I SOB EVERY TIME. THEIR JOURNEY UP TO THAT POINT WAS SO STRONG AND THE CAPACITY IROH HAS IN HIS HEART TO FORGIVE AND JUST WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR ZUKO IS INCREDIBLE We all really do need an Iroh in our lives. Someone that helps us change for the better rather than forcing us to, and is there for us when we need someone.
I also just love the scene in the Avatar play where Azula goes, "Look Zuko, is that your honor?" or something like that, and everyone's genuinely like "Where?" and she just escapes... it's the most hilarious thing ever
Southern Raiders. Katara has to chose between Aang's mindset (forgiving terrible people) or Zuko's life-changing mindset (revenge), and she just chooses to do neither. She chooses to let it go, not take revenge - because that would change her as a person - but not forgive a murderer - because that's ridiculous. What a character ladies and gentlemen.
I think it’s best episode the show ever produced in terms of character development and depth. There are definitely more exciting, genre-bending, and action-packed episodes-but in terms of a character dealing with past trauma (like many characters do throughout the series), I think it’s the best one.
I feel like forgiveness isn’t so much ridiculous as it is impossible. I really loved how Katara couldn’t forgive him, because in real life there’s some people you just can’t forgive. Doesn’t make you a bad person, just human. Most of these revenge-is-bad stories end up tying it up ina nice little ‘I forgave him’ and it’s just not realistic
@@DarkAttackYT To me forgiveness is about making peace with yourself, not making peace with other people. That’s where I think people misunderstand what you mean when you’re speaking of forgiveness. A person doesn’t need to deserve forgiveness to get it because forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting, it doesn’t mean saying that what they did was okay, it just means telling yourself to move on. You can never move on if you hold onto the anger of the past. One could argue that you don’t need forgiveness to move on but I don’t personally believe that
@pretend. Well put! And there’s so much more in this episode: the brilliant fight between Zuko and Azula; the brilliant juxtaposition of comic relief and seriousness in Sokka’s tent when he waits for Suki and then tells Zuko about the day his mother was killed; the brilliant closeups of Katara’s face; the pathetic killer who can only be strong when he wears a uniform; Katara forgving Zuko. I could go on forever
I really don’t get people who say they had a problem with Aang not killing the fire lord or that it’s a cop out. Aang is not just the Avatar; he’s the last air bender. In many ways, he is the embodiment of everything the air benders are, were, and should be. Their entire culture lives on in him. And the death of the fire lord at Aang’s hand would destroy part of himself; the part that is an embodiment of the air benders. So killing the fire lord would not be justice for the air bender genocide; it would be its completion. But, because that part of Aang’s spirit is so powerful...because he is an air bender at the core of his personality to the point where he is incorruptible, he gains the power to bend the energy of others. Nobody else in Team Avatar could have done that or achieved that power. Not many people in the world could have done that. It’s what makes him the avatar that the world needed to bring on a true peace. It’s what truly makes him Avatar Aang.
I agree the ending makes perfect sense for Aang's character (and its visually stunning too). I think the only minor issue I have with it is that the Lion Turtle talks to Aang and teaches him energy bending right before the finale. It feels a little too convenient but it's really just a minor nitpick because everything else is so good.
@@noahs5636 For sure. It's a little deus ex machina, but I tie that into the fact that the Avatar and lion turtles are both beings which are tied to spirituality. The destruction caused by the fire nation had destroyed the balance of the world, which was offensive to spiritual beings beyond just the Avatar. So when Aang was in a spiritual crisis of how to resolve the conflict without it taking an even greater toll on the himself and the world, another spiritual being intervened with a power that few aside from Aang would have been able to use. So I'm generally more forgiving of the deus ex machina because it makes sense for the world and was earned by the work and integrity of the character.
Totally agree with you both. I really love that Aang doesn't kill Ozai, but I don't love the exact way in which it happens. However, I have yet to come up with a way they could have handled the whole Aang learning energy bending thing better (more foreshadowing I guess but that might be hard to fit in earlier episodes), so I'm happy they were willing to add a not so great thing in order to make the ending that much better.
The warden is such a underrated character. He clearly cares a lot for Mai, keeping her boyfriend for her when he could have just turned him in, and even after Mai betrays his country and ruins his perfect record he still makes sure she’s safe and gets her out of prison as soon as he’s able
On the Southern Raiders episode: You kinda glossed over this detail a little bit, but I think it's really significant that Katara uses blood-bending here. It's very well established that she thinks blood-bending is absolutely wrong, and then she comes into the bridge of the ship and immediately blood-bends the guy there, without even thinking about it. That kinda just shows to me how deep that desire for revenge has taken her, and even more how serious it is when that moment of almost-killing is. On the big finale episode: The one complaint (a very minor one) I have about this episode is that the reveal from the lion turtle about being able to take another's bending away was super cryptic and difficult for a lot of people to understand (it certainly went over my head when I watched the episode as a kid), and it's also a bit of a deus ex machina (i.e. it's quite convenient that the tool the protagonist needs is revealed right before it's needed). I think that does add some merit to the dissatisfaction some people have with Aang not killing Ozai, although I still appreciate the alternative Aang found. Again, it's a very minor complaint for me, and I otherwise agree with your ranking of the episode. All in all, it was a great video!
The lion turtle was my biggest (and one of my only) problems with ATLA. It didn’t feel earned or set up, and there were several alternatives they could’ve gone with instead (both lethal and non-lethal). They could’ve just had Aang kill him (which many people would’ve preferred), or they could’ve just had Aang bind him with Earthbending and lock him in a freezing prison with water/earthbending guards (similar to the prison P’Li was locked up in in LOK. Or they could’ve done something like Zhao’s death (well, not exactly death but you know what I mean) and had Aang try to save him but Ozai is too stubborn and ends up dying because of it. Then Ozai would be out of the picture permanently and Aang wouldn’t have to compromise his morals.
@@coreyklaustermeier7329 Don't you realize that the worst person in the universe should NEVER be killed by the strongest person in the world. To give the strongest person in the world the power to decide over life and death is very VERY dangerous. That's why I think that this solution was perfect. Aang gave Ozai more than one chance to give up. The speech at the beginning of the fight, when he spared Ozais life and didn't redirect the lighting and when he overcame the avatar state and didn't let it kill Ozai. Yes the way Aang got the ability was a little bit rushed, but it was definitely better than him killing Ozai.
@@Sandkasten36 I would say it’s about context. Having Aang kill him execution style when Ozai couldn’t defend himself is much different than Aang killing him in self defense. Also, you have to weigh the stakes. If Ozai wins he is going to commit another genocide, so you’re weighing the life of one murderous dictator vs the lives of thousands of innocent people. I don’t think anyone (aside from Aang) would judge Aang for making that call. I would see something wrong with making the most powerful person your executioner, but not with having them kill in self defense in the thick of battle. But even if you disagree with everything I said above, I also suggested a non-lethal outcome that didn’t involve random turtles and spirit magic.
@@coreyklaustermeier7329 Another issue with Aang killing him is that killing Ozai may have made him into a martyr. So much of the fire nation was loyal to Ozai and they may have seen the avatar as an evil murderer who killed their beloved ruler. They probably would've seen Zuko as a plant by the avatar and Zuko would be dealing with a lot more assassination attempts and maybe even factions forming in the fire nation.
About blood bending, I saw a theory a couple of days ago about why she was able to learn it so fast. The person mentioned that katara's healing ability might be a form of blood bending. Since the healing process is tied to blood flow or something like that.
