If I remember correctly, "Appa's Lost Days" won the Humane Society award because of how accurately, empathetically, and brutally it portrayed animal cruelty specifically within circuses.
Iroh will never fail to make me laugh with his "I brought someone along who might be able to help us" line, only to reveal he had casually captured and transported a Dai Li Agent all the way across Ba Sing Se to the Gang's home.
35:57 i love how everyone who watches this show wants to see Zuko happy and not desperate for his honor, and when we finally do we're all weirded out 😂
I love how the scene in the catacombs where Azula and Iroh are asking Zuko to choose sides is a complete parallel to the fever dream zuko had with the dragons an episode prior. Such amazing foreshadowing
It's so well done because it feels both inevitable and completely out of left field at the same time. We know he wasn't exactly fulfilled serving tea. Azula knew exactly where to hit him, too. The sister who's always mocked and overshadowed him saying "I can't do this without you".
It’s also important to note that if Aang died in the avatar state, there wouldn’t be anymore avatars, which made it all the more important that aang survived Azula’s lightning strike
@@kingjames6948 If you're referring to the LoK lore, there would still be no more Avatar. [out-of-context Korra spoilers below] What would likely happen is Raava would reform within Vaatu, and the cycle would continue as it used to in the times before the Avatar.
I love the overlap of the guru’s monologue about the elements with Toph beginning to understand how to metalbend. Still gives me goosebumps. Also, I love the foreshadowing of metalbending throughout. And a lot of Iroh’s line about finding light at the end. Ugh it really helps whenever I struggle emotionally.
Other thing I liked was it didn’t do the trope of waiting for the protagonist to charge up or doing their ultimate move. Just shoot lightning at their back.
Zuko returning to the fire nation is one of my favorite moments in Avatar. Seeing the frustration everyone has with his choice is so cathartic, despite feeling the same way when I watched it all those years ago. I always see people ask “why” and to me it’s always seemed odd why people don’t understand Zuko’s choice. I always go back to what it feels like to make a change in your life. If you suddenly decided to change your life and then only days later be offered everything you ever wanted if you went back, wouldn’t you also be tempted to reverse course? It’s easy as viewer to say “just do the right thing” but in our daily lives it’s not that easy and for Zuko it wasn’t easy to betray Iroh either. He immediately regrets his actions after, but Azula, the blue dragon on his shoulder, tells him he made the right decision.
Zuko's betrayal feels like a 'reality check,' not just for the viewers, but for Iroh too. Despite clearly loving his nephew unconditionally and sticking by him through thick and thin, he did kind of push Zuko to leave the Blue Spirit, and his old life, behind and run a tea shop with him, and though he seemed happy, Zuko didn't seem all that satisfied with this life. Iroh probably realized during his imprisonment that he too, in a way, tried to force a "destiny" onto his nephew, despite only wanting what was best for him, hence why he chose not to speak with Zuko whenthe latter visited; Zuko was still clinging to him and Iroh needed to let him go, with the hope that he'd find his way again on his own. And he eventually did.
This season finale made me so happy as a kid because I’d never seen the villains win in a show so decisively. Really drove home that anything could happen especially after Jet passing and all the stuff Appa went through
@@Galiant2010 Honestly, even in Empire they got out better than this. Luke lost a hand, but he gets a perfect prosthetic right after. They lost Han, but they have Lando on the team and already have a rescue plan. They lost the Hoth base, but they knew that would happen at some point looking at how quickly they were giving evacuation orders, and the fleet is already regrouping. And Luke has advanced a lot in his training in the Force. Here in Avatar, Aang nearly died (did die technically, but you know), is locked out of the Avatar State, the Earth Kingdom is straight up defeated and knocked out of the war aside from pockets of resistance, they lost the Kyoshi warriors, Jet's dead, Zuko gave in to Azula's manipulations and rejoined the fire nation, and Iroh is imprisoned, the invasion plan they were making is done for, because they lost the army of Ba Sing Se. The only win they really have here is that Toph can bend metal now. They had weeks of trouble, no Appa, who was off getting PTSD, and finally when things started looking up for them, everything goes to hell again, and they're off even worse than before.
As a survivor of an abusive household, Zuko's story really resonates with me. Backsliding into old patterns is so hard to break, because part of you thinks you don't need the good, "moving forward" life others are presenting you with-- all you want is the life that could've been with your family, even when it's impossible to achieve.
As frustrating as Zukos betrayal is it makes sense. The guy's been banished for 3 years, struggling to find his path, and when he finally starting to change , he was offered everything he wanted on a silver platter. Of course he'd break. "Don't flatter yourself, you were never even a player" - Azula And "Just take the Bear" - Mai are both iconic lines. Azula is the kind of villain thatd kick a power ranger in the balls in the middle of morphing just to be petty. She is both smart and brutal for shooting Aang down during his powerup. I love how everything that happens in this episode is foreshadowed in the very 1st Ep of Book 2: •Lightning bending was displayed for the first time and its by Azula •Roku explaining Avatar state to Aang and that if he dies in the Avatar state the cycle is broken •Zuko turning against Iroh and being offered his "Honor" •The Earth kingdom being incompetent and turning against the Gaang •Aang going into the Avatar State for Kataras sake "The Learn to let go" lesson is here. Many people have interpreted it in many ways. The way I see it, it's not that Aang has to be distant from Katara or that he cant Love her. It's that at the end of the day, if he had to choose between saving Katara or Saving the World he has to choose the world. He is the Avatar and his duty to the world is of more importance than his lover. Loved ur reactions ❤❤. Looking forward to book 3
Imagine these kids five years from now, after all of this. Any one of them can defeat any single bender, and together, they could bring down the whole world. The Order of the Black Lotus!
No, you're kinda wrong about Aang's attachment to Katara. It's a pretty common thing in religions, in Christianity first of all actually. It's exactly what it says - you need to learn to let go. Anything. Not just someone you love. It's actually easier to understand with things like being obsessed with delicious food or big money or some thing or person. Love is good, obsession is bad. In Christianity it's even bad if you depressed over someone who died more than two years ago. Being sad for two years - okay, more than that - please, stop. That's what this all "letting go" part was. It's about making your spirit free from obsessions, which makes your mind and heart clear and not corrupted
@@olyabutorina6869 Aang had to choose between saving Katara or going into the avatar state. It's an "emotions vs logic" situation where emotions _could_ badly influence one's decisions. By choosing to not focus on Katara, he was able to unlock the chaka, and focus on the "bigger picture". That was the whole point of the scenes. To unlock the chaka, he had to learn to let go in times of conflict and whatnot, but he didn't necessarily had to completely let go (as in permanently). But, if you want to go deeper into it, not all attachments are obsessions, nor are all of them a bad thing. But I do agree that they can become an obsession if one's not careful, and that they can corrupt your mind if you allow it. It's just not the case for Aang; Aang's attachment wasn't an obsession, nor something he had to let go completely. Anyway, I wouldn't say he was wrong as both of you are right, to a point. Now, regarding your other points, as a Christian myself, I somewhat agree. Grief and depression is bad, especially to a "obsessive" dregree as it will cloud one's mind and heart. But grief and depression isn't something one can just stop or ignore, and for many people, it takes a very long time to heal. Some even develope coping mechanisms that last eons. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but it just sounds like you're downplaying them with a shrug of your shoulders, like they are switch easily turned off. They aren't, not by a long shot. That's why we need God to help us through such times, as we cannot do it alone. And just because it takes someone a long time to heal, dosen't mean it's an obsession, nor does it mean their mind is corrupted. It just means their human, and "going through it" isn't a bad thing, no matter how long it takes.
Interesting little detail, when the gaang is trying to convince the Earth king to trust them, Bosco (the bear) shows they're trustworthy by licking Aang. When Azula and the others arrive pretending to be Kyoshi warriors, Bosco warns the King by grunting, but he completely misses the warning and starts calming him down.
At 14 years old too. Why i love her as a villian, shes smart, quick, and very intimidating. Her whole character is written so well. Even better than her own father
@@hasicazulatv2078 I can’t hate azula. Like I can justify her crimes by saying she was corrupted from the beginning. She is way too smart. I can’t help but compare her to some cartoon villains coz azula never lacks.
