In the second season finale of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Aang travels to see Guru Pathik to master the Avatar state, but events in Ba Sing Se send everyone’s plans into complete chaos. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Avatar.
WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST WATCH
oh my god oh my god how did kids watch this and then not cry themselves to sleep for months straight
This, my friends, is some absolutely fantastic, poetic, emotional, and INTENSE storytelling. AND THIS WAS ON NICKELODEON I WILL NEVER GET OVER THIS AMAZING FACT THAT HANGS OVER THE WHOLE SHOW.
It’s fun to have these “double†episodes from time to time, allowing the story to stretch out, giving it all a much more epic feel. (Not like what just happened needed anything else to become epic.) And unlike the season one finale, I actually felt like there didn’t even need to be the split between the two parts (in terms of title screens denoting the chapter) because they flowed so well together.
In a similar manner to “The Earth King,†things appear to be going right for everyone on either side at the start of “The Guru.†That’s obviously a problem, since we have multiple warring and conflicting factions at work here, and not everyone can win. But we open things here solely in a whole lot of surreal weirdness: Zuko’s transformation is real. As he bids good morning to Uncle Iroh, a tone of actual calmness in his voice, Iroh is shocked. This is some Twilight Zone shit and if I didn’t know any better, I would have said that Zuko had a visit with the Dai Li. At the same time…I can’t deny that I like it. It’s weird, for sure, but it’s nice to see that Zuko can actually change.
Well….we will get to that.
It was also bizarre to get Sokka’s story of reuniting with his father and, over the course of this episode, all of it is good? In fact, for the entirety of this two parter, there was nothing I expected more than for Hakoda to express disappointment or to die himself. Given what this complete story shows us, I’m still surprised how pleasant and emotionally powerful the Sokka/Hakoda story line is. It’s about validation, and Sokka receives the validation from his father that he’s desired ever since the man left his life.
And that’s it. This is not bad storytelling at all, for the record, but it’s surely unexpected. There’s also a nice parallel to what’s happening with Zuko as well; I’m unsure if I’ve ever compared the two (and I can’t find it in any of my past reviews), but we have two young men seeking validation from their fathers and this is the first complete story where one gets what he desires. He does so by doing good and helping others. Is this supposed to be a subtle message for Zuko’s character growth as well?
This episode further sets the characters into place for the final battle during “The Crossroads of Destiny,†so there’s a lot of complex, interconnected plotting involving Katara, the Dangerous Ladies, the Dai Li, and Iroh/Zuko. The writers handle all of these interwoven plots with finesse, never stooping to over-confusing me but never insulting my ability to pay attention and keep track of multiple story lines. There’s no doubt, though, that I can’t think of a single “children’s†show that is this complex in terms of what sort of story that is being told. It’s enough that throughout both parts, I was kept guessing. That is half of the fun of this. Of course I’m drawn to emotional storytelling, to narratives that mean something to my life. A lot of us are! That’s why so many of us become attached to shows like this.
But good god, this is SO FUN. There were so many possible convergences that were set up during “The Guru†that it almost became a game to try to figure out how everyone would come together.
However, what ties the entire story together is Aang’s poetic journey with Guru Pathik, the man who teaches Aang how to control the Avatar state via his own chakras. It’s hard to cycle through these things without being repetitive or boring, and the writers use the ingenious device of flashbacks to not only remind of us of the past, but to re-contextualize them in a way to show how Aang is maturing as a young man. These trips to unblock his spiritual chakras are rife with emotional pain. No one needs me to summarize what happens for all seven of them, but I did want to touch on how Aang is forced to address the guilt he feels, the pain he’s caused, and the hurt he feels for a life that is largely filled with tragedy. It’s not that we haven’t seen this before, but the way that Guru Pathik brings out these memories is a way to channel a positive energy for Aang instead of bringing on more sorrow and grief.
Unfortunately, despite that Aang manages to master six of the seven chakras, it’s the seventh chakra that provides the inevitable conflict, and what a hell of a conflict it is. The Thought Chakra, which channels cosmic energy, is blocked by the most difficult of all energies: earthly attachment. I did not understand it at first, but when I came to, I knew that this would be hard for Aang. The one thing that is tying him to this earth is Katara. It’s glad that he can admit openly that he loves Katara and that here, it’s not tied to the shame or embarrassment he felt before. However, the concept is ridiculous to Aang. How is he supposed to let go of the one he loves? But he gives the concept a chance and we get the opportunity to see some of the most gorgeous animation we’ve ever seen on Avatar. Drenched in deep cosmic purples and blacks, Aang walks along a stream of cosmic energy resembling the aurora borealis as Katara falls far away. A large, oversized image of himself in the Avatar State stares over him, and the energy sphere radiates and flares in his palms.
But an image of Katara chained in some sort of prison interrupts this all and Aang falls out of this concentration in the worst way possible. Without tackling all seven chakras at once and opening them, Guru Pathik warns that Aang will be entirely unable to enter the Avatar state at all.
And Aang, following his heart, chooses to ignore this. goddamn it.
THIS IS SUCH A DIFFICULT CALL TO MAKE. I can’t even imagine what I would do in a similar situation and I can’t judge Aang either way. All I know is that while pursuing Katara is probably not practical at all, it sure is one gorgeous act of nobility. And I don’t mean that as if Katara is some damsel in distress, desperately needing Aang’s help. I just mean that Aang has chosen to follow what his heart is telling him is right and he’s doing it at a great sacrifice to himself.
The first of two convergences happens here at the end of the first part, as Toph learns to finally bend metal (!!!!!!!!!) to escape her captors; Aang picks up Sokka, whose father looks on with respect towards a son off to help the Avatar; and the unbelievable coincidence that is Katara walking in on Iroh’s tea shop and being COMPLETELY TRICKED BY THE DANGEROUS LADIES. The set-up occurs and it could not be more heartbreaking: Iroh and Zuko, believing that destiny has given them a final push towards the happiness they want, walk directly into Azula’s trap.
Christ. They just found happiness, and Azula has arrived to take it away from them. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
As the story transitions fully into “The Crossroads of Destiny,” I’m reminded of a comment I read (that I now cannot find, so speak up if it was you!) where a wonderful member of this community compared this finale to The Empire Strikes Back. (FYI, I do not consider that a spoiler, so don’t feel bad!) It’s now apparent that each “Book” in this show is part of a trilogy, and how season two ends is such a perfect (if unbelievably upsetting) analogy to the Star Wars trilogy that I almost feel like this is just one giant reference to that spectacular film. We’ve seen the growth of nearly every main and supporting character over the previous eighteen episodes, and the conclusion for this chapter of the story is necessary as much as it is heartbreaking.
There are three stars of this second half of the story, and each one’s journey is so satisfying to experience. Immediately, it’s clear that Uncle Iroh’s time to reveal his true intentions have arrived, and that starts when we learn why he earned the name “Dragon of the West.” I mean…..Iroh is the greatest badass ever. Even in a moment of defensive fury, he still seems to be in control of his emotions. But it’s crystal clear now more than ever: Iroh stands in complete defiance of the Fire Nation. He has let go of his kingdom to pursue what he believes is right and what will bring his spirit happiness.
Unfortunately, Zuko’s metamorphosis is tested with the arrival of Azula, and I suppose that I should have known right from the beginning what Zuko would ultimately do by the episode’s end. In a way, even his new temperament would allow him to fight Azula, but at the same time, he is unable to put aside his own pride and escape with his uncle, choosing to face her in an Agni Kai. WHICH SHE DENIES HIM. HOLY SHIT she is so fierce and I am so conflicted.
But as I said before, this first focus is on Iroh. In perhaps my favorite scene of all of season two, when Team Avatar return to their apartment and discover that Katara and Momo are not there, there’s a knock on the door. Ready in the defensive position, they expect the worst. Except Toph says she knows who this is, and she opens the door to see Uncle Iroh standing before them, and my longstanding wish for Iroh to join Team Avatar in any capacity comes true and EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL AND NOTHING HURTS. I don’t even know if I have words for the rush of excitement that I felt as I watched him ask Team Avatar to join up with him to rescue Katara and Zuko. Naturally, there’s a whole lot of resistance from Aang and Sokka. And that’s for a good reason! I don’t think it’s at all irrational for them to react with caution and anger at the concept. Well, aside from my desire for them to be a big happy family of rainbow benders, but I’m not writing this show so what do i know
It’s at this point that the writers rather brilliantly contrast two opposing sides forced to communicate with one another. As Team Avatar heads to the Crystal Catacombs to rescue their family/friends, we learn that Zuko has been thrown in the exact same chamber as Katara. I’ll just get this out of the way first: I can see why Zutara is a thing now. The moments are few and far between, but knowing the ship wars that existed in this fandom, the entire conversation between these two characters made me understand why that dynamic was so appealing. At the very least, it’s probably the most fascinating interaction in the entire finale: Katara angrily lashes out at Zuko for his past actions, which have caused her and her friends such inherent pain and trauma, and Zuko, still unsure what he wants from life, simply accepts it all instead of fighting her. The “old” Zuko would have been cold and non-receptive towards Katara, and as she breaks down when she reveals that Zuko’s nation took away her mother, Zuko breaks down a little himself and tells her that now they both have something in common.
It’s a genuinely touching and emotive scene, and as both characters let down their guard when they realize that this situation is not what they expected, I was surprised (in a good way) to watch Katara suggest that she try to heal Zuko’s scar. Here, right before us, is the first manifestation of trust between Katara and Zuko, and it is one hell of a remarkable scene. For Zuko, his scar is a reminder of the pain of his “destiny,” and here’s a girl he has fought for months willing to take it away from him.
I’m touched. I swear.
At the same time, I was giddy with joy to see Iroh and Aang venturing together to rescue these other two, and the conversation they have is just as gripping and insightful. I’ve never truly believed Iroh wanted to capture Aang; his growing resentment with the Fire Nation has been foreshadowed since season one. The confirmation of his allegiance in this scene is just….god IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY. Uncle Iroh is giving advice to Aang and telling him it is wise to follow his heart.
No, I’m sorry, you need to read that again:
UNCLE IROH IS GIVING ADVICE TO AANG AND TELLING HIM IT IS WISE TO FOLLOW HIS HEART.
one of the greatest days of my life tbqh
But I jest when I say that, because it can’t be the greatest day of my life when the last ten minutes of this finale is what I end with. Throughout this all, we’ve seen how manipulative Azula has been to Long Feng and the Dai Li, so much so that she even convinces the Dai Li to support her over their fellow Earth Kingdom leader. This allows the set up for the spectacular and chaotic final battle of season two, perhaps the season’s best. The final convergence occurs: Katara and Zuko are rescued, Team Avatar rushes off to save Toph and Sokka, and Azula closes in on Iroh and Zuko. The dreams that Zuko had during “The Earth King” become frighteningly real as Iroh and Azula almost act as competing dragons from his hallucination, both of them trying to convince Zuko where his destiny lies. (How heartbreaking is it when Iroh begs Zuko to think about what redemption means for him?)
We don’t see the end of this choice that Zuko is faced with as the episode cuts to the unbelievable battle that takes place between Aang, Katara, and Azula. Here, we see three masters at the height of their power duking it out in a shocking display of talent and violence. Sometimes I forget just how good these folks are at bending, and since the emotional stakes are higher than ever, no one holds anything back. And yet, the odds are completely changed when Zuko arrives in a ball of fire and I sit on the edge of my chair, begging Zuko out loud not to listen to Azula AS IF HE COULD FUCKING HEAR ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME
And I’m sure you can all empathize with my sorrow as Zuko sends a blast of fire towards Aang. He has chosen to side with his father’s destiny. ZUKO WHAT ARE YOU DOING 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁
As Zuko splits off to fight Katara (WHICH HAS TO BE SO DEARLY AWKWARD HOLY GOD), the fight between Azula and Aang is not going well, and when the Dai Li shows up, Aang’s moment of choosing his own destiny arrives. Throwing up a set of crystals around him, he knows the Avatar state is the only way he can beat these people, and he emotionally lets go of Katara in a gorgeous meditation sequence. I have goosebumps now just thinking about it; we’ve not seen these specific color palates used on the show before, and I’d like to think that’s entirely intentional. The purple gives way to emerald shining energy as Aang assumes the Avatar state, mastering the seventh chakra, and he raises into the air.
AND AZULA SHOOTS HIM IN THE BACK AND I AM NOT FUCKING OK WITH THIS!!!!!
I am still in complete and utter shock. It makes me want to cry, because Aang did everything he was supposed to, and at the end of it, Azula’s penchant for violence NEGATES ALL OF IT.
someone hold me forever
It’s at this point that we are given one bleak cliffhanger, one that I cannot believe aired for children. CHILDREN SAW THIS. Children saw Iroh face off against HIS NEPHEW AND NIECE, get captured, and watch Katara nearly fail at saving Aang’s life. THIS IS SO GUT-WRENCHING TO ME I CAN HARDLY HANDLE IT!!!!!
But it goes back to that reference to The Empire Strikes Back. This is not just shit getting real. This is the writers showing us that tragedy befalls those who choose to do good, that these characters can and do get hurt when they face unbearable acts of oppressive power. This is the writers showing us that Zuko’s transformation is not a simple paint-by-numbers exercise of goodness, that this boy has been traumatized by years of neglect and pain, and that even people who are truly good at heart will make confusing decision to find their own version of peace. And even at the end of this, Zuko is still unsure if he has done what was right.
I can’t imagine a more poetic and frightening way to end season two. On the back of Appa, Team Avatar, with a badly wounded Aang and a shocked Earth King, fly over Ba Sing Se. It is a sign of their failure and a reminder that being “good” never means you always win.
“The Earth Kingdom…..has fallen.”
And our heroes….well, they’ve fallen, too.
God damn it.
THOUGHTS
- I know that I usually post a lot of extraneous thoughts and quotes that I like, but I just want to include one thing here instead of the usual. I know that I am only going to be waiting one day or so to continue on to season three (tomorrow I’ll be posting my review of “A Good Man Goes To War”), but I still feel like this is a huge, massive development for this story and was certainly something I was completely unprepared for. What I wanted to say was: Thank you. Thank you, Avatar fans, for insisting I spend the time with this show. I’m not even done with it yet, and I’m already recommending it to people that I know. You were right to assume I would love this, and I just feel like it must be said that I appreciate that this fandom is here on this site, the way they have treated me, and, most importantly, that many of its more vocal members told me months ago to watch Avatar: The Last Airbender. You have made my life better. I mean that. So: Thank you.
<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_leqmxblgn91qzvjn8o1_r2_500.gif">
Just. How freaking awesome is this.
More than can be put into words.
SO super-epically awesome.
An Excerpt from My LiveJournal Post (“Zuko Potter and the Goblet of Avatar”) on December 8, 2006
Okay, the last ten minutes or so is when everything goes to hell. Because suddenly all the characters are in the same room together and that can ONLY END IN PAIN AND BADNESS.
How awesome was the recreation of the Blue Dragon/Red Dragon fever dream? Seriously, HOW AWESOME? I don’t care that it was totally obvious because it was SO COOL and made SO MUCH SENSE and ZUKO IS SO CONFLICTED OMG. Seriously, you could meta about Zuko all day, the way Azula and Iroh represent his two paths in life, the way each of them is pushing him away by pulling too hard, the consequences of past and history as we know it in “Zuko Alone,” where Zuko’s mother fits into all this, and…he’s just an amazing character. And he’s changed so fucking much. Go watch some episodes in S1 if you don’t believe me. You’ll barely recognize that Zuko. And the thing is his character development has been both ridiculously subtle and incredibly drastic. There’s been a LOT of work to get him to this point.
And then we have a FOUR-WAY FIGHT with Zuko ATTACKING EVERYONE IN THE FUCKING ROOM AT SOME POINT OR ANOTHER and Aang shooting air silhouettes and Katara using the Octopus and slicing Azula’s hair and the entire Dai Li arriving to fuck things up and Zuko CHOOSING AZULA OVER IROH and Aang CHOOSING THE AVATAR STATE OVER KATARA and HOLY FUCKING CRAP OH MY MOTHERFUCKING GOD AZULA SHOT HIM IN THE AVATAR STATE AND I AM TEARING UP JUST WRITING ABOUT THIS. And Katara uses the healing water to save him but (Mai: “Just take the bear” ahahahaha) THEY LOST YOU GUYS.
Do you understand? Ba Sing Se just FELL. The Fire Nation just WON. And Zuko JOINED AZULA, WHO ALWAYS LIES.
See, everyone had convinced me, that Zuko would totally join Aang, and I had sort of resigned myself to it, even though it ALWAYS HAPPENS. The broken villain character eventually becomes a fully functioning member of the gang. And I thought, hey, at least maybe with Zuko, it could work; he’s a good character, and his destiny is intertwined with the Avatar’s, etc.
