Is Maiko A Weak Romance

[Winter]

This should be interesting. I'm going to say, yes, Mai and Zuko in The Last Airbender is a weak romance that adds nothing to the characters and, for me, feels shallow and rather toxic and almost abusive on Mai's part (though that is directly Mostly at the comics not the show (key work MOSTLY)). I my first real issue is that the relationship comes out of nowhere. For anyone who thinks Korrasami has no real buildup, you're wrong but even if you're not it's got NOTHING on Maiko.

We have a 2 episodes in Book 2 that make it clear that Mai has a thing for Zuko but ZERO indication that Zuko even thinks about Mai. Sure, there's the since where he tries to save her from a tiny family on an apple (what was up with that) and that's it. Zuko never mentions her or shows any sign that he even knows her NAME in the first two seasons. Sure, that's a bit understandable given that he's focused on finding Aang to prove himself worthy to his father but let's compare this with Korrasami for a moment.

In After All These Years, Asami clearly is looking forward to seeing Korra again, saying quote "I can't wait to see her again" and the look she has makes it clear that seeing Korra again is something that makes her happy. In Korra Alone, Asami offers to go with Korra to the North Pole to help anyway she can in Korra's recovery. Asami is the only one to ask Korra how she's doing and that she misses her and Asami is the only one who Korra writes back to. Later in Enemy at the Gates we get a subtle moment where Asami goes to the statue of Korra in Avatar Korra Park (note that Asami helped rebuilt the city should that statue might have been made by Asami along with naming the Park after her future girlfriend). And in Reunion the two show signs that their feelings for each other have grown beyond friendship with the two having a close embrace and Korra blushing when she complements how Asami looks snazzy.

And aside from one argument Korra and Asami spend the rest of the episode working in perfect sync while Mako struggles to keep up. Then in Remembrance Asami reassures Korra that she has made a difference as the Avatar and that she is needed which, with a little help from Tenzin, helps to life Korra's spirits which is a rather important part of her arc. And this isn't getting into all the time they spend together in Change (about 75% of their screen time is spent together) which helps to show how much the two are growing closer together.

Mai and Zuko, get one since together in Earth and we get less then a minute of screen time of the show hinting that there's something between them and then only on Mai's part. Then at the start of Fire the two are now a couple... And the out of nowhereness of this along with Mai handwaving Zuko's self doubt (which does NOT help him BTW) doesn't give this pairing a good first impression. Most of their time is basically just them going "We're so in love" until The Beach where Mai shows distaste for anything and everything Zuko does and Zuko gets angry at Mai for talking to a guy who's flirting with her.

As I mentioned in another post these two have a number of arguments that are never addressed or resolved in the show but we're expected to just assume everything will work out because of "Love". Again, to point to Korrasami the couple does have a few fights BUT they work through those issues even before they start showing signs that they're starting to fall for each other.

Korra apologizes to Asami for thinking she was a prissy rich girl, Asami directs her anger at the Love Triangle BS at Mako and never at Korra. Asami apologizes to Korra for kissing Mako while Korra was gone (despite the fact that Korra and Mako had broken up by that point and she only kissed him in a moment of weakness) and Korra apologizes to Asami for kissing Mako while he WAS dating Asami. In Reunion the two have an argument but put that issue to the side because of the current crisis but Korra DOES Apologize to Asami later and Asami assures Korra that she (Korra) doesn't have to apologize for anything.

Mai, gets angry at Zuko for leaving her and calls him a traitor to the Fire Nation and while she does save him, it's made clear that she's angry at Zuko for not putting her above all else and only gets back with him as long as he doesn't put her second ever again. An exaggeration you say, it was just a joke and that's not what she actually said. Nope, in the comics Mai breaks up with Zuko (who's trying to keep his country from falling apart, has had several assassination attempts on his life and is trying to prevent another war from breaking out) because he once again isn't putting her above all else. Sure, that's the reason she makes it seem like Zuko is being a selfish idiot when he's the one in the right as stated by the comic itself so it comes off less like her leaving because she can't watch him destroy himself and more "How dare you for not treating me as more important then an entire country!!!"

And it gets worse because Mai continues to insult, belittle or demean Zuko every time they interact and shows more sympathy to someone who's AGAINST Zuko.

Again, with Korra and Asami, Asami and Korra recognize that the two have responsibilities and that they need to sometimes let the other do their job and that doesn't diminish their love for one another they just realize that they have to do what's best for the world and that their relationship is not more important then their duties.

Mai is a spoiled rich brat who can't stand the idea of not being the center of Zuko's world and that has only gotten worse in the comics and wasn't that good in the show IMO.

So, for me, Maiko is a bad romance that adds nothing to either Mai or Zuko and, IMO, only weakens both characters.

But that's just me, what are your thoughts on this ship?