Avatar the Last Airbender 3x17 | "The Ember Island Players" | First Time Reaction

Join Arianna and Maple as they venture into the world of the Ember Island Players in ATLA 3x17! Will this theater-inspired episode surprise and entertain our duo? Discover their first-time reactions, thoughts, and much more. Make sure to hit the thumbs up, leave a comment, and subscribe for more ATLA reactions!
📺 Show: Avatar: The Last Airbender - "The Ember Island Players" (Season 3, Episode 17)
👭 Featuring: Arianna & Maple
Connect with Arianna & Maple:
Arianna's Instagram: / _aerii44
Maple's Linktree: msha.ke/mapledivine
Patreon: / diegesischad
KZbin: / @diegesis
#ATLA #avatarthelastairbender #reaction

[@BarkBarkImShark]

One joke that is missed by a lot of people is about Admiral Zhao. He kept talking about how he would be in the history books, be called "Zhao The Conqueror" "Zhao The Invincible" etc. Meanwhile, Iroh tries to warn him that "history is never kind to its subjects". And here you have it, he's not even deemed important enough to feature in the Ember Island Players, just a tiny action figure seen for a couple seconds.

[@yurichtube1162]

He failed, after all.

[@Fire-kid20]

Not only that but by the time of the Korra show , Aangs children don’t even know or heard of him .

[@JesseShadows37]

I like to think that they made Toph in the play look like a huge buff guy because people were too embarrassed to say they ACTUALLY got beat up by a tiny lil girl

[@adamarens3520]

Oh definitely!

[@windygrass9807]

No, it just for our humor.

[@silencedmaxim5889]

It's actually what they originally intended Toph to be, but decided on what we have now. They cleverly used this screenplay to show a few scrapped ideas for the show.

[@peytonalexander5300]

@@silencedmaxim5889Yeah, I think the whole “sonic wave from my mouth” thing was also an early idea for Toph, but was scrapped for obvious reasons.

[@NK-dt1kp]

@@windygrass9807 it also could track tho

[@lucasfurtado2224]

This episode is so good because it fulfills the narrative role of recapping the whole series ahead of it's ultimate conclusion, but instead of using flashbacks and showing us things we've already seen, it uses a humorous framing device (the play) to make it original and amusing.

[@leib109]

This is probably my favorite flashback episode of all time.

[@queenluna8757]

not only that, they recognize the early fallbacks of the series and make some decent jabs at themselves, and some easter eggs for scrapped ideas sprinkled in

[@HuxtableK]

It isn't just humorous. It's propaganda. It's war propaganda framing the Avatar's team in a more comical fashion to downplay the threat.

[@OrdinaryCritic]

No way! So that’s what’s happening? I couldn’t have figure that out! That’s genius! 🤯🤯🤯

[@Jeremy_theGent]

"😈 I'm an elite warrior who's trained for many years in the art of stealth. 😁 I think I could get you backstage!" Not gonna lie, Sokka and Suki's relationship might be my favorite.

[@Sairin13]

The cabbage merchant is such a weird little running gag, it's hard to explain it to people who aren't fans. It just builds on itself very efficiently, it's a well written throwaway joke. More well written than it needed to be.

[@randomcourier]

the cabbage man was supposed to be a 1 off gag as well but people kinda fell in love with him that they just kept adding him in more an more episodes.

[@quizzlybear]

I love how he becomes super successful in LoK. He gets a statue and everything lmfao. His hard work paid off.

[@Seetiyan]

​@@quizzlybearNOT MY CABBAGE CORP! 😢😂

[@muchuchuroo]

"I release a sonic wave from my mouth.. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!" Toph: 😃

[@mori1bund]

Nickelodeon wanted them to do a recap episode before the finale, which are usually boring and a waste of time for everyone who follows the show. So they came up with something original to make the recap episode interesting! 🙂

[@CoryAndor]

I love the meta jokes about whether or not Jett dies since the creators wanted to show him dying but nickolodeon said no. And then the meta joke about Zukos scar being on the wrong side because it was drawn on the wrong side when hes in the fire of the masters with Aang. What a great way to take a breath before heading into the finale. This show is awesome in so many ways

[@royalrosepetal]

Fun fact: When they put out the original pilot (or something like that) Zuko had a scar on the opposite side as well before they changed and finalized everyone’s designs

[@frantnegh7583]

Also they give a nod to the Zutara shippers in the fandom

[@nope19568]

i feel like people forget it wasn't just "showing jett dying" they straight up wanted to show long shot mercy killing him lmao

[@trots4940]

Bro, I NEVER noticed that scar's side mistake before

[@nathanielreik6617]

So a crazy fact: from "The Western Air Temple" onward there was literally no break. 3rd week of July 2008, Monday: "The Western Air Temple", Tuesday: "The Firebending Masters", Wednesday: both parts of "The Boiling Rock", Thursday: "The Southern Raiders", Friday: "The Ember Island Players", Saturday: all 4 parts of the finale.

