Lieutenant Jee: More Than Just a Background Character in Avatar?

Introduction

Avatar: The Last Airbender captivated audiences worldwide with its compelling characters, intricate world-building, and profound themes of hope, forgiveness, and the balance of power. While the show’s narrative understandably focuses on Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Zuko, the strength of Avatar also lies in its ability to flesh out even the most seemingly insignificant members of its cast. From cabbage merchants to friendly shopkeepers, the world feels alive because of these characters. One such figure, often overlooked, is Lieutenant Jee. Primarily seen aboard Fire Navy vessels, most notably in “The Southern Raiders” and “The Boiling Rock”, Jee’s presence, though limited, offers a subtle yet insightful glimpse into the Fire Nation’s military structure and hints at the potential for complexities beyond the seemingly monolithic war machine. This article delves into the appearances and potential significance of Lieutenant Jee, arguing that he is more than just a background character and his existence enhances the overall depth of Avatar.

The Southern Raiders Episode: Duty and Obedience

One of Lieutenant Jee’s most significant appearances is in “The Southern Raiders,” a pivotal episode that showcases Azula’s ruthlessness and Zuko’s burgeoning sense of morality. Jee is serving on the Fire Navy ship captained by Zuko and overseen by Azula. His role in the episode is primarily to carry out orders, navigating the ship and maintaining order amongst the crew. He acknowledges Zuko and Azula’s position as royalty and follows their orders.

While his dialogue is minimal, his presence underscores the rigid hierarchy of the Fire Nation’s military. He is a lieutenant, and his duty is to obey the commands of his superiors without question. His compliance can be interpreted in multiple ways. He shows an absolute obedience which could suggest that he is a loyal believer in the Fire Lord’s cause. On the other hand, his obedience may represent nothing more than a fear of repercussions for insubordination, particularly under the watchful eye of Azula, whose reputation for cruelty precedes her. It is possible that Jee doesn’t truly believe in what he does. He is just performing his duty, trying to survive in a militaristic society where deviation from the norm can have severe consequences.

The episode offers few hints towards Jee’s personal beliefs or motivations. His function in the Southern Raiders is more symbolic. He embodies the average Fire Nation soldier, a cog in the machine of war, perhaps less invested in the ideological fervor than the Fire Lord and his inner circle.

The Boiling Rock: Imprisonment and Escape

Lieutenant Jee reappears in “The Boiling Rock,” where he is now working as a prison guard. A maximum-security prison constructed on a volcanic island. This appearance offers a slightly more nuanced view of the character. His role here is one of authority, overseeing prisoners and enforcing the prison’s rules.

During the prison outbreak led by Sokka and Zuko, Jee is caught in the middle of the chaos. He attempts to maintain control, but ultimately, the escape is successful. His reaction to the situation is interesting. While he obviously tries to stop the escape, there’s no indication of excessive brutality or sadistic pleasure in his actions. He appears to be carrying out his duty, but not necessarily with an overzealous commitment.

Here, like in “The Southern Raiders,” he serves as a representation of the Fire Nation’s rank and file. He’s not particularly cruel or exceptionally virtuous. His actions are defined by his role within the system. He isn’t responsible for the terrible nature of the prison, but he enforces its laws. The Boiling Rock shows Jee as an individual caught in a larger system, simply trying to do his job within the confines of a morally ambiguous situation.

World-Building Through Minor Characters: The Fire Nation Beyond Propaganda

The genius of Avatar lies in its ability to create a rich and believable world. Minor characters like Lieutenant Jee are crucial to that world-building. They add depth and realism. They showcase the diversity within nations and move the story from broad historical themes towards individual perspectives.

Jee’s existence subverts simple stereotypes about the Fire Nation. He isn’t a firebending prodigy or a zealous believer in Fire Lord Ozai’s ideology. He is an ordinary man doing his job. This provides a crucial counterpoint to the show’s focus on the actions of powerful figures like Ozai, Azula, and Iroh. It shows that the Fire Nation isn’t just a monolithic force of evil. It comprises individuals, many of whom may be driven by duty, circumstance, or even a desire for a better life.

His presence also contributes to the overall sense of realism in the Avatar universe. Not every soldier is a skilled fighter or a strategic mastermind. The average soldier is someone like Jee. Just trying to follow orders and survive. Including characters like him make the war feel more grounded and impactful.