I love that Merphy did these tier lists, this felt like a mini-review about each episode! I don't want to argue with the rankings, just share my opinion about a couple of them: - I think The Painted Lady is my least favourite in the series. Still a good episode, but I think that is the only one where the conflict is unjustified for me. Not what Katara does, and not the village's problem - that is amazing storytelling. But there are so many sidequests, especially in the first half of the season. It just doesn't make sense to me that Team Avatar doesn't want to waste time helping a suffering village. This is the only episode, where Sokka pushes them so hard to move, he doesn't have a problem with stopping here and there in the next episodes. So this conflict felt strange to me. - The first episode is one that I would put in incredible. After that shocking season 2 finale and Aang's inner conflict, dealing with responsibility... I just love it, sets the tone for the whole season. I think this is a really heavy one, that storm-and-glider-moment always gets me. - And this is just a little info: the Ember Island Players is a summary episode before the big battle (that was kind of obligatory), but they managed to find a clever way how to make it interesting. The creators even made fun of there own show (Great Divide? Let's just keep flying) - and it ended up being one of the best episodes for me.
I pretty much agree with everything you said. The Painted Lady is my least favorite of the entire series as well (although Karara’s Painted Lady look is ICONIC.) Also, The Awakening was Incredible. This is the first time Zuko talks to his father after all those years and the first time where we get to see his face!
I personally quite liked the painted lady. I can see where your coming from about the sokka conflict being kind of forced, but idk, I just like explosions I guess XD And the fight scene at the end was epic. Whole heartedly agree on the Ember Island Players though, that is 100% one of my favorite episodes, just so freaking hilarious, and what a beautiful representation of the movie that doesn't exist.
For "Nightmares and Daydreams" I understand not enjoying Aang's dream sequences and all that, but you may have forgotten Zuko's half of that episode as well where he is enjoying the pampering of royalty along with Mai but ultimately figures out he doesn't feel like himself when he is "the perfect prince." Should at least bump it up to Good - at least that's where I think it belongs :P
Yes, I recently rewatched it. It gave me a good laugh that I needed so badly. I mean the Appa and Momo fight and then talking. Makes my stomach hurt. And I forgot the second half with Zuko and Mai that made this a fun episode for me. Really showed how much Mai cares to make Zuko happy when she tries to lift his spirits when he’s disappointed with the meeting issue
The first time watching this episode for me was when I was having an extremely stressful day and i was super anxious, i don’t like watching people in stressful situations so I really hated that episode. 😂 since then I rewatched that episode a couple of times but I still get a bit anxious while watching it. 😂😂
Agreed. That's why I think the Great Divide is the worst episode; it doesn't have a side-plot to fall back on if the main plot doesn't grab your attention. This is how Bato of the Water Tribe, Avatar Day, the Headband, and Nightmares and Daydreams all still have value despite the Gaang side being a little bit weaker for their episodes.
I like to imagine that after the end of the series Aang and friends would be able to go and see the places and people they had to left in a hurry. Like Aang visiting the fire nation school to mess with the principle and the bully and Zuko going to Ba Sing Se and having a little chat with that girl who asked him out.
I’d like to see Aang meet up with that principal again, actually- not only because they know he’s the Avatar, but because he’s literally best friends with the Fire Lord.
The power escalation of Katara in the Puppet master doesn't bother me at all cause we are shown from the very beginning that Katara is extremely gifted! She has no control but she did break an iceberg in episode 1 because she was angry at Sokka. For some reason I hear more critique of this than Toph inventing metalbending when she was trapped. I think both moments make sense because both girls are extremely gifted! and also awesome :D Also, I loooove the Headband and I think it's perfect. Great for Aang just being the peacemaking joy giving youth
XD Yas agreed on all of that. I occasionally go back to watch the Headband literally just for the dance party at the end. Also, Appa and Momo fight scene, pure genius.
Um, EXcuse me, it's Sparky Sparky Boom MAN. The audacity. I've noticed a few people complain about the blood-bending episode, but I didn't think Katara's gained the skill too quickly. Maybe I need to rewatch, but it always seemed to me that Hana's only goal was to get Katara to bloodbend at least a little. She stopped fighting not because Katara was a better blood bender but because she was finally A blood bender. Thus Katara's sobs. Katara lost the moral battle, not the physical one, and that's what Hama cared about. The way Katara disables Hama is very awkward and seems to match the idea of someone who'd never done it before but understood the technique well because she understood other types of water vending so well and could sense the water, or blood, in Hama's body.
I always thought that Sokka picked up swordfighting so quickly because he already has so much experience handling a variety of weapons and has experienced several different fighting styles.
That would be pretty funny, it wouldn’t have the same effect as the ember island players cause it wouldn’t be pointing out the flaws in the actual characters but rather in the movie. But would still potentially be funny and definitely have that desired effect at the end of the episode when they say that play was bad
I remember when the final episodes of ATLA aired, Nickelodeon essentially marketed it as a movie. They played all four episodes in a row. It’s crazy because I was 11 when it aired and I didn’t revisit the series until this year (23 now).
Daydreams and Nightmares is an episode about a 12 year old battling anxiety and insomnia but they had to put it in a kid friendly way since it is a show for kids. It’s also hilarious and gave us one of the best moments ever, “Baby, you’re my forever girl” and the fight between Appa and Momo.
I feel that "The Avatar and the Firelord" also sets the premise for the Legend of Korra, where we see some characters from this series and their relationship with Korra as the Avatar. Some friendships really are strong enough to transcend lifetimes. "The Ember Island Players" isn't just good for comedic relief, a break before the end, but I think it's also good for the characters to have that moment to see how others might see them. The have a moment to reflect on how much they've grown and what they've learned along the way. We also get some one-on-one between characters and some foreshadowing for the final episodes to come. Avatar really is the best. I love this show SO MUCH!!!
idk if anyone's mentioned this but my favorite part of zuko and azula's fight is how the music told a story. I loved how in a lot of shows they would have had some sort of epic song playing, some sort of exciting and intense music to show just how cool and powerful each of their bending was but it wasnt. It was dramatic yes, but it was also very sad. It was mournful and serious and showed just how wrong the situation was. Two siblings, both damaged deeply by their abusive upbringing in very different ways. Two siblings that now have to fight to the death. Its a sad moment as much as it is intense and incredible.
The Boiling Rock parts one and two (especially two) are my favorite episodes of the series. It has so many iconic moments and I just love Sokka, Suki, and Zuko working together. Also, the conflict between Zuko and Mai was really interesting and Azula and Ty Lee were awesome as always. By far my favorite scene/scenes of the entire episode and possibly the entire show is when Mai and Ty Lee betray Azula. This episode singlehandedly made Mai one of my favorite characters of the show. She betrays Azula saying that she’s “saving the jerk who dumped her” (great line) and is determined and unflinching when she stands up to her saying that “she loves Zuko more than she fears her.” What a badass. And then Ty Lee punches the crap out of Azula betraying her too which was equally amazing and badass. My least favorite episode of this season and the entire show is The Painted Lady. As iconic as Katara’s Painted Lady look is, I find this episode mostly boring and dull. Although, the scene that Merph mentioned with Sokka and Katara was fantastic.
The Avatar and The Firelord will forever be the best episode, like ever. All the parallels that were being drawn between Aang and Zuko since The Storm... finally come full circle. It's such a beautiful episode.
While Azula's lines in The Beach are hilarious and iconic, my favorite line from her this season is actually when she attacks the Gaang at the Western Air Temple and Zuko asks her what she's doing there. "Isn't it obvious?? I'm about to celebrate becoming an only child!" Like - damn girl!
I think the resolution would have seemed less like a cop-out if Aang's conflict and his journey to find the solution to that conflict had been introduced earlier. For example, where were all these feelings during the Day of Black Sun? Maybe we could have gotten a brief mention of energybending in passing during the library episode, or maybe Aang could have heard about it from the sun people, causing him to realize "hmmm maybe there's another way", and sparking his journey to go figure out what this new type of bending is. The show had always been great with its foreshadowing and subtle hints up to this point, whereas energybending seemed to come out of nowhere just to solve a problem at the very end. I didn't hate the idea in and of itself, but I think it could have been executed better. (Still an incredible series though; nothing will ever change that.)
