Avatar: the Last Airbender Review - "The Southern Air Temple"

Life can get painful and time really flies when you don't pay attention.

So far, the show has not impressed me with the first two episodes. I'll try to not beat around a dead horse (huh, the greatest pun for this website, is it?) and just say I haven't liked the humor, Aang, and especially Katara (okay, to be fair, my hatred towards to Katara is more due to the series as a whole manifesting with this rewatch and not so much the first two episodes. I'll explain when we reach the finale). All in all, not liking the series much save Zuko and Iroh.

Now, this episode. I remember this one as the episode where Aang finds out his people have been killed and finds Momo... I don't like Momo.

Okay, my points.

1. Okay, I'm skipping the intro from now on. Not a big deal. I just felt the need to point that out.
2. We're starting off with Aang telling Katara he is looking forward to visiting his home, the Southern Air Temple. Katara tries to explain that things can change in 100 years (rather than repeat that he is the first airbender seen in 100 years), but Aang brushes it off. He is either very stupid or in denial... one of those is more sad than the other.
3. We got a joke of a fake snake on Sokka. Yeah, yeah. It's not funny. You haven't been funny so far, Aang. Moving on.
4. Cut to Zuko docking his ship in a Fire Nation harbor, telling Iroh get the repairs done quickly and not mention that they found the Avatar while they're on the harbor. Kinda a conversation I think they should've had before they docked on the harbor but whatever.
5. And now we meet this season's main antagonist, Zhao, a high ranking Fire Nation Officer and a constant reminder of Aang not killing Ozai to be complete bull (you'll see ).
6. Zuko, dude, you're my favorite, but why did you not think of an alibi for the damage caused to your ship before you docked? This scene is conveyed to be comedic, but I don't find it funny. It just makes Zuko look like an idiot — and I don't like that!
7. Immediately, we see that Zhao is antagonistic to Zuko. Sure, why not? Having the main rival have his own rival can make things interesting.
8. Although Zuko wants to walk away, Iroh insists that Zuko should show respect to Zhao. Goes against Zuko wanting to keep things on the low, but it's understandable that the best way not to draw attention is to act normal.
9. Cut back to Team Avatar in the sky. Sokka made me snicker about his jerky being used for firewood the previous night. Good job, Sokka. A bit inconsiderate on Aang's part, though.
10. Katara talks to Aang about not seeing airbenders, again, this time more direct in the possibility of their deaths. Good (though, is it me, or does she mention her mother's death a little too casually? A bit odd)
11. Yeah, Aang is definitely in denial.
12. Aang brings up that Flying Bison are needed to get to the air temple and doubts the Fire Lord has any. I only bring this up because it's later revealed that the Fire Lord actually did have some but just never bothered to use them for some odd reason. Oh, the problems the Legend of Korra created.
13. Aang says "yip-yip". My gosh, I hate that.
14. And now we see the Southern Air Temple for the first time. It looks cool. But... is it me, or does it look a little too nice? This place was attacked by powered up Fire Benders and left unattended to the elements for 100 years. I think it should look more damaged.
15. We get some Zuko and Zhao interactions that include a bit of foreshadowing to a flashback (wait, say what?) about Zuko's tongue getting him into trouble.
16. Zhao asks Zuko if he found the Avatar, mentioning that he shouldn't have expected to since the Air Nomads were taken out a century before. You know, that brings up something I've always wondered: why did the Fire Nation never the consider that the Avatar might have been from another nation? I know they knew the latest Avatar was to be an airbender, but, in the span of one hundred years, did no one think "Hey, the air benders are all wiped out but still no sign of the Avatar. Do you think maybe he died young before we could get to him, and we're possibly already on the water part of the Avatar Cycle? Maybe we should attack the Water Nation and see what we find." What I'm getting at with this is the Fire Nation should've attacked the Water Nation a lot sooner and certainly before the Earth Nation.
17. Zhao learns from Zuko's crew that the Avatar is back. Did Zuko not tell his to keep quiet on the matter? Or did he tell them and they just broke under interrogation? One of those makes Zuko look like an idiot, and I do not like that, so I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say his crew broke under interrogation.
18. Yeah, the Air Temple looks way too good to have been attacked and abandoned for a century. It should have a lot more battle scars.
19. Katara berates Sokka for thinking of food instead of admiring the fact he's at the Air Temple. Girl, can you really blame a guy who doesn't want to starve? You seem to be the less considerate one.
20. I do like that Sokka tries to cheer Aang up by playing air ball (especially given how hungry he is). Still, I have to wonder about Aang: he was super excited to see monks and all but easily gets sidetracked by Sokka offering to play. Is it his denial?
21. So air ball is just like football (soccer) but in the air. Simple enough. Certainly a better game than pro bending (come at me )
22. Also, 7-0. Makes me think of Chile vs Mexico at the Copa America in 2016. I like that.
23. Sokka finds a Fire Nation helmet and says they need to show Aang. Katara initially agrees but backs out in the end. I kind of understand her at first, but she should know better. That secret cannot be kept, especially when Aang is there. He's going to find out. It's inevitable. It's better just to get it over with.
24. We hear about and see a flashback of Monk Gyatso, essentially Aang's father figure (say, whatever did happen to Aang's biological parents? Never answered in show? Of course it wasn't. Moving on). He seems wise enough but is also a bit of a prankster. At least he's not the pervy master trope. I certainly see where Aang got some of his quirks.
25. Why did Sokka just run face first into a giant door? Not funny. Don't make your characters look like idiots.
26. Also, why is that giant door still standing? You'd think the Fire Nation would've kicked/burned down every door in the air temple looking for the Avatar. I mean, they literally killed all but one member of the Air Nation. Was a big door the one thing the Fire Nation could not solve? Like I said, the Air Temple is way too well-preserved for something that had been attacked and left alone for a century.
27. Cut back to Zuko and Zhao arguing on who gets to hunt the Avatar. I actually find the placement of this scene to be a bit odd. It lasts less than a minute and it happens after Aang opens the door and before they pass through the door. Not the biggest deal, but it seems a bit jumpy to me.
28. I actually laugh at Sokka saying "Where's the meat?" but not because I think it's funny. I laugh because it makes me imagine him saying "Where's the beef?", instead.
29. Sokka can't believe the Avatar Cycle. Okay, that bit is just stupid. Sokka, you've surely heard the legend of the Avatar Cycle, and you've even met the current Avatar. You've seen him bend air and water! What's wrong with you? I get this scene is supposed to set up exposition to the viewer of the Avatar Cycle, but couldn't they have done it in a way that doesn't insult Sokka's character? Have him say he forgot about it and ask for explanation for a refresher. Don't have him be a denier when he's already seen enough of the Avatar to start doubting anything about the legend. That's just stupid.
30. Also, Avatar Roku will become more important later on in the series.
31. Sokka... of course the Avatar was a fire bender during various parts of history. It's part of the cycle. These last few minutes have not been kind to Sokka.
32. Aang and Sokka channel my inner thoughts and shush Katara. Sorry, couldn't help myself
33. Now we meet the Lemur that will later name Momo. I never liked Momo. He's just the animal mascot anime trope. Did this show really need that, especially when we already had Appa? Appa is a way cooler animal mascot than Momo. Did Momo ever contribute much to the series? I don't recall him doing many important things. Even on his worse days, Appa was at least Team Avatar's method of transportation. Momo... is borderline pointless. I would've been just fine of Sokka ate him.
34. Cut back to Zuko and Zhao. Zhao gives us some exposition on Zuko's position in life as a banished prince. Not perfect, but much better exposition set up than the Avatar Cycle. It certainly puts Zuko under a more sympathetic light, especially after we learn his backstory.
35. After chasing Momo around, Aang finally comes across some corpses. You know, I can't help but think he should've crossed some corpses a lot sooner. I doubt every single cadaver could've been hidden. There should've been more out in the open, certainly in some spots where Aang would've spotted them much sooner than he did.
36. Still, I do feel for Aang over his loss. I'm also glad Sokka actually tries to comfort him. Sokka's best moments in this episode are him comforting Aang.
37. Aang enters the Avatar State, signaling the world that the Avatar has returned. I'm a little confused. Didn't he already enter the Avatar State in the previous episode? Shouldn't the world already have been signaled of his return?
38. With one small tornado, Aang has done more damage to the Air Temple than all of the battles between the Air Nomads and the Comet-powered Fire Benders plus one hundred years worth of weather. No, I'm not getting over it.
39. Then we cut back to Zuko and Zhao, again. These nearly random cuts are really messing with the flow. Not saying that the agni kai isn't interesting, but the Avatar State seems like it should be getting more of the focus right now.
40. That aside, Zuko vs Zhao is pretty entertaining and my favorite fight of the first three episode. I'll admit, it does get a little redundant with some of the attacks and even animation on certain spots, but I do enjoy it.
41. Also, Iroh protects Zuko. Then he compliments Zuko's honor. He is the Uncle Phil of Avatar. Love this guy.
42. Cut back (really tired of typing that) to angry Aang. Katara gives a generic speech to Aang saying she and Sokka are his family now, and he calms down. It's generic. It's not even worth giving any more attention. It speaks for itself.
43. In a somber moment, Aang realizes he may indeed be the last air bender. Good. I'm glad they didn't ruin this moment with a cheap joke.
44. Momo brings Sokka food. That's about as much as he'll contribute to this show.
45. In another scene I like, Aang is staring at the temple as the teams leaves. He is clearly sad about losing everything he grew up with. Good way to end the episode.

