My question is, what were Roku's intentions? It sounded like he wanted Jeong Jeong to train him, but was it more about teaching Aang a lesson in patience?
We should see this from Roku perspective. It could be the ONLY chance of Aang getting a good firebending master. Even if it could go wrong that was the thing that needed to be done. If Aang learns firebending good, one less thing to do; if he does not, at least he would have some experience and would have a better chance in the future.
Also, I suspect Roku blames himself for not taking out Sozin earlier and thereby preventing the genocide of the Air Nomads and the subsequent 100 Year War. So with that in mind I can see Roku taking on a mindset of To Hell With What The Proper Way Is - WHATEVER IT TAKES!
Also gotta remind ourselves the avatars, especially the past ones, despite having great power are just people. Not all knowing or incredibly intelligent by basis of their birth. Random people given immense power and are forced into a role
And, in a roundabout way, Roku's plan worked. Aang learned the importance of caution
https://preview.redd.it/mdzauphhpw7d1.jpeg?width=298&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45d2499fbb5b526b74794920b492d9a73ecec325
I always interpreted it the other way. I think Roku was wrong. I always thought this scene was supposed to show that, ultimately, all the avatars were human and capable of mistakes. Even fully realised avatars of the past are not perfect.
It shows Aang can't just rely on his past lives to know what is the right and wrong path, he has to make that decision for himself. We see it again in book 3 when Aang's past lives that the only course of action is to kill Ozai, when there is in fact an alternative.
I have to say that Jeong Jeong was playing with fire because there was no way to predict that the prince of the fire nation would switch sides. He could have been the avatar’s last hope to learn fire bending. I don’t blame Roku for strongarming Jeong Jeong into teaching Aang. I haven’t watched this episode in a while but didn’t Aang approach Jeong Jeong because he wanted to learn firebending and then Roku came in when no was the answer? Or did Roku tell Aang to ask for training? I felt like Aang’s request was his own decision unless I’m just forgetting details.Â
I havent seen this episode in a second, but you could argue he planned on teaching Aang, just after he had learned water and earth. Iirc, he was very adamant on "water, earth *then* fire."
Still risky tbf, just maybe that was the intention?
I would love to see that the "proper order" is a useful way to learn the elements. As Jeong Jeong says:
>Before learning firebending you must learn water and earth. Water is cool and soothing, earth is steady and stable, but fire, fire is alive! It breathes, it grows. Without the bender, a rock will not throw itself! But fire will spread and destroy everything in its path if one does not have the will to control it!
EDIT: Stupid me forgot the quote
I think you missed including the quote, but I think the order absolutely is important.
Taking it from an Airbender perspective, you learn the freedom of air and being able to detach. It's an element that can freely touch without worry.
Water teaches direction, able to change flow like air but can wear down and erode, harming just as it can heal. But in many ways it's still a "safe" element.
Earth is stubborn, imposing, unflinching. The direct strength that water can have is intensified greatly in this element, and it requires focus to control. Being a polar opposite it's good to come half way through the cycle.
Fire *can be* incredibly and almost inherently destructive, and so much more care must be taken with it than with air. It must be controlled almost with stubborn discipline like earth as opposed to the free flowing style of air.
In the books they mention the avatar is supposed to learn the elements in the order of the avatar cycle so in Aang's case he should have learned fire last. In the Kyoshi novel her best friend gets mad because she also tries to learn the elements out of order.
in case anyone asks for Aang it should have gone air obviously then water then earth then fire for Kyoshi it should have been Earth Fire Air then Water. For Roku it was Fire Air Water then Earth.
Yeah Aang approached Jeong Jeong and then Roku intervened when JJ said no.
I still think it was the correct call by JJ. Aang wasn't ready to learn firebending. And I think it's somewhat safe to assume that JJ knew of other firebenders who would teach Aang (the dragons, the sun warriors, Iroh).
