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The funny thing about Mai and Azula is that Mai NEVER fully listened to Azula whenever she wasn’t near her. The drill? She refused to follow Katara through the slurry. In Ba Sing Se? She let the Gaang take Bosco and escape with him. Had she not allowed that then the Gaang wouldn’t have made it out alive on Appa afterward. Even in that one scene early in this season when she’s canoodling with Zuko watching the sunset, when Azula comes to interrupt their time, we see Mai give Azula the most intense side eye when leaving. Mai NEVER liked Azula like that so this was a long time coming.
Omg that glance Mai gives to Zuko as she’s taking down the guards like, “You see Zuko, all you had to do was open up to me about your feelings and struggles and I would have been in lockstep with you by your side,” is possibly the best writing choice for that moment made to demonstrate her unwavering devotion to Zuko, without her uttering a single word. A downright masterful piece of work Avatar: The Last Airbender is.
@tijmen-vm9lqI think this is how it needed to happen. If Zuko had just said "hey let's go somewhere else," she might have seen it as him just continuing to shy away from his responsibilities. It wasn't until this whole episode that she saw Zuko had found something true and good that finally made him happy with his place in the world, that her feelings for him were renewed and she decided to help him
I think it's a mix. She certainly knows going against Azula on anything would be a bad idea considering that Azula expects people to just obey her when she says something, and she has the means to force that obedience if she has to. But at the same time I also think there is a resentment behind her obedience that makes her push back at Azula at times, a sense of pride and feeling of self-worth that makes her rebellious side come out. Mai doesn't get a lot of attention in the show and she's subtle enough that things are easily misinterpreted or go unnoticed, but I think she has more complexities than what many like to credit her as having.
@@JBuddisyup, i also feel like being that shes so unenthusiatic she just goes with the motions and so she doesnt really have the energy or desire to go against azula usually even though she could if it came down to it
A little detail that’s super important. Up until learning the original way of firebending from the Sun Warriors, Zuko would grunt with every fire blast. He doesn’t do that anymore. It shows how much inner peace he’s having.
The look on Ty Lee’s face during the tense confrontation between Mai and Azula was that of a child when parents argue. Psychologically a long, long fuse has been lit in Azula’s mind. It still amazes me how the writers can apply comic relief in unlikely scenes. team Sokka’s attempt to start a riot and how it’s really done cracks me up😂
Something I noticed: Remember back at bitter work when uncle Iroh woke up and had to throw out Zukos tea for being so bad? Here they seem to like his tea, so he clearly learned something from his uncle there while working in the tea shop.
Maybe it was an odd pairing at the start, but after their introspective moment in Ember Island, you can see Mai and Zuko's relationship change. She becomes more open and expressive around him in contrast to her dull attitude from before, willing to listen to his struggles and offer him her point of view. Maybe before it was a thing of physical attraction, but after the beach, she began to understand his needs and tried to support him in any way she could, even if it meant getting killed by Azula.
She been knew what zuko needed it wasn’t just no physical attraction lol she been liked him for years and she’s just a dull person nothing wrong wit that he knew who she was before they got back together
"Saving the jerk who dumped me" 😂 def one of my fav Mai quotes! I love that love trumped fear in her heart ❤❤ I love Azula as an antagonist but she definitely deserved that
I love it too because it would've been so easy (and not even an unreasonable writing choice! ) to make Mai feel betrayed and want to get back at him by falling even more into Azula's camp. The fact that they went with this instead - Mai choosing to help Zuko just because she still loves him, even though she doesn't expect him to reciprocate in any way anymore - really makes clear for the first time that Mai and Zuko _make sense_ and he is with her for a reason. A much deeper reason than them both being weird, emo kids. 😂 Up to this point, I wasn't a huge believer in the Mai/Zuko ship and I always thought the writers just threw her in the series to shut the Zutara shippers up, but this episode is what finally changed my mind.
I always love the moment when Ty Lee saves Mei, because everyone thought it made sense for Mei to betray her considering Zuko. But Ty Lee's is always a bit of a shocker. She always liked Mei more than Azula, and chose in that moment to betray her. Azula was so surprised and genuinely shocked at anyone betraying her, she thought the most important thing was to make sure people fear you, but in her core she always thought they were all friends. They were but they were only there because Azula scared them into being there. Mei only helped Azula because her little brother went missing, and she helped save him and Ty lee was legit scared into joining because Azula threatened the people at the carnival.
Ty Lee never wanted to be recruited by Azula. When she is first introduced, it is made clear that she does not overtly like Azula, but fears her. And when Azula then attempts to persuade her by making her performance deadly, she realizes she has no choice.
@@zinthaniel9913 Yeah I know thats what I said, I meant it was shocking to Azula. She was genuinely shocked that Ty Lee and Mei were not as scared of her or thought of her as a friend like she thought.
I was personally looking forward for this episode.. because for some reason, I've always liked Mai's character.. I mean, I like nonchalant characters.. and well, we know how they, especially Spartan, feel about Mai.. so I was looking forward for this episode so they could finally give her more appreciation ❤❤❤
Mai's been severely misunderstood by spartan n pudgey so having her time in the sun felt neat. I think it has to do with the fact they both wear their hearts (a great trait for reactors mind you) on their sleeves. Her character rings stronger with introverted people I would think.
@@viziontrex Facts. I really liked Mai just from an amusement perspective when she was introduced, due to the classic gloomy gothic persona. But I also found a great bit of respect for her when she defied Azula's order on the drill. Most people overlook it as a small thing since there weren't really any consequences for it, but I always thought that was huge.