When Ty Lee betrayed Azula on the boiling rock I screamed and my Spanish friend over Discord was like *It gets worse!* and then into the inferno happened and I died inside. Azula is my favorite character and I literally jumped up and down during the last Agni Kai. It's such a beautiful duel.
One thing I don't like about Sokka's sword training is that it basically leads to nothing. For the rest of the show he barely uses the sword or at least he fights in a way that, at least for me, it didn't show much improvement. Also, he loses the sword so shortly after!
There’s that part in the boiling rock when he and Zuko are fighting Azula on the gondola and he has Azula right at the point of the sword and he just backs up. Like maybe he didn’t want to kill Azula and just keep her on guard until the gondola reached the other side, but she was trying to kill them. He could had demanded her surrender or something(even though she definitely wouldn’t)
@@michaelanderson7274 That one scene seriously punched me in the gut, why they do that, and why couldn't they have recovered it? It just make me sad ;-;
The sword master said Sokka had creativity, versatility, intelligence and a heart as strong as a lion turtle and twice as big. If he kept training he would be a great master. It was heartwarming to hear Sokka be validated like that. So it was fine with me.
I'm glad to see someone else struggle to verbalize just how much this show means to them. I feel the arm waving and noises of pure emotion on a spiritual level.
The best part of the Dream episode was Sokka's line "You're ready." I watched this episode when I was in a dark place, and that level of confidence inspired me to keep going.
Me before seeing the video: How can anyone rank episodes of season 3?? Me after seeing the video: Yeah, that pretty much makes sense. Some people DON'T like the beach, and they ARE wrong. Thank you!
I love how ATLA takes really common anime episodes like beach episode (the beach), short story episode (tales of ba sing se), recap episode (players of ember Island) etc. that people usually find bad and makes them some of the best episodes ever.
I have LOVED your Avatar videos!! It makes me so happy to see you gushing about one of my favorite shows of all time!!! I have a suggestion for another one... it would be really cool to see you rate your favorite MOMENTS of the show. Episodes are great, but sometimes the best moments aren't a full ep, but only a piece. I think it would be awesome to see you rank/rate your favorite funny moments and also your favorite deep/dramatic/emotional/'gave you chills' moments! 😄❤
My top few for season 3: Southern Raiders - Just amazing and emotional throughout and kind of caps off making Katara's growth towards a badass character that started in season 2 finale for me. The Beach - Again, great insight to the characters Avatar and the Firelod - I love the flashbacks and I was giddy watching the history as well as that great reveal in the end. Finale - I mean, just Ozai vs Aang was spectacular but addin Zuko & Katara vs Azula along with the masters showing up. Loved it. Invasion - Nothing particular, just a fun watch throughout.
While season 2 is my favorite season, season 3 has some of my favorite episodes! My faves are Boiling Rock, Southern Raiders, and Sozins Comet part 3 and 4
Merphyy!! I swear you were going to talk about uncle Iroh reuniting with suko in the final episode :( Alsooo, the final episode it's amazing... I though you'd like it better 0:... Anyhow, love your channel. Greetings from Mexico :)
I love Ember Island Players! It serves as a "buffer" but also advances the plot in some pretty significant ways. Like, the very premise of going to a show to relax and unwind only to be reminded of unresolved tension and the gravity of the situation they're in is brilliant. It's also self-aware in the best way and genuinely funny. Sorry! Just felt the need to gush on Ember Island Players lol
Maybe you would also enjoy Fullmetal alchemist: Brotherhood. Its also one of the show which explores various deep issues in simple way, kinda like Avatar
Well basically every episode when zuko joined team avatar is perfect, yes even the ember island players😂 My personal favourite however was “the avatar and the firelord”
i just have to say, i always thought you were really cute, but you hit new levels of adorable when you were stressing about where to put some of those episodes. i'm so glad you enjoyed the ember island players episode. some people really rip on that episode and call it stupid, but i'm like "NOOOOO it's the greatest recap episode in the history of EVER!!!"
A little late to the game, but my most favorite episode of the entire series will forever be The Western Air Temple. Zuko trying so hard and still failing so miserably is absolutely hilarious. "Why am I so bad at being good?!" Iconic.
The puppet master would be incredible for me, I remember watching it when it first came out. It was during Halloween season and it genuinely spooked me. The only reason it wouldn’t be perfect for me is because I don’t understand how Katara was able to get out of the blood bending due to her water bending powers, but Hama (who is much more familiar with it) was not able to get out of Katara’s blood bending.
I think this season is fantastic and a lot of that comes from the layout and how character driven it is. The first half gives each character a chance to shine in one episode and show off their defining characteristics: Aang: The Headband Katara: The Painted Lady Sokka: Sokka's Master Zuko: The Beach Toph: The Runaway Then we have the mid season finale with the invasion where we get to see everyone working together. After that the second half wraps up unresolved longstanding conflicts for most of the characters Zuko: The Western Air Temple Aang: The Firebending Masters Sokka: The Boiling Rock Katara: The Southern Raiders Last we have a well done recap episode and one of the most epic finales ever. My only problem is that I really really don't like Nightmares and Daydreams. I think the Avatar and the Firelord should have been the episode before the invasion because it fit perfectly there for 2 reasons. First the season starts with some great Aang and Zuko parallels, which is once again captured in this episode by finding out they are both in a way related to Roku. It also ends with the perfect shot of team Avatar holding hands and talking about the strength of their friendship. Which, would have been the perfect moment before the invasion. It also makes a lot more sense narratively for that scene to come after, rather than before The Runaway. The War Zone B plot for Zuko in Nightmares and Daydreams could have easily been split in 2 and divided between The Painted Lady and The Runaway. Last that would have opened up an episode for a Toph Zuko field trip in the second half, which I have been working on my own idea of how that could go.
I mean, I like nightmares and daydreams because Appa and Momo fight scene and the awesome quotes it gives us but... yeah fair enough, I can't really fight epic plot stuff with meme potential. Some people probably can, but nope, fair enough.
One of my favorite parts of avatar and the firelord is katara asking a question about the spirit world and sokka answers reminding us he has been there before
Doesn’t matter what tier you ended up putting them in, anyone can easily tell how much you love the show (as anyone should) and your enthusiasm is wonderful!!
You´re correct. The Final Episodes are "The Phoenix King" where Aang struggles with having to kill Ozai and the rest of the gaang trying to convince him with Ozai in the end declaring himself Phoenix King, then we have "The Old Masters" where Aang is on the Lion Turtle Island and everybody is looking for him, but they eventually run into the order of the white lotus, then it's "Into The Inferno", each major battle starts, Aang vs Ozai, Zuko vs Azula and Sokka, Toph and Suki vs the fleet. Last episode is "Avatar Aang" with Aang being able to finally master the Avatar State, Sokka, Suki and Toph being badass and Katara and Azula facing off. Damn there is so much happening in just 4 episodes :D
It just goes to show you how interesting Zuko’s dynamic with the gaang is that most of the beat episodes this season were his fields trips with them. Makes me wish he had joined just a bit sooner in the series.
Started watching you to hear te WoT series reviews. Now, I'm listening to you talk about how silly it was for Sokka to become a blademaster in a day (I watched this over a decade ago and felt the same thing). Hearing your inner fangirl come out and hearing you were in tears at some points... yah, you're awesome and I'm a fan.
I’m sure someone has already said this but certain episodes are combined because that is the way they were released originally. For example, when Sozin’s Comet originally came out on Nickelodeon all the parts aired in one night. Great video!
