Exclusive Interview
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What To Know
- In Avatar: Seven Havens Book 1, Jae and Datu, the franchise’s first openly gay couple, broke up after taking opposing sides.
- Executive producer Sehaj Sethi spoke about their fate after the events of the finale episodes.
- The creators teased more romance ahead.
After joining the White Lotus to protect twin Avatars Pavi (Saheli Khan) and Nisha (Aishu Devan), brigade airbender Jae (Major Curda) didn’t have much time for romance in Avatar: Seven Havens Book 1. Regardless, that didn’t stop viewers from loving Jae’s relationship with Ellora guard Datu (Topher Ngo), even as they found themselves on wildly different paths. They became the first openly gay couple in the franchise.
Throughout Book 1, Jae kept his changing views on the Avatar — and the very existence of the Avatar(s) — a secret from Datu, who was staunchly in the anti-Avatar camp. In the finale episodes, Datu sided with the corrupt Chancellor Kayoko (Jennifer Sun Bell), and there was no changing his mind. During Book 1’s penultimate episode, as Jae broke the Ellora rebels out of prison, he faced off against Datu.
“So, I guess our relationship is over,” Datu remarked. Jae didn’t respond, but Faceless firebender Zi (Dianne Doan) said what many viewers were thinking, “You’re just figuring that out?”
But is there truly no hope for Jae, who set off to the the Floating Isles Haven with Pavi, and Datu finding their way back to each other? Swooon asked Avatar co-creator Michael Dante DiMartino and Seven Havens executive producers Sehaj Sethi and Ethan Spaulding all our burning questions about Season 1, and of course, that was one of them.
Paramount+
“I feel like no one needs to see any more of that romance,” Sethi said. “Those are two people in fundamentally different places. Yeah, it’s a good relationship that ended up being a good reason that broke up.”
Aside from Datu and Jae, there aren’t many other hints of romance in Book 1, other than some opposites-attract, grumpy-sunshine vibes and flirtation between bubbly White Lotus waterbender Daemin (Darren Barnet) and Zi.
Sethi said Daemin’s character arc was one that surprised her most as Book 1 went on. “This dude’s got depth,” she added. “You will continue to see a lot of Daemin as well in the coming seasons.”
We pointed out that hopefully that meant more of Daemin and Zi, who tossed a burnt-up rose at the former in the finale. When we asked the Avatar bosses if we’d see a romance fully blossom between the characters, they were coy. “You can expect romance in the series,” Sethi said while the others laughed.
How do you feel about Datu and Jae’s breakup? Do you hope Daemin and Zi get together? Let us know in the comments below!
Avatar: Seven Havens, Season 1, Streaming Now, Paramount+
Avatar: Seven Havens, Season 2, TBA, Paramount+
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Datu is an earthbender, when he’s a nonbender solider.