Avatar The Last Airbender 2x15 REACTION and REVIEW | FIRST TIME Watching | 'The Tales of Ba Sing Se'

[@SpartanandPudgey]

Want to watch ahead or get the uncut reaction? ATLA 2x16, 17, 18 & 19 are available on Patreon! Click the link to join! www.patreon.com/spartanandpudgey

[@TobiasTK]

Legend of Korra is the next Avatar series and Aang is in it like Roku was in Avatar the Last Airbender. Can you guys watch it it’s one of my favorite series?

[@driezzy]

Everybody gangster until Iroh starts singing. Beautiful episode.

[@alib6936]

Ima hold the tears this time... "Leaves from the vine" damn it not again

[@OrdinaryCritic]

Winter, spring, summer, and fall 🎶 Winter, spring, summer, and fall 🎶 Four seasons 🎶 For love 🎶 Four seasons 🎶 For love 🎶

[@BeefPapa12]

The Soulja boy remix ruined the emotion for me

[@bigyetter]

Why did I watch this before work?!?

[@indade]

Leaves on the vine 😢

[@jackmanalope]

The episode was dedicated to Mako, Iroh’s original voice actor. He sadly passed away before the season aired, but after completing all his lines for the season. Season 3 has a different voice actor for Iroh.

[@novapixel16]

Greg Baldwin is the replacement for season 3. But he did some voice for iroh in football scene.

[@subitman]

Mako was a great actor. He's done many roles. One of my favorite is Conan the Barbarian where he played a wizard trying to help Arnold Schwarzneggar.

[@djdomain]

@@novapixel16 Nice thing is when people ask him to sing the song, he refuses out of respect for Mako, saying that it's his song.

[@RafikisAnts]

@@subitman loved him in bulletproof monk

[@PaulaAmato22]

If you realize in Iroh's story He was teaching Boys of all ages from a toddler to a young man Lessons the same Lessons he must've taught or wanted to teach his Son (he is basically playing a role of a father who was there )

[@hirvale]

Damn, how is it the first time I'm reading this! That's amazing!

[@Gu3ssWhatsN3XT]

I actually never thought about that either

[@sidekickdart31]

I just now understood Iroh's weird emphasis when I said "If only I could have helped /you/" meaning he can help all these people but he couldn't/can't help Lu Ten

[@nicholassmith7984]

I read recently that the girl in this episode who found her cat in the enclosure ("Fluffykins, what are you doing down there!?") was a Make-A-Wish kid. She was supposed to just get a tour of the studio and meet the creators, but the ended up also giving her a line in this episode, and even drew the character to look like her.

[@marcusanark2541]

Nigga I was already crying! Why you have to make it worse 😢😂😂.

[@nicholassmith7984]

@@marcusanark2541 The source I read it from implied that she recovered, so at least there's that.

[@Mike90317]

* *W E E P I N G I N C R E A S E S* *

[@Earth2Maggz]

Omg what 😭😭

[@RatingsFor]

Something beautiful about Iroh this episode, this is the city his son died in. This are the "people" who killed his son. But he still chooses to be who he is, still chooses to help whoever he meets even in this city that caused the worst moment in his life. To me that sums up who Iroh has become as a person.

[@azulablue6988]

No "these people" are civilians, they have nothing to do with the war that killed his son. They don't even know the existence of the war. Besides, Iroh was the conqueror, so it would be irrational for him to hold grudge against the people whose land he was trying to conquer.

[@RatingsFor]

@@azulablue6988 I know, that's why I put the quotes around "people." My bad for probably not explaining what I meant better. I just meant people from Ba Sing Se, as in people who literally lived in the city (the soldiers). Of course Iroh wouldn't hold a grudge for something he realizes was wrong. That doesn't mean 99% of the fire nation (or even a lot of people in general) wouldn't hold some sort of a grudge.

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

@@azulablue6988 where do you think an army gets it's men? From civilians.

[@lightningg252]

I think Iroh is the kind of person who blames himself for his son's death as well as all the soldiers he lost at Ba Sing Se rather than the Earth Kingdom

[@farrex0]

@@azulablue6988 Grudges more often than not, are not rational. Look at Jet, for example, he blames every single firebender and fire nation person, for what happened to him and his family. Going to the extreme of trying to kill even civilians. Emotions are not rational, and people that let themselves be governed by them, often act irrationally.