A Glimpse into the Fire Navy: Rank and Responsibility

Lieutenant Jee’s rank offers further insight into the Fire Nation military structure. A lieutenant is a mid-level officer. He is above the enlisted ranks but beneath the high-ranking commanders. This means Jee likely has some level of responsibility and authority. He would have some leadership over the troops under him.

His interactions with Zuko and Azula exemplify the Fire Nation’s strict chain of command. He addresses them with respect and deference, adhering to protocol. This emphasizes the importance of hierarchy and obedience in the Fire Nation military. His relationship with his superiors highlights that a lieutenant is supposed to perform his duties, and this can easily be the role that he fills.

His role in both “The Southern Raiders” and “The Boiling Rock” demonstrates the duties of the Fire Navy. He can be responsible for guarding prisoners, manning ships, and enforcing the will of the Fire Lord. His presence speaks to the organized nature of the Fire Nation. It displays the militaristic society’s use of the navy to spread its reach and cause destruction.

Potential for Nuance: Duty Versus Morality

While Jee remains a minor character, he raises fascinating questions about the conflict between duty and morality. While not explicitly stated, it can be pondered if Jee ever has doubts about his role in the war. He follows orders, but does he question the Fire Nation’s actions? Does he believe in the Fire Lord’s cause?

His presence leaves these questions unanswered. Yet, they prompt the audience to consider the ethical complexities of war. Are soldiers simply tools of their government? Or do they have a moral responsibility to question and resist unjust orders?

Lieutenant Jee could represent those within the Fire Nation who are not necessarily evil, but are caught in the machinery of war. He is a part of the Fire Nation army, and is more than likely responsible for some terrible atrocities. At the same time, he is not a power-hungry firebender like many of the villains throughout the show. This is an important distinction to make.

Fan Speculation: Possibilities Unexplored

Due to his minor role, Lieutenant Jee has become the subject of some fan speculation. Many fans have been curious about his personal life, his motivations, and his ultimate fate.

One common question is whether he ever betrayed the Fire Nation. Could he have secretly sympathized with the Avatar or the other nations? While there’s no concrete evidence to support this theory, his ambiguous demeanor leaves room for interpretation.

Another popular topic is what happened to him after the Boiling Rock prison break. Did he remain a guard at the prison? Did he suffer any repercussions for the escape? Did he have a change of heart? The show never addresses this, leaving his future uncertain.

Other fans have also speculated about his relationship with the other characters. Did he know that Mai and Ty Lee were secretly helping Zuko? Did he suspect anything was amiss at the prison? These are all questions that could be potentially explored through future Avatar projects.

The lack of clear answers only adds to the intrigue surrounding Lieutenant Jee. His ambiguity makes him a compelling figure. A blank slate upon which fans can project their own interpretations and theories.

Conclusion: The Power of the Unsung Sailor

Lieutenant Jee, though a relatively minor character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, demonstrates the depth and richness of the show’s world-building. He is more than just a background character. He provides a subtle but significant glimpse into the Fire Nation’s military. His presence complicates the narrative, challenging simplistic notions of good and evil. He represents the average Fire Nation soldier caught in a war driven by powerful leaders. He is just following orders, trying to survive in a complex and dangerous world.

From his duty on the Fire Navy ships to his role as a prison guard at the Boiling Rock, Jee embodies the themes of duty, obedience, and the complexities of war. He may not be a central figure in the story, but his presence enriches the Avatar universe, reminding us that even the smallest roles can contribute to a larger, more meaningful narrative. While the main characters and villains are the face of the story, the minor characters are the blood and bone. Jee is a great example of the importance of the minor characters.

The Avatar series does a great job of making the viewer feel like they’re in a rich and diverse world. From the bustling streets of Ba Sing Se, to the quiet mountain monasteries of the Air Nomads, the world feels alive. Characters like Lieutenant Jee contribute to that. The creators can always explore the life of an average Fire Nation soldier, and it is easy to envision Jee as that soldier.

As Avatar continues to resonate with audiences, hopefully the world of Avatar continues to grow and expand. The story would be even more rich and compelling. Expanding the stories of the minor characters would greatly improve the show. While the main characters are great, the world-building of the show is nearly unmatched. Continuing to improve on the world building is a huge part of what makes the Avatar so great.

If the Avatar franchise returns in the future, Jee is a character that deserves some love and should be revisited.