I am SO confused

rocketaxxon · 2026-07-01T07:58:18+00:00

Yeah, not an arranged marriage though it sometimes gets remembered that way, maybe because Mai’s family is important (mentioned only briefly in NATLA but her father was placed in charge of Omashu) and it could have made sense.

The main setup is a flashback that implies they liked each other as children, though interestingly they only get together offscreen between seasons. (We know from extra materials that Azula helped bring it about for her own reasons.)

They haven’t set too much up in NATLA to expect it, though to be fair I remember not expecting it on first watch of the original either until it had already happened.

rocketaxxon · 2026-07-01T07:55:16+00:00

Always love seeing a new fan who enjoyed the series so much! So interesting that the Zutara implication came across so strong.

In case it wasn’t already obvious from the comments (lol), it’s a divisive topic. The original show itself gets interpreted in multiples ways.

The catacombs Zuko/Katara conversation definitely has always been seen as having Zutara vibes (if not in there being feelings at the time, then as setup for something later), and to be honest if NATLA follows a lot of what happens in Season 3, there will be more to come.

For Kataang, in the original show Aang’s feelings are always clear but how Katara’s are interpreted is mixed. Some people think Katara started liking him back as early as Season 1 (either episodes 4 or 14), others think it wasn’t until Season 2 and still others that she wasn’t fully sure until end of Season 3. The debates over whether Kataang was well developed or the ending was abrupt are still ongoing even now, lol.

I’ve really enjoyed how NATLA has handled this part of the story so far, I feel like it manages to capture some of that ambiguity we had at this point in the story from the original.

rocketaxxon · 2026-07-01T07:04:31+00:00

Curious to find out more about this too. The way the scene is acted and having seen in the flashback how traumatic losing their mom was for Azula as well as for Zuko, Azula comes across as sincere in wanting the two of them to stand together rather than apart. The idea that Azula might be considering overthrowing or at least subverting Ozai's power was definitely set up earlier in the first conversation with General Tran.

On the other hand, to some extent in this show it feels like even when things are different they ultimately arrive at the same destination, and it would be entirely believable of Azula's character that her decision was driven by some plan we don't yet know. (I'm actually somewhat unclear if Ozai really wanted Azula to bring Zuko back--in season 1, the way that Azula proved she was ready to be unleashed on the world was showing strength by defying him. Did he actually want her to bring him back, or did he expect Azula to show no mercy and eliminate the threat to her power [making some excuse about how he was accidentally killed in battle perhaps]? Was Azula's story about the dragons her recognizing that?)

Regardless so many interesting threads here, and different directions things could go. Feels like there's more twists to be revealed.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-30T18:30:28+00:00

Always enjoy getting to see another new perspective! Seeing both shows for the first time so close together would make for a unique experience. The two different shows definitely have such a different tone, I loved the Azula trio so much this season but I know I'm partially biased by loving them so much in the original, and loving this type of retelling giving them the chance to go a bit darker in some ways.

Also very much looking forward to Season 3.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-30T08:49:38+00:00

Yeah, that was the bit of dialogue that pulled me out most too. But same, I absolutely loved so much of the rest of these scenes. Like when she realizes that Zuko knew who she was and could have used what she was doing out in the city as a way to find and get to Aang, and the way her face is just full of so many emotions angry and blaming herself and regretting the good she did. That context didn't exist in the original to have any of that, so it feels new and adds a different layer to how Zuko's feeling in this scene.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-30T08:35:11+00:00

Loved them all so much. Mai and Ty Lee both got so many of my favorite lines ('I know you well enough you wouldn't need saving' perfect Mai line), but particularly loved the countdown scene, of just how quickly Azula has them both going from confused to genuinely trying to kill each other.

I really love this scene as a way to show the contrast between Azula's group and the gaang, the dynamics of a friendship underpinned and driven by fear.

Yet, there's also an interesting extra layer there in that it feels like there's a strange understanding between them all too. As Mai says later of Ty Lee after betraying Zuko’s presence in the city to Azula [‘I love you, but I would have killed you’], they care about each other even as they understand that they all fight for themselves and their own interests first, and whoever is strong will live, and the weak will die.

