Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV Series) The Crossroads of Destiny (2006) User Reviews

Wow

[bigtendog · 10/10 · 26 June 2020]

Long story short, everything that other people complain about is everything that made this episode great. Really every episode to this point has set the formula: create conflict, then Team Avatar finds a way in the nick of time and thwarts the attack. The season 2 finale follows the formula, then just when you think Aang is going to apply what the guru taught him and become some sort of god, and just when you think Zuko is going to consummate his season 2 development and become a good guy, they both fail and the enemy wins. The twist is frustrating in the moment, but it makes the viewer that much more interested in the rest of the story.

Heartbreaking

[hydechingkwake · 10/10 · 18 June 2020]

We all knew Sokka's positive mental attitude and Zuko's transformation couldn't last forever, but no one was looking forward to it ending like this. I give the Avatar writers credit, though, for having the courage to end chapter two on such a bleak note. The end of the series - Aang defeating Fire Lord Ozai and saving the world - is certain and has been since the pilot. But the journey from the end of "Crossroads of Destiny" to that conclusion is going to be a long and turbulent one.

One of the best and darkest episode in all of Televison

[irishboy141 · 10/10 · 15 August 2018]

In this episode everything comes to a head. The perfectly laid ground work from the previous episodes all comes together and the rug is pulled out from under us. It's hard not to go into spoilers (those who've seen the episode know it's a masterpiece). Zuko and Iroh's relationship is dealt a blow, team Avatar fights to defend the earth king, Azula plays everyone like a fiddle, and the last 10 minutes contain some of the best, most intense fight scenes ever put on screen.

This is my personal favorite episode of the series, so dark, so mature, SO BRILLIANT!!!

One of the few times the villain didn't wait for the hero to power up

[davidb-19321 · 10/10 · 5 November 2021]

Many times in anime especially the villain waits for the hero to power up and vise versa and I thought this episode would be a classic case of that. The hero would power up and then manage to defeat the villain or at least buy them time to escape but that didn't happen. The villain attacked during the hero's power-up and it was one of the most suprising moments I've ever experienced when watching a show or movie.

The Empire Strikes Back of Avatar

[avisser-61025 · 10/10 · 6 August 2020]

Whenever a sequel makes a dark turn people call it the "Empire Strikes Back of whatever franchise it is." This "kids" show had gotten more mature over the second season and it completed its turn to the dark side in this final episode. It deals with complex themes such as death, losing the one you love, regression, and betrayal.

However, that's not why I'm comparing it to the Star Wars sequel. Its because "The Crossroads of Destiny" mimicks the structure of the final act of the movie. Aang is completing his training with the Guru, but his friends are in trouble, so he leaves before he is ready. In Ba Sing Se, the heroes find out that the enemy is already on the inside. Zuko and Iroh are betrayed at a meal. Finally the heroes depart wounded in a situation more desperate than before. This isn't a critique just an observation. I love the ESB and I also love TCOD. I honestly just thought of it and wanted to sharer it somewhere. If that's really lame then I don't know what to tell you, you're reading it.

Can Aang and his friends save the city of Ba Sing Se from falling into Azula's clutches?

[princess_nikki_38 · 10/10 · 4 December 2006]

This is by far the best episode that Mike and Bryan have done yet! The plot, storyline, and characters were all perfect! I loved the epic battle between Aang, Katara, Zuko, and Azula! (Later the Dai Li). This was constant edge-of-your-seat drama throughout! I thought the part where Iroh guarded Katara, so she could escape and get Aang to safety. Then, on Appa, when Katara tied using the oasis water to save Aang's life, it was heart pounding! It appeared to fail, but then his Avatar State returned, and he let out a painful moan. Katara then embraced him, then we turned to Azula and Zuko. In the final scene, the Earth King remarks "The Earth Kingdom...has fallen." We then see Katara holding Aang as he rests, then looking off into the horizon. It was such a great episode, I can't wait to see how they will top the next season finale!

A shocking and dark finale!

[and_mikkelsen · 10/10 · 30 October 2023]

This episode was one surprise after the other, as the episode plays out very different from what you would expect from a kids cartoon! WOW!!

This episode sees the culmination of everything set up in this season! Azula as a threatening force, Zuko's inner conflict, Avatar state and so on!

The title of the episode very much refers to Zuko as he is forced to make a stand and chose WHO he is! This completely blew me away and proves why he is the best part of the show! The fight at the end was INCREDIBLE!! Also one of the best!

The end was a gutpunch and proves Avatar is not afraid to go dark, and let our heroes struggle and suffer! You always expect a last hope for victory just like at the northpole in season 1!

This was a bleak note to go out on and really sets the tone for the final season!

A great end to season 2

[squirrelhunter17 · 10/10 · 25 January 2007]

Here we have an ending with a perfect cliffhanger.

Zuko, like many who feel strong in their convictions, turned on his Uncle in favor of his own pride. He also destroyed any chances of ZuTara ever happening (thank your respective gods for that one) Katara, Instead of healing Zuko and possibly keeping him from chasing the gang anymore, she saw Aang and got excited. Again, destroying the chance of ZuTara happening.

