Some darker tones mixed in with the same humor from the first 2 episodes. There are some scenes you wouldn't expect in a children's show. This series had a pretty good start!
Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV Series)
The Southern Air Temple (2005)
User Reviews
Review this title11 Reviews
"I really am the last Airbender."
poseyfan19 June 2022
Further Depth Added; Best Episode Yet
hornsbyhavoc14 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The dual stories of Aang and Zuko really get going here, and the depth of the show is taken to the next step. It's got some of both the best (Aang in the Avatar State) and worst (the CGI doors to the Sanctuary don't hold up too well) animation in the show to date, and tons of character development. Aang's realization of the destruction of his people and Zuko's desperation to be accepted by his father are hugely emotional topics, and the show handles them with grace and maturity for a fantastic early episode.
Aang, Katara, and Sokka's first order of business on their journey is to visit the Southern Air Temple, Aang's home. The former paradise, filled with monks, bison, and lemurs, and Aang's relationship with his father figure, Monk Gyatso, are explored by Aang's memories, and his finding of a sanctuary housing statues of every Avatar to date deepens the lore and history of the show. However, Aang soon comes to discover that, despite his optimism in the face of hopelessness, the Fire Nation did attack the temple while he was away, and he finds Gyatso's skeleton, triggering another Avatar State. Aang's pain and anger at losing everyone he knew and loved is powerful and his inability to control the emotions and entrance into his Avatar State alerts everyone that the Avatar is truly alive. While Katara's soothing soon leads to his anger subsiding, Aang's pain at this revelation is the show's most emotive moment to date, and while the crew's befriending of the lemur Momo rounds out the squad for the time being in a positive way, the emotions are still strong.
Meanwhile, Zuko's failure to capture Aang leads to significant damage to his ship, requiring repairs. While at the Fire Nation base to get the ship fixed, Zuko and his Uncle Iroh (formerly a General in the Fire Nation army) bump into Commander Zhao, the arrogant and cruel Firebender who mocks Zuko for his failure. We learn more about Zuko's troubled past with his father, the leader of the Fire Nation, and Zuko's desperation to feel accepted by his father drives home the emotional narrative of his character. For the first time, we get to see a Firebending duel between Zhao and Zuko, and it's a great action scene. Zuko's victory after heeding Iroh's advice regarding fighting, and his refusal to kill Zhao, lead to Zhao attempting to attack Zuko while his back is turned. Iroh interferes to stop him and insults Zhao by calling even the banished Zuko more honorable than he, showing the closeness between the uncle and nephew, with Zuko genuinely touched by Iroh's words.
Altogether, after a solid first two episodes, this is where Avatar really gets going. Aang's emotional devastation and Zuko's desperation are highlighted, and their need to rely on those close to them is a major point as well. The dual stories of the two are getting better and better, and this is by far the best episode to date.
Aang, Katara, and Sokka's first order of business on their journey is to visit the Southern Air Temple, Aang's home. The former paradise, filled with monks, bison, and lemurs, and Aang's relationship with his father figure, Monk Gyatso, are explored by Aang's memories, and his finding of a sanctuary housing statues of every Avatar to date deepens the lore and history of the show. However, Aang soon comes to discover that, despite his optimism in the face of hopelessness, the Fire Nation did attack the temple while he was away, and he finds Gyatso's skeleton, triggering another Avatar State. Aang's pain and anger at losing everyone he knew and loved is powerful and his inability to control the emotions and entrance into his Avatar State alerts everyone that the Avatar is truly alive. While Katara's soothing soon leads to his anger subsiding, Aang's pain at this revelation is the show's most emotive moment to date, and while the crew's befriending of the lemur Momo rounds out the squad for the time being in a positive way, the emotions are still strong.
Meanwhile, Zuko's failure to capture Aang leads to significant damage to his ship, requiring repairs. While at the Fire Nation base to get the ship fixed, Zuko and his Uncle Iroh (formerly a General in the Fire Nation army) bump into Commander Zhao, the arrogant and cruel Firebender who mocks Zuko for his failure. We learn more about Zuko's troubled past with his father, the leader of the Fire Nation, and Zuko's desperation to feel accepted by his father drives home the emotional narrative of his character. For the first time, we get to see a Firebending duel between Zhao and Zuko, and it's a great action scene. Zuko's victory after heeding Iroh's advice regarding fighting, and his refusal to kill Zhao, lead to Zhao attempting to attack Zuko while his back is turned. Iroh interferes to stop him and insults Zhao by calling even the banished Zuko more honorable than he, showing the closeness between the uncle and nephew, with Zuko genuinely touched by Iroh's words.
