One thing I really like about the scenes on the Airship is that Sokka is VERY attentive to Toph during it, keeping a very close eye on her, as he knows she is seeing much less than normal. So it's up to him to watch out for her, like she normally would be for the group. Shielding her body with his? That's because she wouldn't be able to see the debris coming. And not only that, Toph is LETTING him do it.
Forreal. And yet so many say that Toph has little to no character development. Her arc is about learning to be a part of a team and accepting, even asking for help when she needs it.
I don’t understand when people say that Toph has no character development. She’s never known how to be part of a team and she learns that. She always felt like she had to do things for herself by herself. Then after her talk with Iroh she learns how to ask for help and accept help from others like when she asked Katara to write a letter to her parents. She learns that it’s ok to rely on others, that it doesn’t make her weak. She learns that there are people who will love and accept her for exactly who she is. My girl came a long way from where she started. Not to mention that she upgraded her bending skills by inventing metal bending.
I like the idea that they cast a huge man for Toph because all the guys who got their ass kicked by her claim that they lost to a mountain of a man instead of a little blind girl hahaha
@@Terraw77 Well I think it's more a Watsonian vs. Doylist reasoning. In-universe, the stories told by various soldiers and other characters probably portrayed Toph as a much bigger tougher guy because it was humiliating to admit they were defeated by a tiny 12yo girl. But for the writers/creators of the cartoon irl, outside the story, it was a fun nod to Toph's original character design.
This is a perfect example of how you can create a show, not kill major characters, and still have one of the most emotional and greatest finales ever written...
Totally agree. I think this is one of the most emotional pieces of media I've ever seen in which no one dies, or gets separated or tormented in some way.
You are so attentive to notice the fact Tai Lee joined the group that has the same make up and clothes meaning she got through he trauma that made her want to be “unique”
Ty Lee flourished becoming a girls girl instead of trying to be different for the sake of being different 🥹. Love to see it. Reminds me of hating pink as a little girl because it was expected of me and now I absolutely love it cuz it’s what I like in the end
I'm thoroughly convinced that M Night watched this episode as if it was an abridgment in a book. and figured; "yeah, that is enough knowledge to make a movie on it"
What I love about the "Did Jet just... die?" exchange is that Zuko might not even know the rest of them knew Jet at all. He's probably watching it like "Oh cool, you guys know Jet too?" and then THAT happens
I love that at the very end, Zuko is the literal Firelord, and he is serving the group tea. His ego is gone and he’s a humble man now taking care of his friends. That small act epitomizes his characters growth.
A not exactly “fun” fact: Grey Delisle (Azula) asked to be alone in the recording studio during the breakdown at the end. She dug up some very personal pain to do that scene, to the point that she’s never actually watched it. Absolute respect to her for giving her all
The last time Zuko asked for forgiveness from his father, he was scarred and banished. There is probably some serious trauma there, which is why he was afraid of his uncle's reaction. With Ozai, Zuko was punished because he spoke out of turn. He did much worse to Iroh, but despite that was brave enough to face his uncle and own up to that mistake. That's why Zuko said, "How can you forgive me so easily?" 😭😭😭😭 It's cuz he never received the unconditional love and support from his father like his uncle showed. Also, note how Zuko waited for his uncle to wake up, instead of yelling at him and calling him lazy like in episode 1.
My husband watched this series as a kid. During lockdown, I watched it for the first time with my then-10-year-old son and my husband, and your title is so true: I will never be the same. It was such an incredible series that will always stay with anyone who watches the whole thing. I’m so glad you enjoyed it as much as you did. Azula’s breakdown after the Agni Kai always destroys me.
I watched it as as kid too, and I have to say I hadn't really seen the emotional weight of the last Agni Kai until I watched it here as an adult. It's always interesting watching a show like that and comparing how you saw the silliness and spectacle as a child with how you see the phenomenal, realistic writing and emotional journey as an adult.
“To bend another’s energy, your own spirit must be unbendable”. Because Aang stayed true to his values and spirit and chose not to kill he was able to use this technique. I find this brilliant and makes me love Aang even more ❤
they mentioned prisoners of war. There was a delay before Hakoda was brought to the boiling rock. So the playwriter probably interviewed him. And he had weeks with Soka in between season 2 and 3 to talk about everything that happened.
Zuko survived the lightning hit because he still redirected it. There's a short shot right after showing the lightning going up. He got injured because he wasn't grounded (he was mid air), which is one the most important aspects when Iroh taught him how to redirect lightning!
That's a really cool observation! It would also make a lot more sense for why we never see two wounds with Zuko like we do with Aang. When someone is electrocuted, the electric current hits them at one point, then is conducted through their body to exit at another point; we see this with Aang's back (entry) and foot (exit) wounds, but with Zuko they only really show the scar on his chest. If he still redirected the bulk of the lightning, giving it a paths to enter and leave his body, it makes sense that there wouldn't be two wounds. ...This show came out almost two decades ago, and the sheer amount of thought and effort that went into the writing STILL finds ways to astound me.
@@maryparks5033 I was so impressed seeing the show put in that detail of Aang having a scar on his foot too, because movies and shows where someone is electrocuted or struck by lightning, they rarely have that attention to detail. Electricity will always take the path of least resistance (which is also why lightning bolts are jagged and forked. They follow the path of least resistance through the atmosphere) and the quickest path to the ground through a human is down through the feet
You saying you want to hug Azula while she's breaking down after the Agni Kai means everything to me. She did so many terrible things at her father's command, and yet. And yet. She's still a fourteen year old girl losing control of her entire life and everyone she thought she could rely on. It's brutal.
Love the little bits that show Zuko’s character progression Episode one: “Wake my Uncle! And tell him, I’ve found the avatar.” The Old Masters: *sees he’s asleep and patiently waits for him to wake up*
I cry every time I watch zuko and iroh reunite. So beautiful. Ugh and the music and the colors when zuko and azula have their Agni Kai ❤ Azula is such a tragic figure, you put it perfectly “I want to hug her and tell her it’s okay, but she’d kill me”
The Final Agni Kai is sad because there is nothing grandiose and glorious about it. It's not a hero coming to take down a tyrant ; it's two seriously screwed up teenagers who inevitably come crashing against one another as a result of their disastrous childhoods. I also love how Zuko fully took Iroh's advice and added other bending techniques that made his firebending stronger : - The Dancing Dragon style made his firebending purer and more fluid, allowing him to attack and defend without exhausint himself like Azula - during the whole fight he stood on the same spot and blocked some incoming attacks and waited for the right moment to counter like an earthbender - he also did not hesitate to jump and evade like an airbender - and of course lighting redirection which comes from the waterbending style.
One of my favorite things about Zuko's bending style is that even back in his first Agni Kai vs Zhao, the whirling brakedancing-looking move that turned the tides in his favor looked like an airbending move (as much as he would've loathed to have admitted any similarity at the time).
23:00 There's also the fact that Ozai arranged for the deaht of his own father, he doesn't want Azula near him when the comet is around, fearing she may do soemthing similar. It's aslo why he overreacted so much whe Zuko challenged him, Ozai is really afriad that his children will kill him.
He should’ve thought about that before he murdered his own father. Azula should’ve realized (Wake Up Girl!) much sooner that Ozzai has no love in his heart for anyone including himself, and that he was never worth looking up to just like Zuko did.
That's a really interesting thought! I also recently thought that Ozai distanced himself from Azula also because he realised that she wasn't quite as perfect as he thought she was, after Zuko told him that she had lied to him about Aang being dead. So he was also punishing her for that, and "treating her like Zuko". Charming man, Ozai.
@tcshack701 Exactly. And when Zuko told him that Azula lied to him about the Avatar being dead he, probably, assumed that she was teaming up with Aang to ambush him and take him out. So he arranged to leave her at home with an empty title as Firelord.
Aang’s last waterbending move, pulling and pushing the water to put out the fire, is the very first move he learned from Katara on season 1 and i love that
It's not just that Aang is retaining his values. He is retaining his CULTURE. Avatar Yangchen told him to put the world's needs above his spiritual needs: his belief that murder is wrong. But Aang CANNOT afford to do that. When she was alive her culture was thriving, so she could sacrifice those parts of herself for the better of the world. If Aang decides to do the same, that's it. The last living member of the airbenders went against his own beliefs. Aang has a duty to uphold his culture's beliefs, because he is the only person left who can. And not to mention, the last time Sozin's comet came around the air nomads were wiped out. Well, as far as anyone was aware. By choosing to not kill Ozai, Aang used one of the basic tenants of his culture - all life is sacred - to defeat him in the end; using the beliefs that Ozai's culture tried to destroy. He defeated Ozai not as the Avatar, but as the Last Airbender. It's just brilliant, and so poetic. What a wonderful show.
I call bs. First and foremost, I'm pretty sure Aang has already killed before. Remember the buzzard wasp that tried to take Momo? Yeah the majority of fans agree Aang definitely split it in half. Then there's the Fire Nation soldiers up at the Northern Water Tribe. You could argue that was more of the Ocean Spirits doing but it very well could of also been Aang killing dozens of soldiers by drowning them or flipping the boats over. Not to mention the amount of times he body slammed people into the ground with air bending? Yeah I guarantee that if this wasn't a kids show, bodies would of been piling up from that. Second off, the Air Nomad culture will only die if he dies without living long enough to produce at least one air bending child. Without the energy bending, which let's be real was a massive cop out, his only other option was to kill Ozai. Men who are willing to commit genocide without any hesitation cannot be reasoned with and are too dangerous to be kept alive. Aang was letting his sentiments get in the way of doing his duty and it nearly got him killed twice. I'm sorry but even if I was the last of my race or culture, I would not hesitate to throw it away if it meant saving the entire world, and specifically other cultures, from suffering the same fate. But I refuse to believe the Air Nomad ways would die if Aang killed Ozai. He would still live on and have children with Katara. And the ones with Airbending he can still teach them the ways of the Air Nomads and they'll teach their children and all future Air Nomads. Point is as long as Aang survived, regardless of his actions, the Air Nomad ways could be reborn. When millions of lives, when the entire world is on the line and you are the only one who can stop it. You cannot allow personal feelings and sentiments to get in the way of doing what needs to be done.