The best twist in a story is not a twist you didn't see coming; it's the one you SHOULD have seen coming. Zuko's decision makes absolute sense with his character, and it's superb writing.
I love when the villains get a big win in act 2 of a movie/show/book it really raises the stakes. This captured devastating loss and raised stakes masterfully.
Aang grew up in a culture where one's spiritual maturity and enlightenment, or in their case the free flow of the chakras, is the ultimate goal of the self. They even shaped their culture with this goal in mind by banning family units, encouraging nomadism and having common property. So it is easier to let go simply for having less to let go. So even if he hadn't been made familiar with chakras, he was trained since birth to enter a very focussed state of meditation and cope with a lot of internal stuff fully and completely, as well as to take the chakra-open approach to every conflict, hence why he is so quick to learn from Guru Patik. Before finding out that he was the Avatar, all his chakras were probably completely open.
It’s also probably why aang had uncontrolled bursts of the Avatar state. The fact that he was spiritually advanced meant that he probably had easier access to it than other incarnations such as korra.
@@kirklanyoshinaga8953 The funny thing is, after letting go of her ego (even if it was for a short time) allowed her to fully master the Avatar State to produce controlled bursts of strength. Korra was able to control the Avatar State so well, that even when poisoned she was fighting to gain control entirely on her own, which Aang is only shown doing once.
It always sends a chill down my spine at the moment Azula says, “We are the Earth King’s humble servants.” Grey Delisle’s voice acting was just too good!!
Can we just appreciate that little moment where Aang comes to get Sokka? All Sokka has wanted for so long is his father's approval and to fight alongside him and make him proud, but the second Aang shows up, Sokka goes with him without hesitation.
I think the 'learning to let go' is extremely important. Aang doesn't ALWAYS have to let go of earthly attachments, but he must be willing to do so in order to be a true avatar. Aang cannot put his own desires and feelings above his role as Avatar. His duty is first and foremost to the world. He can have Katara, but if he isn't willing to let her go for the sake of the world he can't truly master being an Avatar. I felt your frustration with Zuko. I certainly went through the same thing. I like that Iroh completely stopped fighting once Katara and Aang were safe. He didnt care about getting out. His disappointment was so upsetting... If you know to look you can see that Azula is gone from Zuko's side the next time they show them after Aang goes into his crystal dome. She IMMEDIATELY knew it would be a great opportunity to kill him and snuck around to the rear. God I hate how good she is!
Never forget that Scene: Katara Crying and Holding Aang literally dead, She was so strong, and she cries when she realizes that the oasis water didn’t work in the beginning, it was heartbreaking. She trusted in Zuko and he betrayed her. Oh boy, that’s why I loved Katara so much. Thank you for reacting to this amazing series. Greetings from Brooklyn, NY! ❤
I love how the writers know when iroh should be stoic and when he should be stern. He’s always patient and pushing him in the right direction, but here he needed to tell him what’s what👌🏽❤️👏🏽
About the apparent ‘contradiction’ with the chakras- the way I interpreted it, what Guru Patik really meant is that it is okay for Aang to love Katara, but he can’t make her his top priority. For instance, if it came down to a choice between saving her life or saving the entire world, he has to be able to put his personal feelings aside and do what was best for the world
The part when Zuko chooses Azula is literally the best. It’s such a reversion of what you think he’s going to do, but without that choice, his arc wouldn’t be complete. Wait and see!
You can typically tell if an animal is an herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore by its teeth. Herbivores usually have all flat teeth, which makes it easier for them to chew up tough vegetation. Carnivores usually have all sharp teeth, which makes it easier for them to tear flesh. Omnivores usually have a combination of both sharp teeth and flat teeth, like humans. So, since Appa has all flat teeth, he is an herbivore. ^^
Obligatory comment about Jet's death In the original version of this episode, his friend was suppose to "end his suffering" with his bow and arrow. The camera would've panned away as he was readying the weapon and we wouldn't have seen the actual shot, but it's still very dark
I love that (Azula's lightning bolt aside) Aang letting Katara go in order to enter the Avatar State was ironically done so that he wouldn't lose her. And I think it's important to realize, like you mentioned, that it's about knowing the *right time* to let go in order to make the smart choice rather than the strictly emotional one.
Exactly. It's not that you shouldn't care about people, but that you can't hold on to things just for the fear of losing them. It showed such maturity that his reaction wasn't just to mindlessly rush over and help her. He trusted her to hold her own and made the right decision.
44:34 attatchment and love are different. Pathik never told him to not love katara, just to learn how to let go of the attatchment to her. And when iroh did fire breath he did say before in season one that fire comes the breath, not the muscle. And thats why hes the greatest fire bender in the world.
Sokka and Zuko actually have a lot in common in these episodes. They both want their fathers' approval SO much. Sokka gets it and is able to leave his father to go do what's right. But Zuko hasn't gotten it yet and he chooses wrong.
Little detail I love in Crossroads of Destiny. The fire bending move that Zuko uses at 48:46 is a move inspired by Katara. It’s the same form she uses against him in the North Pole after finding he and Aang in the tundra. You’ll see multiple instances of Zuko slowly incorporating bending styles into his fire bending as the series goes on. It’s always fun to look for 💕
@@thecocoacouch What Iroh is saying is that the breath is supposed to be the main source, the main attribute of firebending. However, the main problem with the main modern Fire Nation is that they focus on the aggression and muscle. Specifically being able to breathe fire is pretty rare nowadays for that reason, although even if you could do it it might not necessarily be a move you’d choose too often in a fight. But it sure is representative of the basic building blocks of the Firebending martial art - breath.
Yeah, the way this season ended was an absolute gut punch. You have to look at the story as a whole and remember how three-arc plots work, though. At either the end of act 2 or the beginning of act 3, the heroes face their darkest hour. This is that.
Aang can still love katara. He doesn't have to let his love for go. But he had to realize that he needs to not let his love cloud his mind and become an obsession. He can love her, but he can't let it consume him and hinder his responsibility as the avatar.
Fun Fact: the fire-benders from Jet's flashback are the "Rough Rhinos" from the "Avatar Day"; also the archer from that group is a Yuyan, like the one who sniped Zuko in "The Blue Spirit"... P.S. this was an animation error, but there's also a duplicate of Zuko's swords laying on the floor before he faints...
It's the one episode I mostly skip when watching people's reactions or rewatching the show myself. It's so well made that it hits a bit too close to home
Yes! Many people didn't catch the thing with opening the last chakra - that you need to learn to let go, not abandon your love. People say that Aang should've been alone for his whole life while other Avatars actually had families lol. What is this nonsense?
One cool detail is that the color tones of Aang's flashbacks match the color typically associated with the corresponding chakra, which match the rainbow. Red at the base of the spine, orange at lower abdomen, yellow at solar plexus, green at the heart, blue at the throat, indigo at the third eye, and violet at the crown.
@@Shashu_the_little_Voidling I've since learned that Hindi chakras and Avatar chakras are VERY different. Did you find it confusing to learn after first hearing about it from Avatar? Do you like the changes Avatar made to the chakras or wish they had used real explanations of chakras? (Literally just curious as I have never studied anything about chakras or energy flow or what have you)
54:22 "i'm not mad... i'm just disappointed" and at 56:24 i never noticed it until now, but when you pause it at Zuko and the Dai Li reacting to Aang going Avatar State mode, you dont see Azula in that frame, so it was like she had planned on doing a pincher move regardless of what Aang was going to do or not after he emerged.
The Crossroads of Destiny is easily in top 5 of all the episodes. Seeing Zuko instantly revert to his old ways when presented with a tempting offer is both frustrating yet understandable. Iroh is just amazing as always, and seeing the antagonists win - in a season finale non-theless - really hypes up season 3!
Actual high IQ reactor. For some reason most reactors assume Zuko is faking siding with Azula or some shit. They never can accept their precious Zuko making a bad choice like this. Good job having common sense.
