#and Sokka keeping facepalming for the whole episode

[lieutenant-amuel]

The more I watch ATLA, the more I love Sokka.

[callioope]

Continuing my reactions to Avatar: The Last Airbender. 

This post is about Book 2. See my overall impressions and thoughts on Book 1 here.

Quick/General Thoughts

Uhhh pretty wild there is both a solar eclipse and a super comet happening in the same summer… anyways!!!

Ba Sing Se was so messed up omg

Aang

SMH more adults trying to take advantage of Aang. I was furious with the Earth Kingdom general who tried to force Aang to fight the Fire Lord well before he was ready. Clearly he was not ready! And then the audacity for him to attack Aang and then Katara to provoke the Avatar state was whole levels of messed up. 

The Great Appa Kidnapping: Yeah, so, as soon as the sand traders took him, I was like, “Oh no. I’ve heard about this. They are going to be in trouble!” But even then I didn’t know it stretched out over so many episodes. These episodes broke my heart! Aang’s complete distress at having lost Appa. Then the episode from Appa’s POV. Poor Appa! He goes through so much. It’s devastating. And then both Appa and Aang both dream of how they originally met each other? UNFAIR. CRUEL. HOW DARE THE CREATORS DO THIS TO ME. (I’m being facetious I love it I live for this kind of drama this is how i express they were doing good storytelling)

The whole “final chakra” being about letting go of attachments… hmm that felt VERY Star Wars of them… Filoni is this your doing? (Although actually I don’t remember seeing his name on any Book 2 episodes.)

Sokka

My fave continues to be the long-suffering Sokka, just trying to get his family to Omashu, it shouldn’t be this hard!!! This was literally what I wrote at the time of watching “Chapter Two: The Cave of Two Lovers,” and OH LITTLE DID I KNOW!!! [cut to Book 3… lmao… anyways]

Sokka making a map to help keep track of the maze-like cave/tunnel is actually really clever. I can’t believe people think he’s stupid. I mean, sure, it didn’t end up working, but that’s because the cave was magic or whatever, and that is beyond his control!

Side note, but lol at Sokka’s purchases and love for shopping. His ridiculous belt! How excited he was that it matched his bag!

Second side note, I was pretty excited to see that gif where Sokka is making that “I’m watching you” gesture and then goes “Water tribe!”

Katara

Yeah, notice how I don’t have much to say about Katara? It’s not that I don’t like her or that I don’t think she’s interesting, but. I just don’t really have a lot to say about her. 

I was amused by how she handled those bullies. My impression before I started watching was that she was going to be this like, pure and GoodTM character, but she definitely has her flaws and that is better.

I really liked the scene where she is able to calm Aang down while he’s in the Avatar state. There was good build up to that, showing her worry every time he entered it and her awareness of the fact that he only ever enters it when feeling upset. The fact that she was able to do that clearly Meant Something. So again, I suppose, I really feel up to this point that the show is very much like “Aang/Katara Endgame!” it felt very obvious to me. And I knew before starting the show that Zuko and Katara are a thing — but Aang and Katara is just so heavy handed that it was impossible for me to ship them with anyone else. They were just foundational to the show. Like it always felt like a foregone conclusion to me, almost as if they were established from the beginning although they obviously weren’t.

Toph

I spent like, the second half of Book 1 thinking “WHEN TOPH WHEN TOPH!” Imagine my ire that she still isn’t around for the first five episodes of Book 2, which is titled “EARTH” my goodness.

But OH was I delighted by “Chapter 6: The Blind Bandit”!!! I loved her intro, I loved how Aang is just immediately in awe of her skills when he sees her. He knows she’s exactly the teacher he’s been waiting for. “She waited and listened!” he says. Yes. I love it. (But also, lol at Sokka booing Aang.) Despite this, Aang really does not handle that first interaction very well!

So frustrating how her parents were treating her. “She’s fragile and helpless!” what a thing to say about your daughter. [Also you literally named her “tough”?!] And he is basically going to imprison her, wtf. & how do you get off saying “the avatar is no longer welcome here”?! smh children whose parents try to “control” their kids always end up being the most rebellious.

