I don’t think this new Avatar series is off to a good start. In fact, I find this third episode terrible because it adds nothing to the narrative. I understand that this first book will have 13 episodes, so to me, this opening leaves a lot to be desired for a new Avatar installment. Literally, the most interesting thing about the episode is seeing that the White Lotus still exists in this post-cataclysm world.
Many fans have waited years for the Avatar’s return, hoping to see an innovative story in a world where humans and spirits can coexist more than before. But even if expectations weren’t met, this new adventure should still respect the essence of the previous installments. Yet, like most modern animated series, this has turned into a melodrama.
Review
The episode begins with the twins waking up the morning after the storm that occurred in the previous episode. Pavi can’t stop thinking about the vision she had and tries to remember a song she heard in it. Nisha doesn’t give the matter much importance because it is Avatar training day.
After the attack on the refuge during the storm and Commander Bountan’s injury, Captain Karthik is promoted to the new Commander of the Bending Brigade by Chancellor Kayoko. During a meeting with this new character, Karthik proposes contacting the other refuges in search of reinforcements. However, Kayoko flatly rejects the idea, fearing that it would expose Ellora’s weaknesses. She prefers to maintain the strict isolation that has been in place since the Cataclysm.
Meanwhile, Jae struggles with the heavy burden of keeping the secret of the Avatar’s return. He debates whether to confess to the Ellora council or remain silent under his captain’s orders. Jae tries to carry on with his normal life, but he finds it impossible to keep the secret of the Avatar’s existence in the refuge. Upon entering the central castle, he discovers a secret passage that leads him to the last remaining members of the White Lotus. (Only three members are shown: an earthbender, a firebender, and Captain Karthik, an airbender. Strangely, no waterbender is seen among them—perhaps one is hiding somewhere.)
In any case, the order explains to Jae that since the Cataclysm two centuries ago, they have operated from the shadows with the purpose of protecting and training the new Avatar, since the rest of society fears the Avatar, believing that they will bring destruction.
Jae is practically welcomed with open arms—more or less—into the ancestral order of the White Lotus, on the condition that he care for the girls and train them to master airbending.
During the girls’ training, a clash of ideals emerges between the sisters. Pavi is somewhat like Aang—she refuses to learn how to fight so as not to cause violence—while Nisha is like Korra, preferring to solve problems with her fists.
After being discovered as the other Avatar, Pavi must adapt in order to match Nisha’s performance, which becomes an immense burden. She feels completely overwhelmed by the discipline required of an Avatar’s training.
One of the weaknesses I have to point out is Jae’s attitude in the face of the slightest adversity shown in the episode. When Pavi escapes, he becomes demoralized and says that he is good for nothing, despite not being at fault for anything. And that is only a small detail. The girls’ childish behavior is understandable because they are young children, but Jae is an adult and seems to have the emotional stability of a teenager. I sincerely hope that this behavior changes later on.
And when I say that the only important thing that happened was the appearance of the White Lotus, I mean that literally nothing else interesting happened. The only problem was that a strange animal—Avatar animals are strange to begin with—a sort of armadillo camel, lost control for unknown reasons and started causing a commotion around the refuge. Jae and the Avatars work together to stop the animal, and they succeed by singing the song Pavi had been trying to remember.
Apparently, it was a song their mother used to sing to both of them when they were younger, which makes them wonder what happened to her over the past three years.
After setting aside his initial doubts, Jae formally agrees to join the White Lotus cause, accepting the great secret and becoming a member of the new Avatar team.
Despite their initial clashes due to their differences, Pavi and Nisha reconcile and promise each other to remain true to who they are while learning to guide the world. Pavi then asks Karthik to help her find their parents and formally chooses Jae as her airbending master.
Rating: 50/100
Originally posted through scrobble.life/tv.
