ATLA Rewatch FINALE! Episode 3x20 & 3x21 Reaction

A life changing show, truly one of the all time greats. I like the aside about heritage/legacy vs self identity, I hadn't really considered it before, but you're totally right, major theme right there. Am I the only one who never needed an answer to the question of "where is Zuko's mom"? Either banished, or in some prison, either way, he's gonna find her and that's all I needed to know. Basically, I just took it as a sign for what he's gonna do next. Ozai is weird to me, coz he does fulfill his role, but next to Azula he just looks so one note? This was the first time I had ever experienced a villain defeat that just made me sad, and the first time I really started to view villains as people rather than just forces of evil, and the tragedies they represent. Still the most powerful imo. But I guess it's the contrast that really sets her apart, kinda like the Last Agni Kai only works so perfectly juxtaposed with Aang vs Ozai. Honestly, I didn't really need Aang going into the Avatar State again too, coz I think he did well enough on his own, but I'm also not complaining because it feels like it's more so for the viewers' benefit than Aang's. Cartharsis, putting Ozai through the same terror he inflicted on the world as a form of justice, seeing full Avatar Aang coming into his own, closure for the sealed Avatar State plot point... And in a way, I feel it was necessary for Aang as well. Like you said, he did start the fight by evading and defending, which wasn't gonna put him in a position were he could seal him, and going on the attack in the Avatar state did. But I also feel like Aang takes a backseat to the collective Avatars whenever he enters it because he doesn't act like himself anymore. So I read it as the Avatars taking the wheel and punishing Ozai, going in for the kill, and that's where Aang reasserts himself, putting his foot down and finally gaining full control? Like, the way the arrow briefly glows before he puts out the fires reads to me as him harnessing the power of the Avatar State without relinquishing control to his past lives anymore, if that makes sense? I also like how Katara's focus shifts from attacking to healing, in the last episode, but also the show in general, and I think the Southern Raiders, but also just the general utility of her healing ability are probably why. Overall, I love this show, and I appreciate it more every time a new piece of media lets me down, I didn't realize back when I first saw it how rare this kinda thing is, and it makes me truly grateful. I also really enjoyed going on this journey with you, you made me think about a lot of things, it felt really enriching, and now I'm excited to start the next one. Thank you!

kingafreund

There is a Ty Lee comic about how the Kyoshi Warriors are different than a matched set.

Aray YIKAMACI

Sombre music for the showdown that was never meant to be... Brother and sister fighting because of the different paths they took, just sad.

That's some great timing!

Alex G

Absolutely 1000%

Alex G

It's really weird!

Alex G

Oh yeah!!!! Hmmmmmmm yeah I feel like I gotta do that!

Alex G

yeah this sums up my thoughts on it as well. I love the lucky rock.

benj

a lot of reaction channels i've seen say they would've preferred if aang unblocked his chakra through his mentality or a different reason other than physical trauma But aang already unlocked his final chakra during the crossroads of destiny. it was through physical trauma (azula's lightning) that his earth chakra was forced shut. his earth chakra in the spine that deals with survival, was later physically unblocked by earth in a scenario for survival. I think it was perfect

Juan

Just saw that it’s the finale’s 13 year anniversary today!

bl0odm1st

SHUT UP AND TAKE MY HUGS! (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ

Yusuf

thanks so much for this journey once again, you made me tear up because i was reflecting on myself too when you did the same because there's something so beautiful about seeing your own growth and how far you've come, especially when your growth is inspired by the greatest show of all time! can't wait to see more videos and new shows soon. :)

Grace

Man that intro freaking got me. It's been a pleasure to witness your growth and support you through jt. Weather you know or not, your videos and commentary have helped people. They have helped me grow and become a more introspective and emotionally intelligent person. Over the past months as I've followed your channel your commentaries have been a bright spot in some tough times. Funny or serious, insightful or silly, they all gave me a fun, educational, and stimulating reprieve from daily struggles, as well as some occasional motivation. Though you may be closing the door on this section of your life you are taking steps toward a future that you can be proud of and I am excited to see how you grow further. I will continue to watch and enjoy your content. :)

Nick Deano

I think Iroh’s son died in the same city he reclaims back from the fire nation. That just shows you how strong of a person he really is.

You making me tearbend with that intro

Nothing else to say that this ending never gets any less beautiful or touching. A show that means so much to so many people, capturing one of the greatest journeys ever. And to think that when I found your channel you’d be someone who would have such a great journey too. In the words of Tenzin, “You’re an inspiration to us all.” Thanks for your videos Alex, it’s been a great journey for us all too.

