Avatar: The Last Airbender - 1x18 "The Waterbending Master" FULL REACTION

I didn't like the old guy (and I don't think he's meant to be liked), but he's realistic and I find him somehow interesting. The thought of a woman bending water is foreign to him because that's how he grew up. However, he never seemed to have a problem with Katara bending in general, he just refused to pass on his knowledge to her (bad enough, but more interesting than him just saying "Women shouldn't bend!"). I like how he was genuinely impressed and appreciative of her skills. He acknowledged that she was a gifted bender and he obviously found enjoyment in fighting her. I feel like it was really just tradition that made him not want to train her in the beginning, not conviction. And the super convenient necklace thing reminded him that tradition can come at great a cost. So I think his arc checks out. From his point of view, Katara behaved like quite a dick herself, though we the 2021 audience agree with her views.

G. Smith

Avatar did a brilliant job with its worldbuilding. They were extremely smart in taking and blending elements from our world, to make it feel familiar, while sprinkling in their own rules and lore, to make it feel different. Perfect mix of known and unknown, I have yet to see a show do it better. Game of Thrones comes close, but...not quite to ATLA standards, IMO!

Jamie Morgan

Yeah the fact that Pakku only agreed to train Katara because of his history with her grandmother isnt great, but it's realistic. Well-connected women in highly misogynistic societies (like ours) tend to get a few more privileges than the average woman (ex: literacy), but that doesn't make the society or the men in control any less sexist. Often that difference in treatment exists to uphold and strengthen the system of control.

KT

Me too! :)

4Tom4lepus4

Yes! I'm so excited that you are continuing this show!