Next episode is my personal favorite of the entire series. There is a fan theory that Hama’s discovery of blood bending and her escape let to the fire nation killing Sokka and Katara’s mom!
Some people don't like Katara in this episode, but I think it's outstanding in portraying prolonged grief towards losing a loved one. We've seen her warmth and overall tenderness, but I think a lot of it comes from suppressing her anger over the situation, a lifetime surrounded by war, pain and death. Seeing it finally come out feels raw and powerful, and Mae Whitman acts the hell out of it. Also I love the expression on Zuko's face when she starts blood bending the captain; he's like, "Holy shit, that could've been me."
Katara's childhood died the day her mother died. Her father left soon after to fight in the war. I believe was his only way of working through his grief as well. Each fire bender he killed was for Kya. She could've turned out like Jet or Hama very, very easily.
Let’s also not forget that she overheard Sokka admit that he can’t remember what their mom looked like. Considering she most likely saw her dead body, that’s gotta sting for her on some level
It's the blood bending for me. That scene seems a little too..... obvious? Like "she was protecting the last water bender." "What? Who?" Like duh. Who else? "Oh it was this one girl in our tribe, she was so stuck up, she married some earth bender or something. Anyway, just wanted to mercilessly hunt you down just to tell you that. Have a nice day." Could you imagine? 😂😂😂
@@xxshatteredmetalxx To be fair, whether she was or wasn't a water bender the child of someone you murdered would still be out for revenge and a water tribe member would protect the water bender regardless of their relation to them.
Zukos reaction to Katara bloodbending is one of my favorite things. He has absolutely no idea what the limitations are, like when she can do it, so those threats she made toward him are horrifying
One thing that makes this episode so interesting is the similarities between Katara and Zuko with both of their mothers sacrificing themselves to protect them.
"You have no idea what this war put me through, me personally. The fire nation took my mother away." "I'm sorry. That's... Something we have in common."
I love the decision to portray Yon Rha as just some shitty old guy already basically condemned to his own personal hell, being force to spend the rest of his days constantly emasculated by his own mother. i also love them showing the reality of a young child holding a lifelong grudge and finally able to carry it out as a young adult. you create this image of the person who’s had so much power over your entire life from one brief encounter, a literal incarnation of evil, and when you’re finally able to confront them you expect to be david slaying goliath but in reality it’s just you standing over a feeble old man who’s begging for his life and pathetically trying to leverage his own mother’s life in exchange for his own as his final act. it weirdly humanizes him in a way you don’t expect.
There's a little detail that not everyone connects that adds to the tradgedy in Kya's death. At the end of book 1, Yagoda says to Katara that she is the spitting image of Kanna (grangran). In ep 7 of book 3, Sokka says that he can't remember what his mother's face looks like. In this episode, we finally see Kya's face, and which of her children looks EXACTLY like her? The one that can't remember what she looks like.
Same with anything secret! 2x03 🎶 SECRET PASSAGE 🎶 into Omashu. 3x02 🎶 SECRET RIVER 🎶 that leads into the Fire Lord’s palace. 3x06 🎶 SECRET HIST’RY 🎶 in the Dragon Bone Catacombs.
There is a theory that the reason they didn’t take Katara’s mom as a prisoner was because after Hama escaped they decided to just kill new southern water tribe benders in case they were blood benders
@@brianroman4114 This theory has been debunked so many times it is isn't funny. I've even done so myself. For one thing it doesn't fit in the timeline. Then you can consider other evidence such as how Iroh never warns Zuko of this 'bloodbending' ability even though he's going after the Avatar and friends and they have a waterbender. Then there's the fact that Katara's mom never apparently got the memo about this 'change in policy' though it must have been done 30 years or so before guessing at Hama's likely age when she escaped (40 or less) and likely current age (she looks 70 if not older ). Then , how are they going to find out about the 'bloodbending"? From the story of a single guard or two? Remember Hama has been in that village for decades and is kidnapping the villagers. She never went anywhere else, she never taught anyone but Katara...well, I could write a book but it simply makes no sense.
@@brianroman4114 Oh, and the other theory was that they knew the next Avatar would be a 'waterbender' assuming the Avatar died of old age in hiding or something. SO that's why they might kill waterbenders: esp waterbender children.
If the Avatar is killed in the Avatar state (even if he or she is a child and when would the Avatar state be weakest? Before they've fully developed their abilities obviously) then the cycle is broken. So yes, they could 'end' the Avatar if they kill waterbender children. Anyway, that's the other big theory. I didn't say I subscribed to either one.
Something that's useful to note is that when Zuko and Katara attacked that ship and Katara used her bloodbending against that one captain, it was only possible because it was the night of a full moon. I've noticed a few reactors by this point in the series forget that that very crucial caveat exists (which turns an otherwise busted ability into something that is very situational). Just to make it clear that it's not something Katara just has in her back pocket at all times.
Notice how in the morning after we see Sokka waiting for Suki in the tent, he's holding a lei of flowers. It's indicating Sokka got "lei'd" and Suki got "deflowered." 🤭
I love how this episode links into Aang's internal struggle about what to do with the fire lord. If Katara has taken her vengeance, would Aang have acted differently in the end?
I don't think Aang would've acted differently even if Katara had taken her revenge. Because that act would've changed Katara for the worse, and he would've known the words of the monks to be true. If anything it would've further steeled his resolve towards not killing the Fire Lord. The bigger problem to have happened, however, would've been that Aang and Katara wouldn't have ended up together. That act would've been enough to turn him away from her. And if there was anything that would've made Zutara possible, it would've been this moment. Because now you would've had two broken characters who would've worked through their emotions together. Of course this would've probably happened after the series ended, because there's just not enough time remaining to cover this story in the series.
Katara likely saw her mom's burnt body and realized she died protecting her. Katara begins to trust Zuko, and Zuko's actions lead to Aang's death by another fire bender. Yeah, I think she's full of righteous fear and hate of fire benders. Most people would've killed that guy without hesitation. The look on Zuko's face with the blood bending and shield of rain was priceless. I think he realized that Katara's earlier threat was not an empty one. An enraged Katara could probably kill just about anyone she wanted.
