Book Three: Fire was the title for the much anticipated Avatar: The Last Airbender’s third season. As you might have guessed, it is time for Aang to take on the Fire Nation. After helping to defend the Water Tribe in Book One: Water (Season One) and getting injured during the last scene of the last episode of Book Two: Earth (Season Two) in the battle that ultimately led to the collapse and surrender of the Earth Kingdom to the Fire Nation, season three shows us a very different Aang then the one we know.
The first episode was “Chapter One: The Awakening”. This was an awakening for more than just Aang…literally. In many ways, it is the start of the awakening of Prince Zuko. Having been away from the Fire Nation for the past two years, his return has changed him. Where once he was so confident in his need and desire for his father’s love and approval, we now see a somewhat paranoid yet vulnerable Zuko who fears…what if his father will never embrace him with open arms again?
This series is recommended for older children and teens. Due to the potential level of violence and the advanced storyline, it is easy to see why Avatar: The Last Airbender is popular with adults, as well. I would ignore the Y7 rating most of the episodes receive, merely because some children under ten may not be ready for this type of story…where good tries to conquer evil, but evil sometimes wins.
In the premiere, the episode starts with Aang awakening on a Fire Nation ship. As you can imagine, it causes Aang to panic, and in his weakened state he runs feebly onto the deck where he is greeted by his friends, Katara, Sokka, and Toph who are all wearing Fire Nation garb. During the few weeks he was passed out, not only did the crew (aided by Katara and Sokka’s father and the men of the Water Tribe as well as various other Avatar allies) capture a Fire Nation ship, which they are using as a disguise to stay off the radar while planning the attack on the Fire Nation during the eclipse, but the usually bald Aang has a head full of dark hair. While Aang freaks out at having hair, this obviously helps with his disguise.
In the meantime, Zuko returns home with Azula and her crew. On the ship heading home, he has an intimate moment with Mai. They share a kiss and it is clear they are devoted to one another. Zuko confesses his fears that he will not be welcomed to Mai, who tells him to relax.
Back on the Avatar Fire nation ship, Katara gets short with her father. She seems upset with him and is so rude Aang asks if she is angry with him. After blowing off her dad, Katara takes Aang to his room where she attempts to heal a vicious gash on his back. This triggers his memory and he remembers going into the Avatar state. He also realizes he was gone. Had Katara not saved him, he’d be dead.
As Zuko is given the chance to greet the loyal Fire Nation subjects, discussion of how the Walls of Ba Sing Se fell can be heard. This secured the victory over the Earth Kingdom by the Fire Nation. Zuko and Azula were now heroes for making Ba Sing Se fall and killing the Avatar in the process.
While aboard the Fire Nation ship, Sokka informs him of their plans for the invasion. He mentions their secret weapon. It’s Aang! Everybody thinks he is dead! This angers Aang. He’s dead set on making his comeback, but when he attempts to fly off on his glider, he’s too weak to do so. This is an angry Aang. He’s also a very guilty Aang, who blames himself for the fall of the Earth Kingdom. Once again, he feels he let the world down.
Of course, he doesn’t have time to delve too deeply into that as a Fire Nation ship approaches. After realizing the ship has been taken over, Toph and Katara use their bending to give them time to get away from the ship. The Fire Nation ship attacks their ship with fire balls. Aang is upset he can’t help, but it’s best he regain his strength.
At the palace of the Fire Lord, Zuko realizes that Aang might have survived. He recalls that Katara had spirit water from the spirit oasis at the North Pole. She was going to use it to heal Zuko’s scar before they were interrupted by Aang and Zuko’s Uncle. Instead, Zuko realizes she used it on Aang’s wounds. While he tells Azula there is no way he could have survived, it’s pretty clear she believes Zuko is bluffing. Zuko thinks little of this as he is more concerned he has yet to see his father. He begins to fret again about his father not forgiving him.
Back at sea, the Fire Nation warriors hit a weird sea creature with a fire ball. The sea creature engulfs their ship and this allows the Avatar crew to get away. By this time, it is clear to see how angry Aang is. He believes he is a failure. He tells Katara it has become clear he needs to fight the Fire Lord alone. He tells her he needs to redeem himself then sends her away, off to get food with Toph and Sokka. When she returns with food for him, he’s gone.
In the Fire Nation, Zuko finally gets to see his father. His father informs him how proud he is of Zuko. Azula told him that Zuko killed the Avatar. Though it is clear this upsets Zuko he doesn’t deny it. His father is finally praising him. What more could Zuko want?
Over the ocean waters, Aang can barely fly. He manages to get past a Fire Nation blockade, on his glider, but he is winded from the effort. Back at the boat, Katara vents her frustration about Aang leaving to her father. He figures out she’s angry he left them. She understands why he left, but is nevertheless hurt. Her father hugs her and Katara is finally able to let go of some of her anger.
Aang gets lost at sea. He loses his glider and feels like he needs to give up hope. Roku arrives in spirit form and tells aang not to give up. He takes blame for the war. He should have prevented it, but he knows Aang will redeem him. He believes Aang can save the world. Princess Yue also appears. She informs Aang he saved the world once, at the North Pole in Season One. She has faith he can do it again.
Zuko confronts Azula. While she swears she told their father he slewt he Avatar to be “generous” Zuko knows Azula too well. She doesn’t do anything to be generous. Eventually she reveals why she did it. They both know the Avatar is alive. When he shows up, it will bring shame and humiliation to the hero who claimed to kill him…Zuko.
Aang manages to land on a Fire Nation island. He passes out. Katara, Sokka, Toph, Momo and Appa find him there. They will be integrating into the Fire Nation to prepare him for his challenge. They are a family and will do it together. Aang admits it is better no one knows he is alive. Unfortunately, he’s broken his glider. While the ancient tool is a loss to him, it is best he does not have it. It would identify him easily. The episode ends, with Aang burning his staff in lava on the island, the last trace of the Avatar…has vanished.
Overall, this was a pretty good episode. A lot of questions were answered while more questions became apparent. Where Zuko’s loyalty lies is still a question and something we’ll no doubt find out this season. Other rumors of what may happen involve Zuko looking for his mother (I subscribe to the theory that Azula either killed her or knows about her absence), Aang going to school in the Fire Nation, and someone losing their face.
Feel free to express your thoughts on this episode. Did it satisfy your long wait between seasons? Why or why not?
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Technorati Tags: TV Recap, Avatar, The Last Airbender, Book Three, Fire Nation
Written by Ashtyn Evans – Visit Website
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Ashtyn is in her early 30s. She is a mother, writer, college student, and music lover. Ashtyn has had a successful career as a writer since 2003. She turned to blogging in 2005. Ashtyn attends Wright State where she is getting a degree in Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in SEO and Social Media Development.
