![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
flowrs4opheliaFinally finished! Thanks for all the comments, everyone - I'm not experienced with this picspamming business and it was nice to get a big response to the first post. :) Part 1 was here if you missed it.
[10]
HOW GENERAL IROH GOT THAT NICKNAME
Book II, Episode 20: The Crossroads of Destiny
FKDSJKVNFBKFDNKJNSLNVBGKFMFKDKLSNKSD. Practically a textbook example of a Crowning Moment of Awesome, hehe.
[09]
THE BLUE SPIRIT'S IDENTITY / "DO YOU THINK WE COULD HAVE BEEN FRIENDS?"
Book I, Episode 13: The Blue Spirit
Oh man, how amazing is this episode in general? I mean, the frogs! And Sokka's delirious ramblings! And Aang getting shot at with arrows and just saying, "I think you dropped this..." ♥ I love that it's a little unique in how it starts with this really mundane premise that Katara and Sokka are sick, which is hilariously handled. Then so much serious stuff goes down once Aang gets into a lot of trouble on his own only for the episode to end with Aang admitting he didn't make any new friends, as if nothing much happened or has changed. Which is too bad because he and Zuko have now found they make a pretty good team, and throughout these scenes Zuko's actions and Aang's words show clearly that neither of them really wants to have to fight the other.
[08]
"THE EARTH KINGDOM HAS FALLEN…"
Book II, Episode 20: The Crossroads of Destiny
In capital Empire Strikes Back style, the middle part of the epic series ends with all kinds of crap hitting the fan and a feeling that things can't get any worse. Zuko is still confused and easily manipulated by the promise of regaining his father's approval, and by joining Azula he falls to his lowest point in a painful betrayal of his uncle. Aang has lost all access to the power of the Avatar state after almost getting killed. And after a century of trying to penetrate the walls of Ba Sing Se, the Fire Nation has taken the Earth Kingdom, essentially already winning the war. Cliffhangers like this make me really glad I discovered this show late on DVD and could burn straight through the whole thing.
[07]
THE JUDGMENT
Book III, Episode 13: The Firebending Masters
It's hard to say why this sequence really stood out to me on my first viewing of Avatar and is still one of my favorite moments in the series. The storytelling here just has an especially mythical sort of beauty and magnitude that probably speaks for itself, and it's all realized with gorgeous animation and score. And everything's always cooler with dragons, right?
[06]
INVADING THE EARTH KING'S PALACE
Book II, Episode 18: The Earth King
You know, manipulation of the elements honestly sounds like cheesy Captain Planet stuff you've seen before and which only kids could get into. Until you've actually seen the show. And this scene is exactly the one I'd show someone as an introduction to it if they need convincing that this is a really creatively developed universe and that bending is way more exciting than just kids throwing rocks and flames at each other. Aang, Katara, and Toph all get to take out all the stops in a display of their most seasoned bending abilities that we've rarely seen like this before this point, and never before with them all working together. Toph is my favorite character to watch fight and uses some of her most badass earthbending ever here, even though she was outvoted by the Gaang and didn't even feel like doing this. LOL.
[05]
AVATAR AANG VS. FIRE LORD OZAI
Book III, Episodes 20-21: Sozin's Comet (Part 3 & 4)
The first scene with all the birds flying away from the spreading fire and the music when Ozai starts approaching Aang is enough to give you chills. We finally get to see Aang pull out all kinds of skills he's learned in the past half year, from redirecting lightning to seeing through the ground like Toph does when he senses Ozai about to attack him from behind, and he even finally masters the Avatar state. Then he ultimately uses none of these things against Ozai. So what if energybending is a bit of an ass-pull? It's a lot more interesting to me than seeing invincible Avatar-state-Aang defeat someone. He wins not by being more powerful, necessarily, but by having a spirit that's "unbendable" and can withstand the process of drawing out someone's bending. So basically...12 years old and already the greatest incarnation of the Avatar ever, y/n?
[04]
TOPH INVENTS METALBENDING
Book II, Episode 19: The Guru
Whenever I talk about the sophistication and cinematic feel of Avatar that's so impressive in a cartoon, this is one of the examples of that kind of writing that I think of. It's a classically epic moment, in the literal and non-netspeak definition of the word, and the way it overlaps with Aang's storyline through Guru Pathik's dialogue makes it work effortlessly as one of many heavily momentous events that seem to keep coming non-stop during the last hour of Book 2.