But WHY???
That major question, I could never answer. Because it was something I was just willing to accept when the writers gave their reason, but I couldn’t think of really good, compelling reasons other than IT ALWAYS WORKS LIKE THAT.
And then…it didn’t. They…did something horribly different. And…I don’t know why Zuko would “lose fans,” as has apparently been happening. Because it only makes Zuko all the more complicated and interesting, the best developed character in the whole bunch. He’s got so much shit brewing around in his head, you never know what he’ll do, but you know that when he does it, it’ll make some sort of fucked-up sense, whether he realizes it or not.
(continued with extended Zuko analysis!)
The more discussion about Zuko's decision, the more and more it makes perfect sense. We all want Zuko to become Fire Lord. But he was labeled a traitor as it is; would the Fire Nation bow to a traitor on the throne? He first has to become part of the Fire Nation again. Like Azula against the Earth Kingdom, he has to take it down from the inside. may_flyer points out that the audience always thought Zuko would join the good side and reject Azula because Iroh thought he would, and Iroh is awesometacular and never wrong. But he is wrong. He can't even tell when flowers are poison. We side with Iroh, but Zuko sides with SENSE. Everything was set up so perfectly and we were all just blind to it.
Hell, I'm still trying to figure out what the hell happened in that room. So between good and evil, he chose good. Between Azula and the Avatar, he chose the Avatar ("I must capture the Avatar and restore my honor."). And then Katara got in the way of that, so he attacked Katara, despite their bonding moment. Basically, in THAT ROOM, out of Azula, Katara, and Aang, the only person he could possibly ally himself with was his sister. She was the only one who would even accept him, unquestionably.
And then Iroh arrived, and he could have chosen him, except for the fact that Azula has the ENTIRE DAI LI at her disposal, and aligning himself with Iroh means facing the Dai Li, and…the kid is so traumatized from the choosing that he stops.
And he KNOWS he sucks, even though Azula tells him he's all right.
(Also, that was some high-quality firebending he was doing there. And I think it was because he had released some of that inner turmoil: if lightning comes from a place of calm, then Zuko has moved closer to that by making choices and becoming more confident in his own destiny. So it showed in his increased firebending skill.
And rage just seems to enhance bending, period.)
may_flyer points out that Zuko's decision totally mirrors Aang's decision to give up Katara for the sake of the Avatar state: it's rash and impulsive and he believes it's his only choice. And it brings the season full-circle: the premiere was entirely about the Avatar state. But what OF the Avatar state?! If anything, I think at the very least, Aang won't be able to enter the Avatar state, which sucks because PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWER! even though it's unfairly tipped the scales in his favor too many times, in my opinion. The real, HORRIFYING question is whether Aang really just broke the Avatar cycle. Because I am very afraid that he did. Because they spelled out the consequences in the premiere, and they would not do that if they were not prepared to follow through on them. Is Avatar Roku's spirit gone forever? Because that would be VERY BAD, given that he would be the most powerful ally they have against the Fire Nation. Is Aang the last Avatar as well the last Airbender? CRIMINY.
Oh man. This show.
Ooh, thanks for this. Also, I love reading meta when it's written in that specific time when people don't know what comes next. Awesome.
I can't believe this finale aired four and a half years ago. Criminy indeed.
And then…it didn't. They…did something horribly different. And…I don't know why Zuko would "lose fans," as has apparently been happening. Because it only makes Zuko all the more complicated and interesting, the best developed character in the whole bunch. He's got so much shit brewing around in his head, you never know what he'll do, but you know that when he does it, it'll make some sort of fucked-up sense, whether he realizes it or not.
I really like this paragraph, because it sums up my thoughts on Zuko. He is so damn frustrating, but that's why he's such a good character and has the best story in the series. I may lob abuse at him, but it's out of love.
Same. I wouldn't get so pissed at him if I didn't honestly love him and want him to make the right decisions and find happiness. 😀 I love his arc, it makes so much sense even when it's frustrating. ESPECIALLY when he's frustrating me, really.
"Now, Zuko, I'm not mad. I'm just disappointed."
No, I actually get mad at him. But it's because I want him to make the right decisions. Waking from the fever dream wasn't the moment of change, but the confrontation between he, Iroh, and Azula as his subconscious predicted. I'm frustrated with his decision, but at least he acknowledged the two separate paths before him, and knows that he can't just be an outlaw in the middle like he was for all of season 2.
I cannot accept your implication that siding with Iroh is ever NOT the perfect decision.
And then…it didn't. They…did something horribly different. And…I don't know why Zuko would "lose fans," as has apparently been happening. Because it only makes Zuko all the more complicated and interesting, the best developed character in the whole bunch. He's got so much shit brewing around in his head, you never know what he'll do, but you know that when he does it, it'll make some sort of fucked-up sense, whether he realizes it or not.
THIS. I agree with you completely. Sure, Zuko siding with Azula came as a HUGE shock to me, I was honestly very disappointed at first. But the more I thought about it, the more sense it made (especially after watching the rest of the series), from both character-building and storytelling point of view.
I can't think of any other animated character who had such an interesting and complex character development as Zuko.
THE GURU
"Dear Diary,
There's this feeling inside my chest, like it's warm or something. And my lips keep twitching upward. I think – I think I may be happy. Is this how everyone else feels all the time? Maybe my destiny isn't to be the Fire Lord. Maybe I'm supposed to be the best tea boy in the entire Earth Kingdom. Uncle taught me how to sweep the floor correctly, and I hardly ever drop scalding tea in someone's lap anymore. And tomorrow we serve the Earth King at the palace. I have a really good feeling about this! Today is the first day of the rest of my life!" – Zuko
THE CROSSROADS OF DESTINY
"Dear Diary,
Sure, Azula had me seized and thrown in a dungeon. But this time she's totally changed! Why can't Uncle see that? Being an Earth Kingdom tea boy is one thing, but how can I ally myself with the Avatar against Father and the Fire Nation? I can't turn my back on the destiny that has been laid out for me from the day I was born, can I? Uncle's not a traitor, he's just confused, and once I explain it to him, he'll see I had no choice. Won't he? Everything is going to be fine, as soon as Father restores my honor to me. Fine. Just fine. Completely fine." – Zuko
OH DEAR GOD! What are you trying to do to me? I am not up for this kind of mood whiplash!
HAHAHA YOU DID NOT CATCH ME UNAWARES THIS TIME EITHER 😀 😀 😀 The Guru review first, then Crossroads of Destiny!
The Guru
who are you and what have you done with Zuko?
no seriously
where is the real Zuko?
So, uh… aside from Pod Person Zuko over there *side eye* and a couple other things, let's just call this episode "Things Go From Bad To Worse", shall we? I think it's an accurate summation. Let's review:
– Azula and the Dangerous Ladies know about the invasion now.
– They also know that Zuko and Iroh are here in the city.
– Katara has been captured by the Dangerous Ladies.
– Aang has prematurely ended his training to run off and go save Katara. NO AANG NO DON'T YOU REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED WHEN LUKE SKYWALKER DID THE EXACT SAME THING? (AND BTW, FIRE LORD OZAI IS VOICED BY MARK HAMILL, DID YOU ALL KNOW? MAKES THIS REALLY RELEVANT.)
On the bright side, this means more Dangerous Ladies screentime. <3 And that is perfectly all right with me. I love them and their extremely competent villainry. And general awesomeness. Azula's plan is sheer evil brilliance; I love Mai and Ty Lee having their fake conversation deliberately within earshot of the Dai Li. Azula is manipulating Long Feng while letting him think he's manipulating her – as Darth Vader would say, "Impressive. Most impressive." Also scary, but I'm all about competent villains who are actually a threat to the heroes, so I am totally behind this. Azula is an utterly fantastic villain, not some joke I can't take seriously. I also love the team of her, Ty Lee, and Mai, they work so well together, and are each unique and interesting and fun individuals. Seriously, can't praise this show enough for giving me a trio like them. <3
I also enjoyed seeing Sokka get to interact with his father again after being separated for two years. We can see where Sokka gets his sense of humor. 😀 I love the bit with the bomb Hakoda invented, and how Sokka laughing at the name prompts that other Water Tribe guy to sigh and say he's definitely his father's son. And he gets acknowledged as a man by his father, awwww. It's what he wanted, and marks a big change from the last time he saw his dad, so I'm happy for him.
I'm happy for Iroh and all, and awwww'd at Zuko hugging him, but I am still weirded out by Happy Smiling Perky Zuko.
Apparently the fandom hates Pathik? Whu? I didn't have a problem with him at all. I enjoyed the retrospect of the series, showing us just how far Aang has come and what he's learned from his journey up to this point. I also saw Guru Pathik's training as being a quick and easy way to gain control of the Avatar State, which is the only thing Aang has time for right now. He was trying to help him, I can't fault him for that. And admittedly, Aang does need to be able to prioritize the world over any one person.
The most important part of it all for me, though, was Toph figuring out how to metalbend OMG. I get all wibbly when she makes that breakthrough, it's the combination of the music and it being her moment of triumph in a horrible situation. AND THEN SHE BUSTS OUT, AND LOCKS THEM IN THE METAL CONTAINER, AND DECLARES ULTIMATE TRUTH: THAT SHE IS THE GREATEST EARTHBENDER IN THE WORLD. PREACH IT, TOPH!
Much fist-pumping ensued as a reaction to this scene. 😀
Of course, despite that display of badassery, the episode ends on an ominous note. D:
Other stuff:
– I laughed, Katara. 🙁 Especially cause Momo is so cute!
– Beating up the Kyoshi Warriors and taking their clothes… hmmm… having strong flashbacks to FFVI here.
– moar Bosco plz
Crossroads of Destiny
Man, where do I even start with this episode? Even on a rewatch, I was still unprepared. A lot goes on it, but I think, instead of my usual review style, I'll talk about one major aspect of it in particular, with other stuff relegated to a list at the end.
I've seen this season referred to as being the Empire Strikes Back of the series, and while I'm displeased that this comparison came before I watched it all, I do agree that it's a correct assessment. And even then, I wasn't completely spoiled on what went on. I didn't expect, for example, Zuko to side with Azula. After the scene with Katara in the cavern, and especially with Iroh going to Toph, Aang, and Sokka for help, I thought they'd both finally join Team Avatar and would spend Book Three as a part of the gang. I didn't really realize the full import of that dream he had in The Earth King, with the swinging back and forth between the Azula dragon and the Iroh dragon. It foreshadowed the choice he would have to make here, between the two of them and what they stood for, what they offered.
"ZUKO, HOW COULD YOU?!" were the words out of my mouth when he chose Azula. I was in shock, and horror: this is the same guy that much earlier in the season was chanting "Azula always lies" as a reminder to himself that she is not remotely trustworthy. That she makes a habit out of deceiving everyone. He should know better than this. But… he doesn't. For some reason, even after what she did in The Avatar State, he willingly takes her side and attacks someone who had just been so friendly to him, who had listened to him and offered to heal him. Katara had shown him such kindness just minutes before, and now he was turning his back on her and choosing someone who's probably never done a nice thing in her life for him, who continually seeks to hurt him for funsies? I wanted to scream, it was so frustrating and stupid.
But I understand. I know why he did it. It doesn't make me any less angry at him that he would make such a terrible choice, but from a writing perspective, it's not infuriating at all because it's not nonsensical. It's the kind of thing you want to smack the character over, not the writers. That's good. He's fucking up here, but it's perfectly in line with his character to do so in this way.
Looking at his reaction to when Aang shows up in the cavern, and the total shift in his demeanor… I'd say it's equal parts the bad timing of Team Iroh (yes, I'm calling them that for this period of time) in interrupting that conversation, and Zuko just not being ready to switch sides just yet. He's seen so much of the reality of the war and what his nation and family are doing to people, what they've done for the past century, but unlike his uncle, he's not really open to learning any lessons from it just yet. He's stubbornly kept his mind and heart closed, because he's so focused on his idea of what his destiny is. And the sad thing is, it's not even really accurate to call it his idea, because who put it there? That's right, his father, Fire Lord Ozai. The cruel, abusive man who favors Azula, who has helped warp her into what she is today, who took on a thirteen year old Zuko in an Agni Kai and burned his face off under the guise of teaching him respect, and then banished him from the country and sent him on a snipe hunt. All for speaking out of turn, in defense of human lives. Zuko has internalized so much of his father's bullshit that it's helped to warp him too, change him from the good, sweet kid we saw in those flashbacks. Losing the influence of his mother didn't help either. Iroh can see that Zuko needs to break free of this, and he's tried to get him to listen to his point of view and make him start thinking for himself… but Zuko's choice in this episode make it obvious that words aren't enough. Something else will have to happen if Zuko is ever going to do that.
(cont)
With all that in mind, you can see why his actions, while so frustrating to me, can nevertheless make perfect sense in the context of all that has gone before. "Azula always lies"; yes, and it isn't the first time you've been fooled by her, Zuko. It's even happened in recent memory. What's that saying? Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. It definitely applies here, and I think it is appropriate to say "shame on you" to him, because he shouldn't have had any reason, with his prior experience, to believe what she says. However, he does, and that's because he so desperately wants to. It's not the smartest thing to do, but it's a very human thing, and more importantly a Zuko thing. I'd guess that a lot of us can relate to the act of putting our trust in someone who's already burned us, just because we want so badly for whatever it is they're offering to be real and true. It's a mistake a lot of people make, and I'd be lying if I said I'd never done it myself. We know already that Zuko is a very fallible and flawed person, and doesn't tend to think things through too well, and how much his desire for his honor and his birthright as the heir to the Fire Nation drives everything he does. Until Azula reappeared, he played at being happy for Iroh, happy with their new lives in Ba Sing Se, but I don't for a second think he ever really was. I think he was lying to himself, trying to convince himself that he was this person, that he felt this way, that he could be satisfied with such a life. Azula's offer lays bare the lie in that: he still very much wants his father's respect and love, wants to be treated the way Azula is. He believes so strongly in what he thinks is rightfully his, wants so badly the things he's been denied that should have been his without having to ask or work for them, that these desires easily override his better judgment in regards to knowing what his sister is actually like and the very real possibility that he is being manipulated and lied to again. He says to Katara that he's realized that he's free to determine his own destiny, but in the end the one he really wants to determine is the one that's been pressed on him all along by his father.
We'll never know what might have happened if he and Katara had been given more time to talk before Iroh and Aang burst in. Possibly it might not have gone any differently. Who can say? But in the end, the Empire Strikes Back comparisons are painfully accurate, because right now I don't think things have ever been worse for Team Avatar. Aang is badly wounded because Azula is frighteningly genre-savvy (seriously, I cannot possibly express enough love for how scarily competent and genuinely threatening a villain she is). Zuko has sided with her, and Iroh is their prisoner. Ba Sing Se, the last major stronghold against the Fire Nation, has fallen from within. The invasion of the Fire Nation on the eclipse has been stymied before it ever got off the ground. It's a real gutpunch of a finale, and therein lies its brilliance. It took our expectations and laughed at them before stomping all over them. This has, overall, been an amazing season that did that with our expectations over and over and I applaud it. Truly incredible television.
(cont)
Other stuff:
– Aang, you are a terrible liar. You're lucky Toph's not able to use her lie detector powers on you right now.
– Iroh is the best ever. <3 <3 <3 I love his demonstration of how he got that awesome nickname, which is now even more badass than before.
– Bosco~ <3
– lol @ the house being rebuilt. I love continuity. Continuity/arctic_hare/Ty Lee OT3, oh yes.
– HAHAHAHA Toph is happy to see Iroh, and the boys freak out, even Momo. Beautiful. 😀
– Aang and Iroh interacting makes my heart happy.
– NOOOOOOOOOOOO MOMO WHAT DID HE EVER DO TO YOU WHAT IS THE POINT OF IMPRISONING HIM?! FUCKING DAI LI BASTARDS!
– "Don't flatter yourself. You were never even a player." DAMN. Just… DAMN. Look, I know Azula's the villain, and I'm not rooting for her to win in the series endgame, and she's seriously classist and I don't agree with her assessment on who gets to rule, but I can''t help but absolutely adore how she so thoroughly played Long Feng. Half of it is pure hatred for the guy, the other half is admiration for how fantastic a villain she is. I'm a broken record on this subject, sure, but I can't get over how wonderful it is to see a villain that is really really good at what she does. She didn't win this victory by random chance or luck, she worked for it and took it with her own immense skill. She's a legitimate threat to Team Avatar, and this finale proves it in so many ways. If/when she's defeated, it's going to actually mean something, because they're going to have to fight hard to do it.
– Ty Lee is so cute. <3 <3 <3
– "Just take the bear." <3 <3 <3 I love you, Mai. Let's make that Continuity/arctic_hare/Ty Lee/Mai OT4.
