Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 Review
Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender is truly unlike what fans have seen from the original series. Although it retains the same themes of the Nickelodeon show, its many narrative changes left some fans in a spin. Certain stories were removed or pulled forward, whether that be the early introduction of Azula and her friends or the condensing of the Gaang’s ventures in Omashu. However, because Avatar: The Last Airbender changed certain elements (pun intended), its story felt somewhat original. Season 2 further pushes that boundary of originality with the addition of more elements only present later in the animated series.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 sees Aang (Gordon Cormier), Katara (Kiawentiio), and Sokka (Ian Ousley) making their way to the Earth Kingdom. Although Aang is focused on learning how to earthbend, he doesn’t have a teacher who can help him. Fortunately, the Gaang find an unlikely master who knows much more about Earth ending than they do: Toph (Miyako). Their journey with Toph leads them to Ba Sing Se, the mysterious Earth Kingdom city that is much more secretive than it seems. Stuck in the city while still on the run from the Fire Lord’s forces, the Gaang must overcome their greatest fears to survive.
Although it took some time for Season 1 to find its footing, Season 2 feels a lot more narratively cohesive, albeit it still removes and inserts certain storylines together. Given how the first two episodes focus on the Serpent’s Pass storyline, I had some hesitancy about how it’d create the necessary emotional drive. However, the writing team manages to utilize that story in a way that shows how integral it is in building Aang and Katara’s bond while still retaining that careful flow. Although the animated series made this story feel much grander in terms of stakes and continuity, Netflix’s more focused take allows “Kataang” to feel much more special. Plus, there are some needed downtime moments between the two that happily provide that lightheartedness in the midst of things.
The insertion of Book 3 elements within Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 was also quite a surprise. Given how those elements were utilized back then, them appearing here meant that some of those necessary narrative steps would need to be shifted. Sure, there is that initial reasoning and motivation given to such characters in the first two episodes. It took some time for me to grasp why those things needed to come as they should as those motivations were only foundational. However, once things for those characters fell into place, it did start to make sense, but does take away other things I’d love to see. Fans of both shows might already know about which characters I’m talking about, but for new fans, it’ll definitely make you curious about why these details were introduced here.
That said, Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 quickly throws Toph into the fold in Episode 2, which helps us quickly get acquainted with her. Simply put, Miyako’s casting as Toph is truly one of the best live-action castings since she easily adapts to Toph’s confident and sassy mannerisms as well as her emotional complexities. This newfound chemistry with her castmates feels natural as it feels like the character dynamics from the original series carried over without any hitches.
Toph’s training moments with Aang are a joy to watch, especially when they’re both on the road together similar to the episode “Bitter Work.” There’s even one sequence where Aang’s being thrown so much training advice by different voices that plays up that chaoticness perfectly. However, it’s in the character-centric moments Toph has with her family that allows that idea of “defying expectations” that makes her compelling. Toph’s self-journey does hit some familiar beats to the animated series, like the unraveling of her family’s more secretive dealings, but somewhat rushes through the climax of that development. Fans of the animated series understand the necessary steps that Toph took to end up in that situation, but it certainly felt like this climax could’ve been stretched out just a bit more.
The other character in Season 2 that gets a lot of development is Zuko (Dallas Liu). At this point, Zuko’s been hiding with Iroh (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) from his sister, Azula (Elizabeth Yu), leading to his gradual redemption arc. Although the animated series split Zuko and Iroh apart, the live-action adaptation takes a more sympathetic perspective on Zuko’s activities. Much of Zuko’s time is actually spent with him trying to help out this family in need, staying with them to reflect on his Fire Nation princehood. Liu’s performance as Zuko exemplifies these colder moments because we know Zuko wants to do right, but is still conflicted by his innate desire for domination and approval. However, it’s when Zuko takes up a specific mantle that puts a spotlight on that more empathetic trait he has.
Oppositely, Azula finds herself in that same emotional boat with the only difference being that she’s still being manipulated by her father. Azula is as cunning and threatening as she’ll ever be, but there’s this shade to her that shows that need to be beloved. This especially shows on Episodes 1, 4 and 6, which brings this tenacity out of Azula despite the doubt of her friends, Mai (Thalia Tran) and Ty Lee (Momona Tamada). In fact, the time spent on his carefully fracturing bond between oneself and others shows that Azula isn’t the one-faced “antagonist” we knew her from Season 1. In fact, there are some flashbacks to Zuko and Azula’s childhood that almost make you feel sympathetic for their family, but these are brief as well.
All said and done, the narrative flow of Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 is more thematically cohesive, even though it jumps to the endgame story quickly. Episode 5 feels proof of this as, though it’s meant to be a reflective experience for the Gaang, its changes might feel slightly rushed. That said, other visual elements carry over quite well, with particular improvements with the bending effects and action sequences. The blend of effects and stuntwork are carefully edited to make those attacks, especially Azula’s, feel heavy. Even the smaller, funnier moments have that energy and liveliness to get a good laugh or two (as seen with Aang and Toph.)
Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 shows good improvements, particularly due to newcomer Miyako, who wonderfully rounds out this ensemble. Season 2’s thematic storytelling feels more cohesive and its hard-hitting, elemental action packs way more of a punch, giving old and new fans ample time to resonate with the Gaang in their next venture.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 premieres June 25 on Netflix.
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.