THE THEATRE!! | Avatar The Last Airbender Book 3 Episode 17 Reaction

[@luccanelson768]

Fun fact: Theatre Aang being played by a woman and actual Aang being upset by it is a reference to the fact that Nickelodeon wanted to cast an adult woman to play Aang (common practice for voice acting), but the creators insisted on getting an actual 12-year-old boy!

[@aaronyayger]

I'm glad the creators insisted on a boy instead of a woman. You can hear his voice mature throughout the series and that's good.

[@almas4663]

@@aaronyayger But the problem with male kids actors is that now they have to re-cast Aang for new shows they're making. A problem that could've been easily avoided if he was voiced by a woman

[@matthewmazzatto8003]

@@almas4663 Unless they go back to his time before getting frozen, you can just say "Aang hit puberty and now his voice matured". Every story with teenager Aang can be done by someone in the same age range as Tom Holland when he played Spider-Man.

[@aaronyayger]

@@almas4663 But they were never going to do kid Aang again. His story as a kid is over. Any other stories would be him after his voice already dropped, so a male is still the correct choice. It's a good point you made, until you think about it for just a second.

[@corndog4848]

@@almas4663 he’s also the only one out of the main cast that would need to be recasted that way as well.

[@thewittywhygaming6487]

The fact that Toph is played by a buff dude makes sense when you take into account that the wrestlers she beat up would never admit they lost to a little girl. Also, once you’ve finished the series, it’s a right of passage to watch the live action movie. It’s so bad, and makes you appreciate the series all the more.

[@sethgibson5148]

You can also tell A LOT about how the person actually liked the show when seeing their reaction to the movie.

[@fajtik]

there is no way I'm watching the movie, no matter how much I love this show

[@farisdanial1030]

How i wish i could unwatch that horrid movie

[@Kaltsit-]

@@farisdanial1030 bro same

[@JSRLPadre]

I have never watched the live action movie. And I never shall. I can never forgive them for the death of good writing. (Paraphrased from one of Captain Kirk's personal logs...)

[@grant187]

The way Suki looks at Sokka as he cackles at his own jokes is relationship goals

[@austinthorup1157]

Suki internally: He’s a dumb dumb but he’s MY dumb dumb.

[@tennoyamamoto1800]

In book One, Admiral Zhao said he would be forever remembered in history, 7:42 in the theater play, Zuko is the one who captures Aang befor the Blue Spirit rescues him, 9:48 Zhao makes only a literally small cameo at the end of Act 1, as a stage prop, it's been less than a year and History already forgot him

[@sandorfalusi3486]

But we all know that he is Zhao the Conqueror! Zhao the Moon Slayer! He WILL capture the Avatar! Zhao the Conqueror! Zhao the Moon Slayer! He WILL capture the Avatar!

[@nateklempner561]

@@sandorfalusi3486 Sh! spoilers for tlok.

[@sandorfalusi3486]

@@nateklempner561 well, it wouldn't have been, if you didn't comment this, now would it?

[@karnewarrior]

@@nateklempner561I've watched Korra and still have no idea what spoilers this is about

[@Axius27]

@@karnewarrior Guess you forgot. Just like how the world forgot about Zhao

[@tennoyamamoto1800]

Fun facts: The poster is based on Book one's DVD/Blu-ray cover Actor Zuko is voiced by Zuko's VA's (Dante Basco's) older brother (Derek Basco) Actress Aang is inspired by traditional English theater productions of Peter Pan, where the young male hero is played by a woman Actress Aang might also be a reference how several young male characters are voiced by women (sometimes even adults like Goku and Naruto in the Japanese dub) and Aang is Voiced by an actual teenage boy Actress Yue is voiced by Suki's VA (Jennie Kwan) Actor Toph is a reference to early development of the series where Aang's earthbender master would be a man, (the early designs where turned into Roku's Earthbending master) Sokka giving suggestions to actor Sokka is a reference to Sokka's VA(Jack DeSena) giving his own inputs to his lines, what actually changed his more serious character from the first few episodes

[@lary6420]

One of the best recap episodes ever made. They took the diagetic approach by making it a play that also satires the show instead of a clip show. Another reason this is one of the greatest shows ever made

[@franconunez925]

Yup, I mean, the bar isn't high for recap episodes but the amount of things this one accomplishes, worldbuilding, characterization, a little bit of meta-humor and even setting up the final fight.

