Post by textbender on May 1, 2008 14:12:11 GMT -5
I think it makes most sense for Iroh to calculate all his advantages when planning his breakout; after all, he's got to think like an army general, use the terrain to his advantage, etc. etc. In that case, it makes more sense for him to wait for the eclipse, and to work out in order to use his muscles rather than firebending. He stands a stronger chance against all the Firebending guards and army (waiting outside) if they are temporarily disabled. The timing of the show suggests that is when it happened as well. We get the sense he broke out shortly before Zukko went to find him, and Zukko went to find him shortly after the eclipse.
I see how lightning can break the bars as in the DaiLi escape, and I even see how he could be working on his body for other reasons than to be able to break the metal bars, perhaps to be more agile while making his escape, perhaps also to build motivation and self-image, to give himself moral strengh through bodily strength, etc. But even with all that, the arguments about minutes and seconds seem a bit like one of those hair splitting things that ignore the obvious chronology in the show.
But I do think his muscles foreshadow more than his escape. There is a huge transformation that takes place here, and it would be silly to give us Iroh in the next scene drinking tea and acting the way he's been acting for the whole show. I think there has been a tragedy going on with Iroh, and the endearing personality he has developed that some of us love has some aspects that need to be worked through. I can see why Zuko was having trouble taking Iroh's advice for a while, in Book 2. Iroh had no self-respect. Sure, he seems "wise" that way, but I think he also looked depressing, dancing for that guy in order to get the gold coin. Sure, he seemed funny and way superior to the other guy when he said "what a kind man." But something was wrong with that picture.
I think Iroh finally has hope again, his inner fire is reawakened, but at the same time, even though Zuko appears to begin to listen to him, it seems to me that Iroh almost doesn't trust him any more, doesn't want to count on him, or wait for him, any more, but takes matters into his own hands. Maybe he also wants to earn Zuko's respect now by showing he is a force to be reckoned with, not "uncle lazy." He loves Zuko enough now, I think, that he realizes how important it is for Zuko development to look up to him. Because Iroh did not show any respect for his own honor before, and Zuko valued honor so much, Zuko did not respect Iroh and his advice as much as he should have (Zuko was too immature to appreciate the inside honor and the inside strength; he wanted to see it on the outside, too: which reminds me of Sokka's comment about Zuko: good inside him is not good enough; contact us when there's good outside him, too; who knows, maybe Sokka was a catalyst for Iroh's transformation, too ).
Maybe what Iroh has realized is that when you have an important message for the world, you need to package it in a messenger that the world will respect, or the message will be ignored. And maybe Iroh also thinks now that if you want something done, you'd better do it yourself (rather than keep telling Zuko "you do it."). When are we going to hear the line from Iroh "I need to regain my honor" ?? I think it's his turn!
I wonder if the reason Iroh didn't win the siege at Ba Sing Se is that his heart was not really in it. Then he lost his son, and he totally broke down. But I think the reason he is not in the trailer is that it would be a spoiler to see him either as his usual tea drinking self, or as a one man army in action. And I see no contradiction with future Fire Lord Zuko having General Iroh pave the path for him. But I also see the possibility of Iroh dying; he begins the work, but Zuko has to finish it. That does seem to be the usual thing that happens with the old mentor... would B & M break our hearts like that?
I see how lightning can break the bars as in the DaiLi escape, and I even see how he could be working on his body for other reasons than to be able to break the metal bars, perhaps to be more agile while making his escape, perhaps also to build motivation and self-image, to give himself moral strengh through bodily strength, etc. But even with all that, the arguments about minutes and seconds seem a bit like one of those hair splitting things that ignore the obvious chronology in the show.
But I do think his muscles foreshadow more than his escape. There is a huge transformation that takes place here, and it would be silly to give us Iroh in the next scene drinking tea and acting the way he's been acting for the whole show. I think there has been a tragedy going on with Iroh, and the endearing personality he has developed that some of us love has some aspects that need to be worked through. I can see why Zuko was having trouble taking Iroh's advice for a while, in Book 2. Iroh had no self-respect. Sure, he seems "wise" that way, but I think he also looked depressing, dancing for that guy in order to get the gold coin. Sure, he seemed funny and way superior to the other guy when he said "what a kind man." But something was wrong with that picture.
I think Iroh finally has hope again, his inner fire is reawakened, but at the same time, even though Zuko appears to begin to listen to him, it seems to me that Iroh almost doesn't trust him any more, doesn't want to count on him, or wait for him, any more, but takes matters into his own hands. Maybe he also wants to earn Zuko's respect now by showing he is a force to be reckoned with, not "uncle lazy." He loves Zuko enough now, I think, that he realizes how important it is for Zuko development to look up to him. Because Iroh did not show any respect for his own honor before, and Zuko valued honor so much, Zuko did not respect Iroh and his advice as much as he should have (Zuko was too immature to appreciate the inside honor and the inside strength; he wanted to see it on the outside, too: which reminds me of Sokka's comment about Zuko: good inside him is not good enough; contact us when there's good outside him, too; who knows, maybe Sokka was a catalyst for Iroh's transformation, too ).
Maybe what Iroh has realized is that when you have an important message for the world, you need to package it in a messenger that the world will respect, or the message will be ignored. And maybe Iroh also thinks now that if you want something done, you'd better do it yourself (rather than keep telling Zuko "you do it."). When are we going to hear the line from Iroh "I need to regain my honor" ?? I think it's his turn!
I wonder if the reason Iroh didn't win the siege at Ba Sing Se is that his heart was not really in it. Then he lost his son, and he totally broke down. But I think the reason he is not in the trailer is that it would be a spoiler to see him either as his usual tea drinking self, or as a one man army in action. And I see no contradiction with future Fire Lord Zuko having General Iroh pave the path for him. But I also see the possibility of Iroh dying; he begins the work, but Zuko has to finish it. That does seem to be the usual thing that happens with the old mentor... would B & M break our hearts like that?