The saddest part about Aang being the last airbender is that his culture is functionally extinct. He's a 12 year old kid. No matter how much occasional wisdom we hear him speak, he can't know the more expansive and detailed nuanced parts of his culture or peoples history. Who even knows how much survived and if the knowledge was burned or not. An example is his pacifism. Gyatso was dead and found surrounded by soldiers, but his clothes weren't burnt, just tattered from aging. That means he killed them the entire mountain of soldiers that were around him. Aang was never taught about the fact that the monks clearly believed taking life in the self defense of others and protection of his people, like what Monk Gyatso did. At the end of the day he's a kid and knows next to nothing about the whole of his culture/history.
There are comic series chronologically after the defeat of ozai where aang had disciples that wanted to learn the ways of air nomads and found together a new air temple .
The attachment to katara thing is frustrating because the guru explains it badly Hes allowed to love katara. But he has to be able to put the world first because that is his responsibility
The thing is, the whole scene is a tribute to "Star Wars - the Empire Strikes Back" (where Luke abandoned his training with Yoda in a similar way because he had a vision that his friends are in danger). Avatar has many connections to Star Wars: several people from the Avatar cast & crew are also part of Star Wars, and there are lots of Star Wars easter eggs and shout outs in ATLA.
While everyone is agreeing to the same thing - that it is a big gripe with the show. I think the big difference between Aang's responsibility to the world and his love Katara had to do with him !Learning! to let go. I don't think it was ever meant to be a definitive disconnection.
@@StephenKendall I actually like that Pathik explained it poorly. It shows that spiritual enlightenment is not the same as perfection, and there are downsides to it. Pathik had reached enlightenment long ago and had been living a solitary life for many years. It makes sense that he wouldn’t be able to fully relate to Aang’s strong desire for companionship. The truth is the Avatar does not need to reach enlightenment. They just have to learn to compartmentalize their emotions to access their full power. I think if they had had more time together the guru would have been able to work through the misunderstanding, but unfortunately they were interrupted.
Sokka’s dad,Hakota, is an example of true unconditional love from father to son and is a great foil of how fake and conditional and Terrible Zuko was raised by his dad
Pathik isn't saying Aang has to let go of Katara, he's trying (and failing) to teach Aang that his duty as the Avatar must come before his emotions and personal relationships.
Unpopular opinion, but I think the Guru meant everything he said. If the teaching is based on Buddha's path to enlightenment he literally did abandon his wife and child, so it stands to reason that as Aang's quest to attain enlightenment/complete mastery over the Avatar state he needs to do the same(at the very least in the Guru's mind). Spoiler: The same way a certain someone lost his attachment/tether to the world when he lost his beloved and thus obtaining enlightenment and access to the ultimate form of airbending
"...and born in the form of new love." That bit always makes me cry. Because it's one thing to always hear, "but they're still with you! In your heart!" etc etc. How much that'll mean to someone, or actually comfort them varies depending on their beliefs etc. For me it's annoying and makes me angry. But specifically hearing, 'it lives on in your love for new people and new things." hits much truer for me. Just because this one person you loved has left you, it doesn't mean their love has, It doesn't mean you can't one day feel love again, in whatever form. The love they gave you, the love you learned from knowing them, that's able to keep on going forever if you let it. This and WandaVision are in my top two of the best reflections on grief in media.
“The separation of the four elements is an illusion. All four elements are part of the same whole”. That line is huge when it comes to the overall mythology of the series.
“Letting go” is explained really awkwardly in this episode, but the guru didn’t mean to stop caring about everything and everyone. Letting go instead means to not let the things of this world be the reason you exist.
Unpopular opinion, but I think the Guru meant everything he said. If the teaching is based on Buddha's path to enlightenment he literally did abandon his wife and child, so it stands to reason that as Aang's quest to attain enlightenment/complete mastery over the Avatar state he needs to do the same(at the very least in the Guru's mind). Spoiler: The same way a certain someone lost his attachment/tether to the world when he lost his beloved and thus obtaining enlightenment and access to the ultimate form of airbending
@@muhammadnazrin3390 SPOILERS! And Avatar Yangchen later confirms that is false. While some Airbenders were able to rid themselves of all worldly concerns, the Avatar can NEVER achieve that as their duty to protect the world keeps them tethered to it.
