CRYING TOO HARD! THE FINALE! | Avatar The Last Airbender Book 3 Episode 21 Reaction 

Ozai during this entire second half of the fight: "OH SHIT OH FUCK OH GOD OH GEEZ"

Aang couldn't go into the avatar state not because he couldn't "reject Katara" he actually did that part in book 2 near the end to go into avatar state. But then Azula shot him down, the attack is what closed the chakra, the wound being hit by the rock is what reopened it.

Even with a broken leg and a hyperextended shoulder he still didn’t let Toph go, and refused to let her feel alone when he was sure they would both die. Sokka is definitely a real one

The actress for Azula asked to be alone in her scream of defeat. She let out a lot of things between her mother and her. And it led to that outcry.

Fun fact: in the comics, Iroh got to issue an executive order while Zuko went out on a side quest. He declared a new Fire Nation holiday: National Tea Day 🍵.

That last azula scene is soo hard, even the voice actress asked everyone out of the recording room just to get it done, and after that she has never seen the finale because she doesn't want to remember the mental place she had to go in order to make that scene.

People for the most part know how Zuko when he fights Azula is using moves that were inspired by his fights with Aang. What's also cool to me is that Katara's move where she froze the both of them, when she breathes out to melts the ice around herself you could say could be inspired by the firebenders Breath of Fire. It's really neat how it all comes together. Another note, it's also neat how Katara who got closure with the disappearance of her mother, was the one to defeat Azula who never got closure with the disappearance of her mother.

Ty Lee going from so afraid of being lost in all her sisters and being part of a "matched set", to finding her real sisterhood with the Kyoshi warriors who do match their uniforms, because she can still put her individual strengths into this group that truly appreciates her

And that’s all she wrote. This is one of the best series finales ever. I love the way first episode is titled “The Boy in the Iceberg” and the last is titled “Avatar Aang.” It really nicely bookends the show. I love that the first and last word of dialogue say “its perfect.” And I love the way they resolved the issue of killing Ozai. I love that the tigerdillo roar comes back. First Aang does it in part 1, then Ozai does it, then Avatar state Aang does it. The question of Zuko’s mother Ursa is answered in the comic The Search, which I highly recommend. Katara and Aang hugging before they kiss is really important because it signifies that they were friends first and that this isn't just the hero getting the girl.

3:33 so here's a wild theory. Because all it took was a well-placed hit in the back to realign the chakra, that means in Nightmares and Daydreams, Toph was so close to doing it when she was giving Aang a back massage and suggesting acupuncture. Had Aang said yes, he would've unlocked it even before the Day of Black Sun. XD

The way Aang pops out of the rocks and grabbed Ozai and blew him away fully glowed is still one of the most badass moments I’ve ever seen in entertainment!

The thing that breaks me the most about Azula is that she's only 14.. 🥺 If she had been raised with more compassion and care I don't think she would've ever gotten to the point of a mental breakdown like that.

The "where is my mother" line gets followed up in the still ongoing avatar comics. I have mixed feelings about the comics, but I think there is some worthwhile stuff in there and if nothing else it's great just to spend more time with the characters.

A fun note that someone pointed out, Aang was so powerful in the avatar state, that he was able to compress water. A feat that is essentially physically impossible.

Fire Lord Zuko's redemption is now complete. He went from hunting the Avatar to being his best friend. Even at the start of the season, if he had seen Azula defeated like that, he would have been proud, but now he just looked deeply sad. And even as Fire Lord, it wasn't beneath him to serve tea to his friends. Goddamn is this the best redemption arc in the history of fiction.

2:05 when watching this the first time, i always thought about how the situation is for toph here. Holding on to sokka is literally the the only thing she feels in this moment, hanging over nothingness. must be truly terrifying but eased by sokka being the one holding her.