[03]
ESCAPE FROM THE BOILING ROCK / MAI AND TY LEE BETRAY AZULA
Book III, Episode 15: The Boiling Rock (Part 2)
THE. BOILING. ROCK. This is my FAVORITE EPISODE mostly because of this action scene and everything that follows, how can I even sum it up??
Well, for one thing, Suki. That's kind of all I need to say. Suki. Fighting Ty Lee. And Azula being her usual cool-headed, resourceful, and formidable self while craftily getting herself up onto the gondola and then fighting her brother and Sokka as if they're not all precariously passing over a body of boiling-hot water. And then the completely fearless and calm resolve with which Mai chooses to help Zuko escape and then prepares to face the consequences. And finally Ty Lee suddenly turning on Azula before she can hurt Mai, which makes a lot of sense and yet still made my jaw drop a little the second it happened. All this was clearly Bryke's test to see how hard they can make me flail.
[02]
PRINCE ZUKO VS. PRINCESS AZULA / KATARA TAKES OVER
Book III, Episodes 20-21: Sozin's Comet (Part 3 & 4)
Though Aang's battle with Ozai is the one the entire story builds up to, even Mike and Bryan have said this ultimate Agni Kai was the highlight of the series finale for them. This confrontation may be less critical to the outcome of the war, but it's a much more personal one, which probably explains why the main hero's last fight doesn't quite measure up to it in intensity. These scenes have a lot more emphasis on the emotional, with the music reflecting the unsettling and dark tone and the tragedy of a brother and sister fighting each other instead of drawing attention to the action. When Azula is finally subjugated and Zuko grimly watches her totally losing it, we see that this is a relief but not exactly a victory for him, and that's the only right way this particular resolution could have been handled. It's perfect that the final defeat of her is Katara's big heroic act while his is simply when he "takes the bullet" for her and gets hit almost fatally by Azula's lightning.
[01]
THE BLACK & WHITE SEQUENCE / PRINCESS YUE'S SACRIFICE
Book I, Episode 20: The Siege of the North (Part 2)
The time I reached the end of the first season finale was the moment I became a big Avatar fan and knew I was going to buy all the DVDs and hang out in the fandom and go to the midnight showing of the movie (well, thankfully that last one didn't happen). As much as the series gets even better past season 1, to me this brilliantly conceived and somewhat unconventional episode is still hard to beat as an example of what makes it special.
When Yue died and the already sad and doomed romance between her and Sokka came to a bittersweet resolution, maybe the surprise had a lot to do with it affecting me kind of strongly because a tragic death is just a little unexpected in a cartoon for kids, but I definitely got a little teary. Aang's revenge-of-Koizilla moment was a lot of fun for me as a huge Miyazaki fan because of the obvious homage to the end of Princess Mononoke when the forest spirit is killed and turns into a spirit of death and giant walking monster. And of course this whole sequence is just so visually beautiful to watch.
.
HOW GENERAL IROH GOT THAT NICKNAME
Book II, Episode 20: The Crossroads of Destiny
"Did I ever tell you how I earned the nickname the Dragon of the West?"
"I'm not interested in a lengthly anecdote, Uncle."
"It's more of a demonstration, really..."
FKDSJKVNFBKFDNKJNSLNVBGKFMFKDKLSNKSD. Practically a textbook example of a Crowning Moment of Awesome, hehe.
THE BLUE SPIRIT'S IDENTITY / "DO YOU THINK WE COULD HAVE BEEN FRIENDS?"
Book I, Episode 13: The Blue Spirit
"Before the war started, I used to visit my friend Kuzon. The two of us, we'd get in and out of so much trouble together. He was one of the best friends I ever had. And he was from the Fire Nation, just like you. If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends, too?"
Oh man, how amazing is this episode in general? I mean, the frogs! And Sokka's delirious ramblings! And Aang getting shot at with arrows and just saying, "I think you dropped this..." ♥ I love that it's a little unique in how it starts with this really mundane premise that Katara and Sokka are sick, which is hilariously handled. Then so much serious stuff goes down once Aang gets into a lot of trouble on his own only for the episode to end with Aang admitting he didn't make any new friends, as if nothing much happened or has changed. Which is too bad because he and Zuko have now found they make a pretty good team, and throughout these scenes Zuko's actions and Aang's words show clearly that neither of them really wants to have to fight the other.
"THE EARTH KINGDOM HAS FALLEN…"
Book II, Episode 20: The Crossroads of Destiny
"We've done it, Zuko. It's taken a hundred years, but the Fire Nation has conquered Ba Sing Se."
