Katara wakes up to Zuko apparently breaking up with Mai, only to find out, to his disappointment, that he's roleplaying with Sokka. I know that two competing members of a Love Triangle don't always get along, but they shouldn't be so gleeful at the other's misfortunes with the person they're fighting over.
Zuko and Sokka discuss the various awkwardness involved in Zuko's relationship with Mai, once again bringing up how Zuko locked Mai in a cell (In fairness, he couldn't be sure that she wasn't an enemy, and wanted to ensure that she didn't get labeled as his accomplice). Zuko and Sokka also debate whether to let the girl down gently, as Zuko mentions that a certain someone didn't take it well in the past, greatly confusing Katara as to who it is, and says that the more your soon-to-be-ex reiterates that you're a good person, the more bluntly they'll break up with you, recalling Jin. In spite of her confusion as to whether Zuko and Jin had an actual relationship, Katara is quite excited that Zuko's breaking up with Mai.
Toph doesn't share or understand Katara's good mood, but Aang sees where Katara's coming from (Ironic, given that Maiko's failure means that Katara is more likely to get together with Zuko now), even if he isn't so happy, since Ty Lee brushed him off to see Azula before they leave for Ba Sing Se. Aang's not happy about it, but decides to accept that they'll be Just Friends rather than seeing her as his "forever girl." Katara has mixed feelings, seeing the development as a good one, but wishes that he'd had that attitude back when he was infatuated with her. Katara's annoying reluctance to forgive Aang aside, the reason for that is summed up in two words- Character Development. Specifically, Aang spoke with Iroh and learned a great deal about reading romantic cues, and realized that he was making Ty Lee uncomfortable when he asked her out.
Katara offers some advice of her own. She understands that he's disappointed that Ty Lee isn't his "perfect girl" after all, but says no one is. She suggests that Aang actually take the time to get to know and become friends with the girl he fancies and learn the value of patience. Perhaps without fully realizing it, the author gave on advantage of Kataang as opposed to Zutara- Aang and Katara have overcome many trials together, compared to how Zuko joined the Gaang not long before the final battle. Aang thanks Katara before going to learn some diplomacy from "Sifu Suki."
Katara overhears some bad news from Zuko. Not only did he fail to break up with Mai (he tried the "praise and then break up" strategy, but only got up to the "praise" part), but she got her entire family to come to Ba Sing Se. An argument ensues as to whose fault it is (incidentally, one of the few dialogue scenes shown verbatim), but Katara doesn't care, and ends up arriving at the hospital 15 minutes late, earning herself a scolding from Dr. Yang. Things go From Bad to Worse when Sokka sends her an urgent message informing her of their father coming. Katara hides in the exact worst place, the linen closet, and when Dr. Yang goes to get bandages, Katara's exposed, resulting in Hakoda finding out about her apprenticeship, and Dr. Yang finding out about Katara not telling Hakoda. As might be expected, Dr. Yang lectures Katara about not following simple instructions, and gives her the disgusting job of cleaning a patient's pus.
Hakoda and Katara then have it out, first about Katara not telling Hakoda about it (because Katara's legitimately worried about how he'll take it), and then about the North Pole's sexism and Fire nation medicine. Katara gets through, and they have an emotional reconciliation. Of course, then Hakoda and Dr. Yang have another argument about Dr. Yang being a "hard-ass" with Katara, giving her a well-deserved calling out on her attitude. They emerge from the argument with a newfound respect for one another.
As for Katara, Dr. Yang doesn't assign her any additional punishment, and actually brings herself to say something nice about her progress. Unfortunately, Katara hears that Zuko's going to see Ozai (to interrogate him about Ursa's whereabouts, as he does in Ozai's last scene). To make matters even worse, Zuko rebuffs Katara and insists on time alone in his room when he gets back, although he does listen to Mai's complaints about how her father resigned because of him. Considering that in The Rebound, Mai has No Sympathy when her father complains that he doesn't have as good of a job as he used to, even though other Ozai loyalists were worse off, this is highly Out of Character for Mai- and to think the author has the temerity to lecture Bryke about their characterization. Mai curses the unfairness of how Zuko listens to Mai, even as mean as Mai is, and begins to wonder what Mai has that she doesn't.
Zuko talks with Mai's father about his resignation, and learns that it's actually for his family's sake, so that he can spend time with them. This seems at odds with his characterization as a self-interested Ozai loyalist in the show, and I found his development in Smoke And Shadow more natural- as a result of his plan backfiring, he sees the error of his ways, and while he repents and reconciles with his daughter to some degree, he still ends up going to prison for a very long time.
Apparently, the spending time with the family part is the part Mai has a problem with, not unlike Katara.
The Water Tribe discusses their plans for the meeting, and it's revealed that they resent the North's belief in their own superiority, and their lack of help during the Fire Nation raids, so while they intend to present a united front, they don't want the North to dictate the terms.
Katara and Zuko finally get to talk about Ozai, and Zuko decides to find Ursa without Ozai's help.
In the author's notes, the author once again expresses her distaste for the Nice Guy trope, and for the belief that unrequited love is avoided in the main series and Legend of Korra. I actually don't entirely agree, because Korra showed how relationships don't always work out, but it's entirely possible to move on while remaining friends. I'd also argue that Makorra got more of a fair shake than Kataang (and to a lesser extent, Maiko) did in this fic, so that's yet another thing canon does better than the author.
The author apologizes for the fact that Zuko and Mai didn't break up this time, but says that they will break up for good next time. I'm growing tired of these repeated setbacks, though, which do little but drag out the romance arc.
What I liked
- Dr. Yang getting called out on being overly harsh with Katara.
What I didn't like
- Katara still being hung up on Aang's difficulty in getting over his crush on her, rather than being happy he changed.
- The author dragging out breaking up Maiko
- The author's belief that the Nice Guy gets the girl as a "reward" rather than because she genuinely likes him more.