[@CrazeeAdam]

I think they also played into what people in the community were thinking for some characters too, which is pretty fun

[@themoodyguy240]

I was thinking the same thing, yet another reason this show will always be one of my favorites

[@TrackpadProductions]

And still, all the while, managing to sneak an allusion to propaganda and institutionalized miseducation by hostile regimes. _In a recap episode._

[@JamesJones-ts5fl]

Fun fact, the theater Sokka VA is Scott Menville, aka Robin from Teen Titans and Teen Titans Go. He has a couple of cameos but this one is my favorite.

[@rjai5003]

Around the time this aired, it would be about 2 years after the original Teen Titans cartoon ended

[@matthewmazzatto8003]

Scott Menville is also the first person from the conflicting tribes to show up in the Great Divide.

[@ixios4624]

ohh I thought he sounded familiar

[@theotherjared9824]

Fun fact: love amongst the dragons was depicted in a comic book. It was Azulon's favorite. Zuko and Azula would often reenact fight scenes. The dark water spirit antagonist even inspired the blue spirit.

[@auditect950]

Azulon was a fan of that play?

[@chunkyfingers]

Alicia: "Damn, girl. You're crying in the first two minutes?" Me: umm... excuse me, WHAT!? YOU really said THAT!?🤣

[@nicolas._.2294]

Yea, I hate how they katara so melodramatic when in the last ep she was going full on the dark side

[@weonanegesiscipelibba2973]

@@nicolas._.2294 I mean it doesn't make sense in context. Remember they even tell the audience that the playwright got his info from secondhand sources. And even if he didn't, not everything would be included, like her "dark side".

[@rudrodeepchatterjee]

​​​@@nicolas._.2294you gotta remember. This is theatre we are talking about. Especially one that is supposed to keep the audience interested all the way to the ending propaganda plot. Of course they would make the main girl extremely melodramatic, the main character extremely ambitious, the main villian extremely loud and assertive of his villainous actions and decisions(in-play Zuko), the funny character overly comical(In-play Iroh and Sokka). Also, the play is written out of sightings and transcripts from random people Team avatar has met. They haven't spent enough time with Katara to know her(or anybody's) personality that much, so they just didn't mention it. Hence the writing liberty in making them overly dramatic.

[@brabbelbeest]

It's often the little things that makes this show so great. After the heart to hearth between Zuko and Toph, Toph hits Zuko and explains that this is how she expresses herself. This is actually a thing throughout the show, whether it's the ending of Tale of Toph and Katara (Ba Sing Se) or Sokka opening up about the loss of their mother and Katara's role in that, nearly every time Toph had a tender moment in this show, she'd end up hitting somebody.

[@franciscodelico]

A really good piece of trivia is the fact that they got the blue dragon wrong, basically because they completely forgot about Zhao, which is great poetic irony. See, Zhao wanted to kill the moon spirit to become part of history, "The Great General Zhao, who defeated the water tribes". However, as we see in with the Ember Island Players, he was completely looked over, and all of his deeds were attributed to Zuko, ultimately making him part of history. Zhao's hubris was his downfall

[@LocalMaple]

About Actor Zuko’s Scar: In theater, moving to the audience’s right is a departure, and the audience’s left is a return. When Actor Zuko was banished (facing right), he did so in dishonor (showing the scar). But when he returned (facing left), it was in honor (scar hidden). However, in reality, Zuko returned in shame, and left in honor.

[@josh_miester_x511]

I love Suki's smile at Sokka when he laughs, like "he's and idiot, but I love him".

[@henrikfrost9886]

One of the subtle things about having a strong buff dude playing Toph, is who would admit to have their ass handed to them by a small blind girl? So ofc all the sources that the screenwrite talked to would play up who Toph was. Also the people that was yawning at 13:40 is a play on words, since a drill is "boring" a hole. Subtly at is finest.

