S. Prianka Khan

August 2015

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By the end of the series Zuko and Katara function as each other’s confidante. I think this really strong bond between them is a very new and wonderful thing for both of them. Neither of them have experienced the level of trust and comfort that they have here before, at least with anyone else who was not a blood relative.

But this connection starts all the way back in COD, when they are still technically enemies. Even when they are technically enemies, they are able to openly communicate and be honest about something that is a very serious and private issue for both of them. The fate of their mothers. Remarkably, Zuko also talks about how he feels about his scar - this is something that he never does with anyone else, in the entire series, ever. 

considering how this topic was approached their canon relationships and how big an impact their mothers had on Zuko and Katara’s personality - then I think this is a very telling thing.

Aang is outwardly very flippant the one time Katara mentions the fate of her mother in season one. She never tries to confide in him over her feelings about lost mother again in the series, in fact she barely mentions her mother to him again. considering that Aang has lost his parental figure in gyasto - I think some more “you know, I lost my mum too” would be expected.  When the subject of her feelinsg over her mother come up in TSR, she snorts that Aang “wouldn’t understand” *

*Ten points for guessing who would understand. 

Mai is outwardly flippant to almost everything Zuko says. She has almost no fucks to give. and why should she - if she doesn’t really care for his life story.

 So Zuko and Katara are able to be very honest with each other about very deep, sad things from their past - the very things that were a catalyst for both of them growing up too young…and what is more remarkable: even when they are both enemies -  Both of them validate each other’s emotions and see each other as people. they probably see each other much more clearly that their canon partners.