@@vindifference Yeah Mai seemed like she was always more resistant to Azula than Ty Lee, and in the flashbacks she was the punching bag of the friend group because of her connection with zuko.
Yeah in that moment Azula wasn't hearing Mai, she was hearing her mother. I like to think this is the final step that leads to her breakdown in the finale
Zuko was already starting to use his new skills from the dragons; he was directly countering Azula's attacks when previously he's had to dodge or deflect them.
I think also it shocked Azula that someone loved her brother enough to turn against her. To azula zuko has always been lesser, or not even a threat in her eyes (except for her mom's affection) the fact that someone betrayed her because they loved Zuko also triggered something in azula as well.
A very subtle sign of Mai's attitude toward Azula changing happens way back in episode 2 of this season when Azula interrupts Zuko and Mai hating the world together. Azula tells Mai that Ty Lee needs help untangling her braids. And while Mai seem to get the hint that Azula wants her to leave so she can talk to Zuko alone and willing goes along with it, just as she passes Azula you can see her direct a very dirty look in Azula's direction.
When I rewatched this series, I noticed that even before this episode, you can pick up a few times when it is clear what Mei really thought of Azula. Mei yelled at Azula in the beach episode to leave her alone, threw some major stink eye when Azula interrupted Meis and Zukos picnic and, perhaps the earliest example, refused to go into the sludge in the drill episode. I think it is a very subtle but well executed character arc for Mei, considering that in her introductory episode, she lets Azula call the deal off to get her brother back. Now she finally has the strength to fight against Azula, and it is because of Zukos example and their relationship.
I always felt Mai was an introvert but that she did adore Zuko. After his banishment she retreated into herself even more. She was done. Zuko was gone. Her family ignored her, and she had to behave 24/7. You see glimpses of her emerging from her shell once she was around Zuko again. Azula's miscalculation was allowing Zuko and Mai to reunite. When Mai saw that she was going to lose Zuko again, permanently, she made her choice. And, go into action she did. She was ready to die for Zuko rather than live without him. And, it wasn't a betrayal. You can't betray your master or oppressor. You can only fight for your freedom, or take a stand to protect someone or something. Azula has no friends. She never did. She had servants/slaves that had to pretend to love her for their own safety.
mai and zuko supremacy ❤ you have to respect the warden, he's willing to kill himself so the prisoners wouldn't escape 😢 40:59 and 41:14 most shocking moment in ATLA, even mai was surprised azula was about to strike mai with lightning.
Yeah, it's not often people give the warden credit for that but it's legit impressive when compared to the amount of similar villains who turn coward the moment things go south. He's a scumbag, but when he said he'd rather end up in the boiling lake than let any prisoners escape he damn well meant it!
Mai and Zuko accept influence from each other which is a sign of a strong bond. Of course we see Zuko getting it from more people throughout the span of the show because he's more of a focused character but she plays a part in that as well. I think they're actually really good for each other.
One of my favorite underrated moments is form these episodes where the wardens yells for the guards to cut the line, he really meant it when he said he’d rather jump in the boiling lake than let the record fall.
Again this is what makes THIS series a spectacular one, you'd not expect two characters like Sokka and Zuko to be paired together, they've had one scene of screentime together and it consisted of Sokka yelling at him before being kicked into snow. But the writers saw a chance to give both of them added depth by adding to the things they have in common and it worked out spectacularly.
43:25 I think you misunderstood Mai's comments at the beginning of book 3... She had a jokey/sarcastic way of trying to keep Zuko's mind off his troubles... Most of the interactions that you misunderstood was just her trying to keep his mind off of his problems... Because the way she deals with stress is trying not to think about it... That's why she just sighs and groans and says "whatever" all the time...
Honestly, this is one of my top episodes of Avatar. So many emotions throughout. Sokka's self doubt. His father. Suki. And then Zuko with Mai. The ending with Ty Lee. Just so much.
Forgot how much I love the fight on top of the gondola. Suki vs Ty Lee, Azula vs Zuko and Sokka, capping off with Mei coming in and wrecking those firebender guards. Lots of cool moments in this two-parter.
In English Mai says: you Miscalculated. In Spanish Mai calls Azula by her name: “Te Equivocaste Azula” that moment is epic. I never expect this when I watched this episode! Ty Lee was the biggest surprise in this episode but I think Mai was epic too. Get ready for the finally episodes guys!Great reaction!
It's not that Azula thought they were "really friends", it's that she thought that Mai and Ty Lee fundamentally share her view of the world as a system of hierarchies, the vertical of superior-inferior, and that they know their places in that structure and can be trusted to behave accordingly. See in the Beach, when Azula says that they (the royals and the royals' chosen retinue) should be worshipped wherever they go and Ty Lee agrees loudly and enthusiastically, or that scene in Ba Sing Se when she says that Long Feng's problem was that he tried to elevate himself and climb the ladder against the "natural order", where some people have "divine right to rule". In fact, Azula thinks Zuko is weak because his firebending is weaker, but she thinks he's *stupid* precisely because he's always bucked against this perceived world order, standing up for soldiers and feeling empathy for fallen Lu Ten and junk like that. She knows Zuko is "stupid" like that, so she expects and can predict his actions, but she didn't think Mai and Ty Lee were "stupid" like that, she thought they knew their place. Which is why their turn is just that shocking, it means that either: 1. All this time Azula had chosen and kept companions that fundamentally disagreed with her view of the world 2. Even worse, someone's fundamental view of the world can change, there is no such thing as "natural order" and "inherent superiority", people can grow, change their mind, rise up against those that scare them, and choose love over fear. Both realizations are intolerable to Azula.
