Shyamalan basically came in and sucked the humor, action, drama, romance, and basically everything good in the story. He then proceeded to butcher bending, and then crush a 3 hour movie worth of storyline into a hour and a half film. BIG mistake, worse then getting involved in a land war in Asia
I think “The Painted Lady” was more to show that there are people within the fire nation who were suffering from the War as well, rather then just being an environmental episode
@Yafet Kibrom Even the Great Divide has some purpose as it shows how warring clans can't let go of their bad blood even when a greater enemy has forced them out of their old homes.
@Yafet Kibrom If it was in a lot of other animated kids shows, it'd be regarded as a pretty good episode. But because it's in ATLA, it's regarded as one of the weakest episodes of the series.
To be fair, boiling rock part 1 gave us "i'm never happy" and "that's rough buddy". Two of the best things in Avatar, period. And without Cave of Two Lovers we wouldn't have SECRET TUNNEL!! SECRET TUNNEL!! THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN!! SECRET, SECRET,SECRET,SECRET TUNNEEEEEEELL!!
I love all the episodes when the Gaang bond with Zuko and also bringing back Suki but let's be real, this episode is most known for providing some of the best quotes.
I completely disagree with your opinion for Sokka in him getting a master. Depression and worthlessness doesn't have to come from facts, but feelings. Being the ONLY person without powers in the group can make him sometimes feel worthless. That makes sense. Yes, he can often be useful and not a single person in his group thought that way. But you don't control your feelings most of the time. Feelings can be wrong... but so what? He could still have them. Humans aren't always logical beings after all.
But that is never addressed before or after that point. It felt like a fabricated problem made just to be the premise of the episode. How many times did that sword even help them save the day?
Breno Ranyere It was adressed a few times with the others poking fun at Sokka for being inadequate in certain combat situations, especially when they tried to stop the drill. Sure, it might seem a bit fabricated, but when you’re the only “normal” guy on a team of what’s basically superheroes, how else are you gonna feel? And that sword literally saved his life in the final episode, but the episode itsef wasn’t really about the sword, but instead building Sokka’s character and having him overcome his self-doubt in order to truly feel like he can stand among his friends as equal.
I was thinking the same thing. He always has a purpose in the team, but after awhile when you notice everyone around you being able to do things you can't do, it makes you feel worthless. I've actually always loved the Sokka's Master episode because he wants to become skilled in his own right, even to when Pian Dao said Sokka will make a great master one day (I really hope the comics expand on that aspect)
In the episode "The Chase" Toph really points out his non-bending ability. Sure, being good at tactics and strategy is very useful, knowing the strong and weak points of the people who are fighting with you is very important, but when fighting people who have bending skills and you don't, you feel weak and small. Sokka needed this to boost his confidence in his skills. And also, SPACE SWORD!!!!
Sokka's Master is actually one of my favorite episodes. And I kind of disagree with the notion that Sokka feeling useless at that point is out of place. Sure, early on, Sokka established himself as the "idea guy". After spending time with that inventor guy, he also became quite the mechanical innovator. But he did this at a time when Aang was still mostly just airbending, Katara was a rank amateur, and they hadn't even met Toph yet. And yes, as those characters grew, Sokka continued to do what he did best. And grow, they did, while Sokka kind of stood still. He's like the party fighter, stuck on a linear progression and watching the party spellcasters quadratic progression pass him by. He's still useful, but he's not as useful in a relative sense. And while for a mature adult this should be enough, most adults end up feeling bad when outclassed, let alone a boy in his mid to late teens. Everyone else matured as benders because they had masters to train them. His little sister matured more than any of them, having been the only one to start the series not already a master of her particular element. Only Zuko grew comparably, and he did most of that away from Team Avatar. And while Sokka did like being the idea guy, from the beginning, he also wanted to identify as a warrior... and never had anyone to train him up in his particular fighting discipline. Drawing up plans is good, but Sokka's the kind of guy who wants to be able to lead from the front. And that's what he gets in this episode: knowledge and experience from an older warrior, the thing he missed out on growing up because his dad was always at the front. He'd learned a lot through experience, and nothing replaces that, but training can have considerable effect, particularly when one is already familiar with the problems the ideas conveyed are meant to address. Finally, the acquisition, and later the loss, of Space Sword, pointed out turning points in Sokka's character arc. The acquisition told us he was now finally fully matured as an actor on the battlefield. He was a warrior, a soldier, serious in mind and purpose. Then he loses it, and we never hear about him again. Because Sokka is the sort that steps up to battle when it's necessary, and then settles down gratefully to the peace he has secured. He's not the sort to find himself wondering how to live after the war is over. He doesn't live for battle; he battles to live.
i agree for sure, though if im honest i could of use this episode earlier on. i think the only thing i didnt care for is how late in the show it happened
sokkas master isnt about what the audience thinks of sokka, its about what sokka thinks of himself. its been ages since he was the swaggering over confident boy from the first few episodes, and the benders in the group have made leaps and bounds in strength, but sokka hasnt. he starts to feel left behind and stagnated, so in order to become better, or in his pov 'useful' again, he does what Aang had been doing for the whole first season, look for a teacher. I actually empathize with him in this episode, because unfortunately its how I feel almost all the time.
plus, it hinted at a fire nation member of the white lotus (besides Iroh), and showed that even some of the adults in the fire nation aren't monsters that will turn in anyone who is not a fire nation citizen.
I think the purpose of “the headband” was to show just how much of a grip the Fire Nation has over its citizens and how they justify the war they started or lie about the other nations, like how they are told Sozin fought the Air nomad military even though Aang knows the Air Nomads didn’t have a standing military force.
@@batman30751 A milita maybe, but not an standing army. There's a huge difference. Also the way they use their powers is pretty different. They mainly use bending for fun, it seems. It's also not clear that they havr kind of combat organization. Sure each one is individually great at self-defense, but that's not the same as having a proper self-defense force.
.... I would say it’s at the beginning title. Started roughly the same then went their own separate ways. Still, of any comment anyone could add or say about how bad the shamalamadingdong version was compared to the TV show, Doug nailed it right on the twisted head. All you had to do was follow the story and plot of the TV show. Changing it the way he did into what he did, it might be another 10-15 years before someone tries again and honestly, I hope they don’t. Leave it the way it is, perfect.
I feel that the episode "Sokka's master" was more about dealing with your own self worth. Every one feel a bit little when they compaire themselfs to others . Sokka feels that he doesnt contribut much or isnt up to pair as the other.
Sokka felt inferior as a fighter, not a member. He was sick and tired of being the guy who made the plan for his friends to execute, he wanted to be *there* working too. There are dozens of scenes on the show that set up how bad he feels about his worthiness, he's constantly immediately taken down in fight scenes like when the Swamp monster eats him up and Katara needs to save him, or when Ty Lee literally owns his ass in 3 seconds; there's even that whole scene on The Hunt where Toph makes fun of him, not counting him as a part of the group ("We can do this, three on three!"). As the series approached a finale that would involve a great final battle, and considering the number of soldiers Sokka had to take down on those blimps, it made really good sense that he would need a training montage episode. It would just feel too unrealistic to see him go from "Guy who makes plans and sometimes hits someone with a boomerang every 20 episodes or so" to "Badass who kicks Firebending butt like it's no BFD" without *any* development on his fighting skills.
Orsonfoe I loved it as they are teenagers and teenagers often feel like the entire world is against you like sokka does. Well that is I was so people can't rage at me for that is my opinion.
Right you are! Basically he was a guy with good ideas next to guys and gals with fucking elemental kung fu or what have you. Plus, you can feel useless and insecure about your input even when you are very valuable. Doug's explanations seem to hinge on Sokka knowing his own value, which he did not. Edit: to the reference that TY Lee owned him in three seconds... That's basically how most fights end. She's crazy strong with that Chi block routine.
I've seen footloose and interestingly never made the connection. To me it felt like a nod to a historical truth of kids living in Fascist and Communist countries who met up in secret to listen and dance to banned western music, which became a sort of de facto resistance to the regimes
it wasn't completly out of character for Aang to hide the letter, he's twelve, he lost everything and looked at the posibility to loose the two people he was close with. Also when he learned he had lost everything he went into the avatarstate out of sadness and who helped him through the grief Sokka and Katara. Aang reacted as i kid would in the same way when he learned of the death of the air-nomads, or when he learned that he was the avatar he ran away from the fear and pain, so not exactly out of character but more towards the immature part that we barely see.
I completely agree! I think Sokka and Katara were ridiculous to act the way they did. Yes, they were upset that Aang hid it from them, but he was upset and worried. He’s still a little kid and I think they should have realized how upset he was that he was ignored by them since they got there
100% disagree not saying he didn't act like a kid cause I agree with that ita just so out of left field for him as an astablished character thata its annoying if it was earlier in the series it would have been fine even interesting if katara had hard feeling in later episodes or lack of trust the problem with the episode is timing
you make a valid point and we'll it did feel a bit out of character he's still a kid and who hasn't worried of losing the people who helped you through your greif
TheCobraSlayer fully agreed - also to say that the fortuneteller or winter solstice part 1 is better than the waterbending master/sokka’s master is absurd
@@Waldo2491 Actually, while it is one of the worst episodes of the series, it is still funny and entertaining enough. I love Sokka detective. We had also the appearance of Kyoshi and the always great scenes between Iroh and Zuko, with Iroh advising Zuko to have hope in the darkest times and with Zuko leaving Iroh at the end, setting up the episode Zuko Alone.
I know this is years late, but in defense of Aang's actions in Bato of the Water Tribe, this is a kid who 'recently' lost literally every friend he's ever had; every member of his entire race and culture too. He's also 12 years old. How terrifying would it be to face the prospect of facing the world alone? Of having your two only friends leave? It may seem out of character, but I think that's because he doesn't face that loneliness again until he loses Appa.
Also, what Aang did was not entirely out of character. In The Storm, it is explained that, when Aang finds out he is the Avatar and he is going to be separated from the people he knew and loved, he runs away. So hiding the map that leads to Sokka and Katara's father did seem like a somewhat believable thing Aang would do if it ment he wouldn't be alone again.
Also Aang is a social person who thrives of attention. And air nomads beliefs seems to be morally flexible when it comes to the minor stuff like lying.
@@longliveplanetawesome3223 Yeah it is also Aang avoiding a problem, as was what he did in the storm flashback, Bumi comments on it "Avoid and evade classic aibender tactics" I would say it's something deeply rooted in their psyche.
I also thinks it actually is something Aang would do, despite it feeling somewhat out of character. The episode we see Aang go against his typical self the most is The Desert, when his anger and desperation at the prospect of going on without Appa make him an almost unrecognizable, sad and angry version of himself. If we compare him acting out of character in The Desert and him acting out of character in Bato of the Water Tribe, the message I get is that Aang's biggest fear is losing the ones he loves, and he is willing to even go against his core beliefs to keep the ones dear to him close and safe. So, while hiding that letter does seem wrong and petty, that shows us how much Sokka and Katara mean to him, and how the prospect of losing them drive Aang to go against what he knows to be right to keep them close. It would also be plain boring and unrealistic if Aang was just this pure, wise and flawless 12-year-old 100% of the time. In fact, what I like about both episodes is that we're reminded of Aang's humanity by portraying him as someone who can commit petty actions out of fear and anger, which actually make him a more relatable character.
I thought the episode where Aang "hides" the letter about Katara and Sokka's dad was a very strong one. Strong because Aang isn't just shown to be "a kid who makes misstakes", it shows him to be a kid who is TERRIFIED of being alone again. Everyone he knew and loved is dead. He only has two friends, and they might end up leaving him to himself. It must sound like a terrible idea to him, and it shows us that the Avatar is not a perfect being; it's a human being with flaws just like everyone else. It humanises him perfectly, and it really shows that, while the world holds him on a pedestal as some superior being, he just isn't that; he's a scared kid who is terrified of being alone without people he loves.
I never saw The Painted Lady as an environmental message. I thought it was more about trying to find a balance between helping others and learning to help yourself. The villagers could've done more to improve their situation; move off the river, negotiate with the Army for supplies or support, put up a fight. But they just seem to accept their lot in life, waiting for the Painted Lady to save them. What Katara did to help them was good, but she could've wound up stuck protecting them forever, as Sokka pointed out in the episode.
ztslovebird i agree to be the mather nature side was the reason they needed help not what the episode was about i believed the episode was about katara growth the water being polluted because it was something she can help change by her self not as a mystical being kind of like showing her her being herself can help more then a savor someone so far from reach
Im agree, the Episode was more about the question how far you can get too help People when yourselfe have Goals. Realism, and healty egoism. Offcourse they made it, but they have strong points.
I actually really appreciate "the Headband" because firstly, Dad Sokka is one of my favorite things but more importantly it's a really cool exposure to the martial art Capoeira from Aang during the dance party scene
I also enjoyed what school is like for the Fire Nation and what parts of history they rewrote to glorify its nation while demonizing the others. Kind of like of Californian schools don’t talk about the Internment of Japanese Americans at all, or that the Japanese taught their students that Americans attacked them first and don’t mention Pearl Harbor. At least, when my dad worked in Japan back in the 80s; I don’t know if that’s still the case today
The way they presented the school seemed a lot like how in Nazi Germany they turned many subjects into propaganda, so there were a lot of parallels in that episode I find interesting
Boiling Rock pt 1 on this list?? Also, I never thought "The Painted Lady" was even THAT much focused on the environment- it was focused on how the fire nation didn't even care about destroying the lives of its own people. Katara is trying to help the people survive, not the fish.
I was a little confused when he talked about the show being about saving the Earth. The kind they were doing the whole time and the kind addressed in the Painted Lady episode are different. Painted Lady was about environmental preservation and pollution issues, while the show overall was about stopping an evil tyrant from conquering the world. Those are different kinds of "save the world" if you ask me.
He is right, though. If it was just "The Boiling Rock" it would have been awesome. You just need two things: - Have Sokka's dad be there - They get caught before using the cooler, and incite the riot as a backup
Well the focus was much more on Katara's motherly instincts and her relationship with Sokka; the problem was never the big factory, just that the factory was right above the village; had it been a bit down river, she wouldn't have given a flying bison's arse about it.
To stay civil and adult here: Doug, I don't necessarily agree with your viewpoint on Sokka's "The Master" episode. Yes, WE all felt that Sokka was valuable to the team. Even the rest of Team Avatar felt that way too. But the episode was an introspective look at how Sokka felt about himself. It is actually one of my favorite episodes because it showcases his personality while comparing it to his psyche. By creating a sword on his own from a foreign material, it further shows how "out of the box" he is. To be fair, I had hoped that since it was a malleable substance, Toph would be able to change it into different weapons for him, or use it to help him fly. TL:DR the episode wasn't meant to confirm Sokka's status to the audience, but to himself.