@@TimberlakeTigerGirl Hmmmm. I like this view, especially at the thought of saving other cultures from the same fate. The whole 'well Aang has killed before' is a rehashed discussion in the fandom. I personally do think any deaths during the whole Ocean Spirit debacle were not Aang. I interpreted it as the spirit using his body as a vessel, in complete control of Aang. I also DO agree that the whole bending energy thing was a deus ex machina in many regards. I feel it could've made sense if it was foreshadowed better, especially with how much Iroh talks about the four elements being one and the same, not divided, and Aang using the energy in the swamp tree to find people, etc etc. I still think that the Avatar KILLING the Firelord would have major impacts on Aang passing down his culture to his children. Teaching them that all life is sacred, but they grow up hearing that their father, the Avatar, used murder to solve a war and genocide. I think there's an interesting discussion to be had there, because the hypocrisy, regardless of intention or results, will definitely affect how those teachings are taken. In my books I tend to have my characters kill the source of bad/evil/whatever it may be, because I'm personally sick of the narrative that 'oh, you have to spare the bad guy in the end because that makes you the stronger one morally' or whatever. But ATLA is a children's show, which does NOT preclude them from making it enjoyable to adults. I think a kid's show/movie that can't be enjoyed by everyone is a failed kid's show/movie, but I digress. I get them wanting to, thematically, end a war that started with violence 'peacefully', at least from Aang's battle. Also, Aang is 12-13. I'm the oldest of five and the two youngest are 10 and 13. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that fact, because looking at my little sisters and imagining them going through that, having to make ANY of the decisions Aang has made, is heartbreaking. I'm glad, for Aang's sake, that he found a way to not have to kill Ozai. After everything he's been through. I, personally, would've killed Ozai though HA Sorry my reply is longer than yours lol. Talking with others about theme/plot/character/worldbuilding/WHATEVER gets my little writing instincts running on overdrive. Or maybe I drank too much caffeine this morning? Whatever the case, this was GREAT. thanks for replying to me, seriously
@@leonthelad3208 I think it was a bit Deus Ex Machina, but not really. It had a bit of foreshadow, I don't know for how long it was planned, but the lion turtle had been mentioned before and also had appeared in drawings. Besides, it seems it was always a possibility. Considering how the Avatar works, with the Avatar state and the cycle of reencarnation. I think it is a thing that he can learn to control, energy. Especially considering how many places and even fantasy lore consider spirit/energy an element. Particularly, I would have killed Ozai as well. And I don't think the discourse over if he killed the wasp or the firebenders is truly needed (but let's be honest, it was not Aang in the Northern Water Tribe, it was the Ocean, and it was when he was without its moon. The push and pull, yin and yang, it was unbalanced, so there was not his half to hold him back, the ocean pulled without restraint). I suppose mid fight, casualties happen. But Ozai would be a direct kill. Yes, justified and all, but it was a battle one on one and he would have to restrain him and then kill him while he is "disarmed". It was a whole other level. And it very much would touch on his personal feelings. Even if he did because HE HAD TO, I'm sure he was afraid that some part of him would enjoy it or take it as revenge. Just as Katara with her mom's killer, while Ozai wasn't the one that committed genocide against the Air Nomads, he was the man planning to do it again with the Earth Kingdom. It would change him as a person. He was always more a defense than offense kind of guy. Sure, he had his moments, even out of Avatar State that he let anger rule his decisions. But this would be a calculated decision. I don't think it damages the finale. I don't think him killing Ozai would have been better. They also needed him alive to be questioned about Ursa to leave that little cliffhanger lmao But I think ultimately, Aang would have done it, but then maybe he wouldn't be as balanced to begin planning a new peaceful feature. I think it would have weighed on him.
I also maintain that Ozai did suffer the ultimate punishment in the form of being a non bending, dethroned firelord in prison. Think about everything power he had and then after this fight, all of it went away. For a guy that held power as almighty, that IS the ultimate punishment.
Ozai rumbles about how the air nomad were too weak for the world and if Aang killed him, it would truly be the end of the air nomads and their culture. Aang's choice is much more than his personal morals, it's about saving an entire culture.
I'm pretty sure that it was only his moral choice. He didn't ever say anything about his culture. It's Ozai who said about how Air nomads were weak. Aang just wanted to stay true to himself. And only because Aang had such a strong spirit that conquered the whole world and even past Avatars, only for that Lion turtle came to him. And only because of that he had the power to defeat the spirit of Ozai.
Also morals > culture I don't understand why so many of you think that culture is more important than the morals. It's like saying that getting married is important because it's a tradition and not because it's important to have a true love. Also culture can be pretty different. Fire nation had their "culture" and we all know what it meant for the whole world. So it's not the culture important but the morals that stays behind it.
@@olyabutorina6869 because culture shapes morals just as much as morals shape culture its a 2 way street ..... I am baffled when people think they are not connected ... Angs morals come from his air nomad culture the Air Bender Avatar said exactly that but as an Avatar he can not be just an Air Nomad ... if he gave up on his morals he would also give up on that which shaped those morals his culture ... and while a person can come to disagree or oppose aspects or even the full breath of the morals of his culture ... he was still shaped by them.
I love, and I mean LOVE, that Katara and Zuko clearly take no joy or satisfaction during Azula's breakdown. Even after everything she did to them. Idk it just sits better to them, it makes them feel more human.
Zuko too with his firebending showed techniques from other elements. Katara began showing them in previous episodes too with earthbending. I believe being together in their mixed group for so long everyone learned from each other and it pays off most here. I kinda like the juxtaposition of Zuko uses a waterbending form to save Katara and Katara ending the fight with a firebending technique-- it really showed Azula up and crushes her ultimately because she has always seen friendship as transactional at best, whereas her loss is due to the companionship she never genuinely had.
It's always the finale that really drives home the fact that one of the main antagonists of the show is a 14 year old girl. Puts into perspective how messed up the war is for both sides, the same way the episode where he goes to the fire nation school and sees how they're taught shows the reality of the conflict.
The fight between Zuko and Azula is just amazing. Every single time just seeing the first blast of Azula together with those strings in the background. JUST AMAZING.
The reason the Order of the White Lotus didn't reconquer Ba Sing Se earlier was because of it's incredible wall. Iroh himself had tried to breach it before and only the drill managed to break through for once. So what they had to do was wait for the Comet in order for Iroh and Jong Jong to be powerful enough to breach the wall with fire-bending. They had to do a small-scale version of what Ozai had planned to do.
Nice thought... But also they had Bumi so idk if it holds any water. I would think that since they had so powerful firebenders the comet kinda played in their favour more than for other firebenders. So they chose the day.
My theory on why they waited until then was because they knew (somehow, perhaps through Pian Dao?) that Ozai and Co. were going to go scorched earth on the Earth Kingdom. Thus, there'd be fewer potential reinforcements from the Fire Nation available if the Fire Nation soldiers in Ba Sing Se asked for them.
If they did it on a random day, it would just be seen in history as another invasion siege of Ba Sing Se that will lead to the fire nation coming back and potentially hurting the citizens when attempting to take it back in a vicious cycle. But when they reclaim it on the same day that the fire nation invasion is stopped, then there is no risk of a counterattack and they don't need to spend time defending it until the actual end of the war
For me personally, this show is the standard of how to write characters and lead a story. Brilliantly written. Every detail counts. Everything is in its place. It has it all: comedy, drama, thriller and even the horrors of war. An incredibly adult story for 12+ show. I was glad to walk this path with you again. Your reactions were honest, and that's the most important thing. See you in the adventures of Korra and the Netflix show ❤
I love that the giant Lion Turtle is mostly 3D animated. It makes it even more stand out and seem like its not a creature of this world but something more ancient and powerful. Especially, since 3D animation has been used quite sparingly in this show; only on massive very intricate things (such as the grand shot of the air ship (fleet)).
3D is usually used for things that are very difficult to animate, or impossible even. No matter what, you can't get the movement correct, plus it adds a Lil something to the show
In Legend of Korra, the same technique and style is used to tell the story of the first Avatar, Wan. It’s consistent as a way to show something that is very ancient.
51:15 Yeah she's at the end of the day a fourteen year old made into a child soldier by her father. Also notice Zuko now has a scar like Aang's. It's Zuko's fault Aang got his and now he mirrors it, had he not betrayed them at Ba Sing Se he likely wouldn't have gotten the second one and Katara could have used the spirit water to heal his face.
being much older now looking back at the characters is so wild to me, like at 6 you just think its fun and cool at theyre so badass and azulas just scary and crazy and theyre so adult, and now as an adult its like "damn... these are babies" like i remember myself at 12-16 and i just cringe thinking i was ever "adult" then lol, thinking id be able to handle all that responsibility XD
The creators once mentioned in an interview that the Northern Oasis water wouldn't actually heal the scar on Zuko's face completely. They originally explored an idea where his scar causes him constant pain and that the spirit water would only soothe the pain but the physical scar would remain, but they ultimately scrapped that idea altogether in favor of showing Zuko betray Katara and Aang at the end of Season 2.
I also like how the location of it represents their Yin and yAang. Aang's is in his back because of the betrayal by Zuko, and Zuko's is in the front because he was so honorable as to take a hit for someone else.
50:30 That she does there is a firebender move, bending using only your breath. Katara IS a damn skilled bender, like Iroh she understand her element well enough to adapt the methods of the other elements into her own.
Which means that Azula was taken down by a firebender using a waterbending move, and a waterbender using a firebending move, which has a pleasing symmetry
@@craigpayne3265anyone can adapt they just need to have a strong enough understanding of yourself. Kinda like the quote from ratatouille the finle one from Anton
I love how Zuko used bending moves from the other elements all throughout his fight with Azula. Aang's journey to learn all 4 elements paralleled Zuko's journey to learn FROM the 4 elements.
I want to point it out because no one ever mentions it. After his fight with Ozai, when he is putting out the fires, Aang uses the very first water bending technique Katara taught him, the push and pull, and I love that little detail.
You mention how Zuko has grown, and if you remember the first time they fought, Zuko couldn't even touch Azula, he tired himself out just trying. In the last Agni Kai, that's exactly reversed, Azula exhausts herself without ever feeling like she was close to hurting Zuko. It wasn't until Zuko jumped in the way of her lightning to save Katara that she did anything to him.
In s2 Iroh said to Zuko "It's the 4 elements in one person that makes the avatar so powerful, but it can also make you more powerful" and sure enough he was right. During the last agni kai Zuko showed movements from every nation. At 45:13 he took an eartbender stance, at 45:42 he moved just like an airbender and ofc he would've used lightning directing for water if Azula didn't play dirty.