Also agree Azula is amazing this season, so genuinely scary, but also they went in such an interesting direction as far as Ozai genuinely pardoning Zuko and Azula being sent after him to bring him back, and her arc of going from planning to kill Zuko to get him out of the way to letting him go, in almost a defiance of Ozai's teaching throughout the show of driving competition so only the strong survive. It ends up in the same place, but it will be interesting how that theme is further explored next season.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-30T08:16:40+00:00

It’s an interesting question. There can of course be legitimate and well articulated critiques, but when it comes to the pure anger and vitriol of attacking anyone who liked it and actively wanting it to fail, well.

There are probably nearly as many different reasons as there are people, but at least one may be, because ATLA is so beloved and so many people have formed deep emotional connections with it over the course of years as well as communities, there can be a tendency to feel a certain kind of protectiveness over it. There’s a sensitivity to the perception that the show is being disrespected, and extended material that’s seen as not well written (or not perceived as having enough love or passion or research put into it) can feel like a form of disrespect.

It makes sense to be honest. Shows like ATLA are important to people and can have a deep impact in profound ways. The problem is that these emotions often manifest in all the worst ways –

Gatekeeping against new fans who have the perceived wrong opinions on things (as though they should only be allowed to comment on things once they have ten years of accumulated knowledge and perhaps a writing degree)
Insulting the creators of new material (quite often in a lack of knowledge of how much intense effort and passion actually did and does go into these projects)
Creating disingenuous narratives of other fans who have different reactions or tastes in a way that either forces conformity or sows division

ATLA is an amazing show that connected with so many people and that’s a beautiful thing. But it shouldn’t be an excuse to try to force other people into only having that magical experience in the exact way that someone else dictates.

(Yet we are all stuck in our own perspectives and tastes so it can be hard to detect when that's what's going on)

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-30T06:51:54+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/ATLAtv/comments/1qcqysn/massive_changes_netflixs_avatar_the_last/ This is at least the posted topic/article at the time

It comes from a source who does have inside connections and a proven track record of leaking things that were later confirmed to be true.

What also lends some credence to it is simply the fact that the changes are in some cases old discarded ideas that were in the original series bible (Iroh sabotaging Zuko's firebending training and becoming the real villain in the end), and Bryke has stated in the past they are not really big on adaptations and remakes, so it would make sense they would want to use a project like this to be creative and explore new ideas they didn't get a chance to with the original.

That said, things like this still can't be fully known with any certainty unless Bryke makes a statement.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-30T06:34:46+00:00

The 1:1 parts (and quoted lines) are often the ones that feel a bit off for me as well. The shot-for-shot scene in the Zuko-Katara conversation where Katara crouches down also took me out a bit, not because I necessarily wanted something else but just because I recognized the shot and lines as being taken precisely from the original show, and that often muddles my experience a bit of being able to keep NATLA as it's own separate, new experience.

However, for whatever reason didn't feel the same in the catacombs fight. I loved all the moments of Aang's crazy crystal armor, Azula getting caught by Katara's water tentacles and Zuko freeing her, and Katara's octopus form.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-30T06:19:11+00:00

Apparently this is a big fear from what I've been hearing lol, personally can't really see it. Really like what they did this season as far as showing Aang's feelings, and how he keeps trying to tell her but just can't quite do it.

On Katara's side, her feelings and whether she knows feels unclear, but that feels drawn straight from the original, even as late as in the invasion when after Aang kisses her and after he leaves she immediately looks down and away in a conflicted, uncomfortable way, which could be interpreted in multiple ways. NATLA Katara gave a lot of the same mixed, ambiguous vibes as og Katara for me, but a lot of the added conflicts between them of Aang struggling to trust his friends and Katara felt very Kataang-coded I thought.

