10/12/20 - Book 2: Chapters 1-4
Book 2: Earth
Part 1 - Everything New is Old Again
Book 2 of Avatar aired in 2006.
When this first set of episodes premiered, I was just finishing up 5th grade. That was well over a decade ago.
And yet, for whatever reason, my personal perspective is such that all of the “new” elements introduced in this season still feel… well, new. Like, in 2020.
Rewatching the start of Book 2 - Azula still feels like a break from the as-established status quo; the fate of Omashu still feels almost-shocking, and the wisdom of Huu the swamp guardian still feels relevant and insightful.
These were a collection of episodes that were in constant rerun rotation of Nickelodeon. Far be it from me to assume the thinking of network programmers, but these episodes establish new structures, mechanics, and lore upon the foundations built by Book 1 - worldbuilding and character development that will factor into the rest of the season and the rest of the show.
Per my refrain - Book 1 feels the rockiest to me, but it did the heavy work of groundbreaking for the story to come. Now that we’ve overcome our first major season-long obstacles of reaching the North Pole and finding Aang a waterbending master; the story can evolve to its next phase.
And as I rewatch the opening acts of Book 2, I am able to return myself to the mindset of a 5th grader first being introduced to the lethal precision of Princess Azula, the corny bops of ancient Asian hippies, the sinister girl power of Mai and Ty Lee, and our first hints of a young girl and her flying boar...
To the note of groundbreaking, I’m excited to crack into this new season of the show, and I hope you’ll enjoy continuing on this journey with me.
2.1 - The Avatar State
The animation upgrade between Books 1 and 2 is immediately noticeable and impressive - the contrast of the new animation vs. Aang’s nightmare of himself at the Air Temple is distinct.
Aang’s nightmare features visions of himself in the Avatar State at the Southern Air Temple (1.3); Roku’s Temple (1.8); and attacking Zhao’s fleet in the North (1.20).
I neglected to remark upon it in my Siege of the North commentary - Koizilla “anime slash”-es through the bridge of one of the Fire Navy ships - like a comically perfect bisection of the superstructure.
Notably, this is the first episode the cast refers to the Avatar State by name. I suppose it can be inferred that Aang explained his magic glow moments to Sokka and Katara as best he could offscreen - I don’t think it’s a flaw per se, but I do think it’s notable they keep the mechanics and function of the State vague and mysterious (to the audience at least) until this episode.
General Fong (obviously) also understands the function of the Avatar State - by name; even at this point in Avatar world history the Avatar is something of a mythological figure, begging the question just how widely known the abilities of the Avatar are.
Gifts from Pakku: Katara gets spirit water; Aang gets a trove of waterbending scrolls; Sokka - “I got a rock.”
Rewatching the series (and well aware of how the plot plays out) I almost forget that Bumi was Aang’s original plan for an earthbending teacher.
The river-spanning spa where the audience reconnects with Zuko and Iroh is a gorgeous minor locale; between the cherry blossoms and the spa robes we get a nice display of the lighter shades of red and pink woven into Fire Nation design.
According to the wiki, the spa was originally a retreat for Earth Kingdom monks before being captured by the Fire Nation.
Courtesy of expository dialogue from Iroh, we learn the start of Book 2 is three weeks after the Siege of the North.
SHE’S HERE. Azula just radiates nuclear levels of BDE. A friendly reminder - she’s 14.
The elite firebenders who travel with Azula are passively referred to as the Royal Procession, and are more technically termed Imperial Firebenders. Where by the end of Book 1 the standard skull-masked firebenders of the infantry have kind-of reached disposable-footmen status - these elites are properly threatening. Stellar, chic design too.
The infamous exchange Azula has about the tides cements the kind of lethal threat she brings to the show.
It’s likely noticeable earlier in the show, but master earthbenders like Fong and his men often go barefoot to maintain a direct connection to their element.
General Fong is not a part of the Earth Council of Five we are introduced to later in this book.
“Lightning-bending” is more technically termed “lightning generation” or “lightning redirection” on the wiki. It takes it’s martial arts inspiration from the movements of “dragon shoots its whiskers” in Shaolin forms. It’s another example of a cool new facet to the mechanics of this world that isn’t directly explained till around the midseason.
As a kid, it took me a while to realize Azula’s unique blue firebending and lightning were distinct techniques. As is definitely evident by the time lightning is explained - Azula’s blue flames are simply extra intense fire, and lightning is its own specialized form of bending.
Fong’s initial attempts to trigger the Avatar State are 1.) chi-enhancing tea; 2.) jump scares; 3.) ritualism. Reminiscent of attempts to cure hiccups.
Iroh’s shell collecting is precious. Azula’s claw-nails are terrifying.
Azula (apparently) lies about court intrigues to overthrow her father. Fire Lord court politics are explored in great detail in the recent Shadow of Kyoshi.
The scene where Katara tries to talk Aang down from rushing to use the Avatar State is nice. Some of Katara’s greatest strengths are her compassion and her empathy.