@@Wright805 I'm not saying what the the Guru said is right or wrong(since Pathik wasn't an avatar), it could have given Aang complete mastery over the avatar state, or it could have not. However I find it odd that people automatically think that Pathik explained it poorly or that Aang misunderstood rather than he(Pathik) literally meant what he said based on IRL and future lore of the Avatar universe. Spoilers: Regarding Yeng Chen, her statement wasn't in direct response to the Avatar state, and we don't know if she did master that state. My conjecture is that all uses of the Avatar state especially after the first avatar reincarnation is similar to how Bruce Banner "controls" Hulk in the first Avengers movie, he doesn't control every action but, he focuses the Hulk attention on a specific enemy and lets him(Hulk) do what he wishes
Guru's final enlightenment is a bit more nuanced than just "give up your earthly connections" when it really means more that the attachment should not be holding him back from himself or his duty to the world and balance. He can still love and care for others, but it must not cloud his judgements. Examples like, if he were to save others but had to sacrifice himself, would his bond and love for Katara keep him from making that choice - or - if she were to become evil would he be able to stop her from ruining the balance of the world.
wooooow, its the fact that after all these years watching this show i never realized the scenes were color coordinating with the actual 7 chakra points (THE DETAILS IN THIS SHOW MAN).
the actors voices do change some between the first and third seasons, mostly due to them being young at the time and how much a voice can change when you're a kid. i'm sure some of this was specific acting choices, and some due to just changing bodies.
"Chook" as Iroh says is like congee. My mother used to make it for me when I came home because it's one of my favorites. She would spend all morning stirring like Iroh so the rice wouldn't stick to the pot. She would put in all kinds of meats such chicken kidneys,sliced beef liver, dried shrimp, and preserved duck egg. Preserved duck egg was invented in ancient times because eggs are not available in the winter. So people would buy black volcanic ash and put the eggs in it during the summer. The egg white would turn completely black while the yolk would have shades of grey to the center. The egg would also congeal so it becomes solid. There are various ways to eat it besides being in congee. When I was a teenager in the US, I asked my father if I could have a beer. My father went to buy a six pack, sat down with a plate of fermented eggs and a plated picked small onion bulbs. He told me I could drink in the house but not to get drunk. I tried the beer and did not like the taste so I didn't drink beer again. I didn't drink until I was 21. There's also fermented salt eggs. They're also congealed but very salty.
The only prerequisite toph needed to metal bend "I DONT WANT TO BE IN A METAL BOX" *literally INVENTS metal bending* "OKAY, TIME TO KICK ASS AND TAKE NAMES"
The word chakra actually means "wheel". It represents the wheel of time and refers to celestial order and balance. Celestial order and balance are Avatar-heavy concepts.
If the avatar let their earthly attachment go, they can control their avatar state, if an Airbender let their earthly attachment go... you'll know it next time, keep watching 😅
9:00 I jumped right here from your 1x06 reaction as soon as you pointed out that the earthbenders should have been able to bend the metal ship! Don’t worry, I’m going right back there. I just had to see you find out you were right!
it’s nice to see that maple has knowledge of the chakras and this sort of spirituality and is able to make the connections with what they are showing in the show ❤
This is why I wish that gurus or spiritual guides we sometimes less cryptic. I would elaborate on that, but that discussion might contain some spoilers, so I shall refrain. I just think the guru could have explained some things in more detail.
Imagine being way younger and seeing this episode. Being taught so much information said and unsaid. Learning chakras, learning that even though there are many thing connected, you must let things go to live filled with the "cosmic energy". Iroh is my favorite, followed by Toph. They are both very opposite, yet in many ways from their lessons you can be balanced.