– Again, Bosco~ <3
– Oh, Iroh. ;_;
– "The Earth Kingdom… has fallen." There aren't enough horrified gifs in the world for this.
I love you, arctic_hare, you and your awesome reviews. <3
I love how Azula takes down Long Feng, too (and that his history is similar to the real Dai Li! Except Dai Li died when an American plane crashed. You know you can't trust domestic machinery!). She's fierce, and a much more terrifying villain than Zhao ever was.
I must have had my head in the sand and missed all of the Empire Strikes Back comparisons, because I thought Mark was the first to bring it up in reference to something else. I'm sorry that it was in your head before you watched.
*standing ovation* Well said!
I'm always glad to see your reviews of Avatar and this is no exception. I was right with you when I saw Toph metal-bend the cell she was in.
The Guru
Guru Pathik: If you open your mind, you will see that all the elements are one. Four parts of the same whole. Even metal is just a part of Earth, that has been purified and refined.
<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxw5u7hGYQ1qzub73o1_500.png "/>
Toph learning to metal bend is one of the coolest moments in the series. I think she is giving Bumi some serious competition for the title of the most powerful earthbender.
The Crossroads of Destiny
This episode has all the main characters take part in this great fight to determine the fate of the Earth Kingdom much like what happened with the Water tribe in the first season finale. But the end of this season is in direct contrast with the end of season 1. The Earth Kingdom is lost , Azula fatally injures Aang while he is in the Avatar state and Zuko betrays Iroh to join Azula. Almost everything that can possibly go wrong goes wrong in this episode.
So many incredible moments packed into a single episode.
Iroh demonstrating to Azula why he's called the Dragon of the West.
<img src="http://images.wikia.com/avatar/images/f/fd/Iroh_dragon.png "/>
I'm not into shipping but I bet all the Zuko/Katara shippers went crazy over this scene.
<img src="http://images.wikia.com/avatar/images/0/0a/Katara%26Zuko.png "/>
Zuko's betrayal
<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmbqhjeIx71qjf835o1_500.gif "/>
Source
<img src="http://i56.tinypic.com/243rn1v.jpg "/>
I mean what the hell was Zuko thinking. After everything he has been through this season, he chose to go over to the dark side.
But my favourite sequence was the fight between Azula and Katara. The way Katara was able to outclass this firebending prodigy is a testament to her skill and hardwork.
<img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfi0y8ESpC1qd21lso1_500.gif "/>
Source
When Aang went into the Avatar state I expected the tide to turn in their favour. But Azula manages to surprise me again.
<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmbq9qseWD1qjf835o1_500.gif "/>
Source
The way Katara holds Aang at the end of the episode mirrors the way she held him in "The Boy in the Iceberg" after freeing him.
<img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxuyz5uExB1qzhhleo1_500.png "/>
<img src="http://i54.tinypic.com/zjgpaf.png "/>
The Earth Kingdom…has fallen.
The episode leaves the viewers with so many questions about the future. Only one thing is certain the Earth Kingdom has fallen.
OH MY GOD KATARA HOLDING AANG
i am going to start crying at work
It was one thing for Zuko to forsake the Fire Nation, it was another thing to fight against the Fire Nation. So just when he had given up his "destiny" defined by his father, he is being asked to join the Avatar's destiny. I don't blame him at all. If he had been given this choice a few months after he learns to live with giving up the Fire Nation, he might have chose differently. I remember being horribly upset when this aired back in 05 or 06, but over the summer came to peace with it.
I love the way the end of this episode mirrors their first meeting! Hope reborn, twice. That's a great macro.
that last picture, I know it's a reference to something, but I can' for the life of me remember the name of it. help?
The Pieta – Michelangelo's sculpture depicting Mary holding the crucified Christ. TVTropes has a whole page on "Pieta Plagiarism".
god that is so rad
I recognised it first time I saw this episode. I had this amazing art teacher in high school, who always told us great stories about art and artists, and this was his favourite Michelangelo sculpture, so I'm very fond of it myself. He also gave me amazing mental image of Michelangelo throwing buckets of paint on Pope in Sistine Chapel. 🙂
I think it references the La Pieta sculpture by Michelangelo.
<img src="http://www.romaviva.com/vaticano-castel-santangelo/michelangelo-pieta.jpg "/>
TvTropes calls it Pieta Plagiarism, with a picture of the original statue and pose.
"The Pieta" by Michaelangelo. One of those pretty common stock poses to show tremendous grief and anguish. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ptitle…
It's so bizarre seeing Toph with pupils that don't look like she's got highly advanced cataracts. (Which, since she's been blind from birth, she probably actually doesn't. So.)
So let's take a trip back in time- back to slightly before this two-parter aired! Do you know how Nick/Bryke choose to advertise this thing? The most prominent commercial was one short little scene.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/6Qb0y.png">
Not even kidding. Those of us who had seen these adverts were left thinking something like this: "Oh! So Zuko and Katara are going to bond (with possibly a bit of ship tease) and then we're finally going to get the Zuko/Iroh/Gaang team-up we've all been waiting for!"
<img src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll269/hellojackgoodbyeson/gif/HoyaHappy.gif">
The reality left us all feeling a bit different.
<img src="http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/pseudo_tsuga/negative gifs/maskman.gif">
After this episode, you could here the fandom imploding at a rate like I'd never seen. Accusations of "WASTED CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT" rang through the halls of the internet. But honestly… I felt that Zuko's Heel Turn made perfect sense.
Think about it. How was he at the beginning of "The Guru"? Sure, he was happy(-ish), but he looked like a Stepford Wife! Had he dealt with any of the underlying problems that came with his past? All he'd done was deal a really trippy dream sequence. Zuko had simply shoved his issues aside (possibly to assuage his uncle's fears) instead of facing them. Maybe pushing his problems aside for a different day could have been a good thing in another universe- one where he'd never run into Azula or the Avatar or anyone from his past ever again. But when it came right down to it, Zuko was still a ball of angsty honor-obsessed daddy issues.
When Azula essentially begged Zuko for help, it probably threw him off more than his acid dreams had ever done. And that was enough to push him over to her side, even if it meant betraying Iroh. I remember that Zuko got a lot of flack for choosing Azula over his uncle, but while I think Zuko made the wrong decision, I also think that was a logical choice for him at this point in his character development. Of course I wish he'd chosen to side with Iroh and Aang, but this makes for a interesting, reasonable conflict. Zuko's still on his journey to become… whoever the hell he's going to be. And it does seem he's doubting his decision a bit.
(con't with stuff that isn't about Zuko's ~issues~ below)
These episodes are like getting punched in the gut The Gaang was so close to achieving their goals! And then everything collapses like a souffle. Props to the ATLA team for creating a villain who's smart, genre savvy, and even wins in a kid's show. Azula remains to be fucking terrifying, as she plays the Earth King, manipulates her brother, and maintains that charming smile as she does so. The "divine right to rule" she gives Long Feng, cheerfully kicking him a peg, is chilling. She's a wonderfully creepy villain and I love her for it.
The main cast isn't without their awesome moments as well. Toph… well, Toph's the greatest earthbender in the world! Do not mess with her, lest she trap you in a metal cage of her own making;. Seeing Sokka interact with his father may not have been "awesome" in the traditional sense of the word, but it was wonderful. Seeing him be accepted by the tribe as an adult and being respect by Hakoda = yes plz. (And it's cute seeing where Sokka got his sense of humor from.) Katara… oh, Katara. She opened her heart and listened to Zuko only to have him default back to "evil". You can't save them all, darling. But you can kick a lot of ass when you're angry, and save Aang when the chips are down.
The Guru Pathik and Aang on a chakra quest is probably the most fascinating storyline to me (even if I did keep hearing the world "chuckra"). Spirit quest, yeah~ My heart always breaks when Aang runs off to go save Katara, because he refuses to let go of her. Oh, bb. All the hugs. It may not have been the right decision, but like Zuko's, it makes sense. And Guru Pathik is so interesting! Backstory plz?
Basically, these episode emotionally wrecked me. And I fucking love it. I love that this show has so much faith in it's viewers that it can have a season finale where the main characters loss, and quite soundly. Bless this show for forever and a day.
OK, I'm sorry to be all correct-y, but this is kind of a pet peeve of mine. I'm Indian, and chakra is a Hindi/Sanskrit word (it means "wheel"). It IS pronounced "chuckra" — Guru Pathik pronounced it correctly. And it rubs me the wrong way a little when non-Indian people "correct" Indian pronunciations of Indian words!
Ah, thank you! I didn't know, but now I do. Didn't mean to offend.
Cool, no offense taken!
Thank you! I didn't know this and now my day has been usefully spent in learning this. I like correct pronunciation in their own language more than most things.
(even if I did keep hearing the world "chuckra")
Um, how else could it be pronounced? "Chuckra" is the only pronunciation I can think of, and, like Guru mentioned, it's the correct one.
I'd honestly never heard it pronounced that way- even from teachers who I'd assume would know better. My own ignorance showing through.
I'm curious – how did you hear it pronounced? Because I honestly can't think of any other way to pronounce it than "chuckra"… 🙂
It's usually pronounced something like SHOCK-ruh in the US, at least.
More like Chalk-Ra, which is how I've always pronounced it, personally.
"Shockra"?? Ugh…
I never understood the whole lot of hate Zuko got for that decision (yay entering fandom this past summer!) because even in the episode it seems much more logical for him. Azula is still offering everything he always wanted and what does Iroh have? Nothing but tea and advice and running. Zuko still needs to deal with his father issues at this point and being with Iroh hasn't helped so far so why not side with Azula and probably get to go home.
they used that image in the trailer for season two.
and they made sure that the advance episode list included something called "the cave of two lovers"
dohohoho
<img src="http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/pseudo_tsuga/negative%20gifs/maskman.gif">
Zuko shouldn't have done that…
ffffffff–
Now this explains a lot. I didn't know about this promo clip because I'm not from there, so this actually explains and brings sense to the ship wars being born so early.
MAJORA'S MASK GIF
YOU ARE NOW MY FAVORITE
Also agree with the stuff you said and stuff. =)
I love how Kata offers the spirit water to Zuko to heal his scar but not to Jet when he's dying right in front of her.
Stay classy Katara.
Was that really the same thing, though? With Jet, they were being attacked from all sides. I'm not sure Katara had the time to think about the spirit water- and it's not like she wasn't trying to heal him. In this situation, she wasn't being directly pursued. It's easier to think when you're not under pressure.
She probably felt terrible about it afterward when she realized she'd forgotten about the spirit water. That would also handily explain it being closer to the front of her mind in TCoD.
Hey, even the writers admitted that was poor planning on their part. Listen to their commentary on the DVD!
Blame them, not Katara!
I did read what they said. In the end though, it ends up making Katara look bad because it makes no sense.
It was tongue-in-cheek though. I'm not really blaming her. It always just bugged me because Jet is my favorite character. When the first episode aired, I kept on screaming "USE THE FUCKING SPIRIT WATER" to Katara XD
Yeah, it wasn't really good planning on the writer's part. I'll admit I tend to be Watsonian, but I'm not sure the writers were really thinking about the implications of that scene.
I couldn't find this when it was more relevant, but let me now share this paraphrased, reconstructed conversation I had with my ten-year-old cousin about "Zuko Alone":
"So, what happened in 'Zuko Alone'?"
"Well, Zuko was trapped in a town…"
"No, I mean the flashbacks."
"The what?"
"The flashbacks. When he was a kid."
"Oh. It was a long time ago. Let me think. His mother went away."
"And?"
"His mom went away…"
"What about the Fire Lord?"
"Fire Lord Ozai!!"
"No, Azulon."
"Azula?"
"No, the Fire Lord. His grandfather."
"Oh, he died."
"How did he die?"
"…Old age?"
"NO!"
"Oh, the Earthbenders killed him!"
"NO! His mother…remember, she said everything she did, she did it for him? She…"
"Okay?"
"What about Iroh? Why didn't he become Fire Lord?"
"Iroh quit and was ashamed…"
"No!"
And then I gave up trying to explain things to him.
Ouch… XD
You watched the REAL "Empire Strikes Back: Avatar Style"!
Aang takes off to save Katara before completing his training with the Guru – Luke takes off to save Leia and Han before completing his training with Yoda
Our heroes are captured and escape, but at a cost
BETRAYAL!!!
I'll comment more later. I just want to be on the first page for a change! n_n;;;
For the record: I was the one who called it at the end of season 1. It was taken down b/c I did mention there would be betrayal (but not by who) and that things would be FUBAR by the end of the season. So, while I'm on honored beyond measure that you remembered me, I hold no grudges that it was deleted.
Er… if I read the comments rightly, Mark hasn't seen Star Wars yet. So… spoilers?
His post above makes it sound like he has…
ZUKO!
<img src="http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad311/Chritter710/NOOO.gif">
NOOOO!!!!
<img src="http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad311/Chritter710/25aunlx.gif">
How could you!?
<img src="http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad311/Chritter710/tumblr_li7mwlEv7P1qbbs8k.gif">
You betrayed Uncle!
<img src="http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad311/Chritter710/tumblr_lge58x4I391qczrfto1_250.gif">
<img src="http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad311/Chritter710/tumblr_lhgp8b5Ulm1qb6poo.gif">
I AM SERIOUSLY DISPLEASED!
<img src="http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad311/Chritter710/tumblr_liffo5xHZC1qbydzh.gif">
ALSO, TOPH IS THE GREATEST EARTHBENDER IN THE WORLD!!!
Flawless gifspam is flawless.
SAD FARADAY
Oh god the best ever!! Flawless gifs are so so flawless.
And Aang, darling, you misunderstood Guru Pathik completely. He was talking about attachment. Real love is not about attachment. Real love is about giving yourself fully, and completely respecting the free will of the other person.
I remember you said that when I brought up Guru Pathink and his minor hatedom over at the spoiler blog, and you are still totally right. Problem is, Aang's young, and probably didn't understand the difference.
I know, and it's understandable, and makes the whole thing realistic. We can't expect a twelve-year-old boy (he's twelve biologically) to be so emotionally mature as to understand the difference between real love and attachment (heck, a lot of adults don't understand it!).
But still… *sigh* Oh, Aang…
Yes, I always understood it this way: You can love. You can marry. Have children, have friends. But when it comes to the moment where you have to choose the live and wellbeing of many over the live and wellbeing of your loved ones you must be willing and able to do so.
Aang doesn't have to give up his love to Katara. But when the moment is there to choose between saving her or saving the world/many he must be able to choose the latter.
That was very helpful! 😀 It always confused me what Guru Pathik meant exactly. I'm not Buddhist, nor do I study any of the concepts, so I wasn't sure. Now I think I have a better idea.
Well, it's not exactly a uniquely Buddhist thing – in Christianity the ultimate love is defined by "giving your life for your friends". If you REALLY love someone, you must be ready to give them up, if needed.
"This is the writers showing us that Zuko’s transformation is not a simple paint-by-numbers exercise of goodness, that this boy has been traumatized by years of neglect and pain, and that even people who are truly good at heart will make confusing decision to find their own version of peace. And even at the end of this, Zuko is still unsure if he has done what was right."
Well-put. This, to me, is the most powerful part of ATLA. Personal transformation isn't a simple matter even in the best of circumstances, and Zuko's are some of the worst. This is something that most shows, for children OR adults, trivialize in some eureka moment when the character has a change of heart – maybe it's different here because continuity is so important. I really identified with how difficult and painful and confusing it is for Zuko to figure out where his loyalties lie and what he really wants.
Most touching moment of all: Zuko allowed Katara to touch his scar.
Excuse me while I pick up the pieces of my heart…. <3
Why am I cursed with the ability to see puns in everything?
"Gosh, you're so confident. I really admire that about you" – see, see, the femslash just makes sense. And then you add the good-natured pokes at each other (Mai's depressing makeup, for instance), and comfort at discussing everyday things like makeup and clothing, while simultaneously carrying out nefarious plots, and just ot3 ot3 ot3. As Azula said, "good work, girls." Seriously, seeing them on screen automatically makes me perk up in interest.
And then there's lot of forward plot development, mostly in terms of character revelations and plot intersections. (Much of the plot being at the hands of Azula, who's just so. damn. competent. I mean, we've seen her fight, but here's she's just scheming, and it's still so good.)
<img src="http://i54.tinypic.com/mmd0uu.gif">
But most importantly, METALBENDING! METALBENDING FOR THE FUCKING WIN! "TOPH, YOU RULE!" SHE'S THE GREATEST EARTHBENDER IN THE WORLD!
<img src="http://i51.tinypic.com/2mfka2v.gif">
Hearts in my eyes forever at Toph. Just, everything about her makes me want to think she was created specifically with me in mind, because all her traits just work so, so well for me.
Metalbending! I will never get over that moment.
