Now that I think about it, I think it was a huge mistake for Bryke to name a main character after their beloved friend who died. It affects your mentality for that character in ways that really messes up your writing. You have a character named after someone you loved, of course he’s gonna be your creator’s pet cause you want this character to be awesome and loved by everyone. He comes off as a Gary Stu because they have such a need to make him amazing out of respect for their friend that he ends up being unlikable to viewers.
And it puts the audience in a weird position too cause you’re almost made to feel guilty for not liking him because of the meaning behind his name. Not that I feel guilty, cause tbh Mako’s way beyond that point now. But it is still sad that the name of a great actor gets dragged through the mud because of a crappy character.
If they really wanted to honor a friend, they could’ve named Iroh II after him cause he’s a minor character who can just show up once and be awesome and not be involved in a terrible love triangle. Or like how they named the new baby after Bryan’s nephew. That’s a great way to pay tribute to a love one.