In her video on avatar book three, Xiran Jay Zhao made a very good point on the whole killing dilemma. At this point in time, the "might above all" beliefs of the fire nation lead to the belief that the air nomads deserved to be exterminated for being weak, as Ozai said in the previous episode. Therefore, by sparing Ozai, Ang validates his people's beliefs and reaffirms that they didn't deserve to be exterminated as well as challenges the views of the fire nation with his display of merciful strength.

17:29 Wow, Ozai took Suki's question about him being dead with a lot of anger for a guy who just tried to erase an entire race off the map. People never see their own wrongs.

First word of ep 1: it's.... Last word of final ep: ...perfect! Ya God damn right it's perfect

I think it is worth mentioning the magnitude of Azula's defeat to Katara. Remember, Azula's whole persona is that she believes she is above everyone else, including the gang, and would always belittle them at every moment. Even as they were fighting in this episode, she called Katara a peasant. So to her shock, she was defeated by someone who she felt as a peasant, the lowest of the low, and had a mental breakdown during the realization. Also, I like to post this fact in every finale video. The last bending Aang does in the show that is not airbending is the first waterbending technique that Katara taught him all the way back in Season 1.

The last piece of bending we see Aang do, the water bending to put out all the fires, is the first water bending move Katara taught him. I thought that was kinda beautiful.

Friendly reminder that Sokka (a non bender) took out 2 comet powered firebenders with nothing but one arm, a boomerang and a sword, all while holding Toph from falling to her death. Oh and a broken leg. Also friendly reminder that when we found Monk Gyatso's skeleton, it was surrounded by who knows how many comet powered firebenders skeletons as well.

Something i noticed about Zuko's face at the end of the Azula fight, when she was breaking down, breathing fire, sobbing. He didnt look victorious, he didnt look proud or resolved. It was pity, it was an older brother watching his little sister lose everything, and not knowing how to feel. They won, but he was still sad for her.

I love how the homies pulled up to clown on the defeated Ozai.

I remember when this first aired, watching this on TV as a kid and having it be the peak of my life at the time. It was great.

I love that after Aang takes Ozai's bending the camera views him from below and it makes Aang look much more like a young man and less like the little boy he was.

And thus we reach the end of one of the best animated tv shows (and possibly best tv shows overall). Out of all the reactions I’ve seen to this series, Alicia’s has definitely been the best. I can’t wait for the Korra reactions and ESPECIALLY the movie reaction. (Also, is Alicia aware that there are comics that continue from where the show left off?)

I like how the title of the episode shows how much Aang has grown. The first episode of the series is "The Boy in the Iceberg", showing that he's lost his identity as he's running away from his destiny. The last episode is "Avatar Aang" showing that now Aang has fully accepted his role and has grown to earn the title.

It never ceases to amaze me how smart and clever you are, Alicia. Every hecking time I see you predict something in any show, it just blows me away

Your reactions to this show, how emotionally attached you got to these amazong characters, it's helped me feel again. For yhe longest time ive felt so numb, except when i watch this masterpiece, but something about seeing how expressive you were during this watch through made me remember how good it feels to just let your emotions out without fear of judgement. This show is and will always he my favorite of all time, woth storytelling that cannot be matched, and an artstyle that is timeless. This show has helped me realize a lot of things about myself, and the world as a whole, and i count mylelf so lucky that I was born in the era that this show was created, and even moreso that i was able to experience it as a child. The lessons and charaters from this show will be with me forever. Thank you so much for watching this show, and appreciating it to its fullest extent. It was so fun to get all giddy alongside you, and I'm sad to see an amazing series come to an end yet again.

Crazy that you saw the "taking away his bending" deus ex machina coming

God, Azula's rapid fall and breakdown hits hard. Imagine: you've been raised since birth to believe that fear and fear alone is what must he used to keep people in line, then the closest people you have to friends betray you because fear isnt enough anymore; you can't trust literally anyone around you; and then you suffer an utterly humiliating defeat despite your immense power, your source of controlling fear, at the hands of a water tribe peasant no less

Katara went in like "So...about your being the last airbender..."

