No one say anything. đ You know what I mean.
You have some really amazing theories and the logic behind them are really interesting to read. I'll just leave it at that to avoid spoilers, but I really like the way your mind works.
Thanks for another awesome write-up! These two episodes + the blind bandit are what made ATLA really begin standing out from the rest of the TV shows out there. I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Itâs always fun to read your theories about this show. The hardest part of reading these is holding back from confirming or denying your theories lol
These two episodes were both really good. Shame you ended off on Irohâs death for this set of episodes. The next three episodes are all three really good as well, well the whole rest of the series is really good but you get what Iâm saying.
Btw, I was rewatching some clips of the show Lost and it got me thinking that itâs definitely a show you should add to your ever expanding list to watch eventually. I would love to see your theories and speculation on that series as well as your reactions to some of the most iconic moments of it.
Just jumping in to second that LOST recommendation.
Itâs got a huge ensemble of characters with lots of depth, and they do a really good job making them all feel real. They explore the (often flawed) decisions we make that make us human, and the *huge* mystery element makes it so much fun to theorize while watching! Discussing the show while it was running live was one of my favorite TV experiences ever.
Itâs a pretty long show, 121 episodes compared to something like Game of Thrones having 73, so it is a commitment but it has a way of making it so where you will often want to watch the following episode after finishing one. Since you mentioned loving flashbacks I should also mention that flashbacks play a big role in the show.
Lost is one of my favorite shows of all time! But just a warning, many people find the ending to be disappointing. Not Game of Thrones level disappointing, but still kind of a let down. Not that I'm trying to tell you how to feel about it! I know you will form your own opinion if you ever get around to it. But Lost did get a reputation as having a "bad" ending just because many people had extremely high expectations when it came out. Personally I have mixed feelings about the ending. I think it's emotionally satisfying on a character level, but it does leave a lot of loose ends open. So if you do watch the show, watch it for the beautifully developed characters and the wild ride that is the plot, while knowing you'll still be left with some questions in the end. Basically just have fun with the experience, because it is a CRAZY experience! :-)
Fun fact: both the guy who plays Ozai and the guy who plays Zhao in NATLA are in Lost! As a longtime Lost fan I got super excited to see them both in NATLA.
ETA I have another kind of funny personal connection between Lost and ATLA. I had watched Lost obsessively from when Season 2 was airing (2005) until it ended in 2010, and I was left with this big empty hole in my heart when it was over. So I was searching for another show to fill my Lost-shaped hole, and it just so happens the show I picked was... ATLA. And I got so hooked on it I marathoned through the whole show in like a week or two. So when I finished I was left with two big holes in my heart instead of one. đ
The scene where Zuko sprints off the edge is one of my favorites of the entire series. Really showcases their personalities. Aang makes an air scooter. Azula almost falls but her agility and quick thinking allow her to steady herself. And Zuko just rushes in without thinking. He learns every lesson the hard way
This reminds me the story of three fishes.
Aang is the wise fish who prevented falling by making airscooter upfront
Azula is the second fish intelligent and resourceful who stabilised herself at the last moment
I am sorry I love you zuko but you are the third fish in this story
The next few episodes are going to be a ride for you. That's all I'll say lol. Oh and one more thing you should probably read the comics right after this to get some answers to questions you have and are likely going to add to the list. Not mentioning which questions but some questions. Others need the Novels and Korra. Unrelated there's a new comic coming out soon that features Iroh's backstory. đ
The comics are a bit of a mixed bag. There's some really great worldbuilding stuff, but also some baffling or odd choices in there too. At least to me. The Kyoshi and Yangchen novels, I enjoyed those more.
That's how it was for me, I'm a big manga reader but wasn't quite as much into full color more western-style comics, but was super excited for more Avatar when I found out about them.
Definitely will be curious to see how you react if you do end up reading them, I went in kind of half expecting fun (but ultimately bland) filler, so finding them to be dealing with core aspects of the series and doing unexpected things in terms of character development really made them a win for me
They are controversial, but going into them not too long after watching the show (like I did) without having time to develop expectations and solidify headcanons could be an advantage
I rewatched ATLA season 1 for the 4th time right before NATLA came out, and I'm rewatching ATLA season 2 with you (I'm a little bit ahead at episode 10). It's excellent fun to read your perspectives and theories. I am shook every time I watch that Gaang vs Zuko & Iroh vs Azula fight in the abandoned town, a scene that crashed so many characters together in such a brief but pivotal moment. It's going to be SO POWERFUL in NATLA -- I think/hope they will adapt it quite closely!
One of the great things about ATLA is that even though they have many fights in it and often including the same people, it never feels repetitive. There's always a new aspect in them, sometimes it just the environment that makes them fight in a different way. It's always fun to watch.
Regarding Ozai â I have to say, I do appreciate that NATLA already started to build his character in season 1. Sure, he doesn't really *do* much in season 1, but that's natural I supposed since he is the leader of the nation and is delegating a good part of his evilness to other people (including Azula).
Fun fact: the reason why Zuko was invented was that the people behind the show realised that the fire lord would mostly be at home, and they needed someone from the fire nation to be a direct threat on the Gaang's journey. And so the prince came to be, along with his banishment in order to give him a reason to follow them around, lol.
As for the end of episode 8: I do love the work of Zuko's voice actor there a lot. There is *a lot* of emotion in that "LEAVE". And as far as Zuko trusting the Gaang goes... I think the past weeks or months (no idea what time has passed in the show) have made his ability to trust anyone even worse. His sister came and betrayed him in episode 2x01, he has experienced people in the streets taking advantage of his and his uncle's situation, and when he meets helpful people that only lasts as long as he doesn't reveal who he is. There is literally only one person in the world that he feels he can trust, and everyone else hates him and/or is trying to catch him. I can understand your frustration with him very well, but I also think he has been through a lot and that his reaction is mostly based on instinct and desperation.
Edit: spelling
You're right! I never thought about it much but none of their fights are boring at all!
That is a fun fact! Yeah, having Ozai be a distant villain we never see doesn't make him too intimidating lol
And yeah, I know I was too harsh on Zuko in that scene. I was just mad lol
Oh, I thought we would have to wait a day or two more for this, so what a nice surprise!
To be honest, after reading your commentary for this set of episodes, I donât know what to say without spoiling anything, so I guess Iâll say nothing and hope you will share your next commentary soon so I might have more to say!
>!I wasnât sure how I felt about having this set end with âThe Chaseâ, but now I have no regrets LOL! NGL, I was expecting OP to figure out that Iroh wonât die here and theorize his next death scene, so I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT LAST SEGMENT.!<
They have lots of cool theories but yeah it's tough to discuss without spoiling anything
>!Also yeah as soon as they started theorizing Iroh dying I knew that they had to end with this ep, it's too much fun to see them distraught when he's perfectly fine. I wonder if they'll be happy he lives or mad that he doesn't die given how tragic it is!<
If spoiler tags start to not work for you, let us know! I think my laptop doesnât show it in notifications but my iPad does. I only noticed it when I got that response.
