JJ wakes up Aang in a dramatic fashion that, while successful, also wakes up Katara, Zuko and Toph, the latter of whom is quite annoyed. Unable to get back to sleep, Katara gets out of bed and checks on Zuko. Zuko's playing Pai Sho against Iroh and losing, because neither of their minds are completely on the game.
They're talking about Zuko's coronation, most likely now that they know who will be taking the throne. Instead of the Coronation Plaza, which is still burnt out from the Agni Kai, it will be held on Reunification Square, which was built after a civil war as a symbol of unity.
Pakku sends the two a message informing them, among other bits of important news, that Kuei has been found. Katara understands the significance of it, as the principalities are divided apart from their desire to make the Fire Nation pay; they can't even agree on how or to what extent. Now that Kuei's back, it gets all of them under one leader (which would also likely enable them to get a stronger bargaining position), who can keep them in line as if they were squabbling children. Pakku hopes Bumi will help on this regard, despite being unsure how much use he will be.
Pakku mentions that with the Earth Kingdom reunited, peace negotiations can resume, but they will do so in Ba Sing Se, since the Earth Kingdom does not want to come to enemy territory, and they want to see the Fire Nation's commitment. As might be expected, getting them to agree on that is difficult.
Pakku says that he understands things are difficult in the Fire Nation, but he'll still have to sort things out quickly, before the window of opportunity closes, which means crowning a firelord (Pakku knows how Iroh feels) and getting a delegation to Ba Sing Se ASAP.
Pakku says that Arnook of the Northern Water Tribe is willing to come, and asks Hakoda to come as well, although he already sent a letter. Pakku also sends Sokka and Katara his love, which is a bit jarring compared to the rest of the letter.
All this about the peace treaty is fairly dry and boring, so it's no surprise that the animators cut it out of the show. Again, The Promise nicely touched upon this, although most of the actual work will take place in The Rift and onward.
Those present read the letter, and Zuko notes that his coronation will have to happen soon, not seeming very pleased about that fact. Iroh confirms this, saying that now that the Earth Kingdom has its king, the Fire Nation needs a Fire Lord. Zuko suggests that this will be rushed so that he's on the throne as soon as possible, like a fireblast wedding, and Iroh says that those weddings might be fun.
Katara asks what a fireblast wedding is, and hears that it's essentially a Shotgun Wedding, only with a "fire blast" wielded instead of a shotgun (which seems like a poor analogy, given that you should assume that benders are essentially armed at all times) to force the groom to marry the pregnant girl, lest they be killed and their deaths made to look like accidents. Zuko doesn't want his wedding to be that tacky, but Iroh says that he had the best sex of his life at one such reception. Katara does a spit take over how bluntly Iroh said this, and Zuko looks aghast, noting that he'll need two whiskey sours to forget that, but it's too early in the morning for alcohol or stories about Iroh's sex life.
Zuko adds that Iroh shouldn't talk about that in front of Katara, but Iroh says that "miss Katara" (it's a bit odd that he's calling her that, since most ATLA characters don't have last names) is like family now. Katara, for her part, doesn't mind, finding it a good change of pace from her tribe, and remembering when Suki shocked her by talking about sex as if it's normal. Katara's also glad that the inappropriate things Iroh says can snap Zuko out of his funk.
Zuko doesn't want to talk about Iroh's sex life, to the point at which he prefers talking about the coronation that he doesn't want. Zuko says that the one good thing about a fireblast wedding is that it's over quickly, and there's no time for frivolities, like glitter explosions or fireworks in the shape of fireworks. Unfortunately, Iroh, always having expected Zuko to be Fire Lord, had the time to prepare such things, and when Zuko complains, Iroh says everyone loves fire ferret shaped fireworks, including a younger Zuko, who once went to the May Day festival with Iroh, Lu Ten and Azula. Iroh's about to elaborate when Zuko insists that Katara doesn't want to hear it, although once again, Katara does want to hear.
Iroh says that Zuko could use a good coronation, and the Fire Nation could use a big event after all the uncertainty that resulted from the longest period without a sitting Fire Lord. Zuko points out that he wants to do his coronation his way, not with Iroh's over the top celebrations or Ozai not even reciting "the scared oaths". Iroh's glad to see that Zuko's starting to accept this rather than "bitching" about it, and he has some ideas of his own. Of course, Iroh has already arranged for a giant feast, a celebratory ball and fireworks, among other things that he can't back out of. Zuko, quite annoyed, tells Iroh to make a list of everything he's arranged, and Iroh, knowing Zuko likes lists, goes off to do it.
