I think the last episode, part 4, is the best. I think it might be one of the best endings to a show I have ever seen and in basically every way, it was just fun to watch. Maximum Fire-bending? Fully-realized Aang? Katara/Zuko vs Azula? Oh god I am getting excited just thinking about it, but I am here to talk about part 2. If I had to pick one single episode that "defines" why AtLA is great, I wouldn't choose part 4 even though it was the most satisfying and beautiful, I would say part 2. The reason being is because it shows just how in-depth AtLA is, how truly "adult" it is, and brings to the forefront my favorite motif of the show, the "passing of the torch" from the 'Old Masters' (episode namesake) to the 'New Masters.' Life is cyclical, and there will always be "once in a generation" moments in well... every generation. You can say this moment now is the most important in history, but the next great moment may say the same thing. The 'Old Masters' are the embodiment of the spirit of Team Avatar. They have Sword, Fire, Water, Earth, and would have Air if they could. It is the same kind of group the 'Young Masters' would be to Korra and her team. It is really amazing getting to see the generational gap transcend the show's storyline. If that wasn't enough, this is Aang's greatest trial. He has lived 1,000 lives, and in 999 of them, he would "do what has to be done" with the Fire Lord, and his previous lives tell him that, but that isn't Aang. Aang is so pure of heart, he refuses and finds another way, despite it being impossible, despite everyone, including himself technically, that he should. Inn every TV show, every movie, and in all of our real lives we have to make decisions, tough decisions and we battle the voices of others and the voices of ourselves on what to do, but ultimately, you have to make the decision. I watched this show when it came out, and I was 11-14, and I am now 26 rewatching it on Netflix. It is frankly even better now. I guarantee if you watch this show, you will love it, and this episode will always be a top tier episode.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV Series)
Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters (2008)
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Honestly, this is the best of the show
pizzahutch112 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
With so many great episodes, it's hard to pinpoint which one really "'nails it" but this checks every box off.
Through the show we have had to watch Aang grapple with his inner turmoil, from running away, to his love life, to losing his whole nation, this time meeting with former Avatars on the issue of to kill/to spare the fire lord in their inevitable confrontation. Through the show Aang has never enjoyed using violence, but it is common sense through his friends that he will have to kill Ozai. Even the avatars tell him he must. Yet, he meets the Lion Turtle who gives him the best advice Aang has heard from the whole show, and a new alternative.
Finally Zuko reunited with Iroh, and their bond and relationship have come full circle as well. Seeing how Zuko has gone from being always angry and impatient with uncle to crying for forgiveness and being stunned that his uncle would forgive so easy is credit to 3 years of complex, great development. Iroh, as always, steals the episodes with his lines, remarks, and his unending love for the prince. What a touching moment.
So much great in this episode, can't think of one flaw.
Through the show we have had to watch Aang grapple with his inner turmoil, from running away, to his love life, to losing his whole nation, this time meeting with former Avatars on the issue of to kill/to spare the fire lord in their inevitable confrontation. Through the show Aang has never enjoyed using violence, but it is common sense through his friends that he will have to kill Ozai. Even the avatars tell him he must. Yet, he meets the Lion Turtle who gives him the best advice Aang has heard from the whole show, and a new alternative.
Finally Zuko reunited with Iroh, and their bond and relationship have come full circle as well. Seeing how Zuko has gone from being always angry and impatient with uncle to crying for forgiveness and being stunned that his uncle would forgive so easy is credit to 3 years of complex, great development. Iroh, as always, steals the episodes with his lines, remarks, and his unending love for the prince. What a touching moment.
So much great in this episode, can't think of one flaw.
Zuko and Iroh are great
matitya-3393718 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Zuko and Iroh are great and their reconciliation is one of the best scenes in the show (if not the best scene in the show.) Zuko's Avatar-hunting skill finally getting the respect it deserves is great as is the return of June. I also like how we finally get pay-off for the Order of the White Lotus. I like how Pakku and Kanna are married now and I like all of the titular masters within this episode. I also like how this episode builds on what was set up for Azula back in The Beach.
That having been established, this episode has some flaws. For example, Iroh's reasoning for why it must be Aang to fight Ozai is exactly why people hate the trope of the Chosen One. ('Oh, I can't stand up against evil because there's no mystical prophecy about me.' At least in Harry Potter, Neville continues to fight Voldemort even when he thinks Harry's dead.) I know Iroh also says he doubts he's powerful enough to defeat Ozai but if he were supposed to be right about that then the writers should have shown instead of told.
(Seriously, Ozai has fought a grand total of one fight at this point in the series and he lost it to Zuko. So his reputation is largely unearned.)
At least, Iroh agrees to lead the Battle of Ba Sing Se and his plan to send Zuko and Katara against Azula makes sense.
That said, the Aang parts of the episode don't really work given that this episode is after The Day of Black Sun so what was Aang's plan back then? Did he think he could just waltz into Ozai's palace and Ozai would surrender? No. This dilemma is really out of necessity (and for the record, Aang has killed enemies in previous episodes as have several other good guys so this ethical dilemma could hardly be more forced.)
The Iroh and Zuko part of the episode is as close to perfection as we'll ever get. The Aang parts don't work.
That having been established, this episode has some flaws. For example, Iroh's reasoning for why it must be Aang to fight Ozai is exactly why people hate the trope of the Chosen One. ('Oh, I can't stand up against evil because there's no mystical prophecy about me.' At least in Harry Potter, Neville continues to fight Voldemort even when he thinks Harry's dead.) I know Iroh also says he doubts he's powerful enough to defeat Ozai but if he were supposed to be right about that then the writers should have shown instead of told.
(Seriously, Ozai has fought a grand total of one fight at this point in the series and he lost it to Zuko. So his reputation is largely unearned.)
At least, Iroh agrees to lead the Battle of Ba Sing Se and his plan to send Zuko and Katara against Azula makes sense.
That said, the Aang parts of the episode don't really work given that this episode is after The Day of Black Sun so what was Aang's plan back then? Did he think he could just waltz into Ozai's palace and Ozai would surrender? No. This dilemma is really out of necessity (and for the record, Aang has killed enemies in previous episodes as have several other good guys so this ethical dilemma could hardly be more forced.)
The Iroh and Zuko part of the episode is as close to perfection as we'll ever get. The Aang parts don't work.
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