Altogether, after a solid first two episodes, this is where Avatar really gets going. Aang's emotional devastation and Zuko's desperation are highlighted, and their need to rely on those close to them is a major point as well. The dual stories of the two are getting better and better, and this is by far the best episode to date.
Mature emotional episode!
and_mikkelsen6 October 2023
This was the episode where I realized this is more than a kids cartoon, but instead It manages to handle heavy subjects and becomes something that can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age!
This episode sees Aang and the crew reach the Southern air Temple! As Aang does not know what happened to his people a hundred years ago, it adds a layer of emotionsl tension that ultimately culminates in a tearfull piwerfull moment! This is whre you realize that this show is so much more than you thought!
This episode also introduces Zhao qnd his duel with Zuko is really good! Also some great characterwork on Zuko as Iroh says Zuko has honor, since Zuko believes honor is something only others can give you!
A great important episode that shows how dark this show is willing to get!
This episode sees Aang and the crew reach the Southern air Temple! As Aang does not know what happened to his people a hundred years ago, it adds a layer of emotionsl tension that ultimately culminates in a tearfull piwerfull moment! This is whre you realize that this show is so much more than you thought!
This episode also introduces Zhao qnd his duel with Zuko is really good! Also some great characterwork on Zuko as Iroh says Zuko has honor, since Zuko believes honor is something only others can give you!
A great important episode that shows how dark this show is willing to get!
Wait, Is This a Kid's Show?
jmansmannstjohnslrev6 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Yeah, this is when it really became clear, this wasn't just some throw away kids show. The first two episodes fit the mold, goofy humor, incompetent villains, a banished prince chasing a child and his two friends with his overweight uncle. Well, the Southern Air Temple takes that mold and completely throws it away. Ang is convinced his people hid and escaped. Honestly, looking back on it, you could be forgiven from the first two episodes in thinking Ang might be right, but no, not today.
Child wakes up from 100 years in ice to learn that his father figure and every other airbender is dead, killed by the fire nation. Remember those incompetent antagonists from Episode 2, I don't. I mean, just listen to the line when Ang finally comes to the realization that he really is the last airbender, the touching moment when Kitara and Sokka reassure Ang that he's not alone, that despite all he's lost he has a family and... wait, this is a kid's show right?
On the other end, the Fire Nation similarly gets a dose of seriousness as Commander Zhao is introduced. Remember Zuko, a teenage prince obsessed with honor, well now he and Ang have to contend with an ambitious officer with an actual army of ruthless fire wielders at his disposal. Perhaps the Agni-Kai or fire duel is the most memorable part, as Zuko is able to use his Uncle's lessons to best his senior.
All in all, I remember this episode being such a shock because Avatar seemed like it was going to be a forgettable kids show, only to start throwing out weighty themes beneath the veneer of a Sokka food joke...
Child wakes up from 100 years in ice to learn that his father figure and every other airbender is dead, killed by the fire nation. Remember those incompetent antagonists from Episode 2, I don't. I mean, just listen to the line when Ang finally comes to the realization that he really is the last airbender, the touching moment when Kitara and Sokka reassure Ang that he's not alone, that despite all he's lost he has a family and... wait, this is a kid's show right?
On the other end, the Fire Nation similarly gets a dose of seriousness as Commander Zhao is introduced. Remember Zuko, a teenage prince obsessed with honor, well now he and Ang have to contend with an ambitious officer with an actual army of ruthless fire wielders at his disposal. Perhaps the Agni-Kai or fire duel is the most memorable part, as Zuko is able to use his Uncle's lessons to best his senior.
All in all, I remember this episode being such a shock because Avatar seemed like it was going to be a forgettable kids show, only to start throwing out weighty themes beneath the veneer of a Sokka food joke...
Fire Politics & an Empty Temple
injury-6544716 June 2020
This was a fantastic episode- they manage to pack in a lot of story and background without sacrificing great character moments.
We learn more about the politics of the Fire Nation. That the prince is in exile (I wonder why) and is trying to find the Avatar to redeem himself. The moment between him and the dirty captain is great as it shows that he has a sense of honour and isn't just an evil one dimensional villain.
I love that the Fire uncle is such a Loveable character And yet he is ostensibly fighting for the bad guys. Can't wait to see his arc.
Frolicking around the empty air temple was fun, as well as Aang's flashbacks. There were many cute and hilarious moments here.