And ah, Crossroads of Destiny. I think this was the single most anticipated ep to get to on this blog – it seems like Zuko is so close to changing course and renouncing his family (other than Iroh), and it seems like this entire season has been moving towards that, but no, he sides with Azula, and is still caught up in his honor. *sigh*
Okay, so thoughts:
"Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname the “Dragon of the West”?"
<img src="http://i51.tinypic.com/2h4w3f8.gif">
Needs. More. Backstory! And then he goes to Toph and the rest for help! And kinda has a heart to heart with Aang! And fights off his niece and nephew! Iroh's just a really interesting character, even if he has his faults.
And whee Dangerous Ladies ftw! I honestly could watch an entire show about them.
<img src="http://i51.tinypic.com/24kyr1i.gif">
(Love Mai's line about "just take the bear," btw.)
<img src="http://i52.tinypic.com/1hrag.jpg">
And quoting Azula's speech for posterity, because I adore it:
<img src="http://i56.tinypic.com/jt1gki.gif">
And then holy fucking cliffhanger with the battle and Aang's state, and omg the Earth Kingdom has fallen! Pretty amazing finale.
"Gosh, you're so confident. I really admire that about you" – see, see, the femslash just makes sense. And then you add the good-natured pokes at each other (Mai's depressing makeup, for instance), and comfort at discussing everyday things like makeup and clothing, while simultaneously carrying out nefarious plots, and just ot3 ot3 ot3.
<img src="http://i53.tinypic.com/zlw4jp.jpg"/>
I love how everyone else seems to be pulling out awesome Zuko meta (yours very much included, of course), and I'm just like…Dangerous Ladies! <3
Nothing wrong with that! I was looking forward to what you'd have to say on them! 😀
That speech is what sealed my secret, forbidden, oh-so-wrong-but-oh-so-right love for Azula. If I was there, in that room, I'd have been bowing down waaaay before Long Feng got with the programme. That is how susceptible I am to Azula and her pretty, pretty words.
Talk some more Azula. Say something else.
Remember the mantra RE: Azula.
No, the other mantra.
Unfamiliar?
*ahem* She's14She's14She's14She's14She's14She's14She's14She's14She's14She's14She's14She's14
What are these faults of Iroh's that you speak of? I declare shenanigans!
Azula: Don't flatter yourself. You were never even a player.
LIGHTNING BURN!
I just realised, but Ty Lee blinded Toph when she blocked her bending.
WHOA, that never even occurred to me! Thank you!
Things like this are why I love the show. The depth is just stunning.
Assorted Thoughts in No Particular Order:
Guru Pathik is like 150 years old. Thus I propose that onion-banana juice is in fact the secret to immortality. If only Voldemort had known!
TOPH IS THE GREATEST EARTHBENDER EVER!
Iroh: *breathes fire*
Me: <img src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/original/000/131/443/tumblr_liebpzbCOv1qdkf2k.gif?1307475753" border="0">
Iroh + The Gaang = THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!
Zuko: *betrays Iroh*
Me: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
GREATEST COMMENT EVER. #justsayin
I was going to highlight just the part about Guru Pathik, but then I read the rest of your comment, and would have wanted to quote the entire thing.
I know Azula is pretty bad but goddam I love how she breaks all the rules. She SHOOTS THE HERO OF THE SERIES IN THE BACK DURING HIS POWER UP SEQUENCE. Ha Mark I bet you were like "oh here comes the Avatar state to save the day, he'll beat Azula, the Earth Kingdom will be safe and we'll have a new big bad for the next season.". The Avatar creators say "NAY" and blow your freaking mind.
Yes, exactly! This episode is why I say that Azula is one of the most effective villains I've ever seen. Zuko and the Dai Li were doing what villains always do– they stand there gaping in awe as the hero charges up his superpowered super attack, and then by the time they get off their asses and act, the hero's attack is all charged up and it's too late for them. Their asses are toast. But Azula didn't sit around and wait. She saw an opportunity and she took it. That makes her considerably smarter than most villains, especially cartoon villains.
She really is. Just consider how much more effective she is as a villain than Zuko. She is always 15 steps ahead of everyone else. Consider last season's finale, Zuko got the Avatar, but he didn't really think of how he was going to escape the North Pole with him. Zuko doesn't think ahead. And in the first season's finale, Team Avatar won. But with Azula as the Big Bad, they couldn't defeat her and save the Earth Kingdom. This finale is much much bleaker than the first.
Oh ye gods. D: If Azula had been the main villain from the start, instead of Zuko, this show would have been over by the end of episode 1×02.
Seriously. That nonsense has been bugging me since I was a ten-year-old watching Sailor Moon. Finally, a villain with some sense!
I KNOW, RIGHT? I hate Azula very much, but I /always/ give her credit for actually having a brain. So many times I see these long power up sequences or whatnot and it's just like, "… so why isn't that guy dead yet?" This moment was so shocking in the fact that someone ACTUALLY took advantage of that vulnerable state for once. And while horrible, it was also marvelous. (Not for poor Aang though, clearly.)
Some shows do offer explanations – in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, a monster attempts to attack in the middle of the heroine's transformation, and is pretty ineffective. Because the energy that surrounds her? Pretty much the same thing as her attacks! Painful.
This is why Azula should be the poster child for Dangerously Genre Savvy over at TV Tropes. Why, no, I don't think I will wait until your transformation sequence is complete before attacking you!
LOL yes. Also, Azula doesn't monologue! She doesn't stand there and ramble at her enemy, thus giving said enemy time to plan an escape! She waits until she's already defeated her enemy to do the bragging (see also: Long Feng).
The chakras — names, domains, locations and all — come from Hinduism and related belief systems. Guru Pathik says this about the water chakra: "This chakra deals with pleasure, and is blocked by guilt." Note that there's one thing that wasn't mentioned that was for all the rest: its location.
You get one guess where it is.
The bladder, right? Because pleasure = alcohol, and drinking = full bladder.
Right? Right?
😛
IT'S THE WATER CHAKRA, TOO
-immature giggling-
*giggles immaturely along with you*
I'm thinking its ALSO in the stomach. Because food deserves two chakras.
The groin.
I'm imagining Mike&Bryan and the other writers doing research into chakras for this episode, getting to the Water chakra, and going, "…Well, shit. We can't say that on Nickelodeon. I know! We'll just not mention the location and hope no one notices." WE SAW WHAT YOU DID THERE, BRYKE.
"It’s at this point that we are given one bleak cliffhanger"
And we had to wait for NINE MONTHS to see what happened next.
NINE MONTHS.
=(
That's enough time to have a baby!
And at least 4 litters of kittens! I COULD LITERALLY DROWN IN KITTENS IN THAT TIME NICKELODEON WANTS ME TO DIE THE MOST ADORABLE DEATH POSSIBLE THOSE BASTARDS.
Okay, so you might remember yesterday when I said that I liked The Earth King but didn't feel the need to defend it to those who didn't… well THIS is an episode I whose honor I defend to my very last breath! The end of the second book of A:TLA is pretty much spectacularly perfect. I love the meta organization of The Guru, and everything that happens in both episodes just has a perfect logic and flow that makes the plot a delight to watch (though I still have the urge to smack Zuko in the face with a rolled up newspaper for being a Bad Puppy.) Not to mention of course, the beautiful characters. Toph is the greatest earthbender in the world! (as if we didn't know this already) Zuko starts out so heartbreakingly happy and positive about their new life in Ba Sing Se, and Iroh gets to pretty much work his dream job. And it made me so happy to see Sokka finally get the validation he needs from his father. But oh! How this show does love to rip our hearts into tiny, tiny shreds and make us drop our jaws in awe of the fact that they put this stuff in a KID's SHOW. I don't even know how many times I've watched this two parter and every time it leaves me stunned and at a loss as to what to do or say next–except to start the next book, of course!
Oh, and don't you just love that Katara asked for a table for TWO for her and Momo at the Jasmine Dragon?
To me, the worst, most gut-wrenching thing in these episodes is when Iroh is captured, and he sees Zuko…____…and he looks away.____I'm tearing up just thinking about it.__(Though did you see Iroh taking those rock hits? Damn, man!)____On the Zutara thing – (disclaimer, I don't ship anything, I am generally indifferent towards shipping anything) it's interesting to me to see people say that this episode made them see it, since to me, this was the episode that made it completely impossible (though I have no issue with people writing fanfic, just the people who claim it should've been canon). You're right, the scene in the cave was the first time the two of them trusted each other, but for Katara, to let her guard down, to start to trust and understand, and to have him betray like that (another disclaimer – I LOVED THAT THEY DID THAT IT'S NOT A CRITICISM). I just can't see how she could ever trust him again. She'd have to think that this would happen all over again. That was just my take, but I react with disbelief when people clai it should be canon. I don't see it happening.__
To elaborate on what I loved. I love that Zuko's story isn't a straight bad-to-good story. Whatever his ending may be, he's wandered back and forth over that line like so many of us do, and it's why his story is really the most fascinating of the series. Kudos, writers.
…the hell? Those underscored were my elipses abuse and it was formatted better. Um…sorry, I can't edit. 🙁
Blah blah shipping but to point out: she trusted Jet again. Just saying.
…but did she?
She accepted him enough to work with him to find Appa. She worried about him as a person and felt bad when he was gone. But they never much interacted past that point.
Also, the circumstances are a bit different.
But I'm sure you're right and I'm delusional for not seeing it.
To be fair this could be argued both ways actually. She immediately attacks Jet and doesn't actually stop thinking its all a trick till Toph says he isn't lying. She also helps heal his mind and seems to trust him enough to believe everything he's saying. She even heals him. I think she trusts far to easily in the series but that she had it in her to trust Jet again is definitely in line with her character.
But like I said, it could be argued she didn't trust him again and was just going with what the rest of the group wanted.
Nothing you describe is anything I wouldn't do for a friend. Which I would say she saw him as. I just don't think they were ~in love~ and that's my main argument. You can't get THAT close to someone you're not sure you can trust. (well…you CAN, you can do just about anything, haha! Just doesn't seem likely to me is all)
I'd like to apologize for my use of "delusional". That was inappropriate. I tend to default to insulting myself as a usual way of thinking without choosing my words carefully. I'll try to get that out of my head immediately.
I don't and never did care about shipping in this series, but I just thought I'd butt in, too, and say that she actually liked Jet before, so I don't know if you can really compare the two. She didn't like Zuko before, didn't trust him before and then right after this brief moment together where she considers trusting him, Zuko betrays that trust. So, I think she'd have a much harder time forgiving Zuko after all this.
You can go on now, I think we waited a little less than a year for season 3!
As a twelve year old when I first watched this, I can guarantee you that children who cried themselves to sleep after the finale did exist because I was one of them.
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Same here! I sobbed and there were tears everywhere and then wait for the next season… excruciating. I was a mess… for two weeks because then I went back to reading Harry Potter 😛
Hah, I have way too many feelings about these episode; they’re the perfect resolution of Book 2.
So, starting with “The Guru.” Katara doesn’t get to go on an exciting trip like the others, but she gets shit done, and that’s why I love her character. Even though Sokka has insisted on sticking to a plan in the past, especially during “The Cave of Two Lovers” or “The Library,” it’s Katara who actually keeps everyone focused and moving forward. And after all of her hard work, she not only finds out that Zuko and Iroh are in the city, but she’s sucker-punched by the Dangerous Ladies and thrown into chains. So unprepared.
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Sokka’s reunion with Hakoda is as adorable as I could have ever wanted. They both love stinky weapons! After all of his embarrassingly ham-fisted approaches at masculinity, Sokka is finally recognized as a man by his father, and then gives up the dream of fighting alongside his dad to do what’s right. I know it’s a bit schmaltzy, but it’s sweet to see a functioning father-son dynamic, as well as to see that Sokka has grown up.
I guess the same could be said of Iroh and Zuko; they’re actually happy for once. It’s sweet! I’m happy that Iroh’s hard work has finally paid off. I know it was inevitable that they would be discovered by the Gaang or Azula, but it still makes me squirm when they get the invitation to serve tea to the Earth King.
I like Aang’s meeting with Guru Pathik. He has to deal with what’s holding him back, especially the angst he feels about the genocide of his people and his abandonment of his duties, to master the Avatar state. There are a lot of parallels between he and Zuko, and how they have to reconcile their desires with their duties, and their inner selves with their expected roles in society. Aang goes through it really quickly, but a lot of his blocks have been brought up before, like during “The Storm,” and what Guru Pathik says about balance and the union between the elements echoes what Iroh told Zuko in “Bitter Work.” I like the similarities between their stories, and that we get a visual representation of Aang’s spiritual journey quite unlike Zuko’s nightmares.
<img src="http://i52.tinypic.com/2s775z8.png">
Unfortunately, that scene ends abruptly because Katara is in danger, and Aang runs away with a warning that he won’t be able to enter the Avatar state at all. Eep. That feeling of foreboding at the end of “The Earth King” was completely right. So, the episode ends with everyone being pulled back to Ba Sing Se, where Azula is lying in wait, having manipulated both the Earth King and Long Feng. She’s awful, but like Ty Lee, I admire her confidence. She’s a villainous genius.
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And then on to “Crossroads of Destiny.” I just…can’t put it into words. The entire episode is amazing from start to finish. Iroh as the Dragon of the West? Kickass. They woke the dragon.
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But fucking Zuko can never leave well enough alone, and has to stay to fight Azula. What is he thinking?! This is basically my reaction to everything he does, ever:
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Iroh showing up at the Gaang’s door is fantastic; I’ve always wanted to see him work with them! I love that Toph thinks of him as a friend. His advice to Aang was fantastic. Love and happiness are important. Since Zuko obviously takes Iroh for granted, I’m glad someone is getting use from his brilliance.
I’m glad you could imagine shipping explosion because of Katara and Zuko’s scene.
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I’m not really a shipper, but I admit that Zutara is a fun idea to play around with, and shippers aren’t just cold making stuff up. I think it’s also why their past antagonistic moments were also used as proof. Also, there was like 9 months to fill before season 3 started, and you gotta do something.
The fight scene at the end was phenomenal. Katara has truly come into her own, and it was great to see her fight Azula and Zuko as an equal. And Aang’s decision to give up his earthly attachment wasn’t out of accord with his love of Katara and desire for happiness — he has to be the Avatar to defeat the Fire Nation. It’s the only way to secure their future. The end of this epiosde just breaks my heart. I seriously tear up as soon as Aang goes into the Avatar state because I know what’s going to happen. And then, Iroh is a prisoner and the Earth Kingdom has fallen. It’s a stark contrast to the hope at the end of the last season.
By the way, you’re the one who brought up The Empire Strikes Back! You said that the end shot of the last finale reminded you of it. Though maybe someone else said something about “Crossroads of Destiny” being thematically close. And thank you for watching Avatar and giving us all a reason to enjoy it again!
They woke the dragon.
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Was your 'waking the dragon' comment a reference to "A Game of Thrones"? I'm reading those books right now (on #4) and they are FREAKING AMAZING. If anyone is looking for a good series to read, I would definitely recommend it!! (Author George R. R. Martin)
Of course! I regret not replying to Tauriel with something like
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It's a great show and an even better book series! The show has helped me appreciate new things during my reread. 🙂
I started watching the TV series and then I've read the first book (I'm midway through the second one now), and man, I really like the stuff. The gritty realism of the world and the ambiguous morality of most of the characters remind me strongly about Andrzej Sapkowski's "Witcher" books.
And Harry Lloyd as Viserys is… well, CREEPY, but a bit YUMMY, too, know what I mean? 😀
haha, yup, that's how Harry Lloyd always is!
Ok…. I can't be the only one that thinks this but: I wish Aang and Iroh and their gang had been just a little bit later to burst into that cave. Because it feels like Zuko was kind of a hinge… A turning point in that last battle, and while everyone else had chosen a side, he was still undecided. But I think that had Katara healed his scar with the oasis water, he would have been firmly pro-avatar, would have helped them win the battle, and Aang never would have "died" and the earth kingdom never would have fallen. Just my two cents.
Or, since healing the scar would have changed none of Zuko's underlying issues that drove him to choose to side with Azula instead of the Gaang, Azula still ends up shooting Aang with a bolt of lightning, only now there's no oasis water to heal him with, so now the entire world is forever screwed.
Hmm… no. He had a lot of reasons to fall for Azula that some cosmetic fixes would not have done much about. IOW we would be looking at a dead Avatar (along with, quite possibly, a vengeful Katara seeking to undo her repairs to Zuko's face and then some) in addition to all the problems they had.
I would've hated that, to be honest. Zuko's scar is part of him. It's an important aspect of his character, and it's a significant factor in what makes him… him.
And I feel like it would cheapen his character development. His issues can't be solved just by healing his booboos with magic water. He's got to fix himself, and no one else should do it for him.
Perhaps it would have been less a case of 'fixing him with magic water,' and more something of giving him that extra help he needs to stop seeing himself as flawed in that way? Like… giving him an extra measure of confidence that would help him make his own decisions in the other areas of his life.
