The Last Airbender Moments Netflix’s Season 2 Has To Include
Though there’s not yet a confirmed release date for season 2 of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, the most recent update is that Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2’s release window could be early 2026. This shows that a lot of time and effort is being put into production, but it remains to be seen whether this is due to a desire for accuracy to the original series or because new material is being added to the Netflix series. Some changed details have already been revealed, such as Miya Cech hinting at changes to Toph for the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender.
While the runtime of the new season will likely be similar in length to the runtime of the original animated version, it’s very unlikely that every moment and detail from the original will remain. As a result, some classic moments from the original show might be omitted in favor of adding new content or embellishing other scenes. There are already many differences between Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender and the original animation, so it seems very likely that additional changes in season 2 will mean some moments getting skipped.
7
Sokka Drinking Cactus Juice
Episode 11, “The Desert”
The effect of cactus juice on Sokka is one of Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s funniest scenes, and it would be a shame for the live-action show to entirely miss it. During the episode the scene is from, Team Avatar is stuck in the desert after the loss of Appa. The cactus juice scene is a great moment, partly because it’s hilarious, but also because Aang is so miserable throughout the episode that Sokka’s cactus juice adventure is needed to break the tension.
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The loss of Appa needs to be given weight in the live-action show as it is in the original series, but it would feel like a loss if the show gives that without also providing the classic cactus juice scene. In addition, Sokka’s reaction to cactus juice is a favorite moment for a lot of fans, and while it’s a necessary moment of levity for breaking up the emotional tension, it’s also just a hilarious moment for Sokka. Scenes like this also add depth to Sokka’s later feelings about his place on Team Avatar and the way he’s seen.
6
Toph Appearing To Aang In The Swamp
Episode 4, “The Swamp”
While the Earth Rumble is the first time Aang meets Toph in person, he first discovers her destiny as his earthbending teacher in “The Swamp.” This is an important moment for all of Team Avatar. The introduction of the swampbenders showcases a waterbending culture that exists outside the North or South Pole, and who Sokka and Katara see do a great job of weaving in characters who are important to them.
Aang seeing Toph in the swamp adds a layer to her introduction. While it’s possible that Aang would decide to jump into the Earth Rumble and ask her to be his earthbending master without the vision, his vision of her reinforces his confidence that he’s meant to pursue this. The viewer’s knowledge of the vision also enhances the reveal of her character. While winning the Earth Rumble would be one of Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s best Toph moments, the swamp vision gives it more impact.
5
The Gaang Discovering Bosco Is Just A Regular Bear
Episode 14, “City Of Walls And Secrets”
When Team Avatar first learns about the Earth King’s bear Bosco, everyone is incredibly confused. They do a great bit of running through different bear hybrids he could be, before concluding that Ba Sing Se is weird. For the Gaang, this moment adds a layer of creepiness and uncertainty to Ba Sing Se, which is important because the city is so strange already. For the viewer, it’s a great meta joke that could only exist in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and it’s ridiculous because a plain bear seems so normal.
While it’s a small moment, the punchline is absolutely worth the effort.
For the joke to land, the second season will also have to remind people about the hybrid animals of the Avatar: The Last Airbender world. The animated Avatar: The Last Airbender is full of strange hybrid animals, and the joke won’t land nearly as well if more aren’t shown in the live-action series. While it’s a small moment, the punchline is absolutely worth the effort.
4
Iroh Singing “Leaves From The Vine”
Episode 15, “The Tales of Ba Sing Se”
Season 1 of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender plays an orchestral version of “Leaves From The Vine” in the background during a flashback scene, so Iroh actually singing the song to honor Lu Ten could hit even harder in the live-action version due to it already being given heavy emotional weight. There’s a lot happening throughout Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s second season, and “The Tales of Ba Sing Se” provides a moment for the viewer to breathe. Iroh’s story in this episode is especially focused on slowing things down, even if it’s hard to breathe through the tears it causes.
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Iroh is one of Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s best characters, and this moment showcases his depth in a way that really puts the spotlight on him. Lu Ten’s death is a tragedy, and while it was explored somewhat in season 1, it would be unfortunate not to dive into Iroh’s grief when he’s actually in the city where he lost his son. Lu Ten’s death had such a huge impact on Iroh and the decisions he makes throughout Avatar: The Last Airbender, and it should be treated with the weight it deserves in season 2.
3
Suki’s Rescue Of Toph
Episode 12, “The Serpent’s Pass”
It’s great to see Suki again in “The Serpent’s Pass,” especially since she becomes such an important member of the Gaang by the end of the show. This second-season moment allows Suki to meet Toph, making her at least somewhat familiar with every other member of Team Avatar by the third season, even if not always for the best reasons.
However, Suki and Toph’s meeting also leads to another of Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s funniest moments. Thinking that she’s been rescued by Sokka, Toph accidentally kisses her actual rescuer, Suki, instead. Suki reacts well, thankfully, allowing the moment to be a funny moment of insight into Toph’s feelings for Sokka, which aren’t really further explored in the show.
Since so many of the other romances in the show work out, it’s a nice view of a more realistic pre-teen crush, while also giving Toph and Suki a hilarious scene together before they really get the chance to know each other.
While Toph’s original voice actor was disappointed that Toph didn’t have a romance, this small moment hinted at what could have been one, but it also gave a chance for a character to have a crush without it going anywhere. Since so many of the other romances in the show work out, it’s a nice view of a more realistic pre-teen crush, while also giving Toph and Suki a hilarious scene together before they really get the chance to know each other.
2
Aang’s Struggles With Earthbending
Episode 9, “Bitter Work”
Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender won’t have seasons with as many episodes as the animated series, so certain arcs might unfortunately not make the cut. One thing that can be difficult to include in a short runtime is showing a character struggling to learn something. However, earth being Aang’s opposite element is important, and his struggles with it reveal a lot about his character. While it’s normal for an Avatar to have trouble with their opposite element, the time spent focusing on Aang’s struggles show his flaws in an interesting way.
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The earthbending practice scenes also help provide a deeper understanding of Toph. While we get to see her impressive earthbending prowess earlier in the season, even right from the first time she appears in person, these scenes show off both her earthbending ability and who Toph is as a person. Through her practice with Aang, we get to see how she differs from Katara as Aang’s season 2 Avatar: The Last Airbender bending master.
1
Katara Offering To Zuko To Heal Iroh
Episode 8, “The Chase”
The moment when Team Avatar, Zuko, and Iroh come together to fight Azula in “The Chase” is such a great moment, and it seems impossible that they would leave it out. However, Katara’s offer to Zuko to help Iroh and Zuko’s refusal is also an important moment for their character arcs that shouldn’t be missed. This scene establishes Katara’s willingness to help Zuko even while he’s an enemy, and it also highlights how, even after Zuko’s time away from Iroh, he still has a lot of growing to do.
All of that becomes important at the end of season 2. While Avatar: The Last Airbender could still make Zuko and Katara’s discussion of healing his scar in Ba Sing Se powerful without this moment, Katara’s offer to heal Iroh gives those scenes more impact. Iroh is one of the most important people to Zuko, especially in season 2, and while Zuko’s grown enough to fight with them against Azula, he’s afraid to trust Iroh’s health with Katara. “The Chase” perfectly sets up Zuko’s decision to go with Azula at the end of Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s second season.
7/10
- Release Date
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February 22, 2024
- Directors
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Michael Goi, Roseanne Liang, Jabbar Raisani, Jet Wilkinson
- Writers
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Albert Kim, Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko
