This is probably the first truly perfect episode of the series. It's brilliantly plotted, with every scene either furthering the story or adding depth to characters.
The newly minted Admiral Zhao working in tandem with the impossibly precise and staunchly disciplined Yu Yan archers creates an incredibly effective antagonistic presence that permeates the episode. With Aang's initial capture coming with both Sokka and Katara out of commission (due to the fevers they acquired from being out in last episode's storm), this is the first time we see him completely rely on someone else to escape a precarious situation. This "someone" comes in the form of the titular Blue Spirit, a mysterious warrior whose face is hidden behind a blue mask.
The action scenes both during Aang's capture at the hands of the Yu Yan archers and during the prison break accompanied by the enigmatic Blue Spirit are in my opinion the most engaging and uniquely creative of the series thus far. The eventual reveal of the Blue Spirit's identity is one of the greatest twists in television history, and presents Aang with a compelling dilemma at the episode's climax.
While the majority of the episode's tone is wonderfully dark with stakes at an all-time high, the show retains its charm with delightful comic relief that doesn't feel jarring or forced. Sokka's delirious fever-induced musings, the old herbalist woman's eccentricity, Momo's complete inability to understand Katara, and of course the lovable wood frogs are all perfectly interspersed between the more serious and somber moments.
To me, this is the best since Winter Solstice part 2: Avatar Roku. We get the introduction of a new character dynamic which affects the trajectory the show takes from here on out, as well as a wildly entertaining episode in general. While the show's quality was certainly good up to this point, the strength and subtlety of the writing introduced here marks a shift from merely good to absolutely fantastic!
The newly minted Admiral Zhao working in tandem with the impossibly precise and staunchly disciplined Yu Yan archers creates an incredibly effective antagonistic presence that permeates the episode. With Aang's initial capture coming with both Sokka and Katara out of commission (due to the fevers they acquired from being out in last episode's storm), this is the first time we see him completely rely on someone else to escape a precarious situation. This "someone" comes in the form of the titular Blue Spirit, a mysterious warrior whose face is hidden behind a blue mask.
The action scenes both during Aang's capture at the hands of the Yu Yan archers and during the prison break accompanied by the enigmatic Blue Spirit are in my opinion the most engaging and uniquely creative of the series thus far. The eventual reveal of the Blue Spirit's identity is one of the greatest twists in television history, and presents Aang with a compelling dilemma at the episode's climax.
While the majority of the episode's tone is wonderfully dark with stakes at an all-time high, the show retains its charm with delightful comic relief that doesn't feel jarring or forced. Sokka's delirious fever-induced musings, the old herbalist woman's eccentricity, Momo's complete inability to understand Katara, and of course the lovable wood frogs are all perfectly interspersed between the more serious and somber moments.
To me, this is the best since Winter Solstice part 2: Avatar Roku. We get the introduction of a new character dynamic which affects the trajectory the show takes from here on out, as well as a wildly entertaining episode in general. While the show's quality was certainly good up to this point, the strength and subtlety of the writing introduced here marks a shift from merely good to absolutely fantastic!