This episode really reminds you how powerful Katara has become. She used to not even be able to do a water whip properly or make a wave. Now she’s making giant waves that are capable of moving ships, bloodbend, stop rain, she’s really come a long way:
One of my favorite things between this fight between Zuko and Azula is how Zuko no longer grunts and yells while firebending, because his fire no longer comes from rage. This has also made his style much more defensive and fluid, whereas before it was rigid and aggressive, something Azula exploited
Katara is one of the extremely few fictional characters that I will defend to the death, making this episode a crucial point on which I decide whether or not to continue watching the reactor. Anyone who bashes on Katara for this episode (+her lashing out at Hakoda) clearly doesn't understand anything about childhood trauma, premature familial separation, delayed grief, and so on. She's suppressed her pain for the sake of caring immensely for those around her, all the while never getting the emotional support she needs. Katara's the reason Sokka was able to cope and move on from Kya's death, 'cause Katara literally filled that place for him, as Sokka himself admits in the Runaway. No one filled that place for Katara, making Kya's death MUCH more personal and ingrained, going as far to shaping her whole identity and self-image as a person, and traumatizes her with having witnessed her burned corpse. So while it wasn't the nicest thing to say, she is right; Sokka didn't love her the way she did. Note that Katara doesn't say "you didn't love her AS MUCH AS I did", as so many people so inaccurately remember. Such a smart and careful word choice by the writers that unfortunately goes unnoticed by many "fans" of the show. As for Aang, while he's also experienced the loss of his people, it really is different from Katara's. He does grieve in season 1 episode 3, but after that, he is able to move on (again, thanks to Katara filling that void), and it doesn't really get personally ingrained into him as much as to shape his whole identity as a person, but more of a plot device for his avatar growth. Again, Katara's loss is MUCH more personal and deep-rooted , affecting every part of her character, and is never properly filled or resolved. After always selflessly caring for others' needs while getting her's neglected, this episode is where she finally gets a chance to really get some care for HER needs, which are so evidently and painfully present whenever she brings up Kya. Poor girl :( Katara richly embodies so much of the shows core values and lessons, so anyone who has watched three whole seasons of Katara but somehow can't understand her here but slanders her instead with ridiculous remarks saying she's "annoying" "selfish and self-righteous" "talks about her mother too much" should be embarassed to even call themselves an ATLA fan.
Yes! Thank you! I always dread this episode when it comes to watching reactions because sadly most people have zero patience for Katara the minute she stops being everyone else's emotional support and puts her emotions first.
My favorite theory is that hama was the southern water bender that they were looking for. Hama knew she was wanted so she never went back and that is why they raided during the day. It's really messed up but also a great way to tie those two events together. Sad but very deep!
I think they had someone else, informing simply because that person was trying to save either themselves or their family who might have been a water bender. Also, I think by that point, they couldn’t get any more water benders from the southern tribe to try and figure out if they were the next avatar. Seeing as the north was pretty much unattainable to raid
I always feel so bad for sokka when katara says "then you didn't love her like I did" its super unfair and probably one of the meanest things any protagonist says in this series
In her defence, I think that mostly stems from her overhearing him admit that he can’t remember what their mom looked like. For someone who DEFINITELY saw her dead body, that’s gotta sting on some level
@@ch33les99well totally understandable she was still in the wrong. Just because katara had the “benefit” of watching that prick take her mother away doesn’t mean she loves her more. Honestly she’s very lucky that her brother is as understanding as he was, I’ve seen grief makes mistakes like this get pretty stupid.
@@testgravityy so soka didn't love the mom as much as Katara yes I get you didn't say that but that's what it sounds like literally she listened to what her brother said he was more mature
the look on Zuko's face when he sees her bloodbend is the high point of this episode for me and a testament to how good the animation is. You see everything going on in his head...
"Not everyone in the family can be sane." I'm sorry, WHAT?! Pffft, Iroh good-aligned, but even his sanity is questionable at times. Azula's at the worst in but the Fire family is always a little crazy.
One of my favorite episodes of the entire series. The massaging this show had was amazing including the importance of forgiveness and how important it is .
Zuko's really showing how much influence his uncle had on his bending now that he's found his purpose and made his pilgimage. He's much more defensive and deliberate, dissolving enemy fire while maneuvering instead of the frantic attacking he used to use. Actually, now that I think of it, maybe the reason he was always seen as less than his sister is that he really wasn't suited towards that kind of aggressive style taught by the modern Fire Nation? If the Sun Warrior style was taught, to him earlier, Zuko might have been seen as a talented Firebender. He's much more suited towards the ancient style he learned from the dragons- and from his uncle.
Here is my reading way to far into the show interpretation: Katara is a powerful Waterbender NOW. She was the last one to see her Mother back THEN. It doesn't matter that it isn't logical. Grief isn't logical. She blames herself for her Mother's death and feels tremendous guilt over the loss of her Mother. If she only had the abilities she has now there is no way that man would have taken her Mother from her then. You can read this as a through line for almost all of her character actions through out the series. She wants to learn Waterbending to be protect the people she loves. She's jealous of Aang being a naturally better bender because she wants to be better so bad, she steals the Waterbending scroll because it will lead to her being better. She becomes close with Haru because of his father having been taken, he is alive but her Mother isn't so she pushes to get him back for Haru. She falls for Jet because he is doing what she wished she had done, fight back against the Fire Nation. She wants to fight instead of heal in the Northern Water Tribe because THAT is how she will protect those closest to her. There are many other examples you could interpret this way. All this to say that she connected that grief and as she says when she pictures the face of the Fire Nation she pictures Zuko. This grief is guilt and when she forgives Zuko at the end of this episode she is really forgiving herself. She needed to get there and to have that decision this time, to have that power and to decide not to use it. Anyway, that's my take on it.
Feels like Whale Tail Island is mentioned a lot, but i can actually only recall two. This episode, and when a janitor mentioned that Appa was sent there while captured.
I think its mentioned in the first episode of book 3. "Admiral X is on leave at whail tail island" after the gaang tries to trick the other fire nation ship
1:10 "I am about to celebrate becoming an only child!" She's a-slippin', folks. 😄 Also, it's been said that those who use bloodbending open themselves up to madness. By now, the girls have seen some of this for themselves in TLoK ... And finally, another Zutara moment at 12:44. 🙄😏😁
2:58 It’s not just that she doesn’t like him. We’ve really only seen her act this way with three people, and it always relates in some way to her mom. Jet and Zuko both bonded with her over her mother’s death, and then they both betrayed her on a deep level shortly after. And then Hakoda leaving to fight the war, which also left her and Sokka without a parent. Kya didn’t willingly leave, but Hakoda did. She worked things out with him pretty easily because she logically understood why he left. With Jet she didn’t have the chance to work things out before he died. And now we see her work things out with Zuko.
The next morning after the tent talk, Sokka is wearing Sukis flowers as a Lei, as a subtle reference to Sokka getting "lei'd" and Suki getting "deflowered".