Okay, there's this episode's list.

My overall thoughts are mixed to positive. There are some moments I like, but there are a number of parts where I just pause the episode and think "Does that really make any sense? Are they being stupid on purpose?" The episode also feels a little jumpy with the cuts between Aang and Zuko. I know the show wants to set up Zhao as the first season's main antagonist, but I felt his introduction here harmed the episode with how it was handled. Honestly, I would have either placed those parts in different episode or even gave it its own episode. Here, it just feels invasive.

My arbitrary grade for this episode: B-
Sentence: Let the bodies hit floor... of the very well-preserved Air Temple

So, what are your thoughts on this episode? What are your thoughts on my thoughts of the episode? Was there something I missed that could've made me enjoy it more? Did I give you more food for thought? I'd really like to know!

I promise not to take as long for the next episode.

See ya!

Comments

[DeltaXeno1138]

Sokka doesn’t exactly question the Avatar Cycle, he questions the reincarnation part. He might’ve heard of the cycle but considered being the avatar as a power that just goes to someone else, not also becoming another person after dying.

Considering his initial not so positive view on bending, I could imagine he wouldn’t care to learn the accurate info.

[DeltaXeno1138]

Oh I’m pretty sure you’re not gonna like Katara in episode 9

[RS-Belle14]

5360311
Perhaps, but I have my doubts.

Also, probably yes on episode 9.