Airspeed Prime here again to bring you the last 3 episode reviews of Book 1 Water, this post will be followed later by a review/overview of Book 1 Water as a whole, which should be an interesting post too.
Today I will be reviewing: 118 The Waterbending Master, 119 Siege Of The North Part 1 and 120 Siege Of The North Part 2.
The determination on Katara's face here shows how passionately she feels about what she is fighting for.[/caption]
The Waterbending Master, at last we reach the goal our heroes had planned on since pretty much 101, it has taken a long time, so the obvious question is - Was the Northern Water Tribe worth the wait? In my opinion yes it was, with this episode and the 2 finale episodes that follow we for one of the first times in the series see what a group of episodes that take place in the same location and are all linked can do. These 3 episodes are the 3 best episodes in a row in Book 1, and note I say 3 and not just the 2 finale episodes, that is praise for this episode, it is not as such part of the finale, but it manages to introduce us to the NWT and still have it's own story while setting up events in the finale.
I will begin with the Zuko, Iroh and Zhao side of this episode as it is an important section of this episode. I love the way that even in this part of the story that they set up the NWT as being a fortress of Ice that is near impossible to reach let alone defeat. Zhao being simple minded as ever, decides that a massive invasion force is what is required. Setting up a huge battle in the finale. But this side of the story really kicks off when Zhao decides now is the time to take Zuko out of the hunt for good, he takes his men for the attack and even asks Iroh to join him as a general, but when Zhao realises that the Broadswords on Zuko's ships are those of The Blue Spirit that is an amazing moment, not just of continuity, but between Zhao and Zuko as characters. Their rivalry has been building and building since 103 and it is interesting to see Zhao unable to fully prove that Zuko is The Blue Spirit, possibly showing that he knows he is no match for Zuko and especially if Iroh helped Zuko. So when in another amazing continuity moment he hires The Pirates from 109 to kill Zuko, you know Zhao has just reached the point where he wants Zuko out of the picture and we lose even more respect for Zhao (not that we had any), doing underhanded deals to get rid of his rival. Zhao's line earlier on in the episode "I have a feeling that justice will catch up with him soon." playing out with the assassination plan.
On the more Zuko side of the story, the impact of Zhao taking his crew is clear to see, he calls them traitors, but deep down his anger is for Zhao. The assassination plan in action is an extremely tense scene as Zuko wakes up after hearing noises and the key part is when Zuko realises 1 second before the explosion that it was the Pirates, and he knows this is Zhao's doing. For a few moments we really think Zuko is dead, especially when Iroh returns to see the ship in flames, it is a powerful moment as for a moment Iroh believes his nephew to be dead, but in a scene we don't see, they reunite and make a plan. So when Iroh joins Zhao and lies to make it believable and then meets with an injured Zuko disguised as a soldier it is a great moment, we truly are rooting for Zuko. It is great set up as we have Zuko with a way to the NWT also, with Zhao unaware.
Now onto the main part of the episode which is The Gaang finally reaching the NWT. I love the massive contrast between looking back at the Southern Tribe,with only Katara as a waterbender and it consisting of 1 small village and the northern tribe being a gorgeous massive city of ice and snow filled with waterbenders. The interesting part of this episode that makes it not just a set up episode for the finale is that a lot of development happens and it has it's own story, that of exploring the theme of sexism once again, which was last explored in 104 with Sokka. The difference here is that you never hated Sokka for being a bit sexist beforehand, it was all he knew growing up as the only warrior in his tribe for the most part, but with Master Pakku, you instantly dislike him for it as he is so dismissive and blatantly sexist, caused by some very old traditions. Now some Avatar history comes into play here in that the Southern Water Tribe was formed from the Northern Tribe because of groups breaking away because of the imprisoning traditions.
"It is forbidden for women to learn waterbending"
This is the line, the word forbidden makes it so serious and the tradition insane. We see in this episode that Katara is very much like her Gran Gran, in that Kanna (Gran Gran) left the NWT because of the rules and it is clear that Katara would have done the same has she been in that position. Katara very much makes this story what it is, her passion to learn and prove herself and her fight to further the teams goals as she does not want Aang to give up his chance to train because of her, but she just can't stay silent over the issues. If their is one positive to be gained from this for Katara it is that she gets a chance to improve her healing skills by learning from Yugoda, who is the one to tell Katara about her gran gran. When Aang is caught teaching Katara what he has learned and Pakku refuses to teach Aang, we see that passionate side of Katara again, the one that cannot stand people being treated unfairly. She refuses to apologise to Pakku and challenges him to a fight. I love that she had not issue about talking like that to her elders, showing that just being old does not mean you are correct. So when the fight happens, I was shocked to see just how advanced a bender she is, Pakku clearly has more skill, but it is clear to see that Katara is a prodigy, everything she does is self thought and she pushes Pakku hard, until he just overpowers her. This is an amazing waterbending fight, and one of the best fights of the whole series. Then the big reveal happens Kanna left because she could not go through with an arranged marriage to Pakku, Katara's necklace was made by Pakku for Kanna. It is then we see where Katara unbound by traditions can get through to Pakku, traditions are responsible for his own heart being broken in the past, the woman Pakku loved would not let traditions rule her life. Because of this Pakku realises that Katara is right and so breaks with tradition and trains Katara. Avatar once again explores a complex issue amazingly well, not just sexism, but cultural traditions and them being limiting, it is quite deep and amazing that it is done in a nick show.