The question stands with a hell of a sting... "...What are you going to do when you face my father?" ...And, all at once, Aang is alone, tasked with the duty of having to reckon with something that could end all chapters of his innocence and childhood forever: the confounding paradox of a RIGHTEOUS KILL, so even the world entire may be saved. As the saying goes, he is "God's only man." In the words of Admiral Kirk of Star Trek fame, "I know that none of you were expecting this. I'm sorry. "I'm going to have to ask you to grow up a little bit sooner than you expected."
This is probably one of the most hard hitting episodes for me since The Storm. When I was watching this as a kid, maybe 7 years old, my mom wasn’t in my life. I always felt connected to Zuko and Katara’s story when it came to their mom and missing them, but I remember as a kid I used to be running around pretending I was Katara, looking for my mother. Now before anyone cries, fast forward to 21 years old and me and my mom have coffee every morning, I’ve known her for years now, started seeing her daily at around 16 🙏🏼 But yeah, that’s one of the many reasons this show is the closest to my heart out of any form of media I’ve ever consumed.
Dude just got back from an all day fishing trip at south padre island. Caught 25 speckled trout 2 gafftops and 1 redfish. It was a great day. I come back fillet the fish made some great grub and just plopped down to scroll and see this this new video. This is a very nice cherry on top to my ice cream sundae of a day. I hope everyone else had as An amazing day as I did and if not may Tmmr be a better day for y’all.
I scrolled through a few of the comments but didn’t see it mentioned so if someone already said it, I apologize. Whale Tail Island is where the lying guy who was sweeping in Ba Sing Se said that Appa had been taken. They were going to have to go almost all the way back to the Southern Water Tribe.
Season 3 katara brings out the tears man When she first spoke to her dad about how he left them and she needed him Broke me And this scene when she forgave zuko he voice is do emotional and soft
SPOILERS maybe idk This pictures very well how Aang and Katara's relationship works: they loved each other basically at first sight, but Aang was too kiddish and carefree to prove himself as capable of caring for her, and Katara was too somber and traumatised to be honest to herself about her feelings and tried very hard to convince herself her love was motherly or sisterly, until 'The Fortuneteller' forced her to reconsider; but from the very beginning, each one had exactly the other sought: Katara had the hope and maturity Aang needed, and Aang had the joy and innocence Katara had lost. The official Avatar channel says Aang won Katara's heart at the moment he stopped the volcano, but I disagree -- that was when she *realised* it; in my opinion the moment he actually won her over was when they penguin-sledded -- at that moment Katara's childhood was restituted.
As f*cked up as it is that Katara said that to Sokka, I think it mostly stems from her overhearing him admit that he can’t remember what their mom looked like. For someone who DEFINITELY saw her dead body, that’s gotta sting on some level
Aang in The Library: "YOU MUZZLED APPA?! IM'A GO FULL KYOSHI ON YOU RIGHT NOW! IM'A GO HARRY DID YA PUTJA NAME IN DA GOBLET A FIAHHH ON YO ASSES! AVATAR STATE YIP YIP!" Aang in The Southern Raiders: "Revenge is for the weak, choose forgiveness instead! I mean, what did he really do, anyway, take your mother away from you? Come on, Katara, just forgive the guy already."
Yon ra was a horrible man he burned her mom alive and left it specifically for katara father to see it. People say this show isn’t dark lol. Nicklodeon just did a great job with hiding some of it.
Honestly even though the series was over after this book. I really hope that somone gets the rights to make the Graphic Novels that follow into either feature length animated movies or small mini series with lkesay 8 - 10 episodes. Zuko finding his mother and Sokka and Katara's return to the South are really interesting stories. Those are the only two I've seen anywhere, but I'm fairly certain there is also one with Azula too. I know there are RUclips videos that tells us what happened after this series but I've never physically seen the story with Azula after the show. I wouldn't even mind seeing one with Toph and Aang all grown up either.
I saw someone compare Azula and Zuko: zuko started at level 1 and azula started at level 20. Growth rate eventually slows down for azula and zuko has a chance to catch up. Happens to prodigy kids too. Just thought it was a nice way compare them.
She shouldn't have to. Katara, the one who can't sleep, can't eat, can't drink, consumed with grief and loss, desperately needing to find justice for her mother, she's the one who needs to apologize to Sokka, the one who is more preoccupied with snu snu with Suki all episode long, who doesn't even remember his mother's face, who doesn't really ever think about his mother at all, the woman who birthed him, cared for him, fed him, clothed him, raised him for YEARS, she barely even exists to him, who expresses little to no interest in finding justice for his own mother, yes he's the one who deserves an apology.
@@RecoveringChristian I kind of understand what you mean. But, there’s also closure. I’m sure Sokka has had his share of grief and pain. But he also got closure on his way to the point that he doesn’t dwell on the feeling of getting justice, and knows there’s an important mission ahead which is helping Aang to end the war. What better way of getting justice than helping end the war that killed her mother? Again, I totally understand that Katara hasn’t moved on from their mother’s dead (does anyone?) and that she’s overwhelmed by all these feelings, but again, you can’t blame Sokka for trying to have a (sort of) normal life and having a relationship and such. What she said to him was wrong from any angle.
@@gbermudezmora what closure? I dont think about it. Oh? I can bring the man, who took away my mother, destroyed a family, definitely helped spur my dad to travel abroad on his own missions away from his family (his own way of coping losing his wife), to justice? Nah I'm good. WHERE ARE YOU SUKI????
I love and dread this episode. because it's the most human of all the episodes. Katara is willing to, and does terribel things in this episode, inclouding murder. She has no qualms about it. And of the gang she is maybe the "best" of them when it comes to doing "the right thing". Bur not when it*s about her mother, not when it actually important to her. Then all bets are off, which is terrifying to me. " Deamons run when a good man goes to war" really says it all. This episode is great, beacuse it is not preaching. It's an admition, to something we all feel. Everybody want's to be the better person, but usually it's not the reason we do the "right thing". Usually, it's because we can't, because in our heart we are the better person, just not the one we want to be.