Something i love about this show is how they handle toph being being blind. These days writers would have everyone walking on eggshells around someone with a disability, falling over backwards to only ever tell them good things. Toph on the other hand, she just owns it and makes jokes over it herself and its hilarious because of that. Modern overly sensitive writers really could learn a thing or two about how to write characters from these older shows
I think the key here is that Toph is the one joking about her own situation. "Look, there's the library! - jk, I can't see" and Katara going "the stars sure are beautiful, too bad you can't see them!" Hit very different
On the flipside, modern cartoon fans would call having a character like Toph in the show, someone with a disability but that is competent, "woke trash". It just goes to show writers can't win no matter what they do.
@@remy2718personally took that more as katara forgetting cuz toph was in an earth tent with no visible veiw of the sky and she seemed to realize it after
@@nope19568 considering they were fighting in this particular episode, and Katara's tone of voice, I always interpreted it as a deliberate "fuck you". Like say Toph could see, and wanted to see the stars on that particular night... She could just poke her head out, or create a hole in the roof of her tent, problem solved. That would be just about the lamest insult I can think of, because it's so easily solved But hey, I'm currently on another rewatch anyway; I might as well pay special attention to that scene to see if there's something I've missed
@@remy2718 oh no they were absolutely fighting and why she said it i just think it was said about that moment because toph was the only one in a tent cuz she wouldnt help the others set up camp so they were forced to be looking at the stars which sparked the comment which was more "ha ur dumb tent is in the way" as opposed to her dogging on her blindness, theyd also only known each other a few days at that point which i feel is important to consider, at least thats my interpretation,
Long Fengs plan still isnt really clear by the end of Ba Sing Se. I believe his plan was to keep Appa until Aang had left to Whale Tail Island from Ba Sing Se and then possibly release him. The scene where Jet comes to lure Aang and the gang to his “lead” on Appa was really a Dai Li plot, since Jet had been brainwashed to lead them there. Which also means Old Sweepy is a Dai Li agent. All Long Feng really wanted was to remain in power and Aang out of his hair.
What was the point of the Fire Nation were to take over Ba Sing Se? Why did the Dai Li and the people in the bureaucracy become so corrupt in the first place? Didn’t anyone within the Earth Kingdom try everything possible to stamp out corruption and to prioritize the people of the Kingdom?
Fun Fact: the chakra information the guru gives is the same as what's taught in Hinduism. Each chakra is associated by an element and part of the body. The guru tells Aang about the body part associated with each chakra except one: the water/pleasure chakra... Guess why 😆
It could also be the fact the shirshu only ever hit the fur which may have weakened the impact of the tongue, but the “beetle-headed merchants“ hit the bottom of his paw that made him go down faster (but that’s just my theory)
Thanks for finishing season 2! It's my favourite, especially the part where the gang goes up the stairs to speak to the King, and when Toph invented metalbending. You're right this season really ended on a downer. Zuko betrayed his uncle, Aang got shot with lightning, and Ba Sing Se fell. The gang was not looking too good at the end there, but it makes for great story telling. It makes Azula really fearful as well, because the stakes are real and high. Hope to see you start season 3 soon! Love following your reactions and seeing you get hyped up about everything. I hope you understand now when people say "Yeah season 1 is good, but season 2 and 3 are great!" because they're not trying to downplay season 1, it's just that season 2 really stepped up its game (also introducing Toph, the other core gang member). It's when the show really found its stride.
You're really one the nicest and empathetic reactors so I honestly didn't expect you to say "Oh here we go again" when Katara breaks down telling Zuko about her mum🥲 otherwise cheers
Your reactions are so wholesome! I watched this show when it first aired and I have lost count how many rewatches I have completed. I love reliving the story through your eyes. Can't wait for Korra next! ❤
5:10 regarding Appa making that look easy. Aang is a pacifist, a monk, he'd never even hurt a spiderfly. Appa is not a pacifist. He is very willing to just body people or kill. He was going to crush Jun like a tomato.
Fascinating to think that the crossroads title is so accurate. If katara healed zuko before they were disturbed then zuko wouldve probably gone on the good path and helped the gaang. Either way kataras role was so important
@@Akaeus aang needed the water because he was ganged up by zuko and azula. If zuko had been healed then he wouldve joined or helped the avatar. Him, katara aang and iroh wouldve won and successfully escaped from azula and the dai lee thus aang not needing to go to the avatar state ,being struck by lightning, and dying. Tis my opinion Or should i say just a theory
To this day it is my favorite thing ever that metalbending was invented because someone told Toph that she coudn’t, so she did. Out of pure unadulterated spite. They literally said “even you can’t bend metal” and she went “Bet”
i've been in hospital this week and it's been rough- but watching these has been so much fun- i love this show and seeing someone discover it for the first time with such joy has been really nice. Thanks for these!
The palace break-in has to be one of the most epic "Yeah, these characters are broken" sequences ever animated. To see these guys plow through these defenses like nothing never ceases to amaze me.
You tearing up because Toph successfully bended metal is so relatable though. This show evokes so much emotion in so many different ways, it's so awesome hahah. I'm having so much fun binging your reaction to this series!!
I love the idea of Zuko returning to the Fire nation because we need to see that this was a wrong choice, and he is not happy, he is not satisfied, he hates it, and he knows he did a wrong thing. It is like you can’t learn on someone’s mistakes you have to learn on your own. Without it we would always guess “what if….”
Let’s freaking go! My childhood show right here! Loved every single reaction and can’t wait until season three, and even though the live action show on Netflix is coming out, you must do The Legend of Korra next too!
I love watching your reactions to this show. I only finished watching the entire series just before Xmas. Just curious if you'll be watching the legend of Korra after you've finished?
I love juk! It's the Korean name for rice porridge (in China it's called congee). It's great when you're sick, but I believe it was considered "peasant food" for a long time, which is why Iroh guessed Zuko probably wouldn't like it. Love these reactions, keep up the great work/insight!
Ah, Zukos betrayal hurts so much. But it is also not that surprising. As you yourself pointed out, his chipper demeaner was... somewhat unseettling. i think he tried to pivot too hard in the other direction, and was still not being true to himself. As you have seen the whole series, that is also why he makes the right decision later: At this stage, the decision is _still_ being made for him, this time by Iroh, who pushes him in this direction. Now, Iroh's way is most defnitily more healthy and his reasoning is entirely different that Ozais, but Zuko still di not choose the path himself. He cannot truly change until he does that, later before the DoBS.
So to explain what Pathik meant by letting the attachments go, it wouldve been better phrased as "let the obsessions go" Its good to have love and attachments like that, but not obsessions
The "silent" archer freedom fighter, if I recall, people said that they had to keep it super vague and off screen but pretty sure he shoots Jet to end his suffering or something like that
I never noticed Toph throwing the ball at the wall and catching it... Your reaction has actually managed to show me a new detail of this series... that I watched like 10 times already... xD
I mean, in defense of the king telling the "Kyoshi Warriors" about the invasion plan, the Gaang _did_ just say, like not an hour ago, that they were not only good friends, but trustworthy allies. And considering it's _the Avatar_ vouching for them and the Gaang _just_ outted Long Feng as a snake, why would he have any reason to hide the plan from them? They could be very valuable assets in said invasion!
I love the detail at 54:25, even though Zuko has seemingly made his mind and is attacking determinedly, he still looks terrified. This was not a true, honest choice he made for himself, but once again, something he just thinks he should do based on what is assumed of him.
"what an absolute fruit cake"? lol reminds me of something "You my friend are just a few plums short of a fruit pie" some great wisdom in those words; don't forget them!
Long Feng didn't just give Appa because then nothing would stop them from telling the truth to the king. They wouldn't just leave. Remember before they learnt Appa was sent to Ba Sing Se, they were already headed there to tell the Earth King about the solar eclipse.
Fun Fact, since it's never stated in the episode: That animal Appa fought in the forest was a Boarcupine, which is why he ended up covered in quills by the end. Also, I completely agree that the Earth King can be a fruitcake, but Sokka and Aang vouched for the Kyoshi Warriors literal HOURS earlier. A team of warriors being friends with the Avatar pretty heavily suggests that they're trustworthy recipients of intel about a battle they will likely be participating in. How was he supposed to know they weren't the real Kyoshi warriors? The Gaang had no way of even knowing that Azula had fought them, let alone won. Give the poor fool some grace.