I like how Sokka's training in Sokka's master only took one day because it shows how good of a student Sokka is and how good of a teacher Pian do is. WHY CAN'T I SPELL HIS NAME RIGHT
In a comic book I read long ago the hero said to a confident "When I have had to kill my enemy it just shows a lack of imagination, it is a failure on my part." I use this metric when I rate shows or books and it is amazing how many fall short. Thank you.
22:10 OMG! I know what you're going through! From the Day of Black Sun, they are all só perfect (including all of the Zuko-quests; aka side-quests with Zuko), with the cherry on the cake with The Final Agni-kai. Sorry, I wanted to use another analogy for how perfect the episodes of season 3 are, but, eh, well, eh... We have to keep the content of comments acceptable for all ages and people, no? Let's just say that for the entire series of Avatar The Last Airbender: - Season 1 is a couple of dates, good ones, bad ones, but let's keep things rolling, shall we. It's not undisputably brilliant, but there's great potential in this series, - Season 2 compares to a series of extended nights out together. It's getting better, but I wouldn't recommend éveryone to watch the series yet. A bit like 'not just yet introducing him or her to your parents.' - The first couple of episodes of Season 3 is like getting to a good home-date and doing things together like cooking and settling in for a movie on the couch under a blanket, while having (mentally!) a great time together. - From The Day of Black Sun on I would compare as things getting really perfectly aligned, - From The Boiling Rock on, yeah, eh, things get boiling. - And The Final Agni-Kai is, eh, I mean: comet-enhanced firebending... It's already boiling, since The Boiling Rock, so, eh, let's just say the lid blows off the pressure cooker here... There is no doubt anymore; This is brilliant! And the second time I watch the series, it will hold up and I am going to religiously recommend éveryone I know to watch it. (On Aang's and Ozai's fight; it feels a bit like the safety-glove in the analogy: It's expected and needs to be there, and won't take away the fun. But it's distracting and not having it then and there would have put the entire thing at risk of 'dire consequences')
Also, as someone who watches way too much TV, the Ember Island Players is the best recap episode of any television show that's ever been done in the history of electricity.
What really hit me whit Soutern Raiders is when Ang prease her for forgiving him and she respons that she didnt and she didnt know why she didnt kill him. If it was becouse she was weak or becouse (brainfreez here). And then she just sit there at the water morn things lost. SO GOOD!
Hi, Merphy, Thanks for making your videos! I always really enjoy them! I wanted to make a recommendation of a show to you based on two things you’ve said. It’s called “The Dragon Prince”, and it’s in Netflix. It is made by some of the same creators as Avatar, one of who is Aaron Ehasz, which is one reason I think you’d like it. The other is that you said in a LOTR video once that you love elves more than any other fantasy creature. Well, this show has many greet elf characters and great elf lore (different kinds of elves). I think you’d really enjoy it if you haven’t heard of it, so wanted to recommend it. :)
Azula is an awesome antagonist. She may seem alien and not relatable since she is pretty sociopathic, but this season really developed her beyond just the evil trope. It really showcases the effects of environment on a persons mentality. She is extreme, but much of it stems from her father, her insecurities, and her lack of understanding of the world in its entirety... it’s also hard to fathom that these circumstances resulted in so much damage to her and everyone else, despite being a young 14 year old (I think) child.
Aang not killing Ozai was perfect. He is the LAST of his people, and he managed to uphold the values of his people by not killing. Truly nobody understood his position.
The Beach has the greatest line in the history of all media imo: “That’s a sharp outfit, Chan. Careful, you could puncture the hull of an empire-class Fire Nation battle ship, leaving thousands to drown at sea… Because… it’s so sharp”
When it comes to the way the battle ended, here's what people don't realize, Aang took a much bigger risk by letting Ozai live. Killing him would have been the easy way out. By keeping him alive, there's that risk of him possibly escaping and building a new army.
I totally get what you mean about the episode where Aang has really bad anxiety and insomnia. Objectively, is not a great episode. But let me tell you that it helped me tremendously. I was going through the same thing. No sleep, had nightmares when I did and really bad anxiety. Somehow this ep put things into perspective. I was Aang and my husband was Katara. It is refreshing to see a kids show talk about mental health.
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iroh reuniting with zuko at the end of the series in the tent. that scene will FOREVER break me into a million pieces.
YES!! I cry every time I watch that scene... the fact that Iroh wasn't even mad at Zuko...
that made me sob my heart out and i get teary just thinking about it
i came down here to comment HOW DID SHE NOT MENTION THAT
I SOB EVERY TIME. THEIR JOURNEY UP TO THAT POINT WAS SO STRONG AND THE CAPACITY IROH HAS IN HIS HEART TO FORGIVE AND JUST WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR ZUKO IS INCREDIBLE
We all really do need an Iroh in our lives. Someone that helps us change for the better rather than forcing us to, and is there for us when we need someone.
Yes! It's the most beautiful scene ever
I also just love the scene in the Avatar play where Azula goes, "Look Zuko, is that your honor?" or something like that, and everyone's genuinely like "Where?" and she just escapes... it's the most hilarious thing ever
Azula: "Wait! What's that?!
I think it's your _h o n o r !_ "
Zuko: "wHERE?!"
Azula: *escapes*'
@@efoxkitsune9493 "how did she get away?!"
Also: “Choose tyranny. It’s more fun!”
She escaped..... but HOW?
@@camillechandler4431 *treachery
Southern Raiders. Katara has to chose between Aang's mindset (forgiving terrible people) or Zuko's life-changing mindset (revenge), and she just chooses to do neither. She chooses to let it go, not take revenge - because that would change her as a person - but not forgive a murderer - because that's ridiculous.
What a character ladies and gentlemen.
Mhm nice analysis
I think it’s best episode the show ever produced in terms of character development and depth. There are definitely more exciting, genre-bending, and action-packed episodes-but in terms of a character dealing with past trauma (like many characters do throughout the series), I think it’s the best one.
I feel like forgiveness isn’t so much ridiculous as it is impossible. I really loved how Katara couldn’t forgive him, because in real life there’s some people you just can’t forgive. Doesn’t make you a bad person, just human. Most of these revenge-is-bad stories end up tying it up ina nice little ‘I forgave him’ and it’s just not realistic
@@DarkAttackYT To me forgiveness is about making peace with yourself, not making peace with other people. That’s where I think people misunderstand what you mean when you’re speaking of forgiveness. A person doesn’t need to deserve forgiveness to get it because forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting, it doesn’t mean saying that what they did was okay, it just means telling yourself to move on. You can never move on if you hold onto the anger of the past. One could argue that you don’t need forgiveness to move on but I don’t personally believe that
@pretend. Well put! And there’s so much more in this episode: the brilliant fight between Zuko and Azula; the brilliant juxtaposition of comic relief and seriousness in Sokka’s tent when he waits for Suki and then tells Zuko about the day his mother was killed; the brilliant closeups of Katara’s face; the pathetic killer who can only be strong when he wears a uniform; Katara forgving Zuko. I could go on forever
I really don’t get people who say they had a problem with Aang not killing the fire lord or that it’s a cop out. Aang is not just the Avatar; he’s the last air bender. In many ways, he is the embodiment of everything the air benders are, were, and should be. Their entire culture lives on in him. And the death of the fire lord at Aang’s hand would destroy part of himself; the part that is an embodiment of the air benders. So killing the fire lord would not be justice for the air bender genocide; it would be its completion. But, because that part of Aang’s spirit is so powerful...because he is an air bender at the core of his personality to the point where he is incorruptible, he gains the power to bend the energy of others. Nobody else in Team Avatar could have done that or achieved that power. Not many people in the world could have done that. It’s what makes him the avatar that the world needed to bring on a true peace. It’s what truly makes him Avatar Aang.
