River Reminder

Sure, "you" could definitely express those sentiments, especially since Zuko and Katara haven't really interacted enough at this point to have any kind of relationship, but I think there's a little bit more to it than that.

First of all, out of the approximately eighteen fights (depending on how you count them. I'm including him training with his crew, for instance.) Zuko gets into during season one, he only initiates any sort of "conversation" in seven of those fights. If you exclude a single line of speech before the fight (that he probably wasn't even expecting a response from), then that brings it down to three (episode two when he first meets Aang, his battle with Katara, and his final fight with Zhao). Point being, for the most part he just stays silent during the whole thing.

(Side note: if we are being technical about it, then Zuko doesn't actually talk to Aang during that fight [just before], and he also technically doesn't initiate any of the conversation with Zhao. He responds to Zhao, but he doesn't initiate. Unless you count him saying "take my hand" as Zhao is being taken by the Ocean Spirit, which I personally don't. His battle with Katara is the only one where he both initiates "conversation", and talks during the fight.)

Now, are these incredibly pointless numbers that I spent way too much time finding? Yes, absolutely.

But I think it does add at least a little bit of credence to the idea that Zuko's interaction here with Katara is significant.

Yes, in season 1 there is almost no interaction between these characters (they have, in fact, only one significant interaction prior to this). Any significant relationship development doesn't occur until later down the line. That being said, I do think there has always been a significance to Zuko and Katara's relationship; even as far back as this.

Their fight is not an isolated, insignificant event, but the conclusion to their interactions in season 1, and a building block for their relationship in season 2 and onwards.

So I would like to take a look at their relationship this season.

Or, perhaps more accurately, given the limited interactions, what I believe these characters' perceptions of each other are, and what that leads to later down the line.

Before this fight, they really only have one proper interaction: when Zuko captures her during "The Waterbending Scroll". Now, I'm definitely going to get to this moment, but first I want to talk about what leads up to it.

The first time they meet is in episode two.

I don't think moment is significant for Zuko's opinion on Katara; he barely acknowledges her presence here.

However, I think it is significant for Katara's opinion on Zuko.

Katara is someone who has had to grow up with the effects of the Fire Nation raids, without, for the most part, experiencing them herself. She has heard the horror stories, she has seen her home deteriorate as she has grown, and she is living constantly nearby a reminder of those raids.

But the only raid she ever experienced firsthand was that of the Southern Raiders. The one that killed her mother. Despite the fact that almost every aspect of her life is affected constantly by the cruelty of the Fire Nation, that was her only real interaction with them.

That is, until Zuko showed up.

Now, he's not a raider (not that she knew that at first, though). But in his few minutes in the Southern Water Tribe he 1) shows reckless disregard for stability of their tiny home, 2) beats up her brother, the closest thing to a warrior they have, 3) harasses her grandmother, 4) and takes away her friend who had just swooped in to save them.

I think this is why she says she sees him as "the face of the enemy". He disrupts her entire tiny world in a moment without a care or second thought, he is the first example of the Fire Nation she has known since the Southern Raiders, and he has made it his mission to capture Aang, someone she has always seen as a beacon of hope, even before she knew he was the Avatar.

He's not as high-ranking or powerful (or ruthless) as other members of the Fire Nation she comes into contact with, but he represents what has hurt her, and what she resents the most about them. I don't know if she hates him, but I think her grudge against Zuko goes deeper than either Aang or Sokka's grievances with him.

(Side note: there's definitely a lot to be said about the fact that these threads finally get fully resolved in the episode "The Southern Raiders", but that's not what I'm here to talk about today.)

That brings me to their next indirect interaction, in the same episode. When Sokka and Katara come to rescue Aang. There isn't a good screenshot for this, because they don't directly interact, but it is significant, if only for the fact that here Zuko learns that 1) Katara and Sokka are actively fighting against him to help the Avatar, 2) Katara is an untrained waterbender (even if he didn't see it directly, I fully believe he would've heard it from his crew sometime later.). This isn't super relevant at the moment, but it will become important.

And that brings me to episode five: "Imprisoned". Zuko barely appears in this episode, and doesn't actually interact with any of the Gaang. However, this is the episode where he finds Katara's necklace. I don't think it's necessarily significant that he's able to recognize her necklace; it wouldn't be that difficult to put two and two together on why a Water Tribe necklace is on an Earth Kingdom prison barge (after a mass prison break, no less). But I think there could be something significant in the context of why Zuko's there.