@@mmxxiii9503 same with azula and her dad and they actually kill people….💀but they never said 💩 about them lol Mai was just bored half of the time lol…tf
The last reactors I seen watch this 2 parter ended up saying it was 2 episodes they really didn’t care for compared to other episodes. I was sooooooo disappointed. Like, this is such a good episode. Zuko and sokka are a satisfying team and Mai betraying azula for zuko, & Ty Lee betraying azula for Mai, *chefs kiss*
7:47 the thing is that Iroh was once like that too. He laughed about burning Ba Sing Se down. And the only reason he changed and started question things was because Lu Ten (his son) died.
Loved the moment with Mai and Tylee finally betraying Azula, I also loved that there is a moment after Azula and Tylee jump off onto the other gandula that you can see Tylee is upset that their going to cut the line because she said in episode five that she knows Zuko and that she cares about him I thought that was a cool moment to look back on based on what happened later in the episode. Oh and something else I noticed was that in season 2 episode 19 Azula say something like isn’t it terrible when you can’t trust the people closest to you and Mai and Tylee shared a look I loved that piece of foreshadowing! Love you guys, cool reaction!!!!!!
Suki going toe to toe with ty lee is tge most realistic. When you think about it from combat standpoint, bending is more of a range fighting method so its hard for any bender to fight ty lee as she gets up close and personal whereas thats also the fighting style of suki and the kyoshi warriors
They don't really explain this that well in the show, but the Kyoshi Warriors were created by Kyoshi as a sort of special elite law enforcement unit. So their style is focused on disarming and subduing people, instead of "winning" a battle/fight (so, different than a soldier who is fighting an enemy in war, for example). This is very similar to Tai Lee's style, because Tai Lee just happens to be best at Chi Blocking. So, they can look like a similar fighting style in some ways. The Kyoshi Warriors use mainly Aikido, though, apparently (I'm no expert. That's just what I've heard 😂)
I loved both of your reactions to Mai and Ty Lee's betrayal! Yes friendship and love both trumps fear. That is one of my favorite moments in The Last Airbender.
Since Zuko learned the true way of firebending, his firebending no longer comes from anger. You can tell this because he no longer grunts while bending fire. Previously, he used to do this all the time,
I still remember when this episode first aired on TV - the scream that left my body when Ty Lee turned on Azula to save Mai was WILD. I really liked Ty Lee and Mai from the start, I remember feeling really strongly that they had no choice but to be Azula's 'friends', because the show did a good job of showing little bits and pieces that made it seem really clear to me. But to see Mai declare her love was stronger than fear, and then to see Ty Lee show that HER love for Mai was stronger than fear too, was amazing.
The words that used to come to mind with me when it came to this episode was "Cool I guess" but after watching countless videos analyzing Zuko's character arc and realizing the couple episodes after he joins the team are him gaining the trusts of Aang, Sokka, and Katara I've come to appreciate this episode A LOT more
One thing that I think you guys never noticed is all the times since their introduction Mai had been giving Azula countless side eyes. She hated her all along. Sure her and ty lee do what she says, but only because she controls them with fear. Not because they love her. Eventually there's something that was a bridge too far for them to do, so they turned on her.
The way in which this series this series will boom when the live action comes out. Im already so happy because im certain it will harvest much mire views
38:18 Dancing Dragon move! An example of Zuko using what he learned from the Sun Warrior statues in Firebending Masters episode. This one was move #2 in the form
49:35 People love Azula because she is such a great villain. People love to hate her and love that when she appears in an episode you know she's a threat.
I LOVE her. You can love villians and still not want to see them win. She is SO efficient and SO smart. Seriously... she took over Ba Sing Se, got rid of the Avatar, got Zuko back and captured Iroh in one fell swoop! I can't deny that's badass.
IIRC, They originally had designed the Warden intending to cast Danny Trejo (Machete) - but due to scheduling conflicts he was unavailable when they needed him for recording. In a similar fashion “The Boulder” was supposed to be voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (this was before he was as big of a star as he is these days) - but after he couldn’t do it, they got fellow wrestling star Mick Foley.
@@SnailHatan They barely know him. all they see is a guy who has chased them and trying to make amends now. but iroh and mai have been at his side since day 1.
The line "I love Zuko more than I fear you" is what broke Azula. Her whole life, Zuko was the one who got the love from their mother while all she had was the fear people had of her. Now her only "friends" chose Zuko over her. It must've hit very deep, hence why she lost her mind after this. She dedicated her entire life to being dominant and feared, and lost everything, while Zuko changed and went for love instead, and gained everything for it.
The difference about zuko firebending is he is no longer firebend with screams and rage he is more in control, and he is more defensive, before he will attack in the first move but now he wait for the enemy to attack first. for example when she fought Azula in season 2 and in this episode, you will see the difference.
When i first watched it as a kid i used to hate Mai, but now she's legit one of my favourite characters. There is just something about how subtle her characterization is that just makes me baffled about the writing
I doubt Zuko’s ‘new technique’ is going to be a Goku style of shouting out the name of the move then gets an extremely unique flame color or something. Bending is based on martial arts, and that’s what we’ve seen. Zuko (with the help of Sokka) matching Azula’s natural talent. The ‘original way’ of the dragons is just one way of mastering firebending. Azula’s way is different way and equally as valid, as evidenced by her new jetpack technique. Even Jeong Jeong with his negative view of firebending is the only one who can create massive firewalls and can quell fire like nobody can. There are different ways of mastering the same art. The Gaang can’t match Azula. Zuko and Sokka didn’t defeat her here. Aang, Toph, and Sokka didn’t defeat her during the Invasion when she had no bending (granted she had the Dai Li). The entire sleep deprived Gaang with Zuko and Iroh didn’t defeat her, and took down Iroh while at it. Azula only got humiliated here because she didn’t expect her closest friends to betray her. Well-rested Katara is the only one who could match her in the Book 2 finale, not having a lot of experience with waterbenders seems to be her weakness. All the ways to master firebending are valid as they are focusing on aspects of fire. Zuko used to be from rage, Azula and Ozai from cold-hearted precision (which is why they are extremely skilled in lightningbending), Iroh (the dragon’s way) is about harmony and the life-giving qualities of fire, Zhao is all about sheer destructive power, Jeong Jeong is about pure control and containment of fire.
