One AVATAR The Last Airbender Episode That Explains Why It’s a Masterpiece 

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Azula scarred both Aang and Zuko. Aang's scar is on his back, probably symbolizing his evasive nature, while Zuko's is on his chest, likely symbolizing his rash personality. I think this ties neatly with screencrush's analysis

Avatar is the rare show where no one really has an argument against your favorite character. It’s storytelling is so rich, who would fight you if you said “My Cabbages” guy is your favorite? Thats a legit stance 😂

The writers of this show were some geniuses, man. This is a lightning in a bottle occurence

My favorite character is Uncle Iroh. One of the few characters that don't need an arch. He had his arch before the show started, and then he used that arch to guide the rest of the cast.

The most wordly applicable quote is from "bitter work". "It is important to take wisdom from many different places. If you take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding others, the other elements, the other nations, will help you become whole".

Zuko Alone is the best episode

Iroh "you can't master lightning until you have dealt with a turmoil inside you", Zuko " How can Azula throw lightning" Iroh "Oh,.... Oh that girl is just plain cray-cray, she embraced the madness"

Im a 54 year old man, and this os one of the best series ive ever seen. I put it in the realm of Breaking Bad and Snowfall in a sense of binge worthy show that has messages all throughout

zuko's arc is really well done. It's one of the best in fiction, when it comes to a character that was born into an evil circumstance and had to change. He had to go against his nation he had to go against his family, but it was the right thing to do, and he prevailed. He saved his nation, and himself. He restored both. His honor that he fought so hard to restore wasn't when he restored favor with his father, it was when he restored his favor with the world. When he cured his nation. He restored it to a good place. Not everyone in the fire nation was evil. It was a minority enforcing their way on the rest. After they were defeated they became an honored nation again.

I rewatched ATLAS s1 just for a recap for the upcoming live action show and man it still hits the same. I really love this show.

That mountain scene breaks me everytime. Dude is still a teenager and has experienced literal burning of his face. Still pleading to the gods (metaphorically his father as a god of the fire kingdom) to love him.

Glad you mentioned avatar and Firelord because that episode is so tragic and I just realized it because the story of how good friends eventually fall due to one’s ambitions and the other’s inaction due to their relationship reminds me of the sad fate of Anikin adn obi wan except reversed. On mustafar, the morral brother escapes and the amoral imperialistic brother is plunged into fire. With Roku and sozan, the morral brother is the one who falls into fire.

Zuko Alone is my favorite. Other great ones include Sozin's Comet, The Storm, The Crossroads of Destiny, The Puppetmaster and the Firebending Masters.

Toph:“you can't see me the time is now now" 😂😂

I always thought (and still do) that Zuko what not shocked by the fact Katara used blood bending (in that moment), but more by the fact that blood bending was a thing at all, he was shocked by her power.

This will always be the greatest show ever made. I absolutely love that so many years later the internet is still so in love with it and all the Lessons from it that as kids, we may have not realized or noticed

What's your favorite episode?

My favorite characters are Iroh, Toph, and Sokka. Maybe not the best, but they're the ones I rooted for/laughed with the most.

Correction @13:30 they're branded traders because they opposed admiral Zhoa at the Northern Water Tribe

Zuko is my favorite hands down! I tell everyone I know that Avatar: The Last Airbender is the greatest story ever, outside of the Bible! Zuko’s redemption arc is one of the most powerful stories ever, how it’s told and the amazing lessons taught (through a kid’s show nonetheless!) is just simply hands down incredible. If you don’t cry when Zuko enters Iroh’s tent in book 3 and instead of disowning him he reaches for him with big hug (prodigal son story btw) then you aren’t human. It doesn’t get any better than ATLA!

I've "only recently" (like past two months) "gotten into" the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender (& The Legend of Korra) for my kid's sake so I "missed" all the internet culture hype around the show the first time around so I'm so looking forward to hearing discussions and deep dives and stuff around and about Avatar: The Last Airbender in live action to get to "live through" it now.

Interesting how some of the most pivotal moments in Zuko’s growth have him in a storm

@ 20:17 No, it wasn't his own way. The Lion Turtle gave him a 5th bending ability. Although it's highly specialized. Spirit bending.

My favorite character is Sokka. Because he's an ordinary person who overcomes his shortcomings with bravery and humor.