Fun fact: The next avatar is taught by Aang and Katara's Son As for direct Continuation of this Team Avatar, read the Comic stories The Search Storyline, The Promise and the Rift

Also, the first line of the series (outside of the intro) was “It’s not gonna get away from me this time.” The final line of the series was “I think you look perfect.” The series gets summarized with, “It’s…perfect.”

Fun fact, in the comic books there are still problems with the fire nation. Mainly it's citizens because of relocation and living in peace

When Aang said he was locked out of the Avatar state because of Azulas lightning he was telling the truth. So when he got hit in thr same spot that the lightning struck him it realigned his chakras or whatever.

Azula just needs someone like uncle Iroh 😢

That lovely tune played during the kiss is called The Avatar's Love.... It's probably my favorite bit of music from this show

Aang really put the fear of god into ozai for a bit there

Azula is a prime example of why nobody, except sociopaths, actually wants to be in charge of anything. Congrats, you're in charge. Now everything that goes wrong is your fault. You may command fear and even some respect, but nobody likes or loves you. Everything you do will have consequences and blowback.

I'll celebrate the end of this journey by a quote of Alicia herself: "😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭"

OK so putting it out there we’re not actually going to get a conclusion to the whole “where is my mother“ unless you read the comics

Fun fact. Guns canonically exist in the Avatar universe. But like... old-school "tube on a pole," type hand cannons. If im remembering my lore correctly, they fell out of common use several centuries before this series begins, mainly due to bending being readily accessible. And generally being more logistically favorable to improving firearm technology

While far from perfect, ATLA did a great job telling a story that, frankly, I feel is going to be around for a while. And I'm glad you had a good time watching it, Alicia. :)

"Girl if you dont marry his ass, thats fucked up!" 😂😂😂

Now, I'm not saying Aang should've killed the fire lord, because that would've caused a *lot* of future mental trauma for a child and sent a really dark message to the kids watching...but if this weren't a children's show, he 110% should've killed him. The lion turtle technique thing was super-hastily written into the story so they didn't have to air a child murdering an adult.

i think the taking of Ozai's bending aligns perfectly with the advice Aang was given by the past avatars. while they didn't say kill him or spare him, his decision had to be strictly black or white between the two, a just punishment for what ozai's done, and proactive to what the world needed not just now but in the future because Aang's duty was to the world.

I love the fact that in 19:45 Suki is basically holding Sokka so he don't fall.

Closest thing I can think of to a perfect show. I still cry at the finale every time, even when I'm watching someone else reacting to it lmao. Thanks for sharing your journey through it, and I can't wait to see the same for Legend of Korra!

Thanks for this. I could never quite get over the idea that the "energy bending" solution to the problem of Ozai was a bit of a deus ex machina cop-out. It's nice to be able to see this ending though a fresh perspective.

Azula has better advanced training but iroh made sure that zuko knew the basic forms better than he knew how to breathe. That's why even though azula has stronger fire, Zuko could hold his own by correcting his form, as shown when he changes the angle of his foot slightly and stops being pushed back because he stance is stronger. And in an Agni Kai you can only attack the opponent. So azula forfeit the duel when she attacked katara. That was a violent and blatant violation of the rules. So Zuko won at that moment, katara entering the fight after that has no affect on the outcome

Remember all the way back in the first episode when Zuko said that becoming the fire lord was his destiny. Well I would call that excellent foreshadowing..

I don't really understand why here in Avatar you say that Aang should not kill the Fire Lord, no matter what, even if this is the only way to end the war and without killing him, Aang can lose the battle and doom the whole world to almost destruction. And in AoT, you treat murders normally and say that sacrificing 100 innocent civilians of Stohess is nothing, since there is a war going on. And it's also normal for Jean, Connie and the others to kill enemies, and this is the growth they need above themselves, although they are essentially the same children as Aang, because they are 15-16 years old. What a strange double standard, it's like you're adjusting to the "opinion" of the show, instead of expressing your own. But the reaction is cool, although I don't like that the authors gave Aang an "easy" way out of his moral dilemma by pulling the Lion-Turtle out of nowhere. It would be more interesting to see what would have happened if it hadn't been for this "deus ex machina" and Aang really would have had to kill the Fire Lord.