If you see yourself as unworthy, you'll be more likely to fall for anything that offers you the chance to feel more worthy. With a bit more self-esteem, his decision might have been different.
I seem to recall that the advertisements for the second season finale emphasized a Twist Ending. The thing is that Zuko's proverbial face turn was so built up and taken for given that his failure to do so was the twist.
As for my reaction? I get why he sided with Azula, really. He had spent most of the past three years seeking approval from his father despite everything done to him. He had just started to (IMO) seriously consider writing the whole mess off as futile when Azula shows up to dangle the possibility in front of his face again. It's borderline pavlovian, I got it.
None of this changes my very strong urge to beat him over the head with the proverbial Clue-By-4 until something breaks every time I watch that ep.
As for the Guru, I got the impression that he was poorly explaining himself at best and may have been looking for a theoretical workaround at worst. More details should be in the clip-art thing others will throw at you right about now.
Finally: Azula, talks her way into control of the last real Earth Kingdom Stronghold and backshoots the Hero in mid-transformation-sequence. She may be evil, but she is several time zones away from incompetent.
These episodes are fantastic, and a big part of why Season 2 is my favorite (I love season 3, don’t get me wrong, but I have such a strong affection for season 2). The ending is so bleak, and utterly shocking. It makes it really hard for the viewer to see how things can improve from here.
On a lighter note, my friend gave me permission to post the picture of the two of us dressed as Ty Lee and Mai for Halloween. So here it is!
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Once again, I thoroughly lack embedding skills
Once again, I thoroughly come to your rescue.
Yay!! Thanks again!
Nice costumes! 🙂
Awesome costumes! 😀 You two look great!
You think you can't embed? It took me 2 HOURS last night to figure out how to use a gif. Which is probably due to my status as a 60th level Lurker.
Sweet costumes! I'm thinking about being Mai this year for Halloween =]
These costumes are great!
You guys look adorable!
Oh man this episode. SO MANY EMOTIONS. ;____; I am VERY surprised that they ended the season on such a depressing point! You rarely see that in adults’ shows, let alone one for kids.
After these last few episodes where it seemed like Zuko was finally choosing the side of good and had come to terms with his situation, BAM, SUCKERPUNCH. That can’t be it, right? God, this is like the Is Snape Evil dilemma. Why do I want so badly for this animated character to be with the good guys?
The point you bring up with the Sokka/ Zuko parallels is interesting. Both have been separated from their dads for years. Both just want to be accepted by their dads. BUT, for Zuko, Iroh has really been a much more positive father figure than his real dad. And he just can’t accept it and follow Iroh’s path, because he wants Ozai’s approval so badly.
Otherwise there are such great moments. Aang’s plot in the Guru was a nice way to go over the previous plot before the finale. We did get some nice little world-building/philosophy bits in there. All the elements are really one. The Avatar has to be concerned more with the fate of the world than his personal attachments. And then Aang can’t, since Katara’s in trouble, so it stops the Avatar state? I’m kind of confused about how that works, but okay. It definitely made the finale a hell of a lot more intense.
Iroh and Aang just hanging out has got to be one of the best. They’re both just so chill. I want an episode that’s just Aang and Iroh. And Toph. Speaking of which. Toph is fucking badass. She invented metalbending. How long have we been told that that’s impossible? And she just fucking did it. Then she skated away on a wave of dirt. I want a gif of that that says “Hatas gonna hate.” Seriously, it’s just perfect.
Azula continues to be smarter than pretty much everyone else. Especially the king. Seriously, dude, why did you just tell some random people you just met about the super sekrit plan to destroy the Fire Nation? But her outmaneuvering of Long Feng is pretty impressive. I can imagine that some people saw it as being sudden, but it does sort of go along with ancient Chinese concepts of the right to rule. And then she just zaps Aang in the middle of his Avatar State glowingness. What the fuck.
Obviously Aang is going to be alright because there’s another season left, but what does this mean? Is there no more Avatar? Does Aang have to figure out some way to revive it? Does it have something to do with what the guru guy said? What the fuck, show, this is so stressful.
I feel like there is so much in these episodes that I’m missing, but it’s just so much to process.
Season 3 predictions:
Zuko had better wise up and start listening to Iroh. >:( At least stops being such a buttface.
Iroh teaches Aang firebending? Please?
EPIC BATTLE OF AWESOME
Aang finally tells Katara how he feels
More Suki! Please let her be okay.
Sokka goes into battle alongside his dad
We finally figure out about Iroh’s journey to the spirit world
HAPPY ENDING PLEASE ;_;
We find a way to revive the air nation? Please? There has to be some way, otherwise the Avatar cycle really will end in just a few generations, and everything’s out of balance.
Azula’s scheminess comes back to kick her in the ass
We finally see Ozai’s face
Idk I'm kind of bad at these.
Then she skated away on a wave of dirt. I want a gif of that that says “Hatas gonna hate.” Seriously, it’s just perfect.
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Hope this suits.
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You are a wonderful person.
"Especially the king. Seriously, dude, why did you just tell some random people you just met about the super sekrit plan to destroy the Fire Nation? "
To be fair, he had no reason *not* to trust them. Sokka had just told him that the Kyoshi Warriors were trustworthy, and that they were close personal friends of the Avatar and his companions. He had no way of knowing that they were impostors. Team Avatar left before the Dangerous Ladies arrived at the palace, so there was no one to say, "Hey, you guys don't look like the Kyoshi Warriors!" (Speaking of, imagine how much different this finale would have been if Team Avatar had decided to stay and greet the "Kyoshi Warriors", instead of leaving immediately.) So really, the Earth King had every reason to think that he could trust these three girls and that they were on his side. He probably assumed that they'd come to fight alongside the Avatar during the invasion.
Sure, it's frustrating for us as viewers, because we know that they're fakes, but it makes sense that the Earth King would trust them. They'd been vouched for by the Avatar's friend, after all.
This finale! This finale!
SO REMEMBER THAT TIME THAT SOKKA REUNITED WITH HIS FATHER AND THERE WERE MANHUGS AND SHARED HUMOR AND IT WAS GLORIOUS?
AND AANG'S LOVE FOR KATARA WAS REBORN OF HIS LOVE FOR AN ENTIRE EXTINCT NATION OF PEOPLE?
AND TOPH INVENTED A COMPLETELY NEW FORM OF BENDING BECAUSE SHE IS TOPH AND IS JUST THAT AWESOME AND IS THE GREATEST EARTHBENDER IN THE WORLD?
AND THEN THE WRITERS DEFIED ALL OUR EXPECTATIONS AND HAD ZUKO NOT PULL A HEEL FACE TURN AND JOIN THE HEROES?
AND THEN THERE WAS A GREAT BIG EPIC TAG-TEAM BATTLE BETWEEN AANG-KATARA AND ZUKO-AZULA?
AND THEN AZULA FREAKING SHOT AANG MID-TRANSFORMATION BECAUSE SHE IS AZULA AND IS JUST THAT AWESOME AND GENRE SAVVY?
AND THEN KATARA JUST HELD HIS LIFELESS BODY WITH THIS LOOK OF UTTER DESPAIR ON HER FACE?
AND THEN SHE BROUGHT HIM BACK TO LIFEAND THE BLOCKING WAS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THEIR FIRST MEETING FROM EPISODE ONE?
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THIS SHOW. THIS SHOOOOOOOOW!
I never realized how truly Troperiffic this series was until I read this summary.
Heeeeee… have you seen the Tv Tropes page for this show? I think it might be the longest one on there now.
It’s definitely up there, but the two pages that take the top spot are Buffy the Vampire Slayer (WHY CAN’T MARK JUST WATCH ATLA BTVS AND BSG AT THE SAME TIME. My entertainment is obviously more important than Mark’s well-being!) and Mass Effect 2 (Never played it, but the A.V. Club likes it and apparently the next installment will have the option to have the main character be in a homosexual relationship, so yay, progress!).
Nobody was prepared for this finale when it first aired. How could we not ensure that you were as unprepared as us? In fact, you were even less prepared than most of us, because the previews teased the Zutara cave scene so much that even non-Zutara shippers were predicting a Significant Bonding Moment. …which it sort of was, then the ending more than negated everything else. BTW, I think this was the episode where the fandom came to the conclusion that the creators loved to troll the shippers.
Something you didn't note in your review that fans picked up on at the time was that Aang was possibly technically killed while in the Avatar State. Which, as we found out in the first episode of the season, would kill the Avatar spirit. So, does that mean the Avatar spirit is dead? Have fun sweating over that for the next who-knows-how-many months! …except that you know exactly when you'll get to watch the Season 3 premiere and maybe get your questions answered and i will never ever let you hear the end of it how dare you not suffer through indefinite hiatus like we did
OH GOD I DID NOT EVEN THINK OF THAT
FFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Remember how after Azula shot Aang and there were quick cuts as he was falling of his conversation with Roku in the Season 2 premier? Only this time it showed the Avatars disappearing.
Things aren't looking too good for the world right now…
The episode where Roku explains what happens if he dies in the avatar state shows the previous avatars disappearing, this episode only shows the "space" avatar falling over and Aang falling through space, then cuts to Aang falling down where Katara catches him.
Really? I need to re-watch the episode, I only watched "The Guru" because I didn't realize this would be a dual review. For some reason I thought there was a part in "The Avatar State" where Avatars were appearing, and they played it in reverse in this one. My mistake.
Oh, crap. In that context, the wait must've been unbearable…
Well, we did get some answers in the flash game, which went live before the premiere. How long before, though, I can't remember…
I think this was the episode that really made me love this show. I couldn't believe that the heroes didn't win. I mean, how many kid shows do you see, where the hero says "I have no choice! I have to win! I have to protect everyone!" and then they succeed out of sheer willpower. In Avatar, Aang is faced with that same situation, and he fails. I'm not saying I like that he got shot in the back and the Earth Kingdom was conquered by Azula, but I find stories a lot more interesting when the heroes don't always magically win out of the power of goodness.
Also, at this point I really can't see how they'll ever beat Azula. Ever since she came into Ba Sing Se, she was at least one or two steps strategically ahead of everyone. She obviously has some purpose for Zuko, now, since she bothered to get him loyal to her. I think that she was letting people get the upper hand on her, sometimes, in that last fight, so that Zuko could come 'save' her (thus increasing his sense of loyalty). Almost everything she did there at the end seemed to be a deliberate effort to make Zuko feel included, needed, and important.
Yep, pretty much what I'd reply, too. 😀
I totally didn't realise you were doing these tow together so I am woefully unprepared to write anything long and thinky. Perhaps I will comment later if something comes to mind. However, in the meantime, have some more Texts From The Fire Nation.
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OMG that last one is sublime.
Meh, the last one should totally have had something about absinthe. Waste of opportunity… XD
re: green tea and vodka: jasmine tea and amaretto is actually really good.
I'm glad to hear it, because I tried green tea and vodka last week, and my tastebuds are still mad at me.
All I can say is in reference to the second episode:
1. Zuko, WHY?! REALLY, WHY?! YOU BROKE IROH'S HEART!
2. AZLUA SHOT AANG! IN THE BACK! ON A KIDS SHOW!
3. Excuse me, need to cry now. Aang almost died and Iroh is sad.
But more importantly IROH IS SAD!
I HATED Zuko after this finale. I was so ready for him to join the Gaang/Team Avatar and then he goes and turns on them and his Uncle. It was a very sad and disappointing moment. But after I got over my RAGEFUL HATE of Zuko I kind of pitied him. I didn't think his "new life" with getting his honor back was going to be good.
Does anybody have a gif of Toph falling when Appa, Aang and Sokka ask if she needs a ride? I love that part.
<img src="http://i54.tinypic.com/2e3bqfd.gif">
I am apparently in a gif-ing mood today.
I love how the rocks just EXPLODE as if she were only keeping their destructive capabilities leashed by her own sheer badassery.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. I love Sokka and Aangs faces. "oooh" I think it's a great reminder that bending takes concentration, no matter how good the person is.
<img src="http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/7285/120828962698.jpg">
oh zuko. you never get it right.
"two chakras ago that was a good thing!"
it should be noted that there is a difference between love and attachment. i haven't seen it often described in exactly those terms in western media, but it's an important concept in a few eastern religions. guru pathik didn't explain this: maybe to test aang's resolve, maybe he was supposed to figure it out on his own, maybe he ran off before pathik could define the idea.
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and thus began the toph versus bumi fan wank. odds favor sifu toph "the blind bandit" bei fong aka the greatest earthbender ever aka tophneto, but it would be a grave mistake to underestimate bumi, with his 100-year history of stupifying cunning, raw strength, and earthbending with his face.
http://isaia.deviantart.com/art/Lullaby-page-1-34…
http://isaia.deviantart.com/art/Lullaby-page-2-34…
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Been waiting for people to post these! You should post the kittens one. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. I have it on my computer but won't be home to post it. >_>
Oh Lullaby! I love those!
Where is the first drawing from?!
KITTENS!!! <3
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Source
Betraying my video-game geekness once more:
OMG ZUKO HAS SER POUNCE-A-LOT!!!
Ahem. Carry on. (info)
So that's where he went!
THE KITTY <3
Probably somebody already pointed out this, but Rufftoon (Johane Matte) actually worked on the show as a storyboard artist.
And she's drawing some of the canon sequel comics!
Not to mention her epic fancomic about a certain fish-punching character we love to hate, based on a premise which I don't think is spoilery by any definition but I won't mention the title just in case, which ATE MY LIFE for about a week. And which I hope Mark will read eventually because it is just that awesome.
Yes, she's AWESOME.
(I also love her doodle-critiques of the Shyamalan movie. Brilliant and funny as hell XD )
hahahahahaha oh my gosh those comics are all amazing!!!!!
Hehe. This is how people filled the nine months. Fanart!
The Toph bending bones is hilarious becuse she SHOULD be able to, since bones are made of calcium, which she logically can bend.
There's an online game: 'Escape From the Spirit World' that bridges this season and the next. Playing it unlocks some canon via videos. The direct links are here:
http://a1926.g.akamai.net/downloadstor.download.a…
http://a1926.g.akamai.net/downloadstor.download.a…
http://a1926.g.akamai.net/downloadstor.download.a…
http://a1926.g.akamai.net/downloadstor.download.a…
I don't know if they're necessary to understand Season 3 but here they are for what they're worth.
I definitely recommend watching the game's cutscenes at some point. They are made of backstory love. Sure, you can get summaries of what we learned, but there's more of a punch from actually watching them and hearing the characters tell their stories.
On rewatching, wait until after you've seen the Season 3 premiere to watch the cutscenes. There's a couple of things that will spoil the surprises of the premiere.
Here are the videos:
1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDBJGQodSHw
2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqnfCsqLPpE
3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l79stycJoyY
4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJyfxHEGRqI
They're not spoilery for Season 3, but they give some nice flashbacks into the lives of the past Avatars.
There's also the prologue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmT3BgoDeic&fe…
Unfortunately, while the videos themselves aren't spoilery, the same doesn't hold true for the suggestions in the side bar.
Here's a link to the youtube version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tORslUY699o
This is the writers showing us that Zuko’s transformation is not a simple paint-by-numbers exercise of goodness, that this boy has been traumatized by years of neglect and pain, and that even people who are truly good at heart will make confusing decision to find their own version of peace. And even at the end of this, Zuko is still unsure if he has done what was right.
Art posts are coming soon (there will be two, I have lOTS OF ART for today, and it's still scanning), but I have so many Thoughts on Zuko's decision here. Most of it will have to wait, as it's all meta about the overall narrative, but I'd like to focus specifically on the personal, in-character why of what Zuko does, especially since I've seen so many fan reactions that basically boil down to 'Zuko why so stupid' or 'creators, this makes no sense!' In a nutshell, I think you've summed it all up right there.
Azula always lies.
I touched on this in a comment back with Zuko Alone, but what we repeatedly see with the Zuko and Azula dynamic is that, while Zuko knows intellectually that Azula is a lying liar who lies, who never has his best intentions in mind, who manipulates and controls everyone around her with horrifying ease, especially him, he is still constantly falling victim to her manipulations. Azula knows her brother very well, knows exactly what he most desperately wants, and knows just how to pull his strings to get him to do what she wants him to do, and we have seen this in every single past and present interaction between them this season. He knows she's a terrible, manipulative person who frequently manipulates him, but he's still subject to her manipulation because she knows how to play his emotions and insecurities so incredibly well. His constant, repeating refrain in Zuko Alone is necessary because he's trying to remind and convince himself that she's a liar and he shouldn't believe anything she says.
But he still does.
