looks like underneath (antithesis to the age-old 'curves in the right places' thing), unlike the rest of the female cast who all where fairly form-fitting clothing (exception being the Kiyoshi warriors, except when Azula&Co cosplays as them, but that's because kimonos are supposed to be box/tube-like in forming the figure anyway); but I wouldn't call her ugly. When I draw Song, I purposefully try not to arch her eyes (Katara, Suki, and some others I would, especially since it's in their character design) for this reason. Ask any make-up artist, having the eyes appear arched tends to be the difference in looking ordinary vs pretty. I have a tendancy to play up her lips, but then again, I do that with any female I draw...

Next would be 'talents' and healing abilties, skills and techniques is where it would start and end for Song. Song (as in singing XD;) and dance doesn't happen in the episode, but it's possible that Song has a decent amount of shyness for that sort of thing. And her scar on her leg may inhibate any sort of 'natural grace' she may or may not posess. I've looked through older threads where people speculate whether or not Song is secretly an earthbender and I would prefer she isn't, but there is a scenario in my head that works for me where she would be without turning into a Sue as a result. The main reason why I say no to 'Song the Earthbender' is because it adds yet another bender/fighter to the cast and lessens the diversity. I suppose part of Song's appeal for me is that she makes an important change to a member of the main cast without having this super amazing ability, or even some basic fighting skills.

She also lacks a sharp wit/quick tongue, but Song has some snark in her that suggests she's not a 'meak' person. ("Yes! We're travelers!" "Do you have names?" "Names? Uh...") She's not an idiot either, nor does she seem to be a naive person; Song knows there's evil/bad people in the world, as she has experienced it first-hand, but remains optomistic and positive about people dispite that.

So, what do we have? "Song, the excedingly normal person." No really. In a world where teenagers are mastering martial arts at young ages and saving (or trying to conquer) the world, the only thing 'special' about Song is that she's a healer. And even then, that's not all the special since there's a member of the main cast with such abilities as well. The girl doesn't catch a break really.

Song's flaw is that she's too normal. And people don't like normal. Unless they're Zuko.

[inuyatta]

Wow, turn that into an essay and post it up somewhere and we got a second entry for the front page on why Song is not a sue. ;D Nicely done, Aqua!

[aquavi]

Eh, maybe later. I should be sleeping. ;

[femaleairbender]

That's a good essay, Aqua.

Um...I got nothing.

[inuyatta]

Ok, here's this for thought.

During the whole conversation between them in the episode, aside from the fake names--did Zuko ever outright lie to Song?

[nandireya]

He withheld the truth...is that the same as lying?

[aquavi]

^To some people it's just as bad since you're not being completely honest... but the only real lie, apart from his name, was that his father was fighting in the war. Which is sort of true, since his father is a pretty big part of the war, just not one physically in it.

[ktscarlet]

inuyatta said:

During the whole conversation between them in the episode, aside from the fake names--did Zuko ever outright lie to Song?

The only other statement where I could find that Zuko did lie to song was when he told Song his name and Iroh’s fake name, and what Nation they were truly from. But can you honestly blame them for that, besides that Zuko did stretch the truth about his family and with some of the questions Song asked but he did give her a answer which you wouldn’t expect from Zuko especially in the situation he was in at the time. This is one of the reasons why I love the relationship between Song and Zuko, and would like for Song to meet up with Zuko once again before the series end.

[femaleairbender]

inuyatta said:

Ok, here's this for thought.

During the whole conversation between them in the episode, aside from the fake names--did Zuko ever outright lie to Song?

I think he stretched the truth.

"Yes, we're travellers!"--Zuko and Iroh are wandering aimlessly throughtout the Earth Kingdom because they're traitors to the Fire Nation.
"I haven't seen my father in many years."--To some, three years may not be such a long time, but maybe it's a long time for Zuko?
"Is he fighting in the war?" "Yeah."--I'd like to quote from a Soko fanfiction, which was written in Zuko's point of view: "My father isn't fighting in the war, he is the war."

[inuyatta]

Good answer, femaleairbender.

Technically, he never lied to her outside of the names--she just didn't ask the right questions. They ARE travelers, Zuko hasn't seen his father in a long time, and regardless of whether or not he's actually on the battlefield, he is certainly putting all his resources towards the war, so yes--for all intents and purposes, Zuko's father is away at war. ;D

I just thought that was interesting to note.

[aquavi]

^Then Zuko didn't really 'lie' but 'decieved' Song, as they are not perfect synonyms. Though 'decieved' sounds a whole lot worse for some reason.

[inuyatta]

You really think so? He answered her questions, he just didn't go in-depth for safety's sake. He told half the truth.

[aquavi]

I dunno. This is just me trying to find the right word with my limited vocabulary. :B