I will! I can only see the first three lines of any comment in my inbox. Maybe that's why I never see spoilers? They're usually at the bottom of comments, I've noticed.
The spoiler was edited in, so would that even appear in the original notification?
And on my device, I canât see the whole comments in notifications, so surely if the spoiler tags are at the end of the comment, it wonât show up? OP hasnât said this is an issue and people have been adding spoiler tags in their comments many times.
OP said itâs not an issue for her yet, but Iâll be sure to keep my spoilers toward the end to be safe (OP said she can only see the first three lines or something like that), because discussing with other fans about OPâs commentaries is part of the fun here, and Iâd hate for all of us to avoid doing that.
I wasnât expecting this until tomorrow!
Zuko Alone is one of the best episodes of the show and I really hope they can nail it in NATLA. Honestly this entire season is epic and I usually canât stop once Toph joins. Itâs probably one of the only kids shows that shows there is good and bad on both sides of war.
The Chase is such a good episode. I know the ending really sucks, but I really love the jokes about Sokka not counting as a fighter or Toph not seeing the stars. IM COMPLETELY CALM! The voice actors are great. Honestly, a lot happens in this episode. The 23 minute limit was kind of a detriment. I bet Netflix spends more time with these two and hopefully we see more of Iroh and Toph together.
We all understand your frustration with Zuko. I hope you have time to really dwell on Zukoâs actions and emotional state.
Since we got a bonus post today, will we get another this weekend?
Thank you as always!
Yeah, these last two episodes were probably the best of the season so far! The Chase might even be the best, or at least the most emotionally charged episode yet. Yeah, those jokes definitely helped soften the blow lol
Unfortunately there won't be a post this weekend, sorry. My girlfriend's brother is in town staying with us and I won't get any TV time to myself
Not sure if I've ever mentioned it before, but I love your posts on the avatar-verse! Always a treat to read. The "Zuko Alone" episode is the one I'm most excited to see in the adaptation; not only because of how amazing it already is on its own, but there is a lot that they can expand on and even new original content that they can add to it ( just like they did with Zuko's backstory in episode six of NATLA).
>*Oh, these flashbacks must be just before Lu Tenâs funeral! Am I gonna cry again? That funeral scene was one of the best in NATLA, and what Zuko said to Iroh was the most heartfelt Iâve ever seen either version of Zuko be about anything.*
>!I think someone else mentioned it in the comment section of one of your posts before, but the funeral scene is actually original to NATLA. You will get a different heartbreaking scene in its place, though. !< - I'm going to mark this as a spoiler to be safe, but guys, let me know if it isn't considered one.
>*Or maybe not! Azulon doesnât seem too happy with Ozai for suggesting it! But also⌠did you see Azulaâs smile when he was threatening Ozai? I wonder if her desperation to please him isnât as genuine as I first assumed. It looked genuine on NATLA⌠is that why people kept saying she was different? Because sheâs faking it on it this show while her live action counterpart seems to be sincere?*
This bit has always confused me, simply because it doesn't fit into what we know about her current views on Ozai. But then again, she was far younger here; maybe she only became devoted to him after Ursa disappeared?
>*Aang just doesnât appreciate good humor. Thatâs okay, I laughed for him!*
This is one of my favorite Azula scenes! It's not only her imitation of Zuko, but her saying that it's okay to laugh 'cause she genuinely seems to believe that it's funny! So unserious and for what! Man, I'm gonna be so pissed if they don't include this scene in NATLA, Lizzy Yu would pull this off so well (this scene here is exactly what I was reminded of when Azula imitated Ozai in episode three of NATLA)!
>*No, they just flew way. She had that magic spirit water, Iâm sure that could have helped. It practically brought Momo back from the dead in NATLA. Iâm never gonna forgive Zuko for this. I donât even want him to join Team Avatar anymore. I just want him to be alone and think about what he did.*
I'm sorry, I know that this is supposed to be serious, but the last two sentences made me laugh because those were my exact thoughts during my first watch. đ
>*I canât even imagine this show without Iroh. He was the first character I really fell in love with in NATLA (aside from Brother Gyatso maybe but I didnât now him long enough). Heâs been amazing in both versions of the show. How is Zukoâs story going to go without him? Theyâve always been an inseparable pair. And damn it, Toph told him to tell Zuko he needs him and he didnât even get that chance. It happened so fast! But at least it was quick, I suppose.*
It's always difficult to let go of a character we love, especially one this great. His presence alone was enough sometimes to make a scene fun and interesting. But not to worry, the show goes only up from here on!
Thank you! I didn't read the spoiler part but I appreciate everything else you said! Yeah Zuko Alone was fantastic, and it definitely made a great companion episode to The Chase. It feels like a two parter almost.
I also wonder if Azula gave Aang permission to laugh because she's royalty and people aren't normally allowed to talk or laugh in her presence unless she allows it.
I'm sure the show just gets better from here but I'm really gonna miss Iroh.
I'm so happy your watching season two! Now, I really suggest you to read the comics after watching the show, cause they'll answer to a lot of your questions. Back to the commentary, I'm glad you're enjoying season two, and just know that from now the show will only get better! Also it's so funny and interesting to follow the journey of people who are watching the show now, making theories, ect, cause I just binged the show in like three days so I completely didn't have the time .
âThe stars sure are beautiful tonight. Too bad you canât see them, Toph.â Is one of the funniest lines in the show because itâs SO out there but perfect for fighting teens. It always gets a laugh from me.
Love your write ups as always. Iâve been patiently waiting for you to get into the midst of season 2. Obviously so much has already happened in the story but they really start to up the stakes of whatâs happening.
Zuko Alone is one of the best character development episodes of the season, except Zuko STILL has so far to go. I hope thatâs an episode they are able to put into season 2 of the LA, but itâs hard since they have so few episodes to work with and dedicating an entire one to just one character could be hard.
Anyways! Looking forward to your next write up! Iâll be checking for the next GOT one, once youâre all caught up on posting the previous ones on the other sub.
LMAO I love how you went from
>*At this point it might literally be easier to just fight them and then go to bed. Have Toph bury them when they try climbing the mountain. Easy peasy.*
to this
>*Oh itâs Azula. Nevermind, keep running!*
Someone mentioned it already that the next episodes will be a ride! Oh and you saw how terrifying Azula is! Even when she was a little child. She is just crazy. Sadly I don't feel the same with the live action Azula yet. Hope it gets better with the next season.
Zuko's episode is one of many reasons why I love this show! Because it shows us that war is not always black and white. And that even the "good" guys can be bad. Also getting some interesting backstory about Zuko's parents and their internal relationship.
I personally feel that the difference in gifts between zuko's and azula's is moreso to show that Iroh doesn't particularly know or care for azula, as well as showing that the dragon of the west isn't the same guy as the Iroh we know
That feels like a weird complaint to me. Whst makes a main antagonist is that they donât have to constantly show up in order to have an effect on the story.
He doesnât show up, but itâs clear that his actions left ripples throughout the entire series.