It's never actually said in the show but Jet did die there, from what I've heard and I don't know if it's true but the creators of the show weren't sure if they were going to continue Jet's story in the comics that take place between ATLA and TLOK. A lot of people criticize the earth king for revealing the invasion plan to Azula but in his defense he had never met the Kyoshi warriors before so he had no way of knowing that they weren't the real ones.
I remember back in the day the Season 2 finale debuted in December 2006 and the Season 3 premiere debuted in September 2007! We had to wait 9 long months.
I also never noticed, when Zuko chooses to attack Aang in Crossroads of Destiny, he doesn't have that normal killer instinct or wild look, his eyes are wide, like he's still desperately trying to make up his mind and this attack is purely out of needing to do something in this moment to get everyone to shut up
A few notes: Aang and attachment: It's not so much that Aang can't love Katara as he can't be unwilling to let go. He can't be possessive or so attached to her that he can't do his duty. Essentially, he has to love her with an open hand, not clutch her like a security blanket. Sokka: Yes, this is essentially the point of the series where it's clear to me at least that he is absolutely the leader of Team Avatar, and Aang is a superweapon he is pointing at the Fire Nation on behalf of the rest of the world. Also noteworthy is that Azula essentially used his drill strategy to infiltrate Ba Sing Se and compliments his plan to the Earth King. I would have liked to see more Azula v. Sokka in the series, mastermind to mastermind. Azula: Her character is really more complicated than "pure evil," and she also was not lying to Zuko at the end of the season. When Daddy sent her to bring Zuko in as a prisoner, she went, but when she heard he was in Ba Sing Se and saw a way she could take Ba Sing Se (i.e., achieve a major goal the Fire Nation has not achieved for a century), defeat the Avatar, and make Zuko a part of it, she saw both the victory at hand and a way to bring her brother home and make it acceptable to their father. She wanted that. She didn't actually need him for more than a few seconds of the battle (though if he had opposed her with Iroh, she would have lost), but she WANTED him. As a younger child, she tormented him all the time, but she also LIKED doing it. She liked having him around. As he was always a disappointment, it's also possible that he relieved some of the pressure on her just by being there. She doesn't believe he is the traitor to their father that Iroh is (and she is here proven right), and to her it makes sense to view Iroh's decision to support the Avatar and the Water Tribe as a betrayal of their family, while Zuko was loyal to them. She believes Zuko did the honorable thing, and she is legitimately willing to be generous and include him in her victory to bring him home and return to the way things were a few years back. I do not think she wants him to actually become the Fire Lord, but I believe she would have no problem if he married Mai and just remained her dumb, less talented brother, and within the scope of her control for the rest of their lives. Zuko: This is not a reset for him. In my opinion, this is actually the single most crucial step in his character development. In all honesty, Iroh comes on too strong with him at the end of this season. He asks Zuko to think about what he wants, but he has a very firm opinion about what Zuko SHOULD want, and in 2x20, he pushes Zuko to behave in a certain way just like other members of their family. The reason Zuko's positive attitude after letting Appa go feels wrong is because it's fake. The trauma of the decision was so much it made him sick-that was real. He really does feel he has two voices whispering in his ear as Fire Lord, and that he has decisions to make with as much impact on the world as the Avatar. But the resolution of his conflict was illusory. He was simply trying to make the best of things (which was in and of itself a huge deal after months of sulking). Then Azula offers him everything he ever wanted, everything he thought he had lost forever-and for once, she isn't lying. She actually does mean it. For the sake of character development, he has to take her up on it. He HAS to succeed and realize what he thought he wanted for three years is not actually what he wants now before everything he has learned in exile can be translated into forward action.
I think if i created something so beloved, i would spend so much time watching reaction videos like this. It's so fun heari g the guesses, questions, and theories about what is happening and what could happen.
Oh, those dragons in Zuko's mind, and the Avatar.. I completely forgot this scene, but it has sooo deep meaning! I love your reaction to ATLA, and you have really good insights. It's so funny to see you're saying something, that will pay off a bit later. I never notice those tiny things when I was watching ATLA for the first time, I'm kinda jealous.
Oh man, watching you react to this is so enjoyable! You felt all that we’ve all felt with Zuko’s betrayal and the loss of our team. Such a low, but SUCH good storytelling!
I think the emphasis of the final chakra is meant to be on selflessness. You have to acknowledge the love you have for others, but must also recognize that your ultimate duty is to the world, and not to yourself or even to those you love. If push comes to shove, Aang MUST be able to value the lives of even fire nation citizens just as much if not more than he values Katara on a personal level. He cannot let love make him biased in his actions as the avatar. That is what I think the guru means by letting go.
If I remember correctly, "Appa's Lost Days" won the Humane Society award because of how accurately, empathetically, and brutally it portrayed animal cruelty specifically within circuses.
Yeah, it mostly centered around the circus but your point still stands that we should do better
Humane Society award, specifically for the correct portrayal of animals in the circus.
@@masansr there you go. I didn't remember exactly, thank you
i cry every time
Unrelated I gave you your 666th like
Xin Fu: "Even you can't bend metal"
Toph: "And I took that personally"
More like "Challenge accepted."
Iroh will never fail to make me laugh with his "I brought someone along who might be able to help us" line, only to reveal he had casually captured and transported a Dai Li Agent all the way across Ba Sing Se to the Gang's home.
Omg, I didn’t even think of that 😂
More importantly the man knew exactly where they lived or did he get it from the agent?
@@MC-Clap-Yo-Hands The Appa posters had Aang's address on it, lol.
@@Nyx_2142 Yep, am an idiot.
35:57 i love how everyone who watches this show wants to see Zuko happy and not desperate for his honor, and when we finally do we're all weirded out 😂
Love this comment haha sooo true
Oscar: "Hopefully episode 16 is more positive"
Me: *Laughs maniacally in Spanish*
jajajajajaja
@@felixhenson9926 More like "jajajajaja 👹👹👹"
I love how the scene in the catacombs where Azula and Iroh are asking Zuko to choose sides is a complete parallel to the fever dream zuko had with the dragons an episode prior. Such amazing foreshadowing
only while iroh is a dragon, Azula just acts like one
It's so well done because it feels both inevitable and completely out of left field at the same time. We know he wasn't exactly fulfilled serving tea. Azula knew exactly where to hit him, too. The sister who's always mocked and overshadowed him saying "I can't do this without you".
It’s also important to note that if Aang died in the avatar state, there wouldn’t be anymore avatars, which made it all the more important that aang survived Azula’s lightning strike
Actually it would restart with Aang being the first one. Avatar roku said the Avatar would barely exist.
@@kingjames6948no he said it would CEASE to exist.
@@penguin50279 yea I know
@@kingjames6948 If you knew, then why did you said barely exist instead of cease to exist? 🤔
@@kingjames6948 If you're referring to the LoK lore, there would still be no more Avatar.
[out-of-context Korra spoilers below]
What would likely happen is Raava would reform within Vaatu, and the cycle would continue as it used to in the times before the Avatar.
I love the overlap of the guru’s monologue about the elements with Toph beginning to understand how to metalbend. Still gives me goosebumps.
Also, I love the foreshadowing of metalbending throughout. And a lot of Iroh’s line about finding light at the end. Ugh it really helps whenever I struggle emotionally.
Other thing I liked was it didn’t do the trope of waiting for the protagonist to charge up or doing their ultimate move. Just shoot lightning at their back.
@@BrianZatzkeespecially after the season 1 finale sets you up to think something like that will happen this time as well
the music during that metalbending scene too is awesome
@@meowtain9566 Exactly. Like Azula is so smart.
@@icecreamguru7584 and yes, the music in this series is everything.
Zuko returning to the fire nation is one of my favorite moments in Avatar. Seeing the frustration everyone has with his choice is so cathartic, despite feeling the same way when I watched it all those years ago.
