The dual stories of Aang and Zuko really get going here, and the depth of the show is taken to the next step. It's got some of both the best (Aang in the Avatar State) and worst (the CGI doors to the Sanctuary don't hold up too well) animation in the show to date, and tons of character development. Aang's realization of the destruction of his people and Zuko's desperation to be accepted by his father are hugely emotional topics, and the show handles them with grace and maturity for a fantastic early episode.
Aang, Katara, and Sokka's first order of business on their journey is to visit the Southern Air Temple, Aang's home. The former paradise, filled with monks, bison, and lemurs, and Aang's relationship with his father figure, Monk Gyatso, are explored by Aang's memories, and his finding of a sanctuary housing statues of every Avatar to date deepens the lore and history of the show. However, Aang soon comes to discover that, despite his optimism in the face of hopelessness, the Fire Nation did attack the temple while he was away, and he finds Gyatso's skeleton, triggering another Avatar State. Aang's pain and anger at losing everyone he knew and loved is powerful and his inability to control the emotions and entrance into his Avatar State alerts everyone that the Avatar is truly alive. While Katara's soothing soon leads to his anger subsiding, Aang's pain at this revelation is the show's most emotive moment to date, and while the crew's befriending of the lemur Momo rounds out the squad for the time being in a positive way, the emotions are still strong.
Meanwhile, Zuko's failure to capture Aang leads to significant damage to his ship, requiring repairs. While at the Fire Nation base to get the ship fixed, Zuko and his Uncle Iroh (formerly a General in the Fire Nation army) bump into Commander Zhao, the arrogant and cruel Firebender who mocks Zuko for his failure. We learn more about Zuko's troubled past with his father, the leader of the Fire Nation, and Zuko's desperation to feel accepted by his father drives home the emotional narrative of his character. For the first time, we get to see a Firebending duel between Zhao and Zuko, and it's a great action scene. Zuko's victory after heeding Iroh's advice regarding fighting, and his refusal to kill Zhao, lead to Zhao attempting to attack Zuko while his back is turned. Iroh interferes to stop him and insults Zhao by calling even the banished Zuko more honorable than he, showing the closeness between the uncle and nephew, with Zuko genuinely touched by Iroh's words.
Altogether, after a solid first two episodes, this is where Avatar really gets going. Aang's emotional devastation and Zuko's desperation are highlighted, and their need to rely on those close to them is a major point as well. The dual stories of the two are getting better and better, and this is by far the best episode to date.
Aang, Katara, and Sokka's first order of business on their journey is to visit the Southern Air Temple, Aang's home. The former paradise, filled with monks, bison, and lemurs, and Aang's relationship with his father figure, Monk Gyatso, are explored by Aang's memories, and his finding of a sanctuary housing statues of every Avatar to date deepens the lore and history of the show. However, Aang soon comes to discover that, despite his optimism in the face of hopelessness, the Fire Nation did attack the temple while he was away, and he finds Gyatso's skeleton, triggering another Avatar State. Aang's pain and anger at losing everyone he knew and loved is powerful and his inability to control the emotions and entrance into his Avatar State alerts everyone that the Avatar is truly alive. While Katara's soothing soon leads to his anger subsiding, Aang's pain at this revelation is the show's most emotive moment to date, and while the crew's befriending of the lemur Momo rounds out the squad for the time being in a positive way, the emotions are still strong.
Meanwhile, Zuko's failure to capture Aang leads to significant damage to his ship, requiring repairs. While at the Fire Nation base to get the ship fixed, Zuko and his Uncle Iroh (formerly a General in the Fire Nation army) bump into Commander Zhao, the arrogant and cruel Firebender who mocks Zuko for his failure. We learn more about Zuko's troubled past with his father, the leader of the Fire Nation, and Zuko's desperation to feel accepted by his father drives home the emotional narrative of his character. For the first time, we get to see a Firebending duel between Zhao and Zuko, and it's a great action scene. Zuko's victory after heeding Iroh's advice regarding fighting, and his refusal to kill Zhao, lead to Zhao attempting to attack Zuko while his back is turned. Iroh interferes to stop him and insults Zhao by calling even the banished Zuko more honorable than he, showing the closeness between the uncle and nephew, with Zuko genuinely touched by Iroh's words.
Altogether, after a solid first two episodes, this is where Avatar really gets going. Aang's emotional devastation and Zuko's desperation are highlighted, and their need to rely on those close to them is a major point as well. The dual stories of the two are getting better and better, and this is by far the best episode to date.