I agree the ending makes perfect sense for Aang's character (and its visually stunning too). I think the only minor issue I have with it is that the Lion Turtle talks to Aang and teaches him energy bending right before the finale. It feels a little too convenient but it's really just a minor nitpick because everything else is so good.
@@noahs5636 For sure. It's a little deus ex machina, but I tie that into the fact that the Avatar and lion turtles are both beings which are tied to spirituality. The destruction caused by the fire nation had destroyed the balance of the world, which was offensive to spiritual beings beyond just the Avatar. So when Aang was in a spiritual crisis of how to resolve the conflict without it taking an even greater toll on the himself and the world, another spiritual being intervened with a power that few aside from Aang would have been able to use. So I'm generally more forgiving of the deus ex machina because it makes sense for the world and was earned by the work and integrity of the character.
Totally agree with you both. I really love that Aang doesn't kill Ozai, but I don't love the exact way in which it happens. However, I have yet to come up with a way they could have handled the whole Aang learning energy bending thing better (more foreshadowing I guess but that might be hard to fit in earlier episodes), so I'm happy they were willing to add a not so great thing in order to make the ending that much better.
honestly, i felt like almost every episode in season 3 was my fav at one point hahah 😂 superior.
Lol yes! Season 3 is superior
including the one with aang's nightmares? because that was the worst episode in the entire series (yes, worse than the great divide).
@@ransherman1611 nahh i disliked that episode too, it was so ridiculously annoying.
And season two same for me.
Especially after and including "The Beach".
The warden is such a underrated character. He clearly cares a lot for Mai, keeping her boyfriend for her when he could have just turned him in, and even after Mai betrays his country and ruins his perfect record he still makes sure she’s safe and gets her out of prison as soon as he’s able
Me: So which episode is it
Merphy: so Zuko is angst
Me: do you know how little that narrows it down?
XD TRUE
gonna have to be more specific xD
On the Southern Raiders episode: You kinda glossed over this detail a little bit, but I think it's really significant that Katara uses blood-bending here. It's very well established that she thinks blood-bending is absolutely wrong, and then she comes into the bridge of the ship and immediately blood-bends the guy there, without even thinking about it. That kinda just shows to me how deep that desire for revenge has taken her, and even more how serious it is when that moment of almost-killing is.
On the big finale episode: The one complaint (a very minor one) I have about this episode is that the reveal from the lion turtle about being able to take another's bending away was super cryptic and difficult for a lot of people to understand (it certainly went over my head when I watched the episode as a kid), and it's also a bit of a deus ex machina (i.e. it's quite convenient that the tool the protagonist needs is revealed right before it's needed). I think that does add some merit to the dissatisfaction some people have with Aang not killing Ozai, although I still appreciate the alternative Aang found. Again, it's a very minor complaint for me, and I otherwise agree with your ranking of the episode.
All in all, it was a great video!
Also she stopped the rain! She's amazing!
The lion turtle was my biggest (and one of my only) problems with ATLA. It didn’t feel earned or set up, and there were several alternatives they could’ve gone with instead (both lethal and non-lethal). They could’ve just had Aang kill him (which many people would’ve preferred), or they could’ve just had Aang bind him with Earthbending and lock him in a freezing prison with water/earthbending guards (similar to the prison P’Li was locked up in in LOK. Or they could’ve done something like Zhao’s death (well, not exactly death but you know what I mean) and had Aang try to save him but Ozai is too stubborn and ends up dying because of it. Then Ozai would be out of the picture permanently and Aang wouldn’t have to compromise his morals.
@@coreyklaustermeier7329 Don't you realize that the worst person in the universe should NEVER be killed by the strongest person in the world. To give the strongest person in the world the power to decide over life and death is very VERY dangerous. That's why I think that this solution was perfect. Aang gave Ozai more than one chance to give up. The speech at the beginning of the fight, when he spared Ozais life and didn't redirect the lighting and when he overcame the avatar state and didn't let it kill Ozai. Yes the way Aang got the ability was a little bit rushed, but it was definitely better than him killing Ozai.
@@Sandkasten36 I would say it’s about context. Having Aang kill him execution style when Ozai couldn’t defend himself is much different than Aang killing him in self defense. Also, you have to weigh the stakes. If Ozai wins he is going to commit another genocide, so you’re weighing the life of one murderous dictator vs the lives of thousands of innocent people. I don’t think anyone (aside from Aang) would judge Aang for making that call. I would see something wrong with making the most powerful person your executioner, but not with having them kill in self defense in the thick of battle.
But even if you disagree with everything I said above, I also suggested a non-lethal outcome that didn’t involve random turtles and spirit magic.
@@coreyklaustermeier7329 Another issue with Aang killing him is that killing Ozai may have made him into a martyr. So much of the fire nation was loyal to Ozai and they may have seen the avatar as an evil murderer who killed their beloved ruler. They probably would've seen Zuko as a plant by the avatar and Zuko would be dealing with a lot more assassination attempts and maybe even factions forming in the fire nation.
Nightmares and Daydreams>The Great Divide
Appa and Momo talking and in a sword duel is so hilarious 😂
Both>>>Bato of the Water Tribe
@@jaceygaither2581 But that episode had June in it, and it's the first time we see Appa fight.
Standing Appa
“You’re my forever girl, baby!” One of the most hilarious lines of the show in my personal opinion.
Appa and Momo fight is the best fight in the series and no one can tell me otherwise.
About blood bending, I saw a theory a couple of days ago about why she was able to learn it so fast. The person mentioned that katara's healing ability might be a form of blood bending. Since the healing process is tied to blood flow or something like that.
I heard that too! I also heard of theoryes that Yue gave Katara like a moon spirit power boost which sounds nice
@@babsybrrrnz I haven’t heard about that, but it sounds cool
It may also just be another instance of Katara being the most talented waterbender of all time, and I'd be okay with that
I saw that theory as well and have accepted it as head cannon
I love that Merphy did these tier lists, this felt like a mini-review about each episode! I don't want to argue with the rankings, just share my opinion about a couple of them:
- I think The Painted Lady is my least favourite in the series. Still a good episode, but I think that is the only one where the conflict is unjustified for me. Not what Katara does, and not the village's problem - that is amazing storytelling. But there are so many sidequests, especially in the first half of the season. It just doesn't make sense to me that Team Avatar doesn't want to waste time helping a suffering village. This is the only episode, where Sokka pushes them so hard to move, he doesn't have a problem with stopping here and there in the next episodes. So this conflict felt strange to me.
- The first episode is one that I would put in incredible. After that shocking season 2 finale and Aang's inner conflict, dealing with responsibility... I just love it, sets the tone for the whole season. I think this is a really heavy one, that storm-and-glider-moment always gets me.
- And this is just a little info: the Ember Island Players is a summary episode before the big battle (that was kind of obligatory), but they managed to find a clever way how to make it interesting. The creators even made fun of there own show (Great Divide? Let's just keep flying) - and it ended up being one of the best episodes for me.
I pretty much agree with everything you said. The Painted Lady is my least favorite of the entire series as well (although Karara’s Painted Lady look is ICONIC.) Also, The Awakening was Incredible. This is the first time Zuko talks to his father after all those years and the first time where we get to see his face!
I personally quite liked the painted lady. I can see where your coming from about the sokka conflict being kind of forced, but idk, I just like explosions I guess XD And the fight scene at the end was epic. Whole heartedly agree on the Ember Island Players though, that is 100% one of my favorite episodes, just so freaking hilarious, and what a beautiful representation of the movie that doesn't exist.
