Toph is a prodigy at earthbending because her blindness gives her a better understanding of earthbending than other earthbenders. She could see the small individual minerals inside the metal and bend that. That's why metal bending was never really a thing because no other earthbenders could really see what Toph sees inside the metal.

Toph Beifong -only child of one of the wealthiest family in the Earth Kingdom -born blind -taught Earthbending by the original Earthbenders, badgermoles -is a MASTER bender at age 12 -the Avatar's Earthbending teacher at age 12 -invented Seismic Sense as a way of seeing things and accompaniment for Earthbending -invented a whole new bending art, Metalbending -is a fucking badass TOPH BEIFONG, GREATEST EARTHBENDER IN THE WORLD

"She can earth bend, metal bend, bend my heart!" 😂 how everyone feels about toph when they watch this series

The two earthbenders:" Even you can't bend metal" Toph: Challenge accepted

I think aang only needed a day to train his chakras because he is a monk, after all...he got his monk tattoos, so it wasn't like he was still a novice. He could relate to the concepts the guru was speaking of much faster than, say, some random farm boy.

Only Toph can make "dunderheads" sound like a badass insult

Calvin episode 1 reaction "it's not very story intensive"

A nice little detail is that Aang's hands are in specific shapes while clearing each chakra. These are the stances Hindus use while meditating on each chakra IRL :)

Of course there was a first Avatar. His name was Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen. He was number one!

I have to give Calvin props for never spilling the beans when the others mention things they want to happen or think may happen. He's done a good job letting the others discuss things and not jump in with hints or anything.

Toph isn't bending the metal itself, but, rather, the impurities inside the metal and the only reason she can find those impurities in order to bend them is because of the tremorsense/echolocation thing that she has.

Toph was able to metal bend because she can see the earth fragments, remember? She isn't bending the refined metal, she is bending the earth pieces in the metal. Watch the scene again and you'll notice. Fun fact: the colors of Aang's training correlates to the colors of each chakra associated

9:08 "She can fucking earthbend, metalbend... bend my heart."

The final charaka scenes is a actually pretty good character insight into Aang at this point. He's already lost so much and felt the pain the comes from it, that he's willing to give up one of his ability as the Avatar just so he can have his attachment to Katara. Still at the same time he obviously missed what Guru Pathik was trying to say. He can love Katara, but he needs to have a control over his emotion and not let that love allow him to make poor decisions because anything could happen.

I don't envy whoever it is that has to edit down the final episode.

Eric: "[Toph] can earthbend... metalbend... bend my heart..." Me too, dude. :D This was the crowning moment for me that solidified my love for Toph.

toph is op as shit. really one of the strongest bender in avatar history.

When the guru told Aang to let go, he wasn’t telling Aang that he can’t love Katara. He was telling Aang that he can’t allow Katara to get in the way of his duty as the Avatar. You can still love someone dearly and uphold your duty, but you mustn’t let it interfere what you would need to do for the greater good. Aang basically needed to accept the fact that the world needs him more than he needs Katara, even if she was in danger, he cannot allow her position to compromise what he needs to do.

The Eastern Air Temple is on the eastern side of the world, the same side of the world as Ba Sing Se. Plus, with Appa, Aang can travel much faster. The reason it took them so long to get to the North Pole from the South Pole in the First Book was because they kept stopping everywhere. This was just Aang going from Point A to Point B. Also, its kind of implied that because Aang is already exceptionally spiritual, even for an airbender. That's why he can do things like master the chakras much quicker than you might expect. So, it all ties together, mastery of the spiritual nature of the Avatar is closely tied to spirituality in Airbending, which Aang was a prodigy in. It may not seem like it, but this episode and the next episode are two of the most important episodes in the series, because it effects much of what happens in Book Three and the Finale.

LOL Azula played ya! Never underestimate the enemy >:D Toph is indeed the greatest Earthbender in the world at this point (well, at least IMO)! That whole scene with Toph discovering metalbending was just beautiful. From the music, the visuals, and the guru talking - just perfect! Aang's Avatar State has always been something he couldn't control. It was always triggered either by defense or his emotions, but unlocking his chakras here would've allowed him to fully control it (as the guru stated). Of course, he wasn't able to unlock all of them because he chose attachment on the last one and now the way I see it, he's basically back to square one again.

when toph invents metal bending i always remember the words: "Instinct is a lie, told by a fearful body,hoping to be wrong. It means thath if you base your expectations only on what you see, you blind yourself to the possibilities of a new reality".

toph is so badass. sealed the deal for favorite character as soon as she appeared.

Toph's earth bending is very nontraditional from the norm of earthbending. Her techniques are rather more founded on sensory skills than just physical strength and power. Metal is refined earth, but it is probably in a state where the normal bender cannot naturally sense unrefined presence of Earth without the utmost concentration - that is until Toph. She literally had to hit the metal to feel the vibrations of Earth in it - something that no Earthbender was trained to do.