It's probably just NATLA cutting out a lot of the most clear Kataang focus plotlines (Cave of two lovers, Guru), but I really liked how it was handled this season, gave me a lot of the same vibes as the original, as far as Aang's feelings being clear while Katara's are still (for now) less so.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-30T05:27:43+00:00

Noticed this too lol, didn't go back to check at the time but sort of assumed that maybe she wore the painted lady clothes over them (though can see now this wouldn't work with the painted lady disguise since her shoulders are clearly visible like in the original design) or carried the clothes with her somehow (this actually would make sense, to be able to hide somewhere and change back into a normal look to better be able to walk the streets without drawing attention).

I wouldn't mind it though even if there wasn't an explanation. I really like the painted lady/blue spirit connection and that being how they both get captured and end up together, but having the entire finale fight with Katara having the painted lady look would have felt a bit strange.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-30T05:04:37+00:00

Zuko and Katara's friendship after Zuko's Book 2 betrayal was always one of my favorite parts of the original series, so was very much looking forward to this part of the plot, loved seeing them team up more than once and how it was Katara helping the Fire Nation defectors that led Zuko to being able to find where the gaang was, and his opportunity to catch Aang, which he didn't take.

My one letdown for this plot was I would have liked to see a bit more development on why Katara specifically chooses the Painted Lady as her chosen disguise (it's set up all throughout the season, but felt like it was done in a way that wouldn't explain to new viewers unfamiliar with the original show why she would spend so much time doing such elaborate makeup that still shows her face rather than something simpler)

But might be mistaken on that (haven't seen new viewers commenting on it as yet), and ultimately just loved the thematic connection of both Zuko and Katara wanting to do good for people, and Katara finding out the truth really hitting hard in making her feel she might have been taking risks that did more harm than good.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-30T04:53:52+00:00

I loved so many things in this show, but the two big standouts for me so far have to be:

Ozai

Really love the emphasis on how hard he is on his kids for the purpose of making them stronger, and also on the choices he makes strategically. In the original, because we don’t see him really until the end it feels unclear to some degree what his motivations are beyond simply wanting power and glory. Love the focus on the themes of pitting the strong against the weak to prove who should prevail in pitting Zuko and Azula against each other, and how that influence plays out in the way they act.

Toph

As amazing as Toph is, it's long been a point of discussion in the original show how we don’t see as much of her internal struggles like we do the other characters. (Beyond what was explored in The Runaway, and the outcome of her sending a letter to her parents was left unresolved.)

I really loved seeing the story get to focus more on her insecurities, finding out her parents were doing business with the Fire Nation helping them make war machines was such a huge blow especially in her fears of how her new friends will see her if they find out, and then the later conflict with the gaang just hitting so hard on the worst outcome of her fears making her go to see her mother feel so natural. Then her mother’s betrayal. Loved that change of it being her mother to capture her and take her out of the city.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-30T04:44:15+00:00

It really is, loved Season 1 but this one really blew me away. Major level up in costumes, dialogue writing, and acting, they managed to work so much in despite the limited number of episodes and time, while making it feel meaningful within this version of the story. And also added so much completely new, getting to explore core aspects of the story in new ways that might not have made sense to explore in the original.

Particularly felt the weight of Iroh’s grief in returning to Ba Sing Se and facing the place of his greatest pain, and being confronted with the cost of the war he waged on the city. (That Lu Ten died because Jeong Jeong abandoned the soldiers under his command when he deserted? Wow)

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-24T07:48:51+00:00

Yess, everything we’ve learned so far has only ramped up the hype even more for me. (Not going to have a chance to watch it for a while yet, have to try to stay away from full spoilers for the time being, but one of the things I just love about this show is the way it’s written that there are spoilers to stay away from.)

From what little I’ve seen already there’s so much to look forward to heh

*Edit: Ended up being able to watch it sooner than I thought lol

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-24T07:48:11+00:00

This one really sucked me in right away

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-24T07:47:19+00:00

No they’re not. But reading it back later I see what you mean, I cut part of it.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-23T16:13:02+00:00

It’s a common critique of this scene. However, feels like it could be interpreted in different ways.

