#Avatar: The Last Airbender Episode 1

[luckyrave]

Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 1 - Water Retrospective Rating

I may have finished my highlights on all the episodes for Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 1: Water, but one thing still remains. My full retrospective thoughts on the the first season as a whole after having rewatched it recently, and all I'm gonna do is discuss briefly on my thoughts for each episode unless it's a two part.

So let's go ahead and begin this once and for all with:

Episodes 1 & 2: The Boy in The Iceberg & The Avatar Returns

One could easily group the first two episodes seperately as their own thing, but given that they were aired together as a 1 hour special when the show debuted it only makes sense to group them together.

There was a lot of intrigue and wonder when it pertained to the world of Avatar The Last Airbender, and it really did an incredible job to establish Aang as the protagonist, but also set up what it is Katara aims to be for her goal, and of course with Sokka along with the establishment of The Fire Nation as the adversaries. Most importantly what it does for The Prince of The Fire Nation, Zuko with his own personal motives that sets up a lot for a journey.

Rating: Pure Perfection

Episode 3: The Southern Air Temple

Listen I've already said my piece when it came to what the contents of the episode, but considering how Aang felt from what he discovered one just couldn't help but feel for The Avatar that despite the loss his people , Katara and Sokka now taking the place as his family. At the same time there was still a lot to be said once more Zuko wanting to keep things a secret about Aang because he didn't want anyone to get in his way, and that led to Zhao discovering what the damages. That led Zuko down to a declaration of an Agni Kai against Zhao to prove his point despite what happened the last time he took part in an Agni Kai in the past against The Master. There was just a lot to say when it came to both our hero and of course the antagonist who was set up.

Rating: Pure Perfection

Episode 4: The Warriors of Kyoshi

On the surface one could say that The Warriors of Kyoshi doesn't really add too much to the overall narrative of Book 1 as whole. That statement isn't necessarily entirely wrong because it's very self contained, but that isn't to say that The Warriors of Kyoshi isn't important. This episode actually add a lot of value for Aang when it came to the attention he received being The Avatar two generations after Kyoshi along with how that affects his bond with Katara, and of course with Sokka coming to terms with his mindset about Suki and the warriors. Most importantly its the seeds from this episode that are planted here that bloom into the series as a whole.

Rating: Amazing

Episode 5: The King of Omashu

This one is very much similar to the previous one in the sense that it is very much a self contained story that doesn't do a lot for the overall importance for Book 1 as whole, but does a lot for what's to come for the future of the series. Aang being met with a series of trials by The King of Omashu and having to think about what ahead really set worth a lot when it comes to his intellect, and that plays a heavy part into the revelation pertaining to The King himself.

Rating: Amazing

Episode 6: Imprisoned

Another episode that falls into the similar list as the previous two that came before, and one might ask "So is there anything to say here?" There's a lot that it does for Katara's character in trying to help Haru and the other imprisoned Earthbenders to get their spirit back against The Fire Nation. Aang and Sokka don't play too much of a heavy role which is fine, and for the importance of Book 1 it doesn't much overall. However, what is demonstrated here with Katara does play a bigger role in the future of the series as a whole.

Rating: Great+

Episodes 7 & 8: The Winter Solstice

There is a lot I've already spoken about when it comes The Winter Solstice, and given that this is a two parter it only makes sense to group together as one. The concept of The Spirit World being introduced and what it means for Aang as The Avatar, but more importantly his first direct conversation with his predecessor, Roku of The Fire Nation. One in which sets up so much for Aang's journey moving forward when it comes to his eventual battle against Fire Lord Ozai and the relation a comet Fire Lord Sozin used to initiate The 100 Year War.

Rating: Pure Perfection

Episode 9: The Waterbending Scroll

This one really sets the mark up for Aang and Katara when it comes to the essence of waterbending. Katara having felt like a novice at her skills in comparison to Aang's natural gifts as The Avatar really was a great thing to be explored, and does so much for their overall relationship especially when The Waterbending Scroll comes into play. It could be viewed as a little lesser than Imprisoned (Episode 6), but The Pirates do play a brief minor part towards the end which helped keep it relevance to Book 1 as a whole.

