How Avatar the Last Airbender Went From Good to Great

Avatar the Last Airbender is one of the greatest cartoons of all time. Or actually, one of the greatest television shows of all time. Following the cast of Aang, Zuko, Sokka, Katara, and Toph, the show presents mature themes and emotionally evoking writing. On top of that, the world of bending gives a rich sense of unique fantasy unable to be found outside of the Avatar universe.
But was Avatar the Last Airbender always good? What was the best episode? When did Avatar become Great? Here to answer these questions is Hoodie, as he dives into some of his favorite and least favorite episodes of the show.

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[shaylawatson]

When tolph got added to the group is when the show went from good to great

[thefiretailedweasel]

Aang, a literal child: I'm feeling really uncomfortable with the idea of killing this man. I don't think I can do it.
Literally every other avatar: k :/

[Evenmoresteven]

This is coming from a 34 year old someone who has no nostalgia for this show, never watched it when it originally aired. I was a college student at the time who was too old for "cartoons." I just recently binged it with my kids when it came to netflix. Now that I've seen all of it I can confirm that it is one of the best shows ever made. The writing, action, character development is some of the best I've ever seen. I really hope netflix doesn't screw up the live action adaptation they're working on.

[haydnpearson]

the three words are actually “that’s rough buddy”

[jailene]

Considering the fact that most of the shows viewers during the time were younger kids/teens, it makes sense why the 1st season was more one the light-hearted and comical side. It essentially served to capture their audience and hook them to the point of watching each episode hoping for the moment Aang will master the elements and defeat the fire lord. If the show introduced itself in the darker tone of the second or third season, I doubt I would have been as engaged as I was. The show did a really good job of getting you emotionally attached to the characters.

[Stak]

Avatar is the only show where I look forward to filler episodes. Like the Tales of Be Sing Se episode has no importance at all, but it’s one of the most touching episodes in the whole series.

[klcxvlf]

*Watching Avatar*
As a kid: "Wow, the fighting is so cool"
As a teen: "This story is really deep"
As an adult: 😭😢

[odiesilla]

I think Momo is the greatest earth bender

[arroyod]

"Did jet just die?" "You know, it wasn't really clear"

[lxnny]

Here’s a hot take—a part of the reason the avatar is now revered as a classic is because of some of the low depth episodes—these likely helped keep the younger audience interested, while the deeper episodes are the ones we grew to love. The show has great texture, never remaining in one pocket too long.

[ultrairrelevantnobody]

Season 1: An Incredible Beginning.
Season 2: A Phenomenal Continuation.
Season 3: A Masterfully Crafted Finale.

[celicapevencie]

I feel like this analysis is exclusively from the perspective of someone who has already seen the whole show and is familiar with the characters. What I think you overlooked is that Avatar established its characters before moving on with the plot. On the first watch, season one serves mostly as character development so the viewer understands the characters and takes an interest in them personally, so it didn't need to be dark and I think that its light tone actually helps it out.

[meghanharls]

In my opinion one of the funniest jokes in the entire show is the one where Sokka and Katara are trying to frame K as an earthbender and the guards think Momo is the earthbender.
“Look! That lemur is eathbending!”
“... no, SHES earthbending.” I actually laughed out loud.

[Onaterdem]

ATLA Book 1: Good
ATLA Books 2&3: MASTERPIECE

[Meighteene]

I just finished the show minutes ago, and it honestly is and always will be the best show I have ever seen.

[mauricesteel]

Aang emerging from his ice "egg" basically imprints on Katara. Lmao

[codyyarbrough]

3:54 Iroh puts an air card on top of a fire card, epic foreshadowing right there.

[jinaiallegra]

One reason (for me) why the first season felt more lighthearted is that until the siege of the Northern Water tribe, the team was being chased, yes, but they never took it that seriously. They could always easily disappear and Zuko had to find them again. The Northern Water tribe was supposed to be some kind of safe haven and when it was almost overrun by the Fire Nation, Aang and his friends realised the enormous threat they had been facing all the time. When Aang drove them back with his Avatar powers, the Fire Nation in turn doubled its effort to catch him. From the start of season two, the stakes were much higher and you could feel it from every character. Especially in the way that Aang put himself under pressure to quickly learn as much as he could and often snapped because of that self-applied pressure.

[tuboo_]

I personally loved the scene where katana and Sokka convince those fire nation soldiers that she’s an earth bender

[acenull]

"Don't flatter yourself.... you were NEVER even a player!" -Azula