This show is really impressing me! I found myself getting emotional during Aang's Avatar spirit transformation.
A lovely pet lemur doesn't hurt either.
We learn more about the politics of the Fire Nation. That the prince is in exile (I wonder why) and is trying to find the Avatar to redeem himself. The moment between him and the dirty captain is great as it shows that he has a sense of honour and isn't just an evil one dimensional villain.
I love that the Fire uncle is such a Loveable character And yet he is ostensibly fighting for the bad guys. Can't wait to see his arc.
Frolicking around the empty air temple was fun, as well as Aang's flashbacks. There were many cute and hilarious moments here.
This show is really impressing me! I found myself getting emotional during Aang's Avatar spirit transformation.
A lovely pet lemur doesn't hurt either.
A much better improvement after the previous episode.
olgun_kacmaz12 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Aang, Katara, Sokka and Appa reach the Southern Air Temple; housing the airbender monks. Aang expects to find his master and other monks in there, but Katara is more pessimistic. They find the temple abandoned and Katara and Sokka even find a helmet of a fire nation soldier, suggesting that Fire Nation had invaded and wiped out the temple.
Now, I liked how the temple and the monk order look like typical Buddhist monastery. This show have "eastern" elements in it(even the name Avatar has a Hindu origin to begin with) and it blends these eastern cultural elements in a more western light(it's a Nickelodeon show after all). Prince Zuko, General Zhao, uncle Iroh etc. all represent a more "Chinese" culture with their looks, culture, traditions, names etc. Airbenders seem to represent a more Theravada or Southeast Asian style traditional Buddhism. A statue of a monk in this episode even has him sitting in a lotus position, meditating.
This connection to Buddhism brings to mind new questions: so if airbenders are like Buddhist monks, then is the Avatar a(or the) Buddha? Is the transformation of a monk to Avatar is like the enlightenment of a Buddhist monk? Then again, the lore seems to have it that the Avatar is born into this world -- as if it's his destiny. In the flashbacks we see Aang is being approached by his master as if he's the chosen one, so he needs special care.
Now, when the group enter into temple, the group face hundreds(or even thousands) of statues at the center. These statues and how they were placed there reminded me of the famous "Terracotta Army". Another very good reference to eastern/Chinese culture.
Then Aang and Katara decipher the meanings of the statues and Aang's role as Avatar. It seems that in his past life, Avatar was from Fire Nation: he was a firebender. Then he died and was reborn as Avatar into Airbender society. That coincides with the time Fire Nation launches its invasion. Why did Fire Nation attacked everyone the moment they lost their Avatar? Avatar is a very powerful hero in this lore, so maybe he was keeping Fire Nation in check. Or maybe Fire Nation thought to have Avatar and conquer the world with him, but either Avatar refused or somehow it didn't happen. Or maybe Fire Nation decided to wait for Avatar to die(or maybe killed him?) and then immediately launched its attack before Avatar could reborn and grow up and become powerful enough to stop them. And Katara says that Avatar follows a rebirth pattern of "Air, Water, Earth, and Fire". So if Fire Nation knew this order, they could have predicted that Avatar would be born into Airbenders, and then decided to wipe them all out to prevent Avatar from emerging out from there. Interesting theories to think about. I didn't watch the rest of the series, so I'll see why did they started their invasions in the first place.
The rest of the Aang plot was well done: he finds out how Fire Nation invaded Southern Air Temple and wiped out all the monks. Then he transcends again into his Avatar form and this time he's so much powerful that all around the world, the monks of other nations realize/sense that Avatar is back. This will certainly raise the tension of the plot. Katara helps Aang to calm down, they have another team mate(Momo) join their group and then they leave.
In the other plot, we get to learn more about Zuko's character and past. His ship and himself are detained by General Zhao after he learns about Zuko's fight with Avatar. We learn that Zuko was actually banished from his homeland, somehow tainted his honor, had his terrible scar from a firebending duel, and he tries to capture Avatar to reclaim his lost honor. All these put more details and depth into Zuko's character, which I like. He's not a generic antagonist, he does not want to capture Aang just because's he's villain. No, he's a flawed, hurt character that seeks redemption, wants to reclaim his honor, wants to be loved or accepted by his father once more. His personal reasons for hunting Aang make him more believable and complex character.
