What I love about Azula's cover story with the revolutionary cell at the beginning: it isn't a total lie. She has lost her mother and her brother. In the timeline of the series their mother was gone well before Ba Sing Se, but Zuko was probably banished shortly after Iroh's failed siege. Considering how they're building Azula's character in this series, it's actually kinda significant that she's drawing on her own experience, but twisting it to fit the situation. Gives me faith that the more subtle and 'realistic' approach to writing & characterization will pay off in the long term.

The reason Azula was practicing archery was to introduce the Yuyan Archers... who were practicing with her in the background.

"Not me. Not Hermione. You!" That got me 😂

1:19 🤣 You're right though, people underestimate how rare it is to have good young actors. I'm impressed with how good they are and how well they're portraying the original characters, that was the thing I was most worried about after watching the trailers.

I thought Uncle Iroh shooting off those fire blasts and shouting "For the Fire Nation!" was a more meaningful replacement for when Uncle Iroh gets captured by the Earthbenders at the hot springs. Instead of just being lazy and oversleeping and getting caught off guard, he's actively sacrificing himself into Earth Kingdom custody for Zuko's chance to escape from the Earth Kingdom. Zhao even highlighted that they'll be in enemy territory in Omashu and won't be able to get help if any trouble occurs, so Iroh had to save them.

Also love Ozai playing azula against her brother. Gives a realistic reason for her to hate Zuko so much instead of just "I'm evil because we need a foil for Zuko".

Fun fact: the guy playing the cabbage man in this version is the same person who voiced him in the OG show

About Azula and the bow - traditionally royalty would learn archery because it was viewed as a noble skill

I remember when the trailers dropped that people were upset that Zhao was the one to raid Kyoshi Island (and there was no evidence that Zuko was there in the trailer), because it would "rob" Zuko of a moment of villainy, so people would be less likely to see him as a important threat while they were building up Zhao as the main badguy for book 1. However looking at the first 3 episodes shows that they did something neat. In the first episode, Zuko handedly beats Sokka, which was also in the original cartoon (albeit he didn't use bending in the cartoon). In the second episode he defeats Katara and even gives her traumatic flashbacks of her mother's death before Kyoshi shows up to wreck house. In the third episode, he mostly wins the fight against Aang even though Zuko was not allowed to bend, Aang only manages to escape when Zuko losing his temper sets the Omashu guards upon him. Basically, Zuko won, or was on the verge of winning every 1-1 fight so far against the members of Aang's group. This bodes well for him as a longer-term nemesis, and lets him serve as a measuring stick for when the others pick up new skills and techniques. This helps cement Zuko as a formidable threat to Aang's group, and even gives him the confidence (like it did this episode) to "go after the avatar himself" even though he currently has the support of Zhao.

I love how they did this episode, it is a very smart way to mix those three stories together and make it somehow work. "Oh, man, this writer's a genius!"

Just fyi "mechanist" and "machinist" are two different things. A mechanist is someone skilled at building machines, while a machinist is someone who uses machine tools to make other tools or parts.

I honestly think Longshot is the most visually accurate character in this show. It's uncanny.

Oh no, I cried with the "Freedom Fighters." 😭😭🙈Man, they look alike a lot👌👌❤❤❤✨✨

Danny Pudi as Sai is one of the best castings I've ever seen. He's the perfect fit! and they got a perfect fit for his son too!

the marketplace fight between Aang and Zuko was one of my favourite fights in this adaptation. It has the physical comedy, the skill, the use of environment. So entertaining to watch. Then the rule of 3 with the cabbage guy just made it perfect. One of my favourite episodes, actually.

Combining these stories was really effective I thought

I appreciate the addition of hand-to-hand fighting mixed with bending. Saves production money without losing the cool and it makes sense. Closest the animated came was the grappling in Pro-Bending.

So fun fact James Sie who voiced the cabbage man reprised his role

It surprisingly worked mixing all these stories together. The opening group looking to assasinate ozai, the lead had a lotus tattoo. I'm curious from what I've seen of Iroh what they are doing with this. Cabbage guy being played by the same voice actor, perfect.

I actually really liked this episode. The way they combined those 3 storylines(the mechanist, the freedom fighters, and Omashu) works really well. Even though there were stuff taken away(Aang seeing how they ruin the northern temple and Sokka saving the fire nation village form the dam), it’s still pretty good

About Avatar Kuruck. I know he has a reputation as being more of a chill and laid back avatar but most of that was just image because he was living a double life secretly fighting a war against dark spirits like Koh. He was certainly more hedonistic and fun loving than the other avatars but he was definitely doing his duty to protect the world.