I always see people ask “why” and to me it’s always seemed odd why people don’t understand Zuko’s choice. I always go back to what it feels like to make a change in your life. If you suddenly decided to change your life and then only days later be offered everything you ever wanted if you went back, wouldn’t you also be tempted to reverse course?
It’s easy as viewer to say “just do the right thing” but in our daily lives it’s not that easy and for Zuko it wasn’t easy to betray Iroh either. He immediately regrets his actions after, but Azula, the blue dragon on his shoulder, tells him he made the right decision.
Zuko's betrayal feels like a 'reality check,' not just for the viewers, but for Iroh too. Despite clearly loving his nephew unconditionally and sticking by him through thick and thin, he did kind of push Zuko to leave the Blue Spirit, and his old life, behind and run a tea shop with him, and though he seemed happy, Zuko didn't seem all that satisfied with this life. Iroh probably realized during his imprisonment that he too, in a way, tried to force a "destiny" onto his nephew, despite only wanting what was best for him, hence why he chose not to speak with Zuko whenthe latter visited; Zuko was still clinging to him and Iroh needed to let him go, with the hope that he'd find his way again on his own. And he eventually did.
This season finale made me so happy as a kid because I’d never seen the villains win in a show so decisively. Really drove home that anything could happen especially after Jet passing and all the stuff Appa went through
Then digimon xros wars came along
It's the Empire Strikes Back of ATLA.
@@Galiant2010 Honestly, even in Empire they got out better than this. Luke lost a hand, but he gets a perfect prosthetic right after. They lost Han, but they have Lando on the team and already have a rescue plan. They lost the Hoth base, but they knew that would happen at some point looking at how quickly they were giving evacuation orders, and the fleet is already regrouping. And Luke has advanced a lot in his training in the Force.
Here in Avatar, Aang nearly died (did die technically, but you know), is locked out of the Avatar State, the Earth Kingdom is straight up defeated and knocked out of the war aside from pockets of resistance, they lost the Kyoshi warriors, Jet's dead, Zuko gave in to Azula's manipulations and rejoined the fire nation, and Iroh is imprisoned, the invasion plan they were making is done for, because they lost the army of Ba Sing Se. The only win they really have here is that Toph can bend metal now. They had weeks of trouble, no Appa, who was off getting PTSD, and finally when things started looking up for them, everything goes to hell again, and they're off even worse than before.
well i can suggest you watching jujutsu kaisen
"The Earth Kingdom has fallen" was such a powerful line as a kid.
I start crying when appa starts dreaming of aang, cause they were both having the same dream, their connection is so powerful and beautiful.
iroh says "and then, what?!" and i start crying. every time.
As a survivor of an abusive household, Zuko's story really resonates with me. Backsliding into old patterns is so hard to break, because part of you thinks you don't need the good, "moving forward" life others are presenting you with-- all you want is the life that could've been with your family, even when it's impossible to achieve.
It's so true
As frustrating as Zukos betrayal is it makes sense. The guy's been banished for 3 years, struggling to find his path, and when he finally starting to change , he was offered everything he wanted on a silver platter. Of course he'd break.
"Don't flatter yourself, you were never even a player" - Azula
And "Just take the Bear" - Mai are both iconic lines.
Azula is the kind of villain thatd kick a power ranger in the balls in the middle of morphing just to be petty. She is both smart and brutal for shooting Aang down during his powerup.
I love how everything that happens in this episode is foreshadowed in the very 1st Ep of Book 2:
•Lightning bending was displayed for the first time and its by Azula
•Roku explaining Avatar state to Aang and that if he dies in the Avatar state the cycle is broken
•Zuko turning against Iroh and being offered his "Honor"
•The Earth kingdom being incompetent and turning against the Gaang
•Aang going into the Avatar State for Kataras sake
"The Learn to let go" lesson is here.
Many people have interpreted it in many ways. The way I see it, it's not that Aang has to be distant from Katara or that he cant Love her. It's that at the end of the day, if he had to choose between saving Katara or Saving the World he has to choose the world. He is the Avatar and his duty to the world is of more importance than his lover.
Loved ur reactions ❤❤. Looking forward to book 3
What I got out of all that is that dbz could have been way shorter if they attacked during the 5 hour power up
@@zbanul10 How do you stop a five hour powerup with a ten hour attack?
Imagine these kids five years from now, after all of this. Any one of them can defeat any single bender, and together, they could bring down the whole world. The Order of the Black Lotus!
No, you're kinda wrong about Aang's attachment to Katara. It's a pretty common thing in religions, in Christianity first of all actually. It's exactly what it says - you need to learn to let go. Anything. Not just someone you love. It's actually easier to understand with things like being obsessed with delicious food or big money or some thing or person. Love is good, obsession is bad. In Christianity it's even bad if you depressed over someone who died more than two years ago. Being sad for two years - okay, more than that - please, stop.
That's what this all "letting go" part was. It's about making your spirit free from obsessions, which makes your mind and heart clear and not corrupted
@@olyabutorina6869 Aang had to choose between saving Katara or going into the avatar state. It's an "emotions vs logic" situation where emotions _could_ badly influence one's decisions. By choosing to not focus on Katara, he was able to unlock the chaka, and focus on the "bigger picture". That was the whole point of the scenes. To unlock the chaka, he had to learn to let go in times of conflict and whatnot, but he didn't necessarily had to completely let go (as in permanently).
But, if you want to go deeper into it, not all attachments are obsessions, nor are all of them a bad thing. But I do agree that they can become an obsession if one's not careful, and that they can corrupt your mind if you allow it. It's just not the case for Aang; Aang's attachment wasn't an obsession, nor something he had to let go completely. Anyway, I wouldn't say he was wrong as both of you are right, to a point.
Now, regarding your other points, as a Christian myself, I somewhat agree. Grief and depression is bad, especially to a "obsessive" dregree as it will cloud one's mind and heart. But grief and depression isn't something one can just stop or ignore, and for many people, it takes a very long time to heal. Some even develope coping mechanisms that last eons. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but it just sounds like you're downplaying them with a shrug of your shoulders, like they are switch easily turned off. They aren't, not by a long shot. That's why we need God to help us through such times, as we cannot do it alone. And just because it takes someone a long time to heal, dosen't mean it's an obsession, nor does it mean their mind is corrupted. It just means their human, and "going through it" isn't a bad thing, no matter how long it takes.
Interesting little detail, when the gaang is trying to convince the Earth king to trust them, Bosco (the bear) shows they're trustworthy by licking Aang.
When Azula and the others arrive pretending to be Kyoshi warriors, Bosco warns the King by grunting, but he completely misses the warning and starts calming him down.
Azula went to capture the avatar + her brother and uncle but was like while am on it I might as well take over the earth kingdom.
At 14 years old too. Why i love her as a villian, shes smart, quick, and very intimidating. Her whole character is written so well. Even better than her own father
@@hasicazulatv2078 I can’t hate azula. Like I can justify her crimes by saying she was corrupted from the beginning. She is way too smart. I can’t help but compare her to some cartoon villains coz azula never lacks.
Along with some souvenirs.
It's bittersweet but I do love that the last time we hear Mako voicing Iroh is when he's standing up to cover the Avatar's escape. One last duty...
The best twist in a story is not a twist you didn't see coming; it's the one you SHOULD have seen coming. Zuko's decision makes absolute sense with his character, and it's superb writing.
I love when the villains get a big win in act 2 of a movie/show/book it really raises the stakes. This captured devastating loss and raised stakes masterfully.
Yeah the pacing is really good, makes the third season feel so dire.
would subscribing to patreon let you post content across all platforms sooner?
@@thecocoacouch I felt your disappointment in Zuko from here haha finally got to watch. Love your channel
Aang grew up in a culture where one's spiritual maturity and enlightenment, or in their case the free flow of the chakras, is the ultimate goal of the self. They even shaped their culture with this goal in mind by banning family units, encouraging nomadism and having common property. So it is easier to let go simply for having less to let go. So even if he hadn't been made familiar with chakras, he was trained since birth to enter a very focussed state of meditation and cope with a lot of internal stuff fully and completely, as well as to take the chakra-open approach to every conflict, hence why he is so quick to learn from Guru Patik. Before finding out that he was the Avatar, all his chakras were probably completely open.