"I betrayed Uncle."
"No. He betrayed you."
In capital Empire Strikes Back style, the middle part of the epic series ends with all kinds of crap hitting the fan and a feeling that things can't get any worse. Zuko is still confused and easily manipulated by the promise of regaining his father's approval, and by joining Azula he falls to his lowest point in a painful betrayal of his uncle. Aang has lost all access to the power of the Avatar state after almost getting killed. And after a century of trying to penetrate the walls of Ba Sing Se, the Fire Nation has taken the Earth Kingdom, essentially already winning the war. Cliffhangers like this make me really glad I discovered this show late on DVD and could burn straight through the whole thing.
THE JUDGMENT
Book III, Episode 13: The Firebending Masters
"Their fire was beautiful. I saw so many colors."
"Like firebending harmony."
"Yes…They judged you and gave you visions of the meaning of firebending."
"All this time I thought firebending was destruction, but now I know. It's energy and life."
"Yeah. It's like the sun…but inside you. Do you guys realize this?"
"Well, our civilization is called the Sun Warriors…so yeah."
It's hard to say why this sequence really stood out to me on my first viewing of Avatar and is still one of my favorite moments in the series. The storytelling here just has an especially mythical sort of beauty and magnitude that probably speaks for itself, and it's all realized with gorgeous animation and score. And everything's always cooler with dragons, right?
INVADING THE EARTH KING'S PALACE
Book II, Episode 18: The Earth King
"Toph! Which way to the Earth King?"
"How should I know? I'm still voting we leave Ba Sing Se!"
You know, manipulation of the elements honestly sounds like cheesy Captain Planet stuff you've seen before and which only kids could get into. Until you've actually seen the show. And this scene is exactly the one I'd show someone as an introduction to it if they need convincing that this is a really creatively developed universe and that bending is way more exciting than just kids throwing rocks and flames at each other. Aang, Katara, and Toph all get to take out all the stops in a display of their most seasoned bending abilities that we've rarely seen like this before this point, and never before with them all working together. Toph is my favorite character to watch fight and uses some of her most badass earthbending ever here, even though she was outvoted by the Gaang and didn't even feel like doing this. LOL.
AVATAR AANG VS. FIRE LORD OZAI
Book III, Episodes 20-21: Sozin's Comet (Part 3 & 4)
"Momo…Time for you to go."
The first scene with all the birds flying away from the spreading fire and the music when Ozai starts approaching Aang is enough to give you chills. We finally get to see Aang pull out all kinds of skills he's learned in the past half year, from redirecting lightning to seeing through the ground like Toph does when he senses Ozai about to attack him from behind, and he even finally masters the Avatar state. Then he ultimately uses none of these things against Ozai. So what if energybending is a bit of an ass-pull? It's a lot more interesting to me than seeing invincible Avatar-state-Aang defeat someone. He wins not by being more powerful, necessarily, but by having a spirit that's "unbendable" and can withstand the process of drawing out someone's bending. So basically...12 years old and already the greatest incarnation of the Avatar ever, y/n?
TOPH INVENTS METALBENDING
Book II, Episode 19: The Guru
"Even the separation of the four elements is an illusion. If you open your mind, you will see that all the elements are one, four parts of the same whole. Even metal is just a part of earth that has been purified and refined."
Whenever I talk about the sophistication and cinematic feel of Avatar that's so impressive in a cartoon, this is one of the examples of that kind of writing that I think of. It's a classically epic moment, in the literal and non-netspeak definition of the word, and the way it overlaps with Aang's storyline through Guru Pathik's dialogue makes it work effortlessly as one of many heavily momentous events that seem to keep coming non-stop during the last hour of Book 2.
ESCAPE FROM THE BOILING ROCK / MAI AND TY LEE BETRAY AZULA
Book III, Episode 15: The Boiling Rock (Part 2)
"This is a rematch I've been waiting for."
THE. BOILING. ROCK. This is my FAVORITE EPISODE mostly because of this action scene and everything that follows, how can I even sum it up??
Well, for one thing, Suki. That's kind of all I need to say. Suki. Fighting Ty Lee. And Azula being her usual cool-headed, resourceful, and formidable self while craftily getting herself up onto the gondola and then fighting her brother and Sokka as if they're not all precariously passing over a body of boiling-hot water. And then the completely fearless and calm resolve with which Mai chooses to help Zuko escape and then prepares to face the consequences. And finally Ty Lee suddenly turning on Azula before she can hurt Mai, which makes a lot of sense and yet still made my jaw drop a little the second it happened. All this was clearly Bryke's test to see how hard they can make me flail.