Rating: Great

Episode 10: Jet

A very self contained tale that is centered around Jet and his freedom fighters whom Aang, Katara, and Sokka come across after being nearly ambushed by a group of Firebenders. It has a lot of interesting themes when exploring beliefs and ideologies of good and really does so much for Sokka's character as a warrior in contrast to what Jet stands for as a character. Now given the nature of the episode, Jet and The Freedom Fighters don't play a huge role in the rest of Book 1, but their importance to the future says otherwise.

Rating: Great+

Episode 11: The Great Divide

I'm not even gonna beat around the bush when it comes to Episode 11 known as The Great Divide. The reason being is because this was one that had been talked to death in the Avatar community, and all I'm gonna say is it is the one episode doesn't add too much to the overall series. Mostly because The Gan Jins and The Zhangs don't really ever appear again in the rest of the series. It does however provide an interesting stance on perspectives which is cool, but that's really it.

Rating: Okay

Episode 12: The Storm

Wow what a contrast from the previous episode, and going straight into One of the best episodes in Avatar: The Last Airbender period. The definition of two sides of the same coin perfectly describes the essence of Aang and Zuko's personal upbringing. Each starting out with a sense of curiosity and being led to a decision that shapes where our hero and our villain stands in the series. The day Aang become The Avatar, and the day Zuko received the scar on his eye. In fact, one could even say that things really change an outlook on how Zuko is viewed as a character. He is still the antagonist but not necessarily in the sense of the villian, but more of the anti-hero, and the way both Aang and Zuko parallel one another is so master class.

Rating: Pure Perfection

Episode 13: The Blue Spirit

The definition of being kept on your toes is a great way when it pertains to The Blue Spirit. Aang trying to find some herbs to cure Katara and Sokka from their sickness due to the events from the Storm which led to him being captured by Zhao who had been promoted to Admiral. It is also where you are introduced to The Blue Spirit character and you are just unsure as to what their goal to save The Avatar and the reveal behind the mask is so genius. The perfect followup coming off from The Storm.

Rating: Pure Perfection

Episode 14: The Fortuneteller

The big importance to The Fortuneteller is further solidifying the chemistry and budding romance between Aang and Katara. All that pertains ot the future was in store for the eventual couple to be, and it is without a doubt a sweet episode, but one could say this was more tell than show, and that could be a hinderance especially since Aunt Wu doesn't really play anything critical in the story beyond this episode.

Rating: Good

Episode 15: Bato of The Water Tribe

It's always great to learn more about Sokka and Katara's culture in the Water Tribe especially with Bato who grew up their father Hakoda. Very similarly to some of the other episodes like Imprisoned, and Jet it can be considered self contained, but on with a lot of importance. ritual to dictate where the trio is marked on their trial and that provides a valuable lesson to Aang, Katara, and Sokka. Not to mention it does bring one plot thread to a close in regards to Katara's necklace that belonged to her mother, and also June is such an interesting character.

Rating: Great

Episode 16: The Deserter

Fire can be a very dangerous thing to handle, and that was something Aang learned first hand upon his excitement to learn from Jeong Jeong who deserted from The Fire Nation Army a long time ago. He knew that learning Firebending needed to be done and in midst of his excitement that came with consequences that just stuck with The Avatar in a belief that The Deserter warned him about. A simple fact that Aang just wasn't ready to learn Firebending. Yes, it is a self contained tale, but much like some of the others The Deserter does a lot when it comes to Aang's growth as the main protagonist.

Rating: Amazing

Episode 17: The Northern Air Temple

The idea of revisit an ancient relic that comes from Aang's past in particular his heritage as an Air Nomad is really sweet. The opportunity for him to revisit The Northern Air Temple again after so many years really threw him for a surprise that was similar to what happened at his home in The Southern Air Temple. The Fire Nation was involved in particular to the Past when it came to the eradication of The Air Nomads, but even now currently at The Northern Air Temple towards a group of refugees seeking shelter. Aang had a lot to come to terms with when it came to his beliefs and accepting what lies in the present for the refugees which is great for his growth, but like many other episodes it's very much self contained that sets up so much for the future.

Rating: Good+

Episode 18: The Waterbending Master

The Waterbending Master has a lot to say for Aang and Katara since after a long journey they finally arrived at The Northern Water Tribe, and of course Sokka finding himself in a trance of love for The Princess of The Northern Tribe. They learn that things aren't exactly what they seem to be due to cultures and beliefs in particular with Katara in proving herself as a worthy Waterbender to be trained under the same guidance as The Avatar. A result in which comes with an interesting revelation about her heritage and connection to The Waterbending Master himslf. Not to mention, what it means for the impending battle that is about to be ensued by The Fire Nation.