And here, these two episodes could easily be titled 'Azula Manipulates Everyone Magnificently'. She's playing everyone, from the Dai Li to Long Feng to her own brother, and they're all falling for it because, however terrible a person Azula is (and boy is she) she seems to have a gift for intimately understanding people. Look at how Zuko is approached with this life-changing decision: Iroh is telling Zuko it's time for him to choose, and it's time for him to choose good. But to Zuko, what is good? He doesn't even know any more. He's seen the horrible things his nation has done to people, and he's been slapped in the face all season with the realities of the Fire Nation's war, but he was still raised in that environment, he has spent his entire life immersed in the idea that the war is just and good and awesome, and the past three years with the one single, driving thought being that if he captures the Avatar, he can return home and maybe, just maybe, things will be better.
And here, Azula shows up, tells Iroh to stop telling Zuko what to do, and then frames her side of the choie thusly: Zuko can have everything he has ever wanted, and all he has to do is to do what he's been raised to believe is the right thing for just a little while longer. There doesn't have to be a big metamorphosis, there doesn't have to be all this pain and loneliness and rejection, all he has to do is let go of all the doubts he's built up over the past year and fight the Avatar. That this is a hard thing, that Zuko clearly struggles and, even once he's chosen, is obviously still questioning whether he's done the right thing, is proof that the Zuko at the end of season two is not the Zuko from the beginning of season one. That Zuko would not have hesitated, would not have questioned, and would have been happy and gloating. He would have beamed at Azula's proclamation that 'today you have restored your own honor'. This Zuko doesn't look all that happy or certain, does he?
Oh and the way that Azula does this. Iroh is telling Zuko what to do, what's the best choice, but Azula breezes in, drops the offer of everything Zuko has ever wanted in his lap, insinuates that Iroh is trying to manipulate him while proclaiming her faith in his loyalty, tells him that she needs him, a thing that I'm sure she has never, ever said, and then turns around and leaves telling him that it's entirely his decision. It is absolutely, in every way, designed to manipulate Zuko's emotions, insecurities, desires, and pride–and there is no way that Zuko was not going to take that bait. That he hesitates at all, let alone for so long, is proof that he has changed a very great deal, that he has, despite his final decision, listened to what his uncle has been saying. But it turns out the Crossroads of Destiny Iroh references are very real…but Iroh has gone down one path, and Zuko has gone down another, and there's no telling where this is going to lead now.
JUST…..thank you for these comments.
AWESOME post. You said everything I was going to say, plus more. While Azula's manipulation of Long Feng and the Dai Li was brillaint, her manipulation of Zuko was almost a work of art.
One thing that really impresses me about it is that there are moments where I think Azula was being honest and genuine. Her comment about needing Zuko to win is sure to help sway him, but it's also entirely true. As egotistical as Azula is, she's not one to underestimate her enemies. She's already lost to Team Avatar three times now, and the last time she was only up against Aang. Like Mark pointed out, Katara pretty much had Azula beat before Zuko helped her out.
And Azula's mission from the start was simply to imprison Iroh and Zuko, yet she puts this and her sibling rivalry aside to achieve a more important goal. While this is majorly an important point in Zuko's character development, I think the fact that it's so easy to look at Azula as inhumanly evil overshadows the interesting development this episode holds for her as well.
Yes, exactly this. To be honest, I think Zuko was a goner as soon as Azula pulled out the "I need you, I can't win this without you" speech in the cave. All he's ever wanted is to be needed and appreciated by his father, and getting Azula's approval is a surefire way to gain his father's approval, since we know that Azula is Ozai's darling.
That, too, but the touching of the scar was a highly symbolic gesture. Zuko has always kept distance from everyone, not letting anyone get close to him. Letting Katara touch his scar was an incredibly intimate moment.
I think its all rather intimate because this is the first person Zuko has opened up to. About anything.
Well, of course. But allowing her to touch his scar is a physical representation that amplifies everything. Considering what that scar means to him, the whole emotional baggage.
I think we're secretly arguing the same thing using different examples.
<img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h378/increak96/Demotivationals/Heartburn.jpg" border="0" alt="Heartburn Pictures, Images and Photos"/>
That moment when you remember that Iroh laid seige to Ba Sing Se for 600 days and failed to conquere it, then realize Azula just did in a week. And with virtually no army.
I recall watching an interview with Peter Jackson once about Lord of the Rings, which like Star Wars also has a trilogy structure, and he laid out the way the way the trilogy structure dictates the hero's journey. In the first volume, the hero embarks on his quest and has some victory that precludes his greater destiny; but in the second volume, the escalating situation briefly overcomes the hero, leading to a (often devastating) loss for him/her and a great victory for his antagonists.
(…I can't for the life of me remember how Two Towers does that, which is probably a good thing, since Mark's planning to read LotR.)
But anyway! That's why Book 2: Earth of Avatar bears such a striking resemblance to The Empire Strikes Back. They're both the middle volume of their respective trilogies, and the hero has to suffer crippling defeat before he can overcome that and become a true hero capable of a final victory.
Also, Mark, I can't believe Toph literally inventing the art of metalbending only got one mention from you. That's so wrong.
That moment when you remember that Iroh laid seige to Ba Sing Se for 600 days and failed to conquere it, then realize Azula just did in a week. And with virtually no army.
This is because Azula WINS AT ALL THE THINGS. Best villain ever.
"In the first volume, the hero embarks on his quest and has some victory that precludes his greater destiny; but in the second volume, the escalating situation briefly overcomes the hero, leading to a (often devastating) loss for him/her and a great victory for his antagonists."
This is how story structure in general is supposed to work. Even in a single movie. The First Act introduces our characters and the world they exist in. The Second Act moves the plot forward and leaves the protagonist in their darkest and most desperate moment. And the Third Act builds to the climax where the plotlines are resolved and loose-ends are tied up.
Frankly, it amazes me that few people other than Lucas have applyed this concept to a trilogy of films.
It's pretty common in book trilogies, which I think is the reason many people say the second book in trilogies is often the weakest — because it needs the third one to resolve it.
And now I'm trying to think of ways to subvert/avert that structure. But I'm no writer!
I love how 'typical' villains in shows always explain their motives, always blabbering on just a little too long, so that the good guys have a shot to beat them. Or that the good guys have the ~super specul technique~ that will save everyone. But then our royal badass Azula is like LOL NOPE IMMA SHOOT YOU IN THE BACK.
Bless this show.
There’s no doubt, though, that I can’t think of a single “children’s” show that is this complex in terms of what sort of story that is being told.
"Gargoyles" comes rather close – as it's an older series, I've always seen it as a sort of prototype for the kind of epic storytelling structure ATLA uses so well: you had morally complex antagonists arranged in factions that fought each other as often as they did the heroes, an extremely rich mythos (including Shakespearean elements!), detailed worldbuilding, and the occasional subversion of conventional tropes. All this in a Disney cartoon, no less. 🙂
THIS. Gargoyles was wonderful. And it had Demona.
And Xanatos! I hope I'm not the only one who found him dreamy.
No, no, you were not. *sigh*
The voice, the smarts, the humor, the ponytail… Mm-mm-mm.
Totally off topic, but Gargoyles also had one epic frakkin' theme…
DUUUNNNNN dun dun dun dun DUUUUUUUUUUNNN dundundun…
It sounds better in my head 😛
I adored Gargoyles. It even introduced me to mythology from other parts of the world.
It's even better with Keith David narrating. "The spell is broken… AND WE LIVE AGAIN!" Chills. 🙂
Everything's better with Keith David narrating, trufax.
OMG, you have no idea the amount of freaking out that fandom did when this aired. Because of course, everyone expected Zuko to go over to Team Avatar. AND THEN HE DIDN'T. There was so much flailing.
I admit, I myself was really torn about the direction the story went at the time, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. We're all sitting here yelling at Zuko, but… yeah. Why should we expect him to follow narrative conventions just because? I really respect the writers for having their characters make hard decisions and, honestly, for having everything go wrong here. For having the heroes LOSE for once.
And I'll have a much longer post up later, but for now there is no time.
In closing: Metalbending. Further proof that Toph is 100% fucking awesome.
Exactly. Crossroads made me want to punch Zuko in the face. Repeatedly.
Is it bad that I wanted to punch Zuko MORE when he was being annoyingly good? "It sure is, Uncle!" aaaarggghararggh
Really? I wanted to hug him because his uncle had FINALLY gotten though to him. But jk… Iroh hadn't.
Okay these episodes are just a whirlwind of emotions. And everytime, every single goddamn fucking time, I expect Zuko to pick differently. IDEK I mean, it does make sense, but I just want sooooo badly for him to join the Gaang and NO ZUKO WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU ARE SHOOTING FIRE AT THE WRONG PERSON YOU NIMROD
TOPH METALBENDING
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SOKKA REUINITING WITH DAD
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IROH GIVING ADVICE TO AANG
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AZULA SHOOTING AANG WITH LIGHTNING
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ZUKO BEING WEIRDLY HAPPY WITHOUT APPEARING TO HAVE ACTUALLY DEALT WITH ALL HIS RAGE AND PAIN
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ZUKO CHALLENGING AZULA TO AN AGNI KAI
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ZUKO'S TALK WITH KATARA
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ZUKO SIDING WITH AZULA
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ZUKO ZUKO ZUKO ZUKO ZUKO
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THEN NINE MONTH HIATUS
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Well this is a perfect GIF post if I've ever seen one.
Oh and I couldn't find a good place to stick this in there, but the bit where Aang is opening one of his chakras and he "lays all his grief out in front of him" makes me get a little teary each time. All those air nomads gone forever :((((
> ZUKO CHALLENGING AZULA TO AN AGNI KAI
The impressive part about that: Azula did not give the impression of concern or fear when she refused the challenge. It was obvious that she had no doubts about winning but simply could not be bothered at the moment….
I will never be tired of that Phelps gif.
Oh my god, Fresh Prince gif backwards!
"The Guru" was the first episode I ever watched. I didn't understand shit, but I did understand that I wanted to SEE MOAR.
CAN APPA JUST EAT AZULA ALREADY! SHE RUINED HAPPY ZUKO AND IROH. NOT COOL. D:<
Now now, we can't have Appa getting indigestion 😉
Let me just say that even though i dont comment ever (stupid iTouch), this (and mark reads) makes my day. I come home from school and the first thing i do is pull up your sites. Thank you for the awesomeness that is you Mark.
'Rainbow benders' ahahaha. BEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD.
Okay but seriously, the incredible shot at the end of this episode, where Katara waterbends out of the cavern with Aang in her arms? GUH. So powerful. So flawless.
I think I may have actually screamed at the computer screen the first time I saw Azula shoot Aang. And by "maybe" I mean "of course, and then I cried". This is why I can only watch season two when I have enough time to watch straight from The Library through season three. SO MUCH STRESS. I have no idea how people did this week to week.
"Three chakras ago that was a *good* thing!" might be on my short list of Best Avatar Quotations Ever.
*Azula always lies. Azula always lies*
Mark, when you compared yourself to Zuko when you found out his story, everyone in Avatar fandom was cringing and thinking of this episode.
You are FINALLY ready for season three! YAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!
(But you are STILL not prepared.)
DAMMIT, ZUKO.
In 10 years, 15 tops, Katara will be capable of beating Pakku into the ground if her learning curve remains half as impressive as it is now.
I figure Bumi's only advantage over Toph will be Old Age and Treachery inside of five years.
Is that a Tortall reference? Do I sense some Alana vs. Keladry there? (Was that from Aly's book, or the Protector of the Small series?)
This finale was actually what made me fall in love with Azula – in a totally meta, as-a-character way! Not as a person! Though I do think I may be a little more willing to toe the edge of others, I do think Azula has a lot of qualities that are admirable and not inherently negative, and a lot of those are showcased in these episodes (and even hilariously commented on by Ty Lee – "It was pretty and poetic but also scary in a good way!"). She's incredibly intelligent, able to read and understand people (at least, as relates to her frame of reference, which is enough in this context, anyway) and political maneuvering in a way few of the other characters really can. Her offer to Zuko near the end completely exemplifies this – she tells him that she needs him, inviting him into a fraternal narrative of working together for the Fire Nation, knowing that's exactly what he wants to hear; everything down to her snapping at Iroh to let Zuko choose for himself is anticipating his behavior. She can be extremely confident and self-assured, winning over others both through genuine inspiration ("a matter of life and death" the Dai Li are facing a real threat of elimination and Azula uses that to unify them behind her) and fear ("I will snub it out"). Azula accomplishes what generations of soldiers couldn't; I have to say, I was really taken with the scene where she openly usurps Long Feng's power with the Dai Li, because she didn't really do it through either brute force or the sort of tropes that would usually relegate her as a female character to soothing the ego of the man in power while getting him to do what she wants – this fourteen-year-old girl was just that awe-inspiring in and of herself.
I mentioned before that she may have faced being not taken seriously due to her gender, but here she even uses that to her advantage – I find it doubtful that Long Feng would have made the same deal if Azula were a Fire Nation prince. I know I can't guess at his behavior, but it just seems likely he would have perceived such a person as a threat and rival purely due to being a dude. But Azula puts on her scared girl act and it doesn't even seem to occur to Long Feng that she'd be using that opportunity to impress herself upon the Dai Li until one of his agents praises her right there in front of him. And of course, by the time he can really afford to try to derail her influence, it's too late.
Of course, the problem is, even if I think some of these qualities could theoretically be used for something positive, Azula uses it all for PURE EVIL AWFULNESS. I don't think even things like her lack of empathy or even her manipulative nature mean she has to be evil, but she is. Which is why I only love her as a character. Yes.
On a different note, as someone who loves Katara, I think these episodes is actually what put me off shipping her with Zuko. Well, there are the obvious reasons, but while I love the scene they share in the cave, I think sometimes what it means for what Zuko chooses by the end of this is sort of downplayed. Because we've already seen with Jet that Katara doesn't forgive too easily, and Zuko's actions amounted to a pretty hefty betrayal here, one that I don't think can be underestimated: had Katara not been interrupted from possibly using her healing water on his scar, well – we saw at the end that it disappeared when she used it to heal Aang. Had Aang died in the Avatar state, it would have been the end of the Avatar, forever. Zuko doesn't know all that, obviously, and he wasn't the one who ultimately stuck Aang in the back, but Katara opened herself to Zuko, and his turning on her had really significant implications that I don't think can be underestimated.
But still, as much as I love Iroh, Zuko's "metamorphosis" did seem kind of questionable – he's someone who needs somewhere to go, and while Iroh was obviously right, Azula provided him with a clear path: rejoin your people, reclaim your birthright, regain your honor. I don't fault Iroh because there's not much he could do, but I don't think this flies in the face of Zuko's character development at all. One's development doesn't come down to "good" or "evil." Zuko wasn't on the go-toward-good-path just because he wasn't actively hunting the Avatar or working for the Fire Nation, and similarly, his actions in the end of this (which I just derided!) aren't some automatic going-toward-evil characterization. What Zuko has really been struggling with is choosing a path for himself rather than being pushed into things by others. In some ways, even with Iroh and Azula's influences (and I'd add that Zuko is a big boy – Azula is horrifyingly manipulative, but Zuko made his own choice here), that's what he did here.
… and there was a lot of stuff but apparently the Fire Siblings are just going to get my attention. But basically, a perfect end to fantastic sequence of episodes. Yay book three!
Very cool commentary. Thanks for writing it!
But still, as much as I love Iroh, Zuko's "metamorphosis" did seem kind of questionable – he's someone who needs somewhere to go, and while Iroh was obviously right, Azula provided him with a clear path: rejoin your people, reclaim your birthright, regain your honor
As much as Zuko broke my damn heart in this episode, I agree with you here. I'm probably alone on this, but I found post fever, happy Zuko downright chilling.
I completely agree. I had the same reaction to Zuko in this as Toph had to Sokka. I didn't trust this new positive Zuko. LONG FANG BRAINWASHED YOU, DIDN'T HE!?
Zuko just needs angst to function.
Yeah, judging by how Katara treated Jet after he betrayed her, Zuko had better hope he never, ever runs into Katara in a dark alley now.
And people had to wait nine months between this cliffhanger and the third season. NINE MONTHS, MARK. THAT'S A WHOLE PREGNANCY OF WAITING.
So I guess now is the point where we get to be jealous of you watching this a day at a time…because here's where Nickelodeon apparently decided to try and sabatoge the show through about 70 bajillion hiatuses. Like something like NINE MONTHS between this and the season three premiere :*( But we only have to wait three days for the next review! ^_^.
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/guru4.jpg">
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/guru5.jpg">
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/guru6.jpg">
I will forever be reminded of this website that was doing a review of Avatar and warned parents that, zomg, Avatar will teach your kids subversive Eastern spirituality and philosophy, horrors. It was phrased as the most terrible thing.
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/guru7.jpg">
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/guru8.jpg">
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/guru9.jpg">
I will forever be reminded of this website that was doing a review of Avatar and warned parents that, zomg, Avatar will teach your kids subversive Eastern spirituality and philosophy, horrors. It was phrased as the most terrible thing.
