Book 1, Water: Chapter 2 - The Avatar Returns

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Episode 2’s pacing is all over the place. With both it’s actions and it’s emotions. The Water Tribe is so quick to be furious and completely dismissive of Aang after the incident on the warship. I understand that they are incredibly vulnerable. But if they were aware of the warship, why stay so close in the area. I am going to guess that due to fishing/survival circumstances, as well as the village comprising of Elders and Children, that it wasn’t an option to move. Or perhaps that location was as safe as possible.

But the awareness and readiness of the tribe also shows that they were aware that the Fire Nation could easily have shown up at any point. A presence, as shown, to be so overwhelming that they stood absolutely no chance.

The set-up of the world situation is fine, but I don’t feel it is being realistically reflected by the people within the world itself. At least not at this current juncture.

Zuko initially comes off as a very hot-headed character, both metaphorically and literally. But there is also a very brilliant depth to him that we get glimpses of in episode 2. He is arrogant and motivated, but he isn’t blinded by his own ambition. He chooses to repeatedly disarm Sokka instead of outright murdering him, which he feels very capable of doing. He never truly disrespects Sokka either, outside of just showing how little of a chance Sokka truly has. He accepts Aang’s surrender offer and withdraws without making some grand gesture or display. While he clearly has his own troubles, he is surprisingly controlled and focused for what easily could have been an outrageous and rage-filled character. He clearly has an anger inside him, but it doesn’t define his character.

After being captured, Aang gives us our first display of what feels like genuinely conventional bending. This like blowing air to catch off the guards, utilizing air currents to run on the walls, and the hilarious display of using a mattress to incapacitate Zuko. The creative freedom and energy in these applications in wonderful. Fire Bending initially comes across as an ability with a singular purpose, burn. This is especially true with how it is used by all of the benders on the ship. (With the limited exception of thawing frozen soldiers later.)

As a small note. I know that Uncle Iroh is a beloved character. But let’s not overlook how immediately he accepted Zuko’s order to shoot a bunch of children our of the sky with a twin fireball of death. We could argue he was confident it would work and Aang would defend them. But damn, that is still hardcore.

Also, I am legitimately curious how much modern media has been either intentionally or unintentionally inspired by some of the abilities in Avatar. Aang straight up “Fus Ro Dah”’d the fire nation soldiers escorting him. On top of that, he entered Avatar state after being knocked out and being in a state of extreme danger, straight up Zenitsu style. (Yes, I know Avatar came before Skyrim and Demon Slayer, but that it my point and why I am making the comparison.)

All in all, Episode 2 is a wildly fast paced showing that truly kicks off our character’s journeys. But it does so in a jerking and jarring manner that while uncomfortable at first, will hopefully be easily forgotten by the end of Episode 3.

Find all current Anime Analysis of "Avatar: The Last Airbender": HERE

The Anime Analysis for the next episode of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" is: HERE

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LIVE WATCH NOTES AND COMMENTS:

NOTE: I should apparently really write the drafts in either Microsoft Word or Google Docs or something. Because I lost all of my “Live Watch Notes” for this episodes because the Squarespace Blog Post refreshed and it didn’t save anything. RIP. Lesson Learned.