[@jezzluck]

At the end of Iroh's story it says 'In honor of Mako'. Mako is Iroh's voiceactor who died to cancer during the making of this series. I belive he still voices Iroh for the rest of this season, but the third book has another voiceactor for him. RIP

[@christheripper7]

RIP Mako

[@nathanielreik6617]

There are a couple lines that needed to be rerecorded that Mako's replacement had to do, but for the most part Mako does do the rest of the season.

[@Calder90]

I don't think Iroh was ever as mad as Ozai or something, but he was a Fire Nation General and heir to the Throne. He would have fought and killed for most of his life. As we saw in Zuko's backstory in season 1, Iroh quit fighting the war after Lu Ten, his son, died. This is what changed Iroh. Losing Lu Ten made him realize the horror and pointlessness of war. And then in Zuko he sees another chance to save his son. A chance to spare Zuko from the same fate that Lu Ten met. 😢

[@ashleycox8480]

Correct except it was seen in season 2 during "Zuko alone" season 1 flash backs in "the storm" didn't have any of iroh's story. But yeah otherwise your completely correct on the rest

[@joshuawells835]

To rub salt into the wound, the portrait of Lu Ten is based on Mako at a younger age and the inscription translates, "General Iroh, I will see you again when victory is obtained. Your loyal son, Lu Ten." It is speculated that this was the last correspondence between Iroh and his son before Lu Ten's death in the Siege of Ba Sing Se.

[@joannaisimaginairy2859]

it's so funny, everytime someone hears leaves from the vines for the first time, they dance or sing along with it, but hearing it that second time, and the entire song just hits different.

[@ApexCalibre]

It hurts more when you realize that Lu Ten never marched home

[@georgerobins4110]

Now, I can’t even think of it without getting sad

[@Jordan-ws6jy]

Leaves from the vine... that song gets me everytime 😫

[@justinianflavius9571]

21:16 one glimpse of Iroh's old personality is in Zuko's flashback in Zuko Alone. He was talking about possibly burning Ba Sing Se to the ground.

[@DancingRayne]

No one escapes this episode without at least shedding a tear. Rest in peace Mako. But also Momo searching for his friend always gets me.

[@burkeinator6014]

Mako was the original actor for Iroh

[@nathanielreik6617]

3:15 Long Feng's line about Aang not being able to find Appa was more of a "you came here because you are looking for your bison. If you tell the citizens about the war I will cast you out of the city so if your bison is here you won't be able to find him."

[@L0stwitn0nam3]

Hey Spartan, you brought up something that alot of media doesn't always glorify. People who grow up with violence and force of will can become peaceful and gentle. There's a saying "You will never know how violent I had to be to become this gentle." I grew up in a troubled household, fought as a kid with alot of rage, studies multiple martial arts from Taekwondo, Judo, Fu Jow Pai (kungfu) and Marine mix martial arts (McMap) when I enlisted. I loved fighting and sparring but hated hurting other people. It too alot of reflection to understand that I learned to fight to protect those who were defenseless like my child self who was unable to defend himself from abuse. This is key to understanding how some of the most peaceful and wise people are those who made the most mistakes and were the first ones to involve themselves in violence and chaos. The truth of the warrior spirit is to seek out to create peace and willing to fight and die for it. We fight for those who can't and often seek to destroy ourselves in the process. That's why many fighters don't care about the injuries they sustain in the pursuit of their goals. The way of the warrior is one where there would be no need for warriors. Iroh is not only an embodiment of wise warrior but of one that didn't let his fire consume him in the process. As someone who carries alot of pain, the story of Iroh gets me everytime.

[@DokkanG0D]

I just learned that the little girl at the end of aangs tale, that says “fluffykins what are you doing down there?!” Is a girl from make a wish. She wanted to meet the cast and crew so when they flew her there the writers surprised her by wanting to write her into the show. The character they drew is also based on her, I love this show

[@UncensoredScion]

Sokka's story is mostly based on the Haiku style of poetic writing where they need to keep to a rhythm of words used, that's why you see him counting when speaking as he accidentally got it right at first then started trying.

[@ruudkeijzer9106]

Sokka says that he can rhyme Better than the girls; If not for one syllable

[@maxvickrey4357]

I loved the haiku rap battle part ...

[@givepaddytheemmy4535]

@@ruudkeijzer9106 it’s 5-7-5 not 7-5-7

[@dafnid7294]

​​​@@givepaddytheemmy4535 Sokka thinks he rhymes, If not for one syllable, Better than the girls Lol I am just playing around , don t mind me

[@daekry]

instinct is a lie told from a fearful body hoping to be wrong

[@bradrich2000]

"he's shaving his head? maybe he's not actually bald?" he's 12

[@suddenimpulse030]

I laughed hard at this. Thank you.