Rating: Amazing+

Episodes 19 & 20: The Siege of The North

There is a lot ways to consider the closure to a particular book in this case to a season, and Avatar: The Last Airbender demonstrated this through it's two part finale The Siege of The North. It gave Aang a chance to shine especially when it came to his display of being The Avatar in the battle that The Water Tribe had to face against The Fire Nation. It's also a great parallel in that Book 1 begins with Southern Water Tribe, and it ends here at The Northern Water Tribe. A battle that wasn't particular an easy victory, and it came with a cost on both sides of the spectrum. Especially for what it does Zuko's journey moving forward, and as they say the battle may have been victorious, but the war still wages on.

Rating: Pure Perfection

So with this now being said, and done after viewing all the episodes of Water as a whole. There's a lot to be said about the journey Aang, Katara, and Sokka have went through from where they started off and where they've ended up by final moments of The Book. Especially when you get to witness what the journey had been for Zuko early on in the season and to see that there's more to him than meets the eye by the end of this Book.

Overall Rating: Great+

[thatonedudeinthecorner]

You’re telling me this ISN’T what happened in season 1 episode 1????

Is it hypocritical for Aang to be the one to call Zuko bald when he is objectively balder? Yes. Was this really funny to me? Also yes. God may forgive you for not capturing the avatar, but NO ONE will forgive you for that fuckass ponytail.

[kataangoogie]

hold on tight!

[kat-rose-griffith]

[bastart13]

More designs for my generation swap for Avatar, this time featuring the Book 1 villains. It's fascinating how relatively multi-cultural Korra's cast is because it puts a lot of non-Fire Nation characters as the central antagonists

As the Air Nomads have been wiped out, Amon and Tarrlok become Earth Kingdom citizens in the swap. They were raised by an abusive crime lord into learning seismic sense and metalbending. Amon, disgusted by the corrupt, isolated politics of the Earth Kingdom, joined the Fire Nation under disguise. Tarrlok, on the other hand, joined the local politics and rose in the ranks until he commanded the area Bolin and Mako currently live in.

Hiroshi is an reknowned inventor and architect in the Northern Water Tribe, raising his daughter, Asami, alone since the murder of his wife. Unlike many other men in the city, he believes women are equal to men and many of his inventions developed with his wife, and later Asami. But he knows his wife was murdered for her outspoken desire for respect, and when the chief betrothes Asami to his son he's terrified of losing her in the same way.

With the Northern Water Tribe isolated from the war, he only cares to know about their progressive technology and sells out the Northern Water Tribe and Korra to Wu in exchange for a safe place to live. When Korra "rescues" him and he's revealed as a traitor, Asami abandons him and he dedicates his skills to the Fire Nation to capture Korra and get his daughter back.

[voidix]

One Gifset per Episode: Avatar the last Airbender

Book 1 Episode 3 - The Southern Air Temple

Scenery

[jenna-rayofsunshine]

Okay, I’ve actually have REALLY been loving the Avatar live action and haven’t had many complaints. But what is wrong with episode 7???

Like why isn’t Katara more angry? Where is her crazy feminine rage😡?? Somehow her fight scene with Pakku was really disappointing. It feels like there are very little stakes. Maybe I like the original too much.

Also, why hasn’t Aang even attempted water bending and he’s about to go to the big final fight?

[whogirl42]

Me watching atla live action 🤝 me watching Percy Jackson show

THEY'RE CHILDREN😭

[lilscast]

my live action atla notes i took while watching (as a fan since #forever)

ep 1

-um ok why is kyoshi doing the intro…

-why is katara so chill where is her RAGE

-why did appa not snot all over sokka pls he deserves it😒

-no penguin sledding☹️

-gran gran ate

-“i gotta pee” will be missed

-appa cutie pie

-how did they know to say yip yip🤨

-fight sokka fight

-“youre just a kid. well youre just a teenager” WHERE R UUU

-zuko so whiny

-iroh😜❤️❤️❤️

-why does she have the scroll already

[shitakimooshrooms]

His ass is not listening

[luckyrave]

Avatar The Last Airbender Episode 1 Highlights: Boy in The Iceberg

The intro as it’s always gets you so immediately hooked into the world, The Avatar disappears. Katara and Sokka come across Aang, & he’s unfamiliar with what’s happened in a 100 years!