PRINCE ZUKO VS. PRINCESS AZULA / KATARA TAKES OVER
Book III, Episodes 20-21: Sozin's Comet (Part 3 & 4)
"I'm sorry it has to end this way, brother..."
"No, you're not."
Though Aang's battle with Ozai is the one the entire story builds up to, even Mike and Bryan have said this ultimate Agni Kai was the highlight of the series finale for them. This confrontation may be less critical to the outcome of the war, but it's a much more personal one, which probably explains why the main hero's last fight doesn't quite measure up to it in intensity. These scenes have a lot more emphasis on the emotional, with the music reflecting the unsettling and dark tone and the tragedy of a brother and sister fighting each other instead of drawing attention to the action. When Azula is finally subjugated and Zuko grimly watches her totally losing it, we see that this is a relief but not exactly a victory for him, and that's the only right way this particular resolution could have been handled. It's perfect that the final defeat of her is Katara's big heroic act while his is simply when he "takes the bullet" for her and gets hit almost fatally by Azula's lightning.
THE BLACK & WHITE SEQUENCE / PRINCESS YUE'S SACRIFICE
Book I, Episode 20: The Siege of the North (Part 2)
"Destroying the moon won't hurt just the Water Tribe. Everything would fall out of balance. You have no idea what kind of chaos that would unleash on the world!"
"He is right, Zhao. The Fire Nation needs the moon, too. We all depend on the balance. Whatever you do to that spirit I will unleash on you ten-fold! LET IT GO, NOW!"
The time I reached the end of the first season finale was the moment I became a big Avatar fan and knew I was going to buy all the DVDs and hang out in the fandom and go to the midnight showing of the movie (well, thankfully that last one didn't happen). As much as the series gets even better past season 1, to me this brilliantly conceived and somewhat unconventional episode is still hard to beat as an example of what makes it special.
When Yue died and the already sad and doomed romance between her and Sokka came to a bittersweet resolution, maybe the surprise had a lot to do with it affecting me kind of strongly because a tragic death is just a little unexpected in a cartoon for kids, but I definitely got a little teary. Aang's revenge-of-Koizilla moment was a lot of fun for me as a huge Miyazaki fan because of the obvious homage to the end of Princess Mononoke when the forest spirit is killed and turns into a spirit of death and giant walking monster. And of course this whole sequence is just so visually beautiful to watch.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 12:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-29 01:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 12:58 am (UTC)worship you now. Both posts of moment were beautifully done, and they both actually have some of my favorites. Metalbending, Mai and Ty Lee betraying Azula... And the season one finale. /weeps over Yue again
Also the look on Zukos face when he see's Mai saving him is priceless. Kudos, bravo. <3
Though I am surprised The Drill wasn't in the list... In my opinion, a pretty fantastic episode, though The Beach and The Boiling Rock are still my favorites.
Unabashedly on Team Fire for most of the series.no subject
Date: 2010-08-29 02:12 am (UTC)I really can't see how anyone can't not like Maiko at least a little when they see that part of "The Boiling Rock." That girl is fierce. LOL.
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 01:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 01:48 am (UTC)Thanks so much for these.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-31 04:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 01:56 am (UTC)Number one was basicially the BEST season finale I've ever seen. Really. And it's not because my favorite character reveals that he's totally awesome either. (I'll give you a clue, he's a dragon)
no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 01:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 02:30 am (UTC)You think watching Number Seven was bad enough on DVD? Imagine following the series while it was premiering and having to watch all of that unfold, knowing it'd be months down the road before you'd find out what happened next. This counts as one of the very, very rare moments in my life where I actually SCREAMED AND RAGED AT THE TV.... yeah. 8|
no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 06:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 02:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 02:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-31 05:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 02:58 am (UTC)And askhgalhgkhdslgahhgsh the music for Zuko and Azula's Agni Kai. I love it so much.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 03:20 am (UTC)Agree. I enjoyed reading the list, but I did think that omission was a major oversight. The impassioned yet well-reasoned speech he gives his father is among the best non-humorous dialogue the series offers. And then there's the Crowning Moment of Awesome when he successfully re-directs the lightening attack. Not to mention the scene was the resolution of two and a half seasons' worth of suspense on when and how he would finally turn to the Avatar's side.