5:20 Ember Island Toph is actually what Original Toph was supposed to be It was also a bold choice from the writers to make a recap episode literally right before the finale, but as you saw, this didnt feel like a recap at all 14:05 Toph improved her Sandbending because of what happened at the Library, so that it wont happen again 26:32 Roku: Be Decisive 27:56: Kyoshi: Only Justice will bring Peace 29:26 Kuruk: Actively Shape your own Destiny 30:37 Yangchen: Selfless duty requires you to sacrifice your own spiritual needs. None of the Avatars directly stated that Aang had to kill Ozai, Aang just interpreted their Wisdom as such, Aang literally only wanted to hear "You dont need to kill Ozai" from someone 46:36 can we just say what a chad Zuko is? He Took a Sozin's comet boosted Lightning strike while not being grounded and still redirected most of it into the air 56:13 its Ironic that Ty Lee is a Kyoshi Warrior because they all look the same, because she said in "The Beach" Episode that she joined the circus so that she could be her own person and not a matching set with her sisters that look the same
they were required to do a recap episode by the network. often to reuse footage to save up for big finale. They hate that. so this was their compromise. a creative unique way to recap that is heartwarming.
I love that Aang's energy-bending victory at the end send up a giant blue beam of light. It looks exactly like the one at the beginning, when he is released from the iceberg. Visual bookends to the series.
The hit of lighting Zuko took in the final Agni Kai didn't kill him because he redirected it as soon as he was grounded, but it also damaged him because it hit while he was airborne, so there was no way for him to release the energy immediately.
I so appreciate your ability to see nuance. Values are important and Aang finding a way to live up to his (despite some inadvertent violence in the past) is worth the effort. Every character got a beautiful ending to their arcs and growth. The fact that you feel a better person for watching this show is testament to its values and storytelling mastery. I am the same. I’m better for the journey this show has taken me on.
This show came out when I was 12 and I can't explain how much I loved it and how much it impacted my taste in storytelling. It always brings me joy to see people love and enjoy it after all these years.
Today marks 19 years to the day that the 1st episode aired… I truly can’t believe how old I am… yet how unforgettable this show will always be! I am so thankful you took the time to watch the entire series. It made me so happy watching you experience the emotional roller coaster that is the best western animated series of all time!
I heard this from someone else, but will steal it because it's just so good: The very first word spoken in this series was "It's" and the last word is "perfect". *It's Perfect*
Don't let comments scare you away from Legend of Korra, it certainly has its ups and downs, more-so than this show, but ultimately its still very worth watching, yes it has it bad parts and nickelodeon did deliberately mess with their funding and production which is unfortunate and did affect several things that could otherwise have made the show a lot better, but its still very good, especially when they were finally allowed to work with more than a single season at a time.
It's really bad, but only if you think about it. Just turn your brain off and have a good time staring at the pretty lights (because the animation is indeed gorgeous).
I agree. I think a lot of people don't like Legend of Korra because it deals with different kinds of issues in a very different way than Avatar would have, so it feels like a completely different show. They did also change up some of the lore but I wouldn't get caught up in that. It's still a fun and interesting show to watch, but I think it's easier to just enjoy if you go into knowing that it's different
One of my favorite meta jokes in the Ember Island Players performance (besides hanging a lantern on Jet's death) is when they skip over the Great Divide. Lol. Like, the irl writers of this show really know their audience and their material. It was a great way to present a nostalgic, meta, tongue-in-cheek "road so far" look back on the journey we've all been on. Definitely one of my favorite episodes.
There’s a theory that Ty Lee is descended from air benders. Her eye color isn’t yellow or red like other fire nation but a grayish brown. She’s naturally very spiritual (aura and chi) and her agility is on par of an airbender. With how nomadic the airbenders were it would make sense that some airbenders that weren’t at the air temples would go into hiding. Air nomads were all airbenders because of how spiritual they were but once they went into hiding they could no longer openly practice that.
its always tragic to remember that Azula is 14 edit to say: I am so happy you reacted to the whole show! you provide a wonderful viewing experience as a reactor and your insights regarding the shows intentionalityl, story telling elements, and more are just *chefs kiss*
I really appreciate your compassion for Azula in this reaction. Few people seem to understand that she's a brainwashed child. She says herself that fear the only way to keep people loyal, so if the only person she's loyal to is Ozai, imagine how terrified she must be.
“We’re all just children who have gotten older…” The layers, wisdom, implications, and consequences of that foundational truth (about the human condition) are more than a single mind can hold. That it eludes almost all of us almost all the time is an overwhelming tragedy, and key to understanding, I think, why we visit such absolute vicious brutality on each other one moment, and loving empathy the next. God we’re such a mess of a species. This has been your finest hour, your best essay. I’d forgotten in particular just how moving the Zuko/Iroh reunion was…in a series conclusion full of incredible moments, that was among the most powerful and beautiful. Wow does Netflix have their work cut out for them or what? Your observations about Ang not wanting to kill Ozi were so welcome. I might only add that, while no one (in a perfect world) should ever have to face that decision, neither the show nor any commentary I’ve yet seen address the fact that Ang is a 12-year-old child. Twelve. Yes, circumstances have placed this responsibility on his shoulders, but when you think about it, that’s really bloody awful. It says something, I think, that even the incredibly skilled hands guiding this master class of a series never directly address this gargantuan issue. And, if I’m being a total prick, I think it’s also fair to mention that Ang and Katara are way, way too young for their relationship to stand much of a chance, but that’s a swamp maybe better left unexplored. Excellent video work. Very, very done.
Don't know if you know this yet or not, but the cliffhanger about Zuko's mother at the end is answered in a series of comics that covers what happens in the months following the end of the hundred year war. I don't want to spoil anything but it's SOOO great! It ties up even more loose ends and shows a lot more characters and places really coming into their own. And get this, if you look at the first and last words ever said in ATLA, they combine to create the phrase; "It's perfect" 🥰💖
the zuko and azula agni kai only lasts for about of 1 minuite of screentime but it's honestly probably my favorite scene in the whole show it's so good
A while ago I watched someone comment on episode 17 of season 3, the ember island players. It was called 'the best recap episode ever' and I agree Azula was such a great character, in my opinion. Just the scene where she's introduced, practicing her lightning bending. She's shown to be powerful, controling, cruel, and a perfectionist. It sets her up for being a fantastic antagonist, and sets her up for her eventual self-destruction. She wants to please her father and feels like she needs to be the perfect Fire Lord's daughter for that. Not just because she wants his approval, but because having his approval keeps her safe. She's grown up in an unpredictable environment, and so craves control. One way she does that is by studying people to see how she can gain leverage. But when handed the reins of a nation, she has no clue how to rule or govern, she has no leverage on the people, she's losing control. And worst of all, she'll disappoint her father. And you know what happens when you disappoint the Fire Lord. You can't help but start to feel sorry for her, even as you cheer for her defeat
Fun thing I realized recently: the move Aang does after defeating Ozai to put out all the fires is a big version of the first waterbending move Katara taught him (pushing and pulling).
Fun fact if you didn't know, Ozai is voiced by Mark Hamill aka Like Skywalker and the most iconic Joker voice for DC animation. Once you know, its clear as day lol
Avatar reactions have been by recent comfort show and I've seen about a dozen but I've never felt so invested with a reactor as I have with you during this finale!! It's apparent that you put your heart and emotions fully in this show and I appreciate you sharing this experience with us. I totally cried and I love ATLA so much. ps. if that is a marshmallow stuffy in the background, I'm obsessed. it's adorable. lol
Thank you so much for reacting to this series! Its always a blast to initiate a new friend into the world of Avatar! This has been a great journey and I cant wait to hopefully continue it with Legend of Korra reactions!
Azula’s spiraling paranoia to this day genuinely HURTS. Everytime I watch this I’m stuck in the loop “she’s only 14” and I have to try not to cry, especially when she has that fight with her hair (that may just be me though because that’s just a bit too personal) right before she hallucinates her mom.
I'm usually a pretty silent viewer but i wanted to say that your channel is very warm and cozy and just always a joy to be here watching your reactions to videos and shows. The community is also nice to be around. The people here are so positive and thats hard to find on reaction channels sometimes. Anyway is been great watching though this series with you and I'm sure everyone else can agree. People may come for the reactions but they stay for the community.
Omg I didn't realise how much of a violation it was for that kid to say Zukos scar was on the wrong side until you pointed it out, I've watched this show well over 10 times at this point and now I'm crying with laughter 😂
The fact that I didn’t notice the character criticism in eip (especially with aang, katara and zuko) until literally 2 days ago made me feel so stupid, like I really had an epiphany when walking to my kitchen.
@@nanie56 I don't really understand what the criticism regarding Katara is supposed to be about, though. I always think it's weird when everyone is quiet after she says, "It's not like I'm some crybaby who can't resist giving over-emotional speeches about hope all the time" because like... she indeed isn't? She's hopeful in a very steadfast, positive way.
@@BrianStorm742 I meant the criticism from the fans who see Katara as how she was characterized in the play: a preechy sexualized adult woman who is flirtatious and only sees Aang as a "brother.” These are all criticisms of her character from the show that, at the time, I wasn’t aware of because I was 9, but now, at 25, I understand that the creators were putting these exaggerated depictions of her based off of the fans' critiques in a propaganda play. It was just a funny realization, but I never saw her like that, so I guess that's why it took a while.
29:24 I’d argue Aang isn’t assertive and that’s exactly why he’s trying to get the answer he wants to hear from the previous avatars but they can’t because it’s a decision he has to make as his own avatar. And the advice they give him is actually what he does. He’s decisive and just with the energy bending while making his own choice. It’s something that’s explained in the novels so this is a spoiler but previous avatars can’t give input on decisions that a current life is dealing with. Kuruk and Yangchen couldn’t have told Kyoshi and Roku how to deal with their problems (Chin the Conqueror and Firelord Sozin). I actually like this limitation because it forces the avatar to look at the past and try to make the most effective decision they can on their own or with advice from their close group.