I was amused that “my dad changed his mind” apparently was a popular lie daughters use on this show. *facepalm*

I liked the contrast between how Toph wanted to teach Aang and how Katara thought he should be taught! That was interesting. And yeah, Toph certainly lives up to her name. 

Zuko & Iroh

Spent a good portion of the early part of this season wondering how Zuko and Iroh could possibly be related to the awful Fire Lord (and Azula for that matter — jeez she is nuts!), and longing to know what happened to Zuko’s mom. (Obviously that would be answered soon!)

Knowing that Zuko eventually joins the Aang crew, but also remembering that I never saw Iroh with them, made me SEVERELY worried that something terrible would happen to Iroh. And I spent the entire rest of the series worrying about that. Uh, especially since, apparently Iroh is hopeless at Survival 101. Honestly that was surprising to me. 

Zuko deciding they needed to split up was devastating!!! No!!! I loved the adventures of Zuko & Iroh!! He said, “There's no reason for us to stick together,” and I was like, “Yes there is you idiot! Because you’re family and you love each other!!!” I was so sad. I mean, also Iroh is currently the only person who likes Zuko, so, you know, that might be a good reason to stay with him. Just a thought. 

The last thing Zuko needs is to be alone, that will NOT be good for his issues. And lo and behold, look! Immediately, he’s struggling on his own. But I did like that episode (“Chapter 7: Zuko Alone”) because we get to see Zuko’s mom! (Uh, did she have a name?) Turtle ducks are so cute.

“Everything I’ve done I’ve done to protect you.” THIS. SLAYED. ME!!!!!! I mean, y’all know Rogue One is my jam so this parallel with Zuko’s mom and Galen Erso????? I lost it. I just lost it. Plus, though it isn’t confirmed until later, we can tell she’s sacrificing herself to save Zuko and just. (A) what a completely messed up family, but (B) MY HEART. SHE BETTER BE ALIVE is all I’m saying.

Interesting side note: they never show Ozai’s face in the early seasons. 

If you assumed that I was delighted to see Iroh has been tailing Zuko this whole time, you’d be correct. I had hoped that was the case and was very glad it was. Although *facepalm* again at Zuko. I suppose he had no way of knowing Katara had healing powers but it was so frustrating knowing if he had just listened to them for one minute they could have helped Iroh after Azula blasted him. At least he made him tea and nursed him back to health. 

If the evil advisor of Ba Sing Se had files on everyone and knew everything that went on… I mean… did he know about Iroh and Zuko? 

I didn’t jot down any notes about this at the time, BUT. Man. Did I ADORE Zuko and Iroh’s adventures in Ba Sing Se. I mean it was a nice relief from all the other crazy stuff happening. (Not happy to see Jet though. Ugh.) 

Finally, though, Zuko’s betrayal at the very end of the season totally shocked me. Because of spoilers, I knew he’d join Aang’s crew, and so it was so confusing! And such a regression, I really didn’t understand it and was very worried about what it would mean for his redemption arc — but more on that in the next post, don’t want to get ahead.

Azula

Oh. Boy. Again, I knew she was going to be crazy, but I don’t think I was prepared for just how messed up she is. “Do the tides command this ship. You said they would not allow us…” Jeez that is pedantic in a very bizarre way and obviously not what was meant… Yikes.

Also, Azula is much better at finding Zuko than Zuko is at finding Aang. Just a stray observation.

“Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home.” [insert IT’s A TRAP gif here]

“If the Earth Kingdom finds us, they'll have us killed. If the Fire Nation finds us, they'll turn us over to Azula. Earth kingdom it is.” Yeah, this line was hilarious but also sad. It really said a lot about Azula, and Zuko and Iroh’s relationship with her.

Had no idea Azula had her own crew. It was incredibly clear that Ty Lee felt coerced to join her and didn’t really want to, but that was less clear to me for Mai. Mainly seemed like Mai was bored with where she was and was just like “shrugs might as well do evil stuff.” 

I did know that a character named “Mai” would eventually be Zuko’s love interest (and it is pretty heavily portrayed that she has a crush on him), so at this point, I was very much like, “Hmm. This character is too apathetic and annoying, I don’t want her to end up with Zuko!” Plus, the fact that her name was pronounced “May,” (which was not how I thought “Mai” was pronounced) and I knew Zuko would have a thing with a lady in a tea shop, I wasn’t 100% sure Zuko/Mai were end game. 

