3x02 The Headband

[5.5/10] I don't know that we really needed to see Aang reenact a cliche high school movie with a few Avatar twists. Hiim running afoul of the jock and cozying up to the popular girl and not fitting in at school felt like a trifle, without enough comedy or fun to make it enjoyable.

There's really only two things worthwhile about Aang sneaking into a fire nation school. First, I like the idea that Aang is so into this because it's a chance for him, however briefly, to be a regular kid, which is not something you get to do when you're the chosen one. Second, we get some nice worldbuilding with the Fire Nation, learning more about their fiercely nationalistic, propaganda-fueled culture, and the way that their society is repressed and focused on discipline from a pretty young age.

Still, the lame teenage drama stuff is a weak lens by which to explore it. By the same token, I like what the show was going for artistically with the dancing scenes, but this is one of the times where the show's occasionally herky-jerky animation really let it down. That sort of thing really bothered me in the show's early episodes, but either the animation improved or I got used to it or a little of both. That said, when the show is trying to depict dancing, particularly a form that's supposed to have such fluidity and grace, it comes up short. I like the direction and staging and even the choreography of the sequence (even though there's some tepid romance stuff going on), but the FPS of the show just can't keep up to make it work.

I do appreciate the subplot about Zuko and Iroh. While I suspect Iroh giving his nephew the silent treatment has much to do with Mako's death, it works as a way to show the normally loquacious, ebullient Iroh feels so hurt and betrayed by a nephew he loved dearly. It underscores the way a line was crossed, and it's had its impact on both Zuko, who has what he wanted but feels empty and scared, and Iroh who not only lost Zuko to his brother, but who failed to save his would-be son yet again. I don't know why we need the weird forehead tattoo guy at the end, but I'm sure we'll see him again.

Overall, between the warmed over school business and the weak animation on the dance sequence, this episode isn't quite up to stuff, but it does give us a bit of insight into the Fire Nation, and has some great Iroh-Zuko scenes to boot (particularly the single tear rolling down Iroh's cheek) so it's not without redeeming qualities.

Another comedic goldmine with surprising amounts of depth and important development. The show has become extremely adept at balancing it's tones at this point to such an extent that an episode like this can but both somehow a laugh riot in one scene and a solemn character drama in the next with ease. Aang's exploits at a Fire Nation school is more then just a quirky diversion - it serves multiple purposes, specifically in setting the stage for an exploration of the culture of the Fire Nation. These kids aren't evil, or malicious, hell most of them are very kind and understanding like most kids. It's the systemic fascism that plagues the Nation that brainwashes them, and while the dance party is very funny and also has some of the best moments for Aang and Katara together, it serves to humanize the Fire Nation as a whole.

This isn't even taking into account Zuko's story here. His betrayal of Iroh is one of his deeds that still haunts him, and it's clear that he is unable to really shake off that feeling as he grows increasingly conflicted about it. His obsession with the Avatar continues here, though it's clear now that he simply just wants him out of the picture so he can continue his life as it is without much regret. It's his plotline that has become one of the most compelling things on the show, and the way it has developed and continues to develop is one of the great things about it.

Another comedic goldmine with surprising amounts of depth and important development. The show has become extremely adept at balancing it's tones at this point to such an extent that an episode like this can but both somehow a laugh riot in one scene and a solemn character drama in the next with ease. Aang's exploits at a Fire Nation school is more then just a quirky diversion - it serves multiple purposes, specifically in setting the stage for an exploration of the culture of the Fire Nation. These kids aren't evil, or malicious, hell most of them are very kind and understanding like most kids. It's the systemic fascism that plagues the Nation that brainwashes them, and while the dance party is very funny and also has some of the best moments for Aang and Katara together, it serves to humanize the Fire Nation as a whole.

This isn't even taking into account Zuko's story here. His betrayal of Iroh is one of his deeds that still haunts him, and it's clear that he is unable to really shake off that feeling as he grows increasingly conflicted about it. His obsession with the Avatar continues here, though it's clear now that he simply just wants him out of the picture so he can continue his life as it is without much regret. It's his plotline that has become one of the most compelling things on the show, and the way it has developed and continues to develop is one of the great things about it.