I know what you mean. I felt that even though Sokka knew hew was important there was still that nagging feeling that he wasn't as good as the others. It happens to someone who is surrounded by people who do extraordinary things on a daily basis. Sokka needed to prove to himself that he was brilliant. Needed to be confirmed as important and that it was all in his head.
+Katie Wahl Really couldn't have worded it better myself. Yes, he knows he's the plan guy, the idea man, the strategist . . . But just lik in this video showing, it shows him sitting on the side " not up to par for large scale things.'', forced to sit out some things. He's not able in all areas as well as the others when it comes to combat or elementals. He ha to d that on his own. Yea.
+Katie Wahl But where did that unease come from? It was never hinted at in previous episodes nor would anything about Sokka's character previously suggest that he would be inclined to feel this way. Shoot, he gets stuck neck-deep in a hole one episode, Toph pulls him out, and that's the end of it. He doesn't seem to feel inadequate at all. Where did this sudden inferiority complex come from?
Ikrani its never actually sudden. Bit by by, little things add up without even realizing it. Its always thr last strwe that breaks the camels back. And it doesn't have to be insecurity. It could be fed up with not amounting in combat, in needing his own growth. S accomplishment ang grew and improved with teachers and returned, katara gained a teacher and improved. Toph left(kidnapped) and gained another level in badass. It was just time for him. Surely when you hang with friends and cheer their , you only look inward to refecltct in yours, or lack thereof, right? Now imagine seeing all your friends then having to be introspective on that thought? Yes, sokka was good before this...but with the upcoming danger, he knew he couldn't just be good.he had to be great.
B Bb But did these characters change as characters? Yeah, they got more powerful and learned more philosophy and crap, but how did it outwardly change them?
I know this is a year old, but I have to point out: Sokka's Master isn't about perceived prejudice, it is about imposter syndrome. Sokka doesn't feel adequate with himself compared to his peers, *despite* the fact that they show appreciation for his talents. This is about working through your inner demons and coming out the other side stronger, as all the characters do to some degree.
Agreed. Add in the fact that it wasn’t sokka who had the idea of finding a master to teach him, it was Aang’s. Sokka was portraying the feeling being useless when (as you pointed out) everyone tried to tell him that he had specific talents that they didn’t and brought his own gifts to the group, he implies that he feels like everyone has a special gift except him. What did the sword master give him that equals the bending abilities? Nothing. He still didn’t have magical super save people powers at the end, he was just able to wield a sword now. Oooooh.. special! Forest fire about to burn down a village? Sokka to the rescue with a sword! Lol, not really. Now as far as his mechanical aptitude? He clearly had an engineers mind for things and problem solving.
@@Darkmattermonkey77 I mean, he finally accepted the fact he didn't have a magical ability. He finally had more confidence and security in himself. Now he felt like he could be somewhat equal with his comrades in a fight.
There seems to be many interpretations of several of these episodes. "Sokka's Master" is more about satisfying yourself, not others rather than Sokka specifically not contributing to Team Avatar. And I feel "The Painted Lady" is a lesson on poverty and how our actions and the actions of large businesses can affect the less fortunate.
I will say the avatar footloose ripoff.... i will say that will be the hardest for me to watch. Not the worst, just hardest because of the corny overload. The bato one i never paid proper attention to and the great divide i saw but never actually thought about it
I love how everyone has civilly and logically explained how they disagree with each episode that’s listed, this video was actually a great exercise in debate and option
LongLongLists it’s because he put so much effort into letting the viewers know that he loves the series and that he is just starting his opinion on which episodes were the worst
@@reptile1677 I honestly dont think the great divide is as bad as ppl think it Is. It was a pretty good episode that showed us how inexperienced aang is when it comes to being the avatar plus it sets up the storm and bato of the water tribe pretty well by showing that aang isnt opposed to lying to achieve wht he wants and it shows that aang wouldn't want to lose either of his friends so he doesn't take a side when they argue and tries to be the peacekeeper plus it shows how mentally he still is a 12 yr old boy who doesn't really know wht he's doing
Sokka: Zuko some guy is being a nitpick about the first part of our life-changing field trip because my first plan failed. Zuko: *Looks at Sokka* That's rough buddy
I thought Jet was one of the better episodes. When you start combining it with episodes like Zuko Alone, The Water Bending master.. and a couple others you start to realize that this world is more complicated than it looks. The fire nation doesn't have a monopoly on evil and the other nations aren't good by default. you see the evil in ba sing se's north korea like isolation. in the northern water tribe's sexism. in Jet's radicalness... in the violence and gang mentality in earth kingdom soldiers in "zuko alone".. likewise in book 3 you see the fire nation to be filled with normal and friendly people
Yeah I agree. But you got to remember the reason why the Earth Kingdom ended up that way. Because of the Fire nation and the Avatar moral flaws for causing a cycle of war to happen in the first place. Which created Dai Li.
Two lovers forbidden from one a nother A war devides their people And a mountain devides them apart Build a path to be togeather. I forget how the next part goes but the end is SECRET TUNNEL, SECRET TUNNEL THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS SECRET SECRET SECRET SECRET TUNNEELLLLLLLLL... Yeah.
The Hippies were the best thing about that episode XD About the "not teaching girls" episode, i had more the impression that this was a "refusing to let go of traditions when they are more of a threat than a help" conflict. Interesting take in "Sokka´s Master". My own impression was more "everyone feels down sometimes, now it´s Sokka´s turn". And "YAY, extra screen time for Sokka!".
I kinda agree with nostalgia critic here. I think they should have made the episode based on Sokka wanting to learn more than just being a tactician rather than Sokka being let down that he wasn't a bender. Only a few change of dialogue can do
what i got out of that episode (Sokka's Master) was that just because you yourself don't look all that impressive in a group of already impressive people, doesn't mean that it's true. i myself have this problem that i can't see what makes me so great, but if i stop and think about it, i CAN see what makes me so great among my groups of friends who have done these amazing and cool things. :)
Tjong David it’s not that he wasn’t a bender, he just felt like he wasn’t worth anything in an actual fight, he didn’t have anything that was really *his* in his own view.
@@Slender_Man_186 I understand but I still feel the writers shoehorned that feeling tho. Sokka stood his ground against Ty Lee and Mai, eventhough he doesn't win straight away, and we all know how powerful those girls are. I guess if I were him, only standing my ground isn't enough especially one battle lost can mean the end of the world
Tjong David he only got a lucky hit with his boomerang on its return trip on Zuko from what I remember. Ty Lee was toying with Soka during their little dance at the Earth Kingdom Palace.
In the German dub, while Sokka had the same name, Katara's pseudonym was "Lager Feuer", which means "camp fire" -man, sometimes the show was goofy, but the writers and translators had lots of humor :D
I really like how it’s also a callback to the first episode. I only caught it recently on a binge-rewatch but when Katara gets pissed at someone who’s insulting her for her gender, she literally shakes glaciers. She accidentally cracked the glacier Aang was trapped in ep. 1 when she and Sokka got into a sibling squabble over whether girls can be strong warriors too. And then she does it again when Master Pakku insults her for challenging him. She starts shaking and cracking glaciers with her rage. It’s a great moment, if you catch it.
I agree. I mean I see what the critic was talking about but as I pointed out in the vlog about the episode I thought it showed well how women respond to gender prejudice
The thing with Bato of the Water Tribe people complain about most is Aang being selfish. To which I say "Oh, I'm sorry, clearly a 12 year old boy who has lost *EVERYTHING HE HAS EVER LOVED* would be 100% okay with letting go of the only people he has left." I love how the moment the show tries to give Aang any kind of negative character trait that would make him more interesting (his attachment issues, manipulating to save lives in the Great Divide, not being willing to kill in the finale, etc) the fandom goes up in arms and declares those episodes the worst in the series. Again, I'm sorry, but having faults makes a good character MORE interesting, not worse. If he didn't have faults, he'd be a straight up Mary Sue. But because he has those faults, he's one of my favorite cartoon protagonists.
yeh. or sometimes the fandom just ignore the female characters' flaws. Like Mabel in gravity falls. at the end, she gets essentially everything she wanted, without actually facing real consequences. Bill could have adress this, plus saying the whole pine family (and gideon) should not deserve to be called heroes, but then point out they can be better. then bill pretends that actually hurt hi and proceded to turn them into rugs like how it happenned. showing the characer has flaws makes them relatable. in fact this is the reason why writers ave problem writing overpowered characters like superman (one reason why superman vs the elite is one of my favorite superman stories). and a case good female characters that are written good with flaws and all in my opinion are: pearl (steven universe), tigress (kung fu panda), diana/wonder woman (her 2017 film AND her animated version of 2009 if date is correct)
It could still be executed better though, and Doug is right, he was raised in an environment where he was taught to be considerate and selfless. He could have his moment of fear in that episode. For a moment, he considered hiding the letter from Katara and Sokka and he did. But then on his way back, remembering how their father is the only family they have left, Aang who had experienced so much loss would eventually not want his friends to be deprived of meeting their lost loved one, like he was with Gyatso. It would add more to his character rather than just blatant OOC.
+powerofanime1 Well the way I see it is that the episode is not made to show us, the fans, that Sokka is useful, but to show Sokka that he is useful. That is why felt Doug missed the point. It's to show that even though you are an important person, you can still feel inferior to your friends,
Katara proved her point in the fight she lost. At that time, she was an self taught CHILD with 0 training of any kind in either combat or bending, Going against a BATTLE HARDENED WATER BENDING MASTER. She was able to hold her own and even land a few blows against the guy who (according to him) should have WIPED HER OUT in 5 seconds flat! She was never going to win, but since she wasn’t insta-ganked and even HELD HER OWN that’s a victory.
Honestly, I think the episode would’ve been very poorly received if they actually made her win against him, even if she did have to struggle to do it. Because yeah, let’s face it it’s a self-taught novice versus a trained battle hardened master.
In the defense of Sokka's Master: Sokka did lack proper training in battle since all the men of his tribe went out to fight the Fire Nation, leaving Sokka without a master to teach him weapon mastery. Yes, he did that rite of passage thing in one episode but that was steering a boat and Sokka spent most of all his time in the air. I love this episode because Sokka found someone on the road to properly teach him the way of the sword. Sure he was probably taught somethings, and self-taught in other things, but he needed proper training in how to fight, lessons one could not teach himself.
+joel prince I agree, though there was an episode in season 1 (if I remember correctly) where Sokka recieves training from the Kyoshi warriors in fisticuffs. It's good but if you get a good look at Southern Water Tribe culture since the Waterbenders were gone, relied on weapons training. I believe Sokka trained himself in the boomerang because what kid doesn't think that throwing something away only for it to come back to you is cool. We all saw the first time Sokka charged at Zuko with that spear, remarkably bad and hilarious. Sokka needed that weapons training (not with fans lol) and I am a little disappointed it didn't come early on.
In regards to bato of the water tribe, aang throwing away the info for sokka and kataras father IS (Season 1) Aang. Are you forgetting that a few episodes prior during "The Storm", a flashback of Aang showed that he LITERALLY abandoned the Air Temples (and the world for that matter) when he heard that he would be separated from monk Gyatso? He even left after the monks told him, clear as day, that bad things were about to happen and they NEEDED him. Until the aftermath of the season 1 finale (aka beginning of season 2), Aang was very selfish at times and even did pretty bad things when it came to people leaving him. Aang didnt even get very serious about defeating the fire lord until he saw what the fire nation did to the northern water tribe and realized just how real everything was. When appa is stolen in the middle of season 2, and its shown how aang reacts, it's literally a callback to Aang's more selfish ways during the begininning of the series. Eventually Aang realizes that it has to be put behind them for the time being and that theres bigger issues at hand, swallowing his selfishness and anger. Aang is an air nomad. Where there's freedom, there's inherently selfishness at times. For better and worse, avoiding problems IS the way of the air nomads. The water tribe is about family and community. Aang would have never thrown away the map at that time if he were a more advanced waterbender and knew more about the water tribes. That didnt happen until the season 1 finale. As he learned more elements, he also progressed mentally. Likewise, Aang would have never ran away from the air temples if he knew earthbending and the ways of the earth kingdom, knowing to stand his ground even when he had to pursue a difficult task.
exactly, Aang was still in the process of maturing into his role of being the Avatar, and i can argue the same in The Great Divide, sure he lied but the feud those two groups were having was petty and stupid, if one little white lie can bring about peace, i say bullshit it up!
@@UltimateGamerCC but what happens when they found out that their newly found alliance was all built on a lie? They’d just go back to hating each other again, and would most likely resent the avatar for lying to them. I know they’re not likely to find that out because it happened so many years ago, but stranger things have happened.
@@grizzly_manbanimation8436 who's around to be able to dismiss it as a lie, they were fighting over something that happened over 100 years ago, they were going off heresay to begin with.
With "Sokka's Master," even though the show showed that he isn't useless and is important, he still could be suffering with some sort of depression and still feels useless.
The logical side of me reacting to this video: that is a thoughtfully constructed point that I agree with. My 10 year old brain: SECRET TUNNELLLLLL SECRET TUNNELLLLLL
Agreed 100%. Sokka’s Master was a great episode that touched on Sokka’s previously established self esteem issues (Yue bridge scene) that had been kinda left in the dark for a while, as well as cementing Sokka into the absolute badass he was in just one episode. Avatar day, to me anyways, focuses on how strange and contrived the Earth Kingdom’s justice system is (or at least that town, but if there’s nobody telling mayors how to run their town I bet that isn’t the only town that does that) and also how the Avatar isn’t universally loved outside the Fire Nation (as well as introducing Kyoshi as a character, which, in hindsight, was worth the weaker episode). That second point is great and all, but the whole episode could’ve and would’ve been avoided if there was an actual centralized justice system in the Earth Kingdom that would’ve acknowledged the fact that separate Avatars are separate people.
Don't agree, the episode is to me teaches about how criminal justice systems can be unfair and the importance to give arrested people proper legal defense. Also, the episode cleverly puts Aang in a position in which he shouldn't use his powers to solve a problem
@@gregbennett9717 Get Mad! Make life rue the day it thought it could give Cave Johnson lemons! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?!? I'm the guy who's going to burn your house down... WITH THE LEMONS!!! I'm going to get my scientists to create a combustable lemon that I'm going to use to BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN!!! "Burning people! He said what we're all thinking!"
I think the only one I disagree with was The Headband. I liked that episode a lot for some reason. The only episode I can think of that I didn't care for that wasn't included in this list was Avatar Day... I still think that's one of the most boring episodes.