“She’s crazy and she needs to go down.” I think Iroh said this. I just don’t know what to say. Why is Azula the way she is? That’s never entirely clear to me. In some ways, it’s implied she was just Like That (in the flashback where mom is like “What is wrong with you?”) and perhaps she’s just her father’s daughter. I don’t need a reason, per se. Idk. I just don’t know what to say to her. She clearly needs help. 

[hermitknut]

A:TLA watch, part 10

All of my posts on this are here.

Can’t believe I’m finishing this season already…

Appa’s Lost Days

Oh damn we’re going back in time??? Neat!!

Seriously though how did none of these people go “huh maybe he belongs to the avatar with whom I SHOULD NOT FUCK”

I do NOT like this smarmy guy in the red and yellow

HEY. You HEAR THAT MR MACDONALD I DO NOT LIKE YOU

Loll at appa stealing the cabbages

So has appa ended up with the fire nation, then? Not in ba sing se at all?

Go, Appa, go!!

Awww he’ll get there, I’m sure

DREAMING APPA

AND AANG’S DREAMING TOO <3

Serpents passssss he’s close!

LOL IROH

Appa’s hurt :(

THE FIGHTY LADIES

Aww he looks so much better

NO AZULA FUCK OFF

ARE THEY JUST GONNA LEAVE US HANGING ON THIS ONE

Appa went home :(

This guru dude is an interesting twist!

BA SING SE

NO APPA IT’S A TRICK

Wait THAT’S IT THAT’S THE WHOLE EPISODE

Jesus, RUDE

I love it though XD

  Lake Laogai

By the look of the previously on, we’re back on the main plot!!

“why do you feel the need to do that” I love toph XD

“my own teashop!” lol iroh. I feel like this is a risky proposition lol.

Lol at the manager trying to keep him on staff

Oh no it’s stepford wife lady

“control of the earth king” a-HA

I LOVE KATARA’S REACTION TO JET XD XD she’s prepared to full on drown the dude look at that face

*sing song voice* jet’s been hyp-no-tised

Noooo whale-tale island is a fake. Clever way of trying to get the Avatar out of the city.

“I can tell you’re lying” TOPH

“Jet’s been brainwashed” Nice thinking, sokka!

Uh oh blue mask!!

NICE MOVE ZUKO

Ahhh creepy underground lake place

All the stepford wives in unison, yeurgh

Zuko with appa??

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

Hypnotissssssm

Iroh caught zuko!! Lol

GOD the way Iroh lays into zuko JESUS

holy shit is jet gonna die

Silent dude spoke!!

god I am. genuinely frightened rn. Did zuko let appa go??

APPA!!!!

But what about the scroll??

Zuko greeewwwwwww bless him

  The Earth King

FINALLY ARE WE GONNA FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GIRLS (I’m guessing based on the previously on)

Deeply amused that toph calls katara “sweetness”

DAMN at aang blocking the giant rock with one hand without looking at it

LOOK AT THEM FIGHTING HOLY CRAP EVERYONE’S SO BADASS

Special shoutout to toph turning the stairs into a slope

I also love the built-in comedy of Sokka checking doors

Is zuko sick???

“over here!” followed by Aang cheerfully undoing and redoing his rockhandcuffs XD

THEY PUT THE EARTH KING ON A TRAIN

Lolllllllll I’m enjoying the dynamic with the earth king

Hell of a fever dream zuko

“it’s imported” LOL WHAT

It can’t be this simple :/

Idk about this whole invade the fire nation thing, it freaks me out like – eclipses aren’t that long???

Awwww everybody got letters!

“we have to split up” NO WHAT

The goodbyes are giving me feels

DID ZUKO JUST DREAM HIMSELF AS AANG LOL I mean I also have feelings about this but it’s still kinda funny

Sokka WHY would you JINX every body like that

Bad spy guy still in action, naturally

TOPH OH NO!!

