The Autonomous Flying Boars: Toph, Opal, and the Meaning of Freedom
I think there’s a more profound point as to why Toph likes Opal a bit more than her other grandchildren—Opal, in particular, is the most liberated from the Beifong legacy, both figuratively and literally.
Baatar Jr. was always weighed down by the expectations of his parents, Suyin and Baatar Sr., and that eventually pushed him into Kuvira’s arms as he sought purpose outside their influence. Huan, while eccentric, seems content to remain within Zaofu, and Wing and Wei, despite their mischievous streak, are still deeply tied to their mother, almost functioning as extensions of Su rather than striking out entirely on their own.
Opal, though, is different. Like Toph once was, Opal yearns for freedom—she loves her family but also wants to leave Zaofu and forge her own path. She didn’t stay behind in her mother’s city or bend to its structure; instead, she joined the Air Nation, embracing a life of travel and purpose beyond her Beifong name. And it’s important to remember that Toph sees everything through the spirit vines—she knows, even from a distance, that Opal longed to be "away." Even if they hadn’t seen each other since Opal was a little girl, Toph would have been aware of her struggles, frustrations, and desire to break free.
Bolin: "You know what? Maybe I am scared. But what about you? I know that you want to go to the Northern Air Temple to train with Tenzin, but you haven't done it, because you're afraid too!"
Opal: "You know what? You're right. I don't want to leave my family and disappoint my mom."
This idea of independence is also why I think Toph identified with and got along better with Suyin than with Lin, despite Su arguably being more of a “problem child” in her youth. Toph has always valued freedom above all else—she ran away from her overbearing parents, rejected traditional roles, and carved out her own life on her own terms. Suyin, in her own way, did the same thing. She made mistakes but ultimately escaped Toph’s shadow and built a life for herself. Toph understands and respects that kind of independence, which is likely why she forgave and reconnected with Suyin much more quickly than she ever did with Lin.
It probably doesn’t hurt that the two Beifongs Toph gets along with most—Suyin and Opal—are the ones who finally broke the family’s cycle. Toph rejected her parents’ control but ended up raising her own kids with a whole new set of issues. Lin became the dutiful, law-abiding daughter, much like her grandparents, while Su rebelled just like Toph. Then there’s Opal—a Beifong who found balance. She didn’t have to fight against her family or live up to its legacy; she chose her path because it was what she wanted.