Zuko, alone with Katara, says this is why his uncle is 800 million times more embarrassing than "Sir Hakoda." He doesn't argue with Katara finding Iroh "great," but wishes he'd have more time to sulk about this.
Katara notices that he's tired and cranky, and Zuko notes that while he's "stupid" at politics (resulting in Katara insisting that he's not, and him amending it), he knows that one's coronation, which is why he's tired. Katara notes that the real reason is that he's still recovering from Azula's lightning, and knows that he hates feeling tired all the time, considering that he had energy before. With that in mind, Katara scolds him and tells him that Fire Lords need their sleep.
Zuko says that his studying bore fruit, including that Ozai broke a taboo when he held his own coronation while his dead father was still burning on a pyre("literally two seconds" after it), despite usually having to wait at least a day after the fires went out, and skipped the sacred oaths (promiss to be a good leader), turning out to be "an impatient and terrible leader."
Zuko wants to be crowned "old school style" with Aang there, as the Avatars crowned the Fire Lords unless they were too young to do it, with the Fire Lords pledging to the Avatars to uphold the balance of the world. Sozin broke with the tradition, much to Katara's surprise, as he'd been friends with Roku at the time. Zuko wants to bring the tradition back, although it does sound like something the author made up.
Kyoshi had been there for eight coronations over the course of her long life, and Yangchen got quite drunk at her best friend, "Firelady" (again, it's unisex; Azula would be and Izumi is Fire Lord) . While neither Zuko nor Katara want to repeat Yangchen's example (especially Zuko, who thinks it will be embarrassing enough), Zuko wants Aang there to give his blessing.
Iroh agrees as he comes back with a list of everything he's already arranged for, even if the dates haven't been fixed at this point. He says that there will be a coronation, a giant party, fireworks and more partying. Iroh and Zuko argue whether the event should be "big and loud and fun" or "small and tasteful and proper", whether it should be a meal or canapes (they choose canapes), the type of music the type of music (they choose the flameos at Katara's suggestion), and whether streamers everywhere is excessive.
Aang arrives after training with JJ, and is "delighted" about resuming the precedent of past Avatars helping out, and is clearly more excited about Zuko's "big day" than Zuko himself.
Zuko says it's not about him but about ending a century long war and starting a new era, which means peace, inclusion and tolerance are important. He says including the Avatar would be conducive to all that. Aang agrees, and seems excited to be at a coronation. He asks to include fruit tarts and pies, like Air Nomads do at every celebration, and Iroh says yes, indicating that it would enable them to have food from around the world.
This is a small, but effective change of pace. Normally, Aang's culture has been used as a way to cause conflict between him and the rest of the Gaang, largely because since Aang's the last Airbender, no one holds his culture in the same importance as he does.
Toph wakes up, and Iroh takes the opportunity to ask about her preferences as far as snacks go, and she obliges in spite of her initial confusion. When asked for suggestions, Toph says games, especially those with money or prizes, would make things less boring, and the idea proves popular. Toph, Iroh and Aang brainstorm some more ideas, resulting in the event getting bigger and bigger, a process Zuko makes futile attempts to stop, until he ultimately gives up, deciding that his efforts are counterproductive.
As Zuko says this while sexily stretching back, Katara notes that Zuko will ultimately say what he wants here, and suggests that if he can't make the event as small or tasteful as he wants, he can make suggestions to it (a good suggestion, certainly more proactive than "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.") Zuko says he has only two requests- Aang's involvement and for Iroh to not sing the hedgehog song- and he most likely won't get the latter.
Zuko says he's worried about Aang "blessing him," (not elaborating on why), but says it has many benefits. It's a traditional yet progressive symbolic gesture, enables Zuko to make Aang the center of attention and people like Aang, to the point of wanting to give him milk and cookies and take him home with them.
While Zuko's a bit sarcastic about the last point, Katara knows where coming from on that point, since she did take him home and give him seal jerky. Zuko says he honestly does hope the "Aang-factor" works on the Fire Nation, since some have "funny ideas" about him. Katara asks him to elaborate, and Zuko, after confirming that Aang's distracted talking to Iroh and Toph about a giant trampoline, says it's because of the Siege of the North.
Katara has to admit that she forgot about that, and knows that Aang's still in the dark about how many casualties the Fire Nation suffered back then. Zuko says people would be frightened of Aang after being on the receiving end of such a display of power (which was actually done by the Ocean Spirit after Zhao killed the Moon Spirit, although the Fire Nation most likely doesn't understand this), but the Fire Nation must accept Aang, who's Avatar for the entire world, not just the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes.