Well Netflix probably didn't watch the show, cos they didn't embody the essence of the show "The Lessons Learnt". They focus to dam much on the visuals and forgot that what made the show iconic was it compelling storys and grounded characters.. Netflix failed the test

Iroh is my favorite character

You just made me bring back all those great memories from when i first watched Avatar. It is by far my favourite show till date. For me one of my favourite episodes is The Blue Spirit one. When Zuko rescues Aang and tries to capture him it is a really gripping episode and i really enjoyed watching it.

The Avatar story is so epic! Glad ya'll are covering it!

Underrated episode for character depth / development is the beach, breaks down each individual character thats there and fleshes them out but ties it all together nicely. Zuko overall has the best arc entirely

Omg PLEASE MORE AVATAR BREAKDOWNS PLEASEEEEEEEEE 🙏🏾

Can we talk about Sokka's arch as well? It seemed as if he didn't buy into bending but hand to hand combat. He also didn't think women or girls should be in combat. Because of the war, it was like he had to grow up quickly, and Aang represented that youthful energy that he didn't have, but throughout the show, you saw him balance it out.

I LOVE this show! Definitely my favorite animated series of all time! 🙂❤️ Good explanation dude! 🙂👏

7:00 you’ve pronounced Kisu's name wrong. Anyway, my favorite episode is the firebening masters, I love the way it looks and how funny it is. 13:20 my favorite characters are Zuko and Toph.

I luv how they haven't oversaturated the Avatar The Last Air-Bender Market. They made 1 terrible movie and the legend of Korra which wasn't terrible in my opinion but was leagues below the OG series..... I grew up on it so maybe I'm biased 😉

Great video! It made me tear up at the right places. Zuko's arc is undoubtedly the best character arc of any character in fiction.

I have watched this show so many times now, i never noticed that zuko uses moves and techniques from the other bendings with fire. Thats why this show is so special. They obsessed over every minute detail, even Zuko taking Irohs teachings to heart and drawing from the other elements.

The Animated series is a masterpiece!!!! The one show I can just watch over and over and over and over and over and…well you get the point

My favorite has to be “The Guru” because of what it teaches

I dont see anyone really mentioning sokka. His arc was great, from the first time he tried the fight the fire nation in the first episode, to the point he was battleing with spacesword. There were so many good arcs and good episodes, really my fav show ever made.

My favorite character hands down, Iroh. Not just in the ATLA across ALL series.

Electric current is often compared to water…so it was dope they said Iroh got the technique from water benders…

I loved the show, but that final Zuko scene was exactly what stuck with me. I felt like I was watching the deepest stuff I´ve ever seen. So powerful.

Iroh Toph Zuko Suki Soka Kitara Aang Azula I like these characters because as8de from Iroh each one has a huge character growth and that make them my favorite, that abd Iroh is my spirit animal.

The song "Leaves of the Vine" from the episode Tales of Ba Sing Se gets me every time.

I want this cartoon to be the first cartoon my kids see, there’s so many life lessons in this show. Great series

Too bad for the Netflix series, but good thing the original show is timeless.

I've been watching your channel for a little bit now but I'm a huge Avatar fan. Y'all did an excellent job on this analysis!

21:14 Unfortunately, no. Just rewatch the original.

Iroh is the best character Zuko second. I’m sorry but Toph kinda sucks. Also, Zuko and Kitara should have ended up together 🤷‍♂️

This came at a perfect time . I’m rewatching the whole series with my kids and we just saw this episode. It definitely seemed one of the most important lessons and that anyone can learn. Finding balance within one self

Wow nice! I'm rewatching in preparation for the Netflix adaption and since I got to "Bitter Work" yesterday it's been on my mind as one of my very favorite episodes. Since on the surface this appears ironic, but the many levels of nuanced meaning (which I cannot even possibly properly express here) make my mind spin every time. ...and then there's that final scene with Zuko confronting the heavens...I don't know exactly why or what specific memory this brings up, but this brings up something *extremely* deep and primal in me - like right to the core of the suffering (and beauty!) Of my entire existence, especially when growing up and trying to discover myself and my place in this often cruel world. I can only think of a few scenes in *any* show or movie or book that will make me tear up practically every time, but this hits something so deep and primal in me that I cannot help but tear up...just like my man Zuko...

Always always love your videos @ScreenCrush but I think this video could consider having an epilepsy/sensory warning. 💗😭

My favorite character is a toss up between Iroh and Toph.. my favorite episode is probably the Lake Laogai episode when they get Opa back

I can't watch these scenes without tearing up. Every. Single. Time.

The Netflix adaptation will be garbage.