30:38 Im sobbing crying tears of pure joy right there with you Isaac. When Zuko is immediately embraced by Iroh, my heart melts. Its so heartwarming, feel good, relieving, all the good emotions in the world wrapped into one in that beautiful hug. My favorite moment of the entire show. :)
And there's this overwhelming feeling your life is empty now as you've finished the most unique adventure... It's like you've made the best friends and now your paths are split, you can always return and watch it all over again but it never hits the same way it did for the first time. A beautiful but also very sad feeling, only the best movies/books/series trigger this feeling...
The older I get, the sadder Azula's story becomes. When you reflect on the idea a 14 year old was this warped by a lifetime raised by Ozai... Azula didn't have her mother, or Iroh... at the end, she would have murdered her own brother without question in this battle... Just a child who never had a chance.
There are so many things about this finale that are amazing. There are 6 Firebenders that are important, named characters, and all 6 of them get an enormous increase in the power of their Firebending. "The captain remembered my birthday!" It's also amazing that this series contains voice work from the actors who played... The T-1000 from Terminator 2, Lucius Malfoy from Harry Potter, and Luke Frickin' Skywalker from... some show... I don't remember which. And I absolutely love The Ember Island Players. Can you believe that some people dismiss it as a filler or a review show? TEIP helps the audience by showing the CHARACTERS remembering where they've come from. TEIP is actually pretty painful, particularly for Zuko and Aang. Also it's freakin' hilarious. Okey, I gotta finish this video now. TTYL, everybody.
i re-watched this series as an adult a few years ago, during a time when i started going through therapy and a lot of self reflection. i was in a state of absolute self-destruction - hating myself and not understanding why. then i discovered a deeper sense of spirituality, and during the series finale when the lion turtle said "we bent not the elements, but the energy within ourselves", it spoke to me tremendously. i'm not sure how it was meant to be interpreted or if anyone will prove me wrong, but i feel that it's a timeless statement. it's not about what we change externally, with material things, but instead, the energy in which we choose to move through life - with hatred and despair, or kindness and acceptance. rather than blaming others and focusing on things i couldn't control, i realised that i had the power to heal my own wounds. we bend the energy within ourselves and subsequently others, that will always be true.
Zuko did kinda redirect the lightning Azula threw at katara, you can see it going in the sky, but he didn't do it well, with the correct form, it was close to his heart as you can see on the wound, that's why he got injured And notice that Aang is wearing the clothes from the air nomads, and wearing the same necklace (idk how its actually called, im sorry) that Gyatso (i dont know the right speeling in sorry again haha😭) This was an excellent ending, no other series can do what atla did, not even korra (it's great, but personally not like atla) Thanks for the reactions, you're one of the reactors that is really enjoyable to watch because you really catch the things and youre very empathic, keep the great work💖
OH MY!!!!!! I have seen so many reactors watch ATLA, have seen the show so many times, and always enjoy it... and this is the first time I noticed that in the Ember Island Players, when the scene is on the actors playing Sokka and Yue at 4:12, they are playing an instrumental variation of the song Uncle Iroh performed prior to that incident, prior to when Zhao hired the pirates to blow up the ship back in season 1... Uncle Iroh singing: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall Four Seasons.... for love Four Seasons... for love
Someone probably already said it, but the episode "The Ember Island Players" is basically the writers' way of doing a recap episode (which was very bold choice doing it so close to the finale)! And the way they did it was genius, because it didn't feel like a recap episode at all, which is why it worked so well. Usually recap episodes are just full of flashbacks and are considered the worst episodes. Avatar The Last Airbender avoided all that criticism by doing a theater play!
Great reaction. I just wanted to add regarding Toph: she started with her parents not believing in her and valuing her strengths. As a result, she initially struggled being part of a team because she felt like she had to overcompensate by showing that she can do everything for herself by herself and she didn't want to help or receive help from her new teammates. In the end, Toph completes her story arc by being part of a team that believes in her, trusts her, and values her and not only does her team have complete trust in her but she is also able to put her complete trust in them shown when Sokka tells her, "hang on Toph" and she responds, "Aye, aye, captain". She doesn't shed a tear until Sokka tells her that he "think[s] this might be the end". With Tai Lee, I don't think her struggle was so much about wanting to stand out and be unique but wanting to be wanted and valued as an individual person. I thought the thing that really showed that she had achieved that with the Kioshi warriors is when she said grabbed the two Kioshi warriors and said they would be "friends forever" and they gave a big toothy smile. Tai Lee sought more and more attention by standing out but what she really needed was not in the amount of attention but in the quality of attention. The Kioshi warriors don't like Tai Lee in a superficial way like Azula did (for her talents) or the boys in "the Beach" (for her looks), they genuinely like her for who she is. This is why Tai Lee doesn't mind sharing her chi blocking knowledge with them because that's not the reason they like her and so they'll still continue to be friends (notice that she never taught Azula chi blocking).
Zuko and Azula's final Agni Kai is honestly some of the most beautiful animation on a television show, the colours are breathtaking and the way the two opposing flames move, I'd honestly forgot just how good that whole part is.
It's easy to miss but when Zuko hits the ground, there's a bolt shown arcing to the sky; Zuko did redirect the lightning, but because he broke stance to block Katara, it rebounded off his hand and hit him in the chest, instead of going through his stomach like Iroh taught him.
The battle between Zuko and Azula is probably my favorite part of the series, from the story telling and the animation it's just fantastic. Also if you want to know exactly what happened with Zuko's mom their are comics that show what happens between ATLA and TLOK.
One thing that really stands out to me about Zuko and Iroh's reunion is that you can tell Zuko was prepared to not be forgiven. The last time he disrespected an elder his face was scarred and he was given a then-impossible task to regain his honor. He was prepared to have to do that again to regain his Uncle's respect and forgiveness, but instead is shown warmth and compassion, something he probably hadn't felt from a family member since his mother left.
12:52 It's confirmed that next year, the original creators will be releasing a movie about the gaang in their 20s. So that's something to look forward to.
Zuko's redemption arc is probably the best I've ever seen anywhere. There is so much conflict, both internal and external and so much back and forth, it makes it really realistic and understandable. I love how everything ended and that his entire character build up and development was so he could be the best next Firelord.
You are probably one of only a handful of reactors that can see the true power Azula holds, but also recognizes just how traumatized she is as a 14 year old. Coddled by a terrible man and using fear to control everything around her because that’s all she knows. Yea she’d probably kill ypu if you try to hug her LOL. But the fact that you still recognize the other side instead of just saying “yea that’s what she gets!” and not understanding the deeper meaning, it means a lot. Thank you ❤
I love the story behind the episode of the Ember Island Players. In the 90s and early 2000, studios would often require a "recap episode" not long before a series would end so that people who weren't caught up could watch the finale live. Oftentimes, this was done as a clip show with the characters having a fimsy "a-story" that reminds them of things that happen, and they would flash back to impotent parts in the show. Nickelodeon requested this of the Avatar crew as well, and they hated the idea. But the writers are clever and fun, and I thought up the Ember Island Players as a fun compromise. We still got to see a recap with that lovely Avatar charm. With nods to the Fandom, theories, and jokes throughout the whole Avatar community. It is one of the best Avatar episodes while being a glorified clip show, and I love it! (Also, Toph being played by a guy is a joke on Toph's original concept art where she was a burly man, and that's super funny)
my wacky prediction for the live action is a flashback of Zuko and his family seeing the Ember Island Players rendition of Love Amongst the Dragons! Would love to see this
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
One thing I really like about the scenes on the Airship is that Sokka is VERY attentive to Toph during it, keeping a very close eye on her, as he knows she is seeing much less than normal. So it's up to him to watch out for her, like she normally would be for the group. Shielding her body with his? That's because she wouldn't be able to see the debris coming. And not only that, Toph is LETTING him do it.
Forreal. And yet so many say that Toph has little to no character development. Her arc is about learning to be a part of a team and accepting, even asking for help when she needs it.
I don’t understand when people say that Toph has no character development. She’s never known how to be part of a team and she learns that. She always felt like she had to do things for herself by herself. Then after her talk with Iroh she learns how to ask for help and accept help from others like when she asked Katara to write a letter to her parents. She learns that it’s ok to rely on others, that it doesn’t make her weak. She learns that there are people who will love and accept her for exactly who she is. My girl came a long way from where she started. Not to mention that she upgraded her bending skills by inventing metal bending.
@@amysinyard2239 Yup, she's great.
I like the idea that they cast a huge man for Toph because all the guys who got their ass kicked by her claim that they lost to a mountain of a man instead of a little blind girl hahaha
Also, her original design was a big muscular dude.
@@robling1937 Thats the actual reason, the soldiers not wanting to admit they lost to a young blind girl is the in universe reason
@@Terraw77 Well I think it's more a Watsonian vs. Doylist reasoning. In-universe, the stories told by various soldiers and other characters probably portrayed Toph as a much bigger tougher guy because it was humiliating to admit they were defeated by a tiny 12yo girl. But for the writers/creators of the cartoon irl, outside the story, it was a fun nod to Toph's original character design.
@@ruffboiALT Sure...but that's exactly what the person just said...they just didn't needlessly use pretentious labels to do it.
@@ruffboiALT No one fucking cares about a Doyalist answer. It takes away the fun.
This is a perfect example of how you can create a show, not kill major characters, and still have one of the most emotional and greatest finales ever written...
YES!
Totally agree.
I think this is one of the most emotional pieces of media I've ever seen in which no one dies, or gets separated or tormented in some way.
Avatar is the Bible. A white lotus tat of the th 10 wisest sayings next to the blue spirit on the right back shoulder
Ah yes, double deus ex machina = one of the best finales
@@ZeallustImmortalsee that doesn’t really have anything to do with good story telling
You are so attentive to notice the fact Tai Lee joined the group that has the same make up and clothes meaning she got through he trauma that made her want to be “unique”
Ty Lee flourished becoming a girls girl instead of trying to be different for the sake of being different 🥹. Love to see it. Reminds me of hating pink as a little girl because it was expected of me and now I absolutely love it cuz it’s what I like in the end
Exactly! First reactor I've seen point this out!!
Yeah, Ty Lee resolved something within herself and no longer resented being part of a "matched set".
All the times I've watched, I never thought about that before! So true!
I literally never thought of that and I've watched rewatched this series at least 8 times. That's why I love watching reactions so much
Its not even a joke to say the ember island play was a better adaption of the show than the movie was XD
"Avatar State, Yipp Yipp!!!"
