My Love for Avatar: The Last Airbender

Hi everyone, welcome back to another blog! We’re almost nearing the end of my blogging days here on UIC Radio. It’s been so much fun, but we’ll get all sappy next week. Today, I wanted to go through some of my favorite episodes from my favorite show ever – Avatar: The Last Airbender! I love this show so much and wanted to talk about it before I hang up my keyboard for kahani.mag. If you haven’t watched the show already, I hope reading this convinces you (but also, be careful because there’s some spoilers!).

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Avatar: The Last Airbender is my absolute favorite show ever. I can literally watch it again and again for the rest of my life. The story, the music, the colors, the characters, I could go on and on. For a quick synopsis of the show, here is Katara’s opening sequence for each episode. If you haven’t watched it, this is a great way to understand just what the show is about!

"Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years passed and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Aang. And although his airbending skills are great, he has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone. But I believe Aang can save the world."

I’ve always had a few favorite episodes, but it’s kind of hard to narrow them down. And, if we’re being honest, if I had the time, I would sit here and list every episode from the show as my favorite. But, for this blog, I came up with a short list. I hope you all enjoy! (Also, I wanted to add that this list is ever-changing and the one in this blog, specifically, doesn't include season finales because otherwise I would've only listed them).

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1. Book One: Water – Winter Solstice: Part 2: Avatar Roku

(Season 1: Episode 8) Released: April 15th, 2005.

In this episode, Aang, Katara and Sokka race to a small island in the Fire Nation for Aang to connect with one of his past lives, Avatar Roku. While being chased by Zuko, the group also has to get through a Fire Nation blockade led by Commander Zhao. They finally manage to reach Avatar Roku’s temple on the island, but upon arriving, find out the Fire Sages in charge of the temple are not allies of the current Avatar. However, one Fire Sage named Shyu helps them reach the sanctuary where Aang is supposed to meet with Roku. With time quickly running out, and a tense face off with Zuko, the sanctuary is sealed and Aang and Roku finally meet. I love this episode because not only do you learn about the main plot of the entire show, but we get to see how powerful the Avatar State is. In the episodes before this, Aang repeatedly has this vision of a comet. Roku explains what that vision means, and lays out the foundation for Aang's journey as the Avatar: "Aang, you must defeat the Fire Lord before the comet arrives. Mastering the elements takes years of discipline and practice, but if the world is to survive, you must do it by summer's end." Anyone else getting chills... Aang is only 12 years old and he's being told he has to master the elements and end the war. Then, with time running out, Roku offers his help to Aang to help him and his friends escape. Roku’s spirit taking over Aang never gets old. When the sanctuary door opens and the Fire Sages and Fire Nation soldiers are all ready to fight Aang, but instead they see the last Avatar standing in front of them… Wow. Just wow. 

(1) Aang meeting Avatar Roku, and (2) Roku's spirit taking over Aang to aid him in escaping. (Pinterest)

2. Book One: Water – The Fortune Teller 

(Season 1: Episode 14) Released: September 23rd, 2005.

In this episode, Aang, Katara, and Sokka come across a small Earth Kingdom village. Here, everyone seems to live their life according to the fortunes told by the town's resident-fortune teller, Aunt Wu. One of the reasons I love this episode so much is because it’s one of the beginning and defining moments of Katara and Aang’s love story. Over the past few episodes before this, we see little glimpses of their feelings for each other. In this episode, Aang overhears Katara’s fortune where she’s told that she will marry a “very powerful bender.” While Sokka is trying to convince the villagers that they can’t only rely on Aunt Wu’s fortune-telling, Aang tries to convey his feelings to Katara, but she remains oblivious to them. Later in the episode, the group is faced with saving the town from a nearby volcanic eruption and in a show of sheer strength and power, Aang uses his airbending to save the town. In awe, Sokka admits “I always forget what a powerful bender that kid is.” Katara shakes her head in realization of what he just said and remembers her love fortune from Aunt Wu earlier. She asks him to repeat it and the shot pans to her face, contemplating if Aang is that “powerful bender” in her story. 

(1) The volcano erupting near the village, and (2) Katara and Sokka watching in awe as Aang stopped the lava before it could destroy the town. (Pinterest)

3. Book Two: Earth – The Library

(Season 2: Episode 10) Released: July 14th, 2006.