Also Zuko's duel with Zhao was also well done. After last episode's fiasco, we get to know more about Zuko's firebending powers and also his merciful side, as he spares Zhao from any grave harm after defeating him. Yet the "mighty general" tries to attack Zuko when he turns his back and was stopped by Uncle Iroh, who I suspect has great powers already and he reveals them(in his own nonchalant way of course). Iroh and Zuko return to their repaired ship to continue their search for Aang. Now they transcended from generic villainy to complex characters and Zuko's conflict with Aang will be much more interesting from now on.
Now I am really excited for the next episode and the clash between Aang and Zuko. A well done episode.
Now, I liked how the temple and the monk order look like typical Buddhist monastery. This show have "eastern" elements in it(even the name Avatar has a Hindu origin to begin with) and it blends these eastern cultural elements in a more western light(it's a Nickelodeon show after all). Prince Zuko, General Zhao, uncle Iroh etc. all represent a more "Chinese" culture with their looks, culture, traditions, names etc. Airbenders seem to represent a more Theravada or Southeast Asian style traditional Buddhism. A statue of a monk in this episode even has him sitting in a lotus position, meditating.
This connection to Buddhism brings to mind new questions: so if airbenders are like Buddhist monks, then is the Avatar a(or the) Buddha? Is the transformation of a monk to Avatar is like the enlightenment of a Buddhist monk? Then again, the lore seems to have it that the Avatar is born into this world -- as if it's his destiny. In the flashbacks we see Aang is being approached by his master as if he's the chosen one, so he needs special care.
Now, when the group enter into temple, the group face hundreds(or even thousands) of statues at the center. These statues and how they were placed there reminded me of the famous "Terracotta Army". Another very good reference to eastern/Chinese culture.
Then Aang and Katara decipher the meanings of the statues and Aang's role as Avatar. It seems that in his past life, Avatar was from Fire Nation: he was a firebender. Then he died and was reborn as Avatar into Airbender society. That coincides with the time Fire Nation launches its invasion. Why did Fire Nation attacked everyone the moment they lost their Avatar? Avatar is a very powerful hero in this lore, so maybe he was keeping Fire Nation in check. Or maybe Fire Nation thought to have Avatar and conquer the world with him, but either Avatar refused or somehow it didn't happen. Or maybe Fire Nation decided to wait for Avatar to die(or maybe killed him?) and then immediately launched its attack before Avatar could reborn and grow up and become powerful enough to stop them. And Katara says that Avatar follows a rebirth pattern of "Air, Water, Earth, and Fire". So if Fire Nation knew this order, they could have predicted that Avatar would be born into Airbenders, and then decided to wipe them all out to prevent Avatar from emerging out from there. Interesting theories to think about. I didn't watch the rest of the series, so I'll see why did they started their invasions in the first place.
The rest of the Aang plot was well done: he finds out how Fire Nation invaded Southern Air Temple and wiped out all the monks. Then he transcends again into his Avatar form and this time he's so much powerful that all around the world, the monks of other nations realize/sense that Avatar is back. This will certainly raise the tension of the plot. Katara helps Aang to calm down, they have another team mate(Momo) join their group and then they leave.
In the other plot, we get to learn more about Zuko's character and past. His ship and himself are detained by General Zhao after he learns about Zuko's fight with Avatar. We learn that Zuko was actually banished from his homeland, somehow tainted his honor, had his terrible scar from a firebending duel, and he tries to capture Avatar to reclaim his lost honor. All these put more details and depth into Zuko's character, which I like. He's not a generic antagonist, he does not want to capture Aang just because's he's villain. No, he's a flawed, hurt character that seeks redemption, wants to reclaim his honor, wants to be loved or accepted by his father once more. His personal reasons for hunting Aang make him more believable and complex character.
Also Zuko's duel with Zhao was also well done. After last episode's fiasco, we get to know more about Zuko's firebending powers and also his merciful side, as he spares Zhao from any grave harm after defeating him. Yet the "mighty general" tries to attack Zuko when he turns his back and was stopped by Uncle Iroh, who I suspect has great powers already and he reveals them(in his own nonchalant way of course). Iroh and Zuko return to their repaired ship to continue their search for Aang. Now they transcended from generic villainy to complex characters and Zuko's conflict with Aang will be much more interesting from now on.
Now I am really excited for the next episode and the clash between Aang and Zuko. A well done episode.
Easily one of the best in the series.
wgnjcxo14 July 2021
Where do I start with this?? Despite the animation still having that early-season "charm", the music, action, a new character to counteract Zuko, the second best duel to be in the show, as well as Aang's distress at finding a harsh truth. This episode does not mess around. The aesthetic and art on Zuko's side is more superior to me but both halves of the story are a step up from the first two episodes. The flashbacks are funny.
