After nearly two seasons of gently guiding Zuko toward finding himself, Iroh forces Zuko to confront his romanticized notions of “destiny” with some tough love.Even still, their sacrifice to help Team Avatar escape left just enough room to believe that, with more time, maybe they could’ve grown into something better. The Freedom Fighters! Not the most morally inclined operation, sure, but the kids looked to be trekking toward something better…(even as they stole food from the boat captain).Although he only dons the mask a few times, Zuko’s alter-ego is a great reminder that he’s a more-than-capable fighter even without bending, and is always a treat to see. Along the way, they uncover a government-sanctioned brainwashing operation disguised as a resort, leading to a confrontation with the Dai Li, Ba Sing Se’s secret police force. Tired of waiting for the city’s permission, Team Avatar takes the search for Appa into their own hands. It’s the first time the show has a definitive endgame. This episode also reveals the date of the solar eclipse, the deadline which drives every decision Team Avatar makes.Appa’s kidnapping at the end of the episode kicks off an incredible seven-episode run, concluding with “Lake Laogai,” which features some of the best episodes in the series.Suddenly, Toph-the famously blind earthbender-lights up, points in the distance, and shouts, “There it is!” It’s one of the best blind jokes in the series. Things are looking bleak as the hours of aimlessly flying through the desert start piling up.He’s physically imposing-as are most 30-foot-tall owls-but he’s more than just random, villain-of-the-week fodder: his disdain for humans traces directly back to the Gaang through Zhao’s invasion of the northern water tribe. For a one-off character, Wan Shi Tong makes a lasting impression.They come across a man in search of a legendary “secret library” that’s been lost to time, and he agrees to guide them through the desert in exchange for transportation. Having found an earthbending teacher, the group’s next undertaking is finding a secret to defeating the firelord. In yet another example of him being the greatest, we learn that Iroh, the last person thought to have slain a dragon for sport, lied about their extinction in order to protect them.“The Firebending Masters” gifts us two of the most dazzling visual moments in the series: Ran & Shaw’s dragon dance, and the pillar of rainbow flames that surrounds Zuko and Aang.From Aang jabbing at Zuko’s intelligence to slap-fighting over their flames, the rapport between the two is a strength of this episode. Even after spending the better part of three seasons as enemies, Aang and Zuko have a great chemistry right from the jump.What’s great about “The Firebending Masters”: He takes Aang to search for a tribe of sun warriors with connections to the now-extinct dragons, the first creatures to firebend, hoping to reinvigorate his bending. In his first episode as a full-blown member of Team Avatar, Zuko’s firebending goes missing. We’ve put together a list of A:TLA’s ten best episodes so you can relive Team Avatar’s most awe-inspiring adventures, so check it out! (Note: There are massive spoilers from this point forward. It’s breaking streaming records, including spending its first 58(!) days in Netflix’s top 10 most-streamed list as of July 16th. By now, you’ve certainly heard the good news: twelve years after airing its final episode on Nickelodeon, Avatar: The Last Airbender is available to stream on Netflix.
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