I really really love the merging of the Mechanist and Jet's storylines. Both are people who have been driven to extreme actions by the war. I do kinda wish it didn't happen in Omashu but that is my selfish desire to see more sets and scenery from this show, and make the show feel longer by seeing more places.

31:13 There were a bunch of guards trying to keep people from leaving before closing the gate and putting the city into lockdown. Iroh was drawing the guards away so Zuko would be able to slip out before they closed.

Iroh picking up the White Lotus Pai Sho piece in Omashu was a nice little easter egg.

The fact the you spotted jet so fast makes me happy

"Of course I have no idea what she saw in you..." It's amazing the attraction power of a guy who isn't related to you in fewer than 3 steps. Small town (island) life

Book one Uncle iroh gets captured and zuko rescues him. This isn’t the same scenario as in book 2 where zuko goes on his own for a bit

I very much enjoyed this show for what it was. Are there issues? Yeah, but nothing is perfect and I don't want a 1 to 1. Combining these stories in Omashu worked very well. Also helps to keep costs down on the show so we can get money spent on more important parts.

I never thought I'd ever say the phrase "oh they're gonna cocktease us with the cabbages, huh" until I watched this episode I also kind of dig the merging of multiple episodes together. They're doing what they can to represent the original with the amount of episodes they're given. That said, not a big fan of this show's version of Bumi really

This addition at the intro was so necessary. The ending of ATLA is fine for a cartoon, but irl there's absolutely no way after generations of genocide the other nations would all just welcome the fire nation, hold hands and sing Kumbaya. Now though it makes way more sense, that many citizens also feel oppressed and like they're being sacrificed for the firelords unending war, so in a way the "peasants" are also victims.

I completely agree that the reshuffling of story beats and locations, while different, they are well done. I had to stop myself during the initial watch through and think, are the characters motivations intact? Does the characters reason for being here make sense? Yes and yes?: Then I'm good. =) I'm still waiting to see more of a steely darkness from Azula, but otherwise great ep!

I have seen the complete series, and I've been looking forward to your reaction to it. I will say, no spoilers, that the flashbacks make the show, and I guarantee that they'll make you cry.

I never realized that Daniel Dae Kim was also the voice of Hiroshi Sato, Asami’s dad, until after I watched this then went back to watching Korra again.

Happy International Women's Day Angela! 💖 🔥

I was waiting for your reaction when zuko touches katara's scarf at the market 🙊 it was amazingly filmed for me ❤

I love cabbage guy 😂

That Aang/Zuko fight has some big Jackie Chan energy and I never get sick of seeing it ❤ Also don't worry, you're going to cry profusely over Iroh next episode.

I swear Gordon sounds like Dewey from Malcolm in the middle.

the Aang vs Zuko fight gave me strong Jackie Chan vibes

Kiawentiio is an amazing actor. She was also in "What If...? " (as Wahta) and in a movie called "Beans," as Beans/Tekahentahkhwa. (That last movie is a powerful but tough watch...) The woman who played her mom in that movie is also playing her mom in this series (Rainbow Dickerson). I am watching this with a nearly blank slate, so that I am not too biased (looking at you, movie version) for a re-imagining. I think the writers are really good at weaving in elements of the animated version, but also making their own story. And that may mean that events happen differently or even in a different order. I am ok with that as long as it is a good story! And so far, for me it is! Enjoying your commentary and reactions and looking forward to the next episode!

I really enjoyed this episode and your reaction and the cheese caught me off guard..😂 But I feel so dumb thinking at first that Jett was maybe Haru and meanwhile my husband was like, “who’s Haru?”

When you're done with this one, and as you already saw Blue Eye Samurai, may I suggest Shogun. It just started on Disney+, 3 episodes have been aired so far (a 2 part beginning and a stand alone episode.) It is amazing! Everything is amazing, from the acting, to the effects, the script, the music. Every single thing is awesome!

I didn't like mixing 4 stories at first but as I watched more and saw the new story it worked

THANK YOU! For being willing to admit that child actors have flaws AND BEING WILLING TO EXCUSE THEM. The Harry Potter kids are a prime example of how bad acting shouldn't necessarily be enough to "ruin" something for you. Some of that batch *never* got over their robotic habits (looking at you Radcliffe!) But we still love them.

I think Jet's end won't be ambiguous at all in this version

now I want some cheese -- great reaction! I love how open-minded you are about the blending of storylines!

