r/ATLA • u/CTYankee1788 • 7d ago

Discussion I've always wondered about this scene.

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The way Azula worded herself made it seem like disobeying her and waiting for the waters to calm was the smarter decision. If they went against her orders, they'd have a chance of survival, but if they followed her orders, they'd die for sure. Maybe the captain figured that Azula's wrath would be worse than death, which is believable. Iroh and Zuko thought that too. But Azula didn't imply that in this conversation. She only brought up chances of survival.

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u/Heroright 7d ago

It’s meant to convey that Azula presents herself as an intellectual, but she’s an abject fool. She disregards what a seasoned veteran says, she lords over the threat she possess—not because of her, but because of her father—, and ultimately loses Zuko because of it while still posturing like it’s someone else’s fault; and nobody can object to her.

The series perfectly weaves the fact that Azula isn’t as smart as she thinks she is, but she’s an expert at reading situations and leveraging her status of position over people to get what she wants; even if what she wants won’t work.

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u/Comfortable_Clerk_60 6d ago

Honestly Azula herself reminds me of a quote, “Intelligence without wisdom is worse than stupidity.”

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u/Heroright 6d ago

It even ultimately culminates with her being made Fire Lord, and now her tantrums have clear repercussions because she no longer has someone else to leverage. She has all the power, and her word is law; and she proceeds to do nothing right—again even throwing out her wisest advisors because they talked back.

Ozai kept his advisors on a leash, and listened to them. Often he wouldn’t do what they said, but keeping people smarter and more experienced than you close is the best thing you can do as a leader.