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Randomness

@capricorn11797

everything is weird in some way

I find the difference in Sam and Bucky's responses to Isaiah very interesting. Bucky initially seems to think of him as almost a tool or a resource, to go back to when they're out of other options. Sam's immediate response when they leave Isaiah's house is to ask why, for decades, nobody knew there was a Black super soldier. Sam instantly recognizes and expresses the racial element inherent to that conversation, especially since from his perspective, Bucky likely seemed to be thinking of Isaiah as an asset instead of a person.

And Bucky responds with "I didn't tell anyone, because he had already been through enough." This is something I have a lot of thoughts on. Was it Bucky's right to decide that for Isaiah? What if talking about it could have gotten him released? Gotten him some justice? Was it too late for that after Bucky came back to himself, or should he have tried anyway? Would Bucky saying something have been giving Isaiah his agency back, or removing the last of it (Isaiah clearly did not want people to know he even existed, so by throwing him into the spotlight, would it have been going against what he wanted)?

It's an inherently complex decision to make, but in the end, I think Bucky said what he did because he knew that for himself, a fellow super soldier who was tested and experimented on without his consent, he would have wanted to be left alone. That's what he wanted in Wakanda, and he wanted to give that same consideration to Isaiah. That's why he came to him as a last resort: he didn't want to treat him like an asset.

Isaiah never got the chance to express what he wanted, because he was forced into things he never wanted to be part of. And that's something that both Sam and Bucky can relate to: Sam, as a Black man, and Bucky, as the Winter Soldier.

And I think this highlights the core of the show--that is, that Sam and Bucky have two very different perspectives on life, because of how different the two of them are, and that the world interacts with them in very different ways that make it difficult for them to understand each other. As it relates to Isaiah, Sam sees what Bucky doesn't, which is that leaving the Black super soldier in obscurity had negative consequences because of racism (consequences for Isaiah on a personal level, and probably for Black people on a societal level). Bucky sees what Sam doesn't, which is that when you go through something like what both he and Isaiah did, you don't want to have to fight anymore. And because of their very different backgrounds, they're only able to understand their differences when they communicate about it.

I think that's what the therapy session was about as well. Sam tells Bucky that he doesn't, and can't, understand why he gave up the shield; Bucky tells Sam that he doesn't understand why what happens to the shield means so much to Bucky. Both of them are justified in their pain, but neither of them know how to express it well, and instead, they end up hurting each other.

I think the show will focus on exploring both of their perspectives and showing them come to an understanding that they are very different, but that that can be a valuable thing, if they only learn how to utilize it. And I think that can even be extended to the viewers--given our different backgrounds, we'll all notice and analyze different things about the show and what it portrays, and as long as we're willing to have conversations about it, that can be a way for all of us to learn.

Fire Lord Zuko passing a law that forbids challenging anyone under the age of majority to Agni Kai

Fire Lord Zuko waiting until the day he reaches the age of majority to pass this law, lest anyone think he is a coward

(No one. Literally no one would have thought that, but it’s generally regarded as a very classy move regardless)

Wait but also, until then, if anyone under the age of majority is challenged

Zuko fights it for them.

Which, especially in more rural towns (where Agni Kais are less of a public event and more of a fast and violent duel) is terrifying because you challenge your neighbor’s kid over a stolen chicken-fish and all of a sudden the Fire Lord is showing up???

But, those few who still challenge those who should be kids learn quickly to regret it.

Okay but this implies that Zuko knows whenever someone challenges a kid to an Agni Kai and is there before the battle takes place.

Firelord Zuko: *wakes up in a cold sweat near midnight*

Firelord Zuko: *running down the palace hallways while still struggling to put in his pants, being chased by his team of bodyguards* I’M GOING TO HING WA ISLAND TO KICK SOMEBODY’S ASS SEE YOU IN A WEEK BITCHES

Random spirit: Why’d you do that to him? Isn’t it kind of a stretch for a mortal to be blessed like that?

Agni himself: I felt like it

how dare you leave this gold in the notes

Mina: Imagine if someone handed you a box full of all the items you’ve lost throughout your life.
Jack: It’d be nice to get my sense of purpose back.
Akiza: Oh wow my childhood innocence! Thank you for finding this!
Yusei: My will to live! I haven’t seen this in 5 years!
Crow: I knew I lost that potential somewhere.
Kalin: Mental stability, my old friend!
Mina:
Mina: I'm calling a therapist.
Axel: People are really out there thinking I won’t smash a wine bottle over their head.
Zexion: I recommend a beer bottle or a glass tumbler. Wine bottles are very hard to shatter and are more likely to split the skull open and cause permanent “attempted murder” type damage, and you want to teach them a lesson, not like, become a convicted felon.
Axel: Nice, thanks for the tip! I’m not a coward and can carry a body, but this could help someone else!