Same! I had always wanted to know what the Fire Nation was like, what the children were like, what the schools were like. It's one of those things that you really don't expect to be in the series, so you wonder about it, or write sub-par fanfics. I found it really nice to see mundane things like Fire Nation kids at band practise, or how they had a poster of Ozai - showing that everyone practically worshipped the Fire Lord.
I loved the headband xD it was great lol had good comedy , gave us great cultural exposure to the Fire nation and made it so it was clear the fire nation aren't all that evil bad guys but some are just people
The headband is actually one of my favorite episodes. I loved the dances and Aang explaining the culture behind them. I also thought the animation in the episode looked really good. Plus the Mr. and Mrs. Fire bit always gets me no matter how old I get.
Lol, those episodes are the most decent ones in this whole list of NC's. So he really should have gotten 3 other episodes for his worst list, than those 3 episode's.
@@samdoherty9170 I really like Avatar Day. What problems do you have with it? I'm genuinely curious. I agree that The Painted Lady does not meet the same standard as most Avatar episodes do, but it's perfectly serviceable. It still has good characters and at least decent writing. I think the plot of the episode is kind of bland but it's still Avatar the way I know and love it.
@@azidthenawi4221 the boomerang joke was made/referenced in the Netflix original show called The Dragon Prince, made by the same people who made Avatar. It's not a spoiler for the story since it wasn't significant in any way other than as a great joke, but at some point in the show, the main character (same voice actor for Sokka) finds a strange object with a strange crescent shape. He picks up and says "Boomerang?" It really does always come back.
@Millennial Falcon Aang suddenly shruggin off his Avatar responsabilities just to make amends with a really shitty town? no nothing bad at all, lets just let the fire nation conquer everything i have to do community service or get executed
I think you missed the overall point of "the headband", you see the propaganda the fire nation civilians are fed, but they had this lighter "Footloose" overtones. I don't disagree with it being on the list, but I also think it was a necessary episode.
@Shazza Plus I love seeing Fire nation culture differ from Earth Kingdom culture. Where one nation is being fed lies and suppose to act unemotional in school and public. While the other kingdom citizens are trying it best to survive war and conflict from other the fire nation armies. Having their homeland complete transform by technology and coal factories.
I agree with most but the boiling rock. When Zuko joined the gaang he had an episode to bond with each member of the gaang. In Sokka's case there were 2 because he also had to bond with Suki and Sokka's dad. Also in these episodes we had actual plot besides them bonding.
Elisabet Roa i also feel it would of been rushed if they escaped the first time. There was real tension if Sokka’s dad would come. We got insight into how the fire nation treated prisoners and showed how smart Zuko was. Also how much Zuko was willing to risk to help his new friends. I mean.... risking his freedom to enter a prison that may or may not have Sokka’s dad?!? I mean that took trust
I also like that it was the beginning of Azula´s mental breakdown, when Mai tells her "she loves Zuko more than she fears her", and Ty Lee prefered Mai over her.
Except Toph... they didn’t really bond as much as just Zuko telling her what she needed to do since she was complaining about everyone else having a crazy adventure with Zuko and hers wasn’t.
Toph didn't get a "life changing field trip" because she was never as negatively affected by Zuko as the original three. By the time Toph joined the group, Zuko and Iroh were refugees and except for The Chase, she had no interaction with him. This is also why Toph was the one willing to accept him in the group in The Western Air Temple since she didn't have that same history with Zuko. It was more necessary for Aang, Sokka, and Katara to bond with him because it was those three that he antagonized throughout Season 1 and then Katara even more so after his betrayal in The Crossroads of Destiny.
Funny enough : "Jet" is actually the episode that changed my mind about this show. Watching the first episodes, I thought it was just a kid's show (which it is, but I just didn't see it was also much more than that). And here comes an episode about someone who went through much and decides he'll have his revenge at any cost, even if the cost is the death of hundreds of innocent civilians. For a kid's show, it was a bit risky. And that's why I liked it. As for "The serpent's pass", there is some good character development. Seeing Zuko stealing some food was actually a clever idea : this guy is a refugee and has the life of a refugee in many respect. He goes through what it's like to be on the side of the outcast, those who abandonned their homes to have a better life. In Book 1, he lived through all that, but he still had a ship and a crew. Here, he's alone, and has to live through it.
11. I think the first part of Boiling Rock is necessary to make part 2 as good as it is, but it does mean the first part is kinda slow as a consequence. 10. An interesting character exploration episode but also kinda slow. And yeah that serpent has one of the weakest designs of the series. 9. Disagree big time on this one, I love this episode. I do admit Jet isn't the best character, but I think what works so well about him is how he reflects others, specifically Katara here. He's not very interesting in and of himself but seeing other characters in him makes them more interesting. 8. The Katara/Aang part is the weakest but I feel the other two parts are much stronger and really more focused on so I don't feel this one was that weak. 7. I do feel this episode got a little too on the nose, the "You can't knock me down!" always makes me roll my eyes a little but I thought, for the most part, it is handled pretty well. And the Fire Nation stuff is all great. I think what elevates this episode is looking at in the context of The Southern Raiders, which makes this episode much more about Katara's feeling of impotence as opposed to a somewhat generic equality story. 6. Again, really disagree, love this episode! Ironically I think the reaction people have about it, that why does Sokka need to do this? Shows how subtle some of his character traits are and how well we love him. We, like the rest of the Gaang, don't feel that Sokka needs to prove anything, but SOKKA feels he needs to prove something because he is actually pretty insecure. 5. One of the most spiritual episodes so I love it, but I can understand why others don't like it. Though the swamp-benders are great! Almost as good as the hippies to me! 4. Definitely one of the weaker episodes, mostly because the episodes moral is a bit confused. I think it does come across, but it could have been a lot better. I think it should have focused more on Katara rather than the village itself. 3. Very goofy but I felt the dance thing was more tangential to the greater point about the kids being brainwashed. I like this episode and think it's really funny. 2. Yeah, this is one of the worst. I think it could have been good but it really needed to do more to reflect that Aang is doing this because of his absolute fear of being alone with his people gone. And connect it more to Sokka's backstory. And the whole not hearing the full conversation thing is stupid. But it also has one of the best fight scenes of season 1. 1. Yeah definitely the weakest episode, down to the tribes being literally named "Clean" and "Dirty". However, I will defend the moral of this episode as it is actually very Buddhist. There are a number of parables such as The Burning House and The Imaginary City that argue that a lie is sometimes necessary for someone's benefit. I think this situation qualifies. It would be different if the two peoples were arguing over something that was actually still relevant to them. But the point of the episode is that this happened long before anyone involved was even alive, they are in a situation where survival is more important, no one is ever going to know what actually happened so it is ultimately irrelevant, and most importantly it seems like at this point the story has just become an excuse for both sides dislike of the other's culture. The Gan Jin's think the Zhangs are a bunch of disgusting savages so their version of the story reinforces that view, while the Zhang's think the Gan Jin's are a bunch of elitist pansies and their version of the story reinforces that. Once they are able to see past that, they are no longer fighting over anything real but some sense of past wrongdoing that needs to be let go.
Pretty good summary of what I also thought about Doug's criticism. Thought I didn't know half the stuff you did about buddhism, and the translation of the names clean and dirty :D. Or I suppose it wasn't much of a summary, but rather a list of points/counterpoints.
Reply to me with your own bottom 11 list. I think you're kinda missing the point, you're saying ''I disagree on this one'' well what episodes do you think are worse. No matter which episode he put in here, you would disagree pretty much. He's not calling them bad episodes, he's just saying, Jet is a good episode, but everything else is better.
@@pear4576 imo he disagreed with the criticism Doug gave, not the ranking. At least that's what I got from it. I think he just disagreed with that the criticism Doug gave was instead one of the more necessary parts. (Boiling rock part). For the record, I do disagree with the 1st comments' disputing of Jet being one of the weaker episodes. I, like Doug, also believe it's one of the worst. I just feel like it's a filler, and it only manages to make the audience see that Aang gets jealous, and that he does run the risk of losing Katara to some robin hood type pretty/bad boy. If it wasn't for that part, and the morality lesson (smaller sacrifice for the greater good not being acceptable), I would just put it as a filler episode, and it would almost be worse than the great divide episode (the worst by far).
Rói Skaalum Honestly I personally like Jet quite a lot, so I wouldn’t really put it on a worst list. Sure, being one of the earlier ATLA episodes, it does have its issues, such as the forced romance between Katara and Jet and Jet and his cronies not getting all that much characterization. But it was also the first glimpse we have into the fact that the Fire Nation isn’t entirely bad despite its actions, as well as the moral dilemma it brings of sacrificing others during wartime for the greater good.
@@amirgarcia547 Yeah, I mean. Imo, there isn't actually a bad episode. But since we had to choose the worst, that episode was one of the worse. But even then, I think Jet was designed to have blood with the fire nation and willing to sacrifice other people for his own revenge. The reason why I don't like Jet, is probably because they portrayed him correctly, to be honest.
I think one of the biggest arguments i have is Sokkas Master, the point isnt to prove to US that Sokkas useful, its that the character itself gains confidence that he is good enough and to always try to improve. I liked the episode because we see someone with a lack of self esteem in a group of "talented" people find a way to be satisfied with himself. Not to mention the idea of his master not having prejudice for an art that should shared with everyone not just the fire nation.
I still don't get the complaints about The Great Divide... The whole point of the avatar is to bring harmony in the world. This is the most concrete example of it. Does he lie? Ofcourse. But the point here is that the truth will never be found. The facts are too far in the past, no one has any evidence, and everyone believes the story told by their own culture. Aang thus shows the soothing effect of a story from a different perspective. I always thought this episode shows the avatar in his most essential function.
I didnt like it that mutch, but you are right. Lying is bad, Aang knows that. But he also knows, that the greater good is more important. And the greater good being the peace, it makes sense. It doesnt hurt, it solves the problem and nobody will ever know that he lied because the two tribes didnt even know themself.
Well of course, but it's either hold on to your oath and let the fire lord kill everyone, or kill him to save countless others. And until he figured out how to take away bending, he was just going to choose to hang on to his oath at the cost of the lives of others.
Footloose actually is one of my favourite episodes. There's just so much fun on watching it cause Aang finally can be a normal kid for one day. And of course the animation, characters and jokes where still great (as usual).
I mostly agree with the list, but Sokka’s Master is one of my favorite episodes. The ending fight is the best and most creative sword fight I’ve seen. And I liked the full focus on Sokka and adding more depth to his character.
I would debate all episodes have meaning. Whether it's character development, future plot relevance or humor (some of these episodes were too funny not to be seen). I think the biggest examples are with Jet. Without his ep Socka would not have been able to understand why he was the leader over the other two. And without Jet meeting Zuko, they would not understand the literal brain washing being done to the citizens, Aang might not have gotten Appa back. Azula might never have even made it i to the city. A lot of things happen even when you don't realize it.
I have a theory about the swamp. Ever since the vine monster guy said the swamp shows visions of people we've lost, I expected Toph to die. But she didn't. So my theory is that it shows you someone you desperately want to see, for most people this a loved one who has passed away, but Aang had gotten over his loss of the monks, and he really needed to find an earthbending teacher, so that's what the swamp showed him.
Soo you say it's like Mirror of Erised (fun fact: read the word from end) from Harry Potter series that shows "deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts" according to Dumbledore. I just love mixing fandoms. And I looved this episode, it carries a deep meaning and great new characters and that dark atmosphere is full of mystery so i was surprised that it is on the list
Brandon Roberts Yeah, I guess so. I mean they do make me chuckle sometimes. Shyamalan's _Last Airbender_, though? It was just dull. From start to finish. Not a single funny moment nor were there awesome fight scenes.
Duke Gundam Yeah..I highly doubt it. Unless they get a better director and hire _legions_ of talented writers to help fix things, I just don't see the sequel doing much.
+Paradox Acres redo the movie but better. to be honest it is exceptionally difficult to compact the complex story of just book one into a feature length movie and keep all of the character.
Paradox Acres just think, he has a daughter who loved this show so much that she wanted to be katara for Halloween. Just imagine what she thought of the movie when it came out. I feel bad for her.
I have no doubt that Katara loves Aang, but I just CAN'T see them as a romantic couple. Katara's motherly maturity paired with Aang's childish behavior doesn't sell it for me. Imo it's way too platonic for it to actually be romantic.
The funny thing in some way Kataara is one of the less mature Charakters. She is stuborn and very emotional. She evolv and is a big Sister, ore Motherfigure, but I realy think in beeing adult and cose adult important decisions, Sokka and Aang are the most adult. Sokka make much fun and is the Comicrelife, but he is brave, think for the entire group, is a smart tactican and carefull. maybe paranoid but also carefull, and Aang take all this responsibility and acept it. Bot are childish, but only in privat, never in important Moments. Toph in the other hand can life for herselfe but is too much a loner and not realy a Teamplayer. And she is too proud. Zuko had angerishues and isnt realy as smart as others. Still a caring leader, but whitout much experience in Leadership. Kaatara is good Middelground. Sorry for the unnecressary monologue, but its something I want say and your comment was a good Chance too hit on this.
Personally I feel like they were right for each other but it was just WAY to obvious it was going to happen. They should have had Katarra or Aang or both actually love someone else (Jet doesn’t count) for a solid amount of time then have them realize they aren’t right or have only katarra love someone else for a multitude of episodes and Aang still loves only katarra thus causing him to lose focus often. I feel like they were right they just needed to make it much less blatantly obvious of what would happen
.....I just wanna know If oppa and momo ever got together? (Kidding!) who I did (legitimately) wonder what happened to .... Toph? Who did she go off with at the end of the war? Yeah, next show answers questions asked here but like all great stories. I didn’t want it to end, keep going, show us their lives after the war. :(
boiling rock part 1 and sokka's master are God Tier!!!! i agree those two should have been swapped with avatar day and nightmares&day dreams. i like those aswell but they are definitely weaker than the first two :'/
To be honest, this whole list depends on what you watch Avatar for. With the exception of a few episodes, this entire list could have been titled “Some of the Most Important Character Episodes in Avatar”, and with these episodes, a lot of character development wouldn’t happen
I love those episodes because it character development, funny humor, emotionally impacts to the overall plot of story. Because it show the team Avatar acting like normal teenagers even with the all bad things happening in the world.
@@joevenespineli6389 That's what I'm saying. Their is more good episodes. Than the filler episodes. And most them in Avatar the Last Airbender, weren't even that bad, to say the least😒.
