Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV Series) The Deserter (2005) User Reviews

Control.. or no control!

[and_mikkelsen · 9/10 · 19 October 2023]

This episode gives us a glimpse into fire and what It means to be a firebender in terms og how it differenciates from the other bending-methods!

Fire is ALIVE! Its not just about bending, but also controlling it! Without control, fire destroys and burns everything! This episode shows what It means to not have control and why control means everything!

I also enjoyed Aangs arc of learning patienter and how there are no short-cuts, only the right way! We also get some characterization on Zhao as we close in on the finale of the season!

Avatar always has a leason to teach you just lke this episode!

I love the development the Fire Nation gets in this episode

[poseyfan · 9/10 · 5 July 2022]

One of the best episodes in season one. I love the character of Jeong Jeong and his backstory. And I like how he explains that firebending is dangerous and that it can become a burden. Another thing i liked was how in the festival they put Ozai on a pedestal as this savior and good guy. It is very reminiscent of tyrannies. Also, Aang also gets some good development and well. Solid episode!

"He tried to get the first fishhook out with another fishhook"

[A_Different_Drummer · 10/10 · 10 October 2015]

Over 10 years has gone by and this reviewer remains in AWE of this show.

This episode is not merely good it is perfect.

I repeat, perfect.

How many 1000s of films have been done on the theme of the Master and Student in the martial arts context? Thie single episode, in an animated series no less, sets the bar, establishes the archetype, for how the story should be told.

And, typical of the excellence we have come to expect from this series, it delivers this perfect story with perfect writing in the broader context of maintaining the overall arc of the entire tale.

Wow.

(Now watching for a third time. Was very disappointed with Korra)

Good episode, underwhelming villain

[matitya-33937 · 7/10 · 13 February 2024]

I like this episode but I'm going to get the flaws out of the way first.

1) Commander Zhao doesn't work without Zuko (yes, I know he's an Admiral now but, like I said in my review of The Blue Spirit, I'm still going to call him Commander Zhao.) In all of his previous appearances, he's been a foil for Zuko, Zhao as a villain without honour and Zhao as one with honour. Without that contrast, Zhao is a quite generic character 2) "I don't know why but I assumed you'd be better than Zuko" that's a good point on Aang's part. Zhao is a lot less of a threat to Aang than Zuko ever was (and much more easily defeated) which is a disappointment.

The Good 1) Jeong-Jeong as a character 2) Commander Zhao's backstory 3) The lesson about the importance of discipline 4) Aang's (lasting) fear of Firebending as a result of this episode 5) The comedy 6) Avatar Roku's cameo

So it's a good episode but Commander Zhao only works as a villain when he's contrasted with Prince Zuko.