The Guru is 150 years old. The oldest character in this show.

calvin is good. Id be giving so much shit away ahaha

And so Metal Bending was invented

the meditation scenes have some of the best landscape artistry I have ever seen anywhere. Great job by a supposedly kids show

I think Toph had a bit of an advantage being bind. Other earthbenders don't feel the earth as intimately as she does. A regular earthbender in that cage would just see metal, Toph saw every grain of mineral, every imperfection in that cage then uses them to bend. It's not an easy feat to begin with but even just knowing how you'd do it is hard enough. I think that's why it's not been done before. Those with the idea, if anyone even had the idea, probably didn't have the skill and those with the skill probably never had the idea. Toph's unique style of earthbending and unusual prowess gave her the tool needed to learn it.

Metalbending!!!! FUCK YEAH

I know the guys haven't liked Azula up to this point, but this is the episode where they should start respecting her as a villain.

He said, "A master who waits and listens."

Anyway I love Azula, hahaha. You guys totally mentioned "metalbending" more than three times. Even when Sokka was training with his sword, y'all were like "can Toph bend his sword??" Ahhh the amount of times where Calvin was like "........" that was funny. Lol hearing you all talking about the earthbenders on the metal ship and thinking "they can do something!!" makes me want to see you watch the movie (everyone who saw the movie know what I'm talking about).

I love how Calvin just erupts for once, when Toph began Metalbending. Props to Blindwave for picking up on so many things and weaving clever connections, but its nice to see Calvin finally like guide and talk about what he already knows about Avatar :D

Man this is such a great episode. All the stuff with the chakras and everything is connected is really deep. It was so heartwarming to see Sokka reuniting with his father. Also Toph learning Metalbending is the most awesome thing ever and proves that she is the greatest Earthbender ever of all time. I also am glad you are finally at least giving the villains credit even though you don't like them.

Toph Beifong: The World Best Earthbender!! I loved how they used her tremorsense to see the little pieces of earth in the metal.

1. Toph's blindness has rendered her hyper-sensitive to any earth, that's why she was the one 2. Processed metal has not been around forever, or at least not throughout the bending era, so there was less time to explore metalbending

I have forgotten many things in my life. I have never forgotten that Toph Beifong is the greatest earth bender in the world.

The Special Bendings of each tribe so far Fire Benders-> Lightning Earth Benders-> Metal Water Benders-> ???

9:24 I know guys... I had the same reaction 😂 Toph is just that badass

"She can earth bend, metal bend.... bend my heart!" hahahaha

This was my favorite episode when I was younger I loved the guru and his philosophy

Never realized how much goes on in avatar episodes. I hadn't watched the show in a long time so always thought a bunch of different events happen in different eps but then I see them all happen in 1

When Aang goes through his chakras, the flashbacks corresponding with each one is tinted with the color for each chakra

Season 3 Hype

Eric you're asking some good questions. I would like to say that back in S2Ep1 Roku said if Aang dies while in the Avatar State, the reincarnation cycle will be broken and the avatar will cease to exist.

There are so many stories out there where the father and son reunite and it's always filled with angst, trepidation, etc. It's nice to see a happy, heart-felt love reunion between father and son.

Just binged this series yesterday. It's been great going through this series again with you guys.

Remember you can see the next episode reaction at our Patreon right now. So go to www.patreon.com/blindwave to watch the reaction to the book 2 Season Finale! Can you believe we only have one book of Avatar The Last Airbender left?!

Almost to one of the most remember able episodes of avatar EVER!

9:06 She can fucking earthbend, metalbend, bend my heart.. LOL

YES! BEEN WAITING FOR THIS! CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK 3!

The scene with the Guru talking about the connection of the elements and transitioning to Toph learning to metal bend with the ringing music gave me absolute chills. Avatar is such a masterpiece....

I love watching these discussions much more because I know everything thats happened.

what I always thought was that it was easier because she sees through touch and that she could see minerals inside the metal

I love how you guys are asking the same questions I was when these episodes came out.

I love the prediction conversations you guys have after the episode. Keep it up

Bend my heart?

Eric got PLAYED

Where my fellow Earthbenders at?!!

Love how Empire Strikes Back this was. Both heroes being trained by a guru who tells them to let go of attachments, and a vision of something bad happening to their friend makes them leave early to save them.

Hopefully they Will also do The legend of Korra

Is it just me or does Calvin look more and more like Vandall Savage?

This is a really great episode. Thanks for reacting/discussing.

I really enjoy Eric and Aaron's really indepth musings about the avatar state, chakras and the Avatar rebirth cycle, it's always fascinating when delving into the lore of a series and eventually seeing the biggest questions answered down the line

"I'm the greatest earthbender in the world. Don't you two dunderheads ever forget that." Best line of Toph.

I was so waiting to see the reaction on this episode!! This was one of my most favourite episodes of avatar!!

