Iroh - Plot Overview

Plot Overview

When the story begins, Iroh is shown accompanying the banished Prince Zuko, searching in vain for the Avatar, the embodied spirit of the planet. Upon discovering the Avatar and his friends, Zuko and Iroh pursue them throughout the serial's first season. At the end of season 1, Iroh is Admiral Zhao's chief adviser for his invasion of the North; but when Admiral Zhao threatens their world's spiritual balance, Iroh attacks Zhao and is subsequently blamed for the failure of the invasion.

At the beginning of Season Two, Iroh and Zuko are fugitives from the Fire Nation, and take refuge in the Earth Kingdom. Iroh later teaches Zuko certain advanced Firebending techniques necessary against Princess Azula, including one to absorb and redirect lightning, developed after studying Waterbenders. Iroh and Zuko eventually reach Ba Sing Se, the Earth Kingdom's capital, where they live operating a tea-house until Azula convinces Zuko to help her conquer the city and defeat the Avatar. There, Iroh defends a wounded Aang and Katara after Zuko betrays him, and is imprisoned by Azula's new allies, the Dai Li.

In season three, Iroh—held in Fire Nation prison—refuses to talk to Zuko after what he did at Ba Sing Se, but eventually reveals that Zuko is descended from Avatar Roku. Though he poses as a psychologically broken man to the Fire Nation guards, Iroh remains mentally sharp, and when not observed he spends his time exercising his muscles. During a solar eclipse, he escapes prison. In the series finalé, he has reunited with the international Order of the White Lotus, and eventually forgives Zuko and declines his own right to the Fire Nation's throne. He later liberates Ba Sing Se from Fire Nation control. In the final scene, he is seen with the rest of the cast, relaxing at his new tea shop.

In the sequel series The Legend of Korra, Zuko's grandson (therefore Iroh's own great-great-nephew) is named Iroh and is a member of the United Forces.