Was looking for this comment😂❤
literally tho
Pu-on Tim 1-0 M. Night Shyamalan
I'm thoroughly convinced that M Night watched this episode as if it was an abridgment in a book. and figured; "yeah, that is enough knowledge to make a movie on it"
What I love about the "Did Jet just... die?" exchange is that Zuko might not even know the rest of them knew Jet at all. He's probably watching it like "Oh cool, you guys know Jet too?" and then THAT happens
I wonder if him not saying anything is a slight oversight by the writers
lol I keep forgetting Zuko's actually met Jet
I love that at the very end, Zuko is the literal Firelord, and he is serving the group tea. His ego is gone and he’s a humble man now taking care of his friends. That small act epitomizes his characters growth.
A not exactly “fun” fact: Grey Delisle (Azula) asked to be alone in the recording studio during the breakdown at the end. She dug up some very personal pain to do that scene, to the point that she’s never actually watched it. Absolute respect to her for giving her all
I've heard this before and I can't help but wonder how true this actually is and what she went through to be able to do that scene. Wow, I feel bad 😢
A real 'fun' fact is that Grey Delisle also played the actress Katara in the play in 'The Ember Island Players' 😅
@iczzephyr as well as that servant during the cherry pip scene
she actually touch upon it few times on con or podcast about her problems with her mom i think
It's really powerful. Probably the most raw scene in the entire show.
The last time Zuko asked for forgiveness from his father, he was scarred and banished. There is probably some serious trauma there, which is why he was afraid of his uncle's reaction. With Ozai, Zuko was punished because he spoke out of turn. He did much worse to Iroh, but despite that was brave enough to face his uncle and own up to that mistake. That's why Zuko said, "How can you forgive me so easily?" 😭😭😭😭 It's cuz he never received the unconditional love and support from his father like his uncle showed. Also, note how Zuko waited for his uncle to wake up, instead of yelling at him and calling him lazy like in episode 1.
My husband watched this series as a kid. During lockdown, I watched it for the first time with my then-10-year-old son and my husband, and your title is so true: I will never be the same. It was such an incredible series that will always stay with anyone who watches the whole thing. I’m so glad you enjoyed it as much as you did. Azula’s breakdown after the Agni Kai always destroys me.
Likewise I watched for the first time during lockdown with my kids. Such a good show.
I watched it as as kid too, and I have to say I hadn't really seen the emotional weight of the last Agni Kai until I watched it here as an adult. It's always interesting watching a show like that and comparing how you saw the silliness and spectacle as a child with how you see the phenomenal, realistic writing and emotional journey as an adult.
“To bend another’s energy, your own spirit must be unbendable”. Because Aang stayed true to his values and spirit and chose not to kill he was able to use this technique. I find this brilliant and makes me love Aang even more ❤
The Cabbage men really inform the Ember Island Players about all about Team Avatar haha. What an Icon
they mentioned prisoners of war. There was a delay before Hakoda was brought to the boiling rock. So the playwriter probably interviewed him. And he had weeks with Soka in between season 2 and 3 to talk about everything that happened.
Also the singing nomads and pirates
😦 does that mean the fire nation arrested the singing nomads Moku and Chong and the rest of them thats sad 🤧
@@0hReactions I guess the playwright just talked to them.
Zuko survived the lightning hit because he still redirected it. There's a short shot right after showing the lightning going up. He got injured because he wasn't grounded (he was mid air), which is one the most important aspects when Iroh taught him how to redirect lightning!
That's a really cool observation! It would also make a lot more sense for why we never see two wounds with Zuko like we do with Aang. When someone is electrocuted, the electric current hits them at one point, then is conducted through their body to exit at another point; we see this with Aang's back (entry) and foot (exit) wounds, but with Zuko they only really show the scar on his chest. If he still redirected the bulk of the lightning, giving it a paths to enter and leave his body, it makes sense that there wouldn't be two wounds.
...This show came out almost two decades ago, and the sheer amount of thought and effort that went into the writing STILL finds ways to astound me.
@@maryparks5033 I was so impressed seeing the show put in that detail of Aang having a scar on his foot too, because movies and shows where someone is electrocuted or struck by lightning, they rarely have that attention to detail. Electricity will always take the path of least resistance (which is also why lightning bolts are jagged and forked. They follow the path of least resistance through the atmosphere) and the quickest path to the ground through a human is down through the feet
You saying you want to hug Azula while she's breaking down after the Agni Kai means everything to me. She did so many terrible things at her father's command, and yet. And yet. She's still a fourteen year old girl losing control of her entire life and everyone she thought she could rely on. It's brutal.
Love the little bits that show Zuko’s character progression
Episode one: “Wake my Uncle! And tell him, I’ve found the avatar.”
The Old Masters: *sees he’s asleep and patiently waits for him to wake up*
I cry every time I watch zuko and iroh reunite. So beautiful.
Ugh and the music and the colors when zuko and azula have their Agni Kai ❤
Azula is such a tragic figure, you put it perfectly “I want to hug her and tell her it’s okay, but she’d kill me”
The Final Agni Kai is sad because there is nothing grandiose and glorious about it. It's not a hero coming to take down a tyrant ; it's two seriously screwed up teenagers who inevitably come crashing against one another as a result of their disastrous childhoods.
I also love how Zuko fully took Iroh's advice and added other bending techniques that made his firebending stronger :
- The Dancing Dragon style made his firebending purer and more fluid, allowing him to attack and defend without exhausint himself like Azula
- during the whole fight he stood on the same spot and blocked some incoming attacks and waited for the right moment to counter like an earthbender
- he also did not hesitate to jump and evade like an airbender
- and of course lighting redirection which comes from the waterbending style.
One of my favorite things about Zuko's bending style is that even back in his first Agni Kai vs Zhao, the whirling brakedancing-looking move that turned the tides in his favor looked like an airbending move (as much as he would've loathed to have admitted any similarity at the time).
@@juliacalhoun9491 His lessons from Uncle Iroh, "Break his root" both Zhao & Azula lose their momentum when taken off their feet.
In ba sing se he uses fire like a water wave
I was going to write that. Thx dude! The writing of this show is just peak with all the callbacks to earlier episodes!
23:00 There's also the fact that Ozai arranged for the deaht of his own father, he doesn't want Azula near him when the comet is around, fearing she may do soemthing similar.
It's aslo why he overreacted so much whe Zuko challenged him, Ozai is really afriad that his children will kill him.
I never thought about this way.
Every time i peak into the fandom i learn/realise something new. Atla is so great!
He should’ve thought about that before he murdered his own father. Azula should’ve realized (Wake Up Girl!) much sooner that Ozzai has no love in his heart for anyone including himself, and that he was never worth looking up to just like Zuko did.
That's a really interesting thought! I also recently thought that Ozai distanced himself from Azula also because he realised that she wasn't quite as perfect as he thought she was, after Zuko told him that she had lied to him about Aang being dead. So he was also punishing her for that, and "treating her like Zuko". Charming man, Ozai.
@tcshack701
Exactly. And when Zuko told him that Azula lied to him about the Avatar being dead he, probably, assumed that she was teaming up with Aang to ambush him and take him out. So he arranged to leave her at home with an empty title as Firelord.
Aang’s last waterbending move, pulling and pushing the water to put out the fire, is the very first move he learned from Katara on season 1 and i love that
"It's weak to kill you because that's easy". An undeniable truth and the worst insult for someone like him 🤣
It's not just that Aang is retaining his values. He is retaining his CULTURE. Avatar Yangchen told him to put the world's needs above his spiritual needs: his belief that murder is wrong. But Aang CANNOT afford to do that. When she was alive her culture was thriving, so she could sacrifice those parts of herself for the better of the world. If Aang decides to do the same, that's it. The last living member of the airbenders went against his own beliefs. Aang has a duty to uphold his culture's beliefs, because he is the only person left who can.
And not to mention, the last time Sozin's comet came around the air nomads were wiped out. Well, as far as anyone was aware. By choosing to not kill Ozai, Aang used one of the basic tenants of his culture - all life is sacred - to defeat him in the end; using the beliefs that Ozai's culture tried to destroy. He defeated Ozai not as the Avatar, but as the Last Airbender. It's just brilliant, and so poetic. What a wonderful show.
I call bs. First and foremost, I'm pretty sure Aang has already killed before. Remember the buzzard wasp that tried to take Momo? Yeah the majority of fans agree Aang definitely split it in half. Then there's the Fire Nation soldiers up at the Northern Water Tribe. You could argue that was more of the Ocean Spirits doing but it very well could of also been Aang killing dozens of soldiers by drowning them or flipping the boats over. Not to mention the amount of times he body slammed people into the ground with air bending? Yeah I guarantee that if this wasn't a kids show, bodies would of been piling up from that.
Second off, the Air Nomad culture will only die if he dies without living long enough to produce at least one air bending child. Without the energy bending, which let's be real was a massive cop out, his only other option was to kill Ozai. Men who are willing to commit genocide without any hesitation cannot be reasoned with and are too dangerous to be kept alive. Aang was letting his sentiments get in the way of doing his duty and it nearly got him killed twice.
I'm sorry but even if I was the last of my race or culture, I would not hesitate to throw it away if it meant saving the entire world, and specifically other cultures, from suffering the same fate. But I refuse to believe the Air Nomad ways would die if Aang killed Ozai. He would still live on and have children with Katara. And the ones with Airbending he can still teach them the ways of the Air Nomads and they'll teach their children and all future Air Nomads. Point is as long as Aang survived, regardless of his actions, the Air Nomad ways could be reborn.
When millions of lives, when the entire world is on the line and you are the only one who can stop it. You cannot allow personal feelings and sentiments to get in the way of doing what needs to be done.
@@TimberlakeTigerGirl Hmmmm. I like this view, especially at the thought of saving other cultures from the same fate. The whole 'well Aang has killed before' is a rehashed discussion in the fandom. I personally do think any deaths during the whole Ocean Spirit debacle were not Aang. I interpreted it as the spirit using his body as a vessel, in complete control of Aang.
I also DO agree that the whole bending energy thing was a deus ex machina in many regards. I feel it could've made sense if it was foreshadowed better, especially with how much Iroh talks about the four elements being one and the same, not divided, and Aang using the energy in the swamp tree to find people, etc etc.