A ZU LA HO LTY SHIT FUCK OH NO NOOOO UH OH UH OH [edit: electing to leave this as I typed it mid-episode lol]

…holy shit you guys

you guys I’m not ready

 The Guru

…zuko you’re freaking me out

Sokka and his daaaad I’m gonna cryyyyy

Oh no the plan has been given away to azulaaaa I TOLD YOU I HAD A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS

Man there is so much going on in this episode

“even you can’t bend metal” honestly if you piss her off any more I feel like she’s gonna manage it

I love student!aang

Let’s be honest I love all aangs but

Sokka getting fatherly approvallllll

Zuko’s still scaring the shit out of me I can’t deal with this it’s like he’s been replaced with a robot

So glad aang’s getting some actual emotional support here from an adult, ngl

HOLY SHIT TOPH IS GONNA BEND METAL ISN’T SHE I WAS ONLY KIDDING BEFORE

katara getting tea XD I WONDER WHERE THIS IS GOING XD XD

Lollllllllllll Katara run!!

“why would I choose cosmic energy over katara” I LOVE YOU AANG

Ooooo yikes the way the water spills out and makes it look almost like katara’s bleeding

Look I hate azula but if she can stop zuko from continuing to freak me out I’m kind of here for it

The whole avatar state dream sequence is trippy and beautiful

Aang’s face when he picks up sokka :(

“we’ve been invited to serve tea to the earth king” *facepalm*

HOW IS THE NEXT EPISODE THE END OF THE SEASON. HOW.

I feel like I’m hurtling into ABSOLUTE CHAOS next ep oh god XD

 The Crossroads of Destiny

Totally not a FUCKING OMINOUS TITLE thanks for that

*jittery*

Okay I just watched the previously on and I am literally grabbing my own head in panic

I AM. SO TENSE.

DRAGON OF THE WEST OH MY GOD you just know he thought that up when he was like, twelve, and honestly it’s so beautifully consistent with his character

They locked up zuko with katara XD

You have no idea how hard I’m trying not to make every comment capslocked

“it’s an old friend of mine” HOLY SHIT

“good inside him isn’t enough – why don’t you come back when it’s OUTSIDE him too” can we please give sokka a standing fucking ovation for this line because

“the key to both is proper aging” omg

oh boy this ain’t good

okay azula’s evil but damn is she good at it

lollll aang and zuok glaring at each other from inside the hugs

do you think azula resents that her super cool lightning ability results in her just making finger guns at everyone all the time because

ZUKO’S HERE

ZUKO IS FIGHTING AANG??

KATARA JUST SENT WATER SHARP ENOUGH TO CUT AZULA’S HAIR DAMN

“…just take the bear” LOL

…

…

... 

So I actually stopped typing because I had my hands clamped over my mouth for like the last five minutes of the episode (in a GOOD WAY though)

I then promptly called @1boo and yelled at her for like 20 minutes because HOLY SHIT I could not get organised enough to type anything

After a brief cooldown period, some thoughts:

1. OSUDHFOSUDRHGOSUDGHFOSIDHFGJOSUEHGTIUSHGFOISUEH GOSIUHGFISHSDFHSDOLGFLOSHGOSUHGOSGHD

2. ZUKO JOINED UP WITH AZULA WHAT THE HELL

3. See I know that season 1 is Air, season 2 is Earth, and season 3 is Fire – it’s on the DVD cases. So I really expected Zuko to join up with the others at the end of this season, with the understanding that he and Iroh would teach Aang firebending? BUT NO

4. I’m guessing we need this twist because Zuko’s not ready to fully give up on the Fire Nation as-is yet – so he’s gonna fall in for a while and then, presumably make his decision to leave. Which he needs, because before when he left the fire nation the decision was made FOR HIM and now he needs to make it FOR HIMSELF. idk. it’s just a theory.

5. AANG NEARLY LITERALLY DIED AND I NEARLY DIED WITH HIM OH MY GOD

6. Bascially, I am apparently going into season three with NO FUCKING CLUE WHAT TO EXPECT

7. you think I’m kidding, the only thing I know about the next season is “that’s rough buddy” that’s BASICALLY IT OKAY

8. SOIUDFHSIUGHE9U7GHS9D87FGYE54YHGSVOIUDNXFKJWMSEOGIU VHDGNSURODHGVSOFHBUVSFIUDBDHIUSBFHIUSIUHUI1!!!!!!

...

Right so

I’m going to go take a shower and stare into nothingness while I think about how incredible this show is

See you… next time?

H