A Response to My Response
Well, I re-evaluated Defeated and was kind of shocked with some of the aspects of it. I don't think that I will rewrite it, only because for the most part people seemed to like it and for the people who responded candidly: thank you so much. This piece was a complete experiment and I wanted to see how my views would be accepted by the fellow Avatar community. Anywho, the reason I was shocked was mostly like what Rashaka had written. I reread Zuko's dialogue and for the most part I realized that it wasn't Zuko bitching at Katara: It was ME! I mean—think about it. Has he ever really said anything mean to Katara? No. Has he ever condemned her to death (ha!)? No. I totally messed him up. A lot of people said that Zuko was mean. I made him out to be a complete bastard. Wow…sorry everyone!
I was happy with Katara, though. I'm sorry if I really offend anyone, but seriously: Katara is the most under developed character in the whole show. Well, maybe Aang. Anywho, she seriously needs to…I don't know….GET A LIFE! I don't mean to trash on people, but good God. Katara tries so hard to be on top of everything. She gets on Sokka's case about wanting to be the leader, when she herself seems (in my mind) to always enforce her will. And she is a complete snot to her brother. She talks to him as if he was a complete moron, but did anyone see her put the explosions in the Fire Nation temple doors (ep. 8)? No. Did she use better judgment with Jet (look at the boy, he practically has twigs growing out of his head, he's been living in those trees for so long)? No. She is impulsive, rude, haughty, and completely naïve and stupid. I mean—what kind of idiot puts their hands under their arms right after they get burned? For goodness sake's, she's right next to a river. Never mind that about 70 of your body is made of water and you're a WATERBENDER, Katara. No, of course you didn't know that you had healing abilities. Of course you didn't because you're a moron.
Now on to trashing Zuko (and then myself, I swear). Normally, I don't say bad things about him because he's the best character in the whole show, but sometimes he gets to be a little monotonous for me. He's like a broken record, "The Avatar…Avatar….AVATAR…". When he and Zhao interact, or him and other Fire Nation people, or even when he's bickering with Iroh, I feel I can relate perfectly. All of his annoyance at being surrounded by people that can't perform as well as he'd like and the constant feeling that no matter what happens, you never give up, ever is something Zuko and I share in common. But still, sometimes, I just want to throw my shoe at the TV and say, "OKAY! WE UNDERSTAND! You need to capture the Avatar. That's very nice! My God, can't you comment on the weather or something! GET A LIFE!". I don't know. Maybe I'm the only one who feels that way.
Lastly, more self examination. I realize that although I made Zuko out to be a not so healthy blend of my annoyances and his…character, I guess, I am generally happy with this fic. I do not think that I will continue with this. This was intended to be a one-shot and so it will remain…sorta. I have many more fics out that are just waiting to be finished (and reviewed), so I believe I will stick to those. I liked writing this fic because it was a complete experiment and it gave me a clue as to how the Avatar community was doing these days. Thanks again to everyone who reviewed. It was very nice of everyone to take the time to read and actually have some amount of critical thinking going into the response. Thanks.
And so ends: A Response to My Response.
CaLa (Ann-gran) (annA) (Kodocha13)