[@rakat2746]

Poor Aang and Zuko. Try to imagine you see yourself die in a show and everyone cheers. Especially for Zuko, it must be hard to see his own people celebrate when he dies.

[@Kickinthescience]

This one of those times where the writers go full meta

[@TheAbominableDrFaustus]

I think it’s a great example if meta well used.

[@SoonLeeNZ]

"..a surprisingly knowledgable merchant of cabbages..." I near choked.

[@minimi1]

I love the detail at 7:43 of the fake Aang opening her eye to see the lightning 😂

[@Cyberautist]

All the fire-nation and earth-kingdom soldiers just would't want to admit that there were beaten by a little 12 year old girl. So they probably made this "buffed guy" story up, to protect their honor.

[@pabloc8808]

I heard Toph was originally gonna be a slightly older, and well-built guy, but they scrapped that idea. If that's true, then it's probably a joke about that as well

[@richardjohnson5435]

@@pabloc8808 The original design was the silhouette Earthbender from the opening that was then used for Roku's Earthbending master.

[@antoinemartinjr.710]

This play was still more accurate than the movie 😂

[@sirmoonslosthismind]

more importantly, it's infinitely more entertaining

[@VenomdaOne]

What movie?

[@antoinemartinjr.710]

@@VenomdaOne The last airbender

[@Rice_enjoyer999]

@@antoinemartinjr.710 not real there is no movie called The Last Airbender on Earth, here we are safe, here we are free

[@TheAbominableDrFaustus]

This is Toph’s field trip with Zuko because only she had fun and they had a heart to heart. She also got tea with Iroh. Which is better. Edit: Sokka had fun.

[@Liesmith424]

"Hey look, the Great Divide!" "...let's keep flying."

[@danielchavez4403]

This is the Gang basically reacting to the M. Night film. 😂😂😂

[@Koyotee25]

this bad play > (X100) M Night's BS

[@creativeartivity]

There is no movie in Ba Sing Se

[@Jeremy_theGent]

"That...wasn't a good play." "I'll say." "No kidding." "Horrible." "You said it." "But the effects were decent." Wow, that's prophetic right there.

[@gawainethefirst]

It was adapted by M. Night Shyamalan.

[@overdev1993]

the movie in a nutshell

[@MyBrainDontWork920]

I may be totally wrong but, I heard that was added to this episode BECAUSE of the live-action film. The Film was made during the second season of the cartoon, so the writers and the producers already knew the shit-bomb they had on their hands before working on season 3. This was a little jab at the quality of the live-action "The Last Airbender" film... But again, I could have been given wrong info and my statement may very well be wrong.

[@mori1bund]

say it with me: there is no M. Night Shyamalan movie in Basingse...

[@dlpheonix]

No. The movie came years after the series ended.

[@davido.1233]

Here are some fun facts about this episode: 1. The lady playing Aang is reminiscent of all the times Peter Pan has been played by women, due to their physiques being similar. 2. The Ember Island Zuko is played by Dante Basco's real life brother. 3. In the original concept, Toph was going to be a guy, namely the Earthbender in the opening credits, hence why the actor playing Toph is a really big over the top guy with a deep voice.

[@thenewspiderman7019]

When the creators were making Toph's character, she was originally supposed to be a bug buff guy. It was a last-minute change to make her the way she is

[@MontgomeryWenis]

This is how all shows should do recap episodes. It's funny and meta, and actually gives the episode a plot.

[@cjg8763]

Aang being played by a lady is like how Peter Pan is almost always played by a lady.

[@HeroBot930]

Not to mention how adult women tend to voice young boys in animated shows (i.e. Tara Strong; Grey Delisle).

[@Babawze]

That play was better than Shyamalan's Last Air Bender

[@meganhutcheson5867]

Yes, it was so much better!!!