[@gandhialwaysleavesanonion679]

I figured all monks were just naturally bald or something lmao, I wouldn't even consider age

[@ScratchJoe]

Could never have guessed an episode split into 6 parts could be so moving. I really felt for Iroh and Momo's parts the most, at this point we all miss Appa.

[@AL-fl4jk]

RIP Mako. Your Iroh was a lot of kids first lesson in being a badass doesn’t mean not being kind

[@mmxxiii9503]

20:26 yes, in a previous chapter: Bitter work. Seeing Iroh singing "leaves from the Vine"....😭 hits the spot every time

[@markcruz359]

lol nobody is naturally bald, especially kids. All monks shaved their head

[@Deorman]

I think something really important in this episode though it's not straighforward is that it makes you like Ba Sing Se, You can see all character enjoying their stay here a bit, after the previous episode it's important to remember that Ba Sing Se is worth saving and protecting against the Firenation despite its flaws.

[@hugewang69]

that and they had to make an episode that spans a month worth of stories because they were waiting to see the earth king

[@CoachEd]

The Iroh scene gets even sadder when you learn of the context of it. Mako, the VA for Iroh was basically mourning his impending passing. The new VA now refuses any request to sing the song as sign of respect to Mako's legacy and contribution to ATLA.

[@theaprentice6437]

Iroh, powerful warrior, tactician, and bender, man of wisdom and culture, in touch with his emotions and the spirits. He is everything a good man can be in one person. First to find a peaceful solution to anything, but able to handle himself whenever peace is not an option.

[@louai95]

the voice actor for Iroh passed away after recording season 2. This episode was in his memory which makes it even sadder

[@charlesjenkins2090]

Its easy to miss this but its clear that when Iroh says "if only I could have helped you my son" he's referencing the kind of model is able to be for everyone now, but especially Zuko. He *wasn't* that model in the past, he instead modeled the path of war and destruction for his son, and his son followed him down it to his death. All that wisdom and understanding was used for practical cunning and to better crush enemies, his willingness to bear pain was instead the willingness to inflict it. He wouldn't have been a madman like his brother, but his son was killed for trying to be like his father, and that broke Iroh and he is living a life of penance, doing good to those who killed his son, trying to save Zuko, living a small little life that appears as shameful to the Fire Nation.

[@edasher06]

I haven't seen this episode in years but as soon as Iroh started singing I started to tear up. Rest in Peace Makoto. You touched many lives.

[@nathanielhollas8471]

You noticed it towards the end but the poetry bit with Sokka was a haiku. While they dont necessarily rhyme, they need to have a 5 7 5 syllable pattern

[@needyverse]

The scene where they scrub Toph’s feet makes a lot of sense to me when you thinking about how you’d feel if someone SCRUBBED YOUR EYEBALLS

[@CONCEPTSJRS]

Iroh singing "little soldier boy" always makes me emotional. This was his last episode before he (Mako Iwamatsu) passed away. Great reaction vid guys!

[@BobGnarley.]

"How could someone so gentle be the General of a fire army" - You right. To me it makes sense though, because he ultimately is a failed General who couldn't capture his target and returned home out of sorrow when he lost his son. So it kind of adds up. I like to believe he learned about himself like Zuko

[@needyverse]

Zuko’s story makes me sad too… poor kid doesn’t know how to feel nice emotions without distrust

[@PhirePhlame]

You asked how someone so gentle could have been a Fire Nation general, and this episode answers it. It seems very easy, when you've gone through hell, to let it make you a bit more hellish as a result. But Iroh went through possibly one of the worst hells a person could go through, and turned it into his motivation to try to help ease suffering as much as he can.

[@chroniccomplainer3792]

Iroh helps a super young kid, then some teenagers, then a younger man. It showed how iroh would raise a baby into a man. Very cool imo

[@rawdahelrefaei]

Man I’ve been waiting for u guys to react to this episode, I always get so excited when I get a notification saying u posted 😂

[@timidwolf]

The poetry Sokka was doing was Haiku, a three line poem with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second line and five in the last. Widowed is correct for both, widow is a wife who's lost their partner, the term for a husband is widower.

[@kaijingarou6526]

I mean, Jet tried to murder little children in episode 10. Him not being ever a bad person is a veeeery arguable topic. But you can more or less get where he's coming from and he is trying to do better.

