#i’m back on my ‘the ember island players disgusies itself as a filler episode’ agenda

[zukosdualdao]

i know there’s a lot to be said about the ember island players in general, but the whiplash at the ending is SO intense in such an interesting way. katara brings up the fact that it might not be a good idea to go, but they insist it’ll be fine and even when they’re upset with the performance for the insecurities it brings out, it’s all still very mundane upset.

but in the scene where zuko gets killed by azula, suddenly, everything shifts. they all look HORRIFIED. it is a stark reminder that they are in enemy territory, surrounded by people who would cheer their deaths. i think it’s actually very notable that zuko dies first, too, and that this is what triggers the change in tone, because he is FROM THIS NATION, HE USED TO BE THEIR CROWN PRINCE, and now, because they see him as a traitor, because he is on the other side, his death is something celebrated. if that’s how they think of HIM, what will they do when it’s everyone else’s turn?

the answer: nothing good. people are similarly celebratory when aang dies, and then there’s actor!ozai’s whole big speech about how nothing can stop him now and the fire nation’s glory and burning the world to ash, etc. and once again, just, sheer horror on all of their faces. which, fair! who wouldn’t be horrified in their shoes?

it’s also a reminder to our heroes (and, in fact, to the audience) of how deeply-ingrained the proganda in the fire nation is. because that’s fundamentally what this play is, despite the silly overtones. entertainment isn’t actually the point, even before the ending. it’s a byproduct, certainly, but if you look at how every character and interaction is performed, there’s a very clear intention: make these people look incompetent and ridiculous. why the hell would you want to root for these guys when you could root for the honor and glory of fire nation victory? is the point.

the arts can be used this way, to spread dangerous propaganda that warps information, as much as the lessons we see in a fire nation school aang goes to in “the headband.” there are kids YOUNGER than even aang or toph at this play, all internalizing these messages early. and it’s been this way for a long, long time.

it’s, imho, very important to understand that these are the stakes the characters are ending on before the finale.