Vali

I’m assuming you heard about Avatar studios. A department within Nick that’s going to be creating all new avatarverse content with multiple series in the works. Will you be reacting to there stuff when it comes out?

DrowsyCody

The rock actually unlocks his final challenge, it puts him into the avatar state as a way to see if he'll stick to his morals and try to take his fire bending, even though there is a great possibility it could completely destroy his spirit, or he could've taken the easy way out and let the avatar state kill Ozai and save the day. The avatar state is lucky because he was losing, but to see it as the final battle misses the point. Also, it's been alluded to that physical damage to a chakra can affect its flow. Combustion man uses his thought chakra to direct his explosions, and physical disturbances to the chakra can cause it to malfunction (Sokka throws boomerang that kills him after it hits his forehead). Aang has blocked his earth chakra which is located in his spine after a lightning strike had damaged it prior to blocking it, so it follows that having a major physical disturbance could unlock it once again.

Michael Stollard

I remember stumbling upon your channel almost a year ago exactly. I, like many others, had rewatched Avatar quite a few times after giving long pauses in my rewatches to "forget" some things for the next time. I kept chasing that feeling I had watching it the first time. That's why I decided to look up reaction series, but even though some I found were enjoyable, they still felt a bit hollow, only scratching a surface level itch… Then I found your's. I binged watched almost the entire series in one night (you had posted everything but like a couple episodes and the finale when I watched through), staying up to an absurd time. It was such a different feeling. Here was this show I loved and had watched countless times. I thought I knew it as well as anyone could, yet your approach opened my mind to a lot of new ways of looking at the show. And you did such a great job at bringing it back around with how we could apply the lessons in our own lives. It’s funny that now almost the same amount of time in real life has passed since your original reaction as passed in the entirety of the show. It’s caused me to reflect back to that time in my life much as it appears to have for you and I realize how much I’ve grown and gone through since then, with a lot of the lessons I’ve learned and ideas I’ve had coming from your reaction series directly. No joke, I believed after I first finished your original reaction that it was as much a masterpiece in it’s own right as the show itself. And I think I still feel the same. It is such a perfect companion piece to the show and deepens it to such an unprecedented level. I don’t think I’ll ever again recommend Avatar to someone without also recommending your reaction series along with it. Now it’s time to finish my reliving of my reliving through your second reaction series to the show. And while it’s sad to see, perhaps the biggest thing I’ve learned from these two series is that there’s always more to be found in the things you love, as long as you are willing to stop retreading old ground and venture out into new perspectives

Alex Begley

I would suggest you watch his Attack on Titan reaction if you want, it is a great show :).

Sumiya Mayna

Toph in the moment: *clinging to Sokka and crying out of fear for her life* Toph 70 years later: "It was hot. I was on a blimp. And I think a giant turtle showed up. Wow, what a day..." Thank you so much for the incredible journey, Alex, it's truly been a pleasure. Unfortunately I will have to end my Patreon subscription as of the end of the month, I just can't financially justify it when you're not watching any shows that I've seen haha! I will of course stay subscribed to you on YouTube and keep up with you there, and if you ever react to a show I know then I will return to your Patreon without a moment's hesitation. I wish you luck, success and happiness for your new life in Korea. And once again, thank you; you've impacted my life more than you'll ever know. All the best!

Jamie Morgan

In defense of the lucky rock; Aang already made the spiritual journey needed to control the avatar state. it was physical damage that blocked it. The rock was that physical bridge he needed. As far as it happening randomly, thematically speaking luck is just a way to show that the universe is on your side. It's still contrived; I'm just playing devils advocate here. I have more of a problem with the lion turtle because there was no precedence or foreshadowing for it at all. and no explanation given in the space of this show.

Jack Cas

Yeah he also ultimately disarms and makes Ozai vulnerable using Toph's earthbending technique. He does this while not being in the Avatar State. I seriously can't imagine not finding the ending of this story satisfying.

benj

I always liked the rock because it’s actually not good for Aang. In that moment he gets possessed by the past avatars and they were all for killing Ozai and clearly try to in the fight. So I like that it’s bad luck for Aangs moral story and him shutting it down at the last minute is really powerful because he could have just let it play out and enjoy the lucky hand he was dealt, but still turns it down and risks his own being through energy bending.