This tradition theme is also explored with the shipping side of this episode with Sokka and Yue, it is such a well done relationship, Sokka just falls fer her at first sight and it is just the amazingly awkward dialogue between the two that makes it so endearing, "Do an activity" what a line and I like that Yue likes the awkwardness of it and uses it herself later on. Over the course of the episode we see the two bond and really grow close, it is very realistically done. The mystery when Yue runs away from their meeting, but again it links into the tradition on the other side of the story, Yue is in an arranged marriage yet she feels stronger about Sokka, she as princess is put in a tough situation, she is expected to stand by all traditions yet wants to follow her heart. It is a very powerful moment when she runs off crying after the Kanna reveal and tells Sokka this, you feel for them both because they work so well as a couple, yet it cannot really ever work.
A brief mention of Aang, again we see that Aang responds well to a certain type of teacher one who is understanding and gentle. It will later come up in Bitter Work and it was seen in The Deserter. Pakku is not the type of teacher Aang needs.
Overall a brillant episode and the first Northern Water Tribe episode lives up to the expectation this season put on it since 101. Some deep themes explored in very mature ways. Great episode with Pakku and Yue having great character introductions.
Favourite Moment/ The Katara vs Pakku fight, some of the best waterbending see in the show ever.
Favourite Line/ "Gran-Gran wouldn't let your tribe's stupid customs run her life. That's why she left. It must have taken a lot of courage." - Katara
Magic Carpet Appa Ride we see them bond even more, she enjoys this new experience away from tradition and the two nearly kiss. In a great scene where we in seconds go from a romantic moment to a moment of panic as they discover the black snow, which the now experienced Sokka knows signals the coming of the Fire Nation and with the amount he knows it is a big attack coming.
Continuing on the YUKKA theme, we get a very important conversation between the two that shows for both of them how emotional their situations is.
Sokka: What's wrong?We have to go!
Princess Yue: No, Sokka, wait. I can't see you anymore. Not at all.
Sokka: What? We're just friends.
Princess Yue: I wish we could just be friends, but I like you too much and it's too confusing to be around you. I'm marrying someone else.
Sokka: You don't love him, do you? You don't even seem to like him.
Princess Yue: But I do love my people.
Sokka: You're not marrying them.
Princess Yue: You don't understand. I have duties to my father, to my tribe. I have to do this, goodbye!
Her position as Princess puts so much pressure on her to stand with tradition, it is something Sokka struggles to understand, but shows how much the two want to be together and how what keeps them apart is something neither can control.
Which I suppose brings me onto the introduction of who Yue is engaged to marry, that of course is Hahn. Quite simply he is written to be hated, he is worse than Pakku in the way that he uses the traditions, and you understand Sokka's rising anger the longer he is around Hahn who in the end is a bit of an idiot, in the way he talks about Yue as more of a prize than a person he wants to marry, he sees her as a way to get more perks and get further up the chain of command. So when Sokka defends Yue and then attacks Hahn you get why, and yo again further hate the traditions of the NWT when he is taken off the mission to take out Zhao. But it does not end there, we get a scene that shocked me between Sokka and Chief Arnook, Yue's father. He took Sokka of the mission because he trusts Sokka more than Hahn to protect Yue, showing that even the Chief of the tribe is bound and limited by his own tribes traditions, Almost that he does not agree with Yue marrying Hahn either. Very interesting scene.
I guess to finish my thoughts on Sokka, we see when he is in mission planning how far he has come from the start of the series. His experience of actually fighting the Fire Nation unlike the NWT helps the mission so much, he has met Admiral Zhao before and more importantly he showed them how old their Fire Nation uniform was. He is the first to join the mission, which speaking of that we get a very ominous shot of many characters faces when Arnook speaks "It is with great sadness I call my family here before me, knowing well that some of these faces are about to vanish from our tribe. But they will never vanish from our hearts." as we see shots of Yue, Hahn and Pakku, so we start to fear for them a bit.