The best part of my day is watching your reaction videos, keep it up :)

That's the quickest I've seen anybody pick up on the Princess' little game...

If you do not build up Zuko as a villian, the redemption story does not work.

MY CABBAGES!!!!!!

Brussels sprouts are the only cabbages I like roasted.

Zuko & Iroh absolutely make this version of Avatar too, at least for me. And remember there’s a storyline in Book 1 where Uncle Iroh gets captured, so don’t worry too much. Just a head’s up to grab your XL size tissue box for next episode!

Right when Azula started talking about her mother and brother I was like Azula? Then when she smiled and looked back at those rebels I was like yup that's her especially when she smiled as she watched them burn btw they got renewed for seasons two and three

That funny moment you realize in Azula's cover story she killed off her brother and her mother xD

i dont know if you remember but i got a puppy on the day of your live stream and didnt know what to name her. i settled on jet because shes black but every time she heard you say jet her ears pricked up and she started staring at the tv lol

14:34 the dude with the out of control mutton chops I call him Taylor Lunkner

Heyyy. I Love your videos. U r amazing. From your brazilian fan and friend 😊

I mos def squealed when they showed cabbages guys

My mother and my brother? Did they give Azula a Freudian slip here? While she didn't lose those people she feels distant from both of them. She could have said anything. Coincidence? Brilliant writing?

I love how theyre adding unexpected twists into the story. Zhao actually goes along with zuko and tries to help him and ozai actually sounds like he cares for zuko.

Your reactions are priceless. Having never seen the animated series, I thought the story was woven very well. After completing this series and then immediately completing the animated series, I thought they did a magnificent job of removing less necessary animated parts to make the live action story seamless. Noticeable changes, but like you said, ones that haven't hindered the story at all. Aang set Katara up to be more receptive to positive thought reinforcement with Jet because she was already having positive thoughts about Jet. Zuko still only sees Aang as merely an enemy, and doesn't feel Aang's worthy of any explanations of his actions. I wasn't a fan of the turning point in Zuko's growth in the animated series...I thought it happened too abruptly, but live action Zuko's actor is knocking his role out of the park!

Not to be a conspiracy theorist but I've been thinking..... all these destroyed cabbages, again and again. Clearly, this must all be part of an elaborate scheme by the cabbage merchant to commit insurance fraud!! 😁😁

"Chops" 😂

I love your reactions to this series! I will say, don’t worry about Zuko and Iroh’s journey (which will probably require a box of tissues by the time the series ends 😅) and keep an open mind about Bumi. No spoilers, but he’s more “human” feeling, and I believe in a way that fits into the theme of the live action story, but experiences may vary. I like Bumi, but he’s different, and might take some getting used to. And he’s much better in the episode than the random clips. He has a great actor. The next episode is in my top 3 favorites, so I’m looking forward to see your reaction. 😍

Not to mention the voice actors, who did great, had many advantages to these kids. They only had to act with their voices. Definitely hard but that can be done in multiple iterations, multiple takes, and versions, and a skilled editor can splice in the best performances. Not to mention the fact that they had the script in front of them at all times in a small sound booth; no lines to memorize, no blocking to walk through, no martial arts to perform. All done by the animators. So yeah, give these kids a break and a little credit. This is a great big world they are stepping into.... quite literally.

I'm glad Angela caught on about Azula IMMEDIATELY, it took me til the reveal 🤦‍♀️

The Katara and Sokka argument reminded me a lot of the Great Divide episode

[a little edit scrubbing because I had an odd case of mistaken identity with Azula, lol.] As someone who didn't see the original, I wasn't aware how many different threads they drew together for this and I know it is a little divisive but Im glad to see you reacting so well to it. For me it really worked to setting up a lot of character arcs, but also showing in one episode thendifferent responses different people in the community have to the current state of the world. The Fire Nation rebellion, a similar rebellion, but better organised, from Jet and his crew. The mechanist making hard decisions for his own reasons and so on. A few ofnthese are threads that will continue to get pulled on over the season and its great.

I think uncle iroh getting capture is supposed to take the place of when uncle iroh gets captured in the animated series while he is at the springs. Instead it happens here.

I know that what I'm about to say is off topic, but i just realized that Seychelle Gabriel (the girl that acted as Yue in that Mr. Night Shyamalan versión) is also ASAMI'S VOICE!!! 😮😮😮 (Sorry for my ban english)

Funnylilgalreacts Such A Awesome Video Today!!🔥🐐🐐💎

You are not gonna survive the next episode, prepare yourself for tearbending

On Wednesday it was announced that the show was renewed for the other 2 seasons.