[@Just_illya]

Fun fact zukos mom used to be an actor for the ember island players before marrying ozai which is why zuko uses the blue spirit mask and why she toke zuko to see them often as a child

[@odolowa1]

Lots of fun fandom references in this one, plus production in-jokes. Toph being a buff guy is a reference to her original character design (which you can see in the credits and got reused as Roku’s earthbending master.) The poster for the play is a reference to the season one DVD box cover, which infamously had some kind of jank art.

[@lukebeich]

This is episode is just a reminder that Toph is the best character in the show AND in the show inside the show!

[@sethgibson5148]

They weren't really shocked about the ending of the had guys winning. It was more showing and them realizing that they could actually die during this. So that realization just kinda hit all of them at the end.

[@murciadoxial8056]

Fun fact, Toph was originally supposed to be a big ass buff dude, but then they changed it to a 12 year old girl, which is one of the best ideas they've ever had and I love it.

[@ryanwight9116]

There’s a theory that the “The Last Airbender” live action movie is actually the Ember Island players recounting the tale. That’s why the movie is absolute dog sh8t To be clear, I’m not saying the Ember Island Players are dog sh8t, they’re hilarious.

[@ObsessiveSting]

Only one problem with that... How did the effects get worse since then?

[@ryanwight9116]

@@ObsessiveSting and they could get characters names right

[@ObsessiveSting]

@@ryanwight9116 Aung and So-ka... Maybe hiring someone to proofread the script and a vocal coach without dyslexia to teach the new cast the names wasn't in the budget then.

[@samuelclayhills3298]

Avatar is a special show where even the recap is a banger.

[@ScorpionViper1001]

In some respects, Legend of Korra's recap episode in comparison is emblematic of my feelings towards that show vs. ATLA: Definitely weaker thanks to a number of questionable decisions, mostly from Nick's higher-ups, but ultimately very good and gets a lot of hate from certain segments of the fanbase for petty reasons.

[@Pompadourius]

I almost always skip recap episodes in shows (except those awful ones where they mix new scenes in, in which I skim to just watch those bits), but this one's the only one I ACTUALLY look forward to rewatching. lol

[@filipvadas7602]

Its still crazy that this show had *1 filler episode* and *1 recap episode* and they're both considered among the better episodes of the show. That basically NEVER happens lol Also, Toph loving every second of the charicature of herself in the play is *priceless*

[@bluecoin3771]

I’m guessing you’re only counting this season and not the Great Divide.

[@Star_fish877]

20:51 Aang in this conversation has the same energy as getting upset at someone for cheating on them in a dream

[@zubaydahtalukdar8088]

So true 😂😅 Oh Aang! 🤦‍♀️😂🤣

[@LucasF25]

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU MISSED "I THINK IT'S YOUR HONOR" JOKE, I'M SHAKING AND CRYING

[@42ndLife]

The woman playing Aang is a reference to Sandra Kay Duncan (Sandy Duncan) who was famous for her portrayal of Peter Pan on Broadway. I grew up with recordings of Sandy Duncan as Peter Pan. I loved her as a kid.

[@AceOfSerberit]

This is just a perfect way to do a recap episode! no recycled animation, viewed from a lens filled with propaganda that also makes meta commentary on fans reaction to previous episodes. flawless

[@delsucksatgames4926]

The Fire Nation can't handle the truth that a tiny blind girl gave them a beat down. So they made Toph a big muscled dude. Haha!

[@Bargreth]

This episode is great because it does actually show, not only the flipside of where they were, and where they are now. Which is a big step. A nice way to prepare for the finale. And you gotta admit, that play was just about spot on til the end.

[@Avenger85438]

It's a poetic justice that Zhao wanted to be a legend, but in the end he wasn't even included in the tacky play.

[@tyforestreacts]

The best recap episode ever… of all time.

[@yoyo777]

Yeh, but thats not saing a lot.