[@videohistory722]

The Ember Island Players is a recap of the series, giving the audience a chance to "look back" before the series finale. It also gives the crew a chance to make fun of themselves. It was written by Tim Hedrick, Josh Hamilton, and John O'Bryan.

[@raienbrasa]

Should we stop and visit the Great Divide? Nah, just keep flying. - a lot of people told their friends 1x11 was a filler episode they could skip, so this joke was spot-on. It's also why we loved the edit in your reaction video where it cut to the credits early.

[@rogercruz1547]

I wonder if the editor knew

[@Seraphimisdead]

Ah yes, the greatest recap episode ever written! :D

[@strawberrylotlizard]

Do love this episode mostly because it really shows how well propaganda works and that world. Literally the entire audience and the group that does the play on the island where the fire lord Zuko own home don't know which side is so whose face the scar is on

[@gaminghourwithanthony1716]

The gang essentially watched the M Night movie. Their reviews at the end are essentially what was said about the movie too.

[@annywayne]

I love this episode in portuguese, when Aang is going to sit next to Katara, Zuko goes "you can sit on my lap if you want"😫

[@CrazeeAdam]

This episode also brought up some of the talking points of the fan base like shipping Zuko and Katara, it not necessairly being clear on Jett dying etc. Pretty funny episode before the finale

[@livvygrossmann6004]

I still think this was one of the most creative ways to do a recap episode

[@seriomarkj]

This makes me want a Broadway play of the avatar, and I appreciate that they show all the behind the scenes look of how a play would really work with the stage hands and things like that

[@meowtain9566]

I loved how they portrayed bending. An irl avatar play could look so cool!

[@lanafrank6086]

I never noticed that when the little kid says Zuko’s Zuko costume is pretty good, his jaw literally dropped😂 I had to play it back because it was so funny😂

[@devs.4254]

There used to be a theater group in Los Angeles called the "Magnum Opus Players." The whole premise of the troupe was to take the very worst movie scripts they could find, just awful in every way possible, and convert them into hilarious stage productions, complete with stage-effects for explosions, blood, gunshots etc. They've been gone about a decade now, but this episode always reminds me of them.

[@nathanielreik6617]

Actor Zuko was voiced by the actual Zuko's voice actor's brother.

[@theaprentice6437]

Glad they liked this episode. I like how they addressed certain things in a comic way, as well as give an overall recap of the show. Gives a good wind down right before the big finally.

[@godusopp2752]

Just another example of why avatar is so amazing, a lot of other series would of used the characters sitting in a circle saying "don't you remember when" and flashbacks to recap everything, they made a episode of their characters going to a play

[@Charsept]

One of the best recap episodes in TV. Really sets the stage for the 4 part finale.

[@TrackMaster844]

There’s a theory going around that the actress who played Aang is actually one of Tai Lee’s sisters.

[@iandor1381]

This is the best recap episode I've ever seen. Very self aware and makes fun of the movie.

[@meganhutcheson5867]

So interesting fact about this episode is that female Aang when she went into the avatar state, she had to open one of her eyes to catch Azula’s bolt of lightning.

[@videohistory722]

In the first episode of Avatar, Katara uses waterbending to free Aang from the iceberg. The first thing Aang asks Katara is if she wants to go penguin sledding with him.

[@rogercruz1547]

Katara finds the iceberg he's trapped in by accidentally water bending while mad at sokka, then uses sokka's machete to break aang's and appa's iceberg

[@ryoushimorino9436]

It's really amazing they can make a recap episode a fan favorite episode

[@EthanLetters99]

I love this episode, but my favorite two bits are *Zuko: did Jet just… die?” *Sokka: you know, it was really unclear And “Hey look! It’s the great divide! …. Let’s keep going” 🤣 fr one of the best eps

[@rogercruz1547]

- "that movie was terrible" - "well, the effects were decent" I think this is the episode Shyamalan watched before making that atrocity that doesn't exist in ba sing se

[@videohistory722]

The design on the poster is an exaggerated version of the Avatar Season One DVD boxed set cover. The title of the play, The Boy in the Iceberg, alludes to the first Avatar episode.

[@dapeach06]

I do love that the creators of the show willingly poured fuel on the fire of The Shipping Wars themselves in this episode

[@Theoneeyed_ghoul]

Yay we’re almost at the finale it’s been such a journey re watching avatar with you guys! You guys are awesome

[@zandylovesrisk]

So for Aang to go into the avatar state he wouldn't have to unlock his shakra because he did that to go in the state in Crossroads of Destiny(S2 finale). Him dying is what has currently closed the shakra and knows no way of unlocking it again.

