Top 5 Most Underrated Avatar: The Last Airbender Episodes, Ranked
While Avatar: The Last Airbender appears to be a legacy show in the eyes of many fans, the show struggled to find its niche audience initially. The intricate mythology and origin story of the bending power left some viewers confused and did not continue watching the show till the end. However, it slowly picked up pace and garnered a massive fandom that appreciated the unique plot and interesting characters.
The show went on to become a huge hit, spawning live-action movies and the latest Netflix adaptation that is set to return for two more seasons. To celebrate the show’s iconic history, here are the top five underrated episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender that kept fans hooked to their screens.
Avatar Day (Season 2, Episode 5)
An important episode in the show, Avatar Day, is a turning point in Aang’s story. While he is used to reveling in the majesty of his powers as an Avatar, he never thought about the past Avatars. When Katara, Sokka, and Aang arrive at Chin Village, they witness people celebrating Avatar Day by condemning the sins of an Avatar named Kyoshi back in the day.
Also Read: Avatar: The Last Airbender Nearly Ruined it’s Flawless Ending With Season 4 Plans
When the people learn that Aang is an Avatar, they put him in jail and force him to face the actions of his ancestors. Not only does the episode evoke deep thoughts of a continuing legacy, but it also impacts the way Aang views and handles his powers. The friendship between the trio also grows, and Katara and Sokka do their best to free their buddy.
Bato of the Water Tribe (Season 1, Episode 15)
This episode tests the depth of love and bond between Aang, Katara, and Sokka. When they find a ship that has people from the Water Tribe, Katara and Sokka realize there might be someone who knows where to find their dad. There, they meet Bato, a friend of their dad. This puts Aang in a conundrum as Katara and Sokka’s leaving becomes very real.
At the same time, Aang is faced with June, a hunter who is contracted by Zuko and Iroh to catch him. The fight scenes and the sentimental scenes showing how close the three of them have come to be are the highlights of this episode.
Sokka’s Master (Season 3, Episode 4)
Avatar: The Last Airbender shines as a show because of the way it showcases and treats all its characters. While Aang is the hero of the show, it does not mean that his companions and other characters of the show are not given any importance. Every character arc is given equitable importance, even the hilarious Sokka, who is often seen as the comic relief of the show. Fans see Sokka as the clown of the gang, and perhaps he’s even portrayed as such, but when we take a deeper look, we understand his humor is a defense mechanism.
In comparison to Aang’s Avatar powers and Katara’s fierce fighter spirit, Sokka feels left out and powerless. So, this episode features him learning how to hold a sword and actually contribute towards a fight. Master Piendao and the gang help him tap into his hidden potential and find the purpose that drives him. Sokka’s epiphany on power and its correlation to his worth is rewritten, making it a tipping point for his character arc.
Zuko Alone (Season 2, Episode 7)
Deemed one of the best episodes in not just Avatar: The Last Airbender, but in the history of TV shows, Zuko Alone urges viewers to reflect on the effects of war. Accurately titled, the episode features Zuko, the son of Lord Ozai, on a lonesome journey across villages that have faced his father’s wrath. Unlike Lord Ozai and the Fire Nation who want to burn everything in sight, Zuko actually emphasizes the people and feels their pain and suffering.
Upon meeting a farmer’s family, he sees how war has torn them apart, with their eldest son dying on the front lines. Zuko teaches the younger son how to fight and guides him on his journey. Thus, the character arc of Zuko begins poignantly, and his redemption begins too.
The Boiling Rock (Season 3, Episodes 14 and 15)
Even though the show adopted many tropes famous in the world of movies, the most recurrent one was a prison break. Given the character’s entanglement with the law and how easily people used to arrest others and imprison them, the show is filled with episodes where someone is freeing their pal from prison. Having said that, every episode showed an intricate plan to free the prisoner without it feeling repetitive.
In this two-part episode, we see Sokka trying to free his father from a prison that is built on top of a boiling lake. With a reputation for keeping prisoners in line and having zero fugitives, it adds a newer dimension to a rather inexperienced Sokka trying to find a way out. Moreover, not all prisoners have the bending power at their disposal, so like Shawshank Redemption, they have to cunningly escape the concrete walls.