Mine too, it shows that the regular people of countries who started wars can live just as poorly as the attacked countries. And I love Katara-centered episodes. :)
in all seriousness he has good points on how the show doesnt necessarily need some of these messages. hes right. the show is strong enough to go without but it doesnt mean they cant be there either.
My favorite part of the theater episode was zuko finding out that jet died Because when you think of it from his perspective jet was just a random vigilante that attacked him, was imprisoned, and then a few months later he found out he died The way zuko says "wait, did jet just die?" Is hilarious to me
Just rewatched Last Airbender, so I wanna give my fresh thoughts on this list. 11. Eeeeh, I dunno. To be honest, the Boiling Rock double episodes were among my favorite in the series. Maybe I like prison settings, but like you said, it would've been far too unrealistic if they just escaped from the most _heavily secured prison in the Fire Nation_ in one episode. Personally, I thought it was a good set-up for the second episode, and there were too many plot points in this episode two-part episode to condense it into one. 10. Okay, I kind of agree with this one. It's not that strong of an episode for me overall, though I still enjoyed it. Was kinda fun to see Zuko and Jet steal food, the dragon fight was pretty good, and Aang needed to regain his hope in the world. But... Yeah, it's corny, even for this show, and Sokka and Suki portion was mostly unnecessary. It was so weighed down with story beats that it felt like a bit of a slog. 9. Hooo boy, I do not like Jet, so I definitely agree with this being one of the worst episodes. I'm no shipper at all, but Jet always rubbed me the wrong way with his hamminess, and Katara just falling for him so quickly was just really corny and eye-roll inducing. The themes of the episode were good, but the characters overall were just kind of annoying in this one. 8. I almost decided to skip this episode when rewatching the series this time around, and there's only _one_ other episode that I actually skipped. I think that speaks alone speaks for itself. Though giving it a watch again, it's not that bad, the history between the two lovers was kind of interesting, and Sokka dealing with the hippies was actually pretty funny. I just didn't really care about the romance personally. 7. I don't know about this one, I actually quite liked it honestly. It makes sense that at least some prejudice exists between sexes, and given this is from a nation of benders who can have healing powers, it makes sense more than anyone that waterbenders would be the most sexist. Plus, it does show for the first time that the Fire Nation isn't the only nation that has its issues, no matter how small. Plus, Katara's fight kicked ass, and it was a satisfying build-up for me. My only issue was the hamfisted drama between Sokka and the chief's daughter lacing into the episode, but I guess Sokka needed _something_ to do this episode. 6. I actually really liked this episode. I can't speak for everyone, because while I liked Sokka and definitely didn't find him useless per-say, but I really think he needed an upgrade. Compared to Aang-who can successfully use three elements at this point, Katara who's mastered waterbending, and Toph who can now bend metal, Sokka needed some time to shine again. The teachings were creative, Sokka's new sword is pretty cool, Sokka's fight was pretty great, and it was a refreshing change of pace from bending in general. Also, Iroh beefing up in prison was fucking sick, and nobody can tell me otherwise. 5. Eh... I agree a little bit. Not the best episode by any margin, though swampbending was kind of cool. I think it expanded the universe of Avatar a bit, especially with the tree and being able to connect to the energy around them. But yeah... swamp hillbillies, that wasn't a pleasant sight. Plus, the angst every character went through I think was done better in a previous episode, so this one felt kind of like filler. 4. Yeah, I'm inclined to agree with this one. Watching it again, it wasn't as bad as I remembered it being, and the "Painted Lady" attack on the Fire Nation soldiers was kind of cool. But yeah, it was a bit of a hamfisted message, and the town's people were just overall kind of assholes. Katara saves their village, but god forbid she was _lying_ in order to do it, oh no... 3. Well damn, I actually really liked this episode too. It was really cute, and showed a more human side to the Fire Nation and the struggles that the villagers Aang's age were going through too. The dance party was fun to me, and even the dancing itself was pretty fun to watch. Though I can't lie, the bully really made me groan at how much of a douche-canoe he was just because Aang stepped foot near his girlfriend. But overall, I still had fun with this episode, and it was a needed contrast to the heaviness of the previous episode. Then again, I've never watched Footloose, so that might be partly why I enjoyed it as much as I did. 2. I agree and disagree with this choice. Yeah, Aang was kind of an ass, and Katara and Sokka turning on him just made them come off as idiots. They nearly threw away going to the Northern Water Tribe-Katara's _entire_ goal in Book 1, and almost abandoned who even they assumed was the only person who could stop the war. But, at the same time, Aang's character in this episode made perfect sense to me. He's mostly mature for his age, but he realized only episodes ago that his entire nation was wiped out, and he didn't want to be alone again. Aang even berates himself for doing it, which was good of him at least. June and the fight scenes were really cool too, so I can't be too hard on this episode. 1. 100% agree. So, remember how I said that I only skipped _one_ episode throughout my rewatch? Yeah, this was it. The only thing I remember even liking about this episode was Aang's lie about how the feud between the tribes even started, but overall it was such an inconsequential filler episode that the payoff really didn't feel worth it for me.
I have to disagree with you there buddy, I think the boiling rock was made to two parts so that zuko's advice on "keep trying despite failed" made sense. If Sokka got it on the get go, Zuko's words would've been in vain
How does the worst episode of Avatar still manage to be ten times better than the movie?
Three words: M. Night. Shyamalan.
It's more like two words and a letter.
Shyamalan basically came in and sucked the humor, action, drama, romance, and basically everything good in the story. He then proceeded to butcher bending, and then crush a 3 hour movie worth of storyline into a hour and a half film. BIG mistake, worse then getting involved in a land war in Asia
everything is better than the movie
10x0 is still 0 (which these episodes aren't)
I think “The Painted Lady” was more to show that there are people within the fire nation who were suffering from the War as well, rather then just being an environmental episode
I actually like that episode a lot, though that might just be because I love things that have to do with myths.
I liked that episode too. It showed that even the lower class Fire nation citizens are also suffering from the 100 year war.
yeah seeing that as being about the environment seems really strange to me
@Yafet Kibrom Even the Great Divide has some purpose as it shows how warring clans can't let go of their bad blood even when a greater enemy has forced them out of their old homes.
@Yafet Kibrom If it was in a lot of other animated kids shows, it'd be regarded as a pretty good episode. But because it's in ATLA, it's regarded as one of the weakest episodes of the series.
To be fair, boiling rock part 1 gave us "i'm never happy" and "that's rough buddy". Two of the best things in Avatar, period. And without Cave of Two Lovers we wouldn't have SECRET TUNNEL!! SECRET TUNNEL!! THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN!! SECRET, SECRET,SECRET,SECRET TUNNEEEEEEELL!!
the memesss
YES 😂🙌
TRUTHHHH❤❤❤
Couldn't agree more... oh wait I can. THIS IS THE TRUTH!!!!!! WORSHIP IT
The point of his critique of Boiling Rock was that it could be _boiled_ down to one episode. So, all the good stuff could still be there.
The boiling rock gave us "that's rough buddy"
I'm never happy
tAkE a BiTe fRoM tHe SiLvEr SaNdWiCh
Um I think your girlfriend's taking care of that one bud.
I love all the episodes when the Gaang bond with Zuko and also bringing back Suki but let's be real, this episode is most known for providing some of the best quotes.
Completely right
All throughout the list I was thinking “WHAT!? But I love that episode!” But I mean...I love all the episodes
studder budder bruhhh I was saying the same thing literally word for word
Same dude
It says a lot about Avatar when even the "bad" episodes are enjoyable.
Your profile pic. makes your comment even better. XD
Even "The Great Divide"?
I completely disagree with your opinion for Sokka in him getting a master. Depression and worthlessness doesn't have to come from facts, but feelings. Being the ONLY person without powers in the group can make him sometimes feel worthless. That makes sense. Yes, he can often be useful and not a single person in his group thought that way. But you don't control your feelings most of the time. Feelings can be wrong... but so what? He could still have them. Humans aren't always logical beings after all.
But that is never addressed before or after that point. It felt like a fabricated problem made just to be the premise of the episode. How many times did that sword even help them save the day?
Breno Ranyere It was adressed a few times with the others poking fun at Sokka for being inadequate in certain combat situations, especially when they tried to stop the drill. Sure, it might seem a bit fabricated, but when you’re the only “normal” guy on a team of what’s basically superheroes, how else are you gonna feel? And that sword literally saved his life in the final episode, but the episode itsef wasn’t really about the sword, but instead building Sokka’s character and having him overcome his self-doubt in order to truly feel like he can stand among his friends as equal.
Also its needed to introduce the master as a member of the white lotus
I was thinking the same thing. He always has a purpose in the team, but after awhile when you notice everyone around you being able to do things you can't do, it makes you feel worthless. I've actually always loved the Sokka's Master episode because he wants to become skilled in his own right, even to when Pian Dao said Sokka will make a great master one day (I really hope the comics expand on that aspect)
In the episode "The Chase" Toph really points out his non-bending ability. Sure, being good at tactics and strategy is very useful, knowing the strong and weak points of the people who are fighting with you is very important, but when fighting people who have bending skills and you don't, you feel weak and small. Sokka needed this to boost his confidence in his skills. And also, SPACE SWORD!!!!
Sokka's Master is actually one of my favorite episodes. And I kind of disagree with the notion that Sokka feeling useless at that point is out of place.
Sure, early on, Sokka established himself as the "idea guy". After spending time with that inventor guy, he also became quite the mechanical innovator. But he did this at a time when Aang was still mostly just airbending, Katara was a rank amateur, and they hadn't even met Toph yet. And yes, as those characters grew, Sokka continued to do what he did best.
And grow, they did, while Sokka kind of stood still. He's like the party fighter, stuck on a linear progression and watching the party spellcasters quadratic progression pass him by. He's still useful, but he's not as useful in a relative sense. And while for a mature adult this should be enough, most adults end up feeling bad when outclassed, let alone a boy in his mid to late teens.
Everyone else matured as benders because they had masters to train them. His little sister matured more than any of them, having been the only one to start the series not already a master of her particular element. Only Zuko grew comparably, and he did most of that away from Team Avatar. And while Sokka did like being the idea guy, from the beginning, he also wanted to identify as a warrior... and never had anyone to train him up in his particular fighting discipline. Drawing up plans is good, but Sokka's the kind of guy who wants to be able to lead from the front.
And that's what he gets in this episode: knowledge and experience from an older warrior, the thing he missed out on growing up because his dad was always at the front. He'd learned a lot through experience, and nothing replaces that, but training can have considerable effect, particularly when one is already familiar with the problems the ideas conveyed are meant to address.
Finally, the acquisition, and later the loss, of Space Sword, pointed out turning points in Sokka's character arc. The acquisition told us he was now finally fully matured as an actor on the battlefield. He was a warrior, a soldier, serious in mind and purpose. Then he loses it, and we never hear about him again. Because Sokka is the sort that steps up to battle when it's necessary, and then settles down gratefully to the peace he has secured. He's not the sort to find himself wondering how to live after the war is over. He doesn't live for battle; he battles to live.
I completely agree! That’s one of my favorites as well!
Heck he wasn’t useless after Kyoshi, in the bust
Out from the metal island he breaks every non firebenders spear for momo to catch them
Same this is easily in my top five
my mans wrote an entire essay. Fat respect
i agree for sure, though if im honest i could of use this episode earlier on. i think the only thing i didnt care for is how late in the show it happened
Critic: puts any episode in there
Everyone: You have disrespected me, my teachings, and my entire culture.
Deadass!!!
Except from the great divide
@@andloc9592 great divide is fine, just unnecessary
One of the best comments I’ve ever seen on UA-cam.
"Hello, Mister and Missus...?"
"FIRE! Wang Fire! This is my wife, SApphire."
That line killed me
Michael Fort oh my lord. I died
"Sapphire Fire, nice to meet you."
And of course, who can ignore the incestuous subtext?
Lmfao
THAT’S IT! NO MORE SCHOOL FOR YOU YOUNG MAN!
sokkas master isnt about what the audience thinks of sokka, its about what sokka thinks of himself. its been ages since he was the swaggering over confident boy from the first few episodes, and the benders in the group have made leaps and bounds in strength, but sokka hasnt. he starts to feel left behind and stagnated, so in order to become better, or in his pov 'useful' again, he does what Aang had been doing for the whole first season, look for a teacher. I actually empathize with him in this episode, because unfortunately its how I feel almost all the time.
I agree, I really rather loved it
Yeah plus he got a space sword that can cut through steel
plus, it hinted at a fire nation member of the white lotus (besides Iroh), and showed that even some of the adults in the fire nation aren't monsters that will turn in anyone who is not a fire nation citizen.
It also does show why Sokka is important to not only himself but the team as well. He was the planner, the one who kept things organized and upbeat.
Sokka’s master is awesome
I think the purpose of “the headband” was to show just how much of a grip the Fire Nation has over its citizens and how they justify the war they started or lie about the other nations, like how they are told Sozin fought the Air nomad military even though Aang knows the Air Nomads didn’t have a standing military force.
Yeah I agree. I felt like a lot of those episodes really helped build the scale of the situation.
I agree, but still. 🎶 Loose. Foot loose. Tophs worst nightmare dancing shoes. 🎶
They are technically right.
Any defensive force from any nation can be considered an army.
Either a well or awful trained army, but an army no less.
Everybody freestyle
@@batman30751 A milita maybe, but not an standing army. There's a huge difference. Also the way they use their powers is pretty different. They mainly use bending for fun, it seems. It's also not clear that they havr kind of combat organization. Sure each one is individually great at self-defense, but that's not the same as having a proper self-defense force.
10. There
9. Are
8. No
7. Bad
6. Episodes
5. In
4. Ba
3. Sing
2. Se
1. The great divide
I made up the whole thing
1. that's an overused comment.
2. the great divide is awesome.
Andrew Carmichael, Nightmares and Daydreams is 10x worse.
Nigjtmares and daydreams gave us samurai momo and firelord appa
@@Morze72 ye wtf
Compared to the movie, the great divide is sozan's comet
Nukeapple *Sozin's. And yes, it's like Sozin's Comet compared to the Shyamalan Movie.
No, it’s the Crossroads of Destiny.
.... I would say it’s at the beginning title. Started roughly the same then went their own separate ways. Still, of any comment anyone could add or say about how bad the shamalamadingdong version was compared to the TV show, Doug nailed it right on the twisted head. All you had to do was follow the story and plot of the TV show. Changing it the way he did into what he did, it might be another 10-15 years before someone tries again and honestly, I hope they don’t. Leave it the way it is, perfect.
you know for kids
*There is no movie*
I feel that the episode "Sokka's master" was more about dealing with your own self worth. Every one feel a bit little when they compaire themselfs to others . Sokka feels that he doesnt contribut much or isnt up to pair as the other.