[@samanthaw3845]

Lol I see what you did there, Wash

[@austinthorup1157]

Brike in defense of Korra recap: Not my fault. Someone put budget cuts in my way. Really, though, my heart goes out to the Korra team in season 4.

[@GastaoHEsteves]

This episode was amazing, because while some shows creates fillers for episode recaps, The Last Airbender made something a lot more original. This recap was very important since now begins the final act.

[@bisongaming729]

Having zukos actor have the scar on the wrong side and the kid point out to zuko that his scar is on the wrong side is actually the creators poking fun at an ACTUAL SHOT that made it to the final cut of the show where they accidentally drew zukos scar on the wrong side of his face. It's the shot in the episode "the firebending masters" when zuko and aang get enveloped in the colorful flame tornado

[@callofseiiki]

was wondering when ya see this fun fact that buf male toph was the original design idea they had for her but didnt like it it wasnt catchy of sorts and then they come up with current toph the perfect 1 that encapsulate all they wanted a true earth bending master also just a suggestion try the chibi avatar it short but funny X3

[@aydinbiber7616]

Crazy how well this foreshadowed the final fight, the only major differences being that Katara was there with Zuko and Aang got pushed into the Avatar state.

[@Cri_Jackal]

The poster at the start is actually the promotional poster used for Book 1 of the show. Also, this whole episode is a subtle jab at the Avatar movie, The Last Airbender, which you should absolutely react to just to see how GOD AWFUL it is.

[@kredproductions6713]

This episode is such a nice breather before the finale

[@horn_hero]

13:42 the people yawning here was supposed to be a double joke because the plays a little long but also because the drill is boring into the wall

[@JSRLPadre]

One of my absolute favorite eps. A much needed decompression after the unexpectedly heavy themes from the Zuko Field Trips(Bioware-style Loyalty quests?). Why did it only just hit me that the Moon Spirit saw everything....EVERYTHING....that Suki and Sokka did in that tent from previous episode?

[@tylerconnelly5142]

Suki said facts about Sokka and the others on the team about losing a lot, of course not including herself or Zuko cause they just joined the team.

[@Sairin13]

I wish they had some guy at the start of the play talking to the audience and setting the scene, and then have him voiced by the actor for Avatar Roku. It would have been a nice nod to all the times we heard "Previously on Avatar."

[@phantomix3956]

well, now we know why people doesn't recognised Zuko in street where they see him. Because allmost think the scar he has on another side. That so funny))) and genius writer moves. Really no one believe that real prince goin on street or some think

[@jdnaz1288]

@10:58 - I love how it looks like that's gonna be the case...but, it turns out to be the exact opposite, & Toph loves her portrayal in the play.

[@frenchynoob]

21:30 might be _the_ most relatable thing in this entire show...

[@bromodragone8405]

Rachel Dratch as Aang Grey Griffin as Katara Scott Menville as Sokka Derek Basco as Zuko John DiMaggio as Iroh, Toph Dee Bradley Baker as Ozai, Jet, Bumi Tara Strong as Azula Jennie Kwan as Yue

[@idrc1415]

I know you were just goofin when you said "relax kids, they're gonna cheer", but to be fair... the ending they saw for Aang, Zuko, and the entire world actually, is a possibility, and though they knew that, seeing portrayed right in front of them, no matter how silly, is kind of daunting. And adding on top of that that an entire nation is cheering for their deaths? Not exactly good for moral lol and Aang's had trouble with Azula, so now the idea of going against their father is extremely daunting.

[@dragonsvideos6737]

1:58 ph snap I just realized they got zuko’s scar wrong not just in the play but also on the poster!

[@drakeredwingofficial]

Male Toph was done in this because when they first came up with her, she was originally a Dwayne Johnson-type buff dude.

[@nearly_blind1017]

Last semester a theatre group at my uni actually played that play at our campus. So it was us watching a play in which the avatar protags watched a play :D. And they did great! Dunno if it was in the episode like that, but just imagine them playing the "Fire-Nation-Jingle" each time they say "Fire-Nation" :D

[@revolution2762]

The kid saying Zuko’s scar is on the wrong side is a reference to an animation error in the firebending masters where his scar was on the wrong side of his face.