Great
Revalopod30 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The first 2 episodes were more your typical kids cartoon, with fight scenes that were more slapstick than serious, and the occasional implication of war themes.
In this episode, it starts being a bit more serious. We see Aang, who is just a naive young child, break down crying because he discovers the murdered corpse of his father figure, amongst a pile of enemy soldier corpses. While it's not exactly graphic as they're just skeletons, the emotional impact on Aang is nonetheless devastating. This is when Aang realises everyone he knew, all his friends and family, have been murdered. In fact his entire race of Airbenders is extinct; a genocide that occured during a war that has been ongoing for 100 years. The war was started by the oppressive fire nation, led by a genocidal tyrant attempting to subjugate the remaining tribes so the fire nation can rule the world. Having a children's cartoon be set in a war where death and genocide are major themes is an interesting choice. It's a narrative even adults can easily get invested in.
Meanwhile, two villainous characters from the fire nation, Zuko and Zhao, engage in an intense and firey duel. Zuko manages to gain the upper hand and knocks Zhao to the ground, who then taunts Zuko to kill him. Zuko decides to spare his life, prompting Zhao to mock him for being a coward. Zuko promises that he won't hold back next time, implying he will kill him if he gets in his way. This was an exciting fight scene with actual stakes, as we're not sure who will win (they're both "villains" so who do you root for?), and notably wasn't punctuated with slapstick or childishness. It was a simple and raw fight between 2 characters who hate each other and solved their conflict with violence and rage. Afterwards while Zuko is leaving, Zhao cowardly launches a surprise attack against him while he has his back turned. Zuko's uncle Iroh (the fabled Dragon of the West who we later learn commanded a siege against a city for 600 days but ultimately withdrew after his son was killed in battle, then essentially became a surrogate father to his nephew Zuko) intervenes halting the attack, and then berates Zhao for his lack of honour, insinuating that even Zuko, who is banished from his kingdom by his own father, is more honourable.
There is a lot of character info you learn in this episode, with even the villains having backstory and ambitions. The fight scene lets you learn a little bit about Zuko's character; even though he is a villain, he refrained from killing when he had the chance, showing he has a code of honour, in contrast to Zhao who likely would not have offered the same courtesy. This lets us know he's not irredeemably evil like others from the fire nation. And even though Aang finds out he is alone in the world, he is comforted by his companions who have become his new family, and bond over the fact that they too have lost loved ones to the fire nation. It's bittersweet and emotional, while still palatable to a young child audience, a delicate balance the show exceeds at.
In this episode, it starts being a bit more serious. We see Aang, who is just a naive young child, break down crying because he discovers the murdered corpse of his father figure, amongst a pile of enemy soldier corpses. While it's not exactly graphic as they're just skeletons, the emotional impact on Aang is nonetheless devastating. This is when Aang realises everyone he knew, all his friends and family, have been murdered. In fact his entire race of Airbenders is extinct; a genocide that occured during a war that has been ongoing for 100 years. The war was started by the oppressive fire nation, led by a genocidal tyrant attempting to subjugate the remaining tribes so the fire nation can rule the world. Having a children's cartoon be set in a war where death and genocide are major themes is an interesting choice. It's a narrative even adults can easily get invested in.
Meanwhile, two villainous characters from the fire nation, Zuko and Zhao, engage in an intense and firey duel. Zuko manages to gain the upper hand and knocks Zhao to the ground, who then taunts Zuko to kill him. Zuko decides to spare his life, prompting Zhao to mock him for being a coward. Zuko promises that he won't hold back next time, implying he will kill him if he gets in his way. This was an exciting fight scene with actual stakes, as we're not sure who will win (they're both "villains" so who do you root for?), and notably wasn't punctuated with slapstick or childishness. It was a simple and raw fight between 2 characters who hate each other and solved their conflict with violence and rage. Afterwards while Zuko is leaving, Zhao cowardly launches a surprise attack against him while he has his back turned. Zuko's uncle Iroh (the fabled Dragon of the West who we later learn commanded a siege against a city for 600 days but ultimately withdrew after his son was killed in battle, then essentially became a surrogate father to his nephew Zuko) intervenes halting the attack, and then berates Zhao for his lack of honour, insinuating that even Zuko, who is banished from his kingdom by his own father, is more honourable.