Sokka felt inferior as a fighter, not a member.
He was sick and tired of being the guy who made the plan for his friends to execute, he wanted to be *there* working too.
There are dozens of scenes on the show that set up how bad he feels about his worthiness, he's constantly immediately taken down in fight scenes like when the Swamp monster eats him up and Katara needs to save him, or when Ty Lee literally owns his ass in 3 seconds; there's even that whole scene on The Hunt where Toph makes fun of him, not counting him as a part of the group ("We can do this, three on three!").
As the series approached a finale that would involve a great final battle, and considering the number of soldiers Sokka had to take down on those blimps, it made really good sense that he would need a training montage episode. It would just feel too unrealistic to see him go from "Guy who makes plans and sometimes hits someone with a boomerang every 20 episodes or so" to "Badass who kicks Firebending butt like it's no BFD" without *any* development on his fighting skills.
Orsonfoe I loved it as they are teenagers and teenagers often feel like the entire world is against you like sokka does. Well that is I was so people can't rage at me for that is my opinion.
Right you are!
Basically he was a guy with good ideas next to guys and gals with fucking elemental kung fu or what have you.
Plus, you can feel useless and insecure about your input even when you are very valuable. Doug's explanations seem to hinge on Sokka knowing his own value, which he did not.
Edit: to the reference that TY Lee owned him in three seconds... That's basically how most fights end. She's crazy strong with that Chi block routine.
Exactly, it's more about Sokka's character development.
I liked that episode, anyway.
I legit love “The Headband”. Maybe because I’ve never seen Footloose. 🤷🏾♂️
I’ve seen footloose, “The Headband” is better
Caleb Collins I fully agree.
It’s a good movie, trust me
I've seen footloose and interestingly never made the connection. To me it felt like a nod to a historical truth of kids living in Fascist and Communist countries who met up in secret to listen and dance to banned western music, which became a sort of de facto resistance to the regimes
I thought It was hilarious and wholesome. And the elementary school drama was so funny to watch. I honestly love that episode.
it wasn't completly out of character for Aang to hide the letter, he's twelve, he lost everything and looked at the posibility to loose the two people he was close with.
Also when he learned he had lost everything he went into the avatarstate out of sadness and who helped him through the grief Sokka and Katara.
Aang reacted as i kid would in the same way when he learned of the death of the air-nomads, or when he learned that he was the avatar he ran away from the fear and pain, so not exactly out of character but more towards the immature part that we barely see.
I completely agree! I think Sokka and Katara were ridiculous to act the way they did. Yes, they were upset that Aang hid it from them, but he was upset and worried. He’s still a little kid and I think they should have realized how upset he was that he was ignored by them since they got there
100% disagree not saying he didn't act like a kid cause I agree with that ita just so out of left field for him as an astablished character thata its annoying if it was earlier in the series it would have been fine even interesting if katara had hard feeling in later episodes or lack of trust the problem with the episode is timing
you make a valid point and we'll it did feel a bit out of character he's still a kid and who hasn't worried of losing the people who helped you through your greif
I’d personally take out Boiling Rock and put Avatar Day instead.
TheCobraSlayer fully agreed - also to say that the fortuneteller or winter solstice part 1 is better than the waterbending master/sokka’s master is absurd
@@johnriley1458 Sure. Both are really good episodes.
true, avatar day was a really stupid episode
@@Waldo2491 Actually, while it is one of the worst episodes of the series, it is still funny and entertaining enough. I love Sokka detective. We had also the appearance of Kyoshi and the always great scenes between Iroh and Zuko, with Iroh advising Zuko to have hope in the darkest times and with Zuko leaving Iroh at the end, setting up the episode Zuko Alone.
"That's what we call it justice, it's just us"
The boulder feels conflicted in destroying you.
*The Serpents Pass*
The boulder is over his conflicted feelings
THE BOULDER WAS PROMISED THAT THERE WOULD BE CAKE
The boulder is confused so you mean your okay with him or not?
*The Boulder* is very happy he found this comment chain
Agent California I think it means he’s not ok with it
@@Operation_Bagel the boulder is dissapointed that you aren't speaking like the boulder
I thought that #11 was going to be The Blind Bandit for a minute and I was going to flip my shit.
Omg same!
Me too!
Yafet Shibeshi they showed the fight in the ring so I assumed it was the first one.
Yeah, me too 😂
Me too. I was going to flip.
The 11th worst Avatar episode has the legendary line of
"My first girlfriend turned into the moon"
"That's rough, buddy"
EXACTLY
@@Better_Call_Sal-c2w bro you watched Avatar with me? Damm thanks man
I love the boiling rock episodes:/:
@@Big_Danny_Cheese no problem
And don't forget that episode is showing Azula started to lose her insanity
I know this is years late, but in defense of Aang's actions in Bato of the Water Tribe, this is a kid who 'recently' lost literally every friend he's ever had; every member of his entire race and culture too. He's also 12 years old. How terrifying would it be to face the prospect of facing the world alone? Of having your two only friends leave? It may seem out of character, but I think that's because he doesn't face that loneliness again until he loses Appa.
I agree with this point.
Also, what Aang did was not entirely out of character. In The Storm, it is explained that, when Aang finds out he is the Avatar and he is going to be separated from the people he knew and loved, he runs away. So hiding the map that leads to Sokka and Katara's father did seem like a somewhat believable thing Aang would do if it ment he wouldn't be alone again.
Also Aang is a social person who thrives of attention. And air nomads beliefs seems to be morally flexible when it comes to the minor stuff like lying.
@@longliveplanetawesome3223 Yeah it is also Aang avoiding a problem, as was what he did in the storm flashback, Bumi comments on it "Avoid and evade classic aibender tactics" I would say it's something deeply rooted in their psyche.
I also thinks it actually is something Aang would do, despite it feeling somewhat out of character. The episode we see Aang go against his typical self the most is The Desert, when his anger and desperation at the prospect of going on without Appa make him an almost unrecognizable, sad and angry version of himself. If we compare him acting out of character in The Desert and him acting out of character in Bato of the Water Tribe, the message I get is that Aang's biggest fear is losing the ones he loves, and he is willing to even go against his core beliefs to keep the ones dear to him close and safe. So, while hiding that letter does seem wrong and petty, that shows us how much Sokka and Katara mean to him, and how the prospect of losing them drive Aang to go against what he knows to be right to keep them close.
It would also be plain boring and unrealistic if Aang was just this pure, wise and flawless 12-year-old 100% of the time. In fact, what I like about both episodes is that we're reminded of Aang's humanity by portraying him as someone who can commit petty actions out of fear and anger, which actually make him a more relatable character.
I thought the episode where Aang "hides" the letter about Katara and Sokka's dad was a very strong one. Strong because Aang isn't just shown to be "a kid who makes misstakes", it shows him to be a kid who is TERRIFIED of being alone again. Everyone he knew and loved is dead. He only has two friends, and they might end up leaving him to himself. It must sound like a terrible idea to him, and it shows us that the Avatar is not a perfect being; it's a human being with flaws just like everyone else. It humanises him perfectly, and it really shows that, while the world holds him on a pedestal as some superior being, he just isn't that; he's a scared kid who is terrified of being alone without people he loves.
reading that made me cry omg it makes me feel bad for aang even more than ever 😭
Me too
@★ Froggie Animation ★ why
One word for this comment: FEELS
I never saw The Painted Lady as an environmental message. I thought it was more about trying to find a balance between helping others and learning to help yourself. The villagers could've done more to improve their situation; move off the river, negotiate with the Army for supplies or support, put up a fight. But they just seem to accept their lot in life, waiting for the Painted Lady to save them. What Katara did to help them was good, but she could've wound up stuck protecting them forever, as Sokka pointed out in the episode.
ztslovebird i agree to be the mather nature side was the reason they needed help not what the episode was about i believed the episode was about katara growth the water being polluted because it was something she can help change by her self not as a mystical being kind of like showing her her being herself can help more then a savor someone so far from reach
Even if it was an environmental message... who cares? Isn't it a good message?
Do you really think negotiating with the fire nation army is a good idea?
They hate everyone who isnt fire, but they were fire themselves.
Im agree, the Episode was more about the question how far you can get too help People when yourselfe have Goals. Realism, and healty egoism. Offcourse they made it, but they have strong points.
I actually really appreciate "the Headband" because firstly, Dad Sokka is one of my favorite things but more importantly it's a really cool exposure to the martial art Capoeira from Aang during the dance party scene
Dad Sokka is everything
Seanp12
- “And this is my wife Sapphire ”
-“Sapphire Fire, nice to meet you 🤰🏽”
I also enjoyed what school is like for the Fire Nation and what parts of history they rewrote to glorify its nation while demonizing the others. Kind of like of Californian schools don’t talk about the Internment of Japanese Americans at all, or that the Japanese taught their students that Americans attacked them first and don’t mention Pearl Harbor. At least, when my dad worked in Japan back in the 80s; I don’t know if that’s still the case today
MissStoryTelling interesting, yeah I agree.
The way they presented the school seemed a lot like how in Nazi Germany they turned many subjects into propaganda, so there were a lot of parallels in that episode I find interesting
Boiling Rock pt 1 on this list?? Also, I never thought "The Painted Lady" was even THAT much focused on the environment- it was focused on how the fire nation didn't even care about destroying the lives of its own people. Katara is trying to help the people survive, not the fish.
I was a little confused when he talked about the show being about saving the Earth. The kind they were doing the whole time and the kind addressed in the Painted Lady episode are different. Painted Lady was about environmental preservation and pollution issues, while the show overall was about stopping an evil tyrant from conquering the world.
Those are different kinds of "save the world" if you ask me.
kyotheman69
Yes, but that wasn't the POINT. The point of the episode was NOT about saving the environment, it was about saving the people.
He is right, though. If it was just "The Boiling Rock" it would have been awesome. You just need two things:
- Have Sokka's dad be there
- They get caught before using the cooler, and incite the riot as a backup
Well the focus was much more on Katara's motherly instincts and her relationship with Sokka; the problem was never the big factory, just that the factory was right above the village; had it been a bit down river, she wouldn't have given a flying bison's arse about it.
It seems to be a common theme for NC. Anything that has an environmental message is apparently shoving it in your face.
To stay civil and adult here: Doug, I don't necessarily agree with your viewpoint on Sokka's "The Master" episode. Yes, WE all felt that Sokka was valuable to the team. Even the rest of Team Avatar felt that way too. But the episode was an introspective look at how Sokka felt about himself. It is actually one of my favorite episodes because it showcases his personality while comparing it to his psyche. By creating a sword on his own from a foreign material, it further shows how "out of the box" he is. To be fair, I had hoped that since it was a malleable substance, Toph would be able to change it into different weapons for him, or use it to help him fly. TL:DR the episode wasn't meant to confirm Sokka's status to the audience, but to himself.
I know what you mean. I felt that even though Sokka knew hew was important there was still that nagging feeling that he wasn't as good as the others. It happens to someone who is surrounded by people who do extraordinary things on a daily basis. Sokka needed to prove to himself that he was brilliant. Needed to be confirmed as important and that it was all in his head.
+Katie Wahl Really couldn't have worded it better myself. Yes, he knows he's the plan guy, the idea man, the strategist . . . But just lik in this video showing, it shows him sitting on the side " not up to par for large scale things.'', forced to sit out some things. He's not able in all areas as well as the others when it comes to combat or elementals. He ha to d that on his own. Yea.
+Katie Wahl
But where did that unease come from? It was never hinted at in previous episodes nor would anything about Sokka's character previously suggest that he would be inclined to feel this way. Shoot, he gets stuck neck-deep in a hole one episode, Toph pulls him out, and that's the end of it. He doesn't seem to feel inadequate at all. Where did this sudden inferiority complex come from?
Ikrani its never actually sudden. Bit by by, little things add up without even realizing it. Its always thr last strwe that breaks the camels back. And it doesn't have to be insecurity. It could be fed up with not amounting in combat, in needing his own growth. S accomplishment ang grew and improved with teachers and returned, katara gained a teacher and improved. Toph left(kidnapped) and gained another level in badass. It was just time for him. Surely when you hang with friends and cheer their , you only look inward to refecltct in yours, or lack thereof, right? Now imagine seeing all your friends then having to be introspective on that thought? Yes, sokka was good before this...but with the upcoming danger, he knew he couldn't just be good.he had to be great.
B Bb
But did these characters change as characters? Yeah, they got more powerful and learned more philosophy and crap, but how did it outwardly change them?
If Doug wanted a creepy forest instead of a swamp, he should get "The Search" comic to find out what happened to Zuko's mother. It's an engaging read.
yeah it's great
yeah, probably
I gotta get the book for Christmas
ɷɷɷɷ I Have Watchedddd This Movie Leakedddd Versionn Heree : - t.co/SjZpZXw5gt
Sam Harnish I didn't really like the search , though it's fallow up smoke and shadow was able to make up mostly for the flaws of the search
Everyone: disagreeing
Me: is no one going to talk about Dante Bosco?
I know this is a year old, but I have to point out: Sokka's Master isn't about perceived prejudice, it is about imposter syndrome. Sokka doesn't feel adequate with himself compared to his peers, *despite* the fact that they show appreciation for his talents. This is about working through your inner demons and coming out the other side stronger, as all the characters do to some degree.
THANK YOU! Exactly.
Agreed. Add in the fact that it wasn’t sokka who had the idea of finding a master to teach him, it was Aang’s. Sokka was portraying the feeling being useless when (as you pointed out) everyone tried to tell him that he had specific talents that they didn’t and brought his own gifts to the group, he implies that he feels like everyone has a special gift except him. What did the sword master give him that equals the bending abilities? Nothing. He still didn’t have magical super save people powers at the end, he was just able to wield a sword now. Oooooh.. special! Forest fire about to burn down a village? Sokka to the rescue with a sword! Lol, not really. Now as far as his mechanical aptitude? He clearly had an engineers mind for things and problem solving.
@@Darkmattermonkey77 I mean, he finally accepted the fact he didn't have a magical ability. He finally had more confidence and security in himself. Now he felt like he could be somewhat equal with his comrades in a fight.
There seems to be many interpretations of several of these episodes. "Sokka's Master" is more about satisfying yourself, not others rather than Sokka specifically not contributing to Team Avatar. And I feel "The Painted Lady" is a lesson on poverty and how our actions and the actions of large businesses can affect the less fortunate.
Keep in mind that he doesn't consider any of these episodes bad. He just thinks they could've been better.