I suppose I will now talk about the start of the battle, you immediately start to fear for the result of the battle after the first few starting shots take down the huge Ice Walls, when the fleet gets close they will be badly defeated. Then Aang steps forward and rides Appa into battle to take out the initial wave. Aang succeeds, but just barely and the magnitude of the invasion becomes clear when Aang ,exhausted looks at the rest of the fleet, he had made little impact.
The most interesting aspect of this early battle is that we get the Spirits impact on bending presented to us by Iroh, The waterbenders are more powerful under the moon, especially a near full moon, Zhao agrees and stops the attack with another ominous line as he mentions he is working on a solution to the spirits. Lots of interesting set up moments throughout this episode.
Aang returns from battle and is disheartened that he is making no dent in the Fire Nation fleet, he feels the battle is lost which Yue struggles to comprehend. It is then Yue talks about the Ocean and Moon spirits which gives Aang an idea of asking the Spirits for help and so Yue brings him and Katara to the Spirit Oasis and Aang soon enters the Spirit World and his body is in a vulnerable state, it is then that Zuko makes his big appearance in the episode having arrived with Zhao's forces. We get a great fight between Zuko and Katara, which showcases Katara's new skills, under the moon she easily overpowers Zuko. But as Zhao resumes his attack under the Sun Zuko's firebending is stronger and he then defeats Katara and captures Aang. He at last has Aang captured, but he is struggling to carry his body through an intense Blizzard. It is a shocking way to end the episode, Aang defenceless, Zuko with nowhere to go and Zhao's attack resuming. Intense ending.
A big mention has to go to the lovely scene between Zuko and Iroh, Iroh admits to Zuko that since Lu Ten died, he thinks of Zuko as how own Son, and Zuko answers kindly with "I know" showing that he appreciates the support his Uncle has given him, much more than his father. Short, but so well done.
Overall a fantastic opening episode that sets up the final episode of the season perfectly while still having action and it's own stuff going on.
Favourite Moment/ The Sokka and Chief Arnook Scene
Favourite Line/ "The legends say the moon was the first waterbender. Our ancestors saw how it pushed and pulled the tides and learned how to do it themselves." - Princess Yue
hoped assumed.
Favourite Moment/ Aang joining with La to take out the Fire Nation Fleet. The power of the Avatar and The Spirits has never been shown so clearly.
Favourite Line/ "NO, IT'S NOT OVER!" - Aang in the Avatar State
118 The Waterbending Master
Written by: Mike Directed by: Giancarlo Volpe Animated By: JM Animation First Aired: November 18th 2005 [caption id="attachment_6669" align="aligncenter" width="500"] The determination on Katara's face here shows how passionately she feels about what she is fighting for.[/caption]
The Waterbending Master, at last we reach the goal our heroes had planned on since pretty much 101, it has taken a long time, so the obvious question is - Was the Northern Water Tribe worth the wait? In my opinion yes it was, with this episode and the 2 finale episodes that follow we for one of the first times in the series see what a group of episodes that take place in the same location and are all linked can do. These 3 episodes are the 3 best episodes in a row in Book 1, and note I say 3 and not just the 2 finale episodes, that is praise for this episode, it is not as such part of the finale, but it manages to introduce us to the NWT and still have it's own story while setting up events in the finale.
I will begin with the Zuko, Iroh and Zhao side of this episode as it is an important section of this episode. I love the way that even in this part of the story that they set up the NWT as being a fortress of Ice that is near impossible to reach let alone defeat. Zhao being simple minded as ever, decides that a massive invasion force is what is required. Setting up a huge battle in the finale. But this side of the story really kicks off when Zhao decides now is the time to take Zuko out of the hunt for good, he takes his men for the attack and even asks Iroh to join him as a general, but when Zhao realises that the Broadswords on Zuko's ships are those of The Blue Spirit that is an amazing moment, not just of continuity, but between Zhao and Zuko as characters. Their rivalry has been building and building since 103 and it is interesting to see Zhao unable to fully prove that Zuko is The Blue Spirit, possibly showing that he knows he is no match for Zuko and especially if Iroh helped Zuko. So when in another amazing continuity moment he hires The Pirates from 109 to kill Zuko, you know Zhao has just reached the point where he wants Zuko out of the picture and we lose even more respect for Zhao (not that we had any), doing underhanded deals to get rid of his rival. Zhao's line earlier on in the episode "I have a feeling that justice will catch up with him soon." playing out with the assassination plan.