In this episode, the Gaang meets a professor who informs them of a long-lost spirit library in the middle of the desert. In an attempt to find new information about the Fire Nation and end the war, Sokka suggests trying to find it. With the professor, the Gaang sets out into the desert on Appa. After a tiring and long search, they find the library is completely buried in the sand, apart from a small tower at the very top. Everyone, except Toph and Appa, decide to head in through an open window. Inside, they meet the Knowledge Spirit who built the library, Wan Chi Tong. He questions their presence there, and lets them know that humans are not permitted in his library anymore. When asked why, he says that humans abuse their knowledge, and "humans only bother learnings things to get the edge on other humans." This causes Sokka and Aang to poorly lie about what they’re looking for (information to defeat the Fire Nation), saying they’re only there for the sake of knowledge and will not to abuse it. Eventually, the Knowledge Spirit accepts and lets them peruse his collections.

I love this episode so much because I feel like it's the beginning of a tone shift for the rest of the season and the show in general. We’re introduced to a potential way for the Gaang to end the war, which sets up the characters for one of their first direct invasions of the Fire Nation. We hear Wan Chi Tong’s arguments on how humans have and always will abuse their knowledge, with a quick callback to Zhao and the information he found and then used to try to destroy the Moon Spirit. But, not only at the beginning of the episode, but later on as well when he finds out that Sokka and them were in fact at the library to learn something for the purpose of defeating their enemy in war. He says, “you think you’re the first person to believe that your war was justified? Countless others before you have come here seeking weapons, or weaknesses, or battle strategies.” Hearing this from a viewer's standpoint really makes you think because he’s not technically wrong. It puts this story and the cycle of war and violence into perspective, not only for us as viewers but also for the Gaang. And sadly, at the end of the episode, we see Appa getting taken away. The one companion and piece of Aang's past was taken in an instant. However, this also shows us a new side of Aang, the always composed and calm boy, now a spiteful and angry one. 

(1) The Gaang going into the spirit library, and (2) the Knowledge Spirit, Wan Chi Tong, questioning their presence there. (Pinterest)

4. Book Two: Earth – Lake Laogai

(Season 2: Episode 17) Released: November 3rd, 2006.

In this episode, the Gaang have had enough of following Ba Sing Se’s rules when trying to find Appa. So, with old acquaintances–Jet, Smellerbee, and Longshot– they make their way underground to Lake Laogai. There, they uncover horrifying truths: the Dai Li, under the leadership of Long Feng, the king's advisor, are controlling the king and city for their own interests. Elsewhere, a missing flier for Appa finds its way into Zuko’s hands. His purpose of finding the Avatar to regain his honor was in the past, but knowing Aang is in the same city as him is making him rethink everything. Eventually, he dusts off his Blue Spirit disguise and goes on a mission to find Appa– and the Avatar. Back underground in Lake Laogai, the Gaang and Jet come across a holding cell that they think Appa is in. Instead, they are met with Long Feng and his Dai Li agents. But, not too far away, Zuko, disguised as the Blue Spirit, finds Appa in one of the holding cells. Here, he is suddenly confronted by his Uncle Iroh about his destiny and what he wants in life. After some back and forth, Zuko decides to let Appa go free and hangs up his Blue Spirit disguise for good. We see the Gaang above ground now, fighting Long Feng again. This time, the fight ends quickly as Appa flies in and destroys their strongholds. Finally, Appa and the Gaang are reunited!

I love this episode because we finally get to see how Long Feng and his Dai Li agents are controlling the city. Seeing the effect of their brainwashing on characters like Jet and Joo Dee was actually quite terrifying. But it's so interesting to see just how this city has been functioning and defending itself against the Fire Nation (through mass hypnosis and the suppression of the truth). Up until this point, we know the main enemy is the Fire Nation, so it’s crazy to see how deep the corruption goes in the supposed “greatest city in the world.” Also, my favorite part of the entire episode is Uncle Iroh's speech to Zuko about choosing your own destiny. When he was in Appa’s holding cell, Iroh confronted him about his carelessness and rash decision-making when it comes to the Avatar:

Zuko: “I know my own destiny, Uncle.” 

Iroh: “Is it your own destiny? Or is it a destiny someone else has tried to force on you?” 

Zuko: “Stop it, Uncle.” 

Iroh: “I’m begging you Prince Zuko. It’s time for you to look inward and begin asking yourself the big questions. Who are you, and what do you want?” 