Zuko has the greatest character arc of any character in fiction.

I have watched the show 4 times; I consider it my top three story of any medium, being cartoon, anime, tv or movie. And I have never noticed that Zuko used other elemental techniques after Bitter Work. I knew he had changed after learning from the Sun Warrior, but not from before that.

I watched the entirety of ATLA growing up, every time a new episode was on I was there in front of my tv with my siblings watching it. Since it ended, I have made a habit of rewatching it from start to finish once a year. It still holds up perfectly after all these years. I wish I could say the same about its successor.

You really are encouraging Zutara fans😂

Zutara was much better, this proves it

Avatar, the last Airbender was has such a special place in my heart pure nostalgic for me. I cannot wait for the new Netflix adaptation live adaptation.

Favorite scene is when sang goes and meets with the guru who teaches him about chakras.

We need turtleduck plushys as merch

Katara's final move on azula is a reflection of lightning redirection, water bending inspired by fire bending. We've never seen a water bender bend without moving before, and we've seen that a water bender can be trapped in ice. When katara thaws herself out from the middle of the ice it starts from her nose. Dragon's breath aside, fire benders won't shut up about breathing

I think the stretch of episodes from the blind bandit to the crossroads of destiny is the best part of the whole show, just great episode after great episode

Also in the last Akbi Kai, you can see that Zuko has learned so much from others like his uncle says. Because he uses other bending skills in the fight against Azula

We just re-watched this one with my kid who is 5 and he loved it!

Zuko redirected the lightning Azula shot at Katara which is shown in the show. Thats probably why he survived

Absolutely. Zuko is one of my all time favorite characters in any movie and series. His character development is written brilliantly and this episode is l go back to watch over and over again. Thanks for making a video about it!

I'm really hoping this episode also gets adapted into Season 2 for the live action. They have a lot of expectation with that season, and they already brought in some high hopes with how their adaptation of The Storm blended into the Blue Spirit episode made Zuko's crew more meaningful

This show was such a huge part of growing up for me. So many valuable lessons. I remember being bullied for liking it in elementary school. But didn’t even care. Now it’s one of the biggest shows in the world with its resurgence on Netflix, and the live action premiering yesterday. I showed my wife two years ago and we have watched it three times since. Favourite character? All of them. Especially Azula ⚡️

this was so good, ty. Favorite characters are Aang, Zuko, and Iroh.

The Tales of Ba Sing Se 😢😢😢

Avatar is a show which doesn't have a bad episode. To me every episode, that includes The great Divide has something good to take away from. Even the avatar has to resort to lying to solve a conflict when he is considered as the most truthful. A lie for a noble cause is not wrong.

The recap episode with the Avatar play with a giant dude playing Toph is one of my favorites.

World Anvil needs to be careful. D&D (owned by WotC) are fairly 'loosey goosey' with copyrights. Games Workshop is not. They will put down the BanHammer (or Exterminatus) on anything they don't approve of. And that includes Pathfinder. (It's a GW game) The only game company I can think of with tighter @$$holes, is Nintendo, with the Pokemon, Mario, and Zelda franchises.

I’m 59 years old and to me, ATLA is still the single best Good vs Evil show EVER MADE. When it first aired, Friday nights were date nights for my wife and I because we’d watch the show and then discuss. This show has EVERYTHING you need… drama, love, comedy, theme, life lessons, martial arts, friendship, deception, betrayal… I still get upset when I think of the earth bending episode when the old man ratted out the boy who saved him from certain death. I just love the show. I love the characters. The BADA$$es are without a doubt Toph and Azula. (What a fight that would have be!!) I’m looking forward to the live show. I know it won’t be exactly the same, but I hope it’s spirit is strong!!

Best episodes (in no particular order): Zuko Alone The Avatar and the Firelord The Storm Bitter Work The Crossroads of Destiny The Beach The Day of the Black Sun Tales of Ba Sing Se Sozin's Comet

I really love you’re merch i will be shopping soon your designs are amazing

Even as a kid, I didn't like Avatar: The Last Airbender, but I understand why people like it. I just personally find other shows to be way better than Avatar. For example, I like Steven Universe way more, especially with the way how it handles character development in a super genuine manner and they're not afraid to tackle certain subjects without sugar coating!

Do you know how much it pisses me off to forget the name of the actor who voices Zuko? The Robin Williams Peter Pan movie, the Michale Jai White street fighting movie as his manager, the movie starring one of the American Pie actresses about a conversion camp, and FUCKING AVATAR! I should know his name automatically.