I still think that the Avatar KILLING the Firelord would have major impacts on Aang passing down his culture to his children. Teaching them that all life is sacred, but they grow up hearing that their father, the Avatar, used murder to solve a war and genocide. I think there's an interesting discussion to be had there, because the hypocrisy, regardless of intention or results, will definitely affect how those teachings are taken.
In my books I tend to have my characters kill the source of bad/evil/whatever it may be, because I'm personally sick of the narrative that 'oh, you have to spare the bad guy in the end because that makes you the stronger one morally' or whatever. But ATLA is a children's show, which does NOT preclude them from making it enjoyable to adults. I think a kid's show/movie that can't be enjoyed by everyone is a failed kid's show/movie, but I digress. I get them wanting to, thematically, end a war that started with violence 'peacefully', at least from Aang's battle.
Also, Aang is 12-13. I'm the oldest of five and the two youngest are 10 and 13. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that fact, because looking at my little sisters and imagining them going through that, having to make ANY of the decisions Aang has made, is heartbreaking. I'm glad, for Aang's sake, that he found a way to not have to kill Ozai. After everything he's been through.
I, personally, would've killed Ozai though HA
Sorry my reply is longer than yours lol. Talking with others about theme/plot/character/worldbuilding/WHATEVER gets my little writing instincts running on overdrive. Or maybe I drank too much caffeine this morning? Whatever the case, this was GREAT. thanks for replying to me, seriously
@@leonthelad3208 I think it was a bit Deus Ex Machina, but not really. It had a bit of foreshadow, I don't know for how long it was planned, but the lion turtle had been mentioned before and also had appeared in drawings. Besides, it seems it was always a possibility. Considering how the Avatar works, with the Avatar state and the cycle of reencarnation. I think it is a thing that he can learn to control, energy. Especially considering how many places and even fantasy lore consider spirit/energy an element.
Particularly, I would have killed Ozai as well. And I don't think the discourse over if he killed the wasp or the firebenders is truly needed (but let's be honest, it was not Aang in the Northern Water Tribe, it was the Ocean, and it was when he was without its moon. The push and pull, yin and yang, it was unbalanced, so there was not his half to hold him back, the ocean pulled without restraint). I suppose mid fight, casualties happen. But Ozai would be a direct kill. Yes, justified and all, but it was a battle one on one and he would have to restrain him and then kill him while he is "disarmed". It was a whole other level. And it very much would touch on his personal feelings. Even if he did because HE HAD TO, I'm sure he was afraid that some part of him would enjoy it or take it as revenge. Just as Katara with her mom's killer, while Ozai wasn't the one that committed genocide against the Air Nomads, he was the man planning to do it again with the Earth Kingdom. It would change him as a person. He was always more a defense than offense kind of guy. Sure, he had his moments, even out of Avatar State that he let anger rule his decisions. But this would be a calculated decision.
I don't think it damages the finale. I don't think him killing Ozai would have been better. They also needed him alive to be questioned about Ursa to leave that little cliffhanger lmao
But I think ultimately, Aang would have done it, but then maybe he wouldn't be as balanced to begin planning a new peaceful feature. I think it would have weighed on him.
I also maintain that Ozai did suffer the ultimate punishment in the form of being a non bending, dethroned firelord in prison. Think about everything power he had and then after this fight, all of it went away. For a guy that held power as almighty, that IS the ultimate punishment.
Yeah death would have been Ozai getting off easy tbh@@kirklanyoshinaga8953
Ozai rumbles about how the air nomad were too weak for the world and if Aang killed him, it would truly be the end of the air nomads and their culture. Aang's choice is much more than his personal morals, it's about saving an entire culture.
I'm pretty sure that it was only his moral choice. He didn't ever say anything about his culture. It's Ozai who said about how Air nomads were weak. Aang just wanted to stay true to himself. And only because Aang had such a strong spirit that conquered the whole world and even past Avatars, only for that Lion turtle came to him. And only because of that he had the power to defeat the spirit of Ozai.
Also morals > culture
I don't understand why so many of you think that culture is more important than the morals. It's like saying that getting married is important because it's a tradition and not because it's important to have a true love.
Also culture can be pretty different. Fire nation had their "culture" and we all know what it meant for the whole world. So it's not the culture important but the morals that stays behind it.
@@olyabutorina6869 because culture shapes morals just as much as morals shape culture its a 2 way street ..... I am baffled when people think they are not connected ... Angs morals come from his air nomad culture the Air Bender Avatar said exactly that but as an Avatar he can not be just an Air Nomad ... if he gave up on his morals he would also give up on that which shaped those morals his culture ... and while a person can come to disagree or oppose aspects or even the full breath of the morals of his culture ... he was still shaped by them.
@@olyabutorina6869one spirit to change the world, and the world need that change soon.
@@Ower8xthis
I love, and I mean LOVE, that Katara and Zuko clearly take no joy or satisfaction during Azula's breakdown. Even after everything she did to them. Idk it just sits better to them, it makes them feel more human.
I swear Katara must've been inspired by Zuko's firebreathing technique to defeat Azula after freezing both of them.
Iroh told Zuko, “fire comes from the breath not the muscle.”
Zuko too with his firebending showed techniques from other elements. Katara began showing them in previous episodes too with earthbending. I believe being together in their mixed group for so long everyone learned from each other and it pays off most here. I kinda like the juxtaposition of Zuko uses a waterbending form to save Katara and Katara ending the fight with a firebending technique-- it really showed Azula up and crushes her ultimately because she has always seen friendship as transactional at best, whereas her loss is due to the companionship she never genuinely had.
It's always the finale that really drives home the fact that one of the main antagonists of the show is a 14 year old girl. Puts into perspective how messed up the war is for both sides, the same way the episode where he goes to the fire nation school and sees how they're taught shows the reality of the conflict.
The fight between Zuko and Azula is just amazing. Every single time just seeing the first blast of Azula together with those strings in the background. JUST AMAZING.
The reason the Order of the White Lotus didn't reconquer Ba Sing Se earlier was because of it's incredible wall.
Iroh himself had tried to breach it before and only the drill managed to break through for once.
So what they had to do was wait for the Comet in order for Iroh and Jong Jong to be powerful enough to breach the wall with fire-bending. They had to do a small-scale version of what Ozai had planned to do.
Nice thought... But also they had Bumi so idk if it holds any water. I would think that since they had so powerful firebenders the comet kinda played in their favour more than for other firebenders. So they chose the day.
My theory on why they waited until then was because they knew (somehow, perhaps through Pian Dao?) that Ozai and Co. were going to go scorched earth on the Earth Kingdom. Thus, there'd be fewer potential reinforcements from the Fire Nation available if the Fire Nation soldiers in Ba Sing Se asked for them.
If they did it on a random day, it would just be seen in history as another invasion siege of Ba Sing Se that will lead to the fire nation coming back and potentially hurting the citizens when attempting to take it back in a vicious cycle. But when they reclaim it on the same day that the fire nation invasion is stopped, then there is no risk of a counterattack and they don't need to spend time defending it until the actual end of the war
For me personally, this show is the standard of how to write characters and lead a story. Brilliantly written.
Every detail counts. Everything is in its place. It has it all: comedy, drama, thriller and even the horrors of war.
An incredibly adult story for 12+ show.
I was glad to walk this path with you again. Your reactions were honest, and that's the most important thing. See you in the adventures of Korra and the Netflix show ❤
I love that the giant Lion Turtle is mostly 3D animated. It makes it even more stand out and seem like its not a creature of this world but something more ancient and powerful.
Especially, since 3D animation has been used quite sparingly in this show; only on massive very intricate things (such as the grand shot of the air ship (fleet)).
It’s drawn like all the backgrounds, it’s on the line between landmass and living being
True, it seems so otherworldly
The lion turtle is painted, the only 3D elements were the tanks and war ships
3D is usually used for things that are very difficult to animate, or impossible even. No matter what, you can't get the movement correct, plus it adds a Lil something to the show
In Legend of Korra, the same technique and style is used to tell the story of the first Avatar, Wan. It’s consistent as a way to show something that is very ancient.
Can't believe I just realised that blue and red mean one thing in Aang's battle and another in the Last agni kai, so beautiful 😢
51:15 Yeah she's at the end of the day a fourteen year old made into a child soldier by her father.
Also notice Zuko now has a scar like Aang's. It's Zuko's fault Aang got his and now he mirrors it, had he not betrayed them at Ba Sing Se he likely wouldn't have gotten the second one and Katara could have used the spirit water to heal his face.
being much older now looking back at the characters is so wild to me, like at 6 you just think its fun and cool at theyre so badass and azulas just scary and crazy and theyre so adult, and now as an adult its like "damn... these are babies" like i remember myself at 12-16 and i just cringe thinking i was ever "adult" then lol, thinking id be able to handle all that responsibility XD
I meant hey we’re all kids fighting 😂 that’s not why she’s crazy 😂Foph being the youngest and blind 😂
The creators once mentioned in an interview that the Northern Oasis water wouldn't actually heal the scar on Zuko's face completely. They originally explored an idea where his scar causes him constant pain and that the spirit water would only soothe the pain but the physical scar would remain, but they ultimately scrapped that idea altogether in favor of showing Zuko betray Katara and Aang at the end of Season 2.
I also like how the location of it represents their Yin and yAang. Aang's is in his back because of the betrayal by Zuko, and Zuko's is in the front because he was so honorable as to take a hit for someone else.
@@Galiant2010 YES. Yes that is so true.
50:30 That she does there is a firebender move, bending using only your breath. Katara IS a damn skilled bender, like Iroh she understand her element well enough to adapt the methods of the other elements into her own.
Which means that Azula was taken down by a firebender using a waterbending move, and a waterbender using a firebending move, which has a pleasing symmetry
@@craigpayne3265anyone can adapt they just need to have a strong enough understanding of yourself. Kinda like the quote from ratatouille the finle one from Anton
I love how Zuko used bending moves from the other elements all throughout his fight with Azula. Aang's journey to learn all 4 elements paralleled Zuko's journey to learn FROM the 4 elements.
You dont really realize it until you read the novels, but Yangchen is a lot more like Kyoshi than she is like Aang lol
I want to point it out because no one ever mentions it. After his fight with Ozai, when he is putting out the fires, Aang uses the very first water bending technique Katara taught him, the push and pull, and I love that little detail.
