When you think of TV-Y7 Nickelodeon cartoons, your mind probably goes to SpongeBob SquarePants, Jimmy Neutron, The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom and the like. And if you were expecting a similar light-hearted tone from this show then the first two episodes will not disappoint you. This episode however is dark. (The show is rated TV-Y7, so I feel compelled to specify elements likely to be frighten children who watch the show even though you don't need to be a child to enjoy it.)
Prince Zuko and Commander Zhao fight half to death with Zuko and triumphant and sparing Zhao's life even as Zhao dares him to finish the job. Aang starts off naïvely believing his home to be impermeable "the only way to get into an Air Temple is by flying bison and I highly doubt the Fire Nation had access to a flying bison" (that's not a plot hole, it's a character being naïve) but then he discovers his mentor's murdered corpse surrounded by the dead bodies of Firebenders who died attacking him and realizes he's the sole survivor of a genocide. "I really am the last Airbender." Aang becoming an uncontrollable force of destruction as his eyes and tattoos glow is a sight to see and this "superpowered evil side" (to quote Overly Sarcastic Productions) is a reminder of how dangerous Aang is (and thus how he can be a threat to the Fire Lord.) If the episode were but darkness for darkness's own sake then I would denounce it but it has a darkness that serves a purpose. As evil as he is, we see that Prince Zuko is a man of honour. And as comical as he is, we see that Sokka is a true friend to Aang. And Katara calming Aang out of the Avatar State to assure him she and Sokka are his family now was touching. Beyond that Sokka and Uncle Iroh both provide some needed moments of levity and I like the introduction of Aang's flying lemur Momo. And how the episode sets up the later importance of Avatar Roku to the storyline (and implies what a later episode reveals as the reason for Aang's departure.)
This series is willing to take you the audience through the story of your lifetime and this episode is your first reminder that (like all the commercials said) there comes a time in every journey where you realize there's no turning back.
Prince Zuko and Commander Zhao fight half to death with Zuko and triumphant and sparing Zhao's life even as Zhao dares him to finish the job. Aang starts off naïvely believing his home to be impermeable "the only way to get into an Air Temple is by flying bison and I highly doubt the Fire Nation had access to a flying bison" (that's not a plot hole, it's a character being naïve) but then he discovers his mentor's murdered corpse surrounded by the dead bodies of Firebenders who died attacking him and realizes he's the sole survivor of a genocide. "I really am the last Airbender." Aang becoming an uncontrollable force of destruction as his eyes and tattoos glow is a sight to see and this "superpowered evil side" (to quote Overly Sarcastic Productions) is a reminder of how dangerous Aang is (and thus how he can be a threat to the Fire Lord.) If the episode were but darkness for darkness's own sake then I would denounce it but it has a darkness that serves a purpose. As evil as he is, we see that Prince Zuko is a man of honour. And as comical as he is, we see that Sokka is a true friend to Aang. And Katara calming Aang out of the Avatar State to assure him she and Sokka are his family now was touching. Beyond that Sokka and Uncle Iroh both provide some needed moments of levity and I like the introduction of Aang's flying lemur Momo. And how the episode sets up the later importance of Avatar Roku to the storyline (and implies what a later episode reveals as the reason for Aang's departure.)
This series is willing to take you the audience through the story of your lifetime and this episode is your first reminder that (like all the commercials said) there comes a time in every journey where you realize there's no turning back.