I'm writing this because I think there are some things about the Zutarian reaction to the spoiled outcome of Avatar: The Last Airbender that are completely misunderstood.

Which isn't surprising since Zutarians have been misunderstood from the beginning.

I'll try not to rant.

Zutara began for many in the early days of the series. It seemed a likely trajectory given the sympathy they were building for Zuko's character and the likelihood he would eventually become at the very least an ally.

From the first magazine Mike and Bryan were asked questions about Zutara and other ships. In all their answers they were coy. Never stating one way or the other, often changing the subject as if there were some surprise in the offing.

I know there are shippers who are loathe to believe this is true but it is. The joke that people should wonder what's going on with Appa and Momo was a deliberate subject change for example. In other interviews they've refrained from saying straight out that Zutara was not going to happen, again implying there might be a surprise in the future.

Those statements are vastly different from the ones at the end of Sozin's Comet where they finally admit there was never any intention of having a romance between Zuko and Katara. They did admit that sparks would happen, but that they wouldn't become involved.

What they actually admitted to in that answer was that they played Zutarians for ratings. Knowing the emotional investment of some Zutarians especially that was just cruel. Of course it's a harsh lesson learned and shippers need to be reminded again and again that they're numbers and not people, but it hurts all the same.

Yes, Zutarians feel used. They should. They were.

When you compare earlier statements with the final one, you can see the very huge difference in intent. One is honest while the others are cagey. That was a manipulation.

When you engage in manipulation of that kind you have to expect to engender some anger.

If Zutarians had been told early on -- straight out -- that their ship would never be canon, they would have been disappointed but they would have stuck with the show. Especially in the earlier days when it was really amazing. Why would they leave a quality product? History proves that shippers will stick with something that's good. Most people were in it for the fight scenes anyway.

The feeling of letdown on finding that Zutara wouldn't happen would have been a wash of disappointment but I doubt it would have caused the current anger if it hadn't been coupled with the interview where the ship was completely dismissed.

If it was so nothing why was that never actually addressed in a straight-forward manner?

Because Zutarians were being played for ratings. All it ever took was proximity of the characters and a few vague interviews and Zuts were hooked again and again. Because Zutarians are incredibly creative and look for the story behind the story it was easy to lead them. And why not? Ratings are important.

But it was unfair. And it's unfair to dismiss such a large group of loyal fans in such a fashion.

So it was a form of baiting but not the obvious one that so many anti-Zutarians understand. It was simple, yet effective maneuvering and with one statement has been exposed.

But the reality of the situation is this. The Zutarian fandom is huge. HUGE. And creative.

A new Zutara story line or fan art is born every minute.

Zutara will live on. Devotion to A:TLA not so much. Not because Zutara didn't happen. Because Zutarians, like everyone else, don't like to be blatantly used.

I've never really shipped before this fandom and I'm so glad that I got to know so many amazing artists and writers. I'm in awe.

The Zutarian community is incredibly nice. Although we've been accused of being rabid and all other manner of wank we have no more nasty people than those who hate us and take every opportunity to slam and deride our choices. One or two Zuts who cross the line get noticed. Ten or twenty anti-Zuts cross the line and are considered justified because of that one or two. It's been difficult but the supportive Zutarian community has made it all worthwhile.

I just wanted to make clear the reason for Zutarian anger. It's not that the ship didn't happen, although that's a big disappointment. It's being manipulated and then dismissed that gets a person's goat. I doubt that they would have been so straightforward if they had known the interview would surface before the final episodes. We all know that's true, and that is an even bigger disappointment than missing out on canon could ever be.

I look forward to enjoying future Zutarian creative efforts. It's such a beautiful love story, how could it not continue to inspire even after the disdain of the very creators of the characters?

Some may think it could never last. Might think it's too dark and intriguing.

But we know the truth.

Zutara is forever because Zutara fits like skin.

Thanks.