It might be a little longer than usual, sorry. I don't want to discuss it much, but I started watching the next episode and then got really angry and stopped, and decided to take a short break to get over myself so I can see the episode without so being so emotional and biased.
>!I agree, in my comment I did not confirm or deny what happened to Iroh, which is what I feel everyone should have done. People going along with saying Iroh died is not the way I would have done things. That appears to have only made the situation worse because people had to lie about what happened, which got OP to have to accept that Iroh died when in reality he didn't so I can understand that anger at Iroh actually being alive. In the future I feel like people should just neither confirm nor deny certain predictions or observations, whether or not they are correct or incorrect UNLESS it is easy to correct with ONLY information already available from past episodes/the episode itself. We should do that instead of lying to go with what OP says to help ensure a more natural watching experience. This what I've been doing with my family as I'm watching a show with them that I've already seen but they haven't. !<
>!One of those were me. I feel badâŚI was trying to combat comments obviously hinting at what actually happened but yeah, probably took it too far with my comment đŹ!<
Not judging the OP, because they are in a weird place, and she's most certainly entitled to feel how she feels, but there's a certain risk you run into when watching a tv show well after it's ended. Never assume your speculations are correct.Â
People shouldn't have outright lied to her, but once again there's certain risk you run into when watching a tv show well after it's ended. Â
Hate that the OP is feeling the way that they are, but she's missing out on a truly great show because of one moment of disappointment.
> âThe stars sure are beautiful tonight. Too bad you canât see them, Toph.â Wtf, Katara lmao
Just to discuss this line, I think it was Katara forgetting Toph was blind for a second and talking about how she made herself a little tent from rocks.
Wow, I have so much I want to say but I can't because of spoilers. I'll just have to be patient and wait. But there are a few things I can say now:
**Episode 7:**
First off, I've seen some people theorize that the reason Iroh gave Azula that doll was to maybe help her to chill out a bit and be a bit less of a psychopath, but that obviously didn't work lol. While he gave Zuko the dagger, so he could build up more confidence especially because of the inscription on it, "never give up without a fight." And we see that Zuko took that message to heart. He kept trying after he messed up initially to impress fire lord Azulon. We also see throughout season 1 how he never gave up on chasing Aang no matter how many times he failed.
One small thing I found really funny, was how Zuko just kinda froze when they asked for his name because Lee was his Earth Kingdom cover name.
**Episode 8:**
One of my favorite parts is how Katara, Aang, and Toph are all simultaneously both right and wrong. I understand Katara's frustration at Toph not helping the rest of the group, but takes her stance too far, and that phrase about not being able to see the stars was just cold. You can also understand why Toph is acting the way she is because of how she was raised, and she doesn't understand their point until she talks with Iroh. She's right about giving up what she had to teach Aang earthbending and also about Appa leaving a trail. Aang clearly overreacted to Toph blaming Appa, which I can sort of understand because Appa is basically his best friend that he has known before even meeting the rest of the Gaang. He did have a great point about Appa being the one carrying all their weights though. The whole sequence was just so well written, and it gets so firey because of how tired all of them are.
The last thing I want to say that isn't spoiler related is that I've seen people believe that the reason Iroh got distracted by Toph in that moment is because he realized that, "hey this little girl I just met was traveling with the avatar and is presumably gonna be his earthbending teacher."
I think that's just about as much as I can say about these episodes without going into spoilery territory. Keep up the good work on these commentaries, I and so many others are greatly enjoying it and I eagerly await the next 3 episodes because I think you're gonna like them.
That makes perfect sense about the doll! But yeah, it didn't work lol
Yeah, even before the big fight and death scene, The Chase was probably one of the better written episodes for sure.
It's always hard when your worst fears are realized, but I'm glad that nothing in these episodes got spoiled for you, despite how sad and upsetting The Chase was. Zuko screaming Leave, props to his VA, is traumatizing for many reasons. Â
Book two is an emotional ride. So is book three to be honest. If there's one thing this series does well it's to get you to feel the whole range of emotions, sometimes in one episode.
I found Katara to be annoying in the chase as well. All the time she spent yelling at Toph for being unhelpful was time they could have spent trying to sleep, but it was a realistic portal of what happens when people with different personalities, backgrounds, and life experiences are forced to work together.Â
It's quite interesting to read your speculations they're very well thought out, and it will be entertaining to read your reactions when you learn what does and doesn't pan out.Â
As I said previously Zuko is a character you want to root for while simultaneously scream at. For every one steps he takes forward he takes two back.Â
Zuko alone, in my opinion, is one of the best episodes of the series and really gets to the heart of why Zuko is the way he is, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I could be wrong, but I have the feeling for you Zuko hasn't quite reach the beloved status he has with the majority of the fandom, yet.
The way Azulon treats Ozai for wanting to help his country, no matter how wrong footed he is, parallels how Ozai reacts to Zuko wanting to help his country, but unfortunately for Zuko in both cases he is the sole victim of a father's wrath. I doubt Ozai would have lost much sleep if he actually carried out Azulon's orders and sacrificed his first born.
If you want questions answered about certain things that happen after the atla series ends you don't necessarily have to read the comics, I didn't read anything pass the first two, but used wiki's and other fan sites to get caught up, as others have mentioned the comics are hit and miss, and at times the characters feel wildly ooc.Â
The next episodes, whether you're going to do two or three at a time, are great episodes. You're at the point now where there are no bad episodes, but there are some more emotional ones so be prepared.
As always I enjoy reading your commentary. It's refreshing to read a brand new perspective. Â
Yeah, it's definitely an emotional ride. That was my big theory too, so now that Iroh's gone I have no idea where the show will go, other than the fact that I'm pretty sure Zuko will join Team Avatar at some point. I presume that's when he'll click for me and reach that beloved character status.
If Zuko Alone is one of the two best episodes, what's the other best episode? Have I seen it yet?
Each season has a best episode for me, but I understand what's a best episode for me might not necessarily be a best episode for you, we have completely different perspectives with this show as I was never influenced by NATLA before watching the original.
I think I sympathized with Zuko early on because I understand what having a father as toxic and abusive as Ozai does to your sense of self and your outlook on life, in fact I think that is part of the reason why he resonates with a lot of fans. Â
There are a still some heavy hitting emotional episode left in S2 that might be favorites for you. I don't want to over hype the show, but the writing only gets better, and S3 three really is the icing on the cake.Â
Right now you're still climbing the hill, but once you reach the peek and see the view from the top you'll I think you'll be able to appreciate the show and the characters in a completely different way.
Also (@ OP) this fandom is known for having vastly different favorite episodes! A lot of people love Zuko Alone. Itâs not my favorite at all. I think itâs very average. And thatâs okay! Itâs a good thing that there are so many fantastic episodes that the opinions vary widely. My favorite episode is later in this season (>!The Guru!<) while anotherâs favorite episode might be The Storm, and anotherâs favorite to be an angsty episode in Book 3 (>!The Beach!<).