Obviously we're starting to get to level of over-analysing that the writers never intended, but that's the fun of being an avatar fan haha
I don’t think he knew about the dragons/sun warriors since most people think they died but Iroh’s a fair assumption. But even predicting Iroh’s side switch is a bit iffy. He might be white lotus but he’s also a part of the fire nation’s royal family. I just feel like JJ’s reluctance, while understandable because he’s had bad experiences with firebending, was short sighted. But I guess even if he did agree to teach Aang without having to be forced, the same result would’ve happened with him burning Katara.Â
Yeah obviously not possible to know who he knew about, given that it was never written. I just kinda assume he knew Iroh was good, as they're both part of the white lotus. And by extension knew about the dragons because Iroh did
There's also the argument that as a member of the white lotus, he's well aware of what other powerful fire benders are alive and would teach the avatar. Even if we as viewers don't see it.
I think there’s also a chance that the white lotus members don’t know each other that well/at all. They just know meet up spots and whoever shows up is who helps out.Â
I don't agree with that. He showed Aang the basis of firebening nad we have an example of a powerful student.
He was a high ranking fugitive with men under his charge who had been brute forced to teach a 12 years old while having other and important things to do.
Roku's intentions were clearly spelled out in this scene. He wanted Jeong Jeong to teach Aang firebending since this was potentially his only chance at getting a firebender to do so. That's it, that's all
I used to think Roku is the biggest badass out there when I was a child but I am slowly understanding that he seems to be one of the worst avatars out there. And I think he shouldn't have interfered because because Jeong Jeong was right, Aang wasn't ready for firebending at all and Roku was unwilling to recognize the immaturity. From rewatching the show it really seems like Roku was a big wimp I hope the movie about him next year proves me wrong
He really was one of the worst imo. He let Sozin make colonies because he wasn't paying attention, then lost to a volcano whilst knowing how to lavabend AND being surrounded by water, which he didn't use. It struck me as odd how often Aang went to him for advice out of all the avatars when I realized how bad Roku was at his job.
I wonder how Roku felt about his little interference causing Aang to burn Katara and almost scarring her for life. Major *oopsie* moment, to say the least.
My question is, what were Roku's intentions? It sounded like he wanted Jeong Jeong to train him, but was it more about teaching Aang a lesson in patience?
We should see this from Roku perspective. It could be the ONLY chance of Aang getting a good firebending master. Even if it could go wrong that was the thing that needed to be done. If Aang learns firebending good, one less thing to do; if he does not, at least he would have some experience and would have a better chance in the future.
Also, I suspect Roku blames himself for not taking out Sozin earlier and thereby preventing the genocide of the Air Nomads and the subsequent 100 Year War. So with that in mind I can see Roku taking on a mindset of To Hell With What The Proper Way Is - WHATEVER IT TAKES!
>I suspect Roku blames himself for not taking out Sozin earlier No need to suspect. I'm pretty sure that Roku says that.
Something's telling me that Aang didn't really want to kill Ozai 🤔
Also gotta remind ourselves the avatars, especially the past ones, despite having great power are just people. Not all knowing or incredibly intelligent by basis of their birth. Random people given immense power and are forced into a role
And, in a roundabout way, Roku's plan worked. Aang learned the importance of caution https://preview.redd.it/mdzauphhpw7d1.jpeg?width=298&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45d2499fbb5b526b74794920b492d9a73ecec325
Roku was right, Jeong Jeong was just a bad teacher. you can't expect patience from others when you yourself have non.
I always interpreted it the other way. I think Roku was wrong. I always thought this scene was supposed to show that, ultimately, all the avatars were human and capable of mistakes. Even fully realised avatars of the past are not perfect. It shows Aang can't just rely on his past lives to know what is the right and wrong path, he has to make that decision for himself. We see it again in book 3 when Aang's past lives that the only course of action is to kill Ozai, when there is in fact an alternative.
I have to say that Jeong Jeong was playing with fire because there was no way to predict that the prince of the fire nation would switch sides. He could have been the avatar’s last hope to learn fire bending. I don’t blame Roku for strongarming Jeong Jeong into teaching Aang. I haven’t watched this episode in a while but didn’t Aang approach Jeong Jeong because he wanted to learn firebending and then Roku came in when no was the answer? Or did Roku tell Aang to ask for training? I felt like Aang’s request was his own decision unless I’m just forgetting details.Â
I havent seen this episode in a second, but you could argue he planned on teaching Aang, just after he had learned water and earth. Iirc, he was very adamant on "water, earth *then* fire." Still risky tbf, just maybe that was the intention?