I always knew just from this first exchange that Aang and Katara were just destined to be together, and what came afterwards was so playful and sweet at the same time.

In spite of all the fun things Aang has with all the kids in the Southern Water Tribe, there was one thing that flew over Aang's mind which was the ongoing War with The Fire Nation.

One can't simply also forgot about the instant reaction Zuko had when he noticed the light that shot into the sky before him which gave him a strong hunch that it must've been the Avatar he's been searching for over the last two years of his life.

Finally, that brought Aang and Katara to an old Fire Nation ship after they had their fun with penguin sledding together. Only then, It finally clicked into Aang's head that he had been trapped in that iceberg for 100 Years when Katara told him he wasn't aware of any of the events he was trapped in there for that period of time.

Well this is all I have for my highlights on the first episode of what I know is going to be a great beautiful reliving experience that is Avatar The Last Airbender Episode 1. Catch you all soon for my highlights on the next episode.

[highfantasy-soul]

NATLA - Episode 1: Aang (1/4)

[Masterlist of my NATLA thoughts]

An explanation of what I'm doing here and my history with ATLA.

Of course, full spoilers ahead.

Next>

A word on the expositional dialogue:

That's always going to happen when you're being introduced to a fantasy world - it happened a lot in the cartoon, too. The viewer has no idea the political landscape, the rules of the world, magic system, governmental bodies, religion, how close or far the 'gods' are to mortals - and as shows usually don't have much world-building narration in them, dialogue is used to supplement that. I think people forget that and just automatically assume expositional dialogue is 'bad' when it's really not, we've just had the advice 'show don't tell' twisted and bastardized so terribly that we now have a visceral reaction to any 'telling' through dialogue even if it's totally normal storytelling.

Lets also not forget that a whole expositional monologue is given every 20 minutes in the animated version, so let's not pretend that being explicit about the narrative is something that needs to be avoided. You listened to Katara talk about Aang needing to learn all the elements and defeat the Fire Nation 61 times. I think the live-action can say it at least 3.

The show begins by showing some of the magic (bending) and clarifies this for new viewers with the dialogue "An earthbender!" from one of the fire-wielding men. This bit of dialogue is clarifying as it puts limits on the magic and lets new viewers know that that dude probably can only use earth magic - so the viewer isn't sitting there thinking 'why doesn't that dude throw some fire, too instead of just rocks?' or 'Why isn't he teleporting away?'

Also, it lets us know that having an earthbender there wasn't expected - the guard's tone lets us know that it's an unwelcome presence there.

The opening scene shows us a great look at the difference in bending styles - earth is slower, but more directly powerful - fire is quicker, but less forceful. Get hit with flying rocks, you're down and unlikely to get up - get hit with a firebolt, you'll get knocked, but there's not much blunt force trauma in it (fire/force damage vs bludgeoning damage in dnd terms)

Sozin explaining his plan fills 2 roles: characterization in that he likes to taunt his victims and he's overly confident, very sure of his importance and 'rightness'; and it lets the audience know what the political landscape of the world is like at the moment and how underhanded the Fire Nation is willing to be to win.

The redirection of focus from the Air Nomads to the Earth Kingdom is mirrored in the finale where the siege of the north drew eyes (we will assume other nations noticed an armada of Fire Nation ships sailing onto Water Tribe territory) while Ozai's real goal was to overtake Omashu - where the Fire Nation was keeping the Avatar's eyes on the north as well so he didn't rush off to help the Earth Kingdom.

The Earth bender asking Sozin 'why are you doing this?' also displays how such an act of war is inconceivable at this point in history - he genuinely has no idea why one might want to start a world war.

If you know the cartoon, or just real life, you know the reasons people have, so this dialogue might seem like its pushing for exposition, but it, in and of itself, is showing worldbuilding in the fact that while we might think 'yeah, obviously the Fire Nation is the bad guy bent on world domination', the people of the world at the time were wholly unprepared for such a war to begin.

Starting with the fire nation plan/attack was a strong choice to set the stakes immediately

Kids don't really care too much about stakes - they care about jokes and fun characters. If you want to make a story that appeals across the spectrum immediately, stakes are good things to start out with.

When you're gearing toward much younger viewers and the show is episodic - just coming on the channel randomly - it keeps kid's attention better when you start out with strong characters that are easy to grasp (see the animated version), but when you're addressing even a slightly older audience and it's in a format where you have specifically set out to watch this particular story, you start with the world and stakes, usually doing that through some minor or side characters (see Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings).