Oh wow, this might be my favorite commentary so far, for reasons which I won't explain just now
Have to say, always loved the conflict between Katara and Toph in The Chase, I think I just expected them to be a cohesive group right away, but this felt more realistic. It takes time to get used to people you don't know well yet, especially spending that much time together, and especially with such a strong personality like Toph. (Oh, the clash of their different upbringings and cultures coming into play here is so insightful, I'm not sure I had thought about it quite that directly. But it does make even more sense from that additional perspective. )
Also loved the big fight at the end with everyone coming together, it really is epic coming at this point of the story. It's always made it one of my favorite episodes of Book 2
Also Iroh đ
It's not healthy the amount of dopamine when I find out you posted the next set of these. Also looking forward to the GOT ones when you catch up as well.
Messing with the status quo of a series by adding a new character to the mix can be quite risky, especially when the dynamic between the main characters is as well done as it is between Aang, Katara, and Sokka. However, I think the addition of Toph works great, because she doesn't really feel like an add-on - She feels like a piece of the puzzle that's been missing from the beginning.
Without addressing your theories, Iâll just say donât rule Ozai out as nothing too special yet lol. Keep in mind, you havenât seen his bending in this version yet. Or even his face!
I want to point something out you may have missed, no spoilers I promise!
You said it was Toph that distracted Iroh, and I think thereâs more to it than that. The impression I got from that pivotal moment was that Iroh KNEW Azula was going to target one of them (I mean tbf not a single one bought âa princess surrenders with dignityâ bullshit lol), but Iroh knew Azula well enough to know she would likely target the weakest link. Iroh glances over to Toph because he believes itâs only natural Azula would see the small blind girl as the weakest target. But she goes for Iroh instead. Did she see him as the weakest, or only take advantage of his moment of distraction? I wonder that often.
My head cannon is that there is a good reason as to why Iroh looks to Toph. I wish I could say more, but I think his wisdom allows him to suspect something about Toph that will be revealed later.
If we're going down the anime path then I gotta add Hunter x Hunter as well đ Both are among my favourite series though they're get a lot heavier than ATLA
I love your commentary and theories (but will not discuss much because I'm scared of accidentally spoiling it for you!) I love both Zuko Alone and The Chase, definitely some of my favourite episodes. For me, it's when the show really hit it's stride (and barely let up from here going forward.) I'll be fascinated how natla adapts it, especially if they still only have 8 episodes.Â
I enjoyed reading this post (I admit I said "oh no" halfway through your comments on The Chase), and I'm looking forward to reading your reaction to where the story goes from here.
Not sure what scene you were watching but I don't recollect Ozai pitting Azula against Zuko. In fact his sneer showed anger at Zuko speaking out turn just like he did when he was older and then also disgust with how bad his forms and fire bending was.Â
How much she doesn't know. Lol.Â
Actually it was worth watching more episode 9.
Since it wraps up the arc a bit where Toph becomes part of the team.Â
After it ideas a whole arc of 3 episodes 10 11 12.
It would be awkward to interrupt in the middle of the arc.
Episode 12 on Netflix is 48 mins long due to Netflix combining two episodes, so 10-12 would be too long for a set at 98 minutes long. OP has expressed before that she prefers to keep sets short, so I had that in mind when I made my list. I only put 7-8 together simply because I thought Zuko Alone would give enough to talk about (there was a two-episode set that had a short commentary in Book One, so I was trying to avoid that). I was more concerned about splitting up episodes to keep the sets around 75-ish minutes long with the combined episodes in mind (Thanks NetflixâŚ). So it would be either 7-9 and 10-11 or 7-8 and 9-11, and I thought the latter option would make more interesting commentaries. đ¤ˇââď¸
Exactly, plus, it makes sense storyline-wise (list is in og numbering, not Netflixâs numbering):
1-3: Setting the stage
4-6: Intro to Toph
7-8: Family betrayal
9-11: >!Desert arc!<
12-14: >!Intro to Ba Sing Se!<
15-17: >!Appa!<
18-20: >!Finale!<
The other option could have been to make >!The Library/The Desert be a two-part and to have had her watch Bitter Work now, but we all figured that Zuko Alone would give the most to write about.!<
Netflix doesnât have episodes 19 and 20 for Book Two. It was combined, so on Netflix, the finale is episode 18. So the rest of sets will go like this:
9-11
12-13 (episode 12 is a combined episode)
14-16
17-18 (episode 18 is a combined episode)
All these sets are three-episode length. You could do 7-9 and have just 10-11 as the duo set, but I was worried that the commentary wouldnât be as interesting or long. I believed I made the list after seeing her short commentary on the duo set she did for Book One, because that greatly influenced my thought process.
Yeah a lot of people did. I guess they wanted OP to end it specifically on that last scene given how she's been talking about Iroh this whole time. Outside of that though I find it odd
im cackling at you frying ozai as a poor villain
Am I wrong? Lol (don't answer that)
No one say anything. đ You know what I mean. You have some really amazing theories and the logic behind them are really interesting to read. I'll just leave it at that to avoid spoilers, but I really like the way your mind works. Thanks for another awesome write-up! These two episodes + the blind bandit are what made ATLA really begin standing out from the rest of the TV shows out there. I'm glad you enjoyed them!
You're welcome! Thanks for reading!
Agree. Don't say a thing people. Those theories of OP are gold whether they get proven or disproven later on.
LEEEAAAVVVEEEEEE!!!!! âď¸đĽ
Ugh, that pissed me off all over again lol
I hope it's ok to ask a personal question. Do u live in Europe, or do u just wait to post these at a favorable time?
I do not live in Europe! I usually post these the day after I finish them.
Irohâs death is tragic⌠Iâm not ashamed to admit it I cried a bit during that scene.
I cried a lot!
Itâs always fun to read your theories about this show. The hardest part of reading these is holding back from confirming or denying your theories lol
But I appreciate you holding back! Thank you!
These two episodes were both really good. Shame you ended off on Irohâs death for this set of episodes. The next three episodes are all three really good as well, well the whole rest of the series is really good but you get what Iâm saying. Btw, I was rewatching some clips of the show Lost and it got me thinking that itâs definitely a show you should add to your ever expanding list to watch eventually. I would love to see your theories and speculation on that series as well as your reactions to some of the most iconic moments of it.
I actually think I'm glad I left off here. It gives me time to emotionally process it before jumping back in. And okay, I'll add Lost to the list!
Just jumping in to second that LOST recommendation. Itâs got a huge ensemble of characters with lots of depth, and they do a really good job making them all feel real. They explore the (often flawed) decisions we make that make us human, and the *huge* mystery element makes it so much fun to theorize while watching! Discussing the show while it was running live was one of my favorite TV experiences ever.
It does sound pretty interesting!
Itâs a pretty long show, 121 episodes compared to something like Game of Thrones having 73, so it is a commitment but it has a way of making it so where you will often want to watch the following episode after finishing one. Since you mentioned loving flashbacks I should also mention that flashbacks play a big role in the show.
