It’s an absurd and fun Wizard of Oz-style episode.Ĥ4. We see how Sokka was affected by losing Yue, Katara still feeling the loss of her mother, and hints pointing to a lifelong friend Aang is about to meet. It’s hilarious, and hilariously pro-murder for a children’s show. The Gaang follow Sherlock-esque clues to prove Avatar Kyoshi couldn’t have have committed a mysterious murder, only for Kyoshi to show up and admit she did it before peacing out. Here, “Avatar” is teaching that you should always fight and try to do the right thing, even when you’re backed into a corner. Moreover, the Gaang give the village a way to fight back against the Fire Nation, which has been forcing Teo’s father to build machinery for it. Teo is wheelchair-bound with the soul of an airbender, so Aang decides to share his culture. Book 1, Episode 17: “The Northern Air Temple” Here, “Avatar” tells us that such violence is never okay.Ĥ7. People in pain may do terrible things and convince themselves that awful violence and hatred are excusable. Jet is the original bad boy, and the first seed of one of the show’s ultimate messages is shown: No one nation is the good guy, and no one nation is the bad guy. Book 2, Episode 2: “The Cave of Two Lovers”Īs well as being a Kataang episode, this one showcases a delightfully wacky group of nomads who increase in number as the episode goes on, sing the absolute jam “Secret Tunnel,” and make Sokka facepalm so much his face goes red. Here he does something bad out of fear and reaps the consequences, as he learns to trust his found family.Ĥ9. Up to this point in the series, Aang has been a funny, lighthearted and well-meaning kid. Book 1, Episode 15: “Bato of the Water Tribe” When Zuko wins he shows more honor than Zhao does by taking his victory with grace, further setting up Zuko’s spectacular redemption arc.ĥ0. We also meet antagonist Admiral Zhao, who Zuko defeats in the show’s first Agni Kai. You thought this was going to be a happy-go-lucky kids adventure? Sorry, turns out Aang is the only survivor of a genocide of his people. Book 1, Episode 3: “The Southern Air Temple” The exposition has a point, thankfully, so it’s ultimately an enjoyable episode.ĥ1. Naked Iroh fights off Earth Kingdom soldiers, we meet Aang’s predecessor Avatar Roku, and the Gaang successfully convince a murderous panda spirit not to kidnap villagers. Book 1, Episode 8: “Winter Solstice - Part 2: Avatar Roku” Book 1, Episode 9: “The Waterbending Scroll”Īnother Katara episode - in case you were starting to think she was the Mom Friend, she decides to steal from pirates, before Zuko’s cronies get involved, and it goes about as well as you’d expect. It turns out the Gaang can’t make people want to fight because “Avatar” is all about choices, the Earth Kingdom prisoners have to choose it for themselves.ĥ3. Honestly, it’s exactly in the spirit of Avatar. Like the preteens and teenagers that Aang, Katara and Sokka are, they see getting captured by the enemy and becoming a literal prisoner of war in order to incite resistance against oppressors as a good plan. Book 1, Episode 7: “Winter Solstice - Part 1: The Spirit World”Įxposition time: In addition to learning the four elements, the Avatar has a spiritual responsibility. This episode gave us memorable exchanges like “Can your science explain why it rains?” “Yes! Yes, it can!” - not to mention some lovely messages about shaping your own destiny - but is largely inconsequential.ĥ5. Sokka learns that girls can fight too and Aang learns that hero worship is a double-edged sword. Book 1, Episode 4: “The Warriors of Kyoshi” Insane King Bumi’s introduction is fun, even if it’s a bit obvious that he’s Aang’s childhood friend.ĥ7. It deftly establishes Zuko’s potential, and when Aang, Sokka and Katara take off on Appa, it’s the real beginning of the show.ĥ8. And off the bat, Zuko shows he has honor - he promises to leave in peace if given the Avatar, and he does. Book 1, Episode 2: “The Avatar Returns”įor the record, Aang was never officially unbanished from the Southern Water Tribe. It’s a bit moralistic and heavy-handed, even if Aang’s lie to the two tribes is hilarious.ĥ9.
It’s a good sign when a series only goes up from the first episode.Ħ0. Book 1, Episode 1: “The Boy in the Iceberg” The series as a whole is excellent, but how do the individual episodes stack up? By no popular demand, here is an entirely objective ranking of all 61 episodes of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” from worst to best.Ħ1.
In fact, it’s one of the best shows of all time, full stop. “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is one of the best animated series of all time.