My thoughts go here 💖

What Zuko would gain from Zutara

Zuko would gain a partner he can confide in:

Katara: Are you okay? Zuko: No, I’m not okay. My Uncle hates me, I know it. He loved me and supported me in every way he could and I still turned against him. How can I even face him?Katara: Zuko, you’re sorry for what you did, right? Zuko: More sorry than I’ve been about anything in my entire life. Katara: Then he’ll forgive you. He will.

Rather than someone who shuts him out.

Zuko: I’ve got a lot on my mind. It’s been so long. Over three years since I was home. I wonder what’s changed. I wonder how I’ve changed. Mαi: (yawns) I just asked if you were cold. I didn’t ask for your whole life story.

Someone who tries to heal his pain:

Zuko: I used to think this scar marked me. The mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I’ve realized I’m free to determine my own destiny, even if I’ll never be free of my mark.

Katara: Maybe you could be free of it.

Instead of someone who avoids it.

Mαi: Zuko, it’s just a dumb meeting. Who cares?

Zuko: I don’t.Mai: Well good. You shouldn’t. Why would you even want to go? Just think about how things went to the last war meeting you went to.

Someone who has faith in his judgment:

Katara: What are you doing? She’s playing you. She knows she can’t take us both so she is trying to separate us.

Zuko: I know. But I can take her this time.Katara: But even you admitted to your Uncle that you would need help facing Azula.Zuko: There’s something off about her, I can’t explain it but she’s slipping. And this way, no one else has to get hurt.Katara: [nods]

Rather than someone who distrusts him at the first opportunity.

Someone who shares his friends:

Katara: Get over here, Zuko! Being part of the group means being part of group hugs.

Instead of bashing them behind their backs for no reason.

Someone who gets her hands dirty:

Toph: You guys need some help?

Katara: Toph, help me plug up this drain!

Rather than someone who refuses to.

Mαi: Ughh, disgusting!

Ty Lee: Come on, you heard Azula.We have to follow them.Mai: She can shoot all the lightning she wants at me, I am not going in that wall sludge juice.

Someone who puts her feelings aside for the greater good:

Aang: Katara?

Katara: I’ll go along with whatever you think is right.

Rather than putting the greater good aside for her feelings.

Someone who would be an amazing mom:

Instead of a terrible one.

Someone who makes imprisonment better:

Instead of worse.

Someone with strong convictions:

Katara: Earthbenders! You don’t know me, but I know of you. Every child of my water tribe village was rocked to sleep with stories of the brave Earth Kingdom and the courageous earthbenders who guard its borders.  Some of you may think that the Fire Nation has made you powerless. Yes, they have taken away your ability to bend, but they can’t take away your courage and it is your courage they should truly fear! Because it runs deeper than any mine you’ve been forced to dig, any ocean that keeps you far from home. It is the strength of your hearts that make you who you are, hearts that will remain unbroken when all rock and stone has eroded away. The time to fight back is now! I can tell you the Avatar has returned! So remember your courage, earthbenders, let us fight for our freedom!

As opposed to none.

Mαi: I don’t believe in auras. Zuko: Yeah, you don’t believe in anything. Mαi: Oh, well, I’m sorry I can’t be as high-strung and crazy as the rest of you.

Someone who helps Zuko’s family:

Zuko: Get away from us! Katara: Zuko, I can help!

Instead of endangering them.

Someone who flings ice daggers at the guy who betrayed her …

… Instead of the guy she is dating.

Someone who stands up for the powerless:

Katara: No. I will never, ever, ever turn my back on people who need me!

As opposed to abusing them.

Mαi: You know what will make you feel better? Ordering some servants around! I might be hungry for a whole tray of fruit tarts! And maybe a little palanquin ride around town… Double time!

Someone who apologizes for her mistakes:

Katara: I’m sorry I yelled at you before.Zuko: It doesn’t matter.Katara: It’s just that for so long now, whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face.Zuko: My face. I see.Katara: No, no, that’s not what I meant.

Rather than turning her mistakes back on him.

And who gives everything she has to a relationship …

… instead of only taking.

He would gain someone who has his back:

Rather than someone who stabs it.

Especially when he’s done everything he can for her.

Most of all, he would gain a partner who appreciates his efforts:

Katara: But I am ready to forgive you.

Katara: I think I’m the one who should be thanking you.

Rather than someone who never appreciates anything about him, ever.

Mαi: Orange is such an awful color.

Mαi: Why would I want that?

Mαi: Thanks. This is really … refreshing.

And who doesn’t have to threaten him to stay with her.

What Katara Would Gain from Zutara

[Edited to add “Bato of the Water Tribe”! Thanks, @adifferentcupofzutara!]

Katara would gain a partner who would help her with household duties without being asked:

Rather than someone who leaves the chores to her while he shows off for his fangirls.

Katara: Watching you show off for a bunch of girls does not sound like fun.Aαng: Well, neither does carrying your basket.

She would gain a partner who shares parental responsibilities …

Katara: Aαng, don’t walk away from this.

Zuko: Let him go. He needs time to sort it out by himself.