Yon Rha lived the rest of his pathetic life knowing there was a very powerful water bender out there who hated him very much. Likely never slept well again.
not taking prisoners because the last southern waterbender prisoner, Hama, was a bloodbender also that Katara found her mothers dead, probably burned, body when she was 5 or 6
I love the very nuanced take on Forgiveness. Yes, in life there will be slights and snubs and insults both deliberate and inadvertent , and it really is good both for one's mental health and happiness as well as for peace in the world to forgive or forget or both the little things. But there's a difference between small things and larger things like rapes or murders. Easy forgiveness can be counterproductive, esp if there is no true repentance on the part of the person or persons you are forgiving. Plus there is no moral or ethical principle that says one must forgive everything. There is a big difference between Zuko and Yon Rah: Zuko is actively seeking forgiveness and is working to repair any damage he caused. He shows true repentance. Yon Rah on the other hand is merely concerned with his own life, and probably, deep down inside, doesn't even think he did anything wrong. He was only 'following orders' in war, dontcha know? Anyway, Katara needed this. She needed to confront the man who killed her mother. And she needed herself to be the one to decide who she forgives and who she does not. In my opinion she makes the right choices. All in all an excellent story with much nuance when confronted with one of the cliches of our age.
Yeah, if the gaang were part of the allies in WW2 they would've asked everyone to forgive the Germans and make the SS do community rebuilding or something.🙄
@@FernandoMendoza-dw8nz : Well, to be fair, we did distinguish between the regular German Army (esp on the Western Front) many of whom were conscripts and the SS which was downright declared a 'criminal organization' and was sort of if you belonged to that you had to prove your innocence we didn't have to prove your guilt. But yeah, Aang means well, but his advice about forgiveness comes off as condescending and even a bit bossy. It's one thing to warn Katara of the dangers of revenge, it's another entirely to say 'forgiveness is always best'.
You summed up very nicely many of my thoughts and complaints I have with Aang's view. Forgiveness is for those that are worthy that make an effort of some kind. But if the person is vile and has no ounce of repentance they should not be forgiven because that is like saying what they are and did was okay. At that point the only thing the aggrieved party can do for their own mental health is accept the situation and allow themselves to move on almost like forgiving themselves. I always thought Aang's view was extremely naive to the point of dangerously unhealthy, but if you take 80% (random number) of his view and mix in a healthy does of justice and safety, then you have words to live by. We do have to remember that Aang is a kid and when kids are taught right and wrong it is normally very white and black morals and ethics. It takes experience to learn the world is much more complex and time to understand what you have learned. This episode really shows that Katara is very mature with her emotions and Aang is not.
@@Valecan : Yeah, Aang is a kid. Very wise, esp for his age (He properly listens to adults and learns from them and also seems to have an attitude of learning from anyone and everyone in and out of a classroom), but as you say, inexperienced and not used to all the grey in the world. Don't get me wrong: He has had to deal with forgiveness (He could be bitter at everyone in the current Firenation for the Genocide that happened 100 years ago) and he made the hard (No "collective guilt") but right choice in my opinion, but in a way, because his forgiveness is linked to A) People that are long dead and B ) Not individual in nature (An army is different than an individual) he has it a bit easier, even though the crime is far greater -genocide vs a single wartime execution/murder. Katara has to deal with a perp who is still alive and committed a crime against her personally.
While I disagree with Aang that violence is never the answer, in this instance he was right. Katara didn't need vengeance but she did need to confront him and it allowed her to separate her feelings there. Also, its a kids show so probably best to portray things as they did, let those complicated moral discussions happen a little later.
My personal favorite episode of season 3 ~Chad
Period taste
Have your buds checked out
Good Taste
Next episode is my personal favorite of the entire series.
There is a fan theory that Hama’s discovery of blood bending and her escape let to the fire nation killing Sokka and Katara’s mom!
very powerful episode
Some people don't like Katara in this episode, but I think it's outstanding in portraying prolonged grief towards losing a loved one. We've seen her warmth and overall tenderness, but I think a lot of it comes from suppressing her anger over the situation, a lifetime surrounded by war, pain and death. Seeing it finally come out feels raw and powerful, and Mae Whitman acts the hell out of it.
Also I love the expression on Zuko's face when she starts blood bending the captain; he's like, "Holy shit, that could've been me."
people just like on hating katara because he is normal and not perfect and because she acts like a teen.
Katara's childhood died the day her mother died. Her father left soon after to fight in the war. I believe was his only way of working through his grief as well. Each fire bender he killed was for Kya. She could've turned out like Jet or Hama very, very easily.
Let’s also not forget that she overheard Sokka admit that he can’t remember what their mom looked like. Considering she most likely saw her dead body, that’s gotta sting for her on some level
Who are the psychos hating Katara?? That's nonsense 😮
I was annoyed with Aang in this episode
Katara's "ME" ALWAYS gives me chills
It’s “do you know who I am?” for me
Same, such a powerful scene
It's the blood bending for me. That scene seems a little too..... obvious? Like "she was protecting the last water bender." "What? Who?" Like duh. Who else? "Oh it was this one girl in our tribe, she was so stuck up, she married some earth bender or something. Anyway, just wanted to mercilessly hunt you down just to tell you that. Have a nice day." Could you imagine? 😂😂😂
@@xxshatteredmetalxx To be fair, whether she was or wasn't a water bender the child of someone you murdered would still be out for revenge and a water tribe member would protect the water bender regardless of their relation to them.
Zukos reaction to Katara bloodbending is one of my favorite things. He has absolutely no idea what the limitations are, like when she can do it, so those threats she made toward him are horrifying
One thing that makes this episode so interesting is the similarities between Katara and Zuko with both of their mothers sacrificing themselves to protect them.
"You have no idea what this war put me through, me personally. The fire nation took my mother away."
"I'm sorry. That's... Something we have in common."
I love the decision to portray Yon Rha as just some shitty old guy already basically condemned to his own personal hell, being force to spend the rest of his days constantly emasculated by his own mother. i also love them showing the reality of a young child holding a lifelong grudge and finally able to carry it out as a young adult. you create this image of the person who’s had so much power over your entire life from one brief encounter, a literal incarnation of evil, and when you’re finally able to confront them you expect to be david slaying goliath but in reality it’s just you standing over a feeble old man who’s begging for his life and pathetically trying to leverage his own mother’s life in exchange for his own as his final act. it weirdly humanizes him in a way you don’t expect.
Perfectly said 😭❤️
People who hate Katara are inherently delusional and prolly azula's and amons fans
Mae Whitman did an excellent job voicing Katara in this episode
There's a little detail that not everyone connects that adds to the tradgedy in Kya's death. At the end of book 1, Yagoda says to Katara that she is the spitting image of Kanna (grangran). In ep 7 of book 3, Sokka says that he can't remember what his mother's face looks like. In this episode, we finally see Kya's face, and which of her children looks EXACTLY like her? The one that can't remember what she looks like.
