Iroh in Book One of ATLA is so funny on the rewatch. “Oh no, nephew, I lost my Lotus Pai Sho tile! Let’s stop for just ten minutes so I can get a new one! Oh, now that we’re here, we should take advantage of these great deals and spend three hours shopping!” And Zuko just puts up with it!
Zuko: “Uncle, stop using your fire-bending to make a hot tub for skinny-dipping! I need to capture the Avatar!”
Iroh: “Ehhh. Five more minutes.”
Zuko: “…Fine! But if you don’t hurry up, I’m leaving without you!!”
Iroh: *take a nap*
(Iroh: *gets captured by Earth Kingdom soldiers*
Zuko: *immediately drops everything to come rescue him*)
Like, putting aside what might be genuinely an act for his nephew’s sake or what might be a cover for his White Lotus involvement, it’s just so funny to me that Iroh spends most of his screen-time on the ship playing Pai Sho and organizing Music Nights which he pouts at Zuko for skipping (to brood in his room, of course). This man is here to have a good time! Undoubtedly Iroh is genuinely involved in the actual running of the ship and of course he’s training Zuko in firebending, but how often Zuko indulges his uncle’s easygoing antics with put-upon teenage outrage and obvious affection is hilarious.
Like, in the Bato episode, Zuko is fighting Aang not even 50 ft away and what’s Iroh doing? Mr. Dragon of the West who is one of the most renowned military generals and firebenders in the world, sir, do you think you should help your nephew try to capture the Avatar and regain his honor? Mr. Dragon of the West who is a Living Legend of the Fire Nation, sir, has it crossed your mind to maybe step in and take care of this threat to the Fire Nation’s conquest of the world and your brother’s throne?
No, Iroh is too busy flirting with the sexy goth bounty-hunter and shoplifting perfume from nuns, of course! Incredible! And Zuko’s just like, “Ugh, uncle, please. This is only to be expected of you, but you’re embarrassing me.”
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