It is insane how deep that is. How to open your own "chakras" by feeling the repressed emotional muck and letting them flow down the creek.
It’s also probably why aang had uncontrolled bursts of the Avatar state. The fact that he was spiritually advanced meant that he probably had easier access to it than other incarnations such as korra.
@@kirklanyoshinaga8953 The funny thing is, after letting go of her ego (even if it was for a short time) allowed her to fully master the Avatar State to produce controlled bursts of strength. Korra was able to control the Avatar State so well, that even when poisoned she was fighting to gain control entirely on her own, which Aang is only shown doing once.
The way Suki says “Appa? Oh no…” always makes me tear up! She has such a good heart 🥹
Underappreciated bit of artistry here: the pose when Katara catches & is holding Aang is Michelangelo's La Pieta, of Mary and Jesus.
I’m an art historian and I never noticed that! Thanks for pointing that out.
Also unfortunately reinforces the mother/ son dynamic between the two of them
it hits extra hard when you consider that aang is dead while she's holding him
@@murciadoxial8056 yeah
@@vashtinayagar1325no it really doesn’t lol. It definitely reinforces love between them.
It always sends a chill down my spine at the moment Azula says, “We are the Earth King’s humble servants.” Grey Delisle’s voice acting was just too good!!
Can we just appreciate that little moment where Aang comes to get Sokka? All Sokka has wanted for so long is his father's approval and to fight alongside him and make him proud, but the second Aang shows up, Sokka goes with him without hesitation.
Yeah I love that!! He asks what happened to his sister the next episode so I wonder if he told him before or after he jumped on Appa to go with Aang.
I think the 'learning to let go' is extremely important. Aang doesn't ALWAYS have to let go of earthly attachments, but he must be willing to do so in order to be a true avatar. Aang cannot put his own desires and feelings above his role as Avatar. His duty is first and foremost to the world. He can have Katara, but if he isn't willing to let her go for the sake of the world he can't truly master being an Avatar.
I felt your frustration with Zuko. I certainly went through the same thing. I like that Iroh completely stopped fighting once Katara and Aang were safe. He didnt care about getting out. His disappointment was so upsetting...
If you know to look you can see that Azula is gone from Zuko's side the next time they show them after Aang goes into his crystal dome. She IMMEDIATELY knew it would be a great opportunity to kill him and snuck around to the rear. God I hate how good she is!
Never forget that Scene: Katara Crying and Holding Aang literally dead, She was so strong, and she cries when she realizes that the oasis water didn’t work in the beginning, it was heartbreaking. She trusted in Zuko and he betrayed her. Oh boy, that’s why I loved Katara so much. Thank you for reacting to this amazing series. Greetings from Brooklyn, NY! ❤
I love how the writers know when iroh should be stoic and when he should be stern. He’s always patient and pushing him in the right direction, but here he needed to tell him what’s what👌🏽❤️👏🏽
Except for Azula, she is crazy and have to be down
He said loudly what he's been saying quietly since episode 1
About the apparent ‘contradiction’ with the chakras- the way I interpreted it, what Guru Patik really meant is that it is okay for Aang to love Katara, but he can’t make her his top priority. For instance, if it came down to a choice between saving her life or saving the entire world, he has to be able to put his personal feelings aside and do what was best for the world
The part when Zuko chooses Azula is literally the best. It’s such a reversion of what you think he’s going to do, but without that choice, his arc wouldn’t be complete. Wait and see!
You can typically tell if an animal is an herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore by its teeth. Herbivores usually have all flat teeth, which makes it easier for them to chew up tough vegetation. Carnivores usually have all sharp teeth, which makes it easier for them to tear flesh. Omnivores usually have a combination of both sharp teeth and flat teeth, like humans. So, since Appa has all flat teeth, he is an herbivore. ^^
Obligatory comment about Jet's death
In the original version of this episode, his friend was suppose to "end his suffering" with his bow and arrow.
The camera would've panned away as he was readying the weapon and we wouldn't have seen the actual shot, but it's still very dark
I love that (Azula's lightning bolt aside) Aang letting Katara go in order to enter the Avatar State was ironically done so that he wouldn't lose her. And I think it's important to realize, like you mentioned, that it's about knowing the *right time* to let go in order to make the smart choice rather than the strictly emotional one.
Exactly. It's not that you shouldn't care about people, but that you can't hold on to things just for the fear of losing them. It showed such maturity that his reaction wasn't just to mindlessly rush over and help her. He trusted her to hold her own and made the right decision.
44:34 attatchment and love are different. Pathik never told him to not love katara, just to learn how to let go of the attatchment to her.
And when iroh did fire breath he did say before in season one that fire comes the breath, not the muscle. And thats why hes the greatest fire bender in the world.
Sokka and Zuko actually have a lot in common in these episodes. They both want their fathers' approval SO much. Sokka gets it and is able to leave his father to go do what's right. But Zuko hasn't gotten it yet and he chooses wrong.
Little detail I love in Crossroads of Destiny. The fire bending move that Zuko uses at 48:46 is a move inspired by Katara. It’s the same form she uses against him in the North Pole after finding he and Aang in the tundra. You’ll see multiple instances of Zuko slowly incorporating bending styles into his fire bending as the series goes on. It’s always fun to look for 💕
“He’s literally firebending with his breath!”
Oh, what was that thing Iroh said about firebending?
“Firebending comes from the…”
Is it a rare ability? Or just rarely practical? Is it common for people to know it comes from the breath?
@@thecocoacouch What Iroh is saying is that the breath is supposed to be the main source, the main attribute of firebending. However, the main problem with the main modern Fire Nation is that they focus on the aggression and muscle.
Specifically being able to breathe fire is pretty rare nowadays for that reason, although even if you could do it it might not necessarily be a move you’d choose too often in a fight. But it sure is representative of the basic building blocks of the Firebending martial art - breath.
Yeah, the way this season ended was an absolute gut punch. You have to look at the story as a whole and remember how three-arc plots work, though. At either the end of act 2 or the beginning of act 3, the heroes face their darkest hour. This is that.
Aang can still love katara. He doesn't have to let his love for go. But he had to realize that he needs to not let his love cloud his mind and become an obsession. He can love her, but he can't let it consume him and hinder his responsibility as the avatar.
Toph INVENTING metalbending is just the coolest thing is the series
Fun Fact: the fire-benders from Jet's flashback are the "Rough Rhinos" from the "Avatar Day"; also the archer from that group is a Yuyan, like the one who sniped Zuko in "The Blue Spirit"...
P.S. this was an animation error, but there's also a duplicate of Zuko's swords laying on the floor before he faints...
That Appa episode is so hard to watch. But masterfully done.
It's the one episode I mostly skip when watching people's reactions or rewatching the show myself.
It's so well made that it hits a bit too close to home
Yes! Many people didn't catch the thing with opening the last chakra - that you need to learn to let go, not abandon your love. People say that Aang should've been alone for his whole life while other Avatars actually had families lol. What is this nonsense?
For real especially since (spoilers for season 3) we see Roku get married and he has kids
One cool detail is that the color tones of Aang's flashbacks match the color typically associated with the corresponding chakra, which match the rainbow. Red at the base of the spine, orange at lower abdomen, yellow at solar plexus, green at the heart, blue at the throat, indigo at the third eye, and violet at the crown.
Avatar is actually where I first learned about Chakras from as a child, long before I was into anything spiritual
@@Shashu_the_little_Voidling I've since learned that Hindi chakras and Avatar chakras are VERY different. Did you find it confusing to learn after first hearing about it from Avatar? Do you like the changes Avatar made to the chakras or wish they had used real explanations of chakras? (Literally just curious as I have never studied anything about chakras or energy flow or what have you)
I love how appa gallops with his legs when he’s flying, it’s so cute ❤. It also shows how much energy he’s expending 👌🏽
54:22 "i'm not mad... i'm just disappointed"
and at 56:24 i never noticed it until now, but when you pause it at Zuko and the Dai Li reacting to Aang going Avatar State mode, you dont see Azula in that frame, so it was like she had planned on doing a pincher move regardless of what Aang was going to do or not after he emerged.
