This begs the question: is this episode the greatest thing to have ever aired on Nickelodeon?
Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV Series)
The Siege of the North, Part 2 (2005)
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avatar too OP
hydechingkwake1 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I don't recall a kids' show ever giving me goosebumps before, but this finale to a solid first season was a genuine thrill. Just as with the rest of the series, this episode deftly balances the show's darker, more ethereal elements with light-hearted, childish goofs. We get to see Zuko and Zhao fight it out (for the last time maybe?), Iroh unleash some of his master firebending, and the absolutely awesome power of the avatar is on full hair-raising display. In the wake of the siege, characters are permanently changed leading us into the next chapter of Aang's journey to save the world.
Masterpiece
jackywu-9039914 July 2022
I've watched lots of tv shows before, and ATLA definitely has one, if not the best, character development. The chemistry between characters are so on point, and all the development pays off in this episode.
And ATLA's fantasy world is so well-construct as well. The story cultivating though out the previous episodes, and end up with this astonishingly brilliant finale. The scale of the story are just incredible for a "kid" show, and is better than almost all the high budget fantasy series out there. I really glad I found this masterpiece.
I just started binge watch this show recently, and I'm very looking forward to what's about to come.
And ATLA's fantasy world is so well-construct as well. The story cultivating though out the previous episodes, and end up with this astonishingly brilliant finale. The scale of the story are just incredible for a "kid" show, and is better than almost all the high budget fantasy series out there. I really glad I found this masterpiece.
I just started binge watch this show recently, and I'm very looking forward to what's about to come.
EPIC conclusion!
and_mikkelsen19 October 2023
Season 1 rounds up with a BANG! A huge concentration of great and memorable moments and scenes! Everything from The Spirit World, Zhao reaching The Oasis, The action, Avatar State and Yujes sacrifice!
The Spirit world to me is one of the things that really stands out in this episode! Its mysterious and unsettling! Like something NOT to be messed with! Ko might be one of the scariest things in the show! Pure nightmarefuel!
Great characterwork on Zuko as he opens up with his familly relationships, struggling and fighting for acceptance and respect!
Action was amazing! Some amazing waterbending! Shocking and emotional moments in the last half! Wow! This is how this show peaks!
The Spirit world to me is one of the things that really stands out in this episode! Its mysterious and unsettling! Like something NOT to be messed with! Ko might be one of the scariest things in the show! Pure nightmarefuel!
Great characterwork on Zuko as he opens up with his familly relationships, struggling and fighting for acceptance and respect!
Action was amazing! Some amazing waterbending! Shocking and emotional moments in the last half! Wow! This is how this show peaks!
Koh is nightmare fuel
poseyfan7 July 2022
Great ending to the season. One of the best episodes of the series. I hate Zhao so much lol. And Koh is terrifying.
I love the mature undertones in this season, but there are still a lot of less serious moments. What I'm trying to say is that season 2 and 3 get so much better! Season 1 still has great moments though.
I love the mature undertones in this season, but there are still a lot of less serious moments. What I'm trying to say is that season 2 and 3 get so much better! Season 1 still has great moments though.
Beautiful
joshogrady29 March 2024
Solely their use of color in the climax of the episode is enough to make this a 10/10. Add to that a complex and emotional narrative that caps off the season perfectly and you get something truly special.
During the climax of the episode, they play with colors in such a beautiful and emotional way that makes me really feel how bleak the situation is as well as every glimmer of hope that they derive from what they can do against it. I felt dread, fear, loss, and so much more just from one element of maybe five minutes of the episode. The actors all play their parts as well as ever and the writing is top notch. There is no part of this episode that is done poorly.
During the climax of the episode, they play with colors in such a beautiful and emotional way that makes me really feel how bleak the situation is as well as every glimmer of hope that they derive from what they can do against it. I felt dread, fear, loss, and so much more just from one element of maybe five minutes of the episode. The actors all play their parts as well as ever and the writing is top notch. There is no part of this episode that is done poorly.