The time frame of this episode bothers me. Right before Aang leaves to meet the Guru he tells Sokka "See you in 11 days." So it is implied that learning to unblock all his Chakras will take time. However he leaves on the same day as Iroh's grand opening and all those events happen in barely even one day. Meaning that Aang opened all his Chakras extremely easily, with like NO difficulty whatsoever, in just a few hours, before taking off to save Katara. For something that was said to be difficult for Aang to achieve, it actually wasn't. It was barely an inconvenience.
I love the guru. Even though I don't believe in chakras as "real," the act of meditating on them and their meaning is very helpful at times. Though there are events in Korra present another view of the last step. They never directly compare them, but it makes it all very interesting.
They mention General Fong's base as being the starting point for the invasion. General Fong is the crazy dude who tried to force Aang into his avatar state in the first episode of the season.
The thing that upset me is the fact that Aang can love. You just need to be able to let go. All the past avatars had wives. Soooo Edit: he's a kid and not thing clearly
Guru meditates and calls out to another ancient master. Yoda responds: "Warned you I did. Sigh, listen, they will not. Run off before training is finished, learn the hard way they must."
One thing i like to note here i toph is specifically qualified to learn metal bending, cause her ability to sense the Earth around her allows her to sense and bend the earth within the metal.
Interesting how the tables have turned. Azula using the same strategy as Sokka did with the drill: destroying from the inside. Azula learned from that event like she can adapt so fast its crazy
Aw, you didn't play back Maple's quote about metalbending right before Toph actually did it in this vid. For future reference, you may want to look back on other possibly foreshadowing quotes of hers from this series before you go any further with editing your Korra reactions.
Nonattachment doesnt mean not loving people. And as you can see in the show, Aang not mastering the Avatar State led to him almost dying and losing the Earth Kingdom to the Fire Nation.
@@Prince_the_Onenot “almost dying,” actual dying. Azula killed him. If it wasn’t for Kataras magic water the Avatar would have been lost forever because Aang left his training early. His attachment to Katara meant that he prioritised one life, over saving the world, and an Avatar shouldn’t ever do that. He literally proved the importance of the lesson he was supposed to learn by failing to complete it when he should have lol
Toph invented a whole new type of Earthbending specifically because they told her she can't.
Well, necessity has something to say about that.
Stubborn Queen
the definition of "aight bet"
And simply did it out of spite
@@CX_ChrisChow😂
What a difference between Sokka interrupting a war meeting and Zuko interrupting his father’s war meeting is night and day.
It's not like Sokka talked out of turn. He just entered.
@@rezoannur2333 imagine if sokka talked out of turn hakota starts dueling him 😂
@@therealwelfinsuffering will be his teacher
@@rezoannur2333even if he did his dad probably would respect his input.
The saddest part about Aang being the last airbender is that his culture is functionally extinct. He's a 12 year old kid. No matter how much occasional wisdom we hear him speak, he can't know the more expansive and detailed nuanced parts of his culture or peoples history. Who even knows how much survived and if the knowledge was burned or not. An example is his pacifism. Gyatso was dead and found surrounded by soldiers, but his clothes weren't burnt, just tattered from aging. That means he killed them the entire mountain of soldiers that were around him. Aang was never taught about the fact that the monks clearly believed taking life in the self defense of others and protection of his people, like what Monk Gyatso did. At the end of the day he's a kid and knows next to nothing about the whole of his culture/history.
There are still some teachings he can read from his culture. I hear that Guru Laghima has some great insights.
There are comic series chronologically after the defeat of ozai where aang had disciples that wanted to learn the ways of air nomads and found together a new air temple .
The attachment to katara thing is frustrating because the guru explains it badly
Hes allowed to love katara. But he has to be able to put the world first because that is his responsibility
Fully agree, it's one of a few significant gripes I have with the show
That's just characterisation of the Guru as that's what he has done and how he got to where he is spiritually.
The thing is, the whole scene is a tribute to "Star Wars - the Empire Strikes Back" (where Luke abandoned his training with Yoda in a similar way because he had a vision that his friends are in danger).