Absolutely brilliant breakdown to a brilliant show!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I love this series for everything you just said. Well said!

Azula is Great in the Animated version!! In the "" Real "" version She SUCKS!!!!!!!

you forgot the biggest character arc of all, Iroh, himself. dude was a huge player in the conquering of other nations. It wasn't until his son died that he went in his own journey. "Iroh Alone" would be an episode...MOVIE I would pay to watch!

Bro PLEASE do more Avatar content

Iroh has been my all time favorite character in any animation show. He's basically funny Gandalf who does kungfu. Then followed by Zuko and Toph, these 3 are my golden trio of ATLA. Sad to say but the OG trio Aang Katara and Sokka lag way behind these 3.

I have to choose siblings as the best character in the show. Specifically Zuko/Azula and Sokka/Katara. Their mindsets as the war progresses and how they interact is so amazing. kind of a weird choice. For a single answer: foaming mouth dude, a national treasure right there.

The best characters are always bad guys turned good. Zuko, Jessie Pinkman, Vegeta, Jaime Lannister

Zuko clearly best character in the show.... Iro most loved character....Toph next

Each character fills interdependent parts of the story's relationships, making a favorite choice impossible. So just to be yin to my own yang, Iroh is the best and my favorite. The larger question is why should they retell the same story in live action? If they want live action, the story should be advanced to new adventures, perhaps referencing key scenes from the cartoon by recreating them in live action flashbacks.

The Avatar LAB live action movie just ruined everything Avatar for me. Hopefully, the new netflix series redeems it.

The whole show is characterized by bitter work. Throughout the show, there is a constant theme of training to get better. The whole structure of the show is based on Aang mastering the 4 elements. But it's more than that... When they first met Jeong Jeong, they had to work to convince him to train Aang, and he made Aang work hard to learn. When they met Pakku, they had to work to convince him to train Katara, and her hard work allowed her to surpass Aang. When they found Bumi, they had to work to free him, only for him to reject being saved and guide them elsewhere. When they found Toph, they had to work to convince her to embrace herself, and it took work for her to refine who she was. When they met Pian Dao, Sokka had to work to convince the master he was worthy, and worked hard to uphold the trust bestowed upon him. And finally, when Zuko found them, he had to work to convince them to allow him to join them. Just the act of finding the masters throughout the show alone was bitter work, and it didn't always play out the way they thought it would. Nothing was ever free. Every bit of what they achieved was earned through bitter work

I'll give my view count but I can't watch this video because I don't want to get spoiled. I want to experience the luve action adaptation as a fresh start. Fyi: I hated Netflix's One Piece!

Can we get a series of breakdown vids for AtLA? Not necessarily every episodes, but like groups of 5. And I assume we will get the live action broken down?

Another highly rated episode is “The Beach” episode. It gives the audience a better look at the fire nation crew including Ty Lee, Mai, Azula, and Zuko. It’s like watching a regular episode but instead of the usual protagonist group we get to see the point-of-view of the people opposing the protags. It’s also an episode where the traumas of this group of fire nation kids is laid flat out for the audience, yet it is done in such an elegant way with all of them surrounding a campfire with their emotions and feelings burning away like embers to the flame. Avatar really is a top rated show! It being a kids show does not detract from the amount of thought and poise it contains for it to remain a classic for nearly 20 years

Something else I think is worth touching on: Both Zuko and Aang are both working on abilities that go against their base nature. The opposite of Air is Earth, and Aang is learning earthbending. The opposite of Fire is Water, and Zuko is learning lightning redirection, an ability Iroh learnt from watching the water benders.

Honestly I think my favorite character is Azula.. Even though she's a crazy fire bending prodigy paired with evil tendencies. However, I feel like a lot of people who watch it forget to grasp the reality of the show which is a group of kids who are forced to fight in war. And Azula who was manipulated at such a young age by her father and conditioned to fight in a war she wasn't mentally prepared for resulting in her mental instability. In the last fight during Sozins comet you can see everything Azula had pushed down and away spilling over the top when she starts crying hysterically when it was all finally over, symbolizing her trauma of fighting a war for so long at such a young age, then realizing it's finally over

Crazy that two members of the stereotypical power hungry, and war mongering evil dictating nation, are literally the two best characters of the show (and it’s not even debatable).

It would’ve been awesome if Netflix writers watched this review for their series, Aang didn’t water bend in the whole series like THE HECK?