On the more Zuko side of the story, the impact of Zhao taking his crew is clear to see, he calls them traitors, but deep down his anger is for Zhao. The assassination plan in action is an extremely tense scene as Zuko wakes up after hearing noises and the key part is when Zuko realises 1 second before the explosion that it was the Pirates, and he knows this is Zhao's doing. For a few moments we really think Zuko is dead, especially when Iroh returns to see the ship in flames, it is a powerful moment as for a moment Iroh believes his nephew to be dead, but in a scene we don't see, they reunite and make a plan. So when Iroh joins Zhao and lies to make it believable and then meets with an injured Zuko disguised as a soldier it is a great moment, we truly are rooting for Zuko. It is great set up as we have Zuko with a way to the NWT also, with Zhao unaware.
Now onto the main part of the episode which is The Gaang finally reaching the NWT. I love the massive contrast between looking back at the Southern Tribe,with only Katara as a waterbender and it consisting of 1 small village and the northern tribe being a gorgeous massive city of ice and snow filled with waterbenders. The interesting part of this episode that makes it not just a set up episode for the finale is that a lot of development happens and it has it's own story, that of exploring the theme of sexism once again, which was last explored in 104 with Sokka. The difference here is that you never hated Sokka for being a bit sexist beforehand, it was all he knew growing up as the only warrior in his tribe for the most part, but with Master Pakku, you instantly dislike him for it as he is so dismissive and blatantly sexist, caused by some very old traditions. Now some Avatar history comes into play here in that the Southern Water Tribe was formed from the Northern Tribe because of groups breaking away because of the imprisoning traditions.
"It is forbidden for women to learn waterbending"
This is the line, the word forbidden makes it so serious and the tradition insane. We see in this episode that Katara is very much like her Gran Gran, in that Kanna (Gran Gran) left the NWT because of the rules and it is clear that Katara would have done the same has she been in that position. Katara very much makes this story what it is, her passion to learn and prove herself and her fight to further the teams goals as she does not want Aang to give up his chance to train because of her, but she just can't stay silent over the issues. If their is one positive to be gained from this for Katara it is that she gets a chance to improve her healing skills by learning from Yugoda, who is the one to tell Katara about her gran gran. When Aang is caught teaching Katara what he has learned and Pakku refuses to teach Aang, we see that passionate side of Katara again, the one that cannot stand people being treated unfairly. She refuses to apologise to Pakku and challenges him to a fight. I love that she had not issue about talking like that to her elders, showing that just being old does not mean you are correct. So when the fight happens, I was shocked to see just how advanced a bender she is, Pakku clearly has more skill, but it is clear to see that Katara is a prodigy, everything she does is self thought and she pushes Pakku hard, until he just overpowers her. This is an amazing waterbending fight, and one of the best fights of the whole series. Then the big reveal happens Kanna left because she could not go through with an arranged marriage to Pakku, Katara's necklace was made by Pakku for Kanna. It is then we see where Katara unbound by traditions can get through to Pakku, traditions are responsible for his own heart being broken in the past, the woman Pakku loved would not let traditions rule her life. Because of this Pakku realises that Katara is right and so breaks with tradition and trains Katara. Avatar once again explores a complex issue amazingly well, not just sexism, but cultural traditions and them being limiting, it is quite deep and amazing that it is done in a nick show.
This tradition theme is also explored with the shipping side of this episode with Sokka and Yue, it is such a well done relationship, Sokka just falls fer her at first sight and it is just the amazingly awkward dialogue between the two that makes it so endearing, "Do an activity" what a line and I like that Yue likes the awkwardness of it and uses it herself later on. Over the course of the episode we see the two bond and really grow close, it is very realistically done. The mystery when Yue runs away from their meeting, but again it links into the tradition on the other side of the story, Yue is in an arranged marriage yet she feels stronger about Sokka, she as princess is put in a tough situation, she is expected to stand by all traditions yet wants to follow her heart. It is a very powerful moment when she runs off crying after the Kanna reveal and tells Sokka this, you feel for them both because they work so well as a couple, yet it cannot really ever work.
A brief mention of Aang, again we see that Aang responds well to a certain type of teacher one who is understanding and gentle. It will later come up in Bitter Work and it was seen in The Deserter. Pakku is not the type of teacher Aang needs.
Overall a brillant episode and the first Northern Water Tribe episode lives up to the expectation this season put on it since 101. Some deep themes explored in very mature ways. Great episode with Pakku and Yue having great character introductions.
Favourite Moment/ The Katara vs Pakku fight, some of the best waterbending see in the show ever.
Favourite Line/ "Gran-Gran wouldn't let your tribe's stupid customs run her life. That's why she left. It must have taken a lot of courage." - Katara
119 Siege Of The North Part 1
Written by: John O Bryan Directed by: Lauren MacMullan Animated By: DR Movie First Aired: December 2nd 2005
120 Siege Of The North Part 2
Written by: Aaron Ehasz Directed by: Dave Filoni Animated By: JM Animation First Aired: December 2nd 2005