Ian

I really enjoyed the ending of Avatar and I think the solution with the Lion Turtle wrapped things up as well as they conceivably could have been, but I understand why the ending seems like a bit of a cop-out for a lot of people. I think it shares some of the issues with the rock conveniently activating his chakra where it feels like the solution just fell into his lap through sheer luck. Additionally, it feels like they got to avoid a very serious issue that could have been interesting to bring to its conclusion. For the entire finale, they pushed Aang's internal struggle over how he would deal with the Firelord in a non-lethal way, and right as he was forced to truly confront the issue, he found a perfect solution that gave him an out for his struggles. To compare it to a show that you watched recently, I think Full Metal Alchemist had some similar themes and executed it in a better way. Throughout the series, Ed and Al were determined not to take other's lives or use them for their own benefit (philosopher stones). We see them struggle because of their principles, like when Ed nearly dies fighting Kimblee, so their convictions hold more weight for us because they face actual consequences. Finally, at the end of the series, Ed refuses to use the stones to bring back Al and chooses to make the enormous sacrifice of giving up his alchemy. I think the ending would be less poignant if Truth had been impressed by Ed's resolve and simply chose to give back Al's body at no cost. I'm not certain what kind of consequence would have been appropriate for Aang to face for trying to hold his principles, but letting him effectively have his cake and eat it too could make for a slightly dissatisfying ending that possibly could have been better.

Square

So grateful for this show. it really does keep on giving. I remember coming across your channel, just as you finished the midnight gospel series and being pulled in by your insightful comments. I stumbled upon this channel during such a rough period in my life, as i’m sure that many people can relate, and watching and rewatching Avatar along with everyone subscribed has been a journey in and of itself. Avatar, even after so many years, remains one of the best shows of all time. I remember coming home after a long day at school and watching this show, and it inspires in me just a well of nostalgia, wisdom, and love. There’s so much love poured into this series and it’s so evident in how carefully these creators portrayed the characters, lore, and themes. I can go on about this show for hours, but I also wanted to thank you Alex because just as this show continues to shed light on new perspectives, you’ve done much of the same. I can’t wait to see where your channel goes next!

Flavia Lobato

A lot of people already voiced their thoughts on the lucky rock so I'll just add. I think the thematic significance of Aang entering the Avatar state at that point was 1) give the fans what they want--cool fight sequence because we rarely get to see him in that state and there had to be something to unlock it (the scarring might be a *physical* block because it's in his chi pathways, and not to get all doctor-y because that might be a stretch, but you can *physically* break up scar tissue, so whammo, chi unblocked, but regardless he required a physical method), and 2) he was overpowering Ozai big time, got him on the RUN, and even then, he chose to forego it in the final moment. Typically Katara was the one to snap him out of it, but he snapped himself out. That's mastery over the Avatar state. So the significance IS that it's the choice of how he wants to utilize his god-like power. Even with that luck, it's ultimately his own mind and his own decisions to forego it. "She will be when she regains her memory soon." What's that mate? Do you know something about Katara and Sokka's mother that we don't?? Lol Ah man, I hope this isn't my last Avatar-related comment here 😭 Thank you for doing this rewatch, and, uh, yeah. :)

Kotryna

“I can’t believe a year ago my purpose in life was hunting you down, and now…” “Now we’re friends” “…Yeah, we are friends” This little exchange between Zuko and Aang will forever be my favorite moment of my favorite show. This little reflection on the past series from Zuko, letting the moment truly sink in for the first time is so special. It’s a direct call back to the Forest scene between Zuko and Aang towards the end of the Blue Spirit episode back in the Season One, where Aang asks Zuko that if he was born back than before the war, maybe they could’ve been friends instead of enemies. This sentiment from Aang that ends up paying off in a true best friendship is the most beautiful thing in this entire show for me. When the ending song “Peace” starts soothing in with its slow orchestral strings, the tears do not stop running down my face until many minutes after the show has ended. Its been a great double run through journey with this show on the channel. Cheers to future shows!

benj

Wow, Avatar strikes again in making me emotional and grateful! These videos have been great for me, not just for entertainment, but sort of to help me grow emotionally and personally. I'm far from where I want to be, but these videos give me hope I can get to the point where I am living up to my ideals and being honest with myself. Thank you once again for sharing this amazing Avatar journey with us once again! Nothing but gratitude and appreciation!