[@callme7716]

FUN FACT: Toph in the theather is represented as a buff man is because she was oringinally Suppose to be a buff man.

[@saltyk9869]

The best part about this episode is that there are basically three ways to view it. 1) A recap where they are very self aware. 2) A meta commentary on TV production. 3) Fire Nation Propaganda. Take Aang being played by a woman. Aang is played by a young boy in the show, but Nick was adamant that a woman play him. The creators fought for a boy to play him. This is because boys are often played by women in animation. Bart Simpson is literally voiced by a woman! And, of course, having a woman portray the Avatar in the play works to emasculate their enemy. Most of the moments in the play can be viewed through at least two of those lenses. The more you know about the show, the fans, and its production, the better this episode is.

[@zenmastermtl]

Fun theory: The terrible live action movie was actually a live action version of the Ember Island Players.

[@ImmaLittlePip]

I remember there's a fan theory that The M Night Shyamalan Last Airbender movie is a play by the ember island players to explain why the movie is so bad it was a pretty funny theory ngl

[@CyberDalek17]

This is the most creative way to have a Recap episode, have it be a retelling in the form of a play instead of a series of flashbacks. Also Suki in the Fire Nation Drip 👌

[@teddy_scott36]

Fun Fact: The Woman that plays Aang in the play is one of Ty Lee’s sisters

[@e.7504]

I always sort of assumed that Toph is played by a huge buff dude in the play because none of the people that fought her and lost wanted to admit that they got their butt kicked by a little girl

[@Ze_N00B]

The voice actor of the actor who plays Iroh is the same one who voices Master Splinter in Rise of the TMNT and I find that coincidence hilarious considering how similar actual iroh and Splinter end up being.

[@samwood3691]

The Toph actor scream was frikken hilarious

[@Desdemona-XI]

Toph being a burly dude, is also a 4th wall nod to how toph was originally going to be a muscular young man. And was later changed to a blind twelve year old girl

[@richardduska1558]

1:55 Yeah like the live action version... with the same accuracy.

[@Orion_44]

nah this is more accurate

[@richardduska1558]

@@Orion_44 true

[@thunderflare59]

Zuko's last words would be honor. 😂

[@wastelandlegocheem]

Azula: I just killed a f@@@ 12 year old! The audience: YAS QUEEEN

[@BiasFree]

We're so close to finishing the series, Can't wait.

[@dragonrider0079]

Oh geez we're already here?! Wow I am not ready yet XD EDIT: Also Alicia, the "movie poster" was the original image of the first season. Once Netflix took over the showing of the series it showed up less often so yea, its a parody of the original artwork XD

[@theotherjared9824]

The best part is that the play is full of scenes no one but the main cast should have knowledge of. It's purely the team having fun.

[@apuman939]

the original concept for toph was a muscular jock so they did this as a easter egg

[@bluecoin3771]

Fun fact: Puan Tim is a pun at the expense at one of the writers. Puan Tim, Poo on Tim, get it?

[@benengle9621]

I just realized that they missed their opportunity to have the Fire Lord say, "I will win this, Avatar, because YOU FORGOT TO WEAR PANTS!!"

[@Gumgumgamer009]

The meta humor tone in this is juuuust right, does it’s job well and gives some much needed levity after the previous heavy toned episode…also shout out to two cleverly hidden teen titan voice actors for raven and Robin xD

[@pelgpaladin1378]

I hate recap episodes in tv shows but this one is hilarious.

[@TheRichmaster24]

they tied the character arcs to this really well

[@thegeneralmitch]

if i had to sum up this episode in one sentence, it would be "embrace the suck." 😂😂

[@TheAlbertaChannel]

10:40-10:45 even Zuko knew that was a load of bull from katara haha 😆

[@PhirePhlame]

The buff dude playing Toph is a two-pronged joke. One, the wrestlers she beat up were probably asked about her, and of course they wouldn't just admit to getting beat down by a little blind girl. The other prong is a meta-reference, as Toph's original concept really was a burly man (you can see this design in the water/earth/fire/air part of the unaired pilot episode's intro), and later they decided to make her a little girl while keeping the core of that original burly man's personality intact.