Yopix it's like comparing A+ episodes to just A episodes.
exactly
I will say the avatar footloose ripoff.... i will say that will be the hardest for me to watch. Not the worst, just hardest because of the corny overload. The bato one i never paid proper attention to and the great divide i saw but never actually thought about it
Aidan Silli Exactly. Episodes A and A+ are still excellent nonetheless. 🙂
Well there is one actually bad episode:
the Shamalan movie
Sokka's half of the Cave of Two Lovers episode is an untouchable masterpiece and nobody can convince me otherwise.
Katara: why is your forehead red?
Singer: opens his mouth
Sokka: 😀🖐
I totally agreed with Sokka in this episode.
I saw the like count at 68 and just had to add one more.
@@anti-guy9504 Perfection
No one add another like
I love how everyone has civilly and logically explained how they disagree with each episode that’s listed, this video was actually a great exercise in debate and option
LongLongLists it’s because he put so much effort into letting the viewers know that he loves the series and that he is just starting his opinion on which episodes were the worst
What about the great divide
@@reptile1677 I honestly dont think the great divide is as bad as ppl think it Is. It was a pretty good episode that showed us how inexperienced aang is when it comes to being the avatar plus it sets up the storm and bato of the water tribe pretty well by showing that aang isnt opposed to lying to achieve wht he wants and it shows that aang wouldn't want to lose either of his friends so he doesn't take a side when they argue and tries to be the peacekeeper plus it shows how mentally he still is a 12 yr old boy who doesn't really know wht he's doing
Sokka: Zuko some guy is being a nitpick about the first part of our life-changing field trip because my first plan failed.
Zuko: *Looks at Sokka* That's rough buddy
Autumn Sugar I LOVE THAT PART
that's rough, buddy
I thought Jet was one of the better episodes. When you start combining it with episodes like Zuko Alone, The Water Bending master.. and a couple others you start to realize that this world is more complicated than it looks. The fire nation doesn't have a monopoly on evil and the other nations aren't good by default.
you see the evil in ba sing se's north korea like isolation. in the northern water tribe's sexism. in Jet's radicalness... in the violence and gang mentality in earth kingdom soldiers in "zuko alone"..
likewise in book 3 you see the fire nation to be filled with normal and friendly people
Yeah I agree. But you got to remember the reason why the Earth Kingdom ended up that way. Because of the Fire nation and the Avatar moral flaws for causing a cycle of war to happen in the first place. Which created Dai Li.
I agree. "Jet" was the episode that made me appreciate this show (which I didn't in the first episodes, the worst of the Show in my opinion).
My big problem with the episode is this Katara/Jet “romance” that just came out of nowhere and made Katara into a damsel in distress.
Seta-San and it’s an excellent portrayal of the cycle of war and hate
I mean being the worst episode of Avatar still means being better than 95% of what’s on TV
Wish I could upvote this multiple times. This is exactly how I feel about the show.
So you’re telling me that the Great Divide is better than 95% of tv shows?
@@zainrodriguez3937
Apart from "The Great Divide."
Which is an episode even the creators made fun of.
SECRET TUNNEL, SECRET TUNNEL, THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS SECRET SECRET SECRET TUNNELLLLL
BADGER MOLES COMING TOWARRRRDSS MEEE! COME ON GUYS HELP ME OUT!
(I haven't seen that episodes in 6 years, I have no idea how correct this is)
GREAT BIG BADGER MOLES, THAT LIVE IN THE TUNNELS, HATE THE WOLF BATS BUT LOVE THE SOOONNNNNNGGGG
i love the songs in the episode, i learned them all :D
Only reason that episode is as a great as it is
Two lovers forbidden from one a nother
A war devides their people
And a mountain devides them apart
Build a path to be togeather.
I forget how the next part goes but the end is
SECRET TUNNEL, SECRET TUNNEL THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS SECRET SECRET SECRET SECRET TUNNEELLLLLLLLL... Yeah.
The Hippies were the best thing about that episode XD
About the "not teaching girls" episode, i had more the impression that this was a "refusing to let go of traditions when they are more of a threat than a help" conflict.
Interesting take in "Sokka´s Master". My own impression was more "everyone feels down sometimes, now it´s Sokka´s turn". And "YAY, extra screen time for Sokka!".
I kinda agree with nostalgia critic here. I think they should have made the episode based on Sokka wanting to learn more than just being a tactician rather than Sokka being let down that he wasn't a bender. Only a few change of dialogue can do
what i got out of that episode (Sokka's Master) was that just because you yourself don't look all that impressive in a group of already impressive people, doesn't mean that it's true. i myself have this problem that i can't see what makes me so great, but if i stop and think about it, i CAN see what makes me so great among my groups of friends who have done these amazing and cool things. :)
Tjong David it’s not that he wasn’t a bender, he just felt like he wasn’t worth anything in an actual fight, he didn’t have anything that was really *his* in his own view.
@@Slender_Man_186 I understand but I still feel the writers shoehorned that feeling tho. Sokka stood his ground against Ty Lee and Mai, eventhough he doesn't win straight away, and we all know how powerful those girls are. I guess if I were him, only standing my ground isn't enough especially one battle lost can mean the end of the world
Tjong David he only got a lucky hit with his boomerang on its return trip on Zuko from what I remember. Ty Lee was toying with Soka during their little dance at the Earth Kingdom Palace.
The headband was pretty good. When would you actually get to what life is like in the fire Nation?
Mark Chang Also, who could hate Wang Fire and Sapphire Fire 😂
In the German dub, while Sokka had the same name, Katara's pseudonym was "Lager Feuer", which means "camp fire" -man, sometimes the show was goofy, but the writers and translators had lots of humor :D
Agree. Plus love dancing and finally seeing fire nation culture and mind sets is almost similar to today.
Nobody did the stanky leg
Exaclty, it showed how the ruling ideology works with the education system in an expansionist imperialist nation
Damn I love the "waterbending master", it has such a good fight scene and really grows katara's character
I really like how it’s also a callback to the first episode. I only caught it recently on a binge-rewatch but when Katara gets pissed at someone who’s insulting her for her gender, she literally shakes glaciers. She accidentally cracked the glacier Aang was trapped in ep. 1 when she and Sokka got into a sibling squabble over whether girls can be strong warriors too.
And then she does it again when Master Pakku insults her for challenging him. She starts shaking and cracking glaciers with her rage. It’s a great moment, if you catch it.
I agree. I mean I see what the critic was talking about but as I pointed out in the vlog about the episode I thought it showed well how women respond to gender prejudice
The thing with Bato of the Water Tribe people complain about most is Aang being selfish. To which I say "Oh, I'm sorry, clearly a 12 year old boy who has lost *EVERYTHING HE HAS EVER LOVED* would be 100% okay with letting go of the only people he has left." I love how the moment the show tries to give Aang any kind of negative character trait that would make him more interesting (his attachment issues, manipulating to save lives in the Great Divide, not being willing to kill in the finale, etc) the fandom goes up in arms and declares those episodes the worst in the series. Again, I'm sorry, but having faults makes a good character MORE interesting, not worse. If he didn't have faults, he'd be a straight up Mary Sue. But because he has those faults, he's one of my favorite cartoon protagonists.
I guess it could have been executed better.
Yes flaws are needed and sadly many female characters are made with too little flaws. Howevers its important to present them the right way.
yeh. or sometimes the fandom just ignore the female characters' flaws. Like Mabel in gravity falls. at the end, she gets essentially everything she wanted, without actually facing real consequences. Bill could have adress this, plus saying the whole pine family (and gideon) should not deserve to be called heroes, but then point out they can be better. then bill pretends that actually hurt hi and proceded to turn them into rugs like how it happenned. showing the characer has flaws makes them relatable. in fact this is the reason why writers ave problem writing overpowered characters like superman (one reason why superman vs the elite is one of my favorite superman stories). and a case good female characters that are written good with flaws and all in my opinion are: pearl (steven universe), tigress (kung fu panda), diana/wonder woman (her 2017 film AND her animated version of 2009 if date is correct)
That...is not my problem with Bato of the Water Tribe.
It could still be executed better though, and Doug is right, he was raised in an environment where he was taught to be considerate and selfless. He could have his moment of fear in that episode. For a moment, he considered hiding the letter from Katara and Sokka and he did. But then on his way back, remembering how their father is the only family they have left, Aang who had experienced so much loss would eventually not want his friends to be deprived of meeting their lost loved one, like he was with Gyatso. It would add more to his character rather than just blatant OOC.
The only one I don't agree with is "The Boiling Rock". It's one of my absolute favs. And "Sokka's Master, which you copletely missed the point of
AntonyPancake True
What was the point of "Sokka's Master" for you? I mean I enjoyed it a lot -- it was one of my favorites -- but what did you get from it?
+powerofanime1 Well the way I see it is that the episode is not made to show us, the fans, that Sokka is useful, but to show Sokka that he is useful. That is why felt Doug missed the point. It's to show that even though you are an important person, you can still feel inferior to your friends,
AntonyPancake
I like it! That's a very good lesson to take away from it.
Also, you've got to admit, seeing Sokka learning to become this sword-fighting bad--- is pretty dang amazing.
I would've killed for an episode about Zuko as the blue spirit. That persona was my favorite part of the entire show.
I love writing fanfiction. Dammit, buddy! You gave me an idea for a fanfiction!!! XD
RGS TheBadGamer so did u ever write it?
Yeah I found the Blue Spirit thing interesting as well
There’s a little of that in Ba Sing Se during book 2.
Katara proved her point in the fight she lost.
At that time, she was an self taught CHILD with 0 training of any kind in either combat or bending,
Going against a BATTLE HARDENED WATER BENDING MASTER.
She was able to hold her own and even land a few blows against the guy who (according to him) should have WIPED HER OUT in 5 seconds flat!
She was never going to win, but since she wasn’t insta-ganked and even HELD HER OWN that’s a victory.
Honestly, I think the episode would’ve been very poorly received if they actually made her win against him, even if she did have to struggle to do it. Because yeah, let’s face it it’s a self-taught novice versus a trained battle hardened master.
In the defense of Sokka's Master: Sokka did lack proper training in battle since all the men of his tribe went out to fight the Fire Nation, leaving Sokka without a master to teach him weapon mastery. Yes, he did that rite of passage thing in one episode but that was steering a boat and Sokka spent most of all his time in the air. I love this episode because Sokka found someone on the road to properly teach him the way of the sword. Sure he was probably taught somethings, and self-taught in other things, but he needed proper training in how to fight, lessons one could not teach himself.
+joel prince I agree, though there was an episode in season 1 (if I remember correctly) where Sokka recieves training from the Kyoshi warriors in fisticuffs. It's good but if you get a good look at Southern Water Tribe culture since the Waterbenders were gone, relied on weapons training. I believe Sokka trained himself in the boomerang because what kid doesn't think that throwing something away only for it to come back to you is cool. We all saw the first time Sokka charged at Zuko with that spear, remarkably bad and hilarious. Sokka needed that weapons training (not with fans lol) and I am a little disappointed it didn't come early on.
"the boiling rock, part 1"
me:
OH HELL NO
10:37 and then 8:50.
me: umm katara
I'm a year late but I literally stop watching when he said that. Like wtf lol
Same; he went too far
That's rough buddy.
I remember when it came out. part 1&2 were considered very good and everyone was hyped. Sure part 2 is better, but part 1 is still good...
You actually managed to get Zuko in for this.
I actually froze when I heard his voice.
In regards to bato of the water tribe, aang throwing away the info for sokka and kataras father IS (Season 1) Aang. Are you forgetting that a few episodes prior during "The Storm", a flashback of Aang showed that he LITERALLY abandoned the Air Temples (and the world for that matter) when he heard that he would be separated from monk Gyatso? He even left after the monks told him, clear as day, that bad things were about to happen and they NEEDED him.
Until the aftermath of the season 1 finale (aka beginning of season 2), Aang was very selfish at times and even did pretty bad things when it came to people leaving him. Aang didnt even get very serious about defeating the fire lord until he saw what the fire nation did to the northern water tribe and realized just how real everything was.
When appa is stolen in the middle of season 2, and its shown how aang reacts, it's literally a callback to Aang's more selfish ways during the begininning of the series. Eventually Aang realizes that it has to be put behind them for the time being and that theres bigger issues at hand, swallowing his selfishness and anger. Aang is an air nomad. Where there's freedom, there's inherently selfishness at times. For better and worse, avoiding problems IS the way of the air nomads.
The water tribe is about family and community. Aang would have never thrown away the map at that time if he were a more advanced waterbender and knew more about the water tribes. That didnt happen until the season 1 finale. As he learned more elements, he also progressed mentally. Likewise, Aang would have never ran away from the air temples if he knew earthbending and the ways of the earth kingdom, knowing to stand his ground even when he had to pursue a difficult task.
exactly, Aang was still in the process of maturing into his role of being the Avatar, and i can argue the same in The Great Divide, sure he lied but the feud those two groups were having was petty and stupid, if one little white lie can bring about peace, i say bullshit it up!
@@UltimateGamerCC but what happens when they found out that their newly found alliance was all built on a lie? They’d just go back to hating each other again, and would most likely resent the avatar for lying to them. I know they’re not likely to find that out because it happened so many years ago, but stranger things have happened.
@@grizzly_manbanimation8436 who's around to be able to dismiss it as a lie, they were fighting over something that happened over 100 years ago, they were going off heresay to begin with.
With "Sokka's Master," even though the show showed that he isn't useless and is important, he still could be suffering with some sort of depression and still feels useless.
The logical side of me reacting to this video: that is a thoughtfully constructed point that I agree with.
My 10 year old brain: SECRET TUNNELLLLLL SECRET TUNNELLLLLL
I'm 25 and that damn song STILL invades my brain.....I love the nomad hippies though
THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN! SECRET TUNNELLLLLL!
We all hated those hippies.
SECRET TUNNELLLLLLL!
@@pacoramon9468 how dare you
I am not a big fan of the episode "Avatar day" I Think that is weaker then a lot on this list. I love "Sokkas master 🤗😊
Agreed 100%. Sokka’s Master was a great episode that touched on Sokka’s previously established self esteem issues (Yue bridge scene) that had been kinda left in the dark for a while, as well as cementing Sokka into the absolute badass he was in just one episode. Avatar day, to me anyways, focuses on how strange and contrived the Earth Kingdom’s justice system is (or at least that town, but if there’s nobody telling mayors how to run their town I bet that isn’t the only town that does that) and also how the Avatar isn’t universally loved outside the Fire Nation (as well as introducing Kyoshi as a character, which, in hindsight, was worth the weaker episode). That second point is great and all, but the whole episode could’ve and would’ve been avoided if there was an actual centralized justice system in the Earth Kingdom that would’ve acknowledged the fact that separate Avatars are separate people.