In contrast Zuko’s jabs at Iroh when his uncle is hesitant to return home are evidence of the banished prince’s still-raw wounds of personal shame.
When Iroh does decide to join Zuko in returning home, we get a heartbreaking, rare smile from Zuko.
We’ve seen them before - but ostrich-horse cavalry is excellent.
The moment after Azula’s captain slips up is potent. I’m confident he was killed offscreen (Apparently Bryke initially planned to show it!!).
Fong’s use of Katara as leverage is pretty sick for a kid’s show. As in horrific. Zach Tyler Eisen’s desperate reading of “You don’t have to do this!” before Fong apparently kills her is devastating.
As per all their fights, Zuko and Azula’s spar on the schooner is awesome.
“Why would he want you back home, except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him?” - Cold.
After all these years, even knowing they do, I can’t shake the sensation that Iroh and Zuko barely escape this encounter.
Roku’s formal explanation of the Avatar State is one of the best sequences in the show, imho. Great power with a terrible Achilles’ heel.
Rewinding from Roku, the past Avatars shown off in this sequence are Kyoshi, Kuruk, Yangchen, and Szeto (the last of whom wasn’t named until The Shadow of Kyoshi this year! Fourteen years later!)
Upon rewatch - when Zuko pulls the knife - is that not the least of a hint of seppuku imagery?
The topknots floating down the river is such a good, iconic closing to a stellar season opener.
2.2 - The Cave of Two Lovers
Again, I appreciate the show’s commitment to showing Aang and Katara practicing their waterbending.
Chong (voiced by his holiness, Dee Bradley Baker - also Appa and Momo!); leads a posse of five hippie nomads, also including his wife Lily, Moku, and two unnamed companions without any lines.
In case it wasn’t blazingly obvious - Chong’s name is a sendup to Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong fame.
Also, and it should go without saying - “Secret Tunnel” is a BOP.
“Delectable tea, or deadly poison?” - King Mako at work.
I just love how much Aang and Katara vibe with the hippies - these might be some of the people closest to what the Air Nomads were all about.
“Oh it’s a real legend.”
“We need to do whatever makes Appa most comfortable.” :) // **Smash cut to Fire Nation bombardment** // “Secret love cave. Let’s go.”
Killed by the Earth Kingdom vs. turned in to Azula - Desperately hilarious that “killed” is the better option to Iroh and Zuko.
They only get a brief moment of screentime, but the massive, frightening wolf-bat statues to the entrance to the cave are a nice bit of foreshadowing.
Fire Nation captain: “It’s too dangerous! Haven’t you heard the song?”; I’M.
This episode sees the on-the-spot creation of Zuko and Iroh’s Earth Kingdom identities - Lee and Mushi.
I appreciate we get a moment of sincere concern and compassion from Zuko when he sees Song’s scar. And he still takes their (ostrich-)horse.
The Tomb of Two Lovers and the mythical origins of (formalized) earthbending is a lovely sequence. Up until the introduction of Toph, earthbending might be the bending style given the least focus, so I appreciate its expanded lore here.
Parts of the track used here for the story of Oma and Shu are later incorporated into the theme for “The Avatar’s Love.”
To the note of songs, the numbers performed by Chong’s band include;
“Badgermoles,” “Don’t Fall in Love with the Traveling Girl,” “Don’t Let the Cave In Get You Down, Sokka,” “Love is in Your Heart,” and of course “Secret Tunnel.”
Giant earthbending rodents - just makes sense (seriously).
PS: The sleek, huge front paws of the badgermoles are contrasted with creepy, skeletal rear paws.
Appa’s joy of being out of the tunnel is delightful.
The twist of Omashu’s fate never fails to be a bit heartbreaking. (As intended, obviously).
2.3 - Return to Omashu
By the time of the Gaang’s return, Omashu has been retrofitted to suit non-earthbenders - many of the primarily stone structures (including the palace) have been razed and replaced by metal buildings more in line with Fire Nation form and function.
It is a bit baffling the Gaang is surprised by Omashu’s downfall; as a major Earth Kingdom hub, you’d think the news would’ve traveled.
Sokka’s struggles in this episode are hilarious - i.e. the sewer and the purple pentapus.
Lo and Li just add to Azula’s quiet menace. I think these two Shining-ass sisters just leaned into their creep factor to climb the rungs of power.
Last episode we had fantasy-hippies - this episode we have fantasy-goth in the form of Mai.
Mai’s family consists of her father, Governor Ukano; her mother Michi, and her little brother Tom-Tom. Apparently, Mai’s family appears again in the Smoke and Shadow trilogy of comics.
Again - impressed Nickelodeon let Bryke feature a full-on assassination attempt on civilians in their show.
Mai’s arsenal consists of stilettos, knives, and sais - all of which are showcased in this episode.
There’s a popular fan theory that Ty Lee might have Air Nomad ancestry - her eyes are something of a brown-grey, and it would help explain her agility and aggressively cheerful demeanor.
Aang foreshadows Bumi’s lesson on jings in discussing how the Omashu Resistance is “directing [it’s] energy.”