Aura Y

This is such a strange feeling

Nick

To be fair….Katara literally appears out of nowhere just to be a target. I’ll never get over that, it’s like the one black mark on this finale. The huge blasts of fire in that fight were extremely dangerous, she shouldn’t have been anywhere near the arena, and it just makes no sense for her to run into the arena like that. They really did not know how to organically get katara in on this fight lol, so they just had her appear when they needed her to

Kollie123

I died when you said imagine getting friend-zoned after all that lol comedic timing gold

Jay Crigler

That face topu makes after aang tells her he took the firelord bending lol she knew she couldn't rule the world as melonlord now lol

Jay Crigler

and thank YOU for sharing with us! it's been a journey really :')

minimonie__

if you want to delay the end of avatar for a little longer there are a few new comics out 😅

Jupiterninja

I think Zuko asking for lightining is a mix of arrogance and thinking both of them are fighting under the same set of rules and morals. He never thought of a possibility where Azula would break the most important rule of an Agni Ki, and yet, she did. Suki hijacked an airthingy (forgot the name in English) by herself AND steered it from the outside using hopes. What a queen.

Raysa Fonseca

Avatar was already my favorite show of all time. I've been watching it on tv since I was 8/9 years old, so it always brings up huge amounts of nostalgia. I always tried to rewatch it only once every few years, so you kinda forget things and get some element of surprise still. But then I discovered your channel and you gave me another way to enjoy the show :) It's a show that just keeps on giving, even after all this time. Can't wait to see what the creators have in store for the Avatar universe.

iaani

I'm writing this comment as I watch the reawatch and 2min in and I'm crying with u. Discovering your channel was one of the best things that happened last year. I reffered to you as my second therapy as you always breaks down things and speaks some real and heartfelt truths. I found in you someone I can rely and listen after a hard day full of self-doubt. Thank you for sticking with it and changing all these lifes in here.

Raysa Fonseca

That's what I'm thinking, one way or another the avatar state had to get triggered by something. Aang being hit in that scar by the rock is just one way to do it. Last time he got hit in that spot and went down, now he stands up.

iaani

I love you Alex <3 ! Your channel changed my life and I never knew there was a person who could voice my thoughts so perfectly articulate. Keep being you. To add to your 'lucky rock' incident, I've always attributed it to the whole fate, it was always meant to be thing. If Aang hadn't run away the first time, he would have been wiped out by the fire nation, along with his people. So he stayed in ice for a 100 years, Katara and Sokka found him. He'd found a waterbender instantly to help with his journey (water is the first he had master as he was already an airbending master). In the swamp episode, he was given a vision of his future earthbending teacher. In Ba Singsei, Zuko had to betray them so he can figure out that the life he had been longing for wasn't the right one. Katara didn't use the spirit water to heal Zuko's scar. Zuko's decision to side with Azula led to her dealing the killing blow and Katara using the spirit water to save Aang's life. Just like Aang meeting the Lion turtle and it telling him where to wait for Ozai. I feel like all these little things and the 'lucky rock' are part of this destiny Aang had. I could be wrong of course but instead of feeling unsatisfied, it's made sense to me that way.

Nyashaxo

Love this format! I didn't get around to see your original reaction, so it's all the better that you incorporated that here as well in a cool way. Great job!

DennisAnimeFan

Goddammit dude, you made me cry! I've loved the journey(s) I've gone on with you, and I can't wait for the ones ahead. While I agree a little bit with your issue with the "lucky rock", I think it's necessary. First, imagine how unsatisfying the final battle would have been without the Avatar State! More seriously, we needed the avatar state to be unlocked as it was a huge loose end for all of season 3. Additionally for the sake of pacing, tension, and magnitude, the change in power dynamic brought on by the Avatar State is pretty necessary. Aang falling into the avatar state shows a level of desperation on his part, and the forced willingness to rely on an uncertain and dangerous power to complete his goals. At the same time, seeing him in this way shows the viewer just how FAR Aang has come on this journey. He's matured so much both mentally and physically for a kid of 13 years. Without that transformation we also wouldn't have that second moment where he nearly offs Ozai, and he wouldn't have made his final choice. However I think you're right that it's a little unsatisfying, and there are other alternatives that could have been found for unblocking his chakras. However given the magnitude of that turning point and the pure spectacle, I mostly give it a pass. Final note: Toph feeling where people are pointing to bend at things airborne is a common ocurrance if you look closely. First happens in The Desert as far as I know.

Aidan Pullen

What a journey it's been. I remember watching the first of these when I had just joined. It's amazing how far we've come!

A Suresh

Here we are at last! Cant wait!

Aidan Pullen