Mythical and economical
thegreendrinker17 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The finale of season one of Avatar: The Last Airbender is leagues better than its live action counterpart due to being able to accomplish so much more in much less time. Aang's journey through the otherworldly swamp of the spirit world and his nightmarish confrontation with Koh the face stealer convey a feeling of chaos and disorientation with very little time. The spirit world features a geography and denizens that are not explained or else exist with their own unfathomable goals (like wanting to steal faces). The bending duels are quick but convey sheer power and kinetic swiftness in a way that had not been done up to this point. Zuko and Zhao's incredibly aggressive duel in a world drained of color is made more appealing by the bright, yellow fire that punctuates it. Aang's fish spirit reckoning displays power without seeming to expend much effort at all. Entire ships are overturned with a simple swipe of its arms. Even Zuko's monologue about his troubled childhood to Aang or Iroh's unexpected yet fierce declaration of opposition to Zhao establishes so much about both of them in less than a minute each.
Everything in the episode is poignant and impactful with seeming ease. This is how you tell a story. The live action show could learn a thing or two about being economical. Not everything has to be done quickly but learning to waste as little time as possible will teach you what is important and what is not. Trim the fat and leave just the good stuff. That's also what happens when you know exactly what kind of story you want to tell and what kind of beats you want to hit. No half-measures. The live action fails because it got lost in wanting to accomplish so much in terms of exposition and ignored (for the most part) wanting to accomplish anything with clear, understandable, and unambigous impact.
Everything in the episode is poignant and impactful with seeming ease. This is how you tell a story. The live action show could learn a thing or two about being economical. Not everything has to be done quickly but learning to waste as little time as possible will teach you what is important and what is not. Trim the fat and leave just the good stuff. That's also what happens when you know exactly what kind of story you want to tell and what kind of beats you want to hit. No half-measures. The live action fails because it got lost in wanting to accomplish so much in terms of exposition and ignored (for the most part) wanting to accomplish anything with clear, understandable, and unambigous impact.
An Epic Season Finale
matitya-3393714 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Aang: Shows us exactly why people believe The Avatar can save the world and he figures out how to do so by ascending to the Spirit World, which is already established as one of his jobs. His rescuing Zuko from the blizzard likewise shows how heroic he is.
Sokka: Has a point when he objects to rescuing Zuko. That said, one of his best moments was saying "they won't die in the blizzard. If there's one thing we know, it's that Zuko never gives up". Sokka correctly estimates his enemies. And Sokka being heartbroken by Yue's death is proof positive that Aunt Wu was wrong to predict his misery would be largely self-inflicted
Katara: She got to show off how powerful she now is against Zuko (twice).
Zuko: "You rise with the moon, I rise with the Sun" I love everything about Zuko this episode
Iroh: Finally shows us his true colours and I love every moment of it
Yue: I love her noble and heroic sacrifice (and her relationship with Sokka)
Zhao: Jason Isaacs plays Commander Zhao to perfection (yes, I know he's an Admiral now) and I'm glad that Zuko finally proved which one of them is the better man by their own standards as well as ours. And Zhao's death was immensely satisfying.
Fire Lord Ozai: Introduces his daughter to be the villain of the next season and that's it.
This is an amazing season finale.
Sokka: Has a point when he objects to rescuing Zuko. That said, one of his best moments was saying "they won't die in the blizzard. If there's one thing we know, it's that Zuko never gives up". Sokka correctly estimates his enemies. And Sokka being heartbroken by Yue's death is proof positive that Aunt Wu was wrong to predict his misery would be largely self-inflicted
Katara: She got to show off how powerful she now is against Zuko (twice).
Zuko: "You rise with the moon, I rise with the Sun" I love everything about Zuko this episode
Iroh: Finally shows us his true colours and I love every moment of it
Yue: I love her noble and heroic sacrifice (and her relationship with Sokka)
Zhao: Jason Isaacs plays Commander Zhao to perfection (yes, I know he's an Admiral now) and I'm glad that Zuko finally proved which one of them is the better man by their own standards as well as ours. And Zhao's death was immensely satisfying.
Fire Lord Ozai: Introduces his daughter to be the villain of the next season and that's it.
This is an amazing season finale.
Only One Issue
datacdeme9 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
That fish monster is just goofy as hell. I cannot help but laugh everytime the music swells and the fish monster gives the "all hail" pose. It completely ruined the climax of season one, but made it comical for me until the rest of time. That being said, very well done finale for a wonky masterpiece of a first season.
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