That is really infuriating. Ugh. Subversive lessons about finding balance within and understanding yourself. How awful.
(and I love Hakoda <3 )
hey, my father got himself kicked out of our old church when he forwarded one of those cheesy "sayings of the dalai lama" things
I'm sorry. That must have been frustrating. I hope he was able to find a better church.
I love how Bato's arm isn't magically healed as if he was never injured – you can still see it has been traumatized. It's a pretty insignificant detail, but I think it's great.
We had to wait NINE WHOLE MONTHS for season 3.
However, they were kind enough to give us this game called "Escape from the Spirit World" which supposedly happened while Aang was unconscious.
Its all good fun AND gave us background on the past four avatars. Real interesting stuff.
I don't have the game, but here's the videos about the avatars.
Roku: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDBJGQodSHw
Kyoshi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqnfCsqLPpE&fe…
Water Avatar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l79stycJoyY&fe…
Air Avatar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaMfs0tQ0h4&fe…
OMG thank you so much for posting the link to that comic I've been wanting to reread it ♥
Thank you so much! You made my day. God, renaissance would be so much better with John Cleese as holy father.
Probably… XD
I'm a devout Catholic, but that sketch is one of my top favourite Python sketches. Which proves that yes, even Catholics can have a sense of humour! 😀
"The Last Supper is what I ordered, and the Last Supper is what I want! With twelve disciples and one Christ!"
"One???!!!"
"Yes, one! Now what in God's name possessed you to paint it with three Christs?"
"It works, mate!"
"Works?"
"Yeah, it looks great! The fat one balances the two skinny ones."
Gets me every time… XD
Oh, Season Two finale… What else can I say about it? Intense, amazing, heart-breaking, beautiful… I was waiting for your review.
And since I can't apparently say anything coherent about the finale in itself, I'll rant about the parallels of Sokka and Zuko's stories that you commented briefly. What I like about this show is that you can see how different characters, both "good" and "bad", have lived similiar experiences and how those things affected their personality. Because as different as they seem, their background is really similar: they are older brothers who grew up with a younger and "more talented" sister, their mother left their lives when they were young, and they are always looking for validation in their father's eyes. In this episode we learn that Hakoda is very different from Ozai (it is clear that Sokka's father loves him, for instance), but the comparison still stands. They've had to work "harder", in Sokka's case, because he's not a bender, and Zuko because he just can't be a prodigy like Azula. We've never seen them interact, but the Katara/Zuko bonding scene in the finale is so good, that I would love to watch Sokka/Zuko scenes too, because their personanilities would make an interesting contrast.
So many things happened in THIS TOTALLY EPIC EPISODE , I need to organize my thoughts.
Zuko first. WHAT THE HELL. First, he turns really good, actually being happy and glad to be in Ba Sing Se. MY HEART WAS SO HAPPY. God, at this point I just wanted Zuko to be happy. So much shitty stuff has happened to him, I think his Uncle is the only person he has known, besides his mother, who actually supported him and tried to put him on the path to being good. And after battling with himself, he turned good. THEN AZULA COMES AND RUINS IT ALL OMG! But when she promised him honor, I should have known that he would have sided with Azula. Nothing would ever get in the way of Zuko and his beloved honor. Although, when Zuko first popped up to the battle, I totally thought he was going to be on Team Avatar, especially after chatting with Katara, but NO! And he had to totally betray Iroh. All the tears. But seriously Zuko, not cool hurting your uncle. Maybe it's all part of an elaborate plot for Zuko to take down the Fire Nation form inside. Hey a girl can hope.
Iroh-You're making me tearbend.
Aang-I think it's sweet that in the Guru, he wouldn't let go of Katara, but not that practical. Like wouldn't have taken a minute or two to actually let go of her and then go into the Avatar state and then he could have rescued her after being super powerful? Although the writers had me worried that once Aang left the Guru, he would never be able to go into Avatar state ever. So, I was happy when Aang was able to let go of Katara and go into big Purple Avatar state. AND THEN AZULA SHOOTS HIM WITH LIGHTNING AND EVERYTHING HURTS AND NOTHING IS GOOD. someone please hold me.
Katara- Badass waterbender as always. I kinda started shipping Zutara a little bit during the cave scene, not gonna lie, but I mostly like it because I think it is interesting when enemies realize that they have something in common and kind of bond. And Katara offering to heal Zuko was really touching to me, but at the time I was thinking NOOO the scar represents so much to Zuko, so I was glad that they didn't actually do it.
Sokka-Sokka and his dad are awesome. I love it when they laugh about the Stink N' Sink and Bato just gives them a look. I really like that their dad is a genuinely nice guy who didn't die because frankly I wasn't expecting it. And I like that Sokka finally gets the acceptance that he has always wanted from his father. Moar Hakoda please.
Toph- BEST EARTHBENDER EVA! Seriously, a twelve year old blind girl is able to metalbend, something NO ONE ELSE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO. And then she rock surfs her way to Ba Sing Se and I just love you so much Toph. Please be my buddy forever.
Azula- You are a horrible human being. Please die in a fire.
"Azula- You are a horrible human being. Please die in a fire."
Good idea, but wait, she would probably just bend the fire away from herself and somehow cleverly escape like she always does! DAMN YOU AZULA! WHY MUST YOU BE SUCH AN AWESOMELY SMART AND BADASS VILLAIN?
I swear, in terms of planning things out and being ten steps ahead of everyone else, I bet she could almost give the Joker( the Heath Ledger version) a run for his money (even though technically, he doesn't consider himself a 'schemer').
Mark, you are SO DAMN LUCKY you didn't have to wait for the 3rd season like we did. Jeez, it was TORTURE. Torture I tell you!!! And for everyone who is wondering why the hell Zuko sided with Azula, here is your answer: http://youtu.be/KHmE1ZWLxv0
(It's not spoilery at all, fyi. Just don't watch the other suggested videos.)
YAAAAAAAAAAY
This is yet another brick in the ever-growing tower I am building of Proof That Everyone In the World Should Watch Avatar, Like, Yesterday. I am so very very happy to hear that you are enjoying it so thoroughly.
That being said: HOLY GOD this finale traumatized me so much. That, and the waiting nine months to see what the hell happened. Let there never be another writer's strike, pleeeeease.
Everything here is just so masterfully done. The dread you feel when Katara finds Zuko and Iroh, the wonder as we go on Aang's journey to purify his spirit, and the utter disbelief that descends when Azula deals that blow is simply unbelievable.
Things I liked best:
-TOPH BEING BADASS AS USUAL. How cool was the directing in that sequence, where it cut back and forth between Aang and the Guru and Toph figuring out a whole new form of bending? So. Amazing.
-Katara's octopus! The fight scenes are just so well done. And the way you could feel her devastation as she carried Aang away in a funnel of water.
-The way Zuko's uncertainty is portrayed even as he's fighting the Avatar. You can hear in that first yell how desperate and torn he is, and his final interaction with Azula of the season is well done in that it makes you scared for everyone, including him.
-Everything to do with Iroh, ever, as usual.
YIP YIP for Season 3!
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads1.jpg">
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads2.jpg">
One of the main jobs of a character designer is not only drawing new characters, but also creating SPC designs, or Special Pose and Costumes, for the main characters. On Avatar this usually involved burned clothing and battle damage. One fun and complicated SPC was Aang's glowing crystal armor.
And now for the calligraphy examples that I didn't put into their actual, relevant episodes:
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads7.jpg">
We decided early on that we would use Chinese for all writing and signage seen within the show. Much in the way Sifu Kisu became the martial-arts consultant, we wanted to find a Chinese calligraphy expert to handle all of the writing.
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads6.jpg">
When we designed the planetarium calendar, we had to devise a dating system for the Avatar world. On the outside ring we used the traditional Chinese zodiac animals to identify a cycle of twelve years. Next, S. L. Lee came up with historically based names for sixteen eras. The inner two rings have numbers for the days of the month, and then months of the year. Below the calendar are the characters for the spring equinox, summer solstice, autumn equinox, and winter solstice.
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads8.jpg">
Have you seen my flying bison? His name is Appa. He has six legs and weighs ten tons. If you have any information, please contact Avatar Aang in the Upper Ring, 96th district, house #217
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads9.jpg">
When I would send Dr. Lee a request for a poster or a decree, he would quiz me about what unseen fictional character had done the calligraphy in the show. If it were a highly cultured royal attendant, he would use a refined, elegant style, but if it were a low-level clerk, he would use a more pedestrian handwriting style. We typically used classical Chinese for the writing, but thanks to Dr. Lee's deep knowledge, we also included archaic Chinese, particularly for ancient texts about the spirits or elements.
Naturally, of course, Shyamalan and company decided to just do away with all of this and make a fakey nonsense script instead of using actual Chinese in their movie.
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads10.jpg">
On this day, Avatar Kyoshi splits from the mainland and creates Kyoshi Island. Let's hope our citizens' culture will be isolated from the tyranny of the world forever.
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads11.jpg">
DVD and promotional art for season two.
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads12.jpg">
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads13.jpg">
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads14.jpg">
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads15.jpg">
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads16.jpg">
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads17.jpg">
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Avatar/crossroads18.jpg">
Beautiful art is beautiful.
OH THE CALLIGRAPHY
pretty much all of it looks equally nice to me haha sob compared to my scribbulations
Ok, I don't know why but they're working now! Gorgeous! Thank you so much for posting these!
If anyone is still having trouble seeing these, the link to the actual album is http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/kartikeya/Av…. Might work better, I dunno!
And slow-on-the-uptake me just realized that the image at the top of the post is from a future episode. Not to mention that the comments are full of spoilers. So Mark can't use that link to read the comic.
How is it a spoiler if it is canon material which occurs in the time-line of the show and Mark is up to this point in the story? It is not like I sent this link when he was watching Tales of Ba Sing Se. By that logic those who posted the links to the spirit world stuff have also posted spoilers, but in truth both are optional insights into what is happening between the end here and the next episode.
Not the first image of the comic, the picture above the comic. It's from a future episode.
Oh crud. I did not notice that.
This link should be safe, as long as you don't scroll up.
I deleted the link for safety's sake.
SHINNNYYYYYY
Okay, people, ultimate showdown:
Onion and banana juice
OR
Fish fingers and custard
CHOOSE NAO!!!
Onion and banana juice. And a head cold to knock out my sense of taste. The texture and temperature differences of fish fingers and custard would make me vomit.
Fish fingers and custard is something I would actually try. I despise bananas… 😛
I live in Australia, so your reviews are always up when I wake up in the morning. I WAS SO EXCITED FOR THIS REVIEW THAT I ACTUALLY KIND OF MAYBE HAD TROUBLE GETTING TO SLEEP. 😀
Everyone has said the thinky thoughts stuff much better than I could, so I'll just finish with a YOU ARE SO NOT PREPARED.
Thus ending… SUBFLIBGVIDSBGVFIDSBOFI.
Say… how long did we have to wait between seasons? 8 months?
Yeah I still believe Nick hated how this show was INTELLIGENT and MATURE and attracting an older audience… I'm reminded of Zim. Attracted mostly an audience not part of the 6-11 age range. So cancelled.
This show got that age range. It also got people like Mark and college students and… A BIG AUDIENCE. I think Nick hated that and tried to kill this show without us noticing… Which also happened to Who in the 80's.
THE PARALLELS!
Yeah, I have no idea wtf was going on with Nick. I was lucky enough to only get into Avatar right shortly before the final episodes aired, but the way they handled the scheduling for season three was just so incredibly, unbelievably bizarre. I understand the writer's strike threw a big wrench into things, but that doesn't excuse all of the weirdness that was going on.
Again… My theory seems to stick.
Notice how every show on Nick appeals to the 6-11 demographic. Avatar got that… But it got every other demographic too. I think they were trying to screw it over. '
Heck even now Nick is almost entirely reruns of Spongebob and Dan Schineder shows. I don't believe Korra will have a good or set schedule.
"Yeah I still believe Nick hated how this show was INTELLIGENT and MATURE and attracting an older audience… I'm reminded of Zim."
Well, one of the creators started out as a storyboard artist on Invader Zim as a matter of fact.
The scene of Azula hitting Aang in the back totally gave me flashbacks to watching 'Tangled' in the cinema.
I remember letting out this sharp yelp of shock when Gothel stabs Eugene because it is just SO UNEXPECTED. I mean, it was a DISNEY KIDS MOVIE and she FULL ON STABBED HIM.
Same reaction to this. I was so unprepared for Azula just blasting Aang when he was completely defenceless, I literally screamed out loud in horror.
Luckily I was at least alone in the house this time, not in a crowded movie theatre. 😛
The final was such an emotional whiplash! I have to say thank you to Mark for watching it otherwise I likely never would have.
The Zuko/Katara cave scene was so touching and though I had no qualms about shipping them that's when I got hooked.
It must have been hell to wait all those months for Book 3! D:
Things would've turned out somewhat differently if Katara hadn't run off to the palace, wouldn't they? Sure, Azula's coup might still have succeeded, but Aang wouldn't have been in such a hurry to rescue Katara if she hadn't been captured, Zuko wouldn't have been captured if Azula hadn't known about his presence, and Iroh could've had enough time to properly convince Zuko to help the Gaang or at least not support Azula.
I actually did think about this, in the context of "What if Zuko had accepted the Gaang's help with healing Iroh back in 'The Chase'?" I figured that the rest of the season could've gone on as it was, but Katara seeing Zuko and Iroh in the tea shop would've been entirely different: awkward reunion instead of oshit-spies-must-get-help.
Through rather roundabout circumstances, I got to pondering episode titles in this series. Therefore, some statistics for the first two seasons:
16/20 of S1's episodes start with "The." Only 13/20 of S2's do.
10/20 of S1's episodes are named for characters or personas that are introduced in the episode, 9/20 if you don't count "Avatar Roku." This is only true for 3/20 of S2's, and 2/20 if you discount "The Guru."
4/20 of S1's episodes are named after locations introduced, though this goes up to 8/20 (overlapping with the above) if you loosen it to including the name, as in "The King of Omashu." 7/20 of S2's episodes are such if you restrict it to "this is the one with _____"-type names, 10/20 if you permit mentions and figurative terms.
5/20 of S1's episodes are named for events, or 7/20 if you include the Winter Solstice episodes. S2's figure, depending on how you count, can be anywhere from 3/20 to 9/20.
2 episodes, both in S2, include their protagonists' proper names. Both episodes heavily de-emphasize Aang, Katara, and Sokka, and both titles also describe the time period portrayed.
1 episode in S1 is named after a plot-relevant object. S2 may have one as well, depending on whether you classify the Drill as a place or an object.
S2 has several difficult-to-classify titles, including "The Avatar State" (the namesake of which was plot-central, but had already appeared several times and been named), "Bitter Work" (an atypical and unused-in-episode term for an ongoing process which properly begins in the episode), "City of Walls and Secrets" (a description of the location, also unused in-episode, naming traits that drive the conflict), "Tales of Ba Sing Se" (a description of the unusual episode structure), and "The Crossroads of Destiny" (a metaphorical term for a major character's internal crisis).
Season 1 episode title word counts:
Words Episodes
1 …….. 2
2 …….. 3
3 …….. 5
4 …….. 4
5 …….. 2
6 …….. 1
7 …….. 3
Mean: 3.8
Median: 3.5
Mode: 3
Standard deviation: 1.88065
Season 2 episode title word counts:
Words Episodes
2 …….. 10
3 …….. 6
4 …….. 1
5 …….. 2
6 …….. 1
Mean: 2.9
Median: 2.5
Mode: 2
Standard deviation: 1.20961
OH OOH OH I FORGOT
Watch this video, called School Time Shipping: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuSshdGE1Lo
It's a chibi short that was aired by Nickelodeon in between seasons 2 and 3, and all the characters in it have now been introduced. It has no plot significance whatsoever, and is completely, adorably, hilariously awesome.
IT WILL COMPLETE YOUR LIFE
School TIme Shipping is the best thing ever, on so many levels. <3
"You… me… the dance…" *heart out of swords*
Iroh the counsellor and Wan Shi Tong the librarian.
Parking lot for animals.
Seriously. Cutest thing ever. <3
Why have I never seen this before now? Also, lulz at Iroh just drawing a cup of tea instead of jotting down notes.
Did they get the actual voice actors? IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY GOT THE ACTUAL VOICE ACTORS!
Of course they did. It's an official short, if (obviously) not canon. Bryke do like their omake.
Don't forget Bending Battle and Swamp Skiin' Throwdown!
Maybe then she'll just be earthbending mofos straight into the core of the Earth.