Avatar has many connections to Star Wars: several people from the Avatar cast & crew are also part of Star Wars, and there are lots of Star Wars easter eggs and shout outs in ATLA.
While everyone is agreeing to the same thing - that it is a big gripe with the show. I think the big difference between Aang's responsibility to the world and his love Katara had to do with him !Learning! to let go. I don't think it was ever meant to be a definitive disconnection.
@@StephenKendall I actually like that Pathik explained it poorly. It shows that spiritual enlightenment is not the same as perfection, and there are downsides to it. Pathik had reached enlightenment long ago and had been living a solitary life for many years. It makes sense that he wouldn’t be able to fully relate to Aang’s strong desire for companionship. The truth is the Avatar does not need to reach enlightenment. They just have to learn to compartmentalize their emotions to access their full power. I think if they had had more time together the guru would have been able to work through the misunderstanding, but unfortunately they were interrupted.
Sokka’s dad,Hakota, is an example of true unconditional love from father to son and is a great foil of how fake and conditional and Terrible Zuko was raised by his dad
Pathik isn't saying Aang has to let go of Katara, he's trying (and failing) to teach Aang that his duty as the Avatar must come before his emotions and personal relationships.
Unpopular opinion, but I think the Guru meant everything he said. If the teaching is based on Buddha's path to enlightenment he literally did abandon his wife and child, so it stands to reason that as Aang's quest to attain enlightenment/complete mastery over the Avatar state he needs to do the same(at the very least in the Guru's mind).
Spoiler:
The same way a certain someone lost his attachment/tether to the world when he lost his beloved and thus obtaining enlightenment and access to the ultimate form of airbending
"...and born in the form of new love."
That bit always makes me cry. Because it's one thing to always hear, "but they're still with you! In your heart!" etc etc. How much that'll mean to someone, or actually comfort them varies depending on their beliefs etc. For me it's annoying and makes me angry.
But specifically hearing, 'it lives on in your love for new people and new things." hits much truer for me. Just because this one person you loved has left you, it doesn't mean their love has, It doesn't mean you can't one day feel love again, in whatever form. The love they gave you, the love you learned from knowing them, that's able to keep on going forever if you let it. This and WandaVision are in my top two of the best reflections on grief in media.
this is so beautiful, thank you😢
“The separation of the four elements is an illusion. All four elements are part of the same whole”. That line is huge when it comes to the overall mythology of the series.
“Letting go” is explained really awkwardly in this episode, but the guru didn’t mean to stop caring about everything and everyone. Letting go instead means to not let the things of this world be the reason you exist.
Is katara a thing of this world, and his duty as avatar not?
For what reason should we exist?
Unpopular opinion, but I think the Guru meant everything he said. If the teaching is based on Buddha's path to enlightenment he literally did abandon his wife and child, so it stands to reason that as Aang's quest to attain enlightenment/complete mastery over the Avatar state he needs to do the same(at the very least in the Guru's mind).
Spoiler:
The same way a certain someone lost his attachment/tether to the world when he lost his beloved and thus obtaining enlightenment and access to the ultimate form of airbending
@@muhammadnazrin3390 Spoiler:
'Let go your earthly tether. Enter the void. Empty, and become wind.'
@@muhammadnazrin3390 SPOILERS!
And Avatar Yangchen later confirms that is false. While some Airbenders were able to rid themselves of all worldly concerns, the Avatar can NEVER achieve that as their duty to protect the world keeps them tethered to it.
@@Wright805 I'm not saying what the the Guru said is right or wrong(since Pathik wasn't an avatar), it could have given Aang complete mastery over the avatar state, or it could have not. However I find it odd that people automatically think that Pathik explained it poorly or that Aang misunderstood rather than he(Pathik) literally meant what he said based on IRL and future lore of the Avatar universe.