Yeah that one seriously sucks
Yeah I would’ve added that one, and swapped cave of two lovers with the fortune teller, and sokkas master with the runaway
I agree with Critic that not all episodes are really "bad," but I agree that Avatar Day was a weak episode for the most part.
Don't agree, the episode is to me teaches about how criminal justice systems can be unfair and the importance to give arrested people proper legal defense. Also, the episode cleverly puts Aang in a position in which he shouldn't use his powers to solve a problem
“Are you happy, now?” “I’m never happy.”
You know what they say: when life gives you lemons, complain about the lemons!
I see what you did there Drakken.
JenamDrag0n yeah, and it IS kinda topical, considering his review of the ‘adaptation’.
When life gives you lemons, don’t make lemonade! Make life take the lemons back!!!!
@@gregbennett9717 Get Mad! Make life rue the day it thought it could give Cave Johnson lemons! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?!? I'm the guy who's going to burn your house down... WITH THE LEMONS!!! I'm going to get my scientists to create a combustable lemon that I'm going to use to BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN!!!
"Burning people! He said what we're all thinking!"
I think the only one I disagree with was The Headband. I liked that episode a lot for some reason. The only episode I can think of that I didn't care for that wasn't included in this list was Avatar Day... I still think that's one of the most boring episodes.
Same! I had always wanted to know what the Fire Nation was like, what the children were like, what the schools were like. It's one of those things that you really don't expect to be in the series, so you wonder about it, or write sub-par fanfics. I found it really nice to see mundane things like Fire Nation kids at band practise, or how they had a poster of Ozai - showing that everyone practically worshipped the Fire Lord.
more like imperial japanise
Gorlokk but the kyoshi part was so badass it made it eorth watching
Plus it's a kid's show! It's important for kids to learn that while working hard is important, it's also important to have fun and take joy in life
Agree.
I loved the headband xD it was great lol had good comedy , gave us great cultural exposure to the Fire nation and made it so it was clear the fire nation aren't all that evil bad guys but some are just people
*Travis Sanchez*
Except the fire nation babies.. who apparently will grow up to become evil! Lol. Second time in ohmashu, the governors kid.
It also gave us the freestyle kid.
I grew up with this show and love it more than you can even imagine, and the only thing I have to say to this top eleven is "Really, no Avatar Day?"
Funny thinking that even the characters hate that adventure. That last line of Sokka probably made up for most of the mediocrity.
If you watch his Avatar Vlogs you'll see that Doug actually really likes "Avatar Day"
Avatar Day is one of the best comedic episode though, between detective Sokka and the over the top town folk it's a blast
The headband is actually one of my favorite episodes. I loved the dances and Aang explaining the culture behind them. I also thought the animation in the episode looked really good. Plus the Mr. and Mrs. Fire bit always gets me no matter how old I get.
And it shows us why the fire nation is so messed up. They don’t know what their doing is wrong because their under Sozan’s propaganda
I'm surprised "Avatar Day" wasn't on this list.
A normal Guy I liked it
I havent watched avatar on a long time so what happened in this episode xD
@@darklord3861 it was the one with the earth village that hates the avatar because kioshi killed their leader.
I enjoyed the episode. I just didn't like the ending in my opinion.
I mentally blocked out that episode, omg, I can't believe I forgot that one, lol.
Episodes on this list that I like:
Boiling rock part 1
Serpents pass
Sokka’s master
Everything else is fair
Lol, those episodes are the most decent ones in this whole list of NC's.
So he really should have gotten 3 other episodes for his worst list, than those 3 episode's.
Sokka's master is my fourth favorite. What a genius episode. I watched the episodes when I was a kid, and that was the most memorable
When every episode of Avatar is good, it's hard to rank their quality precisely.
@@jacobmonks3722 no, Painted Lady and Avatar Day are horrible episodes.
@@samdoherty9170 I really like Avatar Day. What problems do you have with it? I'm genuinely curious.
I agree that The Painted Lady does not meet the same standard as most Avatar episodes do, but it's perfectly serviceable. It still has good characters and at least decent writing. I think the plot of the episode is kind of bland but it's still Avatar the way I know and love it.
Didn't see the video yet, so I'm just gonna take a guess and say... number 1 is the great divide isn't it?...
Mëmê Tëã yep
It sadly is.
Why isn’t Avatar Day on this list? Yeah the Keoshi moments are good but the rest is soooo bad
I really only dislike the town in that episode. The boomerang joke was a classic, but the town is definitely my least favourite
Yeah, I would have replaced the boiling rock with that one at least, or Sokka's Master
@@azidthenawi4221 the boomerang joke was made/referenced in the Netflix original show called The Dragon Prince, made by the same people who made Avatar. It's not a spoiler for the story since it wasn't significant in any way other than as a great joke, but at some point in the show, the main character (same voice actor for Sokka) finds a strange object with a strange crescent shape. He picks up and says "Boomerang?"
It really does always come back.
That episode was good. I love the return of the foaming mouth guy from
@Millennial Falcon Aang suddenly shruggin off his Avatar responsabilities just to make amends with a really shitty town? no nothing bad at all, lets just let the fire nation conquer everything i have to do community service or get executed
I think you missed the overall point of "the headband", you see the propaganda the fire nation civilians are fed, but they had this lighter "Footloose" overtones. I don't disagree with it being on the list, but I also think it was a necessary episode.
@Shazza Also, it gave us an actual good Katara and Aang romantic moment!
@Shazza Plus I love seeing Fire nation culture differ from Earth Kingdom culture. Where one nation is being fed lies and suppose to act unemotional in school and public.
While the other kingdom citizens are trying it best to survive war and conflict from other the fire nation armies. Having their homeland complete transform by technology and coal factories.
OK then in your opinion what is a not so good episode of last air Bender
@@moneylover318 the great divide for one
@@moneylover318 even the writers skipped over it in their own self parody
when this show was your childhood and every single episode on this list makes you go "that episode is great, how dare you"
this show was my last month and I loved every episode
I agree with most but the boiling rock. When Zuko joined the gaang he had an episode to bond with each member of the gaang. In Sokka's case there were 2 because he also had to bond with Suki and Sokka's dad. Also in these episodes we had actual plot besides them bonding.
Elisabet Roa i also feel it would of been rushed if they escaped the first time. There was real tension if Sokka’s dad would come. We got insight into how the fire nation treated prisoners and showed how smart Zuko was. Also how much Zuko was willing to risk to help his new friends. I mean.... risking his freedom to enter a prison that may or may not have Sokka’s dad?!? I mean that took trust
I also like that it was the beginning of Azula´s mental breakdown, when Mai tells her "she loves Zuko more than she fears her", and Ty Lee prefered Mai over her.
Except Toph... they didn’t really bond as much as just Zuko telling her what she needed to do since she was complaining about everyone else having a crazy adventure with Zuko and hers wasn’t.
Toph didn't get a "life changing field trip" because she was never as negatively affected by Zuko as the original three. By the time Toph joined the group, Zuko and Iroh were refugees and except for The Chase, she had no interaction with him. This is also why Toph was the one willing to accept him in the group in The Western Air Temple since she didn't have that same history with Zuko. It was more necessary for Aang, Sokka, and Katara to bond with him because it was those three that he antagonized throughout Season 1 and then Katara even more so after his betrayal in The Crossroads of Destiny.
Funny enough : "Jet" is actually the episode that changed my mind about this show. Watching the first episodes, I thought it was just a kid's show (which it is, but I just didn't see it was also much more than that). And here comes an episode about someone who went through much and decides he'll have his revenge at any cost, even if the cost is the death of hundreds of innocent civilians. For a kid's show, it was a bit risky. And that's why I liked it.
As for "The serpent's pass", there is some good character development. Seeing Zuko stealing some food was actually a clever idea : this guy is a refugee and has the life of a refugee in many respect. He goes through what it's like to be on the side of the outcast, those who abandonned their homes to have a better life. In Book 1, he lived through all that, but he still had a ship and a crew. Here, he's alone, and has to live through it.
I agree with Jet likely being when the show started improving in quality, Pal.
The headband will always have a special place in my heart
I have allready my own Picture of Ozai
Amina Sirleaf the part with sokka as mr fire was hilarious.
This is my wife Sa Fire.
Go too your Room young man.
Your right, this Sokka is superfunny.
11. I think the first part of Boiling Rock is necessary to make part 2 as good as it is, but it does mean the first part is kinda slow as a consequence.
10. An interesting character exploration episode but also kinda slow. And yeah that serpent has one of the weakest designs of the series.
9. Disagree big time on this one, I love this episode. I do admit Jet isn't the best character, but I think what works so well about him is how he reflects others, specifically Katara here. He's not very interesting in and of himself but seeing other characters in him makes them more interesting.
8. The Katara/Aang part is the weakest but I feel the other two parts are much stronger and really more focused on so I don't feel this one was that weak.
7. I do feel this episode got a little too on the nose, the "You can't knock me down!" always makes me roll my eyes a little but I thought, for the most part, it is handled pretty well. And the Fire Nation stuff is all great. I think what elevates this episode is looking at in the context of The Southern Raiders, which makes this episode much more about Katara's feeling of impotence as opposed to a somewhat generic equality story.
6. Again, really disagree, love this episode! Ironically I think the reaction people have about it, that why does Sokka need to do this? Shows how subtle some of his character traits are and how well we love him. We, like the rest of the Gaang, don't feel that Sokka needs to prove anything, but SOKKA feels he needs to prove something because he is actually pretty insecure.
5. One of the most spiritual episodes so I love it, but I can understand why others don't like it. Though the swamp-benders are great! Almost as good as the hippies to me!
4. Definitely one of the weaker episodes, mostly because the episodes moral is a bit confused. I think it does come across, but it could have been a lot better. I think it should have focused more on Katara rather than the village itself.
3. Very goofy but I felt the dance thing was more tangential to the greater point about the kids being brainwashed. I like this episode and think it's really funny.
2. Yeah, this is one of the worst. I think it could have been good but it really needed to do more to reflect that Aang is doing this because of his absolute fear of being alone with his people gone. And connect it more to Sokka's backstory. And the whole not hearing the full conversation thing is stupid. But it also has one of the best fight scenes of season 1.
1. Yeah definitely the weakest episode, down to the tribes being literally named "Clean" and "Dirty". However, I will defend the moral of this episode as it is actually very Buddhist. There are a number of parables such as The Burning House and The Imaginary City that argue that a lie is sometimes necessary for someone's benefit. I think this situation qualifies. It would be different if the two peoples were arguing over something that was actually still relevant to them. But the point of the episode is that this happened long before anyone involved was even alive, they are in a situation where survival is more important, no one is ever going to know what actually happened so it is ultimately irrelevant, and most importantly it seems like at this point the story has just become an excuse for both sides dislike of the other's culture. The Gan Jin's think the Zhangs are a bunch of disgusting savages so their version of the story reinforces that view, while the Zhang's think the Gan Jin's are a bunch of elitist pansies and their version of the story reinforces that. Once they are able to see past that, they are no longer fighting over anything real but some sense of past wrongdoing that needs to be let go.
Pretty good summary of what I also thought about Doug's criticism. Thought I didn't know half the stuff you did about buddhism, and the translation of the names clean and dirty :D.
Or I suppose it wasn't much of a summary, but rather a list of points/counterpoints.
Reply to me with your own bottom 11 list. I think you're kinda missing the point, you're saying ''I disagree on this one'' well what episodes do you think are worse. No matter which episode he put in here, you would disagree pretty much. He's not calling them bad episodes, he's just saying, Jet is a good episode, but everything else is better.
@@pear4576 imo he disagreed with the criticism Doug gave, not the ranking. At least that's what I got from it. I think he just disagreed with that the criticism Doug gave was instead one of the more necessary parts. (Boiling rock part).
For the record, I do disagree with the 1st comments' disputing of Jet being one of the weaker episodes.
I, like Doug, also believe it's one of the worst. I just feel like it's a filler, and it only manages to make the audience see that Aang gets jealous, and that he does run the risk of losing Katara to some robin hood type pretty/bad boy. If it wasn't for that part, and the morality lesson (smaller sacrifice for the greater good not being acceptable), I would just put it as a filler episode, and it would almost be worse than the great divide episode (the worst by far).
Rói Skaalum Honestly I personally like Jet quite a lot, so I wouldn’t really put it on a worst list. Sure, being one of the earlier ATLA episodes, it does have its issues, such as the forced romance between Katara and Jet and Jet and his cronies not getting all that much characterization. But it was also the first glimpse we have into the fact that the Fire Nation isn’t entirely bad despite its actions, as well as the moral dilemma it brings of sacrificing others during wartime for the greater good.
@@amirgarcia547 Yeah, I mean. Imo, there isn't actually a bad episode. But since we had to choose the worst, that episode was one of the worse. But even then, I think Jet was designed to have blood with the fire nation and willing to sacrifice other people for his own revenge. The reason why I don't like Jet, is probably because they portrayed him correctly, to be honest.
I think one of the biggest arguments i have is Sokkas Master, the point isnt to prove to US that Sokkas useful, its that the character itself gains confidence that he is good enough and to always try to improve. I liked the episode because we see someone with a lack of self esteem in a group of "talented" people find a way to be satisfied with himself.
Not to mention the idea of his master not having prejudice for an art that should shared with everyone not just the fire nation.
Luca Leone also I think it has a message of you can go to the beat of your own drum while still working hard on a disciplined skill
Luca Leone well when your the only human in a group of planet controllers you would feel useless time and again
SkySlasher indeed, which is why the episode is important so that you can know you always have a place
Please remove Sokka’s Master from this list.
I still don't get the complaints about The Great Divide... The whole point of the avatar is to bring harmony in the world. This is the most concrete example of it. Does he lie? Ofcourse. But the point here is that the truth will never be found. The facts are too far in the past, no one has any evidence, and everyone believes the story told by their own culture. Aang thus shows the soothing effect of a story from a different perspective. I always thought this episode shows the avatar in his most essential function.
I agree, never had any problems with that episode.
I didnt like it that mutch, but you are right. Lying is bad, Aang knows that. But he also knows, that the greater good is more important. And the greater good being the peace, it makes sense. It doesnt hurt, it solves the problem and nobody will ever know that he lied because the two tribes didnt even know themself.
Yet he can't bring himself to do what needs to be done for the greater good when it comes to ending the war by killing Ozai
There is a biiiig step between lying to some people and killing someone, dont you think?
Well of course, but it's either hold on to your oath and let the fire lord kill everyone, or kill him to save countless others. And until he figured out how to take away bending, he was just going to choose to hang on to his oath at the cost of the lives of others.