And acts like a father:

Zuko: Keep in mind, these are dual swords. Two halves of a single weapon. Don’t think of them as separate, because they’re not. They’re just two different parts of the same whole.

Rather than someone who IS a parental responsibility …

And acts like her son.

Katara: What do you think, Aαng? Do I act like a mom?Aαng: Well, I…Katara: Stop rubbing your eye and speak clearly when you talk!

Katara: My goodness! That doesn’t sound like our Kuzon.

Katara: I’ve been training Aαng for a while now. He really responds well to a positive teaching experience. Lots of encouragement and praise. Kind words. If he’s doing something wrong, maybe a gentle nudge in the right direction.

She would gain a partner who respects her personal boundaries: 

Katara: What are you doing?!Zuko: Keeping rocks from crushing you.Katara: Okay, I’m not crushed. You can get off me now.

Zuko [retracts his arm so Katara can move away from him]: I’ll take that as a thank you.

 Rather than someone who transgresses them.

Katara: Aαng, I’m sorry but right now,  I’m just a little confused.

Katara: I just said that I was confused!

Someone who sees her as an ally:

Zuko: I can handle Azula. Iroh: Not alone. You’ll need help.Zuko: You’re right. Katara, how would you like to help me put Azula in her place?

And not a possession.

Actor Zuko: Wait.  I thought you were the Avatar’s girl.

Aαng: [nods] 

Someone who waits for the right time to talk:

Katara: You look terrible. Zuko: I waited out here all night.

Rather than pushing her:

Katara: Because we’re in the middle of a war and we have other things to worry about. This isn’t the right time. Aαng:  Well, when IS the right time?

Someone who understands how much she needs her family to be there …

Katara: Dad.Hakoda: Hi, Katara.Katara: How are you here? What is going on?

And puts their needs over his:

Sokka: No, I’m staying. You guys go. You’ve been here long enough. Suki: I’m not leaving without you, Sokka. Zuko: I’m staying too.

Rather than someone who disappears when she depends on him …

Katara: He left. Hakoda: What?Katara: Aαng. He just took his glider and disappeared. He has this ridiculous notion that he has to save the world alone. That it’s all his responsibility. Hakoda: Maybe that’s his way of being brave.Katara: It’s not brave. It’s selfish and stupid. We could be helping him. And I know the world needs him, but doesn’t he know how much that we need him too? How could he just leave us behind?

And puts his needs over theirs.

Sokka: This is the map to our father! You had it the whole time!? How could you?

She would not only gain a partner who, unlike her canon love interest, sympathizes with the loss of her mother:

Katara: Well, I just want you to be prepared for what you might see. The Fire Nation is ruthless. They killed my mother and they could have done the same to your people.Aαng:  Just because no one has seen an airbender doesn’t mean the Fire Nation killed them all. They probably escaped.Katara: I know it’s hard to accept.Aαng: You don’t understand, Katara. The only way to get to an airbender temple is on a flying bison, and I doubt the Fire Nation has any flying bison. Right, Appa?

Katara: I don’t?! How dare you! You have no idea what this war has put me through. Me personally. The Fire Nation took my mother away from me.

Zuko: I’m sorry. That’s something we have in common.

Katara: But, we were too late. When we got there, the man was gone.  And so was she. Zuko: Your Mother was a brave woman.

Katara:  I know.

But who trusts her to deal with anger and pain in HER way …

Rather than pestering her to do things HIS way.

Aαng: Katara, you sound like Jet.

Aαng: Katara, you do have a choice. Forgiveness. 

Aαng: It’s okay, because I forgive you.  That give you any ideas?

Aαng:Let your anger out and then let it go. Forgive him.

Aαng: You did the right thing. Forgiveness is the first step you have to take to begin healing. 

Ironically, a partner who understands that some things are more important than romance!

Aαng: Katara is in danger! I have to go.

Guru Pathik: No, Aαng! By choosing attachment, you have locked the chakra! If you leave now you won’t be able to go into the Avatar State at all!

Zuko: Stop! This isn’t about you. This is about the Fire Nation.

But who would still die for her in a heartbeat …

Rather than risk her life (and everyone’s) to retain his moral purity.

Most of all, she would gain someone who sees her for who she is:

Rather than who he wants her to be.

Credit: not raynna on TikTok

Fix that, Hollywood.

Because I'm gonna be VERY real here: I am not the type of person who likes R-rated movies, and I feel like 90% of Seb's movies outside of the MCU are rated R. 😬 So personally, I'd love to for once see him appear in something more family friendly, which is more of my thing haha. 😅

I don't use the term lightly. She is continuously gaslighting Adrien regarding Gabriel, even strongarming the people who knew Gabriel to be her accomplices. She had Alya lie in her place because she didn't want to do the dirty work.

She doesn't trust Adrien. Sublimation happened because she was afraid Adrien would replace her with Sublime, despite supposedly knowing him on a deep level. She shattered his rings in Werepapas, risking killing him in the process, because the previous lucky charms didn't give her the answers she wanted to hear, despite that not being how lucky charms worked. She admitted both in Mister Agreste and Heartfixer that she's more concerned with her guilt, her difficult emotions over Adrien's grief, to where in the former, she was going to uproot his life again to make herself feel better (Nathalie rightfully shut that down), and in the latter, she hides the letter from him. Oh, and she tried to talk him out of therapy.