Credit where credit's due: the warden said he'd sooner jump into the boiling lake himself than allow any prisoners to escape, and he meant it. So many villains like that turn coward the moment things go to shit, so even though he's a scumbag I'll always give him props for that.
Hey 6 months late and you've moved on by now but I've been loving your Avatar reactions and I would like to say this about your little chat here at 50:52. Zuko showed a completely different form of firebending if you pay attention. Many may point this out because it's more obvious but he wasn't grunting and roaring while bending, showing that he really has moved past his rage-bending style. But more importantly, many of his firebending moves were defensive, completely negating Azula's attacks. Not only did Zuko defend against her attacks, he shielded the people behind him from the fire at the same time by negating the attack instead of pushing it aside to make a counterattack.
Cant wait for you guys to watch the finale, i recommend you watch the legend of Korra after you're done, it's a continuation, but you'll love it. Not as much as ATLA tho 😂💙
Glad you guys finally gave Mai her flowers. She’s always been good for Zuko. Zuko and Katara would’ve been great too but I never found issue bb with him and Mai
Yessss! Cannot wait for the next episode from y'all. This final bit of the series holds some of my favorite moments. As always love the reaction and discussion!
i think the reason there was no earthbenders there was because there was earth around them, remember most earth prisons are made of metal or wood so they cant bend, and for waterbenders, they keep them seperate because of bloodbending
Want to watch EARLY or access the UNCUT reaction? Join us on Patreon for access to episodes 3x16, 3x17, 3x18, 3x19, 20 & 21! (EDITED & UNCUT) +The Legend of Korra 1x1 (EDITED) + TLOK 1x2 (UNCUT) Click the link to join! www.patreon.com/spartanandpudgey
I love 16, and 17 is my favorite episode of the show. I’m just afraid Spartan will HATE 17. I just love humor filled episodes so much.
its a ROCKET JUMP!
sorry im just passionate about the show, nice commentary u guys
are you guys going to react to the legend of korra ?
Ty Lee chi blocking Azula is one of my favourite moments from the show!
The look of shock on Azula's face was PRICELESS!!
@@PHSDM104 It's because that's the first time she felt fear. This is when the undoing of her began.
@@ajgo2145 Yup.
@@ajgo2145 chi blockers are terrifying
Hate it🤮🤮🤮🤮🖕🖕🖕
“My fist girlfriend turned into the moon.”
“…that’s rough, buddy.”
One of my favorite avatar quotes 😂
The funny thing about Mai and Azula is that Mai NEVER fully listened to Azula whenever she wasn’t near her. The drill? She refused to follow Katara through the slurry. In Ba Sing Se? She let the Gaang take Bosco and escape with him. Had she not allowed that then the Gaang wouldn’t have made it out alive on Appa afterward. Even in that one scene early in this season when she’s canoodling with Zuko watching the sunset, when Azula comes to interrupt their time, we see Mai give Azula the most intense side eye when leaving. Mai NEVER liked Azula like that so this was a long time coming.
Omg that glance Mai gives to Zuko as she’s taking down the guards like, “You see Zuko, all you had to do was open up to me about your feelings and struggles and I would have been in lockstep with you by your side,” is possibly the best writing choice for that moment made to demonstrate her unwavering devotion to Zuko, without her uttering a single word.
A downright masterful piece of work Avatar: The Last Airbender is.
Facts I always thought that if Zuko told mai his feelings she might of left with him
@tijmen-vm9lqI think this is how it needed to happen. If Zuko had just said "hey let's go somewhere else," she might have seen it as him just continuing to shy away from his responsibilities. It wasn't until this whole episode that she saw Zuko had found something true and good that finally made him happy with his place in the world, that her feelings for him were renewed and she decided to help him
I saw true heartbreak in Mais Eyes. But Mai saw the determination in Zuko's eyes and realized he was in the right.
Yeah. Ultimately provided she agreed to it, Azula would have used her to hurt Zuko or punished her.
Finally Mai got some love. I love how her reasoning was that her love for Zuko even tho he hurt her was bigger then her fear of Azula's wrath ❤🔥
If you think about it, she never really feared Azula. She was just bored, that's why she did her bidding.
@@azulablue6988 Eh she did, she was just hiding some of it with boredom
mai is a girl to keep
I think it's a mix. She certainly knows going against Azula on anything would be a bad idea considering that Azula expects people to just obey her when she says something, and she has the means to force that obedience if she has to. But at the same time I also think there is a resentment behind her obedience that makes her push back at Azula at times, a sense of pride and feeling of self-worth that makes her rebellious side come out. Mai doesn't get a lot of attention in the show and she's subtle enough that things are easily misinterpreted or go unnoticed, but I think she has more complexities than what many like to credit her as having.
@@JBuddisyup, i also feel like being that shes so unenthusiatic she just goes with the motions and so she doesnt really have the energy or desire to go against azula usually even though she could if it came down to it
A little detail that’s super important. Up until learning the original way of firebending from the Sun Warriors, Zuko would grunt with every fire blast. He doesn’t do that anymore. It shows how much inner peace he’s having.
