5.0/10. There are really only three things that keep this episode from slipping below even "decent" territory: 1. While Mang was initially annoying, there's some pathos when she realizes Aang doesn't like her and she takes it like a champ, showing some maturity and dimension for what felt like a one-note pesky character. 2. Aang and Katara using their bending skills to change the clouds, and thus Aunt Wu's predictions is a neat solution to the episode's big problem. 3. The animation and design of the lava flow and ensuing efforts to stop it are particularly well done.
Otherwise, this is the doldrums. I've yet to really care about Aang's crush and Katara, and the whole watered down Midsummer Night's Dream bit with a chain of crushes and misunderstandings did nothing for me. There's the hint of a solid idea in Katara recognizing Aang as more than just a little kid, but the whole romance element fell completely flat.
The same goes for the whole reason vs. psuedoscience/mysticism element of the episode. Frankly, I pretty heartily agree with Sokka on the absurdity of the town's full faith in fortunetelling (though perhaps it's less crazy in a universe where people regularly use magic and there's spirit worlds and prophecies), but the message is delivered in such a hamfisted way. There's a bit of humor to be wrung from Sokka's frustrations with everyone, but otherwise it amounts to the episode hammering home its point in a ridiculously didactic manner. And the whole "like the clouds, you can shape your own destiny" bit it such a cliche.
Overall, it's a weak episode, with a few redeeming qualities in the third act that push it just above the "meh"-line.
(As an aside, I think Avatar is one of the few shows where a character can say "Look out for that platypus bear!" and mean for it to be taken seriously. That's not a complaint necessarily.)
I like the contradiction between their destiny and skepticism at the fortunetelling coming from Sokka. I'm guessing that, in the end, Katara and Aang are gonna end up together so Sokka, you are wrong in a way, but funny but also... VOLCANoOOOO
A great comedic reprieve from the prior two bombshells of episodes, and it's the first episode to really focus on the developing romance between Aang and Katara, which is a major focal point later on. Right now, it's mostly played for laughs as the two of them fumble around with no idea of the other's feelings (and in the case of Katara, possibly her own), and it's all very funny stuff. Sokka is the real winner here from the comedy standpoint though, whose skepticism at the fortunetelling is both relatable and very funny.
The resolution is also extremely clever, leaving the audience to pick a side without resorting to a "message". The actual message ends up being one about creating your own destiny, which ties into the overall theme of the show as a whole. Overall a solid, even great, episode of a show that is nothing but great episodes.
for the most part i don;'t like avatars romantic subplots (very difficult to emotionally invest in the love lives of 12 year olds) but this episode had enough other stuff going on to engage me. Aang airbending the lava was wicked cool. Plus as much as the romance stuff isn't my thing I do like the siserity they had when aang told weng he didn't reciprocate her feelings. solid emotional beat
the most unrealistic part of this whole show is the fact that aunt wu doesn’t charge
the most unrealistic part of this whole show is the fact that aunt mai doesn’t charge
You know what? No thanks.
6/10
Love the camera movement when Katara said "I suppose he is."
Shout by YaxareBlockedParent2021-08-02T18:03:47Z
I don’t know why but this was one of my favorite episodes. Probably due to it being extremely realistic in so many aspects. Katara ignoring the young boy as girls her age usually do, “antivaxx” people who ignore science and common sense… it might be inconsequential, but it’s also very enjoyable.