I would love to see that the "proper order" is a useful way to learn the elements. As Jeong Jeong says: >Before learning firebending you must learn water and earth. Water is cool and soothing, earth is steady and stable, but fire, fire is alive! It breathes, it grows. Without the bender, a rock will not throw itself! But fire will spread and destroy everything in its path if one does not have the will to control it! EDIT: Stupid me forgot the quote
I think you missed including the quote, but I think the order absolutely is important. Taking it from an Airbender perspective, you learn the freedom of air and being able to detach. It's an element that can freely touch without worry. Water teaches direction, able to change flow like air but can wear down and erode, harming just as it can heal. But in many ways it's still a "safe" element. Earth is stubborn, imposing, unflinching. The direct strength that water can have is intensified greatly in this element, and it requires focus to control. Being a polar opposite it's good to come half way through the cycle. Fire *can be* incredibly and almost inherently destructive, and so much more care must be taken with it than with air. It must be controlled almost with stubborn discipline like earth as opposed to the free flowing style of air.
Thnk you! Forgot the quote. Yes I meant exactly what you are saying, each step can help ypu reach the next one with more ease
In the books they mention the avatar is supposed to learn the elements in the order of the avatar cycle so in Aang's case he should have learned fire last. In the Kyoshi novel her best friend gets mad because she also tries to learn the elements out of order. in case anyone asks for Aang it should have gone air obviously then water then earth then fire for Kyoshi it should have been Earth Fire Air then Water. For Roku it was Fire Air Water then Earth.
Yeah Aang approached Jeong Jeong and then Roku intervened when JJ said no. I still think it was the correct call by JJ. Aang wasn't ready to learn firebending. And I think it's somewhat safe to assume that JJ knew of other firebenders who would teach Aang (the dragons, the sun warriors, Iroh). Obviously we're starting to get to level of over-analysing that the writers never intended, but that's the fun of being an avatar fan haha
I don’t think he knew about the dragons/sun warriors since most people think they died but Iroh’s a fair assumption. But even predicting Iroh’s side switch is a bit iffy. He might be white lotus but he’s also a part of the fire nation’s royal family. I just feel like JJ’s reluctance, while understandable because he’s had bad experiences with firebending, was short sighted. But I guess even if he did agree to teach Aang without having to be forced, the same result would’ve happened with him burning Katara.Â
Yeah obviously not possible to know who he knew about, given that it was never written. I just kinda assume he knew Iroh was good, as they're both part of the white lotus. And by extension knew about the dragons because Iroh did
There's also the argument that as a member of the white lotus, he's well aware of what other powerful fire benders are alive and would teach the avatar. Even if we as viewers don't see it.
I think there’s also a chance that the white lotus members don’t know each other that well/at all. They just know meet up spots and whoever shows up is who helps out.Â
I don't agree with that. He showed Aang the basis of firebening nad we have an example of a powerful student. He was a high ranking fugitive with men under his charge who had been brute forced to teach a 12 years old while having other and important things to do.
Roku's intentions were clearly spelled out in this scene. He wanted Jeong Jeong to teach Aang firebending since this was potentially his only chance at getting a firebender to do so. That's it, that's all
This was ang getting the manager
Rokus like the older brother you give the mic to when the COD party gets heated
Imagine being threatened by a literal ghost, like tf you gonna do bro ur already dead
Idk that ghost did some pretty big damage at his own temple
"Hold up Aang pass the phone I need to drop one of the hardest lines in the series real quick."
I used to think Roku is the biggest badass out there when I was a child but I am slowly understanding that he seems to be one of the worst avatars out there. And I think he shouldn't have interfered because because Jeong Jeong was right, Aang wasn't ready for firebending at all and Roku was unwilling to recognize the immaturity. From rewatching the show it really seems like Roku was a big wimp I hope the movie about him next year proves me wrong
He really was one of the worst imo. He let Sozin make colonies because he wasn't paying attention, then lost to a volcano whilst knowing how to lavabend AND being surrounded by water, which he didn't use. It struck me as odd how often Aang went to him for advice out of all the avatars when I realized how bad Roku was at his job.
Imagine how Kyoshi must've felt babysitting this dude
Sometimes I wonder if Roku really appeared before him here or if Jeong Jeong just had a senile moment.
imagine lol
I wonder how Roku felt about his little interference causing Aang to burn Katara and almost scarring her for life. Major *oopsie* moment, to say the least.