This episode was very middle-of-the-pack for me. They did not overstuff it with contents like some of the earlier ones in the series, which is a good thing. It more or less followed a single one of the animated episode, but added new lore.
There was however many weak points in this episode. I try to stay away from direct comparisons, but there are some very puzzling choices. In an episode that is to a large extent about learning waterbending, why is Aang still not even trying? I am guessing they are leaving the "learning waterbending" arc for a "time jump" between season 1 and 2 due to the actors ageing. Still, this was one of the reasons for their presence here, so why?
I have also mixed feelings about Pakku not deciding to teach Katara and her becoming "her own master". Admittedly, the reason he eventually accepts in the animated was weak, and the idea that Pakku changes his minds only after the attack in the next episode is more grounded, kind of matching how women's rights was advanced after WW2 in some countries because of how much women contributed to the economy during the war effort. Still, Katara becoming a master without training and in such a short time is dubious, and the "Girl Power" aspect is not a good enough reason for this. To be fair, it was also too fast in the animated.
Finally, last rambling: Azula's arc... Was this whole for this? I really think removing Azula from season 1 would have been better. Her arrival in season 2 and her cold deadly strength was absolutely amazing in the animated. Now we see her as physically strong but emotionally weak, which is really sad.
So overall, a decent episode, but with many small aspects preventing it from being thoroughly enjoyable.
There was however many weak points in this episode. I try to stay away from direct comparisons, but there are some very puzzling choices. In an episode that is to a large extent about learning waterbending, why is Aang still not even trying? I am guessing they are leaving the "learning waterbending" arc for a "time jump" between season 1 and 2 due to the actors ageing. Still, this was one of the reasons for their presence here, so why?
I have also mixed feelings about Pakku not deciding to teach Katara and her becoming "her own master". Admittedly, the reason he eventually accepts in the animated was weak, and the idea that Pakku changes his minds only after the attack in the next episode is more grounded, kind of matching how women's rights was advanced after WW2 in some countries because of how much women contributed to the economy during the war effort. Still, Katara becoming a master without training and in such a short time is dubious, and the "Girl Power" aspect is not a good enough reason for this. To be fair, it was also too fast in the animated.
Finally, last rambling: Azula's arc... Was this whole for this? I really think removing Azula from season 1 would have been better. Her arrival in season 2 and her cold deadly strength was absolutely amazing in the animated. Now we see her as physically strong but emotionally weak, which is really sad.
So overall, a decent episode, but with many small aspects preventing it from being thoroughly enjoyable.