Spoilers beneath for season 1 of Avatar: The Final Airbender on Netflix.
Avatar: The Final Airbender (2024-) is not any Avatar: The Final Airbender (2005-2008), however neither is it (mercifully) The Final Airbender (2010), irrespective of the similarities these productions bear in title and characters. The newest incarnation of Avatar Aang’s story belongs to Netflix, a brand new live-action rendering that toes a difficult line: The collection seeks to reflect (and honor) the unique cartoon, whereas remixing storylines and making the impacts of conflict extra plain. In animation, a scar might be rendered in a easy pink swatch; in stay motion, that very same scar should illicit the brutal impression of puckered flesh. The newest Avatar, led by showrunner and govt producer Albert Kim, generally struggles to stability these stakes, however within the season 1 finale, “Legends,” the items ultimately assemble right into a extra attractive chess match—or, let’s consider, a intelligent sport of Pai Sho.
The episode begins on the cusp of a battle between the Northern Water Tribe and the Fireplace Nation, set on the banks of the icy capital metropolis Agna Qel’a, the place mates Aang (Gordon Cormier), Katara (Kiawentiio), and Sokka (Ian Ousley) have arrived within the hopes of mastering Aang’s water-bending. However, as is their wont, the Fireplace Nation assaults, wanting to smite the remaining Water Tribe forces and seize the younger Avatar within the course of. An immense battle outcomes—Aang turns into a whale, type of, and the moon dies—however the Gaang narrowly survives the encounter, from which they plan to subsequent conquer Aang’s earth-bending within the capital metropolis of Omashu.
Nonetheless, the finale just isn’t with out its heartbreaks, ending on a very ominous observe as Fireplace Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim) outlines his subsequent transfer. As followers await information from Netflix on the present’s future, let’s dig into a couple of potential questions that consequence from “Legends.”
What precisely occurred at Agna Qel’a?
Led by Commander Zhao (Ken Leung), the Fireplace Nation forces descend on town, and Zhao kills the legendary Moon Spirit with a purpose to strip the Northern Water Tribe of their water-bending powers. Doing so renders the tribe unable to defend themselves, but it surely additionally infuriates the grieving Ocean Spirit, which merges with Aang within the massively highly effective Avatar State. Collectively, they create Whalezilla. As Whalezilla inflicts havoc amongst the Fireplace Nation troops, Princess Yue (Amber Midthunder) sacrifices herself to grow to be the brand new Moon Spirit, subsequently redeeming nature’s stability and restoring water-bending to the Water Tribe. The Fireplace Nation flees, and Agna Qel’a survives, although with heavy losses.
OK, however what went down in Omashu?
As Fireplace Lord Ozai makes clear within the closing moments of “Legends,” the battle at Agna Qel’a was a diversion. Whereas Aang and co. had been busy defending the Water Tribe, different Fireplace Nation battalions—led by Princess Azula (Elizabeth Yu), sister to Zuko (Dallas Liu)—captured the Earth Kingdom hub of Omashu, in addition to King Bumi (Utkarsh Ambudkar). As Kim himself defined in an interview with Netflix’s editorial outlet Tudum, “That’s a significant improvement in the midst of the conflict. It signifies that solely [the Earth Kingdom capital city] Ba Sing Se stands [in the way of the] Fireplace Nation in the end conquering the entire Earth Kingdom. It indicators a shift within the energy stability of the world and signifies a a lot greater menace for the longer term.” In different phrases: The Large Unhealthy is, certainly, dangerous!
Did Princess Yue actually die? Why?
Sadly, sure. When the Northern Water Tribe’s princess was solely a baby, Yue fell in poor health. The Moon Spirit inside the Spirit Oasis healed her, gifting her part of itself. Throughout the siege at Agna Qel’a, Yue lastly returned that favor, entering into the waters of the Spirit Oasis and relinquishing the Moon Spirit’s life essence. By doing so, she saved the lives (and powers) of her fellow water-benders, however sacrificed herself within the course of. It’ll take candy Sokka a while to recover from the sting of that loss.
What about Commander Zhao?
Zhao, too, is sacrificed amidst the violence, although his obvious loss of life is way much less honorable. When the zealous warmonger reveals to Zuko that the younger prince’s quest to trace down the Avatar was, actually, a “sham,” he tries to kill the Fireplace Lord’s son, solely to be stopped by Uncle Iroh (Paul Solar-Hyung Lee). Suitably pissed off, Iroh units Zhao on fireplace and launches him into the ocean. However we by no means get official affirmation that Zhao has certainly handed from Avatar’s earthly aircraft. As Kim advised Tudum, “Zhao’s arc in season 1 is unquestionably over. As a villain, he has been conquered. As to his final destiny, it’s left somewhat bit open-ended. It’s meant to be somewhat little bit of a thriller.” Curious certainly.
What’s up with Sozin’s Comet?
Right here’s the place issues get attention-grabbing. Within the authentic Avatar cartoon collection, Sozin’s Comet is a “ticking clock,” as Kim put in an interview with Leisure Weekly. When the infamous comet dips down closest to the environment—as soon as each 100 years—the Fireplace Nation reaches the peak of its fire-bending powers, rendering its troopers just about unstoppable. With such may, they’d haven’t any issue ending off their Hundred Yr Warfare and conquering the world. As such, Aang should grasp all 4 parts—earth, air, water, and fireplace—previous to the comet’s descent and cease the Fireplace Nation earlier than their power makes his personal out of date.
Up till “Legends,” Sozin’s Comet was conspicuously absent from the Netflix collection. “We eliminated that specific ticking clock from our present for now, as a result of we couldn’t know precisely how outdated our actors can be for the next seasons,” Kim advised EW. “We undoubtedly considered that going into season 1, in order that we are able to accommodate for puberty, adolescence, time passing—all of these enjoyable issues that occur to real-life human beings that don’t occur to animated characters.”
However within the closing moments of the finale, the Nice Sage (François Chau) informs Fireplace Lord Ozai that the comet is returning “quickly.” This unfastened time stamp offers Kim extra flexibility with growing old actors, but it surely nonetheless units a deadline on Aang’s coaching—and provides the Netflix present among the urgency lacking from its earlier episodes. The comet can be a flashing neon sign to followers of the unique collection: Extra is coming quickly.