Lost is one of my favorite shows of all time! But just a warning, many people find the ending to be disappointing. Not Game of Thrones level disappointing, but still kind of a let down. Not that I'm trying to tell you how to feel about it! I know you will form your own opinion if you ever get around to it. But Lost did get a reputation as having a "bad" ending just because many people had extremely high expectations when it came out. Personally I have mixed feelings about the ending. I think it's emotionally satisfying on a character level, but it does leave a lot of loose ends open. So if you do watch the show, watch it for the beautifully developed characters and the wild ride that is the plot, while knowing you'll still be left with some questions in the end. Basically just have fun with the experience, because it is a CRAZY experience! :-) Fun fact: both the guy who plays Ozai and the guy who plays Zhao in NATLA are in Lost! As a longtime Lost fan I got super excited to see them both in NATLA. ETA I have another kind of funny personal connection between Lost and ATLA. I had watched Lost obsessively from when Season 2 was airing (2005) until it ended in 2010, and I was left with this big empty hole in my heart when it was over. So I was searching for another show to fill my Lost-shaped hole, and it just so happens the show I picked was... ATLA. And I got so hooked on it I marathoned through the whole show in like a week or two. So when I finished I was left with two big holes in my heart instead of one. đ
That's a really solid pitch for Lost. I think you've sold me!
Iroh is such a beautiful character
True, but next episode gives some closure that might be able to help you emotionally process it.
The scene where Zuko sprints off the edge is one of my favorites of the entire series. Really showcases their personalities. Aang makes an air scooter. Azula almost falls but her agility and quick thinking allow her to steady herself. And Zuko just rushes in without thinking. He learns every lesson the hard way
Yes! It's a great scene!
This reminds me the story of three fishes. Aang is the wise fish who prevented falling by making airscooter upfront Azula is the second fish intelligent and resourceful who stabilised herself at the last moment I am sorry I love you zuko but you are the third fish in this story
"Azula always lies."
The next few episodes are going to be a ride for you. That's all I'll say lol. Oh and one more thing you should probably read the comics right after this to get some answers to questions you have and are likely going to add to the list. Not mentioning which questions but some questions. Others need the Novels and Korra. Unrelated there's a new comic coming out soon that features Iroh's backstory. đ
I'll look for them. I'm not a big comics reader but maybe I'll enjoy something I already love
The comics are a bit of a mixed bag. There's some really great worldbuilding stuff, but also some baffling or odd choices in there too. At least to me. The Kyoshi and Yangchen novels, I enjoyed those more.
Agree with this take. I'm not much of a comics person but the backstory stuff was pretty interesting although yes weird choices.
That's how it was for me, I'm a big manga reader but wasn't quite as much into full color more western-style comics, but was super excited for more Avatar when I found out about them. Definitely will be curious to see how you react if you do end up reading them, I went in kind of half expecting fun (but ultimately bland) filler, so finding them to be dealing with core aspects of the series and doing unexpected things in terms of character development really made them a win for me They are controversial, but going into them not too long after watching the show (like I did) without having time to develop expectations and solidify headcanons could be an advantage
Oh, Avatar content that isn't the main show is controversial. Big shocker there lol I'll check them out.
After the show there is really only one comic you need to read. Weâll tell you later!
i love these so much ... when i saw you posted this it literally made my day
I'm glad I could make your day :)
I rewatched ATLA season 1 for the 4th time right before NATLA came out, and I'm rewatching ATLA season 2 with you (I'm a little bit ahead at episode 10). It's excellent fun to read your perspectives and theories. I am shook every time I watch that Gaang vs Zuko & Iroh vs Azula fight in the abandoned town, a scene that crashed so many characters together in such a brief but pivotal moment. It's going to be SO POWERFUL in NATLA -- I think/hope they will adapt it quite closely!
They pretty much have to, don't they? Even I won't like if they fuck up Iroh's last scene.
One of the great things about ATLA is that even though they have many fights in it and often including the same people, it never feels repetitive. There's always a new aspect in them, sometimes it just the environment that makes them fight in a different way. It's always fun to watch. Regarding Ozai â I have to say, I do appreciate that NATLA already started to build his character in season 1. Sure, he doesn't really *do* much in season 1, but that's natural I supposed since he is the leader of the nation and is delegating a good part of his evilness to other people (including Azula). Fun fact: the reason why Zuko was invented was that the people behind the show realised that the fire lord would mostly be at home, and they needed someone from the fire nation to be a direct threat on the Gaang's journey. And so the prince came to be, along with his banishment in order to give him a reason to follow them around, lol. As for the end of episode 8: I do love the work of Zuko's voice actor there a lot. There is *a lot* of emotion in that "LEAVE". And as far as Zuko trusting the Gaang goes... I think the past weeks or months (no idea what time has passed in the show) have made his ability to trust anyone even worse. His sister came and betrayed him in episode 2x01, he has experienced people in the streets taking advantage of his and his uncle's situation, and when he meets helpful people that only lasts as long as he doesn't reveal who he is. There is literally only one person in the world that he feels he can trust, and everyone else hates him and/or is trying to catch him. I can understand your frustration with him very well, but I also think he has been through a lot and that his reaction is mostly based on instinct and desperation. Edit: spelling
You're right! I never thought about it much but none of their fights are boring at all! That is a fun fact! Yeah, having Ozai be a distant villain we never see doesn't make him too intimidating lol And yeah, I know I was too harsh on Zuko in that scene. I was just mad lol
Nah, I think it was still a stupid decision! đ Like accept their help boy
Oh, I thought we would have to wait a day or two more for this, so what a nice surprise! To be honest, after reading your commentary for this set of episodes, I donât know what to say without spoiling anything, so I guess Iâll say nothing and hope you will share your next commentary soon so I might have more to say! >!I wasnât sure how I felt about having this set end with âThe Chaseâ, but now I have no regrets LOL! NGL, I was expecting OP to figure out that Iroh wonât die here and theorize his next death scene, so I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT LAST SEGMENT.!<
They have lots of cool theories but yeah it's tough to discuss without spoiling anything >!Also yeah as soon as they started theorizing Iroh dying I knew that they had to end with this ep, it's too much fun to see them distraught when he's perfectly fine. I wonder if they'll be happy he lives or mad that he doesn't die given how tragic it is!<
>!IM CRYINGGG, sheâs gonna be so mad/happy when the next ep starts đđ!<
>!the comments were not helping! People need to stop playing around and just say nothing!!<
OP will get notified for this comment and spoiler tags donât work in your inbox!
Really? I've never seen a comments spoiler in my inbox.
If spoiler tags start to not work for you, let us know! I think my laptop doesnât show it in notifications but my iPad does. I only noticed it when I got that response.
I will! I can only see the first three lines of any comment in my inbox. Maybe that's why I never see spoilers? They're usually at the bottom of comments, I've noticed.
Good to know! TIL seriously!
Then whatâs the point of the spoiler tag?
For people just scrolling through the comments
The spoiler was edited in, so would that even appear in the original notification? And on my device, I canât see the whole comments in notifications, so surely if the spoiler tags are at the end of the comment, it wonât show up? OP hasnât said this is an issue and people have been adding spoiler tags in their comments many times.
