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Post by Munchkinator on Jul 16, 2008 11:54:45 GMT -5
I still don't agree with the fact that Aang was able to completely master the element so fast, what with him having some degree of difficulty before. Yet, we can't be sure of this fact, so we can expect another episode or half of an episode spent on Aang mastering it. I just don't like seeing these obstacles being so easy to surmount. =/
Overall, great episode. I loved the dragon scene and the fact that Iroh risked lying to the entire nation just to preserve their lives.
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Post by Skyla on Jul 16, 2008 12:09:39 GMT -5
^ Yes, Aang shooting the huge ball of fire from his hands...it was too fast. Wasn't he struggling with the teeny flame in his palm just a few moments ago? Maybe it was due to getting his confidence back. Or maybe the dragons had some sort of effect on him. Maybe it was all magic.
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Post by Scarlett Ember on Jul 16, 2008 12:39:26 GMT -5
Aang being able to shoot fire that quickly did bother me, too. But we know from the Waterbending Scroll that bending comes a little easier to him, so I think once he learned from the Sun Warriors it was enough for him to figure it out. Another thing is that I think him being afraid of the element was preventing him from doing it as well. He bent the fire when he was first learning from Jeong Jeong, but after burning Katara he didn't want to firebend anymore. I think that mental attitude added to his inability to do it before. We see him have a realization about fire being energy and life rather than destruction, and he lets go of that fear or uncertainty about the element, making it easier for him to do it.
The big thing that stood out to me in this episode is the huge personality/maturity difference between Aang and Zuko. This is probably more of my personal opinion, but I think Zuko stood out as much older, like a young man, and Aang's childish nature stood out more. One point was when the door was closed and it would only open on the solstice, and Aang slouches and says "monkeyfeathers" or something. Zuko doesn't appear discouraged, but quickly thinks of a solution and tricks the stone.
The part where they are flying and Zuko is complaining about Aappa being slow really showed their difference in personalities, and it was really funny! Aang says something about them starting their trips off in a more "upbeat attitude" and Zuko groans and mumbles "you've got to be kidding me..." I loved that part. The part where Aang grabs Zuko and says he wants Zuko to dance with him was hilarious, too. It's almost like Aang doesn't even realize how weird it sounded when he said it, but Zuko was shocked and reluctant. That part also made me laugh.
I think Zuko and Aang were very in-character for this episode, and their interactions made it really fun to watch. When Aang loses his fire and is trying to get Zuko's it really looked like a brother moment, which is the kind of relationship I'm starting to see between them.
The other part about this episode I thought was really cool was how both of them came from different views on firebending to an understanding of the Sun Warrior's way. Zuko let anger fuel his firebending, and he was pretty destructive with it. Aang was afraid and timid with firebending because he didn't like its destructive nature, and he's not a very angry kid, so that wouldn't work for the source. Zuko realizes he shouldn't be using anger to fuel it, and Aang realizes it's not just destruction.
The thing that I didn't really like was at the end with the Sun Warrior's joke about keeping them there. I thought it was ok for humor, but it seemed to take away from the mood of the whole show and didn't seem very realistic to me. If he had given them a speech on not telling anyone of their civilization I think it would have fit better. The joke itself wasn't even that funny, so it wouldn't matter if it was more serious. For me, that just kind of ruined the moment.
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Post by Skyla on Jul 16, 2008 12:44:23 GMT -5
Yes, I remember that episode when Aang was bending the water without much effort, with Katara struggling beside him. You've got a point there. I guess it's just the Avatar in him: he has that talent for a reason. I guess fire wasn't that much of a problem. He was just scared of it. Aang and Zuko did act like brothers. And it makes sense since they're related.
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Tei
penguin
Can't be tamed...
Posts: 16
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Post by Tei on Jul 16, 2008 13:33:58 GMT -5
Well nether dose sokka but he more open then katara. Yeah, it's kinda weird considering Sokka was introduced as the skeptic and Katara was introduced as the optimist. This must be a sign of character growth. Aang and Zuko did act like brothers. And it makes sense since they're related. Come again..? I think I know what you're talking about, but I'm not 100% sure.
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Post by Skyla on Jul 16, 2008 14:52:44 GMT -5
Aang and Zuko did act like brothers. And it makes sense since they're related. Come again..? I think I know what you're talking about, but I'm not 100% sure. Yeah, I wasn't being very clear, sorry 'bout that. But since Zuko's grandfather on his mom's side is Avatar Roku, and Aang is the reincarnation of Roku, then they're related somehow. I guess it wouldn't be called 'related'...there's probably another word for it, I think.
