Is Ozai an « adult Zuko »?

I through a bit about Ozai. How this little baby on the ember island grew up to become a psychopath.

Then I remembered Azulon

• ⁠You dare suggest I betray IROH? My first-born? Who’s currently grieved by the loss of his son?

So yeah ok, Azulon is of course shocked, as someone with honor love and empathy would.

…but three minute later he ask Ozai to kill his own son. I mean even if your kid is an asshole, what kind of parent would do that?

I think Azulon showed unconditional love for Iroh, and conditional love for Ozai. Iroh can litteraly abandon the battle field and it’s ok, but Ozai always had to conform to the expectations.

This is why he ended embodying the fire nation « values ». Why he organized his whole life (and even his family) around being stronger. Why he’s so dysfunctional as a parent.

I think Ozai is what Zuko would have turned to without Ursa and Iroh. The « lucky to be born » kid trying to gain his father acknowledgment until nobody’s left but a cold ambition.