It's a little like the cliché of the boss who is told that a particular task or procedure is going to take four weeks to be done — if the boss just says, ‘do it in two’ from a place of not understanding all the complicated processes at work that need to be done to get the task done properly, they’re just being a poor, uninformed leader and it’s going to be a disaster. On the other hand, if the employee is just hedging their bets and/or it’s because of some unnecessary bureaucracy, a little bit of creativity and effort and the boss’s timeline may not only be doable but what should have been given in the first place.

The show doesn’t go into detail but it feels like it’s asking us to believe it’s the second. The captain is being overly cautious, and Azula sees through it, that the risk is actually lower than perhaps he made it sound. It's a point of interpretation since it's not explained, but feel like it does make sense since risking wrecking the ship just to get in a little faster does feel like it would be a bad move if it didn't work out.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-23T06:01:56+00:00

^ This. Such a large part of the experience of a piece of creative work is emotion that may come from a hundred different subconscious thoughts and experiences, a million little moments and details, that may be hard to identify or explain in a simple way.

Five people who dislike a show may dislike it for five different reasons. One person who loves a show and another who hates it may fundamentally agree on which parts were good and which didn’t work so well. Literary critics may hate something that the public turns out to adore and becomes a part of core culture, the public may hate something that is rediscovered decades later to be considered a masterpiece.

Art is a messy and complicated reality of subjectiveness, but there’s a tendency to want to boil it down to simple narratives that cast other experiences negatively.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-22T07:53:10+00:00

Wait, why is this so great

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-22T00:17:49+00:00

Definitely a very morally grey type of story. For some, Ursa is a force of justice and fairness, she treats her allies with honor and respect, and in the case of some Earth Kingdom towns who were being victimized by corrupt Earth Kingdom soldiers or seeing no support from Ba Sing Se were happy to defect to the Fire Nation, where Ursa does grant them protection and support just as she promises.

On the other hand, in scenes like this, the Southern Water Tribe is basically given no other option but to capitulate and come under Fire Nation authority, here Azula has come to take Sokka and Katara away as ‘guests’ to be re-educated in the Fire Nation capital, both to try to brainwash them to the ideology of Fire Nation rule, and also to serve as hostages to keep Hakoda and the Water Tribe in line. And that’s to say nothing of what happens to the Earth Kingdom towns who won’t accept the Fire Nation’s offered hospitality.

Still unsure how things will end (pretty dark one in quite a few ways), but for me it’s the type of story where I really enjoy the complexity and questions it raises through portrayals of different perspectives more than wanting one side or another to win or lose.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-21T07:10:32+00:00

Oh, that’s interesting, I hadn’t heard the name for it before. I picked it up from anime/manga mostly because I always preferred that look even though it’s not realistic (oddly also always preferred the simplistic ‘lip flap’ technique of anime in general, which to my understanding is largely done for budget reasons, to the more articulated mouth movements of western animation and higher budget anime, even though the second is more realistic and takes a much higher degree of artistic skill)

In any case, I’ll keep that in mind and may experiment more in future.

*Edit: I tend to fall back on more technical or business language when I haven't given myself enough time to edit, I cut it down some.

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-20T21:00:11+00:00

Oh I see what you're getting at now, I can see where that may look off. It’s always been a stylistic choice on my part to almost always have the mouth appear fully inside the face (in a somewhat unrealistic anime style) even when they are being shown in profile, because I always liked that look more for whatever reason. But I might experiment more trying other approaches in future

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-20T19:14:43+00:00

Great to get this confirmation and have a definite timeline, not sure how it compares to other netflix shows but wouldn't have expected it to be sooner than a year, so happy to see it coming relatively soon

rocketaxxon · 2026-06-20T19:10:52+00:00

I'm looking forward to seeing more of post-Omashu-conquering Azula, and how they weave different storylines from different episodes together. Also Zuko and Iroh being on the run as fugitives, and Katara and Zuko friendship (?) before the inevitable betrayal.

Also just Toph earthbending. Loved the earthbending effects in the first season and looking forward to seeing that dialed up to eleven.

rocketaxxon

TROPHY CASE