[@beardlessdragon]

Iroh's tale is always a gut punch. The secret gut punch of this episode is Zuko slamming the door, then cracking it open to say "It was nice." That breaks me every time

[@Celticshade]

everyones always so happy at the beginning of the tale of iroh, but of course it has a 100% rate of making adults cry. the writer of that tales specifically, and the one who wrote momo's, are genuinely amazing. to be able to fit that much history of a character, and do such a great job of showing the personality of the character with such emotion in such a short period of time is incredibly skilled. dont worry though its not like the next episode is also incredibly sad or anything....

[@manahakume9870]

Sokkas tale is literally a rap battle XD Japanese poetry, a haiku, doesn't need to rhyme, like the lady says '5, 7, then 5; Syllables mark a haiku; Remarkable oaf' so pudgy was right at the end of it his last one had 6 syllables, which then got him kicked out of the club XD

[@CliffSedge-nu5fv]

Mako - voice of Master Splinter, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2007); Uncle Iroh, ATLA; Aku, Samurai Jack; narrator, Dexter's Laboratory - played Akiro "The Wizard" in Conan the Barbarian and Conan the Destroyer - has over 100 other credits going back to The Green Hornet in the 1960s and the Kung Fu series in the 1970s. Rest well, legend.

[@blackpaw29]

Most focus on Iroh's episode, but its Momo's that really gets to me.

[@nepawu5063]

This has to be at least my 20th times seeing the leaves from the vine scene and I have truly cried every. Single. Time. The whole tale of Iroh is perfect story telling: you don’t know the significance of it until it’s too late and you’re a wreck

[@Epik61]

I literally started up just at the graphic card for tales of iroh. No matter how many times i see it, the emotions never get easier. Such masterful story telling that gets even heavier when you know the behind the scenes for it

[@phoenixDARKprince]

Mako was Iroh's voice actor, and the song was his final voice recording, which makes it hit a little different.

[@corgiluver9718]

I enjoy all the stories. I'm probably in line with the majority ranking them from best to quite good: Iroh, Zuko, Momo, Sokka, Toph & Katera, and then Aang (which I love did give us cabbage man & plenty of hybrid animals.) And Iroh's just gets more emotional each time I see it.

[@alysonsinkie9296]

For some reason this is one of my favorite ATLA episodes

[@ishan_ghimire]

For me, Iroh's is the best one followed by Momo's. I tear up at the end of both of those EVERYTIME! The former shows the trauma of Iroh that reshaped his character, and the later one humanizes Momo and shows his emotional state when losing a friend. Beautiful episode!

[@kabutopz]

yeah iots very sad mako (voice of iroh) passed away. the last thing he ever recorded was that song. He also goes through helping other people in the episode at different ages infant kid and adult as if helping his son through his whole life. great episode. ALSO MAKO in korra is named after him for respect!

[@Akainuthestrongestadmiral105]

When jin "i think thats her name" was like "ohhh wooow, how did you, what did you doo..." then looked at zukos scar, its theorized she figured out he was a fire bender refugee then, and decided not to push it.

[@amyloucurtis]

I love that we get to experience this show with you, but I wish people wouldn’t say in the comments anything about future episodes. Even if they don’t “spoil” just saying “hey wait until…” or “this episode is…” sets up expectation that taints your experience. Oh well, could be worse I suppose :) Keep up the good work you two!

[@OccamAsylum]

Damn I teared up immediately when he started singing to his son.

[@shortandsweet_03]

This is one of my favourite episodes. Iroh's tale always makes me cry. 😢

[@MarcosMartins97]

I love this episode, one of my favourites from book 2. I especially love how Momo's tale should probably be the silliest one, but it ends up being the one who kinda pushes the narrative forward instead of simply adding more layers to the characters.

[@StefEndz]

You guys are my upmost favorite KZbinrs rn. I feel a bit of peace and tranquility watching you two. And I use to think comments like this are really cringe but here I am

[@SpartanandPudgey]

❤️❤️🙏

[@withxoutxlife]

Iroh's tale never fails to ruin me emotionally. This episode is very different to many others but its also a standout for viewers. I hope you guys liked it.

[@CodyTaylor115]

While different from a normal episode it really maximizes the 24 minutes you get for an episode while showing the viewer that time is passing and our crew are actually living in the city not just sitting like npcs until the next major story beat. World building at its finest

[@dearthofdoohickeys4703]

The rap poems Sokka was doing were haiku. Its all about the syllables. He messed up at the end so it wasn’t technically a haiku anymore.

