In this good episode we get a showdown between Aang and his friends and Azula and her friends and it doesn't disappoint.
PLOT (SPOILERS)
After the shock of the previous episode's cliffhanger team Avatar enters occupied Omashu to find Bumi. They encounter the underground underground (hehe) and learn that the Mad King simply surrendered. Using a ruse to evacuate the city Team Avatar discover the governor's son amongst them, whereupon the governor proposes a trade for King Bumi. Meanwhile, Azula has recruited Ty Lee, a cheerful and acrobatic friend to her mission and is in Omashu to recruit Mai, the governor's daughter and also a friend. Azula goes to make the trade but breaks it off, and finds out she's dealing with the Avatar. While Ty Lee and Mai battle Katara and Sokka, Aang tries to escape with Bumi, constantly harassed by Azula. Bumi tells Aang that he cannot be his teacher because Aang must wait until he encounters a certain, special someone with a distinct style. Team Avatar flees the city and Azula and cronies begin to pursuit.
The Good
Azula chooses her friends well: Mai throws and kicks darts and arrows at opponents whereas Ty Lee attacks pressure points in the body, effectively disabling either the muscles or the bending of any opponent. They make an interesting duo, the gloomy Mai and the happy Ty Lee, both skilled and dangerous. It took a while to meet a strong fighter without bending ability since Jet, but here are two ladies who fit the bill. Azula seems a lot scarier then Zuko. Whereas Zuko was an angry opponent Azula is more quiet, more unnerving, charming in a disturbed way. She order people around with much more authority. Zuko always seemed a troubled character, despite his rage and fanaticism, was willing to listen occasionally to Iroh and more concerned with his honor. he didn't chase the Avatar because of spite, but because capturing him was his only ticket home. Azula seems a much more one dimensional enemy, silently murderous as I like to call her, and those are usually the best villains who stay villains. Bumi is back and wonderfully insane, and his wise words to Aang are heavy foreboding. Omashu is a gorgeous setting. The fighting scenes are smooth and Azula's blue fire somehow seems more dangerous.
Aangs motivation
At first I was slightly puzzled over Aangs motivation of entering Omashu. He seems not to care about its citizens but only about Bumi. But then I thought back to the episode The King of Omashu. Bumi is a childhood friend in a world where pretty much everyone Aang knew before his disappearance has passed on. Thus makes Aang overly fond of Bumi. Keep in mind Aang is still only 12. The larger strategic questions of the city's surrender can wait until he has found his friend.
Conclusion
Finally we get to see Azula in action and her friends, especially Ty Lee, seem serious opponents. Aang and Bumi together is always nice. I found the whole part about the city's resistance, and the evacuation, and the ruse to do it slightly forgettable. This is a good episode with some lesser parts in the beginning, but it picks up as soon as Azula enters the city. Following Bumi's advice you'll be on the look out for an "Earth bender who waits and listens" and you won't be disappointed. First half: 7. Latter half: 9. End grade: 8.
PLOT (SPOILERS)
After the shock of the previous episode's cliffhanger team Avatar enters occupied Omashu to find Bumi. They encounter the underground underground (hehe) and learn that the Mad King simply surrendered. Using a ruse to evacuate the city Team Avatar discover the governor's son amongst them, whereupon the governor proposes a trade for King Bumi. Meanwhile, Azula has recruited Ty Lee, a cheerful and acrobatic friend to her mission and is in Omashu to recruit Mai, the governor's daughter and also a friend. Azula goes to make the trade but breaks it off, and finds out she's dealing with the Avatar. While Ty Lee and Mai battle Katara and Sokka, Aang tries to escape with Bumi, constantly harassed by Azula. Bumi tells Aang that he cannot be his teacher because Aang must wait until he encounters a certain, special someone with a distinct style. Team Avatar flees the city and Azula and cronies begin to pursuit.
The Good
Azula chooses her friends well: Mai throws and kicks darts and arrows at opponents whereas Ty Lee attacks pressure points in the body, effectively disabling either the muscles or the bending of any opponent. They make an interesting duo, the gloomy Mai and the happy Ty Lee, both skilled and dangerous. It took a while to meet a strong fighter without bending ability since Jet, but here are two ladies who fit the bill. Azula seems a lot scarier then Zuko. Whereas Zuko was an angry opponent Azula is more quiet, more unnerving, charming in a disturbed way. She order people around with much more authority. Zuko always seemed a troubled character, despite his rage and fanaticism, was willing to listen occasionally to Iroh and more concerned with his honor. he didn't chase the Avatar because of spite, but because capturing him was his only ticket home. Azula seems a much more one dimensional enemy, silently murderous as I like to call her, and those are usually the best villains who stay villains. Bumi is back and wonderfully insane, and his wise words to Aang are heavy foreboding. Omashu is a gorgeous setting. The fighting scenes are smooth and Azula's blue fire somehow seems more dangerous.
Aangs motivation
At first I was slightly puzzled over Aangs motivation of entering Omashu. He seems not to care about its citizens but only about Bumi. But then I thought back to the episode The King of Omashu. Bumi is a childhood friend in a world where pretty much everyone Aang knew before his disappearance has passed on. Thus makes Aang overly fond of Bumi. Keep in mind Aang is still only 12. The larger strategic questions of the city's surrender can wait until he has found his friend.
Conclusion
Finally we get to see Azula in action and her friends, especially Ty Lee, seem serious opponents. Aang and Bumi together is always nice. I found the whole part about the city's resistance, and the evacuation, and the ruse to do it slightly forgettable. This is a good episode with some lesser parts in the beginning, but it picks up as soon as Azula enters the city. Following Bumi's advice you'll be on the look out for an "Earth bender who waits and listens" and you won't be disappointed. First half: 7. Latter half: 9. End grade: 8.