You mention how Zuko has grown, and if you remember the first time they fought, Zuko couldn't even touch Azula, he tired himself out just trying. In the last Agni Kai, that's exactly reversed, Azula exhausts herself without ever feeling like she was close to hurting Zuko. It wasn't until Zuko jumped in the way of her lightning to save Katara that she did anything to him.
In s2 Iroh said to Zuko "It's the 4 elements in one person that makes the avatar so powerful, but it can also make you more powerful" and sure enough he was right. During the last agni kai Zuko showed movements from every nation. At 45:13 he took an eartbender stance, at 45:42 he moved just like an airbender and ofc he would've used lightning directing for water if Azula didn't play dirty.
Suki is Ride or die man.
She is a real one.
5:20 Ember Island Toph is actually what Original Toph was supposed to be
It was also a bold choice from the writers to make a recap episode literally right before the finale, but as you saw, this didnt feel like a recap at all
14:05 Toph improved her Sandbending because of what happened at the Library, so that it wont happen again
26:32 Roku: Be Decisive
27:56: Kyoshi: Only Justice will bring Peace
29:26 Kuruk: Actively Shape your own Destiny
30:37 Yangchen: Selfless duty requires you to sacrifice your own spiritual needs.
None of the Avatars directly stated that Aang had to kill Ozai, Aang just interpreted their Wisdom as such, Aang literally only wanted to hear "You dont need to kill Ozai" from someone
46:36 can we just say what a chad Zuko is? He Took a Sozin's comet boosted Lightning strike while not being grounded and still redirected most of it into the air
56:13 its Ironic that Ty Lee is a Kyoshi Warrior because they all look the same, because she said in "The Beach" Episode that she joined the circus so that she could be her own person and not a matching set with her sisters that look the same
On that last point, I think it's a sign of ty lee's growth as a character
The Avatars didn't say he had too, but based on what Aang said in the Avatar State they certainly intented him too.
they were required to do a recap episode by the network. often to reuse footage to save up for big finale. They hate that. so this was their compromise. a creative unique way to recap that is heartwarming.
I love that Aang's energy-bending victory at the end send up a giant blue beam of light. It looks exactly like the one at the beginning, when he is released from the iceberg. Visual bookends to the series.
The hit of lighting Zuko took in the final Agni Kai didn't kill him because he redirected it as soon as he was grounded, but it also damaged him because it hit while he was airborne, so there was no way for him to release the energy immediately.
I so appreciate your ability to see nuance. Values are important and Aang finding a way to live up to his (despite some inadvertent violence in the past) is worth the effort. Every character got a beautiful ending to their arcs and growth.
The fact that you feel a better person for watching this show is testament to its values and storytelling mastery. I am the same. I’m better for the journey this show has taken me on.
The sibling Agni Kai is sooooo cinematic
This show came out when I was 12 and I can't explain how much I loved it and how much it impacted my taste in storytelling. It always brings me joy to see people love and enjoy it after all these years.
Today marks 19 years to the day that the 1st episode aired… I truly can’t believe how old I am… yet how unforgettable this show will always be!
I am so thankful you took the time to watch the entire series. It made me so happy watching you experience the emotional roller coaster that is the best western animated series of all time!
I heard this from someone else, but will steal it because it's just so good:
The very first word spoken in this series was "It's" and the last word is "perfect".
*It's Perfect*
Don't let comments scare you away from Legend of Korra, it certainly has its ups and downs, more-so than this show, but ultimately its still very worth watching, yes it has it bad parts and nickelodeon did deliberately mess with their funding and production which is unfortunate and did affect several things that could otherwise have made the show a lot better, but its still very good, especially when they were finally allowed to work with more than a single season at a time.
I wholeheartedly agree, especially book 3 & 4 of that show, they are incredible.
I agree I love it.
It's really bad, but only if you think about it. Just turn your brain off and have a good time staring at the pretty lights (because the animation is indeed gorgeous).
I agree. I think a lot of people don't like Legend of Korra because it deals with different kinds of issues in a very different way than Avatar would have, so it feels like a completely different show. They did also change up some of the lore but I wouldn't get caught up in that. It's still a fun and interesting show to watch, but I think it's easier to just enjoy if you go into knowing that it's different
One of my favorite meta jokes in the Ember Island Players performance (besides hanging a lantern on Jet's death) is when they skip over the Great Divide. Lol. Like, the irl writers of this show really know their audience and their material. It was a great way to present a nostalgic, meta, tongue-in-cheek "road so far" look back on the journey we've all been on. Definitely one of my favorite episodes.
Best "recap" episode I've ever seen.
There’s a theory that Ty Lee is descended from air benders. Her eye color isn’t yellow or red like other fire nation but a grayish brown. She’s naturally very spiritual (aura and chi) and her agility is on par of an airbender. With how nomadic the airbenders were it would make sense that some airbenders that weren’t at the air temples would go into hiding. Air nomads were all airbenders because of how spiritual they were but once they went into hiding they could no longer openly practice that.
Also it makes sense that she joined a *travelling* circus if she's descended from nomads
42:50 I cry EVERY TIME Sokka uses his body to protect Toph, knowing she truly cannot see up there
its always tragic to remember that Azula is 14 edit to say: I am so happy you reacted to the whole show! you provide a wonderful viewing experience as a reactor and your insights regarding the shows intentionalityl, story telling elements, and more are just *chefs kiss*
An absolutely legendary ending to a masterpiece of a show
Never gets old seeing new blind reactions
I really appreciate your compassion for Azula in this reaction. Few people seem to understand that she's a brainwashed child. She says herself that fear the only way to keep people loyal, so if the only person she's loyal to is Ozai, imagine how terrified she must be.
“We’re all just children who have gotten older…”
The layers, wisdom, implications, and consequences of that foundational truth (about the human condition) are more than a single mind can hold. That it eludes almost all of us almost all the time is an overwhelming tragedy, and key to understanding, I think, why we visit such absolute vicious brutality on each other one moment, and loving empathy the next. God we’re such a mess of a species.
This has been your finest hour, your best essay. I’d forgotten in particular just how moving the Zuko/Iroh reunion was…in a series conclusion full of incredible moments, that was among the most powerful and beautiful.
Wow does Netflix have their work cut out for them or what?
Your observations about Ang not wanting to kill Ozi were so welcome. I might only add that, while no one (in a perfect world) should ever have to face that decision, neither the show nor any commentary I’ve yet seen address the fact that Ang is a 12-year-old child. Twelve. Yes, circumstances have placed this responsibility on his shoulders, but when you think about it, that’s really bloody awful. It says something, I think, that even the incredibly skilled hands guiding this master class of a series never directly address this gargantuan issue.
And, if I’m being a total prick, I think it’s also fair to mention that Ang and Katara are way, way too young for their relationship to stand much of a chance, but that’s a swamp maybe better left unexplored.
Excellent video work. Very, very done.
45:45 He reminded her that he could redirect it, so that she wouldn't use it. Zuko is tryign ver hard to not have to kill his baby sister.
Don't know if you know this yet or not, but the cliffhanger about Zuko's mother at the end is answered in a series of comics that covers what happens in the months following the end of the hundred year war. I don't want to spoil anything but it's SOOO great! It ties up even more loose ends and shows a lot more characters and places really coming into their own.
And get this, if you look at the first and last words ever said in ATLA, they combine to create the phrase; "It's perfect" 🥰💖
the zuko and azula agni kai only lasts for about of 1 minuite of screentime but it's honestly probably my favorite scene in the whole show it's so good
A while ago I watched someone comment on episode 17 of season 3, the ember island players. It was called 'the best recap episode ever' and I agree
Azula was such a great character, in my opinion. Just the scene where she's introduced, practicing her lightning bending. She's shown to be powerful, controling, cruel, and a perfectionist. It sets her up for being a fantastic antagonist, and sets her up for her eventual self-destruction. She wants to please her father and feels like she needs to be the perfect Fire Lord's daughter for that. Not just because she wants his approval, but because having his approval keeps her safe. She's grown up in an unpredictable environment, and so craves control. One way she does that is by studying people to see how she can gain leverage. But when handed the reins of a nation, she has no clue how to rule or govern, she has no leverage on the people, she's losing control. And worst of all, she'll disappoint her father. And you know what happens when you disappoint the Fire Lord.
You can't help but start to feel sorry for her, even as you cheer for her defeat
Katara had beef to settle with azula after she almost killed Aang at the cave fight.
Zuko using techniques from all of the other elements in his Agni Kai is just *chef's kiss*. They've all come so far!
Fun thing I realized recently: the move Aang does after defeating Ozai to put out all the fires is a big version of the first waterbending move Katara taught him (pushing and pulling).
Fun fact if you didn't know, Ozai is voiced by Mark Hamill aka Like Skywalker and the most iconic Joker voice for DC animation. Once you know, its clear as day lol
Avatar reactions have been by recent comfort show and I've seen about a dozen but I've never felt so invested with a reactor as I have with you during this finale!! It's apparent that you put your heart and emotions fully in this show and I appreciate you sharing this experience with us. I totally cried and I love ATLA so much.
ps. if that is a marshmallow stuffy in the background, I'm obsessed. it's adorable. lol
Thank you so much for reacting to this series! Its always a blast to initiate a new friend into the world of Avatar! This has been a great journey and I cant wait to hopefully continue it with Legend of Korra reactions!
Azula’s spiraling paranoia to this day genuinely HURTS. Everytime I watch this I’m stuck in the loop “she’s only 14” and I have to try not to cry, especially when she has that fight with her hair (that may just be me though because that’s just a bit too personal) right before she hallucinates her mom.
I'm usually a pretty silent viewer but i wanted to say that your channel is very warm and cozy and just always a joy to be here watching your reactions to videos and shows. The community is also nice to be around. The people here are so positive and thats hard to find on reaction channels sometimes.
Anyway is been great watching though this series with you and I'm sure everyone else can agree. People may come for the reactions but they stay for the community.
Omg I didn't realise how much of a violation it was for that kid to say Zukos scar was on the wrong side until you pointed it out, I've watched this show well over 10 times at this point and now I'm crying with laughter 😂
The fact that I didn’t notice the character criticism in eip (especially with aang, katara and zuko) until literally 2 days ago made me feel so stupid, like I really had an epiphany when walking to my kitchen.
@@nanie56 I don't really understand what the criticism regarding Katara is supposed to be about, though. I always think it's weird when everyone is quiet after she says, "It's not like I'm some crybaby who can't resist giving over-emotional speeches about hope all the time" because like... she indeed isn't? She's hopeful in a very steadfast, positive way.