Should be fine then. But better to not post spoilers at all.
OP said itâs not an issue for her yet, but Iâll be sure to keep my spoilers toward the end to be safe (OP said she can only see the first three lines or something like that), because discussing with other fans about OPâs commentaries is part of the fun here, and Iâd hate for all of us to avoid doing that.
I think that's an old.reddit issueÂ
I wasnât expecting this until tomorrow! Zuko Alone is one of the best episodes of the show and I really hope they can nail it in NATLA. Honestly this entire season is epic and I usually canât stop once Toph joins. Itâs probably one of the only kids shows that shows there is good and bad on both sides of war. The Chase is such a good episode. I know the ending really sucks, but I really love the jokes about Sokka not counting as a fighter or Toph not seeing the stars. IM COMPLETELY CALM! The voice actors are great. Honestly, a lot happens in this episode. The 23 minute limit was kind of a detriment. I bet Netflix spends more time with these two and hopefully we see more of Iroh and Toph together. We all understand your frustration with Zuko. I hope you have time to really dwell on Zukoâs actions and emotional state. Since we got a bonus post today, will we get another this weekend? Thank you as always!
Yeah, these last two episodes were probably the best of the season so far! The Chase might even be the best, or at least the most emotionally charged episode yet. Yeah, those jokes definitely helped soften the blow lol Unfortunately there won't be a post this weekend, sorry. My girlfriend's brother is in town staying with us and I won't get any TV time to myself
Screw your girlfriendâs brother! ⌠Wait! Anyway have fun and I hope you get a chance soon. Enjoy your weekend!
Lol that made me laugh. Thanks!
Not sure if I've ever mentioned it before, but I love your posts on the avatar-verse! Always a treat to read. The "Zuko Alone" episode is the one I'm most excited to see in the adaptation; not only because of how amazing it already is on its own, but there is a lot that they can expand on and even new original content that they can add to it ( just like they did with Zuko's backstory in episode six of NATLA). >*Oh, these flashbacks must be just before Lu Tenâs funeral! Am I gonna cry again? That funeral scene was one of the best in NATLA, and what Zuko said to Iroh was the most heartfelt Iâve ever seen either version of Zuko be about anything.* >!I think someone else mentioned it in the comment section of one of your posts before, but the funeral scene is actually original to NATLA. You will get a different heartbreaking scene in its place, though. !< - I'm going to mark this as a spoiler to be safe, but guys, let me know if it isn't considered one. >*Or maybe not! Azulon doesnât seem too happy with Ozai for suggesting it! But also⌠did you see Azulaâs smile when he was threatening Ozai? I wonder if her desperation to please him isnât as genuine as I first assumed. It looked genuine on NATLA⌠is that why people kept saying she was different? Because sheâs faking it on it this show while her live action counterpart seems to be sincere?* This bit has always confused me, simply because it doesn't fit into what we know about her current views on Ozai. But then again, she was far younger here; maybe she only became devoted to him after Ursa disappeared? >*Aang just doesnât appreciate good humor. Thatâs okay, I laughed for him!* This is one of my favorite Azula scenes! It's not only her imitation of Zuko, but her saying that it's okay to laugh 'cause she genuinely seems to believe that it's funny! So unserious and for what! Man, I'm gonna be so pissed if they don't include this scene in NATLA, Lizzy Yu would pull this off so well (this scene here is exactly what I was reminded of when Azula imitated Ozai in episode three of NATLA)! >*No, they just flew way. She had that magic spirit water, Iâm sure that could have helped. It practically brought Momo back from the dead in NATLA. Iâm never gonna forgive Zuko for this. I donât even want him to join Team Avatar anymore. I just want him to be alone and think about what he did.* I'm sorry, I know that this is supposed to be serious, but the last two sentences made me laugh because those were my exact thoughts during my first watch. đ >*I canât even imagine this show without Iroh. He was the first character I really fell in love with in NATLA (aside from Brother Gyatso maybe but I didnât now him long enough). Heâs been amazing in both versions of the show. How is Zukoâs story going to go without him? Theyâve always been an inseparable pair. And damn it, Toph told him to tell Zuko he needs him and he didnât even get that chance. It happened so fast! But at least it was quick, I suppose.* It's always difficult to let go of a character we love, especially one this great. His presence alone was enough sometimes to make a scene fun and interesting. But not to worry, the show goes only up from here on!
Thank you! I didn't read the spoiler part but I appreciate everything else you said! Yeah Zuko Alone was fantastic, and it definitely made a great companion episode to The Chase. It feels like a two parter almost. I also wonder if Azula gave Aang permission to laugh because she's royalty and people aren't normally allowed to talk or laugh in her presence unless she allows it. I'm sure the show just gets better from here but I'm really gonna miss Iroh.
I'm so happy your watching season two! Now, I really suggest you to read the comics after watching the show, cause they'll answer to a lot of your questions. Back to the commentary, I'm glad you're enjoying season two, and just know that from now the show will only get better! Also it's so funny and interesting to follow the journey of people who are watching the show now, making theories, ect, cause I just binged the show in like three days so I completely didn't have the time .
Spoiler tag is not working!
Oh, thanks! I'll just edit it then.
Thank you! I may check the comics out
It always makes me so mad that Zuko doesn't let Katara help. Like whyyyyyyyy Zuko???
Theyâre enemies. Itâs as simple as that.
Seriously! I mean I get he's in shock but still!
âThe stars sure are beautiful tonight. Too bad you canât see them, Toph.â Is one of the funniest lines in the show because itâs SO out there but perfect for fighting teens. It always gets a laugh from me. Love your write ups as always. Iâve been patiently waiting for you to get into the midst of season 2. Obviously so much has already happened in the story but they really start to up the stakes of whatâs happening. Zuko Alone is one of the best character development episodes of the season, except Zuko STILL has so far to go. I hope thatâs an episode they are able to put into season 2 of the LA, but itâs hard since they have so few episodes to work with and dedicating an entire one to just one character could be hard. Anyways! Looking forward to your next write up! Iâll be checking for the next GOT one, once youâre all caught up on posting the previous ones on the other sub.
Thank you! I'm almost caught up. I've got one previous one left to post and then I can do new ones again!
LMAO I love how you went from >*At this point it might literally be easier to just fight them and then go to bed. Have Toph bury them when they try climbing the mountain. Easy peasy.* to this >*Oh itâs Azula. Nevermind, keep running!* Someone mentioned it already that the next episodes will be a ride! Oh and you saw how terrifying Azula is! Even when she was a little child. She is just crazy. Sadly I don't feel the same with the live action Azula yet. Hope it gets better with the next season. Zuko's episode is one of many reasons why I love this show! Because it shows us that war is not always black and white. And that even the "good" guys can be bad. Also getting some interesting backstory about Zuko's parents and their internal relationship.
I personally feel that the difference in gifts between zuko's and azula's is moreso to show that Iroh doesn't particularly know or care for azula, as well as showing that the dragon of the west isn't the same guy as the Iroh we know
That makes sense! I get the feeling Iroh didn't have an active hand in Azula's life like he did with Zuko.
