The Beach

Review of Avatar: The Last Airbender episode
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 5: The Beach

The Beach is different from quite a lot of Avatar episodes as in the most case it is pure character development (with a little fight with the Gaang behind it). The Beach involves Azula, Zuko, Ty Lee and Mai all going down to the beach, then to a party, then to the beach, and finally back to the party where they trash the place. In between all of this, we get to learn more about their past, as well as see the kind of people they really are; and of course the Gaang fights the Combustion Man.

Due to the lack of any real progress made in the storyline, some people may think that the episode gets a little boring. But I see it as necessary progress that really needs to be put somewhere. The episode clearly shows Zuko's transition from being confident with who he is, to realising that even though he has sorted out the Avatar he is still angry and confused. It shows Azula's attempt to fit into a normal life, even though she is clearly crazy. And it shows the reason why Ty Lee and Mai are who they are.

As for the Gaang, they finally meet the Combustion Man, and I am really not too sure how that guy manages to shoot fireballs from his mind. It must be like focussing fire bending through a precise point in the body; although how that is achieved is unknown and not shared, yet. The Gaang of course survive, and Aangs dive through a rock pillar (which was seen in the trailer) turns up in a context which I wasn't expecting (again), as I expected it to be achieved in the invasion or after battles.

Anyhow, an average but necessary episode with some funny moments.

Sokka's Master

Review of Avatar: The Last Airbender episode
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 4: Sokka's Master

Sokka's Master is the well anticipated fourth episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and is extremely good character development for Sokka. It also shows that although Sokka may not have that much bending (OK, none at all!) he is still a very important member of the Gaang, and obviously key to their success.

In the episode, Sokka decides he is unworthy of the Gaang, who have all this bending, and goes to train with a master; Swordmaster Piandao. The Swordmaster trains Sokka in the art of wielding a sword, and also lets him create his own sword! That part I found really cool, as Sokka crafts a beautiful dark black and shiny sword, and made me think of slight similarities with Jedi, as they create their own lightsabers.

The end of the episode ends with quite a twist (with the Pai-sho tile), and as was pointed out on one of the forums I read, Toph uses the space earth to mold it into the Nickelodeon logo!

Overall, an extremely good episode in my opinion!

The Painted Lady

Review of Avatar: The Last Airbender episode
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 3: The Painted Lady

The Painted Lady is the third episode in the Gaang's journey's through the Fire Nation and involved them arriving to a village that was being oppressed and ignored by the Fire Nation. It showed the kind of future many people would face if Aang failed to defeat the Fire Lord, and was quite a bleak thought in itself.

The village itself lacked food, medical supplies, and sat on a very polluted river from a Fire Nation factory nearby. During the episode, though, the Painted Lady turns up and helps to bring the village's freedom, together with the rest of the Gaang (and you'll know what I mean by the rest of the Gaang if you've watched the episode ;))

There is also a well known line that Katara speaks from the trailer that I did not expect at all in the context she spoke it in, and I loved the way the Gaang conducted the Painted Lady's final appearance and battle. Brilliant!

Overall, quite a good episode, but not one I would consider a favourite.

The Headband

Review of Avatar: The Last Airbender episode
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 2: The Headband

The Headband is the second chapter in the Gaang's attempt to hide out in Fire Nation territory. Due to the attempt by the Gaang to blend in with the local Fire Nation populace by acquiring new clothes, Aang is mistaken as a school kid and taken to Fire Nation school. Here, he attempts to provide a greater freedom to the children's education by throwing a secret dance party. Meanwhile, Zuko confronts his Uncle on his actions at Ba Sing Se.

This episode is truly a gem in the Avatar collection. It has everything Avatar fans could possibily want, and provides a much brighter atmosphere then the Season premiere did. Aang's dance ends up with a dance similar to the special couple at the school ball, where the two dance around together while being watched. Thus, Aang and Katara have a fantastically animated dance which is extremely well done. There is also a fight between Aang and a bully which shows Aang's skill in defeating his opponent despite not laying a single finger on him; something not to be missed!

Sokka is once again outdone with clever and witty jokes, including pretending to be Aang's father (along with Katara as Aang's mother) when Aang gets in trouble at school; while Zuko's interactions with his uncle (who refuses to speak) shows he is completely unsure that he has what he wants, and provides a more eerie, darker side of the plot (and still no conclusion on Zuko).

Overall, a superb episode and one that is a must see.

The Awakening

Review of Avatar: The Last Airbender Episode
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 1: The Awakening

The Awakening involves Aang waking up on a Fire Nation ship after his defeat at Ba Sing Se in the final episode of Book 2. The Gaang are on their way further into Fire Nation territory in order to attempt to hide right under enemy noses. Meanwhile, Prince Zuko is working his way back home to the Fire Nation.

This episode pieces together the leftover strands in preparation of the third season of Avatar. As such, it lacks any real action and constitutes in the most part to the development of the story into a manner that is like piecing together a broken puzzle again.

Although I found the episode felt pushed together at parts (for example, was not expecting Katara to cry at her father) it was still awesome to see the Gaang in new Fire Nation robes, and to finally see Zuko's father (was a slight anti-climax, but it'll make it more interesting in the long-run, as it makes it more realistic and down-to-earth).

Altogether, the episode doesn't completely solve Zuko's betrayal, but it does completely solve the Avatar's return, and shows the full repercussions of the Avatar's failure at Ba Sing Se. Overall, a very dark entrance into the new Season, but one which was greatly anticipated.