I littarly watched this show twice begining to end and i still excited to watch you enjoy it as much as i did! keep this going guys .. already more than a year subscribed :)

I always assumed Aang went through the training so fast because of a combination of training to be a monk before he found out he was Avatar, and having learned to control the Avatar state in his past lives. I don't think anyone except Toph COULD invent metalbending. Before she bent it they showed her using her earthbending-vision on the metal and finding little bits of something in it--I think that was a visual way of showing her realizing that if her earthbending-vision works on metal, it must count as earth in some way, so she can figure out how to bend it. So only someone with both the ability to see with earthbending who was surrounded by metal could figure it out--and Toph is AFAWK the only earth bender to see with earthbending.

Holy crap the theories in the end of this video were so amazing. Keep up the great work guys.

Thanks for these, guys. I was having a really bad day. Like, afraid I might hurt myself kind of bad. This at least got me to calm down.

I think the reason metalbending took this long to be invented is due to the fact that metal probably hadn't shown up until very recently in that world. Remember how advanced the Fire Nation is in the war because of their metal ships and weaponry? It's probably just too new for anybody to have much experience messing with it.

God damn it! I can't afford to be a patreon 😢 but I really want to see there reaction to the finale 😭

I've been waiting for you guys to watch this episode since season 1 episode 1

I so love when people are experiencing my fandom for the first time! The theories are so good!

Only further cementing that toph is the greatest earthbender.

7:44 shane's eyebrow's xD

Great show. In fact the greatest. And as always it is gold watching other people interact with something you are really in to.

This was always such a stressful episode for me.

Guys can we please stop telling the crew that this and that is revealed in Legends of Korra? The crew are most likely going to react to that as well and there will be no point if you guys keep spoiling things for them before they even start it. Just think before you comment.

Toph learned from the original Earth benders, the badger moles. They didn't turn tail and run when they encountered iron ore and other naturally occurring metals when digging. Plus, because no one impressed on her that she couldn't bend metal it was easier for her to push past her boundaries. Since this was posted years ago, with Korra it becomes obvious that only the strongest and most talented Earth Benders can bend metal.

19:40 Yeah we do. Legend of Korra, Season 2 Episode 7 explains how it started. And yes a new cycle can start if he dies in the Avatar State

Now you finally see why Toph is the best Earth bender in the show. The best character in the show. Ever since they've mentioned Metal Bending I been waiting for them to get to this episode.

The Guru said that more like meaning : Aang, if you leave now and don't learn to master those steps of chakra controlling, you won't be able to enter avatar state and fully control it. Aang entered the state out of strong Emotion like anger or sadness before, but was never able to fully controll it or enter it calmly when he needed it. It is not meant as permanently blocked, because he didn't master it and was able to enter it before. As he left he just threw away his possibility to learn how to fully control it. Just a clearification

Always loved the touch that the Water Tribe men welcome Sokka as a man (albeit the youngest). Really shows there was a respect there, even before they all left. He doesnt have to prove himself to them. Hes already one of them, and it was a matter of being too young to leave the village, seemingly, not a matter of being too young to fight.

After watching this reaction then re-watching the episode, I did realize that during Aangs training they show 2 full day and night cycles. He was on at least day 3 before he left to save Katara. Also, before he leaves Soka he says "I'll see you in a week" implying that his training would be about a week long.

love the avatar reactions

It only gets better from here

Great reaction! Very excited for tuseday to see you guys watch the season finale!! Because that episode is one of my favorites of the entire show.

Fun fact: The Guru's voice actor, Brian George, voiced Ki-Adi-Mundi, King Katuunko, and Chairman Chi Cho in Clone Wars.

For metal bending, even Toph said "come on, metal, budge", so one would assume that many could've tried to bend metal and it didn't budge so they concluded that it's not bendable. I did some googling and I'm not a scienceman so I didn't understand anything, but Chatgpt says that the force required to manipulate the shape of an inch thick steel plate with the area of 1 square foot is equivalent to holding up 5.5 million pounds of rock, which in cube form would be roughly the size of a 32x32x32 feet of stone. You don't really see earthbenders move that much earth at once. Granted the metal may not have been an inch thick, but it would still take considerable force to bend, much more than earthbenders would be used to.

fun fact : In the commentary on the DVD the creators said about the season 2 finale "Because that's what we love to do!! Disappoint our fans (laughs)"

Eric and I said "bend my heart" at the same time LOL

This is one reason why i love avatar it uses everything from star wars to Kafka to socrates to enhance their story.

Been waiting soo long for this woooo

Really enjoy your reaction videos. Wouldn't mind if you guys wanted to binge on season 3. Will you be watching Korea afterwards?

Azula literally played 8D Chess with her conquest of Ba Sing Se

@Blind Wave Y'know, being sick for 4 days straight friggin sucks. What doesn't is watching your reactions and theorizing in that time. Thank you.

I love that part of some Eastern Asian/Buddhist philosophy: focus and improve all that you hold dear, then let it all go. It's like the Tibetan monks who spend months making sand murals, grain by grain, then wipe it all away. THAT'S SOME SYMBOLIC FUCKING SHIT RIGHT THERE AHHH

I just love how zuko is happy serving tea with his uncle. 😌 ....Even though that’s gonna change soon