@@BrianStorm742 I meant the criticism from the fans who see Katara as how she was characterized in the play: a preechy sexualized adult woman who is flirtatious and only sees Aang as a "brother.” These are all criticisms of her character from the show that, at the time, I wasn’t aware of because I was 9, but now, at 25, I understand that the creators were putting these exaggerated depictions of her based off of the fans' critiques in a propaganda play. It was just a funny realization, but I never saw her like that, so I guess that's why it took a while.
29:24 I’d argue Aang isn’t assertive and that’s exactly why he’s trying to get the answer he wants to hear from the previous avatars but they can’t because it’s a decision he has to make as his own avatar. And the advice they give him is actually what he does. He’s decisive and just with the energy bending while making his own choice. It’s something that’s explained in the novels so this is a spoiler but previous avatars can’t give input on decisions that a current life is dealing with. Kuruk and Yangchen couldn’t have told Kyoshi and Roku how to deal with their problems (Chin the Conqueror and Firelord Sozin). I actually like this limitation because it forces the avatar to look at the past and try to make the most effective decision they can on their own or with advice from their close group.
30:38 Im sobbing crying tears of pure joy right there with you Isaac. When Zuko is immediately embraced by Iroh, my heart melts. Its so heartwarming, feel good, relieving, all the good emotions in the world wrapped into one in that beautiful hug. My favorite moment of the entire show. :)
After attending film school, Zuko and Azula's Agni Kai is even more of a moment for me
12:54 we are getting a movie in 2025 or 26 where they're all grown up
Yeah, more precisily the 10.10.2025
"I want to hug her and tell her it will be alright, but she'd probably kill me" about Azula: I 100% agree!
And there's this overwhelming feeling your life is empty now as you've finished the most unique adventure... It's like you've made the best friends and now your paths are split, you can always return and watch it all over again but it never hits the same way it did for the first time. A beautiful but also very sad feeling, only the best movies/books/series trigger this feeling...
That’s why every now, and then I go listen to avatar’s love, still chasing the high I had for this show at 9 😂
The older I get, the sadder Azula's story becomes. When you reflect on the idea a 14 year old was this warped by a lifetime raised by Ozai... Azula didn't have her mother, or Iroh... at the end, she would have murdered her own brother without question in this battle... Just a child who never had a chance.
Fun fact, Katara and Azula in the play were voiced by the others' VA. They're purposely hamming it up as each other and it's hilarious.
58:41 Aang also learned from his mistakes and waited for Katara to kiss him this time 😊
Fire Nation has a weird narrative structure for their theater. They tell the story from prospective of their "villains"
51:18 😨 you can just tell that the voice actor for Azula, ACTED HER ASS OFF, right there. HOLY F***ING SH*T!
There are so many things about this finale that are amazing.
There are 6 Firebenders that are important, named characters, and all 6 of them get an enormous increase in the power of their Firebending.
"The captain remembered my birthday!"
It's also amazing that this series contains voice work from the actors who played... The T-1000 from Terminator 2, Lucius Malfoy from Harry Potter, and Luke Frickin' Skywalker from... some show... I don't remember which.
And I absolutely love The Ember Island Players. Can you believe that some people dismiss it as a filler or a review show? TEIP helps the audience by showing the CHARACTERS remembering where they've come from. TEIP is actually pretty painful, particularly for Zuko and Aang.
Also it's freakin' hilarious.
Okey, I gotta finish this video now.
TTYL, everybody.
i re-watched this series as an adult a few years ago, during a time when i started going through therapy and a lot of self reflection. i was in a state of absolute self-destruction - hating myself and not understanding why.
then i discovered a deeper sense of spirituality, and during the series finale when the lion turtle said "we bent not the elements, but the energy within ourselves", it spoke to me tremendously. i'm not sure how it was meant to be interpreted or if anyone will prove me wrong, but i feel that it's a timeless statement. it's not about what we change externally, with material things, but instead, the energy in which we choose to move through life - with hatred and despair, or kindness and acceptance. rather than blaming others and focusing on things i couldn't control, i realised that i had the power to heal my own wounds.
we bend the energy within ourselves and subsequently others, that will always be true.
Zuko did kinda redirect the lightning Azula threw at katara, you can see it going in the sky, but he didn't do it well, with the correct form, it was close to his heart as you can see on the wound, that's why he got injured
And notice that Aang is wearing the clothes from the air nomads, and wearing the same necklace (idk how its actually called, im sorry) that Gyatso (i dont know the right speeling in sorry again haha😭)
This was an excellent ending, no other series can do what atla did, not even korra (it's great, but personally not like atla)
Thanks for the reactions, you're one of the reactors that is really enjoyable to watch because you really catch the things and youre very empathic, keep the great work💖
Everytime I watch the scene where Zuko and Iroh reunite makes me cry. Beautiful show of love.
OH MY!!!!!!
I have seen so many reactors watch ATLA, have seen the show so many times, and always enjoy it... and this is the first time I noticed that in the Ember Island Players, when the scene is on the actors playing Sokka and Yue at 4:12, they are playing an instrumental variation of the song Uncle Iroh performed prior to that incident, prior to when Zhao hired the pirates to blow up the ship back in season 1...
Uncle Iroh singing:
Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall
Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall
Four Seasons.... for love
Four Seasons... for love
I think it’s also the tune that Iroh was playing on a horn in his tea shop at the end with everyone, when there’s just one last thing 💞
Someone probably already said it, but the episode "The Ember Island Players" is basically the writers' way of doing a recap episode (which was very bold choice doing it so close to the finale)! And the way they did it was genius, because it didn't feel like a recap episode at all, which is why it worked so well. Usually recap episodes are just full of flashbacks and are considered the worst episodes. Avatar The Last Airbender avoided all that criticism by doing a theater play!
"I want to hug her and tell her it will be ok, but she'd just kill me" is a perfect encapsulation of Azula lmaoo
i dont' think Iroh could've gotten through the walls of ba sing se without the comet
Great reaction.
I just wanted to add regarding Toph: she started with her parents not believing in her and valuing her strengths. As a result, she initially struggled being part of a team because she felt like she had to overcompensate by showing that she can do everything for herself by herself and she didn't want to help or receive help from her new teammates. In the end, Toph completes her story arc by being part of a team that believes in her, trusts her, and values her and not only does her team have complete trust in her but she is also able to put her complete trust in them shown when Sokka tells her, "hang on Toph" and she responds, "Aye, aye, captain". She doesn't shed a tear until Sokka tells her that he "think[s] this might be the end".
With Tai Lee, I don't think her struggle was so much about wanting to stand out and be unique but wanting to be wanted and valued as an individual person. I thought the thing that really showed that she had achieved that with the Kioshi warriors is when she said grabbed the two Kioshi warriors and said they would be "friends forever" and they gave a big toothy smile. Tai Lee sought more and more attention by standing out but what she really needed was not in the amount of attention but in the quality of attention. The Kioshi warriors don't like Tai Lee in a superficial way like Azula did (for her talents) or the boys in "the Beach" (for her looks), they genuinely like her for who she is. This is why Tai Lee doesn't mind sharing her chi blocking knowledge with them because that's not the reason they like her and so they'll still continue to be friends (notice that she never taught Azula chi blocking).
Zuko and Azula's final Agni Kai is honestly some of the most beautiful animation on a television show, the colours are breathtaking and the way the two opposing flames move, I'd honestly forgot just how good that whole part is.
Notice how sokka said zuko went crazy, and not zuko betrayed/turned on us? That was a big development in everyone’s story. They saw him as a friend.
It's easy to miss but when Zuko hits the ground, there's a bolt shown arcing to the sky; Zuko did redirect the lightning, but because he broke stance to block Katara, it rebounded off his hand and hit him in the chest, instead of going through his stomach like Iroh taught him.
The battle between Zuko and Azula is probably my favorite part of the series, from the story telling and the animation it's just fantastic. Also if you want to know exactly what happened with Zuko's mom their are comics that show what happens between ATLA and TLOK.
One thing that really stands out to me about Zuko and Iroh's reunion is that you can tell Zuko was prepared to not be forgiven. The last time he disrespected an elder his face was scarred and he was given a then-impossible task to regain his honor. He was prepared to have to do that again to regain his Uncle's respect and forgiveness, but instead is shown warmth and compassion, something he probably hadn't felt from a family member since his mother left.
12:52 It's confirmed that next year, the original creators will be releasing a movie about the gaang in their 20s. So that's something to look forward to.
Thank you so much for your reaction!! It was literally the one thing that saved my week, every week xD
Zuko's redemption arc is probably the best I've ever seen anywhere. There is so much conflict, both internal and external and so much back and forth, it makes it really realistic and understandable. I love how everything ended and that his entire character build up and development was so he could be the best next Firelord.
You are probably one of only a handful of reactors that can see the true power Azula holds, but also recognizes just how traumatized she is as a 14 year old. Coddled by a terrible man and using fear to control everything around her because that’s all she knows. Yea she’d probably kill ypu if you try to hug her LOL. But the fact that you still recognize the other side instead of just saying “yea that’s what she gets!” and not understanding the deeper meaning, it means a lot. Thank you ❤
I love the story behind the episode of the Ember Island Players. In the 90s and early 2000, studios would often require a "recap episode" not long before a series would end so that people who weren't caught up could watch the finale live. Oftentimes, this was done as a clip show with the characters having a fimsy "a-story" that reminds them of things that happen, and they would flash back to impotent parts in the show.
Nickelodeon requested this of the Avatar crew as well, and they hated the idea. But the writers are clever and fun, and I thought up the Ember Island Players as a fun compromise. We still got to see a recap with that lovely Avatar charm. With nods to the Fandom, theories, and jokes throughout the whole Avatar community. It is one of the best Avatar episodes while being a glorified clip show, and I love it!
(Also, Toph being played by a guy is a joke on Toph's original concept art where she was a burly man, and that's super funny)
my wacky prediction for the live action is a flashback of Zuko and his family seeing the Ember Island Players rendition of Love Amongst the Dragons! Would love to see this
Zuko used water, air and earth stances throughout his duel. Wonderful way to show hoe much he grey spiritually.
12:36 “And although his flirting game is great, he has a lot to learn before he’s ready to date anyone. But I believe Aang can bag the girl.”