Summary

• Paul Sun-Hyung Lee discusses emotional Uncle Iroh moment in Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender episode 4 "Into The Dark."
• Lee praises impactful use of "Leaves From The Vine" in Lu Ten's funeral scene, highlighting Dallas Liu's powerful performance.
• Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender is now available on the streaming service, and is based on the popular Nickelodeon animated show.

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee opens up about Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender episode 4, which incorporated a powerful Uncle Iroh moment from the animated show. The actor portrays Iroh, Fire Nation royalty, uncle to Dallas Liu's Prince Zuko, and celebrated general of the Fire Nation's Earth Kingdom campaigns in the Hundred Year War. Despite his status and former position as the next heir to the throne, episode 4 "Into The Dark" saw a captured Iroh look back on a heartbreaking loss that changed his life forever, shaping him into the man audiences meet in the show's beginning.

When speaking to TheWrap about season 1 of Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation, Lee was asked about the use of "Leaves From The Vine" during Lu Ten's funeral. While there was no talk of Iroh singing the song, Lee praised the scene for its powerful impact, highlighting both the song's incorporation into the funeral sequence itself, as well as Liu's performance during Zuko's touching conversation with Iroh alongside the other flashback sequences. Check out Lee's response below:

There wasn’t to my knowledge. That happens in Book Two, "Tales of Ba Sing Se," which is an anthology series. I honestly don’t know if I could sing that song without crying. It’s very moving. But you’ll notice in Episode 4, when they are doing the flashback to Lu Ten’s funeral in a scene as beautifully played by Dallas, the composer has layered in the instrumental notes. They’re just layered in and it’s so powerful.

I love that during that scene and at the very end, as well, when they’re about to leave the fire nation after being exiled — the two of them on the deck of Zuko’s ship, conversing about home. I love that performance from Dallas. I think I do an okay job. But I think the music really sort of puts the feather in the cap on that and really moves people to emotions.

Lu Ten's Funeral Sequence Depicts A Major Step In Zuko and Iroh's Journeys

Making its debut in the animated Avatar: The Last Airbender's season 2, "Leaves from the Vine" is a traditional Fire Nation lullaby that has been ed down through generations detailing a parent awaiting their child's return from serving as a soldier. In Iroh's tale in the anthology, the general, now hiding in Ba Sing Se, re his son's loss on what would have been Lu Ten's birthday, fighting back tears while singing during the heartbreaking memorial. Behind the scenes, the song and episode itself are also dedicated to Iroh's original voice actor, Mako Iwamatsu, who ed away in 2006.

While it made its appearance earlier in Netflix's adaptation, its use nevertheless adds weight to a pivotal scene. Seen as a coward by Fire Nation nobles for abandoning the Earth Kingdom campaigns in grief and having to hear even his brother, Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim) justify the senseless loss of Lu Ten, Iroh is comforted by Zuko, who throws aside the militaristic platitudes and instead sits beside his uncle, ing his cousin for who he was. Establishing an unbreakable bond between the two, this moment shows just why Zuko and Iroh are different from fellow Fire Nation figures.

"Leaves from the Vine" will always have a special place in the hearts of those who grew up watching Avatar: The Last Airbender for its in-universe and behind-the-scenes significance, and the live-action adaptation gave its use the weight it deserved. While subtle, those who recognize the track will be holding back tears, while the medley adds a somber note to a powerful, character-defining set piece. While Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 isn't confirmed just yet, a reprisal during a potential "Tales of Ba Sing Se" adaptation will have a greater impact due to its flashback use.

Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender is now available through the streaming service.

Source: TheWrap