Throughout the last half of ATLA’s final season, we see Zuko questioning his honor, and dreading the thought of facing his uncle who he believes will never forgive him (or, if he does, it will take a while for him to be fully forgiven). We see that even though Zuko has redeemed himself to the audience, he is still burdened by feelings of guilt, and shame which have followed him since leaving Ba Sing Se.

Each time Zuko voices his doubts, and fears regarding his uncle, he’s assured of his uncle’s love, and forgiveness by all the members of the Gaang except for Aang. Despite the support of his friends, it’s not until Zuko’s final confrontation with his uncle, and the aftermath of their meeting that we see that Zuko is finally able to forgive himself (hey, there’s a chakra!), or at least that’s what I speculate.

So, let’s begin!

From The Boiling Rock, Part 1:

The first instance we see of the Gaang’s reassurance is in The Boiling Rock with Sokka telling Zuko that Iroh would be proud of what Zuko has accomplished. In both of these shots, Sokka appears on Zuko’s right, symbolizing his role as Zuko’s guide, or adviser.

Even so, it becomes apparent that Zuko is still haunted by the possibility of his uncle’s rejection, as we see later in The Ember Island Players with this exchange between Toph, and Zuko:

Again, Zuko is on the left of the frame, with Toph (as Zuko’s adviser, and guide) situated on Zuko’s right. However, despite Toph’s assurance that Zuko has indeed redeemed himself to his uncle, we see that he’s still suffering from guilt, and regret, as we see later in Sozin’s Comet.

In Sozin’s Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters, Katara gives Zuko the final push he needs to confront his uncle:

This conversation between Katara, and Zuko especially symbolic given how Katara was the first, and last person in the Gaang to trust, and forgive Zuko. By acting as the final push Zuko needs to face his uncle, Zuko, and Katara’s relationship goes full circle from rivalry, to trust, to distrust, and back to trust again.

This brings us to the biggest feel trip in all of Avatar, so hang on tight:

With uncle, and nephew reunited Zuko finally sees that his uncle has forgiven him. Iroh, like Zuko’s friends before him, again assures him of his own redemption, with the added bonus of Zuko finally seeing that Iroh has forgiven him.

With the forgiveness arc over, Zuko has two more arcs that must be completed: his realization that he has restored his own honor, and his coronation as the new Firelord which marks.

But, before we get there, let’s revisit the Book 2 finale: The Crossroads of Destiny where we get this exchange between Zuko, and Azula:

Zuko in Crossroads is still obsessed with the idea of honor, and his regaining that honor that he believes he’s lost. He doubts his honor not because of his own actions, but because of his belief that honor is something that be given, or taken away. It is only when he returns home that he begins to see the true meaning of honor, that is he begins to see honor as something that one gains through the efforts of oneself by doing the right thing.

As Zuko puts it in The Western Air Temple:

I thought I had lost my honor, and, that somehow, my father could return it to me. But, I know now that no one can give you your honor. It’s something you earn for yourself, by choosing to do what’s right.

Now, let’s contrast Azula, and Zuko’s conversation with what Iroh tells Zuko in The Old Masters:

This conversation marks the completion of Zuko’’s second-to-last-arc.Unlike the situation in Crossroads, Zuko here has stopped cheesing honor as something that can be given by someone else. However, due to the mistakes that he’s made, he’s unable to see that he has redeemed himself through his efforts, and that he has gained his own honor. This is supported by Iroh’s quote about Zuko’s own struggles, and suffering.

Finally, with the war at its end, Zuko completes his final arc of becoming the Firelord, and makes his promise to redeem the Fire nation and help in restoring peace, and order to the world.