That's ironic because the fire(original firebending) itself sounds like a dragon's roar.
The look on Ty Lee’s face during the tense confrontation between Mai and Azula was that of a child when parents argue.
Psychologically a long, long fuse has been lit in Azula’s mind.
It still amazes me how the writers can apply comic relief in unlikely scenes. team Sokka’s attempt to start a riot and how it’s really done cracks me up😂
Something I noticed: Remember back at bitter work when uncle Iroh woke up and had to throw out Zukos tea for being so bad? Here they seem to like his tea, so he clearly learned something from his uncle there while working in the tea shop.
That's the character development for you!
Maybe it was an odd pairing at the start, but after their introspective moment in Ember Island, you can see Mai and Zuko's relationship change. She becomes more open and expressive around him in contrast to her dull attitude from before, willing to listen to his struggles and offer him her point of view. Maybe before it was a thing of physical attraction, but after the beach, she began to understand his needs and tried to support him in any way she could, even if it meant getting killed by Azula.
It never was just physical attraction. Mai liked Zuko as kids as in she just loved who he was when he was a happy ignorant child.
She been knew what zuko needed it wasn’t just no physical attraction lol she been liked him for years and she’s just a dull person nothing wrong wit that he knew who she was before they got back together
"Saving the jerk who dumped me" 😂 def one of my fav Mai quotes! I love that love trumped fear in her heart ❤❤ I love Azula as an antagonist but she definitely deserved that
I love it too because it would've been so easy (and not even an unreasonable writing choice! ) to make Mai feel betrayed and want to get back at him by falling even more into Azula's camp. The fact that they went with this instead - Mai choosing to help Zuko just because she still loves him, even though she doesn't expect him to reciprocate in any way anymore - really makes clear for the first time that Mai and Zuko _make sense_ and he is with her for a reason. A much deeper reason than them both being weird, emo kids. 😂 Up to this point, I wasn't a huge believer in the Mai/Zuko ship and I always thought the writers just threw her in the series to shut the Zutara shippers up, but this episode is what finally changed my mind.
That part with Mai standing up to Azula always makes me tear up a bit.
Mai was ready to put all on the line.
I always love the moment when Ty Lee saves Mei, because everyone thought it made sense for Mei to betray her considering Zuko. But Ty Lee's is always a bit of a shocker. She always liked Mei more than Azula, and chose in that moment to betray her. Azula was so surprised and genuinely shocked at anyone betraying her, she thought the most important thing was to make sure people fear you, but in her core she always thought they were all friends. They were but they were only there because Azula scared them into being there. Mei only helped Azula because her little brother went missing, and she helped save him and Ty lee was legit scared into joining because Azula threatened the people at the carnival.
I actually think they both used to like Azula in some way but they understood she was toxic
Ty Lee never wanted to be recruited by Azula. When she is first introduced, it is made clear that she does not overtly like Azula, but fears her. And when Azula then attempts to persuade her by making her performance deadly, she realizes she has no choice.
@@zinthaniel9913 Yeah I know thats what I said, I meant it was shocking to Azula. She was genuinely shocked that Ty Lee and Mei were not as scared of her or thought of her as a friend like she thought.
I was personally looking forward for this episode.. because for some reason, I've always liked Mai's character.. I mean, I like nonchalant characters.. and well, we know how they, especially Spartan, feel about Mai.. so I was looking forward for this episode so they could finally give her more appreciation ❤❤❤
i feel exactly the same !
Mai's been severely misunderstood by spartan n pudgey so having her time in the sun felt neat. I think it has to do with the fact they both wear their hearts (a great trait for reactors mind you) on their sleeves. Her character rings stronger with introverted people I would think.
@@viziontrex Facts. I really liked Mai just from an amusement perspective when she was introduced, due to the classic gloomy gothic persona. But I also found a great bit of respect for her when she defied Azula's order on the drill. Most people overlook it as a small thing since there weren't really any consequences for it, but I always thought that was huge.
@@vindifference Yeah Mai seemed like she was always more resistant to Azula than Ty Lee, and in the flashbacks she was the punching bag of the friend group because of her connection with zuko.
When Mai told Azula she loves Zuko more than she fears her, you can see the shock in Azula, she did mentioned how her Mother loved Zuko more than her.
Damn you know, Never actually thought of it that way 😮
Yeah in that moment Azula wasn't hearing Mai, she was hearing her mother. I like to think this is the final step that leads to her breakdown in the finale
Zuko was already starting to use his new skills from the dragons; he was directly countering Azula's attacks when previously he's had to dodge or deflect them.
seriously. They are in awe of him doing shit he’s never done before while simultaneously wondering when he’s going to start doing new shit lmao 🤦🏻♂️
Zuko's entire firebending form has changed since learning from the Sun Warriors. He no longer needs anger or rage to amplify his power
Yesss! Mai appreciation
I think also it shocked Azula that someone loved her brother enough to turn against her. To azula zuko has always been lesser, or not even a threat in her eyes (except for her mom's affection) the fact that someone betrayed her because they loved Zuko also triggered something in azula as well.
"That's rough buddy"
The most famous avatar phrase ever 😂
iconic line
@@keanancupidoand then the Fire Nation attacked.
@@emmyjr1231 I was just going to say that, cool
A very subtle sign of Mai's attitude toward Azula changing happens way back in episode 2 of this season when Azula interrupts Zuko and Mai hating the world together. Azula tells Mai that Ty Lee needs help untangling her braids. And while Mai seem to get the hint that Azula wants her to leave so she can talk to Zuko alone and willing goes along with it, just as she passes Azula you can see her direct a very dirty look in Azula's direction.