Spoilers:
Regarding Yeng Chen, her statement wasn't in direct response to the Avatar state, and we don't know if she did master that state. My conjecture is that all uses of the Avatar state especially after the first avatar reincarnation is similar to how Bruce Banner "controls" Hulk in the first Avengers movie, he doesn't control every action but, he focuses the Hulk attention on a specific enemy and lets him(Hulk) do what he wishes
Guru's final enlightenment is a bit more nuanced than just "give up your earthly connections" when it really means more that the attachment should not be holding him back from himself or his duty to the world and balance.
He can still love and care for others, but it must not cloud his judgements.
Examples like, if he were to save others but had to sacrifice himself, would his bond and love for Katara keep him from making that choice - or - if she were to become evil would he be able to stop her from ruining the balance of the world.
I legitimately cry every time the Guru explains the Air Nomads’ love is still with Aang and has been reborn.
wooooow, its the fact that after all these years watching this show i never realized the scenes were color coordinating with the actual 7 chakra points (THE DETAILS IN THIS SHOW MAN).
the actors voices do change some between the first and third seasons, mostly due to them being young at the time and how much a voice can change when you're a kid. i'm sure some of this was specific acting choices, and some due to just changing bodies.
"It's terrible when you can't trust the people closest to you". Great phrase...
"Chook" as Iroh says is like congee. My mother used to make it for me when I came home because it's one of my favorites. She would spend all morning stirring like Iroh so the rice wouldn't stick to the pot. She would put in all kinds of meats such chicken kidneys,sliced beef liver, dried shrimp, and preserved duck egg. Preserved duck egg was invented in ancient times because eggs are not available in the winter. So people would buy black volcanic ash and put the eggs in it during the summer. The egg white would turn completely black while the yolk would have shades of grey to the center. The egg would also congeal so it becomes solid. There are various ways to eat it besides being in congee. When I was a teenager in the US, I asked my father if I could have a beer. My father went to buy a six pack, sat down with a plate of fermented eggs and a plated picked small onion bulbs. He told me I could drink in the house but not to get drunk. I tried the beer and did not like the taste so I didn't drink beer again. I didn't drink until I was 21. There's also fermented salt eggs. They're also congealed but very salty.
This is one of my favorites, the things the guru is saying it can be applied in the real world tbh
9:06 yes you do Toph, a new bending is born
There is a cool fan film on RUclips with a live action Toph and how she first learned Earthbending. Really solid effort, recommended
What's it called owo
@@alexarias5717 Toph: An Avatar Fan Film
The only prerequisite toph needed to metal bend
"I DONT WANT TO BE IN A METAL BOX"
*literally INVENTS metal bending*
"OKAY, TIME TO KICK ASS AND TAKE NAMES"
y’all mind if I
*develops new bending type out of pure spite*
Bro, Arianna's hair and fit this reaction? 🔥
Rosa Diaz VIBES!
the ending sequence of 'The Guru' is one of my favorite parts of the show
I remember how cute it is that karata went on a tea date with momo😂🍵
The bacteria cultures growing in that gallon of water concern me slightly.
The word chakra actually means "wheel". It represents the wheel of time and refers to celestial order and balance. Celestial order and balance are Avatar-heavy concepts.
It’s more fun to watch Toph fight than Gaara
I just now realized how this was like Empire Strikes Back
If the avatar let their earthly attachment go, they can control their avatar state, if an Airbender let their earthly attachment go... you'll know it next time, keep watching 😅
The audio of the episode seems to be pitched higher for you here? It's not meant to be like that.
9:00 I jumped right here from your 1x06 reaction as soon as you pointed out that the earthbenders should have been able to bend the metal ship! Don’t worry, I’m going right back there. I just had to see you find out you were right!
it’s nice to see that maple has knowledge of the chakras and this sort of spirituality and is able to make the connections with what they are showing in the show ❤
This is why I wish that gurus or spiritual guides we sometimes less cryptic. I would elaborate on that, but that discussion might contain some spoilers, so I shall refrain. I just think the guru could have explained some things in more detail.
Agreed.
@8:08 OMG Maple.
Imagine being way younger and seeing this episode. Being taught so much information said and unsaid.