It's unclear what lead him to that barge, but there is definitely a possibility that what lead him there was reports of a teenage girl leading a mass prison break with the help of the Avatar. Even if that's not what lead him there, he at the very least knows that Katara had some involvement in the emptying of an "impenetrable" prison.

I . . . genuinely think that this is something he would kind of admire her for. I don't think he would admit that to anyone (including himself), but I think there would be a part of him that couldn't help feeling impressed at what she had been able to accomplish (I know Katara wasn't the only one involved, but she also deserves quite a lot of the credit for it). If he heard anything about the prison break, he would have heard about her.

At this point in the story, Zuko and Katara hold this kind of interesting position in relation to each other. Moreso than any members of the main cast, they have entirely, diametrically opposing goals: Zuko will do anything to capture Aang, and Katara will do anything to keep him safe. Even so, already there are indications of similarities in personality (they are both stubborn, hot-tempered, defiant, impulsive, and extremely committed to their respective ideals and goals).

The next time they cross paths is in "Avatar Roku (Winter Solstice, Part 2)". This doesn't really provide either of them with much new information so much as it just reinforces what they both know about each other. That being said, I think that this is the first indication for Katara that 1) Zuko has enemies in the Fire Nation, 2) Zuko is bad, but Zhao is worse. Both of which I think will eventually help pave the way for the Crystal Catacombs.

Anyways, that finally brings us to "The Waterbending Scroll".

Ah, yes, "I'll save you from the pirates." The birth of Zutara for several people at least. The "one proper interaction before the finale" that I referenced earlier.

What intrigues me the most about this scene between the two of them is the fact that Zuko's behavior here isn't super comparable to how he acts anywhere else in the series. I honestly can't think of any other moment in the series where he acts quite like this again. And that makes it difficult to decipher what this is supposed to mean exactly, because there isn't really a common denominator.

He is definitely being taunting and condescending here, but he is also trying to be sincere enough to honestly negotiate with her. It is an . . . interesting dichotomy that I think is pretty subject to interpretation.

I think arguably, the lines "Try to understand, I need to capture him to restore something I've lost" and "I didn't steal it, if that's what you're wondering", could imply that he cares enough about her opinion that he doesn't want her to think badly of him. Or worse of him, at least. ("And I don't know why, but I do care what she thinks of me.")

If nothing else, I think this scene presents a sort of . . . intriguing lack of indifference (for want of a better term), on Zuko's part. He wants to irritate her, and he wants to negotiate with her, and he wants her not to think badly of him. At this point, I think he does care about her, on some level (in the sense that he has something of an opinion of her; not necessarily that he feels affection for her.). Particularly in contrast with Aang, whom he resents and generally sees as more of an objective than as a person, and Sokka, whom he only ever seems mildly annoyed by.

Even if the "why" of his behavior is unclear, I think at least we can agree that he would act differently if it had been Sokka or Aang captured.

On Katara's part, while she's definitely not persuaded to give up Aang and Sokka's location, I think she does believe what he's saying here. Both in the sense that she and Sokka wouldn't be hurt if she gave up Aang, and in the sense that he is "trying to regain his honor".

At this point, Zuko is more interested in capturing Aang then hurting him in any way (unlike Zhao), and he did keep his word about leaving the Southern Water Tribe alone.

Plus, even if she doesn't know he's banished, per se, she probably has picked up on the fact that he doesn't have a lot of friends or support from his own nation. And, again, he has at least a few enemies there, despite being a prince.

I think it is about this time when she comes to the conclusion that, while he's a pain, he's not necessarily their greatest threat at the moment. Both because he has at least a shred more integrity more than Zhao (or the pirates) and because is doesn't actually have a lot of power or resources.

She still has a grudge against him, but I also think she doesn't see him as being as much of a threat as she'd initially thought.

As for Zuko, I think he's kind of fascinated by her, in a way. He doesn't have the same kind of grudge she has against him, and also doesn't seem to think of her as much of a threat. I think at this point, he does see himself as better than her, on account of her being an untrained Water Tribe peasant. But she also possesses this grit and defiance and determination that I think he can't help but feel the smallest amount of respect for. Maybe he even sees a little bit of himself in that.

That brings us to "Bato of the Water Tribe", and the introduction of June.

The fact that he doesn't correct June calling Katara his girlfriend probably means he simply doesn't care enough to bother (unlike in season 3 when he gets a lot more flustered by it because they have a much more established relationship.).

