Avatar: The Last Airbenderis one of my favorite animated TV shows to rewatch, butthere are a few episodes I don’t mind skippingover when I return to this classic series. However, there’s no question thatAvatar: The Last Airbenderis afantasy show that never had a bad season. Each installment was carefully crafted to ensure the series hit all the major thematic and story beats. Despite this, when it comes to episodes that don’t do much to further the over-arching plot and rehash character development and relationships that are more clearly written elsewhere, I forgo these installments.
Most of the “filler” episodes throughoutATLAare in seasons 1 and 3, as season 2 is a near-perfect installment of television that perfectly progresses the plot and character development in each episode.RewatchingAvatar: The Last Airbenderproves that this children’s cartoon is a classic worth revisiting over the years. However, that doesn’t mean every single episode achieves the high standards that the best installments of the show set. When revisitingATLA, both the best and worst parts of the series shine through.
7The Great Divide
Season 1, Episode 11
“The Great Divide” might be the least polarizing episode ofATLAto skip,as it’s a true filler episode where almost no over-arching plot points are furthered.ATLAseason 1 was still finding its footing and deciding what type of series it wanted to be, and this comes through in “The Great Divide.” The warring factions that Aang, Katara, and Sokka meet in the episode aren’t memorable and are more frustrating to watch than interesting. Though Aang gets to test out his peacekeeping skills within the role of the Avatar, the story moves past this episode without much delay.
Compared to season 1, episode 12, “The Storm,“this installment feels like the series is stalling for timebefore it can get back to the meat of the narrative. It makes sense that at this point in season 1,ATLAwould need to take a break before diving right back into the action, as so much exposition has been delivered up to this point. However, knowing that so much unbelievable storytelling is right around the corner, especially when it comes to Zuko’s background, makes it easy to omit this episode from a rewatch.
6The Fortuneteller
Season 1, Episode 14
The question of whether or not someone can truly predict the future is broached in “The Fortuneteller,” and the gang has varied responses to the idea.Katara adored getting her fortune told, Sokka was skeptical, and Aang wanted to believethat all signs were pointing to a future for him and Katara. There are some sweet moments, and the characters learn a little bit more about themselves along the way, saving the town where the fortuneteller lives in the process. The episode comes to the conclusion that preparation, action, and faith must go hand-in-hand.
Though it’s one of the more interesting and funny “filler” episodes, “The Fortuneteller” can be skipped with no consequences.
There are some great instances of teamwork when the gang has to evacuate the village and save the villagers from the volcano. Aang gets to push himself in this episode, reminding the viewer and characters that though he’s young, he’s still tapped into the power of the Avatar. However, we get to see this even more concretely later in season 1, as it’s really the final two episodes of the season that the story reaches its peak. Though it’s one of the more interesting and funny “filler” episodes, “The Fortuneteller” can be skipped with no consequences.
5The Northern Air Temple
Season 1, Episode 17
After finally arriving at the North Pole after episodes of traveling, Aang decides to make a pit stop at the Northern Air Temple to see if it is in the same condition as the Southern one. The episode when Aang discovers the magnitude of the Fire Nation’s genocide of the Air Nomads, “The Southern Air Temple,” comes early on in the show, showcasing how seriousAvatarcan get. However, in “The Northern Air Temple,” Aang fully realizes there’s little hope for the revival of the Air Nomad culture, even though he had already started processing this reality before the episode.
It’s a sad episode, punctuated by some hopefulness as Aang opens himself up to the inventors who have taken up residence at the temple. However, outside of some emotional moments, “The Northern Air Temple” doesn’t offer much in terms of the greater story arc. Aang begins to move toward acceptance in the episode, but it takes almost the entirety of the show for him to move on and acknowledge how much this trauma has hurt him. Overall, “The Northern Air Temple” feels a little repetitive anddoesn’t tell the viewer anything they didn’t already know.