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Post by piranha on Jul 16, 2008 15:55:59 GMT -5
I loved this episode. The best part was the dragon dance with the dragons. It was nice to learn more about Firebending and its history.
and yay for Zukaang wih all its rainbow fire goodness!
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Post by firenationkuzon on Jul 16, 2008 17:37:37 GMT -5
^ Yes, Aang shooting the huge ball of fire from his hands...it was too fast. Wasn't he struggling with the teeny flame in his palm just a few moments ago? Maybe it was due to getting his confidence back. Or maybe the dragons had some sort of effect on him. Maybe it was all magic. Hmm... but Aang's done it before, neh? In The Deserter he was able to do tricks with a ball of fire moments after his leaf burst into flames, and then he shot two pretty large streams of fire out, the second of which hit Katara. So I agree that it was just a matter of confidence... after all, confidence was the only thing preventing Aang from learning to Earthbend, and after he got over his fear he picked up Earthbending fairly quickly (probably not as fast as fire or water though, simply because it's his natural opposite). P.S. ^ also glad to see other "virgins" out there too! Other people always ask me "why haven't you seen them yet they've been on the internet for months already!!"
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Post by Purplejay on Jul 16, 2008 18:36:01 GMT -5
"It's like a little heartbeat." Aww. I agree, Aang was more of a playful type in this episode. You really can see the contrast between the types of people Zuko and Aang are. I loved when Aang was trying to steal the flame off of Zuko and they were arguing about it- definitely like brothers! The dragons were animated splendidly. When Aang and Zuko were doing that Dragon Dance with the dragons, I was stunned. But then, that Sun Warrior Chief had to go off and kill the mood with his unfunny pun. But it was okay. The ending was great, too... "We'll just tapdance our way to victory" or something to that effect made me smile. So many quotable quotes in this episode. "The past is trying to kill me" has been repeated over and over again by my brother ever since he watched with me yesterday. We also watched on DVD, but it's nothing like the excitement you feel when you know that it's finally on air.
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asian malaysian
Avatar Kyoshi
Let me hear you say this ship is bananas! B-A-NA-N-A-S!
Posts: 1,308
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Post by asian malaysian on Jul 16, 2008 20:13:49 GMT -5
^ Its great to know that the chanting at the end of each episode is a Sun warrior chant.
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Post by ILZ on Jul 16, 2008 21:53:20 GMT -5
This episode is one of my favorites this season. The whole concept of finding the original source of firebending was really interesting. The Sun Warrior civilization was neat and reminded me a lot of the Mayan ruins. I never expected that the masters were dragons. Wacthing Zuko and Aang dance with them was great.
I also enjoyed the way that the humor in this episode was incorporated, it didn't seem too forced. I actually laughed out loud a few times. The Zuko/Aang bonding (in a friendship way) was nice as well.
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Horyo
RP Admin
All your bending are belong to us.
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Horyo on Jul 16, 2008 22:41:10 GMT -5
The only thing I didn't like was that "Fire was the source of life; the sun." Etc..
I don't like it because it's true >< since I'm a waterbending/tribe fan. Everything else was cool, though I wished there were more wild life.
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Post by firenationkuzon on Jul 17, 2008 10:46:56 GMT -5
The only thing I didn't like was that "Fire was the source of life; the sun." Etc.. I don't like it because it's true >< since I'm a waterbending/tribe fan. Everything else was cool, though I wished there were more wild life. I'm also a (HUGE) waterbending fan, and sort of wondered about that too. Fire is ONE of the sources of life, but not THE source... Just like yin/yang both fire and water are needed for life to flourish and remain in balance. They're two opposites that make up a whole just like Zutara!! XD *shot*
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Tei
penguin
Can't be tamed...
Posts: 16
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Post by Tei on Jul 17, 2008 11:24:18 GMT -5
I'm watching this and my mom walks in and goes "What is this? Some silly Pokemon thing?"
*shakes head* Ah, parents.
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Horyo
RP Admin
All your bending are belong to us.
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Horyo on Jul 17, 2008 14:17:13 GMT -5
The only thing I didn't like was that "Fire was the source of life; the sun." Etc.. I don't like it because it's true >< since I'm a waterbending/tribe fan. Everything else was cool, though I wished there were more wild life. I'm also a (HUGE) waterbending fan, and sort of wondered about that too. Fire is ONE of the sources of life, but not THE source... Just like yin/yang both fire and water are needed for life to flourish and remain in balance. They're two opposites that make up a whole just like Zutara!! XD *shot*Wow that's a good way to look at it! I didn't realize that: too much water could mean drowning, too much fire could mean burning, yet the proper balance is what grants life. You get a karma!
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