For "Nightmares and Daydreams" I understand not enjoying Aang's dream sequences and all that, but you may have forgotten Zuko's half of that episode as well where he is enjoying the pampering of royalty along with Mai but ultimately figures out he doesn't feel like himself when he is "the perfect prince." Should at least bump it up to Good - at least that's where I think it belongs :P
Yes, I recently rewatched it. It gave me a good laugh that I needed so badly. I mean the Appa and Momo fight and then talking. Makes my stomach hurt. And I forgot the second half with Zuko and Mai that made this a fun episode for me. Really showed how much Mai cares to make Zuko happy when she tries to lift his spirits when he’s disappointed with the meeting issue
The first time watching this episode for me was when I was having an extremely stressful day and i was super anxious, i don’t like watching people in stressful situations so I really hated that episode. 😂 since then I rewatched that episode a couple of times but I still get a bit anxious while watching it. 😂😂
aaaand it's a kids' show. when I watched it the first time I nearly pissed myself in tje "No firelord Osai, you are not wearing pants" scene 😅
Agreed. That's why I think the Great Divide is the worst episode; it doesn't have a side-plot to fall back on if the main plot doesn't grab your attention. This is how Bato of the Water Tribe, Avatar Day, the Headband, and Nightmares and Daydreams all still have value despite the Gaang side being a little bit weaker for their episodes.
Bruh Aang was a 12 year old battling anxiety and insomnia in that episode but they had to put it in a kid friendly way since Avatar is a kids show
I like to imagine that after the end of the series Aang and friends would be able to go and see the places and people they had to left in a hurry. Like Aang visiting the fire nation school to mess with the principle and the bully and Zuko going to Ba Sing Se and having a little chat with that girl who asked him out.
i love this
Zuko did end up going back to Ba Sing Se and saw his date again but Mai was with him so it was awkward...
@@grenelake9622 Wait what? Which comics was this in, I need to know
@@wolfishpotato6978 It’s actually set at the end of Season Two, and it’s called Going Home Again (Mai said she was a knife thrower from the circus).
I’d like to see Aang meet up with that principal again, actually- not only because they know he’s the Avatar, but because he’s literally best friends with the Fire Lord.
The power escalation of Katara in the Puppet master doesn't bother me at all cause we are shown from the very beginning that Katara is extremely gifted! She has no control but she did break an iceberg in episode 1 because she was angry at Sokka. For some reason I hear more critique of this than Toph inventing metalbending when she was trapped. I think both moments make sense because both girls are extremely gifted! and also awesome :D
Also, I loooove the Headband and I think it's perfect. Great for Aang just being the peacemaking joy giving youth
XD Yas agreed on all of that. I occasionally go back to watch the Headband literally just for the dance party at the end. Also, Appa and Momo fight scene, pure genius.
Um, EXcuse me, it's Sparky Sparky Boom MAN. The audacity.
I've noticed a few people complain about the blood-bending episode, but I didn't think Katara's gained the skill too quickly. Maybe I need to rewatch, but it always seemed to me that Hana's only goal was to get Katara to bloodbend at least a little. She stopped fighting not because Katara was a better blood bender but because she was finally A blood bender. Thus Katara's sobs. Katara lost the moral battle, not the physical one, and that's what Hama cared about. The way Katara disables Hama is very awkward and seems to match the idea of someone who'd never done it before but understood the technique well because she understood other types of water vending so well and could sense the water, or blood, in Hama's body.
I always thought that Sokka picked up swordfighting so quickly because he already has so much experience handling a variety of weapons and has experienced several different fighting styles.
Just a thought : Imagine if in the life action adaptation, team Avatar watches a scene to scene recreation of the Shyamalan movie in theater.
That would be pretty funny, it wouldn’t have the same effect as the ember island players cause it wouldn’t be pointing out the flaws in the actual characters but rather in the movie. But would still potentially be funny and definitely have that desired effect at the end of the episode when they say that play was bad
What movie? There is no avatar movie
I remember when the final episodes of ATLA aired, Nickelodeon essentially marketed it as a movie. They played all four episodes in a row. It’s crazy because I was 11 when it aired and I didn’t revisit the series until this year (23 now).
Roses are red
Violets are blue
As long as she posts
She’ll get my view!!!
True. I’m not even a huge reader, but she is such a likable person
Roses are red, violets are blue, avatar is the best, and so are you
Daydreams and Nightmares is an episode about a 12 year old battling anxiety and insomnia but they had to put it in a kid friendly way since it is a show for kids. It’s also hilarious and gave us one of the best moments ever, “Baby, you’re my forever girl” and the fight between Appa and Momo.
I feel that "The Avatar and the Firelord" also sets the premise for the Legend of Korra, where we see some characters from this series and their relationship with Korra as the Avatar. Some friendships really are strong enough to transcend lifetimes.
"The Ember Island Players" isn't just good for comedic relief, a break before the end, but I think it's also good for the characters to have that moment to see how others might see them. The have a moment to reflect on how much they've grown and what they've learned along the way. We also get some one-on-one between characters and some foreshadowing for the final episodes to come.
Avatar really is the best. I love this show SO MUCH!!!
idk if anyone's mentioned this but my favorite part of zuko and azula's fight is how the music told a story. I loved how in a lot of shows they would have had some sort of epic song playing, some sort of exciting and intense music to show just how cool and powerful each of their bending was but it wasnt. It was dramatic yes, but it was also very sad. It was mournful and serious and showed just how wrong the situation was. Two siblings, both damaged deeply by their abusive upbringing in very different ways. Two siblings that now have to fight to the death. Its a sad moment as much as it is intense and incredible.
The Boiling Rock parts one and two (especially two) are my favorite episodes of the series. It has so many iconic moments and I just love Sokka, Suki, and Zuko working together. Also, the conflict between Zuko and Mai was really interesting and Azula and Ty Lee were awesome as always. By far my favorite scene/scenes of the entire episode and possibly the entire show is when Mai and Ty Lee betray Azula. This episode singlehandedly made Mai one of my favorite characters of the show. She betrays Azula saying that she’s “saving the jerk who dumped her” (great line) and is determined and unflinching when she stands up to her saying that “she loves Zuko more than she fears her.” What a badass. And then Ty Lee punches the crap out of Azula betraying her too which was equally amazing and badass.
My least favorite episode of this season and the entire show is The Painted Lady. As iconic as Katara’s Painted Lady look is, I find this episode mostly boring and dull. Although, the scene that Merph mentioned with Sokka and Katara was fantastic.
I can't rewatch it except for the ending scene haha
The battle between Azula and Zuko gets me everytime. The music mixed with their raw power and anger, Azula’s deteriorating mind, AAAAAAAAHHHHHH
The Avatar and The Firelord will forever be the best episode, like ever. All the parallels that were being drawn between Aang and Zuko since The Storm... finally come full circle. It's such a beautiful episode.
While Azula's lines in The Beach are hilarious and iconic, my favorite line from her this season is actually when she attacks the Gaang at the Western Air Temple and Zuko asks her what she's doing there. "Isn't it obvious?? I'm about to celebrate becoming an only child!" Like - damn girl!
I think the resolution would have seemed less like a cop-out if Aang's conflict and his journey to find the solution to that conflict had been introduced earlier. For example, where were all these feelings during the Day of Black Sun? Maybe we could have gotten a brief mention of energybending in passing during the library episode, or maybe Aang could have heard about it from the sun people, causing him to realize "hmmm maybe there's another way", and sparking his journey to go figure out what this new type of bending is. The show had always been great with its foreshadowing and subtle hints up to this point, whereas energybending seemed to come out of nowhere just to solve a problem at the very end. I didn't hate the idea in and of itself, but I think it could have been executed better. (Still an incredible series though; nothing will ever change that.)
To hear your voice get more and more intense and passionate while describing each episode was beautiful to see :)
When Ty Lee betrayed Azula on the boiling rock I screamed and my Spanish friend over Discord was like *It gets worse!* and then into the inferno happened and I died inside. Azula is my favorite character and I literally jumped up and down during the last Agni Kai. It's such a beautiful duel.