Farewell cosmic blade. Still, it was just enough time for Suki to save them, and Piandao might have the rest of the meteor to remake it. And the bulk of the fleet has been eliminated. Ozai managed to hit Aang right in the locked Chakra. Turns out it just needed a good push. 4:20 Remember when the fire sages in book 1 said only a fully realized Avatar could unleash 5 simultaneous fire blasts? Well I don't think even they knew this final move. Bumi's in Ba Sing Se and Azula is in the Fire Nation capital. He can't do anything about that fight. 6:02 More like an autocannon. Azula is ultimately just a sad monster in pain. A tragic enemy. Speaking of desperate, look how Ozai is fleeing. I've been saying that for Ozai to live, he must be broken. Taking way his bending after showing him how vast the gulf in power was, on even his best day, is a good way to break him down. And with Zuko on the Throne, the phoenix king is meaningless. For Aang to energy bend like this is a test of will and purity. Yes, entirely fair, butt now they can be together and live a happy life.... between making amends to the Earth Kingdom and quashing old guard insurrections at home. Well, the Kiyoshi warriors just got a lot more dangerous. The future is going to be a wild one. Azula's incarcerated, like Ozai. I forget if they had put her in the straight jacket yet. I'm not joking. You'll have to read the comics to find out about Zuko's mom. Ship sailed! We'll catch you in Republic city next time.

Aang couldn't enter the Avatar State because of his injury (as seen on the burn mark on his back.) But when that stone poked against him, all of Aang's pent up chi was finally able to flow

There was supposed to be a season after this that was cancelled a few years back. About the search for Zuko’s mom and Azusa’s closure, it is confirmed that there is an ATLA movie in 2025 or something which might be in regard to that. Edit: Gotta add the thirst, Katara can blood bend and Katara and Aang have to have kids to revitalise the Air-benders. So on full moons Katara can you know keep it up if you know what I mean.

Aang taking the life of Ozai wouldn’t be murder. It’s also like if a burglar breaks into your home and people got upset you shot him dead. Saying you should’ve taken him down through non fatal means. And it’s not who you are. Ozai is actively trying to kill him and destroy an entire continent and all who live on it. So yeah, Aang can totally kill him guilt free.

Ozai: I'll kill you Aang! Join the rest of your people! A conviniantly shaped rock:

Yeah, the energy bending finale is one of the most criticized aspects of an otherwise flawless series, because it has poor if not nonexistent buildup, and it's very hard not to feel like a copout from the very interesting dilemma that Aang was facing about whether or not to kill Ozai. I do agree that it should have been about Aang finding a third solution, but he didn't find it, it was handed to him by an entity he just so happened to come across. But aside from that very great series :p

1) To think that Aang only got the answer as to how to beat Ozai last minute from a lion turtle that was teased way back in the library. 2) Ozai messed up big time in that last attack while Aang was in the rock ball and accidentally realigned Aangs chakra. 3) Imagine being that one fire nation guy that got dunked out of the airship and having the Fire Lord absolutely annihilated on your birthday. That’s rough, buddy. 4) Every single time I watch this series or see someone else watch this series, I can’t believe it’s over 😭💙 It’s always such a wonderful journey

16:05 I love the callback to the first time Katara tried to teach Aang water bending. “Just push and pull the water like this”. With the same form.

