2x18 The Earth King

[7.8/10] This was one of those in-between episodes that happens in pretty much every serialized show. After the latest round of fireworks have gone off, and then next round are being set up, most shows take a minute to stop, breathe, and let the characters take stock of everything that’s happened before the next big plot point hits. It means you get episodes like “The Earth King” that don’t have much momentum, and which are even pretty lumpy in spots, but which are enjoyable as a calm-enough interregnum to just hang out with the characters ahead of the next great adventure.

Which is also to say that it’s an episode that goes for comedy over drama, lightness over seriousness, and setup over a thorough narrative. That means that it seems deceptively easy, almost comical, to dethrone Long Feng in the eyes of the titular Earth King. It’s kind of anticlimactic after all the trouble he caused earlier in the series, but there are enough hints that this is a temporary setback for him to ease the silliness with which he is deposed.

But it’s enjoyable silliness for the most part! The bit where the gang goes from “yay!” to “oh no!” to “eh,, we’ll take it” after each of the Earth King’s proclamations is grand comedy. Sokka trying to kick the big fancy door down, hitting it, and just collapsing Looney Tunes style is fun physical comedy. And Toph’s world-weary readiness to skip out on Ba Sing Se, with sarcastic remarks in tow, is a lot of fun too. The “positive attitude” business led to some very humorous moments throughout.

It’s also funny to me how a lot of the time, you see other stories or get info at just the right time to appreciate something you’re into right now. I watched The Last Emperor last year, and it certainly made me appreciate the shelteredness of the Earth King and the implications of his life in a way that I wouldn’t have otherwise, considering my lack of familiarity with Chinese history and culture. Similarly, an episode of Last Week Tonight, of all things, talking about the Dalai Lama, gave me greater context for Aang’s story to boot. It’s always a treat when your watchings come together like that.

In many ways “The Earth King” feels more like a season finale than late-season intermediate episode. So much of what it does is tablesetting. We’re going Empire Strikes Back here, with the gang splitting up, potentially heading for trouble, and likely having to reunite to face it all. The letter Long Feng hid are a solid enough device to manage that. Aang meeting with the Guru portends great things, the prospect of Toph finding common ground with her mom is pleasant, and there’s a big heartening thrill to the notion of Katara and Sokka potentially reuniting with their father (and Sokka’s goofy gratitude at Katara staying so he can go was very sweet).

(As an aside, I like Toph, but it does feel a little weird how the rest of the group treats her as though she’s been a part of their team the whole team, despite the fact that, in-universe, it seems like she’s maybe been with them for a month? Less even?)

Of course, when Sokka declares that their positive attitude has paid dividends and nothing will go wrong ever again, he may as well have just tempted fate by buying a boat called the “Live-4-Ever.” Still, the way things go wrong is interesting. Toph getting snatched up in a metal box by her pursuers (the wrestling promoter and the former teacher) is predictable but promises interesting stuff when she has to face her parents again. Long Feng learning he still has allies, and the info that there’s a divide between The Earth King with the army and Long Feng with the Dai Lee has potential. And Azula & co. masquerading as the Kyoshi warriors is an ominous but compelling story thread as well.

Last, but certainly not least, there’s Zuko. I’ve said before, I enjoy when these shorts of shows get a little mystical and symbolic. The dream sequences definitely scratched that itch. The symbolism isn’t subtle, with one dragon voiced by Azula telling him to sleep and one voiced by Iroh telling him to hold on. And if we didn’t get it, Iroh spells it out that Zuko’s illness stems from a war within himself. Still, it’s a captivating little bit of the episode that gets parceled out along with Zuko’s Avatar dream. Zuko’s big story this season has been about personal transformation, shedding his old life and figuring out what his new one will be. I’m curious to see who he is when he emerges from his tempestuous, sickly state.

Overall, the episode is lumpy as all get out, with random combinations of story, comedy, setup, and symbolism mixed up without much connective tissue, but the constituent parts are all enjoyable enough, especially after the heavy drama and action of the last couple of episodes, that it makes for a nice respite.

A bit lighter then expected considering the circumstances behind the plot points here, but it's very much needed after several heavy episodes prior to this. And yet still, in spite of the lighter stakes here, "The Earth King" still manages to be more then just setup. It's also a spectacular episode on an action front, with the opening action scene on the palace being a high point of the show with it's dynamic camerawork, creative bending, and cool powers. This also extends to it's multiple end reveals regarding certain character storylines - Aang with the Guru, Toph and her parents, as well Katara and Sokka's dad. It's all earned stuff and you feel their happiness along with them.

And even then, the episode still has that political edge that makes this show so special. The Earth King himself isn't a bad person, simply somebody who has been used a figurehead by those with agendas, and those agendas are coming to light as nothing more then just power hungry. But he isn't stupid either - instead, when faced with the truth, he makes his own decision, and while the idea of monarchy is inherently futile in modern day society, the idea of a smart ruler is put to great use in fantasy stories and this is no different.