Can't justify the way everyone is looking at me

Everyone else went on a life-changing field trip with Zuko....

These two have some great interactions and form a really interesting (if slightly awkward) friendship. Having met Iroh in season 2 (S02E08, "The Chase"), Toph knows that, no matter how awful Zuko acts, he is loved very deeply by his uncle. She also doesn't have the emotional baggage of being chased around by Zuko in season one, so she's much more able to accept him as a possible ally when he changes sides (S03E12, "The Western Air Temple"). She's practical enough to cut through the other kids' arguments and point out that Zuko represents Aang's best chance to learn firebending.

Toph's blunt, outspoken personality meshes really well with Zuko's grumpy exterior. While Zuko seems somewhat embarrassed to get stuck with Toph while everyone is searching for Aang (S03E18, "Sozin's Comet, Part 1: The Phoenix King"), he's also pretty careful about waving away her long commentary on her troubling childhood...and Zuko's not the sort of guy who bothers to make nice if he doesn't care about the person he's trying not to offend.

Toph and Zuko have a real sibling-like relationship similar to the one Sokka and Katara have: They respect and like each other, but are also annoyed and confused by each other. Neither kid has ever had a really supportive family, so they manage to create one together, along with Sokka, Katara, Aang, and Suki. I would've loved to see them interact more, but even the small moments we get are great.


←  back