Guns are in Avatar Canon but are rare used because of master earth benders can bend the gunpowder, fire bender can make them blow up, air can stop the bullets with enough airforce, and water bender can soak the powder. Plus, there wasn't lot of advancement in portable guns but in canons and seige weapons technology

I could write a whooooole essay on how awesome the series was and how Zuko's and Aang's journeys mirrored each other. But there's literally thousands of other folks who've done that. Instead, I just wanted to point out the super awesome shout out to John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China that the animation team snuck in. Hint: It's all about David Lo Pan. God bless the creators of ATLA. I love them.

Every time I think I'll be sad at the another end of this show but every time I'm wrong. After all episodes I feel very happy. Everyone on a right place now) Also I'm happy because it feels like we all watched it together. Thank you, Alicia for all emotions we divided together and for all evenings I waited for another episode (in a good way ofc)! This show is a mastepiece and I'll watch it during my entire life from time to time I'm sure (cuz i already watched it seven times now lmao))

So a lot of people complain about the Lion Turtle powers as a deus-ex-machina, but as a kid I remember appreciating the message behind allowing Aang to win without killing Ozai. Finding ways to live life, even the difficult parts, without rejecting your own values. Taking advice from the past, but always ultimately pursuing the new and the better.

Katara's victory reminds me of Bloodbending, except, instead of using the water inside to control another, she used the water externally. So, I wonder if Katara would have been able to think of that maneuver w/o her exposure to Hama. Also, She lost not just to Katara the water bender, but Katara, the 'filthy peasant'.

Even with some gripes this is definatley peak fiction right here.

When I first watched your reaction to this series, you said you weren’t gonna cry over a kid’s show.

Azula tried to win the fight by playing dirty and she only got to be defeated twice by two different people. That's rough, buddy.

Someone mentioned that from the winter solstice where he was told he needed to defeat the fire lord before the end of the summer to a guesstimate of when the summer ends, he only had about 8 months to learn the rest of the elements

I feel like Katara believed in Aang and felt like he was the destined hero, and even though that was a positive thing it interfered with her feelings for him as a guy. I think back at the ember island episode where she said she was confused, she meant she needed to untangle her feelings of hope with her feelings of love. It wasn't that she didn't like him, but falling in love with Superman is not the same thing as falling for Clark Kent even if they are the same person. Once the war was over she was free to just decide what she wanted. ("Will you go penguin sledding with me?" turned out to be a dope pick-up line though.)

If I could say one thing to Aang, Zuko and everyone else, it would be " Never be ashamed of your scars. They're a reminder of what you were strong enough to survive ". 💪

If you ever get the chance, there are some official comics that detail some stuff that happens after book 3. In my personal opinion they are definitely not at the level of writing of the original series, but with like 1 or 2 exceptions they are still really, really good (and provide some closure to some loose ends).

Oh what a ride. There are actually a few comics that takes place after this. One of which is Zuko finding his mother. Spoilers for the comic of you want to read . The deal Ursa made with Ozai for Zukos life is that she had to make an undetectable poison for to kill Azulon so Ozai can take the throne. After Azulon was killed Ursa was banished so his crime would never be found and and she moved back to her home town. She eventually couldn’t handle her pain so she went to a spirit called the mother of faces and had her memories and face changed. She then got together with her old lover and had a daughter. Zuko finds her and she manages to get her memories back and moves back to the palace with her new family. I did leave out a few things but that’s the jist of the story

this episode actually has my favorite bending move, it’s the move avatar state aang uses with the rocks he has on him, small hand movement and bro made the first gun in avatar

Alicia, if I may suggest, you should HIGHLY consider watching The Search. It continues the story after Book 3, and focuses on Zuko and his broken family.

Aang was incapable to enter avatar state, becouse Azula's lightining blocked his charkas,. But when he hit that stone, right in place where he was struck, it was like unplugging his energy flow, and he could harness his all power. There is no Azula in the end, becouse after she lost fight with Katara, she was put under guard and mental healthcare.

8:50 Azula blasting Katara across the whole palace yard, walks into a trap without firing first, just because Katara was setting one up... that's a massive contrast in behavior to make sence. Someone doesn't put down the gun to stab you with a knife, if you start setting up a trap. By the way, Azula is unhinged not attacking to be cocky walking up to Katara is the exact opposite of what unhinged person with high range weapon would do.