Aang, learned how to control the avatar state, possibly at the expense of his love for Katara. Did he lose her, does she love him, who knows, season 3 holds the answers.

Iroh is imprisoned, and aside from him, only Master Jong would be able to teach Aang firebending.

Suki and the Kiyoshi Warriors could quite possibly be dead.

Sokka has to find Suki.

And the Earth Kingdom is gone, leaving only one nation around to support Aang and the rest.

At the end of season 2, we've come to the high point in the series, from here, its all thick plot line. From here, everything is different.

"The time has come for you to choose"

[matitya-33937 · 10/10 · 16 February 2024]

The Good: Everything The Bad:Nothing (I'll give more detail than what I just said but that's the gist of it.)

Aang: Is killed in The Avatar State thus erasing the Avatar from existence and even though Katara revives him with her magic healing water, he's still unconscious and heavily damaged (and unable to access the Avatar State at all.) That was an impressive way to raise the stakes. (Incidentally, the magic water was set up and not a Deus Ex Machina.) Katara: She has some nice moments, most of them, with Zuko. "Do you know what this war has put me through, me personally?! The Fire Nation took my mother from me" eliciting the response "I'm sorry. I guess that's something we have in common" (which was also a nice reference to Zuko Alone.) That said, her offering to heal Zuko's scar raises the question "why didn't she do that for Jet?" Sokka: Doesn't get that much to do this episode Toph: Has a really neat escape Zuko: Just when we were all convinced he would redeem himself, he reverts back into a villain, to Katara's horror. "I thought you had changed!" "I have changed" General Iroh: More than proves himself as a mentor and a warrior and his betrayal at Zuko's hands was heartbreaking Long Feng: He was a player but before he didn't have an opponent

(Also, this episode built upon the introduction of Creeping Crystal from King Bunk's debut episode which was a nice touch.) Just as the first season ended in the jubilation of victory, the second season ended in the horror of crushing defeat. (I also love how Zuko finds his victory Cadmean.)

Great episode

[rubyducky · 10/10 · 24 October 2006]

This is a great episode! I highly suggest all avatar fans watch this! It's simply filled with on-the- edge-of-your-seat action. The voice acting was wonderful. Especially Iroh, I think he was the best. Mark Hamill also does a great job with the Fire Lord. The action at the end of the episode was top notch. It's a shame all episodes aren't like this, it would really open up the show's demographics. The writers really incorporated Zuko into the plot well, given that he is helping Aang after chasing him for a good few years of his life. The episode really brings out your sense of pride and honor by the end. As I said before, Iroh really helped with that. The apex of his skill in firebending is really shown off during the episode. Let the epic fight begin! All avatar fans must watch this episode! Finally! The Fire Nation defeated! But I'm sure there's going to be more in the next season hint hint =). I'm sure we'll all greatly look forward to that.

I just can't understand why everyone is so blown up by this episode...

[Shmaden · 9/10 · 15 November 2018]

That's not to say that I didn't like it. It was an fun, dark and action-packed episode that unfortunately didn't make sense in some parts. First of all, this season built the relationship between Zuko and his uncle as well as Zuko's character that I was expecting (in a way expecting catharsis) that Zuko would turn against his sister and help Aang, but the show went totally "The Last Jedi" and tried to subvert expectations. The thing is that when you want to subvert expectations, you must have at least tiny signs along the way that would later make the plot point to have sense. And yes I know that the Avatar fan base will come back at me saying "They explain Zuko's struggle in season 3 and even leave some more doubt in him by the end of season 2". But are we yet in season 3? No. And even that slight doubt in him at the end of this episode didn't cut it for me. The next thins is probably the most disturbing that I found. How in the world was Azula able to hurt Aang while he was going into Avatar state? And yes I know they explained during this season that if Aang was killed during the Avatar state all the previous Avatars would die too but in the first season he was untouchable right? Why was he so vulnerable now? Because we needed a cliffhanger for season 3? I mean you gotta try at least to make some decent sense about it. Just by luck Azula's strike manages to hurt him so that the audience would be shocked that he would die. But he can't die right? I mean he is the Avatar and stuff, how could he die since he is the endgame? If you try to consider these facts you will find the season's finale to be very disappointing on this particular level. Apart from that the action the drama and the story were all excellent done and aside the problems stated above I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, but in a way I was expecting more.

What happened to zuko....

[horsesever1993 · 2 December 2006]

SPOILER I personally think there was no point in Zuko and Katara being together. They'll still hate each other because the writers decided to make him bad again... I think that Zuko should have joined the Avatar gang! It was pretty exciting until the end! Writers if u read this PLEASE make Zuko part of the Avatar Gang! You don't know how many fans you have crushed! (including me :( ) Especially a lot of Zutara fans...They thought that they would get together.

Thanks a lot Writers...thanks a lot...

We are crushed...some of your most important fans crushed.

But then again, i mite be jumping to conclusions.

You MIGHT make Zuko betray Azula

You MIGHT make the Avatar gang come back and fight.

You MIGHT make them let him join them ( with a LOT of forgiveness and begging...)

PLEASE CONSIDER MY SUGGESTION PLEASE!