Once this is all done, I must link you to this feminist's retrospective of the three seasons. So many good observations. If only I could actually find it…
Anyway, she made the point that Ty Lee is all gushing and admiring of Azula because that's what Azula wants to hear. This isn't a 'give and take' relationship, it's 'expect and give'. Manipulator, and yes-woman who's going along with her so she won't burned alive.
Here, here, here, here and here.
Don't peek at the last one, Mark. The first four should cover what you've already seen, though.
On the subject of Ty Lee, I subscribe to the notion that she legitimately does look up to Azula, and Azula just takes advantage of that, like she does with everybody. Mai is a little more aware of what's going on, but she's smarter than the captain who tried to advise Azula about the tides so she doesn't say anything.
Confession: I spoiled myself terribly for this entire show, because I am a spoiler hound. Where Mark gets joy out of the things he doesn't know, I find suspense to be terribly distracting most of the time, and have difficulty focusing if I'm too worked up about what's going to happen.
Let it be said, I can't imagine what the experience of this episode is like for someone who isn't expecting Zuko to take Azula's side. JFC. HOW DO YOU EVEN DEAL WITH THAT SHOCK.
Okay, I must admit something. I LOVE AZULA!!! That speech she gives to Long Feng? About how the Dai Li are waiting to see who will win… but she knows. And he knows.
Oh GOD. That is so good!
" And I don’t mean that as if Katara is some damsel in distress, desperately needing Aang’s help. I just mean that Aang has chosen to follow what his heart is telling him is right and he’s doing it at a great sacrifice to himself."
Actually, he's doing what he wants at the cost of the entire world. Which is selfish- very selfish. I don't blame him for acting that way, but it was selfish, not noble. Again, I would possibly have done the same- but it wasn't noble.
Also, I just couldn't enjoy the "I try to heal scar". WHERE WAS THAT WATER WHEN JET NEEDED IT? URGH.
Duhuh, my friend is dying, perhaps my magical water could help. Naaah.
Let's use it to do some cosmetic healing instead!
Other than the stupid, stupid healing sequence, I genuinely enjoyed this. I thought Katara beating Azula was kinda ridiculous… but then it hit me. LOTS of Water. Lack of Sunlight.
Katara had a massive advantage of terrain.
There was no time for Jet- it was to save Appa and themselves or run back for Jet and be captured.
Word of God is that Katara was too traumatized by Jet's injury to be thinking clearly, and didn't remember the spirit water until it was too late. She was too upset to be that resourceful in the moment.
My reaction to The Guru
<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack – Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/32/roflbotsxcp.jpg/'><img src='http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/7216/roflbotsxcp.jpg' border='0'/>
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My reaction to The Crossroads of Destiny (warning, pretty loud)
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H91rPIq2mN4&feature=related” target=”_blank”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H91rPIq2mN4&feature=related
Ah, I really suck at embedding images, can anyone tell me how to avoid all these pesky codes ?
Like this!
< img src="url here"</img >
Only without the spaces between the brackets and the "img"
The thing to remember about what Guru Pathik said (and how it relates to Aang still being young and inexperienced as the Avatar) is that Pathik did not say he had to forget her forever.
He had to accept that there will come a time when "Friends" and "Balance" clash, and he has to be ready and willing to let his friends and family die if it means he can save the world.
(Although Azula sniped his ass with lightning so it's a moot point.)
<img src="http://i54.tinypic.com/2lwx74k.gif">
gosh, zuko. how could you 🙁
(source)
<img src="http://i54.tinypic.com/ng7ll0.gif">
HE WAS YOUR UNCLE. AND YOU BETRAYED HIM.
he was your uncle
seeing aang fall was one of the most emotional moments in the series for me. he got shot down in the avatar state–his most vulnerable. plus, he's like my favorite character. MY CREYS.
I would die of shame if Iroh did that to me.
This entire finale is so FUCKING EPIC…yet the things that stick in my mind most are the little things:
1. "Woo! Toph, you rule!"
2. "It's not a trick. It's the real deal! I am the greatest earthbender in the world! Don't you two dunderheads ever forget it!"
3. "Just take the bear." (I love you Mai. ^_^)
4. Toph USING THE EARTH TO PROPEL HERSELF ACROSS THE LAND AS SHE RUNS (FUUUUUUUUU)
5. "It's more of a demonstration really….." *Breathes fire EVERYWHERE.*
6. Was anyone else just a tad bit relieved when Zuko went back to his emo self? I don't know. The whole "I'd love a bowl, Uncle!" *creepy smile*……it just got to me a little. Zuko wasn't meant to turn THAT good. He's not supposed to be CHEERY.
7. WHAT IS UP WITH THE ONION AND BANANA JUICE–WHY IS THAT NEVER EXPLAINED??? (It's important damn it!!!)
ZUKO WERE YOU NOT LISTENING YESTERDAY I TOLD YOU TO CHOOSE GOOD. WHAT ARE YOU DOING. I AM DISAPPOINT.
I wondered back in that prison ship episode why Earthbenders couldn't bend metal since it's all part of the Earth, but I accepted the show's statement that they couldn't. Now I'm kind of glad they didn't – it makes Toph so incredibly badass.
Also sometimes when I am really happy about Toph I take that awful "Shots Shots Shots Shots Shots" etc song and change it to "Toph Toph Toph Toph Toph." If I were an imagebender I'd make it into a gif or video.
I've been busy with work as of late, but I just wanted to make one comment: Many reviews earlier, I remarked that there was just one streak of episodes which I could rarely stomach rewatching, due to their emotional content.
These last several, post-Tales of Ba Sing Se, were what I was talking about.
Okay, It's List-y Time! Unfortunately, I'm partway through Season 3 and don't remember what happens when, so these are not in chronological order…
1) MOMMY!!! THEY BROKE ZUKO!!!!
2) Hell YES! GO TOPH!!!!!
3) Chakra #7. Maybe the idea the Guru was trying to get Aang to accept is different from my interpretation, but there is a very real difference between love and attachment. You can love someone without being chained to them. It's realizing that there is more to life than that which you love. To "let her go" is not the equivalent of detaching himself completely from her. Maybe Aang didn't give Guru Pathik time to explain that, but you'd think he'd have worded things a little better.
4) On the other hand, maybe Guru Pathik didn't think a TWELVE-YEAR-OLD child could feel as strongly about a girl as Aang does for Katara (at least, not romantically).
5) ZUTARA FOREVER!!!! *waves Zutara flag proudly* See, Kataang shippers, they are totally compatible!
6) I actually read somewhere (if someone has a link to this, please let me know, I can't find it) that the Creators actually planned for Zutara to be canon, but their plans shifted sometime in the planning for Season 3… Hence, the ship tease.
7) Azula refusing the Agni Kai, from a martial arts perspective, that is EXTREMELY FUCKING RUDE!!!! A regular street fight, or a duel of passion, you are ENCOURAGED to do whatever you can to not fight. But a formal duel, like an Agni Kai, you DO NOT REFUSE! I really really wanted her to go die in a fire in that second. Wouldn't that be fantastically ironic?
8) Remember Zuko. AZULA ALWAYS LIES. Therefore, you probably shouldn't listen to Azula.
9) It's okay, they fixed Zuko… wait, no… still broken.
I could have sworn I saw this exact comment earlier, with a different reply to it. Must be the waking precognition again.
It's not just you… I swear I saw a different reply posted about 2 minutes after the original, but when I went back to respond, it was gone… A mystery…
Okay, I didn't read all the previous comments because there were a lot, but I just wanted to have this moment:
TOPH BENDS METAL!!! TOPH BENDS METAL!!! HELL TO THE YES!!
<img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y194/Jenny_Wildcat/Happy%20Surprise%20gifs/NH3Ez.gif" border="0" alt="Image Source,Photobucket Uploader Firefox Extension">
Seriously, this whole time when the Earthbenders have been stumped by metal I've had the thought "Why would you be? Metal comes from the earth – it's just refined from its natural state." AND THE THE GURU FREAKING VALIDATES MY THEORY!!
Just to be safe:
THEORIES ABOUND (because I do a little bit of speculating – I have not seen the third season of ATLA so I have no idea what comes next, but I don't want anyone mad at me)
I definitely got Empire Strikes Back vibes from this, but that makes me anticipate the next season all the more. Because whenever villains win in these stories, the good guys come back even stronger and harder and it's going to be amazing. And I am SO EXCITED because I know there is going to be a crapload more character development for everyone and that is never a bad thing (ESPECIALLY FOR ZUKO – GOOD GRIEF, KID YOU WERE DOING SO GOOD THERE FOR A MINUTE!! ARGH!!!)
Well… I feel it falls a bit short in comparison to ATLA, if only because some aspects of the overarching narrative occasionally went awry – I defy anyone to make sense of the Archmage's storyline. 😉
That said, "Gargoyles" was a product of the '90s, at bloody Disney no less: the fact that it got as far as it did is certainly commendable, especially if you take Greg Weisman's word as canon and consider Lexington the first gay character in mainstream Western animation. 🙂
I'm also going to disagree re: WITCH, because I don't think it was complex in the same way as the other two. Nerissa was certainly a bona fide Chessmaster, right up there with Azula and Xanatos, but the various worlds were never explored in any real detail, and the WITCH girls themselves tended to fall into simplistic, stereotypical behavior more often than not.
Which isn't to say it was bad per se… just not in the same league, IMO. 🙂
It probably wasn't the writer's strike — scripting and recording are the first things to get done, and those were probably completed before the strike happened.
Here is a fun fact.
Episodes in which Zhao makes an appearance: 103, 108, 113, 116, 118, 119, 120
Episodes in which the Dangerous Ladies make an appearance: 203, 208, 213, 216, 218, 219, 220
This is one of my favorite coincidence in Avatar.
Except that the Dangerous Ladies are also in 207! Only, they were cute and tiny and not as dangerous then.
OH GOD THIS EPISODE. THE FANDOM FREAKED OUT OVER THIS EPISODE.
Ever since you expressed wanting Zuko and Iroh to join Team Avatar, I've been going 'oh my god this episode is going to destroy him' and feeling bad about how much glee the thought of this review brought me.
And I am SO glad you aren't demonizing Zuko or saying that this was a step backwards in his character development (which was a popular opinion post finale). As much as I sadfaced over Zuko's choice, it did make since to his character. It wasn't a step forward by any means, but it wasn't complete character derailment.
And to everyone that suggested this show to Mark(and subsequently getting me to marathon it again): YOU ARE GOOD PEOPLE AND YOU SHOULD FEEL GOOD
Sokka’s mentioning of Aang’s Avatar powers needing to be more specific is TRUTH. Ugh, don’t rush into things with little information! That’s what Zuko does! DON’T BE ZUKO. But I guess emotions reign supreme when it concerns Katara. Still, I really hate that they rush into something like this- if Katara is in danger that means the entire Earth Palace is in danger.
I love that Iroh references his attack on Ba Sing Se and his utter joy at being able to serve tea. I want to give him all the hugs and tea and tell him that everything will be all right and I love him. Also, his hair grows really fast!
Azula’s subsequent capture of Iroh and Zuko is super awesome though, because Iroh BREATHES FIRE LIKE A FUCKING DRAGON. I love this man so much, I can’t. But Zuko, for some reason thinking honor means something to Azula turns around and challenges her to a fucking Agni Kai, while Iroh, being smart, runs to recoup their damages. FUCK ZUKO, she’s not alone! She’s stronger than you, has the Dai Li and YOU ARE NOT ON FRIENDLY GROUND. Son of a bitch! So of course he gets captured and tossed in with Katara (that is a really gorgeous and spacious prison tbh), leading to Zutara shippers screaming with joy.
The remaining GAang show up and Mark’s dream comes true- Iroh and Aang team up! Toph and Sokka try to go warn the Earth King and fight Mai and Ty Lee and aren’t doing so bad… until Azula comes out with the Earth King. So of course they get captured. Azula’s terrifying victory over Long Feng was inevitable- though I really have to shake my head at the Dai Li; Azula is Fire Nation. She is the enemy, the enemy you have been hiding from the upper echelon of Ba Sing Se. You know what the Fire Nation is capable of and you choose to side with her? Really? For what?! UGH I CAN’T, I CAN’T. All the Dai Li combined plus the Avatar team should have been enough to take out the Dangerous Ladies, but nooooooo, let’s act irrational instead! GAH!
Katara and Zuko sort of bond over the loss of their respective mothers and Iroh and Aang find them! Yaay! Katara totally forgets about healing Zuko’s scar as she embraces Aang (Kataang shippers cheer!) and they head off to escape. Iroh confronts Zuko and then Azula!!! Honestly Zuko, have you forgotten your childhood mantra? Azula always lies.
So of course Zuko joins Azula’s side to fight Aang and Katara (who had a really good advantage, now that Aang has mastered 3 out of the 4 elements) which pushes them to their limits. The Dai Li throw everything out of balance, of course and Aang must unlock the final chakra to save them all.
Aang emerges in the Avatar State, glowing and looking like a bad ass, awing everyone in the underground cave until Azula does what every person who has watched a sentai show/Sailor Moon/Dragonball Z has always wanted to do- attack Aang in the middle of his transformation, shutting off the Avatar State and sending him to the ground. It’s utter devastation- it’s like the point where Luke gets his hand cut off and Vader tells him he’s his father and it’s not true it’s impossible but your feelings are searched and you know it to be true! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Iroh swoops in like the dragon he is and guards Katara’s back, fighting until he knows they are safely away. The look he gives Zuko… if I were Zuko I’d kill myself out of shame. Zuko, seriously. SERIOUSLY. But Azula telling Zuko that he has restored his own honor… honestly, Zuko, do you feel your honor has been restored? ‘Cause you didn’t look like it.
At this point we are really fucking glad Katara didn’t try to heal Zuko’s scar because Aang needed it a hell of a lot more! He wakes up (YAAAAAAAAAY) and the Earth King tells us the Earth Kingdom has fallen… and we end Season Two. I swear to God, it feels like Empire, except without Lando and Chewie flying off in the Falcon.
On to Book Three and the end of the war!!!! NEVER PREPARED!!!
You are most welcomed.
This show is one of my favourites, and I'm a fan of anime so I can watch hundreds of things that American children can only dream about, yet this show is among my first and choicest shows EVER.
TOPH, THE METAL BENDER. TOPH, THE TOUGHEST OF TOUGHS THAT TOUGHED THE LAND. Now that's a true MASTER of an element, able to bend every single quality of it. I wonder why no one ever tried that before. And most of all, I wonder if Bumi, who told Aang first to find a master who can listen to the earth ever thought or knew about this. He's a mad genius after all, and everything's possible in this show.
Now you've reached the point of no return in shipping wars. You know how real Kataang is (in Aang's mind, I mean: she's so far the only one who can get him out of the avatar state safely) and you can see how possible Zutara can be as well (in shippers' minds, and also in the nature of the story and especially in the very opposite nature of their elements; people love high contrast and these two are a very complementary contrast). There are others as well that have happened or being hinted at, and they all have a base on something that happens in the show. But ths is certainly the point in which the wars are unstoppable, both in the show and the internets.
One good thing happened to warm your heart that will remain as stated: Iroh. Now we must wait to see how that develops.
Now, tell us truly. What do you think of Azula as the Most Evil Villain of all times? You must by this time have a very definite idea of her and just how much you can hate her for being herself. I'm curious because you haven't given us notes on her character for a long time, not even here when she convinced Zuko to join her. Perhaps you can give us a more detailed view of her in the next chapter. I'm eager to know your opinion on her full character by now.
Now you've reached the point of no return in shipping wars.
PLATYPUSBEARABBIROO 4EVA
Katara totally had Azula on the ropes before Zuko interfered. Katara went from being unable to beat Zuko (without moon powers) at the end S1 to being able to handily defeat his extraordinarily talented sister by the end of S2. Master Katara, indeed.
To give Azula a little credit (like she needs it :P), they were in an underground cavern with lots of water and no sunlight, which gave Katara an advantage. That said, Katara also kicked the ass of dozens of earthbenders in the last episode even as they were surrounded by their element, so I have no doubts about her kick-assery.
I guess I'm thinking about "The Drill", in which Azula gave Aang the fight of his life. Katara's native element might be a better match for fire, but still. Azula is tough. In full sun, that fight might have gone a bit differently – more of an even match than Azula being overcome.
But to give credit back to Katara, this wasn't a battle like in "Seige of the North" where the power shifts made all the difference. Katara fought smart and tactfully by encasing Azula's arm and leg in water and kept her off-balance.
But you're right, she could only pull that off because there was a large body of water on hand. If all she had was her waterskin then she probably wouldn't have done quite as well.
Oh, yeah, I was the one who made the Empire Strikes Back reference yesterday, but the site told me that the comment was sent to be moderated. I had to go somewhere later that day and didn't remember my post in full, so I didn't try to repost it.
Did you mention shoes?
I really have no idea. I genuinely forgot it after I left my house, other than the Star Wars reference.