In the finale, Zuko seems to have gotten much better at firebending. Not just better, much better. Flame whips, various strikes of large amount of power, and all around better technique. In betweeen entering ba sing sai and now, when did he have time to practice and learn. They're evading earthbenders, for goodness sake.

Also, was it judt me, or did one of his strikes have a hint of blue in it?

i just rewatched it, and the blue was the air around the blast. It swirled around it really fast to create the illusion. Sorry

Yep!?? Zuko's sure getting stronger!?? I'm hoping he'll eventually be able to beat Azula in a battle!

He's come a long way, but Katara has come even futher. I mean she was ready to either rip Azula, break her arm and leg with that water??(ala Gaara), or slam her down and break her free dangling leg. Katara could probably give Master Pakku a run for his money now. What a difference a year(or season) makes eh?

It was probably from when he got sick but then he go twell again. IDK I'm just guessing

Maybe zuko opened up a chakra point... and being a normal person and not the avatar, maybe they have exceptions to the rule of having to open up all 7. Maybe he let go all his shame opening up his fire chakra. In Bitter work Iroh did tell him to let go of his shame afterall. Just taking stabs in the dark. Can also explain his taste for new foods.

We'll never know. I think I saw blue too. Not sure though.

I figure six months training with the Dragon of the West, who redirects lightning and breathes fire is worth a lot to any firebender. His stance is better, he's quicker out of the gate. I can't wait for season 3.

I think something was 'unblocked' by Zuko's turmoil experience... I think he could probably even bend lightning now if he so attempted to do so.?? Afterall, he was mentally blocking himself before because of something within which is what Iroh mentioned to him in Bitter Work.?? But after the Lake Laogai incident, Zuko underwent a metamorphsis so to speak according to what Iroh said, so that may have unleashed the power we saw in zuko in the season finale.

Maybe or maybe he split personalities. Calm Zuko, which allows him to happy, and angry Zuko, which allows pure emotion to fuel his firebending.

Also, I love the Dragon of the West.

"It's less an explaination, and more a demonstration."

it definatly was not luck on her part, though she should be grateful that there was sufficient ammounts of water to do all those moves. She has proven that she is a prodigy in her own right and can match Azula if the two are on a level playing field. However, I'm reasonably sure Azula underestimated Katara at first, she was visibly shocked when Katara gave her that small hair cut and again when she grabbed on to her. If the two do fight again I'm expecting a great showing out of both of them.

and for those who think they toned Azula down, check out the parts where she was taking on Aang, she still has a good advantage over him.

Azula has been portrayed as unstoppable throughout season 2, I honestly expected the Gaang to give her more of a run for her money in the finale, by season 3 she should be on a more level field with them....at least until the comet arrives

as far as we can tell Lightning attacks take a few moments to charge up, so Azula would have to have a free moment before she could attack, and Katara just wouldn't let that happen. Now if Katara was distracted by something else...than yeah Azula would have totally fried her