When I rewatched this series, I noticed that even before this episode, you can pick up a few times when it is clear what Mei really thought of Azula. Mei yelled at Azula in the beach episode to leave her alone, threw some major stink eye when Azula interrupted Meis and Zukos picnic and, perhaps the earliest example, refused to go into the sludge in the drill episode.
I think it is a very subtle but well executed character arc for Mei, considering that in her introductory episode, she lets Azula call the deal off to get her brother back. Now she finally has the strength to fight against Azula, and it is because of Zukos example and their relationship.
I always felt Mai was an introvert but that she did adore Zuko. After his banishment she retreated into herself even more. She was done. Zuko was gone. Her family ignored her, and she had to behave 24/7. You see glimpses of her emerging from her shell once she was around Zuko again. Azula's miscalculation was allowing Zuko and Mai to reunite. When Mai saw that she was going to lose Zuko again, permanently, she made her choice. And, go into action she did. She was ready to die for Zuko rather than live without him. And, it wasn't a betrayal. You can't betray your master or oppressor. You can only fight for your freedom, or take a stand to protect someone or something. Azula has no friends. She never did. She had servants/slaves that had to pretend to love her for their own safety.
Best interpretation! totally agree
I've been waiting for you guys to get to these episodes! Mai and Ty Lee's turn is iconic
This is probably top 5 episodes of Avatar for me. Just sooooo good
mai and zuko supremacy ❤
you have to respect the warden, he's willing to kill himself so the prisoners wouldn't escape 😢
40:59 and 41:14 most shocking moment in ATLA, even mai was surprised
azula was about to strike mai with lightning.
Yeah, it's not often people give the warden credit for that but it's legit impressive when compared to the amount of similar villains who turn coward the moment things go south. He's a scumbag, but when he said he'd rather end up in the boiling lake than let any prisoners escape he damn well meant it!
Mai and Zuko accept influence from each other which is a sign of a strong bond. Of course we see Zuko getting it from more people throughout the span of the show because he's more of a focused character but she plays a part in that as well. I think they're actually really good for each other.
One of my favorite underrated moments is form these episodes where the wardens yells for the guards to cut the line, he really meant it when he said he’d rather jump in the boiling lake than let the record fall.
"The meat of friendship and fatherhood" is the weirdest line delivered with a straight face on the whole show 😂
Which makes it a very Sokka thing to do.
Idk about friendship but the meat of fatherhood sounds really, really weird.
Again this is what makes THIS series a spectacular one, you'd not expect two characters like Sokka and Zuko to be paired together, they've had one scene of screentime together and it consisted of Sokka yelling at him before being kicked into snow.
But the writers saw a chance to give both of them added depth by adding to the things they have in common and it worked out spectacularly.
43:25 I think you misunderstood Mai's comments at the beginning of book 3...
She had a jokey/sarcastic way of trying to keep Zuko's mind off his troubles...
Most of the interactions that you misunderstood was just her trying to keep his mind off of his problems...
Because the way she deals with stress is trying not to think about it...
That's why she just sighs and groans and says "whatever" all the time...
"Ah Sokka, good with his tongue"
Im wondering if Suki can confirm that
FINALLY mai and ty lee get the respect they deserve!
Honestly, this is one of my top episodes of Avatar. So many emotions throughout. Sokka's self doubt. His father. Suki. And then Zuko with Mai. The ending with Ty Lee. Just so much.
Forgot how much I love the fight on top of the gondola. Suki vs Ty Lee, Azula vs Zuko and Sokka, capping off with Mei coming in and wrecking those firebender guards. Lots of cool moments in this two-parter.
Tai Lee stopped Azula because she knew that she was going to hurt Mai, so good to see!
In English Mai says: you Miscalculated. In Spanish Mai calls Azula by her name: “Te Equivocaste Azula” that moment is epic. I never expect this when I watched this episode! Ty Lee was the biggest surprise in this episode but I think Mai was epic too. Get ready for the finally episodes guys!Great reaction!
How do you watch the Spanish dub?
Dios, como amo el doblaje latino. Superb.
It's not that Azula thought they were "really friends", it's that she thought that Mai and Ty Lee fundamentally share her view of the world as a system of hierarchies, the vertical of superior-inferior, and that they know their places in that structure and can be trusted to behave accordingly. See in the Beach, when Azula says that they (the royals and the royals' chosen retinue) should be worshipped wherever they go and Ty Lee agrees loudly and enthusiastically, or that scene in Ba Sing Se when she says that Long Feng's problem was that he tried to elevate himself and climb the ladder against the "natural order", where some people have "divine right to rule". In fact, Azula thinks Zuko is weak because his firebending is weaker, but she thinks he's *stupid* precisely because he's always bucked against this perceived world order, standing up for soldiers and feeling empathy for fallen Lu Ten and junk like that. She knows Zuko is "stupid" like that, so she expects and can predict his actions, but she didn't think Mai and Ty Lee were "stupid" like that, she thought they knew their place. Which is why their turn is just that shocking, it means that either:
1. All this time Azula had chosen and kept companions that fundamentally disagreed with her view of the world
2. Even worse, someone's fundamental view of the world can change, there is no such thing as "natural order" and "inherent superiority", people can grow, change their mind, rise up against those that scare them, and choose love over fear.
Both realizations are intolerable to Azula.
Then to be bested by a Water Tribe peasant during Sozin’s Comet in her own home at her own coronation.
Mai redemption arc.
I remember how disgusted Spartan used to be with her earlier in the series😂
For some weird reason….like what was so wrong with her that they had to always talk dirty about her?
