#commentary: jet

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Breaking Down Character: Jet

In an attempt to better understand how to structure a story and character arc, I’ve decided to to break down the main Avatar cast by doing a couple of writing exercises.

So, in the next couple of posts, I will attempt to do the following:

I will identify the wants, needs, and motivations of the core Avatar cast.

I will identify the lie that each character believes. Where this is not relevant, the truth the character believes will be mentioned instead.

I will identify each person’s character moment.

I will identify whether that person has a positive change arc, a flat arc, or a negative arc, and I will explain my reasoning for it.

I will give an example of one scene and one sequel pertaining to each character.

Character-Oriented Questions

The lie the character believes: All steps must be taken to defeat the Fire Nation, no matter what the cost. Symptoms of the lie: Anger and ruthlessness. What the character wants: To get rid of the Fire Nation occupation The thing the character needs: To move on and realize that indiscriminately going after Fire Nation citizens is unjust. The ghost: The death of his parents at the hands of the Fire Nation. Character moment: "One day, we'll drive the Fire Nation out of here for good." Type of character arc: Jet has a negative character arc and fits best into a variation of the disillusionment arc. This is the most fitting arc for him because he clings to his lie and is not fully able to accept the thematic truth of the show. His inability to embrace the thematic truth causes his downfall. 

Scene

Goal: Jet is trying to expose Zuko and Iroh as being from the Fire Nation. Conflict: Jet is fighting Zuko, but Zuko is refusing to use his bending. Disaster: Jet is arrested by the Dai Li.

Sequel

Reaction: Jet is obsessing over Iroh being a firebender and wants to expose Iroh and Zuko as being from the Fire Nation. Dilemma: Jet wants to come up with a way to successfully expose Iroh and Zuko as being from the Fire Nation and is growing increasingly impatient. Decision: Jet attacks Iroh and Zuko in their tea shop.

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🔥 Jet

Jet was not redeemed in Lake Laogai. Yeah, sure he claimed he’d changed and that he was a different person, starting over etc, but he never really apologized for the wanting to flood a town thing or lying to Kaara about it.

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🔥 Iroh?

Iroh gets a pass and Azula does not because Iroh expressed remorse for his evil deeds while Azula still has not. End of discussion. Same goes for Zuko, Jet, and Hama. Zuko has expressed remorse for his actions while Jet and Hama have not. Yon Rha, on the other hand regardless of whether or not he meant it, is still a pathetic sack of shit. 

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I also feel like it's about more than just expressing remorse. Iroh and Zuko are actively trying to redeem their bad deeds. I think if he'd had more time, Jet *could have* ended up on the right path, but most of the rest either have no regrets and/or aren't acting on making things right.

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Yeah, I’d always wanted Jet and Zuko. I knew that would be a great combo at some point, and we finally had a good reason to have them together when we figured out that there were going to be all of these refugees going to Ba Sing Se and stuff, it made sense that they could have run into each other on the, on this ferry to Ba Sing Se.

Michael Dimartino (x)

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I like how with Joo Dee you can almost see a bit of resistance, which implies that she's been struggling with the Dai Li for a while now In contrast, Jet, who is new to the Dai Li’s brainwashing, quickly gives in. 

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A nice little parallel between Aang/Iroh, and Jet/Zuko which involves some really nice camera transitions and sound parallels with Zuko’s frustrated yelling mirroring Jet shouting as he attacks Aang. 

And, as we’ve mentioned before: Zuko is temporarily able to let go of his obsession while Jet cannot.