[@nikos731]

The next episode is the one I am waiting for. One of my favorites in the entire series.

[@beclou9832]

Momo at the end is so sad 😢

[@tashaaponte]

I can’t believe you’ve already reached this point of the story! The second half of book 2 really is my favorite. This episode in particular, even though it is fairly lighthearted, Iroh’s tale hits me hard every single time. One of my favorite moments of the show, but also very hard to watch because it’s so sad. This and the next episode have some really heavy moments, but I’m so excited for you to experience the rest of this amazing story!

[@K000H]

Spartan said 'naturally bald' 💀

[@juniorsoccerlife2347]

Rip mako thank you bringing us uncle iroh 🙏

[@gilfista5178]

Mako was one of my heroes growing up 😢R I P

[@streamspoart2671]

Beside avatar, Mako also known for his work on Samurai Jack as Aku until he died *EXTRA TEARS!*

[@KelappanKing]

Love, love, love that you've now seen this! 4:36 - it would be extremely unfortunate genetics if a 12 year-old were naturally bald, Spartan xD

[@sammylane21]

Imagine Toph on her "time of the month"?😂

[@LEMATTOFFICIAL]

Ahh man Iroh's tale always gets me

[@spelcheak]

Who’s never heard of a haiku?

[@LuchoH838]

ATLA really redifined what it means to have a "filler" episode with this one. Despite being a filler, its probably one of the most memorable episodes in the series.

[@nathanielreik6617]

20:52 Widowed used as a verb doesn't change for the different spouses; what changes is the noun which for a male is widower.

[@carriesmith742]

You guys would LOVE Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid franchise. Uncle Iroh reminds me SO MUCH of him!!

[@reinatm]

I always cry when I hear leaves from the vine

[@acaciopoliveira]

been expecting for this one... amazing Iro'hs minutes! Thank You Mako, from Conan The Barbarian into Iro'hs, You were a great figure in the Avatar series!

[@tiago_s_]

Rip Mako aka uncle Iroh Will never be forgotten

[@arge_8126]

I love this episode, Momo is so adorable 😭❤

[@EdgarX007]

Rip to voice actor Mako this episode always makes me sad 😢

[@PrinceIMC]

Iroh’s story makes me cry every time.

[@thelegacyarceus]

Just curious but do you guys watch the “previously on Avatar” that plays at the start of each episode ? I find that they serve as good memory refreshers for previous stuff that is related to stuff that going to come up in the current episode

[@nilexinator5901]

almost all air nomads shave their head. its part of their culture. woman usually have partially shaved heaDS.

[@abrahamornelas160]

Owners of 3 5th of a human?

[@Taiga-16]

Momo 💜

[@piglatin9]

Lowkey, I ship Zuko and that girl.

[@TukaihaHithlec]

Zuko and Jin is where it’s at

[@seitanykky5]

Your Avatar content always makes my day!!!

[@denniseggert211]

this episode was the calm before the storm.

[@MusicalCircus]

I cry every time the Iroh scene happens

[@GoldenQ9]

This show have great cool down episodes. Where its about character development not really the main story. Its nice sometimes. Calm before the storm.

[@makusuwerusan7390]

I doubt you guys will see this but I have been enjoying re-watching the series at work. I met a guy named Apa 🤭 on my way to Japan last year and he lives in Australia bwahahaha. Thanks for the good content

[@mogwiawolf4354]

love this one and now you know why

[@brianendicott2166]

Watching this episode again after finishing the show hits way harder for me.

[@kennethcook9406]

Holy crap, nobody in their right mind does a FOUR MINUTE intro for a 20 minute show, for a 23 minute reaction! You're screwing yourselves over. This is like giving a 10 minute intro for a full-length movie, and your entire reaction is about an hour.

[@CliffSedge-nu5fv]

Not as bad as some music reactors that have a 5-10 minute intro to a 20 minute reaction to a 3 minute song. At least it is broken into chapters and easy to skip over.

[@riolkin]

Iroh spends Lu Ten's birthday trying to make everyone's life a little better. Even just typing that makes me tear up.

[@davidjuby7392]

it is a widower for a man

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

Rest In Paradise Mako!

[@mushauribahimana7135]

Let the tear bending begin😭😭

[@primeami5624]

They were reading Haiku

[@morganr6520]

Just looked at the thumbnail and I’m already crying 🙄🙄🙄

[@caitlinbrooks1085]

Now that I think about it. . . Momo could have shown aang where the footprint was.

[@Mike90317]

I am ready to cry T-T Leaves from the vine... T-T