Footloose actually is one of my favourite episodes. There's just so much fun on watching it cause Aang finally can be a normal kid for one day.
And of course the animation, characters and jokes where still great (as usual).
If you didn't realize it yet none of these episodes have Iroh in them or at least he doesnt play a big role. Iroh is the best
Yes he is
Nor Toph or Azula...
Iroh is my favorite character
Sokka’s master was about building his character.
Most of these are Season 1 episodes, which, imo, was the weakest season.
It's actually well divided:
3 2 1 2 1 3 2 3 3 1 1
4 season 3, 4 season 1, 3 season 2.
Season 3 was the baddest season
@Yafet Shibeshi there were many episodes that were not intresting the specials were good some episodes
@Yafet Shibeshi i love avatar but some episodes were not real good
@Yafet Shibeshi i like avatar i really love it but some episodes were wasting time
It's back!!! Now watch it get taken down again a week later for copyright claims
Carpe Diem
Carpe Diem
+Justin Farina lol
Carpe Diem
+Dominic S Why are people posting Carpe Diem???
I mostly agree with the list, but Sokka’s Master is one of my favorite episodes. The ending fight is the best and most creative sword fight I’ve seen. And I liked the full focus on Sokka and adding more depth to his character.
I really like that episode too. It’s one of those episodes where every time I watch it it feels new and fresh, at least to me.
*This video exists*
EVERYONE: ”It treason then”
Hello there !
Luisa Merino general kenobi
I'm Batman
"You have disrespected me, my teachings, and my entire culture!"
and at the end of the episode.... the nistalgia hit me, god damn i miss avatar
Me to man... Me to
+Ryan Kearns TOO* GOSH!
+Ryan Kearns too*
Me_oh_me_oh_my You're late bro
+Me_oh_me_oh_my GO BACK TO TUMBLER YOU DISGRACE!!!!
Even though it's not as good as ATLA, I would still love to see your top 10 LOK episodes
+viKing1428 11* because he likes to go 1 step beyond
Might as well make it 15
+Sebastien Olibrice make it top 48
+dionkeyser
TOP 100!
+Sir Tobias Top 101!
oh s**t wait.
it stopped being funny 2 comments ago..
This list felt more like the most unnecessary episodes than the worst
There were plenty of them that were completely necessary. I only agreed with The Great Divide.
I agree😔
Then the unnecessary episodes are the worst because it's unnecessary
I would debate all episodes have meaning. Whether it's character development, future plot relevance or humor (some of these episodes were too funny not to be seen).
I think the biggest examples are with Jet. Without his ep Socka would not have been able to understand why he was the leader over the other two. And without Jet meeting Zuko, they would not understand the literal brain washing being done to the citizens, Aang might not have gotten Appa back. Azula might never have even made it i to the city.
A lot of things happen even when you don't realize it.
*There is no “Worst Episode of ATLA” in Ba Sing Se*
*Here we are safe*
*Here we are free*
The Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai.
I have a theory about the swamp. Ever since the vine monster guy said the swamp shows visions of people we've lost, I expected Toph to die. But she didn't. So my theory is that it shows you someone you desperately want to see, for most people this a loved one who has passed away, but Aang had gotten over his loss of the monks, and he really needed to find an earthbending teacher, so that's what the swamp showed him.
Nicola Heekin
Woah. That is a really good theory. Good Job!
Gabriel Oviedo thank you.
Nicola Heekin You're welcome.
Soo you say it's like Mirror of Erised (fun fact: read the word from end) from Harry Potter series that shows "deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts" according to Dumbledore. I just love mixing fandoms. And I looved this episode, it carries a deep meaning and great new characters and that dark atmosphere is full of mystery so i was surprised that it is on the list
Eh, still better than that Shyamalan movie adaptation.
That one was as bad as one of those "parody" movies (The Starving Games, etc).
Brandon Roberts Yeah, I guess so. I mean they do make me chuckle sometimes.
Shyamalan's _Last Airbender_, though? It was just dull. From start to finish. Not a single funny moment nor were there awesome fight scenes.
+Paradox Acres Well, maybe the sequel will fix things? Eh, probably not.
Duke Gundam Yeah..I highly doubt it.
Unless they get a better director and hire _legions_ of talented writers to help fix things, I just don't see the sequel doing much.
+Paradox Acres redo the movie but better. to be honest it is exceptionally difficult to compact the complex story of just book one into a feature length movie and keep all of the character.
Paradox Acres just think, he has a daughter who loved this show so much that she wanted to be katara for Halloween. Just imagine what she thought of the movie when it came out. I feel bad for her.
I have no doubt that Katara loves Aang, but I just CAN'T see them as a romantic couple. Katara's motherly maturity paired with Aang's childish behavior doesn't sell it for me. Imo it's way too platonic for it to actually be romantic.
The funny thing in some way Kataara is one of the less mature Charakters. She is stuborn and very emotional. She evolv and is a big Sister, ore Motherfigure, but I realy think in beeing adult and cose adult important decisions, Sokka and Aang are the most adult. Sokka make much fun and is the Comicrelife, but he is brave, think for the entire group, is a smart tactican and carefull. maybe paranoid but also carefull, and Aang take all this responsibility and acept it. Bot are childish, but only in privat, never in important Moments. Toph in the other hand can life for herselfe but is too much a loner and not realy a Teamplayer. And she is too proud. Zuko had angerishues and isnt realy as smart as others. Still a caring leader, but whitout much experience in Leadership. Kaatara is good Middelground.
Sorry for the unnecressary monologue, but its something I want say and your comment was a good Chance too hit on this.
Personally I feel like they were right for each other but it was just WAY to obvious it was going to happen. They should have had Katarra or Aang or both actually love someone else (Jet doesn’t count) for a solid amount of time then have them realize they aren’t right or have only katarra love someone else for a multitude of episodes and Aang still loves only katarra thus causing him to lose focus often. I feel like they were right they just needed to make it much less blatantly obvious of what would happen
.....I just wanna know If oppa and momo ever got together? (Kidding!) who I did (legitimately) wonder what happened to .... Toph? Who did she go off with at the end of the war? Yeah, next show answers questions asked here but like all great stories. I didn’t want it to end, keep going, show us their lives after the war. :(
haso323 same i think the best version of team avatar romance is:
ZukoxKatara
AangxToph
SokkaxSuki
haso323 Tbh they're still just kids XD. Aang really matured in the Korra series flashbacks
I'm surprised Nightmares and Daydreams wasn't on here. Boiling Rock Pt 1 and Sokka's Master were infinitely better.
boiling rock part 1 and sokka's master are God Tier!!!! i agree those two should have been swapped with avatar day and nightmares&day dreams.
i like those aswell but they are definitely weaker than the first two :'/
To be honest, this whole list depends on what you watch Avatar for. With the exception of a few episodes, this entire list could have been titled “Some of the Most Important Character Episodes in Avatar”, and with these episodes, a lot of character development wouldn’t happen
I love those episodes because it character development, funny humor, emotionally impacts to the overall plot of story. Because it show the team Avatar acting like normal teenagers even with the all bad things happening in the world.
Again none of them are bad
@@joevenespineli6389 That's what I'm saying. Their is more good episodes. Than the filler episodes. And most them in Avatar the Last Airbender, weren't even that bad, to say the least😒.
actually, the painted lady is one of my favorite episodes
Me too its great
Same
Same here! I love the spiritual stuff, even though I don't believe in anything like that. It's kinda fascinating.
Also built Katara's character massively. It shows her sensitive side and how much she cares.
Mine too, it shows that the regular people of countries who started wars can live just as poorly as the attacked countries. And I love Katara-centered episodes. :)
"My first girlfriend turned into the moon."
"That's rough buddy."
And that was the 11 worst episode (By default)
Critic I'm disappointed in you
Yyyyy where is "Avatar Day" episode?
Avatar Roku exactly!
they burned an effigy of you though
What and mis the advice of Aangs fellow inmates? Or the pun that's justus
Doug loved this episode. It was a defining moment for him.
I think great divide and avatar day are just bad episodes but the other ones are amazing
*me before watching*
"This videos gonna make me angry isnt it"
Friggin knew it! i loved cave of two lovers its like my 3rd favorite episode!
also without Sokkas master we wouldnt have SPACE SWORD!
in all seriousness he has good points on how the show doesnt necessarily need some of these messages. hes right. the show is strong enough to go without but it doesnt mean they cant be there either.
samueliwalker no he really doesn't a lot of the time
I loved the boiling rock episodes
"hey look, the great divide, the largest canyon in the earth kingdom!"
"eh, let's keep going"
My favorite part of the theater episode was zuko finding out that jet died
Because when you think of it from his perspective jet was just a random vigilante that attacked him, was imprisoned, and then a few months later he found out he died
The way zuko says "wait, did jet just die?" Is hilarious to me
The best thing about The Great Divide was the voice actor for Robin was in it for like 2-3 minutes
TheRealLL64 I actually noticed the voice actor for Robin several times in the series, and gasped each time
Just so we're clear, are we talking Teen Titans Robin orBatman TAS Robin?
@@jamescallanan2443 TT Robin
He also voiced sokka in the ember island players
I think the whole point of The Boiling Rock Part 1 was to emphasize Sokka's ingenuity with the freezer plan.
seeing how appa is herbivore i guess its very unlikely for him to eat momo
"Ummm... honour?" Had me cackling
"You added a rainbow"
"Is that okay?"
Just rewatched Last Airbender, so I wanna give my fresh thoughts on this list.
11. Eeeeh, I dunno. To be honest, the Boiling Rock double episodes were among my favorite in the series. Maybe I like prison settings, but like you said, it would've been far too unrealistic if they just escaped from the most _heavily secured prison in the Fire Nation_ in one episode. Personally, I thought it was a good set-up for the second episode, and there were too many plot points in this episode two-part episode to condense it into one.
10. Okay, I kind of agree with this one. It's not that strong of an episode for me overall, though I still enjoyed it. Was kinda fun to see Zuko and Jet steal food, the dragon fight was pretty good, and Aang needed to regain his hope in the world. But... Yeah, it's corny, even for this show, and Sokka and Suki portion was mostly unnecessary. It was so weighed down with story beats that it felt like a bit of a slog.
9. Hooo boy, I do not like Jet, so I definitely agree with this being one of the worst episodes. I'm no shipper at all, but Jet always rubbed me the wrong way with his hamminess, and Katara just falling for him so quickly was just really corny and eye-roll inducing. The themes of the episode were good, but the characters overall were just kind of annoying in this one.
8. I almost decided to skip this episode when rewatching the series this time around, and there's only _one_ other episode that I actually skipped. I think that speaks alone speaks for itself. Though giving it a watch again, it's not that bad, the history between the two lovers was kind of interesting, and Sokka dealing with the hippies was actually pretty funny. I just didn't really care about the romance personally.
7. I don't know about this one, I actually quite liked it honestly. It makes sense that at least some prejudice exists between sexes, and given this is from a nation of benders who can have healing powers, it makes sense more than anyone that waterbenders would be the most sexist. Plus, it does show for the first time that the Fire Nation isn't the only nation that has its issues, no matter how small. Plus, Katara's fight kicked ass, and it was a satisfying build-up for me. My only issue was the hamfisted drama between Sokka and the chief's daughter lacing into the episode, but I guess Sokka needed _something_ to do this episode.
6. I actually really liked this episode. I can't speak for everyone, because while I liked Sokka and definitely didn't find him useless per-say, but I really think he needed an upgrade. Compared to Aang-who can successfully use three elements at this point, Katara who's mastered waterbending, and Toph who can now bend metal, Sokka needed some time to shine again. The teachings were creative, Sokka's new sword is pretty cool, Sokka's fight was pretty great, and it was a refreshing change of pace from bending in general. Also, Iroh beefing up in prison was fucking sick, and nobody can tell me otherwise.
5. Eh... I agree a little bit. Not the best episode by any margin, though swampbending was kind of cool. I think it expanded the universe of Avatar a bit, especially with the tree and being able to connect to the energy around them. But yeah... swamp hillbillies, that wasn't a pleasant sight. Plus, the angst every character went through I think was done better in a previous episode, so this one felt kind of like filler.
4. Yeah, I'm inclined to agree with this one. Watching it again, it wasn't as bad as I remembered it being, and the "Painted Lady" attack on the Fire Nation soldiers was kind of cool. But yeah, it was a bit of a hamfisted message, and the town's people were just overall kind of assholes. Katara saves their village, but god forbid she was _lying_ in order to do it, oh no...
3. Well damn, I actually really liked this episode too. It was really cute, and showed a more human side to the Fire Nation and the struggles that the villagers Aang's age were going through too. The dance party was fun to me, and even the dancing itself was pretty fun to watch. Though I can't lie, the bully really made me groan at how much of a douche-canoe he was just because Aang stepped foot near his girlfriend. But overall, I still had fun with this episode, and it was a needed contrast to the heaviness of the previous episode. Then again, I've never watched Footloose, so that might be partly why I enjoyed it as much as I did.
2. I agree and disagree with this choice. Yeah, Aang was kind of an ass, and Katara and Sokka turning on him just made them come off as idiots. They nearly threw away going to the Northern Water Tribe-Katara's _entire_ goal in Book 1, and almost abandoned who even they assumed was the only person who could stop the war. But, at the same time, Aang's character in this episode made perfect sense to me. He's mostly mature for his age, but he realized only episodes ago that his entire nation was wiped out, and he didn't want to be alone again. Aang even berates himself for doing it, which was good of him at least. June and the fight scenes were really cool too, so I can't be too hard on this episode.
1. 100% agree. So, remember how I said that I only skipped _one_ episode throughout my rewatch? Yeah, this was it. The only thing I remember even liking about this episode was Aang's lie about how the feud between the tribes even started, but overall it was such an inconsequential filler episode that the payoff really didn't feel worth it for me.
Thebes342 I liked Aangs lie before he revealed that it was. I can't take the footloose parody seriously
Thebes342 Wow I agree with all your points
Yeah, number two on this list made Aang HUMAN, it gave him a mistake that made him relatable in that he isn't perfect.
I have to disagree with you there buddy, I think the boiling rock was made to two parts so that zuko's advice on "keep trying despite failed" made sense. If Sokka got it on the get go, Zuko's words would've been in vain
Finally someone said it
The romance is super strong in Avatar. It's just a lot more subtle and realistic and less Hollywood than what we're used to.
If the romance was strong they would put together :
Zuko and Katara
Aang just alone
Sokka with Toph
Zuko with Suki
Sokka with Ty lee
Kataang: *exists*
Me: "Emotional damage! Where's the therapy button!"