>>98146965>It gave us random wandering-around plotser like?
It was important that Zuko wasn't a part of the group so we could see what's happening in the Fire Nation—so Zuko could hear Ozai's plan and figure out about Sozin's past, so we could get Ember Island, etc etc.
And it gave Zuko's redemption that extra "oomf", it would've been too fast if Zuko turned good in Book 2. Necessary for drama. Necessary for characterization, despite what you may think.
Glad you weren't a writer for the show.