The Crossroads of Destiny is easily in top 5 of all the episodes. Seeing Zuko instantly revert to his old ways when presented with a tempting offer is both frustrating yet understandable. Iroh is just amazing as always, and seeing the antagonists win - in a season finale non-theless - really hypes up season 3!
I love how Katara rule the last episode, her bending at this point were high level and she almost beat Azula.
Actual high IQ reactor. For some reason most reactors assume Zuko is faking siding with Azula or some shit. They never can accept their precious Zuko making a bad choice like this. Good job having common sense.
12:17 Not Momo licking Toph's foot 😂
Something i love about this show is how they handle toph being being blind. These days writers would have everyone walking on eggshells around someone with a disability, falling over backwards to only ever tell them good things. Toph on the other hand, she just owns it and makes jokes over it herself and its hilarious because of that. Modern overly sensitive writers really could learn a thing or two about how to write characters from these older shows
I think the key here is that Toph is the one joking about her own situation. "Look, there's the library! - jk, I can't see" and Katara going "the stars sure are beautiful, too bad you can't see them!" Hit very different
On the flipside, modern cartoon fans would call having a character like Toph in the show, someone with a disability but that is competent, "woke trash".
It just goes to show writers can't win no matter what they do.
@@remy2718personally took that more as katara forgetting cuz toph was in an earth tent with no visible veiw of the sky and she seemed to realize it after
@@nope19568 considering they were fighting in this particular episode, and Katara's tone of voice, I always interpreted it as a deliberate "fuck you". Like say Toph could see, and wanted to see the stars on that particular night... She could just poke her head out, or create a hole in the roof of her tent, problem solved. That would be just about the lamest insult I can think of, because it's so easily solved
But hey, I'm currently on another rewatch anyway; I might as well pay special attention to that scene to see if there's something I've missed
@@remy2718 oh no they were absolutely fighting and why she said it i just think it was said about that moment because toph was the only one in a tent cuz she wouldnt help the others set up camp so they were forced to be looking at the stars which sparked the comment which was more "ha ur dumb tent is in the way" as opposed to her dogging on her blindness, theyd also only known each other a few days at that point which i feel is important to consider, at least thats my interpretation,
Long Fengs plan still isnt really clear by the end of Ba Sing Se. I believe his plan was to keep Appa until Aang had left to Whale Tail Island from Ba Sing Se and then possibly release him. The scene where Jet comes to lure Aang and the gang to his “lead” on Appa was really a Dai Li plot, since Jet had been brainwashed to lead them there. Which also means Old Sweepy is a Dai Li agent. All Long Feng really wanted was to remain in power and Aang out of his hair.
What was the point of the Fire Nation were to take over Ba Sing Se? Why did the Dai Li and the people in the bureaucracy become so corrupt in the first place? Didn’t anyone within the Earth Kingdom try everything possible to stamp out corruption and to prioritize the people of the Kingdom?
Zuko does one nice thing and becomes comatose with sickness because it was so out of character for him lol
Fun Fact: the chakra information the guru gives is the same as what's taught in Hinduism. Each chakra is associated by an element and part of the body. The guru tells Aang about the body part associated with each chakra except one: the water/pleasure chakra... Guess why 😆
11:18 there on the roofs you can see the cats from the Tales of Momo story! That's how they knew where Appa's footprint was!
2:21 The shirshu? I think the venom in the dart they used is actually from one, just a much larger concentration.
It could also be the fact the shirshu only ever hit the fur which may have weakened the impact of the tongue, but the “beetle-headed merchants“ hit the bottom of his paw that made him go down faster (but that’s just my theory)
Imo these are the best 5 episodes of the show. The building tension, the character conflicts and development, the acting!! Ugh it’s just 👌
Thanks for finishing season 2! It's my favourite, especially the part where the gang goes up the stairs to speak to the King, and when Toph invented metalbending. You're right this season really ended on a downer. Zuko betrayed his uncle, Aang got shot with lightning, and Ba Sing Se fell. The gang was not looking too good at the end there, but it makes for great story telling. It makes Azula really fearful as well, because the stakes are real and high.
Hope to see you start season 3 soon! Love following your reactions and seeing you get hyped up about everything. I hope you understand now when people say "Yeah season 1 is good, but season 2 and 3 are great!" because they're not trying to downplay season 1, it's just that season 2 really stepped up its game (also introducing Toph, the other core gang member). It's when the show really found its stride.
The trailer for the live-action just dropped
Who cares
It's awesome!
@@Mike90317 omg yes!!
!!! I loved it! I wonder if he’ll react
I cried. 😂 I was watching it and I just started to tear up. “I’m going to save the world. With my friends.” Omg lol
You're really one the nicest and empathetic reactors so I honestly didn't expect you to say "Oh here we go again" when Katara breaks down telling Zuko about her mum🥲 otherwise cheers
No one ever points out that after Longshot said they would "take care of [Jet ] he pulls a bow out of his quiver. By Take Care he meant mercy kill...
He was aiming at the doorway…? I have heard tho that originally they were going to go with that but thought it would be too dark.
Your reactions are so wholesome! I watched this show when it first aired and I have lost count how many rewatches I have completed. I love reliving the story through your eyes. Can't wait for Korra next! ❤
5:10 regarding Appa making that look easy. Aang is a pacifist, a monk, he'd never even hurt a spiderfly.
Appa is not a pacifist. He is very willing to just body people or kill. He was going to crush Jun like a tomato.
the absolute chills i got when Appa flew down from the sky to save them with the epic music playing behind it 😩😩
Fascinating to think that the crossroads title is so accurate. If katara healed zuko before they were disturbed then zuko wouldve probably gone on the good path and helped the gaang. Either way kataras role was so important
Or she wouldn't have the healing water for Aang then no more avatar
@@Akaeus aang needed the water because he was ganged up by zuko and azula. If zuko had been healed then he wouldve joined or helped the avatar. Him, katara aang and iroh wouldve won and successfully escaped from azula and the dai lee
thus aang not needing to go to the avatar state ,being struck by lightning, and dying.
Tis my opinion
Or should i say just a theory
To this day it is my favorite thing ever that metalbending was invented because someone told Toph that she coudn’t, so she did. Out of pure unadulterated spite. They literally said “even you can’t bend metal” and she went “Bet”
i've been in hospital this week and it's been rough- but watching these has been so much fun- i love this show and seeing someone discover it for the first time with such joy has been really nice. Thanks for these!
The palace break-in has to be one of the most epic "Yeah, these characters are broken" sequences ever animated. To see these guys plow through these defenses like nothing never ceases to amaze me.
You tearing up because Toph successfully bended metal is so relatable though. This show evokes so much emotion in so many different ways, it's so awesome hahah. I'm having so much fun binging your reaction to this series!!
I love the idea of Zuko returning to the Fire nation because we need to see that this was a wrong choice, and he is not happy, he is not satisfied, he hates it, and he knows he did a wrong thing. It is like you can’t learn on someone’s mistakes you have to learn on your own. Without it we would always guess “what if….”
Let’s freaking go! My childhood show right here! Loved every single reaction and can’t wait until season three, and even though the live action show on Netflix is coming out, you must do The Legend of Korra next too!
56:38 I just LOVE your reaction to that scene. The most shocking moment of the season EVER
In the Earth King's defense, Sokka assured him that the Kyoshi Warriors were trustworthy allies, without even checking if it was actually them.
I love watching your reactions to this show. I only finished watching the entire series just before Xmas. Just curious if you'll be watching the legend of Korra after you've finished?
Yeah I’ll watch that. Maybe arcane beforehand but definitely soon.
@@thecocoacouch Yes! DEFINITELY watch Arcane. You won't be disappointed
YAY ARCANE@@thecocoacouch
Arcane is the only show wich can match Avatar in quality.
With the difference that you can stop any second and you have an masterwork of painting.