Learning chakras, learning that even though there are many thing connected, you must let things go to live filled with the "cosmic energy".
Iroh is my favorite, followed by Toph. They are both very opposite, yet in many ways from their lessons you can be balanced.
A.... Love your hair boo. You looking extra good today
The time frame of this episode bothers me. Right before Aang leaves to meet the Guru he tells Sokka "See you in 11 days." So it is implied that learning to unblock all his Chakras will take time. However he leaves on the same day as Iroh's grand opening and all those events happen in barely even one day. Meaning that Aang opened all his Chakras extremely easily, with like NO difficulty whatsoever, in just a few hours, before taking off to save Katara. For something that was said to be difficult for Aang to achieve, it actually wasn't. It was barely an inconvenience.
Toph is a Beast!
Sokka hasn't seen his dad since the men of his tribe left to fight in the war, which was more than two years ago.
Ayeee nice to see someone other than maple having them out for once!
Let's Goooooooo!!!!
My favourite episode 🥰 Althought I just clicked for the bubs without thinking, it ended up well 😌👍
“What should I do dad ?
I said the rest of you men get ready for battle” 😭
OOF. Love watching your reactions. I had many of the same feelings. Thanks for uploading these.
God this is SUCH a good setup for The Crossroads of Destiny. Great reaction!
👍🏾
The things Toph starting riding riding on are called rock skates. And also her exit and beating up the 2 guys is iconic.
Their voices do change its puberty seriously
This ep help me to open all and understand everything facts
Zuko being happy and content as a server in a tea shop is hilarious and wholesome
10:30 such a good choice of imagery. almost looks like a puddle of blood. makes it more dramatic.
I love the guru. Even though I don't believe in chakras as "real," the act of meditating on them and their meaning is very helpful at times. Though there are events in Korra present another view of the last step. They never directly compare them, but it makes it all very interesting.
Chameleon Bay gets its name from the numerous color changing trees in the area.
Where did Bosco come from, thin air?
This old me help me
They mention General Fong's base as being the starting point for the invasion. General Fong is the crazy dude who tried to force Aang into his avatar state in the first episode of the season.
The only voice change was Iroh because Mako died.
"It's one of her tricks."
"There's a giant hole in the box! How is that a trick?"
😆😆😆
Also earlier:
"Nice try Toph, but you can't trick me!"
Like... literally moments after he was gonna do it and Xin Fu had to tell him no. 😆😆😆
The thing that upset me is the fact that Aang can love. You just need to be able to let go. All the past avatars had wives. Soooo
Edit: he's a kid and not thing clearly
❤️🔥
Guru meditates and calls out to another ancient master.
Yoda responds: "Warned you I did. Sigh, listen, they will not. Run off before training is finished, learn the hard way they must."
One thing i like to note here i toph is specifically qualified to learn metal bending, cause her ability to sense the Earth around her allows her to sense and bend the earth within the metal.
:)
And there goes the first part of book 3's plan 🥴
Interesting how the tables have turned. Azula using the same strategy as Sokka did with the drill: destroying from the inside. Azula learned from that event like she can adapt so fast its crazy
"I used to have my mom drop me off far away from school" lol
Aw, you didn't play back Maple's quote about metalbending right before Toph actually did it in this vid.
For future reference, you may want to look back on other possibly foreshadowing quotes of hers from this series before you go any further with editing your Korra reactions.
Aang was right to not let go of “earthly attachments”, there’s nothing wrong with loving and being attached to people
Nonattachment doesnt mean not loving people. And as you can see in the show, Aang not mastering the Avatar State led to him almost dying and losing the Earth Kingdom to the Fire Nation.
@@Prince_the_Onenot “almost dying,” actual dying. Azula killed him. If it wasn’t for Kataras magic water the Avatar would have been lost forever because Aang left his training early.
His attachment to Katara meant that he prioritised one life, over saving the world, and an Avatar shouldn’t ever do that. He literally proved the importance of the lesson he was supposed to learn by failing to complete it when he should have lol
Just realized this is the Luke with Yoda at Dagobah episode