One thing I don't like about Sokka's sword training is that it basically leads to nothing. For the rest of the show he barely uses the sword or at least he fights in a way that, at least for me, it didn't show much improvement. Also, he loses the sword so shortly after!
It's a kids show, so he couldn't use it in a way that would make people bleed...
My space sword!
There’s that part in the boiling rock when he and Zuko are fighting Azula on the gondola and he has Azula right at the point of the sword and he just backs up. Like maybe he didn’t want to kill Azula and just keep her on guard until the gondola reached the other side, but she was trying to kill them. He could had demanded her surrender or something(even though she definitely wouldn’t)
@@michaelanderson7274 That one scene seriously punched me in the gut, why they do that, and why couldn't they have recovered it? It just make me sad ;-;
The sword master said Sokka had creativity, versatility, intelligence and a heart as strong as a lion turtle and twice as big. If he kept training he would be a great master. It was heartwarming to hear Sokka be validated like that. So it was fine with me.
you didn't even mention the zuko and iroh reuniting scene. whaaaaaaaat?! lol
The Southern Raiders is my favorite episode. It’s one of the saddest and most emotional charged episodes I have ever seen.
I only wish Mako could have seen the final season before he past
Yeah, brave soldier boy, he was
Dangit, I was just laughing at comments about sparky sparky boom man and then you gotta pull that and make me cry? Why you do this?
@wolfishpotato6978 that wasn't his name they name him something else
I'm glad to see someone else struggle to verbalize just how much this show means to them. I feel the arm waving and noises of pure emotion on a spiritual level.
I can't believe NOTHING was said about Iroh and Zuko's reunion in the finale
I think the puppet master is one of the best episodes of the whole series!!! 🩸
Yup my 2st favorite of all time my is when they meet thopn
Momo and Appa sword fighting is such a great scene though!
The best part of the Dream episode was Sokka's line "You're ready." I watched this episode when I was in a dark place, and that level of confidence inspired me to keep going.
I love how passionately you talk about this show!! I teared up while you were talking about the southern raiders episode💛💛
Off topic, but is there a chance you'll watch Over the Garden Wall? It's perfect for Halloween. It's a mini series of 10 episodes of 10 minutes each.
Southern Raiders is perfection. 👌🏼
Me before seeing the video: How can anyone rank episodes of season 3??
Me after seeing the video: Yeah, that pretty much makes sense.
Some people DON'T like the beach, and they ARE wrong. Thank you!
I love how ATLA takes really common anime episodes like beach episode (the beach), short story episode (tales of ba sing se), recap episode (players of ember Island) etc. that people usually find bad and makes them some of the best episodes ever.
I can't WAIT for your reviews of the Kyoshi novels - they're so great and you're going to love them!!
I have LOVED your Avatar videos!! It makes me so happy to see you gushing about one of my favorite shows of all time!!! I have a suggestion for another one... it would be really cool to see you rate your favorite MOMENTS of the show. Episodes are great, but sometimes the best moments aren't a full ep, but only a piece. I think it would be awesome to see you rank/rate your favorite funny moments and also your favorite deep/dramatic/emotional/'gave you chills' moments! 😄❤
My top few for season 3:
Southern Raiders - Just amazing and emotional throughout and kind of caps off making Katara's growth towards a badass character that started in season 2 finale for me.
The Beach - Again, great insight to the characters
Avatar and the Firelod - I love the flashbacks and I was giddy watching the history as well as that great reveal in the end.
Finale - I mean, just Ozai vs Aang was spectacular but addin Zuko & Katara vs Azula along with the masters showing up. Loved it.
Invasion - Nothing particular, just a fun watch throughout.
While season 2 is my favorite season, season 3 has some of my favorite episodes! My faves are Boiling Rock, Southern Raiders, and Sozins Comet part 3 and 4
Merphyy!! I swear you were going to talk about uncle Iroh reuniting with suko in the final episode :(
Alsooo, the final episode it's amazing... I though you'd like it better 0:... Anyhow, love your channel. Greetings from Mexico :)
I love Ember Island Players! It serves as a "buffer" but also advances the plot in some pretty significant ways. Like, the very premise of going to a show to relax and unwind only to be reminded of unresolved tension and the gravity of the situation they're in is brilliant. It's also self-aware in the best way and genuinely funny. Sorry! Just felt the need to gush on Ember Island Players lol
Maybe you would also enjoy Fullmetal alchemist: Brotherhood. Its also one of the show which explores various deep issues in simple way, kinda like Avatar
She's reading the manga
Where can I find that show?
Hell yea I agree! It starts out kinda ok and just gets better every season until it gets amazing!
Giovanni NY It’s on Netflix, and I believe you can watch it for free with adds on crunchyroll, but I’m not positive.
JoSometimesReads
Appreciate you! I’m on it 👍
The one with the spirit lady is one of the ones i always remembered from being a child. Something about the town just stood out to me
It's funny to me how many episode descriptions began with "X was angsty"
Best trilogy I have seen is Fieldtrips with Zuko.
Well basically every episode when zuko joined team avatar is perfect, yes even the ember island players😂
My personal favourite however was “the avatar and the firelord”
i just have to say, i always thought you were really cute, but you hit new levels of adorable when you were stressing about where to put some of those episodes. i'm so glad you enjoyed the ember island players episode. some people really rip on that episode and call it stupid, but i'm like "NOOOOO it's the greatest recap episode in the history of EVER!!!"
A little late to the game, but my most favorite episode of the entire series will forever be The Western Air Temple. Zuko trying so hard and still failing so miserably is absolutely hilarious.
"Why am I so bad at being good?!"
Iconic.
I love how she got the “Zuko here” line but didn’t quote his most iconic line “That’s rough buddy” from the next episode the Boiling Rock pt 1
The puppet master would be incredible for me, I remember watching it when it first came out. It was during Halloween season and it genuinely spooked me.
The only reason it wouldn’t be perfect for me is because I don’t understand how Katara was able to get out of the blood bending due to her water bending powers, but Hama (who is much more familiar with it) was not able to get out of Katara’s blood bending.
I think this season is fantastic and a lot of that comes from the layout and how character driven it is. The first half gives each character a chance to shine in one episode and show off their defining characteristics:
Aang: The Headband
Katara: The Painted Lady
Sokka: Sokka's Master
Zuko: The Beach
Toph: The Runaway
Then we have the mid season finale with the invasion where we get to see everyone working together. After that the second half wraps up unresolved longstanding conflicts for most of the characters
Zuko: The Western Air Temple
Aang: The Firebending Masters
Sokka: The Boiling Rock
Katara: The Southern Raiders
Last we have a well done recap episode and one of the most epic finales ever.
My only problem is that I really really don't like Nightmares and Daydreams. I think the Avatar and the Firelord should have been the episode before the invasion because it fit perfectly there for 2 reasons. First the season starts with some great Aang and Zuko parallels, which is once again captured in this episode by finding out they are both in a way related to Roku. It also ends with the perfect shot of team Avatar holding hands and talking about the strength of their friendship. Which, would have been the perfect moment before the invasion. It also makes a lot more sense narratively for that scene to come after, rather than before The Runaway. The War Zone B plot for Zuko in Nightmares and Daydreams could have easily been split in 2 and divided between The Painted Lady and The Runaway. Last that would have opened up an episode for a Toph Zuko field trip in the second half, which I have been working on my own idea of how that could go.
I mean, I like nightmares and daydreams because Appa and Momo fight scene and the awesome quotes it gives us but... yeah fair enough, I can't really fight epic plot stuff with meme potential. Some people probably can, but nope, fair enough.