I still get chills when Katara says *"ME!"* and stops the rain. I love this episode, the moral debates, bloodbending callback and everything
same.. whenever I watch this scene, I try to match her voice- I just can't match the anger tho. Mae Whitman killed it in this whole ep tbh
@@SubZeroJill Yo! Same! Hahaha. There's just a whole level she adds to the line that I can't do 👍
Zuko is probably thinking “shit, that could’ve been me” the first time he saw her Blood Bend.
Katara's life changing field trip with Zuko.
Toph’s is better imo
Am I the only one who can no longer hear the word "tunnel" without it immediately being followed by "SECRET TUNNELLL" in my head?? 😂
Your not, this happens when I am driving, or playing video games, and reading books.
Same with anything secret! 2x03 🎶 SECRET PASSAGE 🎶 into Omashu. 3x02 🎶 SECRET RIVER 🎶 that leads into the Fire Lord’s palace. 3x06 🎶 SECRET HIST’RY 🎶 in the Dragon Bone Catacombs.
This episode is amazing. You feel every ounce of Katara's rage, and feel her conflict when she does the right thing.
There is a theory that the reason they didn’t take Katara’s mom as a prisoner was because after Hama escaped they decided to just kill new southern water tribe benders in case they were blood benders
Yeah most likely. It's heavily implied to the point it's more than a theory. What else would be the explanation?
@@brianroman4114 This theory has been debunked so many times it is isn't funny. I've even done so myself. For one thing it doesn't fit in the timeline. Then you can consider other evidence such as how Iroh never warns Zuko of this 'bloodbending' ability even though he's going after the Avatar and friends and they have a waterbender. Then there's the fact that Katara's mom never apparently got the memo about this 'change in policy' though it must have been done 30 years or so before guessing at Hama's likely age when she escaped (40 or less) and likely current age (she looks 70 if not older ). Then , how are they going to find out about the 'bloodbending"? From the story of a single guard or two? Remember Hama has been in that village for decades and is kidnapping the villagers. She never went anywhere else, she never taught anyone but Katara...well, I could write a book but it simply makes no sense.
@@brianroman4114 Oh, and the other theory was that they knew the next Avatar would be a 'waterbender' assuming the Avatar died of old age in hiding or something. SO that's why they might kill waterbenders: esp waterbender children.
@@remo27that's a worse theory than the Hama
If the Avatar is killed in the Avatar state (even if he or she is a child and when would the Avatar state be weakest? Before they've fully developed their abilities obviously) then the cycle is broken. So yes, they could 'end' the Avatar if they kill waterbender children. Anyway, that's the other big theory. I didn't say I subscribed to either one.
Something that's useful to note is that when Zuko and Katara attacked that ship and Katara used her bloodbending against that one captain, it was only possible because it was the night of a full moon. I've noticed a few reactors by this point in the series forget that that very crucial caveat exists (which turns an otherwise busted ability into something that is very situational). Just to make it clear that it's not something Katara just has in her back pocket at all times.
Him offering his mother is darkly comedic for this show.
Notice how in the morning after we see Sokka waiting for Suki in the tent, he's holding a lei of flowers. It's indicating Sokka got "lei'd" and Suki got "deflowered."
🤭
I love how this episode links into Aang's internal struggle about what to do with the fire lord. If Katara has taken her vengeance, would Aang have acted differently in the end?
I don't think Aang would've acted differently even if Katara had taken her revenge. Because that act would've changed Katara for the worse, and he would've known the words of the monks to be true. If anything it would've further steeled his resolve towards not killing the Fire Lord. The bigger problem to have happened, however, would've been that Aang and Katara wouldn't have ended up together. That act would've been enough to turn him away from her.
And if there was anything that would've made Zutara possible, it would've been this moment. Because now you would've had two broken characters who would've worked through their emotions together. Of course this would've probably happened after the series ended, because there's just not enough time remaining to cover this story in the series.
Where was his internal struggle during the Darkest Sun?
Katara likely saw her mom's burnt body and realized she died protecting her. Katara begins to trust Zuko, and Zuko's actions lead to Aang's death by another fire bender. Yeah, I think she's full of righteous fear and hate of fire benders. Most people would've killed that guy without hesitation. The look on Zuko's face with the blood bending and shield of rain was priceless. I think he realized that Katara's earlier threat was not an empty one. An enraged Katara could probably kill just about anyone she wanted.
This episode really reminds you how powerful Katara has become. She used to not even be able to do a water whip properly or make a wave. Now she’s making giant waves that are capable of moving ships, bloodbend, stop rain, she’s really come a long way:
Full moon played a big role.
@@windygrass9807 Even before that, we still see that Katara was able to push ships away at the beginning of book 3 on the first episode.
I always tear up at this one. Katara's feelings are just so intense. And the voice acting sells it soooo well.
One of my favorite things between this fight between Zuko and Azula is how Zuko no longer grunts and yells while firebending, because his fire no longer comes from rage. This has also made his style much more defensive and fluid, whereas before it was rigid and aggressive, something Azula exploited
Zuko's character arc is amaze-balls! Like, literally the best. Love this channel... you're almost done!!!
I know :_(
Katara is one of the extremely few fictional characters that I will defend to the death, making this episode a crucial point on which I decide whether or not to continue watching the reactor.
Anyone who bashes on Katara for this episode (+her lashing out at Hakoda) clearly doesn't understand anything about childhood trauma, premature familial separation, delayed grief, and so on. She's suppressed her pain for the sake of caring immensely for those around her, all the while never getting the emotional support she needs. Katara's the reason Sokka was able to cope and move on from Kya's death, 'cause Katara literally filled that place for him, as Sokka himself admits in the Runaway. No one filled that place for Katara, making Kya's death MUCH more personal and ingrained, going as far to shaping her whole identity and self-image as a person, and traumatizes her with having witnessed her burned corpse. So while it wasn't the nicest thing to say, she is right; Sokka didn't love her the way she did. Note that Katara doesn't say "you didn't love her AS MUCH AS I did", as so many people so inaccurately remember. Such a smart and careful word choice by the writers that unfortunately goes unnoticed by many "fans" of the show.
As for Aang, while he's also experienced the loss of his people, it really is different from Katara's. He does grieve in season 1 episode 3, but after that, he is able to move on (again, thanks to Katara filling that void), and it doesn't really get personally ingrained into him as much as to shape his whole identity as a person, but more of a plot device for his avatar growth. Again, Katara's loss is MUCH more personal and deep-rooted , affecting every part of her character, and is never properly filled or resolved.