I love juk! It's the Korean name for rice porridge (in China it's called congee). It's great when you're sick, but I believe it was considered "peasant food" for a long time, which is why Iroh guessed Zuko probably wouldn't like it. Love these reactions, keep up the great work/insight!
Ah, Zukos betrayal hurts so much. But it is also not that surprising. As you yourself pointed out, his chipper demeaner was... somewhat unseettling. i think he tried to pivot too hard in the other direction, and was still not being true to himself. As you have seen the whole series, that is also why he makes the right decision later: At this stage, the decision is _still_ being made for him, this time by Iroh, who pushes him in this direction.
Now, Iroh's way is most defnitily more healthy and his reasoning is entirely different that Ozais, but Zuko still di not choose the path himself. He cannot truly change until he does that, later before the DoBS.
I only recently noticed but, Appa's lost days was the episode that showed how Azula and crew infiltrated.
Getting to experience the show again through your eyes has been such a gift ❤ I look forward to seeing your reactions to season 3 ☺️
So to explain what Pathik meant by letting the attachments go, it wouldve been better phrased as "let the obsessions go"
Its good to have love and attachments like that, but not obsessions
The "silent" archer freedom fighter, if I recall, people said that they had to keep it super vague and off screen but pretty sure he shoots Jet to end his suffering or something like that
I never noticed Toph throwing the ball at the wall and catching it...
Your reaction has actually managed to show me a new detail of this series... that I watched like 10 times already... xD
I mean, in defense of the king telling the "Kyoshi Warriors" about the invasion plan, the Gaang _did_ just say, like not an hour ago, that they were not only good friends, but trustworthy allies.
And considering it's _the Avatar_ vouching for them and the Gaang _just_ outted Long Feng as a snake, why would he have any reason to hide the plan from them? They could be very valuable assets in said invasion!
It took me almost 2 decades to realize they use the “my pet trusts you, so I’ll hear you out” now to set up when it happens next season.
I love the detail at 54:25, even though Zuko has seemingly made his mind and is attacking determinedly, he still looks terrified. This was not a true, honest choice he made for himself, but once again, something he just thinks he should do based on what is assumed of him.
"what an absolute fruit cake"? lol reminds me of something
"You my friend are just a few plums short of a fruit pie" some great wisdom in those words; don't forget them!
Long Feng didn't just give Appa because then nothing would stop them from telling the truth to the king. They wouldn't just leave. Remember before they learnt Appa was sent to Ba Sing Se, they were already headed there to tell the Earth King about the solar eclipse.
Fun Fact, since it's never stated in the episode: That animal Appa fought in the forest was a Boarcupine, which is why he ended up covered in quills by the end.
Also, I completely agree that the Earth King can be a fruitcake, but Sokka and Aang vouched for the Kyoshi Warriors literal HOURS earlier. A team of warriors being friends with the Avatar pretty heavily suggests that they're trustworthy recipients of intel about a battle they will likely be participating in. How was he supposed to know they weren't the real Kyoshi warriors? The Gaang had no way of even knowing that Azula had fought them, let alone won. Give the poor fool some grace.
34:56 the BUILD to this moment was SO GOOD!!! What a fantastic reveal.
It's never actually said in the show but Jet did die there, from what I've heard and I don't know if it's true but the creators of the show weren't sure if they were going to continue Jet's story in the comics that take place between ATLA and TLOK. A lot of people criticize the earth king for revealing the invasion plan to Azula but in his defense he had never met the Kyoshi warriors before so he had no way of knowing that they weren't the real ones.
I remember back in the day the Season 2 finale debuted in December 2006 and the Season 3 premiere debuted in September 2007! We had to wait 9 long months.
I also never noticed, when Zuko chooses to attack Aang in Crossroads of Destiny, he doesn't have that normal killer instinct or wild look, his eyes are wide, like he's still desperately trying to make up his mind and this attack is purely out of needing to do something in this moment to get everyone to shut up
when appa bites the bars like he did when he was a baby always gets me.
A few notes:
Aang and attachment: It's not so much that Aang can't love Katara as he can't be unwilling to let go. He can't be possessive or so attached to her that he can't do his duty. Essentially, he has to love her with an open hand, not clutch her like a security blanket.
Sokka: Yes, this is essentially the point of the series where it's clear to me at least that he is absolutely the leader of Team Avatar, and Aang is a superweapon he is pointing at the Fire Nation on behalf of the rest of the world. Also noteworthy is that Azula essentially used his drill strategy to infiltrate Ba Sing Se and compliments his plan to the Earth King. I would have liked to see more Azula v. Sokka in the series, mastermind to mastermind.
Azula: Her character is really more complicated than "pure evil," and she also was not lying to Zuko at the end of the season. When Daddy sent her to bring Zuko in as a prisoner, she went, but when she heard he was in Ba Sing Se and saw a way she could take Ba Sing Se (i.e., achieve a major goal the Fire Nation has not achieved for a century), defeat the Avatar, and make Zuko a part of it, she saw both the victory at hand and a way to bring her brother home and make it acceptable to their father. She wanted that. She didn't actually need him for more than a few seconds of the battle (though if he had opposed her with Iroh, she would have lost), but she WANTED him. As a younger child, she tormented him all the time, but she also LIKED doing it. She liked having him around. As he was always a disappointment, it's also possible that he relieved some of the pressure on her just by being there. She doesn't believe he is the traitor to their father that Iroh is (and she is here proven right), and to her it makes sense to view Iroh's decision to support the Avatar and the Water Tribe as a betrayal of their family, while Zuko was loyal to them. She believes Zuko did the honorable thing, and she is legitimately willing to be generous and include him in her victory to bring him home and return to the way things were a few years back. I do not think she wants him to actually become the Fire Lord, but I believe she would have no problem if he married Mai and just remained her dumb, less talented brother, and within the scope of her control for the rest of their lives.
Zuko: This is not a reset for him. In my opinion, this is actually the single most crucial step in his character development. In all honesty, Iroh comes on too strong with him at the end of this season. He asks Zuko to think about what he wants, but he has a very firm opinion about what Zuko SHOULD want, and in 2x20, he pushes Zuko to behave in a certain way just like other members of their family. The reason Zuko's positive attitude after letting Appa go feels wrong is because it's fake. The trauma of the decision was so much it made him sick-that was real. He really does feel he has two voices whispering in his ear as Fire Lord, and that he has decisions to make with as much impact on the world as the Avatar. But the resolution of his conflict was illusory. He was simply trying to make the best of things (which was in and of itself a huge deal after months of sulking). Then Azula offers him everything he ever wanted, everything he thought he had lost forever-and for once, she isn't lying. She actually does mean it. For the sake of character development, he has to take her up on it. He HAS to succeed and realize what he thought he wanted for three years is not actually what he wants now before everything he has learned in exile can be translated into forward action.
I think if i created something so beloved, i would spend so much time watching reaction videos like this. It's so fun heari g the guesses, questions, and theories about what is happening and what could happen.
Oh, those dragons in Zuko's mind, and the Avatar.. I completely forgot this scene, but it has sooo deep meaning!
I love your reaction to ATLA, and you have really good insights. It's so funny to see you're saying something, that will pay off a bit later. I never notice those tiny things when I was watching ATLA for the first time, I'm kinda jealous.
Through all the hardship, through all his mistakes and through all the ways he hurt Iroh, Iroh never ONCE failed to call him Prince Zuko.
49:15 "glad to see you're ok!" xd
Oh man, watching you react to this is so enjoyable! You felt all that we’ve all felt with Zuko’s betrayal and the loss of our team. Such a low, but SUCH good storytelling!
I think the emphasis of the final chakra is meant to be on selflessness. You have to acknowledge the love you have for others, but must also recognize that your ultimate duty is to the world, and not to yourself or even to those you love. If push comes to shove, Aang MUST be able to value the lives of even fire nation citizens just as much if not more than he values Katara on a personal level. He cannot let love make him biased in his actions as the avatar. That is what I think the guru means by letting go.
Zuko makes one good decision and his body thinks it was a virus
Peak moments
I love how you just went with the "Aang-Gang"😂❤