3:06 there's so much more to Kuruk than that, he has been through so much and is a pretty great avatar imo, i really suggest reading up on him bc his story is fascinating and it's not mentioned much

Unrelated to ATLA, bc I'm here for the journey, but you triggered a memory when you mentioned the HP early movies/kid acting, I absolutely don't know if this is what they are doing in ATLA (because the main cast is of a slightly more varied age bracket than the HP trio) - BUT one of the things they did in the Sorcerer’s Stone when filming is having a camera on a close-up or similar angle on Harry, Ron, and Hermione in every scene, so they could easily edit the footage if one of the youngesters accidentally broke character, which happened a lot bless them lmao. I never really noticed it before, but if you happen to rewatch the first movie you can see that a large portion of dialogue-heavy scenes are made up of solo close-ups with the children, whilst the adults are shown in more wider multi-character shots (consider the scene where Snape, McGonagall, and Quirell go to the girls bathroom after the troll attacks; Harry, Ron and Hermione are all close-up shots, whilst the adult characters aren't). It's an ingenious trick in directing when you're working with a large group of young actors.

One man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist. It all depends on your point of view. Take Star Wars for instance. To the viewer the rebels are the good guys, struggling to overcome the oppression of the Evil Galactic Empire. But to many in the Star Wars galaxy, the rebels are terrorists. Palpatine's Empire is the legitimate government of the galaxy. The Empire came into being by popular vote in the senate. The rebels consist of former seperatisis and those new voices that now oppose Palpatine. Few people are aware that Palpatine masterminded everything. Even people like Mon Mothma don't know that he manipulated the entire galaxy. The clone wars ended and those opposed to Palpatine, and his Empire, began to act against the Empire almost immediately. The more extreme elements of these early rebel groups, such as Saw Gerrera, are the most noticable because of their violent actions, and not caring who they hurt in the process, so long as they can kill some Imperials. Further, given that all galactic citizens are Imperials. whether they want to be or not, these groups have no problem operating under the idea of "if you ain't with us, you're against us" and see the collateral damage as justified, because they are Imperials. In turn this allows Palpatine to hold onto his emergency powers, because while the clone wars are over, those opposed to galactic peace, have merely transitioned to a different style of warfare. Most of those that serve the Empire are not evil, they are merely individuals who see the rebels as terrorists and themselves as the forces of order trying to restore peace to the galaxy. As groups like Saw Gerrera's Partisans take more and more extreme actions, these "good" Imperials find themselves faced with the need to resort in kind. Violence creates violence. This is further complicated by the fact that the rebels don't exactly have the moral high ground here. Yes, certain groups, such as those we tend to see on screen are portrayed as the "good guys" fighting oppression, but for every group we see doing this there are literally thousands more scattered around the galaxy. Each with their own reasons for opposing the Empire, not all of them benevolent, and their own ways of taking the fight to the Empire, not all of them "clean". Even among these "good" groups we see that there are those who aren't interested in the "niceties" of warfare and will do anything to win, such as General Draven. One of the things that I love about Disney Star Wars, is that they have made it more realistic. They've muddied up the rebels and cleaned up the Imperials. The overall leadership of the rebels is still good, and the overall leadership of the Empire is still evil, but the further away from these leaders you get, the more in the middle you find those that are actually fighting and dying for their respective causes.

I don't think Zuko every destroyed any cabbages in the animated version so this is a nice twist on an all favorite.

While it is incredibly impossible for these live-action actors to be exactly like the animated characters, it is also impossible to expect them to please the hardcore fans without ridicule. Say what you will about the actresses playing Azula and her friends (or even the main trio, ESPECIALLY Katara), but there's absolutely NO reason to body shame those girls and compare them to their animated counterparts! Absolutely disgusting!

Oh boy! I've finished the series. If you have something to worry about in this series that's not gonna be Zuko, for sure.

I've decided to only watch this show through you, the way that you're reacting to the changes is really helping me deal with the ones I don't like; mainly episode 2 so far.

