Post by Aubrey Pedersen on Feb 3, 2006 17:50:37 GMT -5
Okay, I had to watch Jet again. It is definitly my favorite episode by far. I had a thought though.
Jet is a foil character for Sokka. After watching the episode three times, I don't know that anything could change that idea for me. Jet is what Sokka could very easily have become if he'd chosen a different way.
I'm convinced that both Sokka and Jet saw their parents (mother) die. Jet all but says that to Katara when he said that the Fire Nation killed his parents when he was eight. Sokka gives other clues in his relutance to even mention that his village was attacked- never mind that he has never said a word about his mother. Another important clue, in my mind, is that so far we haven't seen Sokka's reaction to his mother being mentioned. When Jet asks him to remember, we don't get to see Sokka's reaction or hear his thoughts about it. He will not and does not talk about her in a manner similar to Jet's reluctance to talk about his parents to anyone but Katara.
Katara also mentions their mother in the first episode to Sokka, but the picture isn't good enough that we can see Sokka's face (at least not that I can find). Katara mentions that "ever since Mom died, I've been doing all the work around here while you've been off playing solider!" Doesn't that remind you of Jet? He said the day his parents died changed his life. I can't believe that Jet was that horrible a person always, and I think that day was when he decided he would have revenge no matter what it took.
Both Sokka and Jet are leaders based on doing what they think is right, as well. They both plan (Jet obviously was the one that planned to blow the dam as the other freedom fighters seemed a bit hesitant at first) and they both do define themselves as warriors.
The difference, then, has to be in the choices they made. Sokka chose to remember that his enemy was human, Fire Nation or not. He refuses to become what he so desperatly hates- his hatred seemingly only matched by Jet based on what Sokka shows the first few episodes. For Jet there is no distinction. For him the Fire Nation isn't human, and because he is he can get away with doing the same thing they do and have it not be wrong.
The fact that Sokka has that potential to become what Jet is, is part of what makes him human and such an intriguing character. He's very borderline in his choices, and if he let go of his human side, like Zhao and Jet both did, then he could potentially be the most destructive force on either side. Its that choice that makes him good, and the fact that it is a choice what makes Avatar such a great show.
Jet is a foil character for Sokka. After watching the episode three times, I don't know that anything could change that idea for me. Jet is what Sokka could very easily have become if he'd chosen a different way.
I'm convinced that both Sokka and Jet saw their parents (mother) die. Jet all but says that to Katara when he said that the Fire Nation killed his parents when he was eight. Sokka gives other clues in his relutance to even mention that his village was attacked- never mind that he has never said a word about his mother. Another important clue, in my mind, is that so far we haven't seen Sokka's reaction to his mother being mentioned. When Jet asks him to remember, we don't get to see Sokka's reaction or hear his thoughts about it. He will not and does not talk about her in a manner similar to Jet's reluctance to talk about his parents to anyone but Katara.
Katara also mentions their mother in the first episode to Sokka, but the picture isn't good enough that we can see Sokka's face (at least not that I can find). Katara mentions that "ever since Mom died, I've been doing all the work around here while you've been off playing solider!" Doesn't that remind you of Jet? He said the day his parents died changed his life. I can't believe that Jet was that horrible a person always, and I think that day was when he decided he would have revenge no matter what it took.
Both Sokka and Jet are leaders based on doing what they think is right, as well. They both plan (Jet obviously was the one that planned to blow the dam as the other freedom fighters seemed a bit hesitant at first) and they both do define themselves as warriors.
The difference, then, has to be in the choices they made. Sokka chose to remember that his enemy was human, Fire Nation or not. He refuses to become what he so desperatly hates- his hatred seemingly only matched by Jet based on what Sokka shows the first few episodes. For Jet there is no distinction. For him the Fire Nation isn't human, and because he is he can get away with doing the same thing they do and have it not be wrong.
The fact that Sokka has that potential to become what Jet is, is part of what makes him human and such an intriguing character. He's very borderline in his choices, and if he let go of his human side, like Zhao and Jet both did, then he could potentially be the most destructive force on either side. Its that choice that makes him good, and the fact that it is a choice what makes Avatar such a great show.