Other than that, though, there are two moments that I find kind of interesting: when Zuko prevents Katara from falling of the Shirshu, and when we see that Zuko has been carrying her necklace around on his wrist. Again, probably not super significant from a character perspective, but I do think they are intriguing from a narrative perspective, given how they were pretty conscious choices from the animators.

And, finally, that brings us to the fight at the Spirit Oasis, the conclusion of their relationship for the season.

There isn't a lot of dialogue or interaction, but what we get is fascinating.

First of all, "Well, aren't you a big girl now" has a similar feel to the taunting in "The Waterbending Scroll", but I think it's interesting how Zuko engages her in a way he doesn't really do with anybody else. Like I said earlier, this is the most he talks to anybody while fighting them (in season 1, anyway).

Second of all, "Hand him over, and I won't have to hurt you" is, again, pretty similar to a line he had during the scroll debacle. And to me, it reiterates the fact that Zuko doesn't really see her as a threat, and also doesn't have any interest in hurting her specifically. Which is kind of an interesting theme between them in season 1.

And, at last, that brings us to the line that started this meta.

"I see you've learned a new trick. But I didn't come this far to lose to you."

Once again, I think this line kind of encapsulates the ideas that 1) he's not going to lose to someone who (as far as he knows) isn't trained enough to be a threat, 2) he's not going to lose against someone who is, in his eyes, just a Water Tribe peasant.

But I also think he's trying to get something of a rise out of her with this line. I think the fact that he has this kind of strange fascination and frustration with her kind of comes out in the fact that he keeps trying to irritate her, both here and in "The Waterbending Scroll". He, despite all reason, cares about her personally more than anyone else on Team Avatar (obviously he cares more about Aang overall, but as a person, I think he cares more about Katara). Which is why he has all these kind of strange and out-of-nowhere lines towards her in season 1. Why he doesn't really act like that with anyone else, least of all Aang or Sokka.

"You little peasant, you've found yourself a master, didn't you." Has an incredibly similar feel to the previous lines.

One thing I would also like to point out: Katara doesn't really talk back to him. In a lot of "rivals" relationships, oftentimes there will be mutual banter to convey the fact that both members are equally invested in the relationship. To convey a sort of familiarity and personal investment. But here, it's mostly Zuko talking.

Now, I don't think this means that Katara is indifferent to him, per se, but I do think it points to the fact that she doesn't have the same strange fascination with him that he does with her. I think certain moments in season 1 have humanized him to her a little bit, but I think that she mostly still has that same personal grudge against him that she had in the beginning.

I don't think she cares about him quite as much as he cares about her.

And that brings us to another famous Zutara line.

"You rise with the moon, I rise with the sun."

Obviously, in story, this has the significance of being at the pool of Tui and La (at around the same time Aang talks to Koh about them). It is a representation of the fact that they are held by this invisible string of fate, a thread that follows them throughout the whole series. Two people from near opposite backgrounds, caught in this dance of push and pull, brought together again and again against all odds. Two people who both lost their mothers by the same man (who was after them in the first place), despite being on opposite sides of the world from each other. Two people who are able to find humanity in their enemy through each other in the Crystal Catacombs. Two people who have striking similarities to the two members of an ancient love story.

But from a character perspective, I find this kind of amusing.

Because, like, what the freak was that Zuko. Why are you waxing poetic at the unconscious girl you just knocked out. Why are you even talking to her in the first place. My guy, you've got shit to do.

To me, at least, it feels like this interesting mix of gloating and subtly acknowledging her skill.

The sentiment of the line is basically "you win by night, I win by day". Which, again, feels weirdly personal coming from Zuko. But also, he is acknowledging the fact that she was able to get one over on him. Which is something I think he would usually be too proud to admit.

Aside from that, there is also this undertone of "I win this time", which is kind of in line with his previous taunting.

It's like he's trying to get a rise out of her, while also allowing her this very subtle nod of respect. Despite the fact that she is, again, unconscious for this.

And that brings me to another theory I have: I think Zuko respects Katara more so than he respects either Aang or Sokka.

With Aang, in this very same episode we have a scene in which Zuko talks to him while unconscious.

"You're like my sister. Everything always came easy to her. She's a firebending prodigy, and everyone adores her. My father says she was born lucky. He says I was lucky to be born. I don't need luck, though. I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight and that's made me strong. It's made me who I am."

He expressly resents Aang for the fact that he's a prodigy, the fact that "everyone adores him" (most civilians they've encountered do automatically take Aang's side against Zuko), and the fact that he's "lucky".