There is a lot of character info you learn in this episode, with even the villains having backstory and ambitions. The fight scene lets you learn a little bit about Zuko's character; even though he is a villain, he refrained from killing when he had the chance, showing he has a code of honour, in contrast to Zhao who likely would not have offered the same courtesy. This lets us know he's not irredeemably evil like others from the fire nation. And even though Aang finds out he is alone in the world, he is comforted by his companions who have become his new family, and bond over the fact that they too have lost loved ones to the fire nation. It's bittersweet and emotional, while still palatable to a young child audience, a delicate balance the show exceeds at.
Avatar the sidetrack
amazingfun14 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Okay first of all how did the fire nation get to the village?? Did they take a sky bison to the village or something. Aang said it was impossible for them to get there, so how did they know how to get up? Also why do some people think the avatar died, because if so another one would be reborn anyway. The Agni Kai between zuko and zhao was kind of boring. It was like watching babies fight over a toy but the toy was a ball of fire. Also how did an okay fire bender (zuko) beat a commander (zhao) since I would think commander zhao would be a bit better than he was. But Momo is the shining star of this episode, he is funny. I also liked how some backstory was given as to what happened at the southern air temple.
Dark but still good
matitya-339379 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
When you think of TV-Y7 Nickelodeon cartoons, your mind probably goes to SpongeBob SquarePants, Jimmy Neutron, The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom and the like. And if you were expecting a similar light-hearted tone from this show then the first two episodes will not disappoint you. This episode however is dark. (The show is rated TV-Y7, so I feel compelled to specify elements likely to be frighten children who watch the show even though you don't need to be a child to enjoy it.)
Prince Zuko and Commander Zhao fight half to death with Zuko and triumphant and sparing Zhao's life even as Zhao dares him to finish the job. Aang starts off naïvely believing his home to be impermeable "the only way to get into an Air Temple is by flying bison and I highly doubt the Fire Nation had access to a flying bison" (that's not a plot hole, it's a character being naïve) but then he discovers his mentor's murdered corpse surrounded by the dead bodies of Firebenders who died attacking him and realizes he's the sole survivor of a genocide. "I really am the last Airbender." Aang becoming an uncontrollable force of destruction as his eyes and tattoos glow is a sight to see and this "superpowered evil side" (to quote Overly Sarcastic Productions) is a reminder of how dangerous Aang is (and thus how he can be a threat to the Fire Lord.) If the episode were but darkness for darkness's own sake then I would denounce it but it has a darkness that serves a purpose. As evil as he is, we see that Prince Zuko is a man of honour. And as comical as he is, we see that Sokka is a true friend to Aang. And Katara calming Aang out of the Avatar State to assure him she and Sokka are his family now was touching. Beyond that Sokka and Uncle Iroh both provide some needed moments of levity and I like the introduction of Aang's flying lemur Momo. And how the episode sets up the later importance of Avatar Roku to the storyline (and implies what a later episode reveals as the reason for Aang's departure.)
This series is willing to take you the audience through the story of your lifetime and this episode is your first reminder that (like all the commercials said) there comes a time in every journey where you realize there's no turning back.
Prince Zuko and Commander Zhao fight half to death with Zuko and triumphant and sparing Zhao's life even as Zhao dares him to finish the job. Aang starts off naïvely believing his home to be impermeable "the only way to get into an Air Temple is by flying bison and I highly doubt the Fire Nation had access to a flying bison" (that's not a plot hole, it's a character being naïve) but then he discovers his mentor's murdered corpse surrounded by the dead bodies of Firebenders who died attacking him and realizes he's the sole survivor of a genocide. "I really am the last Airbender." Aang becoming an uncontrollable force of destruction as his eyes and tattoos glow is a sight to see and this "superpowered evil side" (to quote Overly Sarcastic Productions) is a reminder of how dangerous Aang is (and thus how he can be a threat to the Fire Lord.) If the episode were but darkness for darkness's own sake then I would denounce it but it has a darkness that serves a purpose. As evil as he is, we see that Prince Zuko is a man of honour. And as comical as he is, we see that Sokka is a true friend to Aang. And Katara calming Aang out of the Avatar State to assure him she and Sokka are his family now was touching. Beyond that Sokka and Uncle Iroh both provide some needed moments of levity and I like the introduction of Aang's flying lemur Momo. And how the episode sets up the later importance of Avatar Roku to the storyline (and implies what a later episode reveals as the reason for Aang's departure.)
This series is willing to take you the audience through the story of your lifetime and this episode is your first reminder that (like all the commercials said) there comes a time in every journey where you realize there's no turning back.
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