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 03:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-29 02:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 04:08 am (UTC)However, in honor of your #1 pick. I'll share with you a d'awwwtastic fan-comic based in a Future!EU (now made an AU thanks to Korra :P)
Mommy!Suki looks so sweet here, too
Princess Yue (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/121500644/) by =Mayeko (http://mayeko.deviantart.com/) on deviantART (http://www.deviantart.com/)
no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 06:32 am (UTC)AWWW, that's so cute! In my own future-fic I'm working on I actually considered having their daughter named Yue. Guess that's probably already been done everywhere, haha.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 05:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-29 02:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 05:32 am (UTC)The Yue-sacrifice was a real omigosh moment for me too. It's such a pretty scene- and so sad.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 05:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 06:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 09:43 am (UTC)I honestly think one and two were the two most stunning, aesthetically AMAZING, plot filled, well soundtracked moments in the whole series. just, guh♥
no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 11:34 am (UTC)10. Iroh is just SO awesome. And I love the little smirk on Zuko's face, cause he knows just what kind of badassery is coming up next.
9. I had always seen how Aang and Zuko were on parallel paths during the show, going on similar journeys. I always wanted them to be buds, lol, but that moment when Aang, in all his pure and innocent glory asked if they could have been friends, I took it as the official foreshadowing of their friendship's fruition. But darn, I didn't think I'd have to wait so long!
8. Worst (best?). Cliffhanger. Evaaar! But it was a great episode all in all. And I thought Zuko siding with Azula made sense, though most people don't agree :/
7. This is my favorite epidose. I mean - DRAGONS! And the mystical aspect of it, and the good/bad side of everything that the show always plays with, the ~dance looking mega sweet with DRAGONS flying behind them, and the climax of an alliance between our series' original anti-hero and protagonist. Oh, and DRAGONS.
and i kind of just dig zukaang subtext6. I never thought about it, but if I ever do need an episode to introduce someone new to the show, this will totally be it.
5. When re-watching the series, I did catch subtle hints about energy-bending and mentioning the lionturtles, that I let it slide. Plus, the idea that most of the cultures the show draws it's mythology from (and a lot of cultures just in general) including spirit/aether/soul as an element. I consider it less of an ass-pull than some folks, but like you, I may just be too impressed by Aang's greatness.
4. Greatest earthbender in the world! I love the scenes in Toph-vision~
3. Despite not being a Maiko shipper, I love Mai and the line "I love Zuko more than I fear you". This scene is my favorite with her, though I've been typing and deleting and re-typing, and I can't seem to explain why quite the right way. Gosh darn ):
2. My God. This scene. It was just so beautifully animated and choreographed and orchestrated. When Last Agni-Kai turns up in my shuffle, I actually have to stop everything I'm doing to listen to it, or skip the song. Just hearing the soundtrack to it makes me feel all hollowed out inside.
1. Literally crying, right now. Glorious.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-31 05:20 am (UTC)10. Yeah, I love that little touch that Zuko smirks at him first!
8. I'm glad to see someone else say they didn't have a problem with that part of the finale. :) I thought it made enough sense at the time, and then I appreciated that plot point even more later on when his long-awaited turn to right side seemed a lot more earned and genuine than it possibly could have back at that point in Book 2. As much as it seemed right by the end of that season for him to finally make the right choice, I just can't imagine that Zuko being able to say all those words to his father (or anyone) yet, and it was so rewarding the way it happened later.
7. Hehe, yay for Zukaang subtext. XD They are so cute.
3. though I've been typing and deleting and re-typing, and I can't seem to explain why quite the right way
Now you know how I felt trying to adequately explain why I love all these great scenes, LOL.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 11:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-31 05:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 12:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-31 05:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 01:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-31 05:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 03:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-31 05:59 am (UTC)That's an interesting point. I realized before while watching "The Southern Raiders" that there's a parallel between Katara and Zuko because both of their mothers were lost because of a willing sacrifice they made to protect them. Of course the finale shows that in her own way, Azula has been deeply affected by the separation from her mother as well. It also really shows the contrast between her and Katara that Katara takes her down without hurting her at all or even having to weaken her first.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 03:52 pm (UTC)I agree, I think the Zuko vs Azula fight is one of the best. The music is amazing and, like you said, the fight is much more personal/emotional because of the relationship between the two characters.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-28 04:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-31 06:00 am (UTC)