Last year on our official podcast, co-host Sear Saechao and Antony Marshall gave their impressions on the series finale of Avatar: The Last Airbender. I never watched a full episode of the acclaim series and was intrigued by the impressions that Sear and Antony gave. After that podcast aired, we discovered that M. Night Shyamalan was writing and directing a live-action adaption of the Nickelodeon Cartoon. After hearing one my favorite directors was on the project, I decided to try to watch the whole series before the film comes out. More likely I won’t succeed in this, only because I don’t have the time to watch all 61 episodes. But I will give my quick impressions on every episode in the series (Beside the pilot) after watching it. This will be a task I’ll try to do every day and with any luck I’ve watched the entire series before the film is out.
Each impression will have the date I watched it, the emotion I felt while watching it, a *numerical score, the quick Impression for the episode, and my favorite quote at the end. Enjoy!
*The Numerical Score is basic. From 1 to 10 I’ll give the episode an overall Score, 10 being a Masterpiece and 1 being Unwatchable.
Season 1: Book of Water
Episode 01: The Boy in the Iceberg | Date: June 07, 2010 | Emotion: Intrigued | Score: 6
First time I ever saw the intro to the show, it was interesting and straight forward. Didn’t expect it to have so much comedy, but I guess it makes sense because it’s on Nickelodeon. The introduction to Aang reminds me a lot when we first got introduce to Goku, from Dragon Ball series. They both seem so innocent and pure. Sokka and Katara seem to be having the typical sibling relationship and Sokka is a jerk. Was very surprised to hear Dante Basco voice coming out Prince Zuko mouth. It’s an intriguing episode and it was a great introduction to our protagonist. Penguins are Awesome!
YOU are the most sexist, immature, nut-brained... I'm embarrassed to be related to you! - Katara, yelling at Sokka
Episode 02: The Avatar Returns | Date: June 08, 2010 | Emotion: Excited | Score: 8
I wasn’t very excited from the first episode of the series. It was a good introduction to the characters but it was lacking substance. This episode though was great! The characters play off each other very nicely. You feel what they’re feeling during a scene. The “get-away” scene on the Fire Nation Navy ship was awesome. Shows the potential that Aang has with his powers, yes I said powers because apparently he has more than one. Currently my favorite character is Sokka, very funny and animated person. Does Katara like Aang in a girlfriend & boyfriend way? Haha. Oh yea, Appa can fly!
Wow. I haven't cleaned my room in a hundred years! - Aang
Episode 03: The Southern Air Temple | Date: June 10, 2010 | Emotion: Understanding| Score: 9
Wow. This episode alone sold me on the whole Avatar thing. After finishing up LOST, I am introduce to another “I have daddy issue” plot with Prince Zuko.What the F?! I can see where his character is heading and I will say he’ll be the protagonist in later episodes. Uncle Iroh doesn't seem like a person for the Fire Nation. Love the humor behind the flash-back scene with Aang and his mentor Monk Gyatso. Also I want to note that Aang is a badass. He harnesses so much power and you’ll be stupid to mess with him. Feel sorry for Aang also because what happen to all of the Airbender in the world. At least he has Appa and Momo.
Of course. I told you Ginseng tea is my favorite. - Uncle Iroh, after Prince Zoku defeated Commander Zhao
Episode 04: The Warriors of Kyoshi | Date:June 12, 2010 | Emotion: Awesome| Score: 8
I want to think of this episode as a Sokka Episode. The foreshadowing in the beginning was great between Sokka and Katara. I’m assuming that Kyoshi Island belong to Earth Nation? Didn’t really see any Earth Bending of any kind in this episode but seeing as the colors they’re wearing are green, I made the assumption they belong to the Earth Nation. Another amusing episode, I like the balance between the action and comedy that this show offers, reminds me a lot like Dragon Ball. The kiss between Sokka and Suki was great at the ending; I guess he isn’t sexist anymore. Prince Zuko will do anything to get the Avatar, poor prince.
I am a warrior. But I'm a girl, too. - Suki, when she kiss Sokka on the cheek.
Episode 05: The King of Omashu| Date: July 20, 2010 | Emotion: Awe| Score: 7
The Flashback scenes that this show offers are really engaging. It’s nice to see life before the war and how Aang lived his life. I wasn’t surprised at the outcome of this episode overall, but I really loved that I got to see some real Earth Bending. I haven’t seen earth bending at all throughout the series and this really surprise me. Right now though, I feel like fire bending is the best of the four elements, because they don’t need that element to actually use it. It’s nice to see that this show offer some creative stories.
Okay, he's an Earthbender, right? Rocky. - Sokka, while guessing the King's name
Episode 06: Imprisoned| Date: July 22, 2010 | Emotion: Optimism| Score: 9
This is the episode I been waiting for since the beginning of the series. I always wondered how the other nations really felt about the fire nation conquering their land. This gives us Hope that they aren’t weak, but they just needed that tiny inspiration. This was a Kataara focus episode and shows us that she’ll always give hope even if the odds are bad. The balance in the humor and drama still amaze me.
Don't worry, i heard corwards float. - Haru's Father
Episode 07: The Spirit World (Winter Solstice Part 1) |Date: July 26, 2010 | Emotion: Scared| Score: 9 This episode captured the seriousness that this show offers. What a scary episode. The Hei Bai monster was genuine scary and at the end of the episode, I was really surprise the true form of the monster. It made perfect sense and adds that element that I haven’t seen yet in the series. Love how this episode explores both sides of the journey, one of which belongs to Aang and company, while the other belongs to Prince Zuko and Iroh. The spiritual aspect of this series adds a new layer of storytelling that is exciting and intriguing. I really want to know what will happen when Aang finally talks to Avatar Roku and if he can actually help Aang in becoming a better Avatar. This episode also ends on very positive note with Prince Zuko saving Iroh. It’s doing a great job foreshadowing the true nature of Prince Zuko, something that I been thinking about since the 1st episode. Sokka also adds that cocky heroism near the beginning of the episode.
Hey, Aang. You ready to be cheered up? - Katara, preparing to throw a acorn.
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