She's his abuser now. Abuse isn't just physical wounds and scars. Ultimately, it's about control, even if you think it's for their own good. She is controlling him. I can't believe Astruc made his flagship romance an abusive romance, and I'm doubly baffled he wants the viewer to agree with her.

"Marinette's motivations revolve around Adrien, the writers clearly prioritize him" ML is a romance. The female leads in those almost invariably have motivations connected to their love interests. That doesn't suddenly mean said female leads stop being main characters, or that the writers are centering their LI over them.

"Does Adrien deserve to hand out Miraculous" Handing out Miraculous shouldn't even be a thing, wtf are you on about? No team-based show allows characters to pick and choose their teammates.

"Marinette should take away this character's Miraculous" See above, with added 'Y'all have gotten too comfortable with Marinette having insane amounts of power over her teammates pretty much no other superhero is ever afforded.'

"You're getting mad that Adrien was kept out of the final fight and Marinette lying to him when you had no problem with Harry Osborn" Harry didn't have powers, so him not being in the final fight made sense. Also, the lie ended with Harry becoming a full-on supervillain, so unless you want to imply Adrien's going to become the next Hawk Moth, you're not making the comparison you think you're making.

"Marinette constantly embarrasses herself, the writers must hate her" If she was any other hero, yelling at a girl over petty romantic drama in the middle of a public park would end with a video of that outburst being all over the internet, Nadja running a news segment on why she's not qualified to have superpowers, and losing the spellbook just for good measure.

So many arguments that are some variation of "Marinette comes across badly while Adrien doesn't suffer the same issues" can be answered with "that's because she has more screen time and focus."

She makes more mistakes? That's because mistakes are the inciting incident in most episodes and requires the character to fix those mistakes by the end. That means at least one of the plots of the episode needs to be dedicated to that character and often it just serves as a focus episode to them. Now count the number of episode that focus on Marinette vs ones that focus on any other character, including Adrien.

She constantly embarrasses herself? That's the comedy part of the rom-com. Comedy protagonists are the most common punchline in their shows. This goes double when the protagonist does morally dubious things, because then making them the punchline makes them a likeable character rather than a grating one.

Her love quest attempts are portrayed as jokes while Adrichat's attempts are portrayed seriously? Adrichat's feelings are given a few focus episodes where they're treated seriously and are barely mentioned the rest. Marinette's feelings are mentioned almost every episode and are often used as the plot shenanigans. Those are the jokes. In the episodes where her feelings get focus rather than being part of the normal status quo of shenanigans, that's when they're treated seriously.

She makes serious bad decisions while Adrien is perfect? That's because she's given the agency to make decisions while Adrien isn't allowed to be much more than the passive princess. When would he even have the opportunity to make bad decisions with the same magnitude as Maribug's? Nevermind that when a main character makes a bad decision like this, it requires follow up exploration to see the consequence, which once again requires screen time.

Marinette is always blamed for things that aren't her fault? Because she's the one always in focus and so the one who always has to learn the lesson of the day. The writers fudge things so that the inciting incident and the lesson learned are vaguely in line with one another to keep the episode structure which results in Marinette often taking responsibility over things that weren't directly her fault but that she kinda made a mistake in that general vicinity.

I've even seen people pointing at Maribug facing any obstacles at all as proof that the writers want to humiliate her. Which is nonsense because facing obstacles is just a function of being a main character.

So many of those "proof that the writers hate Marinette" are actually the result of the writers liking her too much and never allowing anyone else in the spotlight. As a result she ends up having to fulfill so many competing narrative roles over almost all the episodes and so she gets everything. All the mistakes, all the glazing, all the embarrassment, all the character exploration, all the bad decisions, all the agency, all the obstacles and all the awesome moments.

"I have to tell Adrien the truth because the guilt is eating me alive"

"What if Adrien is overcome with emotions and he kisses me?"

"If I don't tell Adrien the truth I'll have to break up with him"

and never

"It would put Adrien in danger if no one tells him that he could die if his amoks end up in the wrong hands"

"Adrien needs closure and time to grieve after both his parents died"

"I don't care if I'm the villain, Adrien deserves to know the truth"

like. it's not hard. The bar isn't even there since this type of story arc isn't new and there's probably many, many articles/books/site pages that can tell you beat for beat how this plot should go. ML writers but the bar on the floor and then started to dig a hole big enough for them to stand around and congratulate themselves underneath it.

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Yeah, like, Marinette's motivations have been NOTHING but selfish throughout this entire plotline. It's all about how tough things are on HER, how SHE'S feeling about all this and what the consequences might be TO HER. Like, boohoo, cry me a river. AND she IS crying, constantly, in almost every episode, mascara smeared and tears on her face, ugly crying about how hard lying to Adrien is when SHE ALONE made the decision to do so, against everyone else's advice not to.