[@Mythlorrr]

After you finish watching the series, you might enjoy two videos by the channel Hello Future Me that are about the psychology of Zuko and Azula. They're really well done and respectful and explain a lot about the characters. Well worth the watch. Just a heads up though, some people might find them hard to watch as they deal with some serious mental health topics.

[@mikevigers7785]

They weren't allowed by Nickelodeon to show Jet actually dying, Toph saying he was lying aboit being fine was their way of trying to confirm the death. But yeah, Jet dead as fuck. The other two who staye with his body are probably dead too since we don't see them with the other Freedom Fighters who show up for the invasion.

[@banjokazooie370]

This is the best recap episode in any show ever!

[@hannessteffenhagen61]

I can't believe they made a better live adaptation of the show than the actual movie within the show.

[@Xenobears]

Oh, I’ve been waiting to see your reaction to this one. Should be amusing considering that a lot of people seem to agree that this episode does a better job of recapping/condensing the series than the M. Night Shyamalan movie (though that can be attributed to the fact that the play was _supposed_ to be tongue-in-cheek and humorous while the movie was so bad it would make you laugh unintentionally).

[@morganf.1562]

That's the most creative recap episode i've ever seen

[@rarebearvt]

THE BEST recap episode of any show ever

[@wastelandlegocheem]

I love that they omit Chao's defeat to the spirit and sent to te shadow realm and replace him wirh zuko to make zuko look more incompotent

[@javahikage]

It's theorized that Toph is played by a buff tall man because none of the sources would admit they lost against a small blind girl xD

[@Flamewarden_Honoushugoshin]

Truly the cleverest recap episode of all time.

[@ethanquirk28]

2:13 post comics that comment kinda hits different

[@RagingRaygun]

"Damn girl, you gonna cry in the first 2 mins?" The audacity.

[@Aoitetsugakusha]

This episode satirized the Shyamalan movie years before it even came out

[@CrazeeAdam]

Lol I love how Zuko's scar is on the wrong side of his face and honestly how ashamed he is, really shows his growth.. just sad to see his reaction to Uncle and him and how people think they are still. Out of all of the people in the play being portrayed Zuko probably got it the worst overall.

[@kingofflames738]

We're in the calm before the storm now. The finale is about to begin.

[@TheTobiasandersen95]

I liked the touch that u can still see the firelands propaganda in the play... more so than ozai winning at the end, but yea who let the avatar get freed by the blue spirit? Zhao? Nono, mustve been zuko. Did azula take a cheap shot at iroh in those ruins? No! She would never!

[@artemisfowl7332]

This play is better then the entire live action movie. And toph being a buff man Is always hilarious Because no one that the play writer talked to wants to admit that a little blind girl beat their asses

[@epicsoul8136]

The best episode in avatar.

[@chrisbaker927]

That sonic wave is iconic hahahahahaahahah

[@rjai5003]

Still the best recap episode ever made

[@Herpestidae]

IIRC, Actress!Aang is one of Ty Lee’s sisters

[@TheBUCfifty]

The BEST ep recap I've ever seen!

[@juaniherrera4256]

I don't remember if this is true, but Toph being played by a muscular guy is a reference to the first concept of the character

[@AfreenSabah]

Always thought this was a fun way to do a recap the whole thing.

[@miguelnavera6166]

The recap episode with a good dollop of world building. This episode combined with the school one shows how much the Fire Nation government uses propaganda. It reminds me of all those anti-axis cartoons that Disney made during WW2 to rally people. I just wish more people realize that and not call this a filler episode. Fun fact: Originally, Toph was going to be male which was why in the play they casted a male actor.

[@kevinbell5674]

Despite the ending, I'm surprised the play isn't more propagandized than it is. It's also way more accurate than it should be. For example, Toph should have been portrayed as a fragile damsil who the Avatar kidnapped and forced to teach him earth bending. That should be the narrative going around because that is what Toph's father thinks happened.