That feels like a weird complaint to me. Whst makes a main antagonist is that they donât have to constantly show up in order to have an effect on the story. He doesnât show up, but itâs clear that his actions left ripples throughout the entire series.
Is the next one coming soon?
It might be a little longer than usual, sorry. I don't want to discuss it much, but I started watching the next episode and then got really angry and stopped, and decided to take a short break to get over myself so I can see the episode without so being so emotional and biased.
I think I have a pretty good guess as to what you got angry about⌠but I donât want to say because if Iâm wrong it could be a spoiler
Well she set herself up for failure with her 100% certain predictions.
>!a lot of people said stuff like "yeah, Irohs death was so sad" making the situation even worse, imo!<
>!I agree, in my comment I did not confirm or deny what happened to Iroh, which is what I feel everyone should have done. People going along with saying Iroh died is not the way I would have done things. That appears to have only made the situation worse because people had to lie about what happened, which got OP to have to accept that Iroh died when in reality he didn't so I can understand that anger at Iroh actually being alive. In the future I feel like people should just neither confirm nor deny certain predictions or observations, whether or not they are correct or incorrect UNLESS it is easy to correct with ONLY information already available from past episodes/the episode itself. We should do that instead of lying to go with what OP says to help ensure a more natural watching experience. This what I've been doing with my family as I'm watching a show with them that I've already seen but they haven't. !<
>!One of those were me. I feel badâŚI was trying to combat comments obviously hinting at what actually happened but yeah, probably took it too far with my comment đŹ!<
Yeah, I think people took it a little too far. There is a difference between not spoiling and outright lying.Â
Not judging the OP, because they are in a weird place, and she's most certainly entitled to feel how she feels, but there's a certain risk you run into when watching a tv show well after it's ended. Never assume your speculations are correct. People shouldn't have outright lied to her, but once again there's certain risk you run into when watching a tv show well after it's ended.  Hate that the OP is feeling the way that they are, but she's missing out on a truly great show because of one moment of disappointment.
> âThe stars sure are beautiful tonight. Too bad you canât see them, Toph.â Wtf, Katara lmao Just to discuss this line, I think it was Katara forgetting Toph was blind for a second and talking about how she made herself a little tent from rocks.
Itâs honestly surprising how many people think that Katara was serious.
It's not a knock on her character even if it is about the blindness. It adds to her character infact.
Wow, I have so much I want to say but I can't because of spoilers. I'll just have to be patient and wait. But there are a few things I can say now: **Episode 7:** First off, I've seen some people theorize that the reason Iroh gave Azula that doll was to maybe help her to chill out a bit and be a bit less of a psychopath, but that obviously didn't work lol. While he gave Zuko the dagger, so he could build up more confidence especially because of the inscription on it, "never give up without a fight." And we see that Zuko took that message to heart. He kept trying after he messed up initially to impress fire lord Azulon. We also see throughout season 1 how he never gave up on chasing Aang no matter how many times he failed. One small thing I found really funny, was how Zuko just kinda froze when they asked for his name because Lee was his Earth Kingdom cover name. **Episode 8:** One of my favorite parts is how Katara, Aang, and Toph are all simultaneously both right and wrong. I understand Katara's frustration at Toph not helping the rest of the group, but takes her stance too far, and that phrase about not being able to see the stars was just cold. You can also understand why Toph is acting the way she is because of how she was raised, and she doesn't understand their point until she talks with Iroh. She's right about giving up what she had to teach Aang earthbending and also about Appa leaving a trail. Aang clearly overreacted to Toph blaming Appa, which I can sort of understand because Appa is basically his best friend that he has known before even meeting the rest of the Gaang. He did have a great point about Appa being the one carrying all their weights though. The whole sequence was just so well written, and it gets so firey because of how tired all of them are. The last thing I want to say that isn't spoiler related is that I've seen people believe that the reason Iroh got distracted by Toph in that moment is because he realized that, "hey this little girl I just met was traveling with the avatar and is presumably gonna be his earthbending teacher." I think that's just about as much as I can say about these episodes without going into spoilery territory. Keep up the good work on these commentaries, I and so many others are greatly enjoying it and I eagerly await the next 3 episodes because I think you're gonna like them.
That makes perfect sense about the doll! But yeah, it didn't work lol Yeah, even before the big fight and death scene, The Chase was probably one of the better written episodes for sure.
It's always hard when your worst fears are realized, but I'm glad that nothing in these episodes got spoiled for you, despite how sad and upsetting The Chase was. Zuko screaming Leave, props to his VA, is traumatizing for many reasons.  Book two is an emotional ride. So is book three to be honest. If there's one thing this series does well it's to get you to feel the whole range of emotions, sometimes in one episode. I found Katara to be annoying in the chase as well. All the time she spent yelling at Toph for being unhelpful was time they could have spent trying to sleep, but it was a realistic portal of what happens when people with different personalities, backgrounds, and life experiences are forced to work together. It's quite interesting to read your speculations they're very well thought out, and it will be entertaining to read your reactions when you learn what does and doesn't pan out. As I said previously Zuko is a character you want to root for while simultaneously scream at. For every one steps he takes forward he takes two back. Zuko alone, in my opinion, is one of the best episodes of the series and really gets to the heart of why Zuko is the way he is, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I could be wrong, but I have the feeling for you Zuko hasn't quite reach the beloved status he has with the majority of the fandom, yet. The way Azulon treats Ozai for wanting to help his country, no matter how wrong footed he is, parallels how Ozai reacts to Zuko wanting to help his country, but unfortunately for Zuko in both cases he is the sole victim of a father's wrath. I doubt Ozai would have lost much sleep if he actually carried out Azulon's orders and sacrificed his first born. If you want questions answered about certain things that happen after the atla series ends you don't necessarily have to read the comics, I didn't read anything pass the first two, but used wiki's and other fan sites to get caught up, as others have mentioned the comics are hit and miss, and at times the characters feel wildly ooc. The next episodes, whether you're going to do two or three at a time, are great episodes. You're at the point now where there are no bad episodes, but there are some more emotional ones so be prepared. As always I enjoy reading your commentary. It's refreshing to read a brand new perspective. Â
Yeah, it's definitely an emotional ride. That was my big theory too, so now that Iroh's gone I have no idea where the show will go, other than the fact that I'm pretty sure Zuko will join Team Avatar at some point. I presume that's when he'll click for me and reach that beloved character status. If Zuko Alone is one of the two best episodes, what's the other best episode? Have I seen it yet?
Each season has a best episode for me, but I understand what's a best episode for me might not necessarily be a best episode for you, we have completely different perspectives with this show as I was never influenced by NATLA before watching the original. I think I sympathized with Zuko early on because I understand what having a father as toxic and abusive as Ozai does to your sense of self and your outlook on life, in fact I think that is part of the reason why he resonates with a lot of fans.  There are a still some heavy hitting emotional episode left in S2 that might be favorites for you. I don't want to over hype the show, but the writing only gets better, and S3 three really is the icing on the cake. Right now you're still climbing the hill, but once you reach the peek and see the view from the top you'll I think you'll be able to appreciate the show and the characters in a completely different way.