In contrast, he sees himself as the opposite of that: someone who still tries to make it through despite impossible odds. Someone whom things don't come naturally, and someone whom has had to struggle to get what he wants.

And . . . I kind of think he would see a little bit of that in Katara, at least in season 1. Someone who is clearly untrained and unskilled at her bending, but still tries to use it to her advantage. Someone who helps incites a giant prison break with nothing but her words and wits. Someone who steals from dangerous pirates for a chance to finally learn something of her bending. Someone whom he knows is stubborn and defiant and steadfast to her ideals, and who won't back down from a confrontation.

Obviously she is able to master waterbending pretty quickly after learning from Pakku, but it took a lot of hard work to get to that level.

And when it comes to Sokka, I think Zuko mostly views him as a bit of an irritating buffoon. These two always struck me as having the least personal relationship between Zuko and the rest of Team Avatar, at least early on. There isn't really any significant interaction to speak of, and I think, aside from being on opposing sides, they both just feel mildly annoyed with each other.

From Zuko's perspective, I think Katara is the only one of his opponents (or acquaintances, for that matter) whom he cares about without actively resenting.

And when it comes to someone who has had little interaction with people his own age for years, I think it would make sense that he would feel the slightest bit of interest in her, even if she was his enemy.

Which brings us to their final interaction of the season.

The only two things I think are of note here are "Here for a rematch?" (which, again, does feel slightly personal in a way it doesn't have to), and Katara's input on whether or not they should leave Zuko to die.

For the latter, I find it interesting that Katara doesn't comment here. She doesn't object to Sokka saying they should let Zuko die, but she also doesn't object when Aang says they should bring him with.

I personally think it's more a matter of ambivalence rather than indifference. Again, Katara has the most personal grudge against Zuko out of the three of them. I don't think she's sure if she wants him to die or not. She wants to keep Aang safe, obviously, but she's also a very naturally compassionate person. She resents him and sees him as the face of the Fire Nation, but she also knows, on some level, that he's not actually the worst person they've faced before. Nor is he someone with the allies or resources to get out of this situation without help.

So, much as she dislikes him (and despite the fact that he had almost just taken Aang away right out from under her), she poses no objection to him coming aboard Appa.

And that is their last interaction until season 2.

I think there are a lot of seeds planted here that come to fruition, both in season 2 and in season 3. Through the Crystal Catacombs and beyond.

First of all, Katara's personal resentment of Zuko carries through to season 2. She's generally the first person to bring him up, and she has a pretty strong reaction to seeing him for the first time in Ba Sing Se.

And then there's obviously the Crystal Catacombs.

"You're a terrible person! You know that? Always following us! Hunting the Avatar! Trying to capture the world's last hope for peace! But what do you care? You're the Fire Lord's son. Spreading war and violence and hatred is in your blood!"

But in the Crystal Catacombs, and in "The Chase" for that matter, there is also a continuation of the thread of Katara having at least some level of sympathy for Zuko.

She is pretty quick to apologize for yelling at him after extremely little dialogue, and after he does betray her, she explicitly says that she had trusted him.

And, again, we see that even when she doesn't think well of him, she also doesn't believe he's a liar. He kept his word at the Southern Water Tribe, he didn't hurt her in the pirates incident, and she knows that he doesn't have the same lying, manipulative streak that his sister has.

She believes him when he tells her about his mother instantly, and she believes he's really changed. She's hurt when he turns on her.

As for Zuko, I think the Catacombs (and like the entirety of the back-half of season 3) is the culmination of a lot of the threads begun here.

First of all, I think their interactions in the Catacombs really illustrate how Zuko has come to think of her.

First of all, I think the fact that he actually reaches out to her, even after she was yelling at him, is definitely a product of his character arc up 'til this point. But I think it also continues the thread of Zuko having . . . not quite a fondness for Katara, but something almost akin. He believes she has integrity, and he trusts the fact that she will speak her mind and not lie to him. And I think after the moment in "The Chase" when she offers to heal Iroh, especially, he believes she is kind (even if he did lash out at the time).

She is the first person we ever see him allowing to touch his scar, after only a couple minutes of conversation, no less. And even if nothing really happened, the Catacombs mattered to him. The fact that she reached out mattered to him. Her opinion of him mattered to him.

Heck, this is his expression when he sees her by his door in "The Western Air Temple".

He was happy to see her, and it genuinely affected him to realize she hadn't forgiven him.

Zuko works for her acceptance of him harder than for anyone else, and in the end, she's the one he wants to fight beside him when the world is burning down. Something she accepts without hesitation.