4The Cave Of Two Lovers
Season 2, Episode 2
“The Cave of Two Lovers” serves as an emotional release for the characters and audience after the intensity of the season 1 finale and the fallout of the season 2 premiere. After trying to force himself into the Avatar state in the season 2 opener, Aang gets a break in “The Cave of Two Lovers,” which showcases his emotional side and sets up his eventual romance with Katara. Whilethe “Secret Tunnel” song is extremely memorableand a staple of the fandom, it can get a little repetitive to watch this episode and hear the song again.
In “Return To Omashu,” the following episode, it feels like season 2 finally gets going.
Though the gang comes across many people and groups whom they only interact with for one episode, the troubadours in “The Cave of Two Lovers” don’t make a lasting impact on the series as a whole. They pass through the titular tunnel on their way to Omashu, where an important confrontation occurs between the gang and Azula, and in this case, the journey isn’t as important as the destination. In “Return To Omashu,” the following episode, it feels like season 2 finally gets going, and the audience buckles in for the emotional ups and downs to come.
3The Painted Lady
Season 3, Episode 3
Katara’s desire to help those in need and her refusal to believe that she has to compromise get her into a lot of trouble throughoutATLA. “The Painted Lady” is an early episode in season 3 and sees the gang still reeling from the events of the season 2 finale, as well as learning how to navigate being in hiding in the Fire Nation. One of the best things “The Painted Lady” and other, more “filler” episodes of season 3 do isallow the audience to grow accustomed to the world of the Fire Nation,but on a rewatch, this isn’t as critical.
Even though these episodes help to humanize the people of the Fire Nation, longtime fans ofATLAdon’t need any convincing that the Fire Nation is also negatively impacted by the war. Though Katara makes some personal strides throughout “The Painted Lady,” her most character-altering discoveries take place later on in the season. “The Painted Lady” queues up these discoveries, but she’s still discovering the kind of hero she wants to be as the episodes continue.“The Southern Raiders” sees Katara fully grapple with her pastand future in a much more compelling way.
2The Runaway
Season 3, Episode 7
While most episodes of season 3 are must-watches, as there’s practically non-stop action until Aang’s showdown with the Firelord, there are some breaks in the tension.Avatarwas aTV show that had its ending plannedfrom the beginning, and this cohesive storytelling comes through in the final installment. However, for those who know where the story is going,the confrontations between Katara and Toph in “The Runaway” aren’t as vitalto watch. The tension between these characters had been building for a long time, and in “The Runaway,” the pair attempts to bridge this gap.
The most plot-heavy part of the episode is the appearance of Combustion Man,as well as Toph’s ability to come to terms with the fact that she left her life with her parents behind. However, if you’re familiar with these parts of the show, season 3 can be watched without any confusion after skipping “The Runaway.” Additionally,Avatarhad already touched upon these themes in the past, with Katara and Toph finding common ground through other means. The action in the episode is exciting but not interesting enough to warrant successive watches.
1The Ember Island Players
Season 3, Episode 17
Just before audiences said goodbye toAvatarin the series finale, the show spent some time poking fun at itself and reminding everyone what had happened so far.“The Ember Island Players” is the series' version of a clip show,following the gang as they watch theatrical versions of themselves play out the events of the story. Of course, the play is in the Fire Nation, so there’s some bias, and the actors don’t get everything right about the past. However, this makes for a lot of opportunities to get some laughs out of the viewer.
“The Ember Island Players” also touches upon some fan theories and audience interpretations of the plot, interacting with the viewer more directly. For fans of Aang and Katara’s romance, “The Ember Island Players” is a great episode to rewatch, but it doesn’t reveal anything that the viewer didn’t already know.Avatar: The Last Airbenderforeshadows this relationship and Aang’s feelings for Katara from the beginning, and Katara realizes this too as the story progresses. However, nothing comes of their discussions until after the Firelord is defeated, which comes at the end of season 3.