There are people who don't know how to feel about the ending and probably wish it had ended with Ozai being killed, but honestly I think having his firebending taken away is a punishment worse then death for him. He's someone who was obsessed with power and authority, now he can age in a cell and die slowly with nothing. Also there's more story in the comic series, The Promise and The Search are the first two trilogies that tell you what happens after the war. They also reveal what happened with Azula and Zuko's mom, you don't have to read them first before Korra since nothing is spoiled and the show itself gives you enough info about certain things.

I still vividly remember watching the finale as it aired when I was a kid that's how much I loved this show and still love it, I even used to read the books that my school library had which were basically just books form of the episodes

Avatar is so great, my favourite episode will always be the theatre one!

Aang is The last Air Nomad, if he'd given up on their ways, if he'd crossed that line, making the personal sacrifice that previous avatars had, then there would be no more Air Nomads. So he chose a choice that left him completely vulnerable and almost destroyed him. And won.

My favorite part of the ending was seeing Aang wearing Gyatso's Necklace, i sobbed when i saw that 😭

It was a blast watching you go through the series from day 1. Hope I can watch you react to Legend of Korra soon.

I love that the last bending move is the first water bending move he learned from katara

Azula lost not only technically to Zuko, but also to Katara, someone who was considering a peasant. On the day of the comet, no less. I think her ego couldn't take it anymore. Also, a reminder that the last sentence spoken in the show is a Toph blind joke XD...

I'm glad someone else gets the significance of Kanata initiating the kiss.

I saw a video when someone pointed out that other Air Nomad avatars have had the privilege to give themselves to the world because there were other Air Nomads, but Aang is the last of his people. If he doesn't keep his peoples ways who will?

As a point of order, to demonstrate how much power the Avatar State has, I just want to point out that water is a non-compressible material. Aang took essentially the volume of a small lake and turned it into a hoola-hoop. Doing this was nothing less than an actual, literal, act of god.

i just realized: the threat of the fire nation began with Avatar Roku's and Firelord Zosin's conflict. and it ended with Aang's and Zuko's friendship.

Im sure there are too many youtube comments talking about this, but the first word in the show is sokka saying "It's" and the last word spoken is Toph saying "perfect." The first and last word of the show say "It's Perfect" which perfectly encapsulates such an amazing show.

this was such a spectacular series, your commentary/reactions are honestly the best I've come across, also your analyses of the story beats and characters the way you picked up the themes of the show all on the fly was nothing short of incredible. can't wait to watch legend of Korra with you but on a different note I don't think I've ever been worried about someone becoming dehydrated during a reaction series before, hope you're doing well and taking care of yourself.

What's also cool as hes wearing a necklace just like monk Gyatso.

Ah yes, Legend of Korra. Prepare to be amazed, then more annoyed the harder you think about everything.

Aang: Violence isn't the answer, but I'll beat yo ass if you make me.

I've loved watching you cover this entire series. It made me feel like I was rewatching the entire show again for the first time. It's been a genuine honor to watch this and I loved every second of it. Ur awesome!

Suggestion.... get a copy of the first computer generated anime. Its called... reboot. Its from canada in the mid 90's. It is hardly known. Its about life inside of a computer. The sprites are the workings. They also go against the user in games and fight off viruses. The first season is a bit tame because it had to adhere to the US tv gudelines for kids, but the second, third, and 2 movies are more adventurous because they didn't first run here. Along with samuri jack and last airbender, it's in the top 5 best animated shows ever... my opinion.

It's crazy how the moment the Avatar State returned, the other Avatars decided they would do what Aang couldn't. Which is why we hear them speak through Aang's body, before he regains control.

We finally made it. it's been an amazing ride, so much to love and appreciate in the series and it's always great to share that experience with someone else.