After always selflessly caring for others' needs while getting her's neglected, this episode is where she finally gets a chance to really get some care for HER needs, which are so evidently and painfully present whenever she brings up Kya. Poor girl :(
Katara richly embodies so much of the shows core values and lessons, so anyone who has watched three whole seasons of Katara but somehow can't understand her here but slanders her instead with ridiculous remarks saying she's "annoying" "selfish and self-righteous" "talks about her mother too much" should be embarassed to even call themselves an ATLA fan.
Yes! Thank you!
I always dread this episode when it comes to watching reactions because sadly most people have zero patience for Katara the minute she stops being everyone else's emotional support and puts her emotions first.
My favorite theory is that hama was the southern water bender that they were looking for. Hama knew she was wanted so she never went back and that is why they raided during the day. It's really messed up but also a great way to tie those two events together. Sad but very deep!
I think they had someone else, informing simply because that person was trying to save either themselves or their family who might have been a water bender. Also, I think by that point, they couldn’t get any more water benders from the southern tribe to try and figure out if they were the next avatar. Seeing as the north was pretty much unattainable to raid
Nah, the creators were asked about this Hama theory in a recent podcast and they said it wasn’t something they thought of and was just a fan theory.
cant believe maple predicted aang blasting the fire lord into space!
It always works
The look of horror and realization on Zuko's face...he realizes when she warned him...she wasn't kidding
Yon Rha's smile/laugh at the end was out of relief that Katara wasn't going to kill him.
Angry Katara is SO scary! If there is ever a zombie apocalypse I would want someone like that on my crew.
It's true when you cannot know how much love and tenderness someone has, because just as high as that is, their opposite is just as intense.
That visual pun. Sokka making a flower necklace was put there as a pun by the animators. Insinuating he got "lei-d"
Fun Fact: Zuko’s first time seeing Katara Bloodbend and thinking bout what she told him he was shook shook
I always feel so bad for sokka when katara says "then you didn't love her like I did" its super unfair and probably one of the meanest things any protagonist says in this series
In her defence, I think that mostly stems from her overhearing him admit that he can’t remember what their mom looked like. For someone who DEFINITELY saw her dead body, that’s gotta sting on some level
@@ch33les99well totally understandable she was still in the wrong. Just because katara had the “benefit” of watching that prick take her mother away doesn’t mean she loves her more. Honestly she’s very lucky that her brother is as understanding as he was, I’ve seen grief makes mistakes like this get pretty stupid.
@@shootout-shinobi6672meh, I agree but you have to account for Katara's survivors guilt, after all her mother died protecting her specifically
@@testgravityy so soka didn't love the mom as much as Katara yes I get you didn't say that but that's what it sounds like literally she listened to what her brother said he was more mature
@@testgravityy soka was right to be the leader always because Katara couldn't even keep her emotions in check and he didn't even have powers
the look on Zuko's face when he sees her bloodbend is the high point of this episode for me and a testament to how good the animation is. You see everything going on in his head...
"Not everyone in the family can be sane." I'm sorry, WHAT?! Pffft, Iroh good-aligned, but even his sanity is questionable at times. Azula's at the worst in but the Fire family is always a little crazy.
One of my favorite episodes of the entire series. The massaging this show had was amazing including the importance of forgiveness and how important it is .
I’m surprised that this episode isn’t talked about more. This should have been a 2-part episode instead of The Boiling Rock
Zuko's really showing how much influence his uncle had on his bending now that he's found his purpose and made his pilgimage.
He's much more defensive and deliberate, dissolving enemy fire while maneuvering instead of the frantic attacking he used to use.
Actually, now that I think of it, maybe the reason he was always seen as less than his sister is that he really wasn't suited towards that kind of aggressive style taught by the modern Fire Nation?
If the Sun Warrior style was taught, to him earlier, Zuko might have been seen as a talented Firebender.
He's much more suited towards the ancient style he learned from the dragons- and from his uncle.
Zuko seeing that bloodbending and being *very* thankful he switched sides when he did.
Here is my reading way to far into the show interpretation: Katara is a powerful Waterbender NOW. She was the last one to see her Mother back THEN. It doesn't matter that it isn't logical. Grief isn't logical. She blames herself for her Mother's death and feels tremendous guilt over the loss of her Mother. If she only had the abilities she has now there is no way that man would have taken her Mother from her then.
You can read this as a through line for almost all of her character actions through out the series. She wants to learn Waterbending to be protect the people she loves. She's jealous of Aang being a naturally better bender because she wants to be better so bad, she steals the Waterbending scroll because it will lead to her being better. She becomes close with Haru because of his father having been taken, he is alive but her Mother isn't so she pushes to get him back for Haru. She falls for Jet because he is doing what she wished she had done, fight back against the Fire Nation. She wants to fight instead of heal in the Northern Water Tribe because THAT is how she will protect those closest to her.
There are many other examples you could interpret this way. All this to say that she connected that grief and as she says when she pictures the face of the Fire Nation she pictures Zuko. This grief is guilt and when she forgives Zuko at the end of this episode she is really forgiving herself. She needed to get there and to have that decision this time, to have that power and to decide not to use it.
Anyway, that's my take on it.
The one that i need to see is zuko mouth behind the mask when he reacted to katara bloodbending. Im curious what face he would behind the mask 😂😂😂
Feels like Whale Tail Island is mentioned a lot, but i can actually only recall two.
This episode, and when a janitor mentioned that Appa was sent there while captured.
I think its mentioned in the first episode of book 3. "Admiral X is on leave at whail tail island" after the gaang tries to trick the other fire nation ship
@@Serryy He said Ember Island, not Whale Tail Island.
@@cjg8763 that's right! Sorry
Whaletail Island was first mentioned in the episode, "Lake Laogai".
1:10
"I am about to celebrate becoming an only child!"
She's a-slippin', folks. 😄
Also, it's been said that those who use bloodbending open themselves up to madness. By now, the girls have seen some of this for themselves in TLoK ...
And finally, another Zutara moment at 12:44. 🙄😏😁
2:58 It’s not just that she doesn’t like him. We’ve really only seen her act this way with three people, and it always relates in some way to her mom. Jet and Zuko both bonded with her over her mother’s death, and then they both betrayed her on a deep level shortly after.
And then Hakoda leaving to fight the war, which also left her and Sokka without a parent. Kya didn’t willingly leave, but Hakoda did. She worked things out with him pretty easily because she logically understood why he left. With Jet she didn’t have the chance to work things out before he died. And now we see her work things out with Zuko.