Katara thinks Zuko's better at diplomacy than he gives himself credit for. Zuko appreciates this, but says he doesn't know if he can say the same for politics. He doesn't want to become a slimy politician, and Katara says that he is too obsessed with his honor to be able to tell a lie. Zuko gives somewhat sarcastic thanks for this, but Katara insists that it's a compliment.
Hakoda comes by, "ostensibly looking for Sokka" (which, oddly enough, is in quotes in the story), and Katara knows that he has something else in mind. Apparently, however, it's not about her this time, as she says Sokka's still asleep and will be down when he's ready so that he won't walk in on him having sex with Suki.
Iroh has Hakoda sit with them while he waits for Sokka, and invites him to join the planning process, particularly with regards to Water Tribe cuisine. Iroh almost immediately comes to regret doing so, as Hakoda proposes stewed seaprunes, that disgusting food we heard about all the way back in Stalking Zuko, and Iroh's too polite to let slip his true feelings on the matter. Iroh does, however, subtly ask for alternatives, and Hakoda lists a few dishes that Katara can cook. Iroh appreciates it, but says Katara, as a war hero, does not need to cook; she can give Lenka the recipes and entrust her with the task. Hakoda hopes Lenka's up to the job, but says the cooks are good at giving the Water Tribe warriors "salty meat and lots of it."
Over lunch, Hakoda brings up another delicious meal, and invites Iroh, Zuko, Aang and Toph to a traditional Water Tribe dinner (or at least as close as they can get to it) tomorrow night. The occasion is Bato introducing Ming to his girlfriend and his culture. Since Bato considers Hakoda's childen to be family, and they consider the Gaang family, they're invited, and Hakoda considers Iroh welcome as well. Since Iroh's friends with Ming, and the Gaang aren't from the Water Tribes, Hakoda believes Ming will be comfortable in an occasion that isn't a "water tribe sausage fest".
Iroh's happy for the invitation (and a chance to eat Water Tribe food, such as the slow simmered seal belly Pakku mentioned), and happy for Ming (since he considers Bato a good man). Zuko, Toph and Aang are less enthusiastic, though, since they've tried Water Tribe cuisine, especially seaprunes. Aang honestly says that he's a vegetarian and asks if there' s vegetables, a request Hakoda grants. Toph chimes in, falsely claiming to be a vegetarian to get out of eating the sea prunes, and while Hakoda doesn't believe her, he doesn't call her out on it.
Zuko thus is put in a difficult situation, being forced to choose between claiming vegetarianism, which would insult Hakoda, or being polite and eating the seaprunes. He chooses the latter, and with a pointed look at Aang and Toph, says that he's not a vegetarian, is sure the food will be delicious, and would love to come. It hardly seems fair for him to implicitly criticize Aang for politely asking for Hakoda to provide accommodations for his culture, something Aang is well within his rights to do.
Iroh asks Hakoda if he received Pakku's letter. Hakoda confirms hearing from "the old curmudgeon," and the conversation shifts to the Ba Sing Se peace conference, including arranging two ships- one to take the delegation to Ba Sing Se and another to take everyone who doesn't need to be there back home.
Hakoda asks how Iroh's planning on traveling there, and Iroh says it's by ship, even if it's a bit slower than Pakku would like. Aang proposes using Appa, but Katara says there's a few too many people for him. Hakoda suggests using the airship, and refitting it to accommodate everyone, since it's quite fast.
Hakoda asks Iroh about the suggestion to "talk amongst themselves," which he finds patronizing. Iroh notes that Pakku is often that way without meaning to be, and simply wants the Fire Nation and Southern Water Tribe to be ready for the negotiations, unlike the fractured Earth Kingdom. Iroh particularly wants Zuko and Hakoda to chat as leaders of their respective nations, and Hakoda is quite enthusiastic about this, since he wants to talk with Zuko about something important. Zuko asks if he means now, and Hakoda says that he will talk now if Zuko has the time while meaning that he very much wants to talk. Katara realizes that Hakoda is going to have his man to man talk with Zuko and there is nothing she can do to stop it, and while Zuko mouths "don't worry" at her, she points out that she is very worried.
What I liked
- Aang's desire to include his culture being taken seriously and appreciated.
- Aang being thought of as important to the process.
- Zuko getting over some of his anxiety over becoming Fire Lord.
What I didn't like
- The peace process is fairly dry and boring.
- More of Iroh's sex life.
- Zuko apparently thinking little of Aang's request for vegetarian cuisine.