This whole exchange between Zuko and Iroh is extremely heartbreaking and moving. Iroh is almost always calmly advising Zuko, but this time, he is practically yelling at him to think for himself and what he wants. For so long, Zuko had thought his destiny was to capture the Avatar and regain his honor. But here, Iroh is begging him to think clearly about what he wants, not his father. Him leaving the Blue Spirit behind is indicative of him no longer hiding behind a mask, the first step to finding out who he really is. He’s been doing these “good deeds” behind that mask. And, for the rest of the show, any good deeds he does are now just as himself. The whole speech, as well, prompted the shift in Zuko’s inner thoughts. It carries itself in his decisions throughout the rest of the show, and eventually to his decision to join the Gaang to stop the war. Lastly, which in my opinion is the most emotional scene of the entire show, the Gaang and Appa reuniting! No matter how many times I’ve seen the episode, it always brings me to tears. 

(1) Underground at Lake Laogai, (2) the Blue Spirit, (3) the Gaang reuniting with Appa. (Pinterest)

5. Book Three: Fire – Firebending Masters

(Season 3: Episode 13) Released: July 15th, 2008.

In this episode, Zuko prepares to teach Aang firebending. But as he does so, he finds that his own abilities have significantly diminished. After a suggestion from Toph to learn bending from its source, Zuko and Aang set out to the extinct Sun Warriors' temples, the last known peoples to have learned firebending from the original benders – the dragons. As they both make their way through the ancient ruins, they come across a room filled with statues depicting a firebending form called the “Dancing Dragon.” They complete the dance together, but subsequently trigger a trap in the room. They are then captured by the secretly-alive Sun Warrior tribe, who accuse them of trying to steal. But Zuko and Aang convince them that they’re only seeking to learn the true and original way of firebending. They are then taken and presented to their masters, Ran and Shao, who would judge them and decide if they are worthy to learn the ways of firebending. Zuko and Aang are quite nervous, but they eventually earn the masters' respect and are shown the true harmonious way of firebending. 

This episode is truly one of my favorites because I love the idea that Zuko’s firebending was so weak due to the fact that he’s not being powered by his rage or anger anymore. Toph's suggestion to learn bending from its source was incredible and very insightful! I loved hearing her story of how she learned earthbending from the badger moles, and also communicated to Zuko that being able to bend an element isn’t just about fighting, it’s a way of life. This is when Zuko and Aang decide to go to the ancient Sun Warriors' temples (their first mission together!) to pick up anything they can find about the origins of firebending. When the masters first make their appearance, Zuko and Aang are shocked! They thought the dragons were killed off by the Fire Nation, and the last ones by Iroh, but now there are two right in front of them. They were unsure of what to do, but Aang had the idea to do the “Dragon Dance” from earlier. We then get the most beautiful shots of their forms matching the dragons! Then, when they are deemed worthy by the masters, we get the most amazing and beautifully animated part of the show, the dragons surrounding them in a multicolored fire ring. 

For so long, the Fire Nation had corrupted the ways of firebending, and Zuko and Aang had only known it to be destructive and filled with rage. But knowing what they do now about fire being life and energy, it's a beautiful way for them to understand this element together. It’s also an amazing part of their stories, with how parallel their characters are. It's as if their destinies were finally colliding. They were always meant to meet and learn firebending this way. The music, the colors, the Dragon Dance, the different angles we see of the Sun Warriors, the dragons themselves, and of Zuko and Aang: no notes. When they’re engulfed in the flames as well, I love it when Zuko says “I understand.” Not only is he talking about firebending, he’s talking about his destiny: who he is and what he wants to do. Lastly, learning about what happened to the dragons from Sozin starting the tradition of hunting them for glory, to Iroh being the last one to have conquered a dragon, to now?! It’s just too good. And now, we run into the masters Ran and Shao, the last dragons alive! The Sun Warriors made it known that Iroh was the last one to have been deemed worthy by them, and he lied that he had killed the last dragon to keep them safe and protected. The writing and world-building in this show is truly unmatched.

(1) The masters Ran and Shao, and (2) Zuko and Aang engulfed in a multi-colored fire. (Pinterest)

I hope you guys enjoyed this blog! It was quite long but you can’t really blame me because this show is just too good. I do want to talk about this show's sequel too, The Legend of Korra! Another great show that I think doesn’t get enough flowers. The Legend of Korra is a show about the Avatar after Aang and it's filled with new stories, experiences and great villains! If you haven’t watched this show, I promise it’ll be worth it. Korra is a completely separate and different Avatar from Aang with her own personality and strength. But, when you compare them, they actually turn out to be complete character foils and I love that! I know some people don’t enjoy Korra’s story, but I think she deserves another chance! Anyways, I hope this convinced some of you to rewatch the show, or watch it for the first time! Let me know what your guys favorite episodes are and why, I would love to hear everyone's thoughts! Only one more week left together with kahani. I’ll see you all then. Be sure to follow @/kahani.mag on Instagram to stay updated! 

- Juveriah

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