The next morning after the tent talk, Sokka is wearing Sukis flowers as a Lei, as a subtle reference to Sokka getting "lei'd" and Suki getting "deflowered".
What??
Ew
The question stands with a hell of a sting...
"...What are you going to do when you face my father?"
...And, all at once, Aang is alone, tasked with the duty of having to reckon with something that could end all chapters of his innocence and childhood forever: the confounding paradox of a RIGHTEOUS KILL, so even the world entire may be saved.
As the saying goes, he is "God's only man."
In the words of Admiral Kirk of Star Trek fame,
"I know that none of you were expecting this. I'm sorry.
"I'm going to have to ask you to grow up a little bit sooner than you expected."
This is probably one of the most hard hitting episodes for me since The Storm.
When I was watching this as a kid, maybe 7 years old, my mom wasn’t in my life. I always felt connected to Zuko and Katara’s story when it came to their mom and missing them, but I remember as a kid I used to be running around pretending I was Katara, looking for my mother.
Now before anyone cries, fast forward to 21 years old and me and my mom have coffee every morning, I’ve known her for years now, started seeing her daily at around 16 🙏🏼
But yeah, that’s one of the many reasons this show is the closest to my heart out of any form of media I’ve ever consumed.
Dude just got back from an all day fishing trip at south padre island. Caught 25 speckled trout 2 gafftops and 1 redfish. It was a great day. I come back fillet the fish made some great grub and just plopped down to scroll and see this this new video. This is a very nice cherry on top to my ice cream sundae of a day. I hope everyone else had as
An amazing day as I did and if not may Tmmr be a better day for y’all.
I scrolled through a few of the comments but didn’t see it mentioned so if someone already said it, I apologize. Whale Tail Island is where the lying guy who was sweeping in Ba Sing Se said that Appa had been taken. They were going to have to go almost all the way back to the Southern Water Tribe.
Season 3 katara brings out the tears man
When she first spoke to her dad about how he left them and she needed him
Broke me
And this scene when she forgave zuko he voice is do emotional and soft
I always get so excited when I get the notification that an Avatar reaction has been posted! Always makes my day!
Whale tail island was mention when they found Jeff and the old man said they were going to take apa their.
Adult episode from kids show, pretty dark, serious and great, love it
I love that Katara shows the best and worst of herself in this episode! She is such a queen!
I love that, “oh shit” look on Zuko’s face when she bloodbends the guy.
8:23 i never noticed that she was crying
Katara stopping the rain is my favorite scene. Chills everytime. Something about just reversing nature in that way.
Yon Rha was the commander of the Southern Raiders for more than ten years.
Katara hasn't seen him since she was eight years old, over seven years ago.
SPOILERS maybe idk
This pictures very well how Aang and Katara's relationship works: they loved each other basically at first sight, but Aang was too kiddish and carefree to prove himself as capable of caring for her, and Katara was too somber and traumatised to be honest to herself about her feelings and tried very hard to convince herself her love was motherly or sisterly, until 'The Fortuneteller' forced her to reconsider; but from the very beginning, each one had exactly the other sought: Katara had the hope and maturity Aang needed, and Aang had the joy and innocence Katara had lost. The official Avatar channel says Aang won Katara's heart at the moment he stopped the volcano, but I disagree -- that was when she *realised* it; in my opinion the moment he actually won her over was when they penguin-sledded -- at that moment Katara's childhood was restituted.
Sure, Aang loved Katara at first sight, but vice versa? The "in love" part was _definitely_ more gradual on Katara's end.
8:19 Can't even count how many times I've rewatched this show and I never noticed the tears in her eye up until now.,
As f*cked up as it is that Katara said that to Sokka, I think it mostly stems from her overhearing him admit that he can’t remember what their mom looked like. For someone who DEFINITELY saw her dead body, that’s gotta sting on some level
Whale tale island is where the livery worker tells the gaang Appa's been taken to.
Aang in The Library: "YOU MUZZLED APPA?! IM'A GO FULL KYOSHI ON YOU RIGHT NOW! IM'A GO HARRY DID YA PUTJA NAME IN DA GOBLET A FIAHHH ON YO ASSES! AVATAR STATE YIP YIP!"
Aang in The Southern Raiders: "Revenge is for the weak, choose forgiveness instead! I mean, what did he really do, anyway, take your mother away from you? Come on, Katara, just forgive the guy already."
Katara can't even confront her mother's killer, but Aang gets to kill a wasp that was just protecting it's home because he felt upset
Survivor's guilt is always a bad thing.
Yon ra was a horrible man he burned her mom alive and left it specifically for katara father to see it. People say this show isn’t dark lol. Nicklodeon just did a great job with hiding some of it.
zuko looked at katara like "they can do that shit huh?"
The Raiders' ships are designed for attacking coastal villages.
3:37 Well, looks like Sokka was ready for a fun night.
Bow chika bow wow!
Yes, you heard whaletail island before, on episode lake laogai, they mentioned it before
1:51 don't even ask how did Zuko survive 😃
I think the shippers of Zuko and Katara were empowered this episode
Which is funny considering that tis episode shows exactly why Katara and Zuko would be a toxic couple and why Aang and Katara are a great couple.
Honestly even though the series was over after this book. I really hope that somone gets the rights to make the Graphic Novels that follow into either feature length animated movies or small mini series with lkesay 8 - 10 episodes. Zuko finding his mother and Sokka and Katara's return to the South are really interesting stories. Those are the only two I've seen anywhere, but I'm fairly certain there is also one with Azula too. I know there are RUclips videos that tells us what happened after this series but I've never physically seen the story with Azula after the show. I wouldn't even mind seeing one with Toph and Aang all grown up either.
The 2nd to the last episode will have you in aww in beauty and sound
I ain’t gonna lie when I first watched this as a kid I thought the old man was gonna be redeemable then he threw his own mother under the bus 😂
I saw someone compare Azula and Zuko: zuko started at level 1 and azula started at level 20. Growth rate eventually slows down for azula and zuko has a chance to catch up. Happens to prodigy kids too.
Just thought it was a nice way compare them.
Everyone: Nothing is worst than a Monday.
Azula: Oh, pish posh! Hold my tea.
Two people that had awesome mothers meet a terrible person that doesn't care about his own
Toph's earthbending style is based on "Praying Mantis" Kung Fu, which, some believe, was invented by a blind woman!
avatar 3:16 says Katara's gonna whip yo ass!
Katara was meant to be named Kaya but theere was some copyright issues, her mum is a throwback to that
11:40 I never noticed that little bit of foreshadowing.