To be fair she is not exactly a character that shows empathy, that's probably why
@@mmxxiii9503 same with azula and her dad and they actually kill people….💀but they never said 💩 about them lol
Mai was just bored half of the time lol…tf
@@unicornunicorn3249they only root for the "hero"
and criticize all the villains
@@ethelann they’re always saying azula is so smart blah blah
And they haven’t rlly seen ozai yet sooo lol I wouldn’t say all the villains
I’ve been waiting for mai to get her respect 😂 they are literally so perfect for each other. ❤️ much love y’all.
Finally Mei's big redemption moment! I was waiting for this ep. ☺️
The last reactors I seen watch this 2 parter ended up saying it was 2 episodes they really didn’t care for compared to other episodes. I was sooooooo disappointed. Like, this is such a good episode. Zuko and sokka are a satisfying team and Mai betraying azula for zuko, & Ty Lee betraying azula for Mai, *chefs kiss*
7:47 the thing is that Iroh was once like that too. He laughed about burning Ba Sing Se down. And the only reason he changed and started question things was because Lu Ten (his son) died.
Loved the moment with Mai and Tylee finally betraying Azula, I also loved that there is a moment after Azula and Tylee jump off onto the other gandula that you can see Tylee is upset that their going to cut the line because she said in episode five that she knows Zuko and that she cares about him I thought that was a cool moment to look back on based on what happened later in the episode. Oh and something else I noticed was that in season 2 episode 19 Azula say something like isn’t it terrible when you can’t trust the people closest to you and Mai and Tylee shared a look I loved that piece of foreshadowing! Love you guys, cool reaction!!!!!!
Suki going toe to toe with ty lee is tge most realistic. When you think about it from combat standpoint, bending is more of a range fighting method so its hard for any bender to fight ty lee as she gets up close and personal whereas thats also the fighting style of suki and the kyoshi warriors
They don't really explain this that well in the show, but the Kyoshi Warriors were created by Kyoshi as a sort of special elite law enforcement unit. So their style is focused on disarming and subduing people, instead of "winning" a battle/fight (so, different than a soldier who is fighting an enemy in war, for example).
This is very similar to Tai Lee's style, because Tai Lee just happens to be best at Chi Blocking.
So, they can look like a similar fighting style in some ways. The Kyoshi Warriors use mainly Aikido, though, apparently (I'm no expert. That's just what I've heard 😂)
I liked Mai from the beginning but this episode made me love her! She's so cool
I loved both of your reactions to Mai and Ty Lee's betrayal! Yes friendship and love both trumps fear. That is one of my favorite moments in The Last Airbender.
That’s why we love Azula. It’s because she’s a great villain
Suki, mai, ty
lee and sokka are my favorite non- benders! they are iconic
Ty Lee is a bender!...
She makes my bone bend every time😏
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Just kidding, I'm supa gay😂
My cabbages!
Audience: How much can you develop a character's arc?
ATLA: Yes.
I was really looking forward to this chapter, I love Mai.
Since Zuko learned the true way of firebending, his firebending no longer comes from anger. You can tell this because he no longer grunts while bending fire. Previously, he used to do this all the time,
Good observation!
This two episodes are probably my favorites of the whole series. I really love the escape and the dynamic Zuko/Sokka is awesome.
"I love Zuko more than I fear you" OMG that's a lot of love!!
I still remember when this episode first aired on TV - the scream that left my body when Ty Lee turned on Azula to save Mai was WILD. I really liked Ty Lee and Mai from the start, I remember feeling really strongly that they had no choice but to be Azula's 'friends', because the show did a good job of showing little bits and pieces that made it seem really clear to me. But to see Mai declare her love was stronger than fear, and then to see Ty Lee show that HER love for Mai was stronger than fear too, was amazing.
"I love Zuko more than I fear you" ❤😂 that's my favorite line in the show, even though it comes from Mai😅
What i love in this episode, Zuko start called Sokka by his name, no more "the water tribe" or worst "filthy peasant"
23:50 "The warden said that he would 'collect'... I wonder what that means?"
- Listen to the line directly before he said that...
The words that used to come to mind with me when it came to this episode was "Cool I guess" but after watching countless videos analyzing Zuko's character arc and realizing the couple episodes after he joins the team are him gaining the trusts of Aang, Sokka, and Katara I've come to appreciate this episode A LOT more
News Flash: Mai was always worthy, most people just click on it very late.
This might be my favorite 2 parter in The last airbender
Finally. Y'all recognize Mai's greatness😅😅
Why do people always think someone confessing under torture is weak? People swear they're superheroes
Spartan talking about Hakoda: he even looks like a badass
The fandom: and he’s hot too
The detail if u see when Sokka want to go, Toph sleep with feet not touch the ground, so she not feels Sokka leave.
One thing that I think you guys never noticed is all the times since their introduction Mai had been giving Azula countless side eyes. She hated her all along. Sure her and ty lee do what she says, but only because she controls them with fear. Not because they love her. Eventually there's something that was a bridge too far for them to do, so they turned on her.
The way in which this series this series will boom when the live action comes out.
Im already so happy because im certain it will harvest much mire views
I always chuckle at how a fire nation soldier was about to cut the line on the gondola where both children of the firelord where on
38:18 Dancing Dragon move! An example of Zuko using what he learned from the Sun Warrior statues in Firebending Masters episode. This one was move #2 in the form
49:35 People love Azula because she is such a great villain. People love to hate her and love that when she appears in an episode you know she's a threat.