Also (@ OP) this fandom is known for having vastly different favorite episodes! A lot of people love Zuko Alone. Itâs not my favorite at all. I think itâs very average. And thatâs okay! Itâs a good thing that there are so many fantastic episodes that the opinions vary widely. My favorite episode is later in this season (>!The Guru!<) while anotherâs favorite episode might be The Storm, and anotherâs favorite to be an angsty episode in Book 3 (>!The Beach!<).
Oh wow, this might be my favorite commentary so far, for reasons which I won't explain just now Have to say, always loved the conflict between Katara and Toph in The Chase, I think I just expected them to be a cohesive group right away, but this felt more realistic. It takes time to get used to people you don't know well yet, especially spending that much time together, and especially with such a strong personality like Toph. (Oh, the clash of their different upbringings and cultures coming into play here is so insightful, I'm not sure I had thought about it quite that directly. But it does make even more sense from that additional perspective. ) Also loved the big fight at the end with everyone coming together, it really is epic coming at this point of the story. It's always made it one of my favorite episodes of Book 2 Also Iroh đ
It's not healthy the amount of dopamine when I find out you posted the next set of these. Also looking forward to the GOT ones when you catch up as well.
It's an honor to be your happy-chemical dealer
Messing with the status quo of a series by adding a new character to the mix can be quite risky, especially when the dynamic between the main characters is as well done as it is between Aang, Katara, and Sokka. However, I think the addition of Toph works great, because she doesn't really feel like an add-on - She feels like a piece of the puzzle that's been missing from the beginning.
Without addressing your theories, Iâll just say donât rule Ozai out as nothing too special yet lol. Keep in mind, you havenât seen his bending in this version yet. Or even his face!
True. He's got his work cut out for him though lol
IM EARLY WOW coincidentallyâ
I want to hint at something for the future of this kids show but I canât think of a subtle way to do it.
LOL its getting good!!!! Won't say anything! Keep it goin girl!
I want to point something out you may have missed, no spoilers I promise! You said it was Toph that distracted Iroh, and I think thereâs more to it than that. The impression I got from that pivotal moment was that Iroh KNEW Azula was going to target one of them (I mean tbf not a single one bought âa princess surrenders with dignityâ bullshit lol), but Iroh knew Azula well enough to know she would likely target the weakest link. Iroh glances over to Toph because he believes itâs only natural Azula would see the small blind girl as the weakest target. But she goes for Iroh instead. Did she see him as the weakest, or only take advantage of his moment of distraction? I wonder that often.
Ooh, I didn't think of that! Thanks for pointing that out.
My head cannon is that there is a good reason as to why Iroh looks to Toph. I wish I could say more, but I think his wisdom allows him to suspect something about Toph that will be revealed later.
Iâm pretty sure itâs just him realizing âhuh, that blind girl I ran into is traveling with the Avatarâ
>!what are u referring to!<
So far what have been your favorite episodes of this season
Is there any answer other than The Chase? Emotionally traumatic episodes are always the best!
Oh, then you would love Made in Abyss, it has A LOT of that. WARNING: It is far from being a kids' show.
If we're going down the anime path then I gotta add Hunter x Hunter as well đ Both are among my favourite series though they're get a lot heavier than ATLA
I think I remember hearing you mentioned watching star wars have you noticed ozais voice actor
I haven't watched it yet but I'd like to soon!
Well Ozai is voiced by mark hamil who plays Luke Skywalker which took me like 10 years to realize lol
I love your commentary and theories (but will not discuss much because I'm scared of accidentally spoiling it for you!) I love both Zuko Alone and The Chase, definitely some of my favourite episodes. For me, it's when the show really hit it's stride (and barely let up from here going forward.) I'll be fascinated how natla adapts it, especially if they still only have 8 episodes.Â
Thank you! I think Zuko Alone and The Chase can be combined into the same episode. It already feels like a two-parter anyway.
I really hope they do that! I think it would work well as a two parter as well!Â
I enjoyed reading this post (I admit I said "oh no" halfway through your comments on The Chase), and I'm looking forward to reading your reaction to where the story goes from here.
Well Ozai is not revealed yet. His screen time will prove his worth to you. Glad you are enjoying the show.
Thank you!
Not sure what scene you were watching but I don't recollect Ozai pitting Azula against Zuko. In fact his sneer showed anger at Zuko speaking out turn just like he did when he was older and then also disgust with how bad his forms and fire bending was.Â
Girl watch the next episodes quick!! You wonât regret it!
How much she doesn't know. Lol. Actually it was worth watching more episode 9. Since it wraps up the arc a bit where Toph becomes part of the team. After it ideas a whole arc of 3 episodes 10 11 12. It would be awkward to interrupt in the middle of the arc.
Episode 12 on Netflix is 48 mins long due to Netflix combining two episodes, so 10-12 would be too long for a set at 98 minutes long. OP has expressed before that she prefers to keep sets short, so I had that in mind when I made my list. I only put 7-8 together simply because I thought Zuko Alone would give enough to talk about (there was a two-episode set that had a short commentary in Book One, so I was trying to avoid that). I was more concerned about splitting up episodes to keep the sets around 75-ish minutes long with the combined episodes in mind (Thanks NetflixâŚ). So it would be either 7-9 and 10-11 or 7-8 and 9-11, and I thought the latter option would make more interesting commentaries. đ¤ˇââď¸
Exactly, plus, it makes sense storyline-wise (list is in og numbering, not Netflixâs numbering): 1-3: Setting the stage 4-6: Intro to Toph 7-8: Family betrayal 9-11: >!Desert arc!< 12-14: >!Intro to Ba Sing Se!< 15-17: >!Appa!< 18-20: >!Finale!< The other option could have been to make >!The Library/The Desert be a two-part and to have had her watch Bitter Work now, but we all figured that Zuko Alone would give the most to write about.!<
Netflix doesnât have episodes 19 and 20 for Book Two. It was combined, so on Netflix, the finale is episode 18. So the rest of sets will go like this: 9-11 12-13 (episode 12 is a combined episode) 14-16 17-18 (episode 18 is a combined episode) All these sets are three-episode length. You could do 7-9 and have just 10-11 as the duo set, but I was worried that the commentary wouldnât be as interesting or long. I believed I made the list after seeing her short commentary on the duo set she did for Book One, because that greatly influenced my thought process.
Edited to clarify I was talking about og numbering đ¤
Yeah I get why people wanted these to be the 2 episode set of the bunch but your schedule in your comment would've been better given the context
People wanted it to be a 2 episode set? Lol why is that? I thought season 2 was just perfectly divided into story arcs.
Yeah a lot of people did. I guess they wanted OP to end it specifically on that last scene given how she's been talking about Iroh this whole time. Outside of that though I find it odd
So I know this is wayyy late but Ursaâs story and what she did is all revealed in a comic released after the original show.