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Goal: Write 1 thought every day re: why I love ATLA (until I finish rewatching the series)

#28: Mai saves the jerk who dumped her in “The Boiling Rock.”

Say what you want about #Maiko (and other Zuko-related “ships” or what have you), but the show actually does quite a good job establishing that Zuko and Mai care deeply about one another. Bryke are not known for writing the most compelling romances, but they actually do quite a bit of setup on Zuko and Mai, from the childhood blushing, to Mai’s secret smile in “Return to Omashu,” to all the moments they had together in early Book 3 when Mai lent a sympathetic listening ear to the moody Zuko.

And in “The Boiling Rock,” we see how truly hurt Mai is by Zuko’s betrayal:

And that she is willing to save the “jerk who dumped her” from a hot, boiling death:

And, more importantly, stand up to Azula to do it. Look at how fierce her eyes are here when facing Azula’s fiery wrath (and a possible untimely demise):

Mai’s betrayal of Azula triggers Ty Lee’s betrayal, and essentially starts Azula’s downward spiral. Azula responds with uncharacteristic lack-of-coolness here, for example, and is completely caught off guard by Ty Lee’s chi blocking:

Azula: I never expected this from you. The thing I don’t understand is why. Why would you do it? You know the consequences.
Mai: I guess you just don’t know people as well as you think you do. You miscalculated.  I love Zuko more than I fear you. 
Azula: No, you miscalculated! You should have feared me more!

She is starting to lose control – not just over her friends, but over herself: 

I love that the show both established Mai’s love for Zuko, and also the relationship between Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee, and used both of those to their full advantage in this pivotal scene.  Great scene.