By this I mean that there was a mournful atmosphere surrounding the whole thing. Like Aang's battle with Ozai had intense battle music vs the agni kai which had a very downbeat instrumental. Ozai's defeat was accompanied by the gaang teasing him and victorious music. Azula's defeat featured another sorrowful musical number and both Katara & Zuko despite their feelings toward her still looked upset. They didn't mock her, they didn't cheer in victory. They looked at her sadly.

Personally I'm glad for this. I think it would have been a massive disservice to do it any other way. I think that her character and situation was deeper than that. And it also shows the kind of people Katara and Zuko are; they also know that things aren't black and white.

It would be interesting if the same type of approach had been done for Ozai too. Especially when Aang was so focused on not killing him. I mean Azulon wanted Ozai to kill his own son, he had to have been a toxic presence to grow up around. We're lucky Iroh turned out the way he did, and even he almost captured Ba Sing Se.

That would have been pretty interesting. But I guess they needed something to ease the tension? That or they believed that there was nothing sympathetic about Ozai. Either which way, the alternate approach would have been interesting.

at the end of the day, it shows the tragic downfall of a leader due to her own humanity. even katara and zuko were saddened by the outcome, seeing azula chained up and crying. the underscoring was beautiful (especially during zuko and azula's agni kai) and portrayed the appropriate emotions for the scene. it was such a raw, emotional moment for azula and her character and i can't help but shed tears over it.

^ Agreed. They went the right route with how they portrayed her downfall; I don't think that the scene would have worked as well any other way.