“Pentapox! Hmm. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard of that.”
Also, frightened people shouting “Plague! Plague!” just hits different in 2020.
This episode shows a lot of the versatility of freezing in waterbending - Aang uses it free Flopsy, Katara repeatedly uses it defensively.
Momo’s hijinks with Tom-Tom are full Looney Tunes.
Azula’s unspoken threats to Ty Lee in terrorizing the ringleader are properly chilling.
Ty Lee’s sisters in time went on to join the circus themselves and become “The Flying Ty Sisters” (likely a sendup to “The Flying Graysons” of Batman.)
“Bad Fire Nation baby!”
“It’s a new day. I have a good feeling about this.” // **Smash cut to Azula’s arrival in Omashu.**
“Please tell me you’re here to kill me.”
Azula uses her royal pull to rename Omashu; christening it “New Ozai.” Spoilers - it doesn’t keep this name long.
I don’t think I realized as a kid that the showdown between the Gaang and Azula’s Team occurs on the scaffolding of the massive under-construction Ozai statue in particular. On theme with the shadowed face of Ozai in the early Books - we’re unable to see the statue’s face either.
“Hi everybody!” shrieks the centenarian, ancient king from his iron coffin.
After a rare moment of sincere shock from Azula, her turn to “The Avatar. My lucky day.” is, as usual, chilling.
Katara’s duel with Mai and Ty Lee is an underrated fight; Katara blocking Mai’s knives with splintered planks; the first use of chi-blocking in the show - awesome.
Likewise, Azula and Aang’s chase on the mail system is a creative reuse of that setpiece.
It is notable that I don’t think here, or anywhere else in the show, do the cast comment on Azula’s blue fire.
Speaking of the princess - she really needs that palanquin to get anywhere, huh.
The moment of Aang returning Tom-Tom to Mai’s family is a nice, peaceful button on a properly intense episode.
2.4 - The Swamp
The detail in this show - the establishing shots of the town where Zuko and Iroh are stopped are beautiful.
The Blue Spirit mask and a brief hint of the theme are a nice touch.
“The Girls from Ba Sing Se,” - man this set of eps has some BOPS.
“Nothing like a fat man dancing for his dinner!” - Zuko is within his rights to axe this man.
The unique score and the gorgeous visual of sunlight reflecting on the swamp water immediately establish the Foggy Swamp as a distinct locale.
In addition to the properties of the Banyan Grove Tree, the cyclone that sucks Aang & Co. down into the swamp seems to be a naturally (if strange) occurring feature of the swamp.
Re: elbow leech; “Why do things keep attaching to me!”
Appa and Momo’s hijinks in this episode are also some Saturday morning cartoon bits.
We see Appa leave the footprints the Foggy Swamp Tribe finds later.
The screaming bird is a nice visual gag - this ep balances creepy, funny, and spiritual in good measure.
Tho and Due are just excellent supporting characters. Fantasy-Floridians.
The debut of Huu as the Swamps resident Man-Thing/Swamp-Thing guardian is a good balance of scary and cool - big No-Face (Spirited Away) energy.
Huu is our first exemplar of plantbending.
“Now what would a lemu need a shirt fer?”
Katara’s “razor rings” used against the Swamp Monster might be the most lethal use of normal waterbending we’ve seen thus far.
“One big living organism - just like the entire world.”
“We are all living together, even if most folks don’t act like it.” - Did I mention I love Huu?
Arctic hen vs. possum chicken - the culinary debate for the ages.
Sokka, re: giant mystical cyclone; “No accounting for weather.”
And this week we leave off with the return of the Blue Spirit. YEET.
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History & Culture Corner: Trees of Enlightenment
I’m writing this reflection as we edge toward America’s 2020 elections; and in a nation as divided as mine is right now, Huu’s speech to Aang, Katara, and Sokka nearly brought me to tears:
“You think you’re any different from me, or your friends, or this tree? If you listen hard enough, you can hear every living thing breathing together. You can feel everything growing. We are all living together, even if most folks don’t act like it. We all have the same roots, and are all branches of the same tree.”
Real-world bayan trees are native to tropical regions in the world, and like their ATLA-counterpart, are known to grow to encompass several acres of land. In parts of Southeast Asia (ex: Bali, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) the Banyan is considered sacred for its connections to Hinduism and Buddhism - the Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment beneath one.
Mangrove trees (Banyan-grove tree) are native to swamps and are well-known for their complex root systems and micro-ecologies.
Perhaps needless to say, the philosophy espoused by Huu draws from Buddhism - Huu’s belief that “all beings are one” derives from the Buddhist principle of non-duality. In addition, his aggressive care for nature and the natural world are in line with Taoist teachings, and his sentiment that the entire natural world is one big massive organism draws from the real-world Gaia Hypothesis.
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Next week, the ball keeps rolling into a collection of fan favorite episodes - not the least of which is our introduction to the greatest earthbender in history. If you know you know.
Until then, be well, be safe, and may the Force be with you,
- JMC