The tragedy of Sozin and Roku isn't compelling much in itself. However, the sadness of how the Avatar went missing and the relation of it to its two audiences makes this episode decent.
The latter of these is the most standout of the episode. Although it doesn't seem particularly relevant to Aang (he already knows good firebenders exist, and so making the nation a comparison to the person itself seems tangential without tying it back to someone like Zuko), it does seem relevant to Zuko.
Zuko is already seeing how power and reputation leads to only an illusion of contentment and social fulfillment, so I think perhaps it was a good idea to focus on Roku's side of the story for him. Learning of the loss of true friendship and honor (this part could have been developed more) is developed enough with Sozin's perspective, but now Zuko is also faced with the pain and evil experienced from the perspective of those hurt by the Fire nation's greed.
Overall, I would put this just barely above average. Without the cool factor and already very developed characters (mostly because of the plenty of time they've had), the main story of this episode isn't all that compelling. Its storytelling relies too much on exposition, and some parts would do much better by being shown, such as the extent of Roku and Sozin's friendship beyond just naming each other best man, and some parts aren't exposited enough, like the Air Nomad genocide. Hadn't Zuko learned that it was an actual battle and not just a wiping out of monks? It would have at the very least been better to have Sozin say it was a surprise attack, and maybe even act like it was a smart play.
Anyways, the episode is too simple to truly be great. It makes about 7.4/10 to me, a little above average tv.
The latter of these is the most standout of the episode. Although it doesn't seem particularly relevant to Aang (he already knows good firebenders exist, and so making the nation a comparison to the person itself seems tangential without tying it back to someone like Zuko), it does seem relevant to Zuko.
Zuko is already seeing how power and reputation leads to only an illusion of contentment and social fulfillment, so I think perhaps it was a good idea to focus on Roku's side of the story for him. Learning of the loss of true friendship and honor (this part could have been developed more) is developed enough with Sozin's perspective, but now Zuko is also faced with the pain and evil experienced from the perspective of those hurt by the Fire nation's greed.
Overall, I would put this just barely above average. Without the cool factor and already very developed characters (mostly because of the plenty of time they've had), the main story of this episode isn't all that compelling. Its storytelling relies too much on exposition, and some parts would do much better by being shown, such as the extent of Roku and Sozin's friendship beyond just naming each other best man, and some parts aren't exposited enough, like the Air Nomad genocide. Hadn't Zuko learned that it was an actual battle and not just a wiping out of monks? It would have at the very least been better to have Sozin say it was a surprise attack, and maybe even act like it was a smart play.
Anyways, the episode is too simple to truly be great. It makes about 7.4/10 to me, a little above average tv.