One of my favorite parts of avatar and the firelord is katara asking a question about the spirit world and sokka answers reminding us he has been there before
Too bad we didn't get to see it. In fact, the Spirit World episode from Season 1 didn't actually feature the Spirit World. Odd.
Doesn’t matter what tier you ended up putting them in, anyone can easily tell how much you love the show (as anyone should) and your enthusiasm is wonderful!!
In to say I love you and your content, you’re an amazing person ❤️
I'm just glad you put The Beach in perfect :)
also the beach is tied with me for sokka's master- it's PERFECT.
I think they combined the final four episodes, but I could be wrong.
Yeah. They did.
You´re correct. The Final Episodes are "The Phoenix King" where Aang struggles with having to kill Ozai and the rest of the gaang trying to convince him with Ozai in the end declaring himself Phoenix King,
then we have "The Old Masters" where Aang is on the Lion Turtle Island and everybody is looking for him, but they eventually run into the order of the white lotus,
then it's "Into The Inferno", each major battle starts, Aang vs Ozai, Zuko vs Azula and Sokka, Toph and Suki vs the fleet.
Last episode is "Avatar Aang" with Aang being able to finally master the Avatar State, Sokka, Suki and Toph being badass and Katara and Azula facing off.
Damn there is so much happening in just 4 episodes :D
I am SO excited to hear your opinion of the Kyoshi novels! Please do a separate review/video for each one.
This whole show was perfect. The iroh and zuko hug at the end is the best ever!!
It just goes to show you how interesting Zuko’s dynamic with the gaang is that most of the beat episodes this season were his fields trips with them. Makes me wish he had joined just a bit sooner in the series.
This reminded me how amazing season 3 was. Man I love this show !
The Western Air Temple and The Firebending Masters are my all time favourite episodes.
I think I'd watch a whole video just talking about Southern Raiders. My favorite episode and great how much you appreciate it. :)
7:53 The mountain in the background makes it look like Sokka's master has frosted tips.
Started watching you to hear te WoT series reviews. Now, I'm listening to you talk about how silly it was for Sokka to become a blademaster in a day (I watched this over a decade ago and felt the same thing). Hearing your inner fangirl come out and hearing you were in tears at some points... yah, you're awesome and I'm a fan.
I love the way you talk about A:TLA, cause your expressions are so similar to mine. You are real fan, it's so great!😊
I’m sure someone has already said this but certain episodes are combined because that is the way they were released originally. For example, when Sozin’s Comet originally came out on Nickelodeon all the parts aired in one night. Great video!
Glad to hear you enjoy the beach episode I feel like its underrated.
Nightmares and daydreams as eh?
But..but...what about standing Appa?? That’s peak comedy right there
I like how Sokka's training in Sokka's master only took one day because it shows how good of a student Sokka is and how good of a teacher Pian do is.
WHY CAN'T I SPELL HIS NAME RIGHT
Merphy getting to Zuko's part in every episode recap ever: so zuko is very angsty-
Firebending masters is my favorite episode throughout the series. Beautiful asf
In a comic book I read long ago the hero said to a confident "When I have had to kill my enemy it just shows a lack of imagination, it is a failure on my part." I use this metric when I rate shows or books and it is amazing how many fall short. Thank you.
22:10 OMG! I know what you're going through! From the Day of Black Sun, they are all só perfect (including all of the Zuko-quests; aka side-quests with Zuko), with the cherry on the cake with The Final Agni-kai.
Sorry, I wanted to use another analogy for how perfect the episodes of season 3 are, but, eh, well, eh... We have to keep the content of comments acceptable for all ages and people, no?
Let's just say that for the entire series of Avatar The Last Airbender:
- Season 1 is a couple of dates, good ones, bad ones, but let's keep things rolling, shall we. It's not undisputably brilliant, but there's great potential in this series,
- Season 2 compares to a series of extended nights out together. It's getting better, but I wouldn't recommend éveryone to watch the series yet. A bit like 'not just yet introducing him or her to your parents.'
- The first couple of episodes of Season 3 is like getting to a good home-date and doing things together like cooking and settling in for a movie on the couch under a blanket, while having (mentally!) a great time together.
- From The Day of Black Sun on I would compare as things getting really perfectly aligned,
- From The Boiling Rock on, yeah, eh, things get boiling.
- And The Final Agni-Kai is, eh, I mean: comet-enhanced firebending... It's already boiling, since The Boiling Rock, so, eh, let's just say the lid blows off the pressure cooker here... There is no doubt anymore; This is brilliant! And the second time I watch the series, it will hold up and I am going to religiously recommend éveryone I know to watch it.
(On Aang's and Ozai's fight; it feels a bit like the safety-glove in the analogy: It's expected and needs to be there, and won't take away the fun. But it's distracting and not having it then and there would have put the entire thing at risk of 'dire consequences')
It's funny how almost every episode on the second half of season 3 is on Merphy's Perfect Tier
Here, or here? Here? Here? Here or here?!
You had me cracking up there.
Also, as someone who watches way too much TV, the Ember Island Players is the best recap episode of any television show that's ever been done in the history of electricity.
I don’t think you’ve ever been this conflicted about Avatar 😂
if not every episode is number 1 I will cry
What really hit me whit Soutern Raiders is when Ang prease her for forgiving him and she respons that she didnt and she didnt know why she didnt kill him. If it was becouse she was weak or becouse (brainfreez here). And then she just sit there at the water morn things lost. SO GOOD!
Hi, Merphy,
Thanks for making your videos! I always really enjoy them!
I wanted to make a recommendation of a show to you based on two things you’ve said. It’s called “The Dragon Prince”, and it’s in Netflix. It is made by some of the same creators as Avatar, one of who is Aaron Ehasz, which is one reason I think you’d like it. The other is that you said in a LOTR video once that you love elves more than any other fantasy creature. Well, this show has many greet elf characters and great elf lore (different kinds of elves). I think you’d really enjoy it if you haven’t heard of it, so wanted to recommend it. :)
watching someone fangirl to the point of unraveling is surprisingly entertaining
Drinking game: Take a shot every time she says "_______ is conflicted." or "______ is angsty." Make sure to call the ambulance in advance.
Make it a sip when the line is related to Zuko. If not, the ambulance might not cut it
Azula is an awesome antagonist. She may seem alien and not relatable since she is pretty sociopathic, but this season really developed her beyond just the evil trope. It really showcases the effects of environment on a persons mentality. She is extreme, but much of it stems from her father, her insecurities, and her lack of understanding of the world in its entirety... it’s also hard to fathom that these circumstances resulted in so much damage to her and everyone else, despite being a young 14 year old (I think) child.
Thank you for this. Love hearing your opinion on this show!
The beach episode was the only one I thought might go in eh rank. To each their own, love your channel and content. :)
Aang not killing Ozai was perfect. He is the LAST of his people, and he managed to uphold the values of his people by not killing. Truly nobody understood his position.
The Beach has the greatest line in the history of all media imo:
“That’s a sharp outfit, Chan. Careful, you could puncture the hull of an empire-class Fire Nation battle ship, leaving thousands to drown at sea… Because… it’s so sharp”
When it comes to the way the battle ended, here's what people don't realize, Aang took a much bigger risk by letting Ozai live. Killing him would have been the easy way out. By keeping him alive, there's that risk of him possibly escaping and building a new army.
25:52 I have seen post where it says if this doesn't warm your heart then you are watching the show wrong. That is 100 percent true
"So many good episodes!! Does it go here? Or here?? Here??? Or here????" I love it!
I totally get what you mean about the episode where Aang has really bad anxiety and insomnia. Objectively, is not a great episode. But let me tell you that it helped me tremendously. I was going through the same thing. No sleep, had nightmares when I did and really bad anxiety. Somehow this ep put things into perspective. I was Aang and my husband was Katara. It is refreshing to see a kids show talk about mental health.