While the re-shuffling of the locations does make some sense, I also feel that something is lost here. The northern air temple provided a great platform for a discussion on progress and preserving culture/tradition. This is lost here. And I feel that many such opportunities to address difficult subjects are lost in this adaptation of the series. Another thing that's lost is the forceful nature of Azula's relationship with her "friends". We don't get to see that here. It's almost like they did this stuff on purpose :/

They’re not starting the season 2 separation of Iroh and Zuko. In season 1 there was a separation with them as well, and zuko uses Irohs slipper and June’s animal that can smell anything to track him down. Just starting that story I believe

14:50 Zuko is actually really mature here. As an officer, he needs to stop indiscipline, even if it is to his personal benefit.

i cant wait to see your reaction to uncle iroh and zuko on the next episode

I LOVE the Azula arc in this episode they give her way more depth in this season and i also enjoy that there are fire nation who are trying to uprise against their own government (something we never saw too much in the animated series. The Machinest and Tao looked and worked so well Jett and his little band are also absolutely PERFECT The duke , Pipsqueek, Longshot are all so freaking perfect this episode introduced so many live action characters in one episode (I just wish it were all longer to spend more time with all of them) The moments with Zuko and Iroh in the city also are great moments, the fact they had so much going on in this episode but still managed to touch on so much was really rewarding (again only frustration was I WANTED MORE of everything longer scenes more episodes lol ) hopefully season 2 will be longer than 8 episodes but who knows! lol The fight sequences between Aang and Zoko were also very creative and loved the fight but the continual tease of the cabbage guy (and the not using the word "My Cabbages" was a perfect pay off when Zuko torches the Cabbage cart. and Bumi even though we only briefly see him at the end there i loved the look of him (Armpit Hair and all 😂😂 ) ok thats episode 4 lol end of the day this was a really fun episode for me. thanks for the reaction it was a fun one.

The Mechanist has always been called 'mechanist'. Even in the original series.

Even tho it’s not a shot for shot live action it’s still really well done honestly and there’s so many “ohhhhh that’s from the show !” Hype moments. My one complaint is bumi 😂I can’t wait to see what your thoughts on him are

The Mechanist was the Northern temple; the Eastern was the Guru and Western was after the invasion.

Yeah, if you look at it, they fight like they're in that movie Rush Hour.

U hear people say they hate how they mix episodes together. I do feel they take their expectations about the live action to far. And feel betrayed that they didnt do a one to one remake of the animation. But those people feel so die hard about the source material. They fail to be open to adaptation to any level (there are limits of course). Or to take into account that people watching it dont have knowledge off the animated series. They do sometimes change or add some things way earlier in the storyline. But overall they do a pretty good job. Im sure the live action will also draw even more people to watching the animated series. Being made curious to know more after watching the live action. Considering the live action horror movie we got before this 😭. This live action is done good

17:05 those are some high quallity gabages

Completely unrelated to the episode and the reaction but the Dawn of Yangchen novel comes before Legacy of Yangchen 😂

Seems you forgot that Uncle Iroh does get captured and Zuko has to go after him. That happens in book one. The separation for Zuko alone is book 2

Azula is one of my main conceirns of the show. Acrtress is really trying, but she is too young and innocent looking.

I wasn't sure about the episode mash-up we get here, but in the end it seems to work. Oddly, some of the things that annoy me most in this adaptation continue to be minor details - like how airbenders (and even some firebenders) can fly, or the tiny wings on Teo's glider (Aang's gets a pass because as an airbender I figure he can manipulate the effectiveness of the glider).

When Sokka referred to Suki as 'she's cool' is totally wrong. Suki (Maria Zhang) is smoking HOT

For me, in terms of this episode alone, I think the Jet/Mechanist bits worked well together (though I do miss the themes of the Northern Air Temple episode). But I think I have a hard time taking it on its own because of how it ends and so episode 3 and 4 feel like a pt 1 and pt 2, and that’s kinda what makes the condensing give a “bloated” feel to me, among other issues. Outside of Zuko ands Iroh’s side of the story, the Omashu arc is probably the lowest point in the season for me. Zuko and Iroh are always a highlight , I could probably watch a series filmed only from their perspective 👀 Minor gripes: - The chute system seemed weird? How was it maintaining its momentum upward like that with nothing seemingly acting on it? Iirc, the chute portion was about going down, and earthbending raised the carts up? - as much as I love a cabbage man bit…I think the camera cutting to looking down on him was weird. If it just lingered on the shot before as he said “my cabbages!!!” I think it would’ve been better. Felt like too…dramatic of a cut?

and finally ep3 im waitting🥰

40:27 I love Nathanael's edits !! 💖💖 🧀🧀 Angela- LoK also has a cabbage company. Cabbage man expanded his cart.

They did a nice job of consolidating storylines and locations, honestly.