I LOVE her. You can love villians and still not want to see them win. She is SO efficient and SO smart. Seriously... she took over Ba Sing Se, got rid of the Avatar, got Zuko back and captured Iroh in one fell swoop! I can't deny that's badass.
IIRC, They originally had designed the Warden intending to cast Danny Trejo (Machete) - but due to scheduling conflicts he was unavailable when they needed him for recording.
In a similar fashion “The Boulder” was supposed to be voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (this was before he was as big of a star as he is these days) - but after he couldn’t do it, they got fellow wrestling star Mick Foley.
My respect for mai went 1 to 1000 real quick.
She's the one who's truly believing in zuko besides iroh at this point.
Yes, because Toph, Aang and Sokka don’t believe in him at all.
@@SnailHatan They barely know him. all they see is a guy who has chased them and trying to make amends now. but iroh and mai have been at his side since day 1.
Your assessment of Mai was always wrong. She was never dismissive of Zuko or shallow. Never, she made one joke.
The line "I love Zuko more than I fear you" is what broke Azula. Her whole life, Zuko was the one who got the love from their mother while all she had was the fear people had of her. Now her only "friends" chose Zuko over her. It must've hit very deep, hence why she lost her mind after this. She dedicated her entire life to being dominant and feared, and lost everything, while Zuko changed and went for love instead, and gained everything for it.
The difference about zuko firebending is he is no longer firebend with screams and rage he is more in control, and he is more defensive, before he will attack in the first move but now he wait for the enemy to attack first. for example when she fought Azula in season 2 and in this episode, you will see the difference.
When i first watched it as a kid i used to hate Mai, but now she's legit one of my favourite characters. There is just something about how subtle her characterization is that just makes me baffled about the writing
I doubt Zuko’s ‘new technique’ is going to be a Goku style of shouting out the name of the move then gets an extremely unique flame color or something.
Bending is based on martial arts, and that’s what we’ve seen. Zuko (with the help of Sokka) matching Azula’s natural talent. The ‘original way’ of the dragons is just one way of mastering firebending. Azula’s way is different way and equally as valid, as evidenced by her new jetpack technique. Even Jeong Jeong with his negative view of firebending is the only one who can create massive firewalls and can quell fire like nobody can. There are different ways of mastering the same art.
The Gaang can’t match Azula. Zuko and Sokka didn’t defeat her here. Aang, Toph, and Sokka didn’t defeat her during the Invasion when she had no bending (granted she had the Dai Li). The entire sleep deprived Gaang with Zuko and Iroh didn’t defeat her, and took down Iroh while at it.
Azula only got humiliated here because she didn’t expect her closest friends to betray her. Well-rested Katara is the only one who could match her in the Book 2 finale, not having a lot of experience with waterbenders seems to be her weakness.
All the ways to master firebending are valid as they are focusing on aspects of fire. Zuko used to be from rage, Azula and Ozai from cold-hearted precision (which is why they are extremely skilled in lightningbending), Iroh (the dragon’s way) is about harmony and the life-giving qualities of fire, Zhao is all about sheer destructive power, Jeong Jeong is about pure control and containment of fire.
Credit where credit's due: the warden said he'd sooner jump into the boiling lake himself than allow any prisoners to escape, and he meant it. So many villains like that turn coward the moment things go to shit, so even though he's a scumbag I'll always give him props for that.
Ty Lee loves Mai more than she fears Azula.
Sokka did what Suki did in the serpents pass episode “maybe you remember this” leans in for kiss lol
Seeing the reaction of people to Ty Lee chi blocking Azula never gets old 😂😂😂
One of the best betrayals on television
That’s a massive stretch. There is barely any build-up whatsoever, and it lasts a whole 2 seconds. Atla fans really delusional as shit
Hey 6 months late and you've moved on by now but I've been loving your Avatar reactions and I would like to say this about your little chat here at 50:52.
Zuko showed a completely different form of firebending if you pay attention. Many may point this out because it's more obvious but he wasn't grunting and roaring while bending, showing that he really has moved past his rage-bending style. But more importantly, many of his firebending moves were defensive, completely negating Azula's attacks. Not only did Zuko defend against her attacks, he shielded the people behind him from the fire at the same time by negating the attack instead of pushing it aside to make a counterattack.
That entire riot scene is the funniest one in the show for me 😂😂
Completely overlooked Zuko's best line in the series.
That's rough, buddy.
Cant wait for you guys to watch the finale, i recommend you watch the legend of Korra after you're done, it's a continuation, but you'll love it. Not as much as ATLA tho 😂💙
Take note of Azula's downfall in this episode. 😏
Letting Mai shine!!! 41:12
Best line in avatar that's rough buddy
“Oh, it’s hot” says Pudgey. Yeah, it’s boiling, “Boiling Rock”.
Glad you guys finally gave Mai her flowers. She’s always been good for Zuko. Zuko and Katara would’ve been great too but I never found issue bb with him and Mai
this is definitely one of my favourite episodes
Flying was first hinted at in episode 3 of book 1
Gotta love Auto captioning! 🤣 33:03
Yessss! Cannot wait for the next episode from y'all. This final bit of the series holds some of my favorite moments. As always love the reaction and discussion!
"That's rough, buddy."
best part of this show is how fleshed-out the Storm Troopers are, I swear....
and that, dear reader, is how Chit Sang, the most prolific serial killer in fire nation history was released from prison
Azula was coming at Mai with her lightning stance. She wasn’t just going to kill her, she was going to OBLITERATE her.
Iroh traind Zuko to survive in arctic environments
i think the reason there was no earthbenders there was because there was earth around them, remember most earth prisons are made of metal or wood so they cant bend, and for waterbenders, they keep them seperate because of bloodbending