While the show already was pure gold, certainly compared to other shows of the era, this episode stepped up its game remarkably. The first part is good too but it's part 2 that, much like "The Storm" (1.12), gives us so much ore than what you expect when you park your kids in front of the TV screen and find yourself addicted every bit as much.
PLOT (WARNING: SPOILERS)
Continuing where part 1 left of, Zuko has finally captured the Avatar but finds himself stuck in bad weather in unfamiliar territory. Raging, he remarks that nothing ever goes his way. Aang meanwhile, oblivious to this, visits Ko, the Face Stealer, an ancient ghost in the spirit world. Ko tells Aang about the Moon and Ocean Spirit. When Katara and the others find Aang she defeats Zuko and Aang decides that they cannot leave him there to freeze to death. Meanwhile Admiral Zhao finds and, despite Aangs and Irohs warnings, kills the Moon Spirit. Effectively this causes the Moon to disappear, waterbenders to lose their ability, and Aang teams up with the Ocean Spirit to defeat the Fire Nation invasion. Zuko defeats Zhao in agni kai. Princess Yue gives her life back to the lunar spirit, restoring (and becoming) the Moon. Aang and the Ocean Spirit part ways after which the spirit kills Zhao. Iroh and Zuko escape the North Pole with Zuko very confused and uncertain. Fire Lord Ozai tasks his daughter, Princess Azula, with finding the Avatar.
The Good
So much happens in just over 20 minutes but the episode doesn't feel forced or too high-paced. In fact the best scene might be Zuko and Aang in a cave with Zuko trying to figure out what to do. He mentions his sister (read the other review for the quote) and is hopelessly stuck, a metaphor for his life. But there are so many good scenes: Aang meeting Ko, a creature that sends shivers down your spine; Iroh showing more of his strength; Aang teaming up with the Ocean Spirit to become a Monster Koi; Yue's sacrifice; Azula's smirk -it just keeps on coming. This episode also deepens our understanding of bending: water benders derive extra power from the Moon; fire benders from the Sun, which makes sense when you think about it. Sokka kisses Yue as she fades and it's not so much a tug but a straight body punch on the ole heart strings. Any trip to the spirit world is done beautifully. We finally get a large battle and it doesn't disappoint. Zuko failing and attacking Zhao and Iroh doing the same make their faith highly uncertain. Azula has been mentioned a couple of times but here we meet her even if for a brief glimpse.
No, isn't that a kid show?
I often hear this when encouraging my friends to watch this series so I advice tying them up when you encounter them too and force- binge towards this episode. Yes it is a kid's show, but this is war and invasion, spirits so creepy they make an adult freak out, destruction and death. Yue and Zhao clearly die in this episode, but this whole masterclass in animation reeks of maturity.
Conclusion
Beginning Avatar's well deserved reputation for saving the best for the finales, this one hits all the right notes and (I apologize for using this word so much for this series) deepens the show's content. We see the demise of good and evil, we see Zuko standing between them, we see Aang's true power and spiritual connections, we see impossible love, self-sacrifice, a major battle between fanatical enemies, and the promise of a whole new villain. The Siege of the North: Part 2 is perfect and I'll only deduct one point for the kiddies having nightmares about the Face Stealer.
PLOT (WARNING: SPOILERS)
Continuing where part 1 left of, Zuko has finally captured the Avatar but finds himself stuck in bad weather in unfamiliar territory. Raging, he remarks that nothing ever goes his way. Aang meanwhile, oblivious to this, visits Ko, the Face Stealer, an ancient ghost in the spirit world. Ko tells Aang about the Moon and Ocean Spirit. When Katara and the others find Aang she defeats Zuko and Aang decides that they cannot leave him there to freeze to death. Meanwhile Admiral Zhao finds and, despite Aangs and Irohs warnings, kills the Moon Spirit. Effectively this causes the Moon to disappear, waterbenders to lose their ability, and Aang teams up with the Ocean Spirit to defeat the Fire Nation invasion. Zuko defeats Zhao in agni kai. Princess Yue gives her life back to the lunar spirit, restoring (and becoming) the Moon. Aang and the Ocean Spirit part ways after which the spirit kills Zhao. Iroh and Zuko escape the North Pole with Zuko very confused and uncertain. Fire Lord Ozai tasks his daughter, Princess Azula, with finding the Avatar.
The Good
So much happens in just over 20 minutes but the episode doesn't feel forced or too high-paced. In fact the best scene might be Zuko and Aang in a cave with Zuko trying to figure out what to do. He mentions his sister (read the other review for the quote) and is hopelessly stuck, a metaphor for his life. But there are so many good scenes: Aang meeting Ko, a creature that sends shivers down your spine; Iroh showing more of his strength; Aang teaming up with the Ocean Spirit to become a Monster Koi; Yue's sacrifice; Azula's smirk -it just keeps on coming. This episode also deepens our understanding of bending: water benders derive extra power from the Moon; fire benders from the Sun, which makes sense when you think about it. Sokka kisses Yue as she fades and it's not so much a tug but a straight body punch on the ole heart strings. Any trip to the spirit world is done beautifully. We finally get a large battle and it doesn't disappoint. Zuko failing and attacking Zhao and Iroh doing the same make their faith highly uncertain. Azula has been mentioned a couple of times but here we meet her even if for a brief glimpse.
No, isn't that a kid show?
I often hear this when encouraging my friends to watch this series so I advice tying them up when you encounter them too and force- binge towards this episode. Yes it is a kid's show, but this is war and invasion, spirits so creepy they make an adult freak out, destruction and death. Yue and Zhao clearly die in this episode, but this whole masterclass in animation reeks of maturity.
Conclusion
Beginning Avatar's well deserved reputation for saving the best for the finales, this one hits all the right notes and (I apologize for using this word so much for this series) deepens the show's content. We see the demise of good and evil, we see Zuko standing between them, we see Aang's true power and spiritual connections, we see impossible love, self-sacrifice, a major battle between fanatical enemies, and the promise of a whole new villain. The Siege of the North: Part 2 is perfect and I'll only deduct one point for the kiddies having nightmares about the Face Stealer.
