i know its been a week or so but . . . may you please elaborate on the ty lee x zuko thing? i won't lie, i don't really see it, but i'm willing to be convinced, and you basically single-handedly made me ship jetko, so i have a feeling i know how this will end.
I'm so glad you asked anon! Here's a long ass reply. Let's talk about Ty Lee x Zuko (TyZu?)
First their outward personalities have that opposites attract going on for them. Ty Lee, outwardly, is this very bubbly (at times can even be described as this ditzy) girl who talks about auras, energies, and the universe. Then, at the opposite end you have Zuko, a boy who's easy to anger, loud, and genuinely hostile demeanor. Zuko is someone who takes everything seriously and pairing him up with someone who doesn't seem to take anything seriously at all is fun. The dynamic of the Moody One and the Happy One is a pretty common trope and I think it's an interesting thing to see with pink and bubbly Ty Lee and dour asshole Zuko.
However, this pairing doesn't just go skin deep. No siree. What makes this pairing super interesting to me is that their inner selves and motivations kind of complement each other too. You have these two characters who feel like they have to prove themselves. Zuko wants to get his honor back and he will do whatever it takes to make it so. Ty Lee wants her independence, wants an identity that's only for herself and not a matched set like her sisters.
In a way they have a similar problem with family, you look at Zuko wanting to prove himself at par or better than Azula. You have Ty Lee who literally joined a circus just so she can set herself apart from the rest of her family.
The way they project themselves to world is opposite to each other too. Zuko wants to show the world that he's strong and he's powerful so he tries to project that. Sometimes his arrogance and hubris causes him to fail. But with Ty Lee, she projects this air of smiley nonchalance. Like she has no care in the world and that's by design. She wants people to think that so they can underestimate her and let their guard down because as we see in the beach episode, she's always watching.
Speaking of the beach episode, remember when Ty Lee said "I know you" to Zuko. So, what if after the whole debacle at the bon fire, Zuko decides to figure Ty Lee out too? Zuko who puts up no facades so Ty Lee sees right through him, takes a step back and figures out who Ty Lee really is what parts are an act and what parts aren't. Zuko does this because he's angry that someone would have the gall to even think that they knew him and what he's gone through. What if along the way Zuko does relate to her because of the aforementioned reasons above and they find someone who understands. Ty Lee gets someone who finally sees her and her hidden depths which makes her lose her footing. And Zuko would have someone who could actually understand him.
Anyway, yep so those are some thoughts about Ty Lee and Zuko.