This also allows new watchers to have the shocking reveal of Aang having been in the iceberg for 100 years at the same time Aang is learning this. There's no clear time jump from the Fire Nation's attack and Katara waterbending - so the new viewers don't know that's happened and the extra stakes shock really lands - it's not an eminent attack by the firenation, the war has already been going on and the fire nation is winning.

The time jump is hinted at with the wrecked ship Katara practices in, Katara saying fire nation soldiers haven't been seen in years, and when Gran Gran says Aang is an airbender (while he's still asleep), Sokka claims they haven't been seen in years.

These are all hints that there's been a time jump, but how significant of a jump isn't revealed until later - it could have just been 20 years for all we know so far

For those who watched the animated show, all this set up might feel tedious, unnecessary, or like the show is hand-holding the audience, but that's because you already know the story. For those who have never seen the animated show, all this is necessary - as shown by all the new watchers who are praising the exposition as it's a huge world. By the end of episode 1 of the live action, those who watched the animated would have heard the exposition 3 times already - by the end of the season, they'd have heard it 20 times - so you got the luxury of a lot of exposition, let the newbies get some too.

[mrsbrandoxxx]

Currently watching the live action of ATLA 💜 THIS BRINGS BACK SO MUCH MEMORIES TO MY CHILDHOOD 🥺

[zalrb]

Have Iroh say "jasmine tea" a couple times because Iroh likes tea! That's enough!

[voidix]

One Gifset per Episode: Avatar the last Airbender

Book 1 Episode 2 - The Avatar Returns

Why did you never tell us you were the Avatar?

Because I never wanted to be.

[sidecharactersdomatter]

Thoughts I had during TGCF S1 Ep 2

-Previously on TGCF… (Classic ATLA reference, and my whole experience summarized in this fandom is, “It really is for the fans who grew up watching and loving The Last Airbender”)

-More Butterflies!

-Aiaigasa!

-So much blood…

-“As if he’s walked a million miles…” (that subtle foreshadowing)

-Honey, He looks a little too good looking to be the Ghost groom

-The Rain stopped

-He’s removing the veil

-That was also foreshadowing wasn’t it (I’ve heard spoilers, and the final 8th book just came out sry)

-Ugh it’s an ugly mob, and it’s headed by the same bald jerk

-You’ll find out near the end of the season XL(I’ve already watched all of S1) 

-Ooh it ties in with Ep 1

-That temple looks abandoned, and the animation camera for walking inside

-The brides are all dead

-There’s that song again

-Another different walking perspective

-Woah black smoke

-There’s the ugly mob

-The fact that he though XL was a woman…

-The blinking I can’t XD

-Hi Nan Feng and Fu Yao :D

-Hehe Xie Lian’s aggressive kindness

-Thank You Nan Feng

-I wish the Ghost Groom was the bald mercenary

-Hey Xiao Ying

-When the mob scooched away from Bride!Lian I freaking lost it XDXDXDXD

-And Xie Lian’s face XD

-Also I called it she fixed his dress and makeup Yes!

-And Nan Feng and Fu Yao inch away instead of defending him!  

W H E E Z E! XD

-The fact they both agreed to not explain anything XD!

-That’s just disrespectful

-Great more bride zombies

-That’s gonna end up bad

-It really is disrespectful

-Thank you whoever just threw the rock

-More camera shaking

-And of course you’re leaving her with the deceased brides SMH all of you

-Is he Naruto running right now?

-I really don’t believe that whole “Nothing ventured nothing gained” phrase in this age

-How do you like that?  Instant trauma

-It really is for an older audience

-Now NF and FY got concerned

-And hurting the injured is a real low for the mob

-Pengtou you asshole

-Thank you Xie Lian or should I say, Xie Xie Xie Lian, (Yeah I’m gonna go see myself out now)  Bad Pun count: 1

-That’s nice Nan Feng

-They have enraged the ghost groom

-Xiao Ying is a real friend

-That explains the Nan Yang temple

-I love you Nan Feng

-KO!  Flawless victory!

-So the Ghost groom is a ghost bride

-No veils

-And I thought Pengtou was the ghost groom

-Zombie brides!

-Aw great it’s a cliffhanger

-Ooooh a new ending!