Azula is starting to slowly loose it starting with this episode
The way Zuko dropped that question at the end...oof.
What always gets me in this episode is Katara never apologizes to Sokka for what she said.
She shouldn't have to. Katara, the one who can't sleep, can't eat, can't drink, consumed with grief and loss, desperately needing to find justice for her mother, she's the one who needs to apologize to Sokka, the one who is more preoccupied with snu snu with Suki all episode long, who doesn't even remember his mother's face, who doesn't really ever think about his mother at all, the woman who birthed him, cared for him, fed him, clothed him, raised him for YEARS, she barely even exists to him, who expresses little to no interest in finding justice for his own mother, yes he's the one who deserves an apology.
@@RecoveringChristian I kind of understand what you mean. But, there’s also closure. I’m sure Sokka has had his share of grief and pain. But he also got closure on his way to the point that he doesn’t dwell on the feeling of getting justice, and knows there’s an important mission ahead which is helping Aang to end the war. What better way of getting justice than helping end the war that killed her mother? Again, I totally understand that Katara hasn’t moved on from their mother’s dead (does anyone?) and that she’s overwhelmed by all these feelings, but again, you can’t blame Sokka for trying to have a (sort of) normal life and having a relationship and such. What she said to him was wrong from any angle.
@@gbermudezmora the more important mission was releasing his hormones with Suki. It took about the same time.
@@gbermudezmora what closure? I dont think about it. Oh? I can bring the man, who took away my mother, destroyed a family, definitely helped spur my dad to travel abroad on his own missions away from his family (his own way of coping losing his wife), to justice? Nah I'm good. WHERE ARE YOU SUKI????
@@gbermudezmora does anyone? Well according to you and to Sokka, Sokka does, very well indeed.
3:40 This is pretty much what it looks like! 😂🤣
I love and dread this episode. because it's the most human of all the episodes. Katara is willing to, and does terribel things in this episode, inclouding murder. She has no qualms about it. And of the gang she is maybe the "best" of them when it comes to doing "the right thing". Bur not when it*s about her mother, not when it actually important to her. Then all bets are off, which is terrifying to me. " Deamons run when a good man goes to war" really says it all. This episode is great, beacuse it is not preaching. It's an admition, to something we all feel. Everybody want's to be the better person, but usually it's not the reason we do the "right thing". Usually, it's because we can't, because in our heart we are the better person, just not the one we want to be.
This is my favorite episode of the entire show it was so good 😊
one of my fav episodes 😭
Yon Rha lived the rest of his pathetic life knowing there was a very powerful water bender out there who hated him very much. Likely never slept well again.
No one ever mentions how suki and sokka were getting it on.
not taking prisoners because the last southern waterbender prisoner, Hama, was a bloodbender
also that Katara found her mothers dead, probably burned, body when she was 5 or 6
I fucking lost it when she called Zuko an eboy 🤣
Just noticing that the same actor as azula voiced kataras mom 😅
8:50 Zuko be like : 👀💀🩸
The “her threat when I first joined was real” look
Whale tail island mention by old man in ba sing se when Jet help Aang gang, old man said they brought Appa to that island.
9:50 Maple is hilarious 😂
Monty Python ftw
I love the very nuanced take on Forgiveness. Yes, in life there will be slights and snubs and insults both deliberate and inadvertent , and it really is good both for one's mental health and happiness as well as for peace in the world to forgive or forget or both the little things. But there's a difference between small things and larger things like rapes or murders. Easy forgiveness can be counterproductive, esp if there is no true repentance on the part of the person or persons you are forgiving. Plus there is no moral or ethical principle that says one must forgive everything. There is a big difference between Zuko and Yon Rah: Zuko is actively seeking forgiveness and is working to repair any damage he caused. He shows true repentance. Yon Rah on the other hand is merely concerned with his own life, and probably, deep down inside, doesn't even think he did anything wrong. He was only 'following orders' in war, dontcha know? Anyway, Katara needed this. She needed to confront the man who killed her mother. And she needed herself to be the one to decide who she forgives and who she does not. In my opinion she makes the right choices. All in all an excellent story with much nuance when confronted with one of the cliches of our age.
Yeah, if the gaang were part of the allies in WW2 they would've asked everyone to forgive the Germans and make the SS do community rebuilding or something.🙄
@@FernandoMendoza-dw8nz : Well, to be fair, we did distinguish between the regular German Army (esp on the Western Front) many of whom were conscripts and the SS which was downright declared a 'criminal organization' and was sort of if you belonged to that you had to prove your innocence we didn't have to prove your guilt. But yeah, Aang means well, but his advice about forgiveness comes off as condescending and even a bit bossy. It's one thing to warn Katara of the dangers of revenge, it's another entirely to say 'forgiveness is always best'.
You summed up very nicely many of my thoughts and complaints I have with Aang's view. Forgiveness is for those that are worthy that make an effort of some kind. But if the person is vile and has no ounce of repentance they should not be forgiven because that is like saying what they are and did was okay. At that point the only thing the aggrieved party can do for their own mental health is accept the situation and allow themselves to move on almost like forgiving themselves. I always thought Aang's view was extremely naive to the point of dangerously unhealthy, but if you take 80% (random number) of his view and mix in a healthy does of justice and safety, then you have words to live by. We do have to remember that Aang is a kid and when kids are taught right and wrong it is normally very white and black morals and ethics. It takes experience to learn the world is much more complex and time to understand what you have learned. This episode really shows that Katara is very mature with her emotions and Aang is not.
@@Valecan : Yeah, Aang is a kid. Very wise, esp for his age (He properly listens to adults and learns from them and also seems to have an attitude of learning from anyone and everyone in and out of a classroom), but as you say, inexperienced and not used to all the grey in the world. Don't get me wrong: He has had to deal with forgiveness (He could be bitter at everyone in the current Firenation for the Genocide that happened 100 years ago) and he made the hard (No "collective guilt") but right choice in my opinion, but in a way, because his forgiveness is linked to A) People that are long dead and B ) Not individual in nature (An army is different than an individual) he has it a bit easier, even though the crime is far greater -genocide vs a single wartime execution/murder. Katara has to deal with a perp who is still alive and committed a crime against her personally.
I love you guys's reaction to this series.
While I disagree with Aang that violence is never the answer, in this instance he was right. Katara didn't need vengeance but she did need to confront him and it allowed her to separate her feelings there. Also, its a kids show so probably best to portray things as they did, let those complicated moral discussions happen a little later.