[@tofu_golem]

Originally, Toph was going to be a large, muscular male. I don't recall why they changed it, but I'm so glad they did.

[@darthroden]

The funny thing is that all the characters in the play are voiced by the people who do the voice acting for the main characters (except Toph) only doing parody voices.

[@GoldenQ9]

Idk if someone said it but toph’s actor in the play was how toph was suppose to look originally. A big buff guy😂

[@Celticshade]

the episode is so meta and they did so good making fun of their own show. i saw one internet theory that that the movie was just the ember island players play, and its specifically because of the last scene of the episode where they are all walking out saying how bad it is, but sokka finishes the episode with "but the effects were decent" like thats definitely jab at the movie that should never have been made.

[@videohistory722]

The playwright, Pu-on Tim, was named after Avatar writer Tim Hedrick.

[@maggie4028]

One of my favorite episodes of the whole series!!

[@videohistory722]

Toph is smiling when Actor Toph screams because he's so loud, it's literally vibrating, so she can actually SEE what's happening on stage.

[@xzxzojkeymtzxzx7712]

can't believe we are pre-final stretch!

[@accessdenied3350]

One of my favourite recap episode from a show

[@pinoytrash]

oh jesus this is really the beginning of the end

[@Diegesis]

😢

[@Koyotee25]

@@Diegesis but wait, we have HOPE................ in Kora!

[@daurydavis3983]

There's still Korra

[@Stick-a-fork-in-Gmorks-tort]

Never underestimate the power of cabbages and theater. One more thing **Dante Basco voice** HONOR!

[@davidmichaelson1092]

So good! And so much better than the movie that doesn't exist! And the one thing the Ember Island Players gets wrong is the Blue Spirit but it is also the one thing they would have no knowledge of given the sources mentioned.

[@shaungababotse8397]

If I’m not mistaken that was the original design for toph she was supposed to be a big buff guy but they changed the design

[@Diegesis]

Yes

[@lanafrank6086]

Wasn’t there a book titled “love amongst the dragons” spotted in the dragon prince? The show where the main character is voiced by the same voice actor that voiced sokka. I’m not sure if it’s real or not

[@Deined]

Ah, the infamous recap chapter. 😄 Aside from what's already been mentioned, you can really tell that the writers were having fun at the shippers' expense in this one. The play went full Zutara, and Aang wasn't having it. 😆

[@badrhetoric5637]

No one wanted to admit they got beat by a tiny blind girl, so all the sources were like "Yeah that earth bender was a huge dude actually"

[@thenewspiderman7019]

There are multiple parts of the play that were originally supposed to happen in the show but were changed

[@sammylane21]

This is coming to an end until THE LEGEND OF KORRA.

[@cjg8763]

I LOVE this episode. Best recap episode EVER. Great reaction!

[@chrisdiokno5600]

Fun fact about Toph being played by a guy in the play, from what I've read, Toph WAS originally designed to be a guy, but they wanted to balance out the genders

[@cjg8763]

"I release a sonic wave from my mouth. AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!! There, I got a pretty good look at you." 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@pigeonfog]

Oh, dude. Heck yeah. I'm so freaking stoked!

[@Drforrester31]

Further proof the creators/writers were just on god mode at this point. Instead of a clip show recap we get propaganda from the Fire Nation that concludes with a stark reminder of what the stakes really are. So stoked for the four part finale, I'm expecting some tears!

[@pearofclubs6280]

Aside from being a much more enjoyable way to do a recap episode, the ending also serves to put the gAang (and the viewers) in an uneasy headspace going into the final arc.

[@adelaidefeuseau7741]

I am so ready for Maple to Cosplay as characters from the show!!!!!

[@cjg8763]

"HOOONNNNNOOORRRR" 😆😆😆

[@videohistory722]

Actor Sokka is wearing Sokka's season two outfit.

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

Things the play got wrong. Katara didn't paddle & she was in the back of the canoe. Not the front. Sokka did not wear the same head piece as Suki did when he wore the Kyoshi costume. Bumi's challenges happened inside & he was not blonde ever. He was a redhead younger. Jet chewed grass, not a flower. Katara didn't loved that the village was flooded. Jet wasn't crushed by a rock he was slammed by one. He also used hook swords not hooks. They walked through the Great Divide not flew over. Ty Lee & Mai didn't help Azula fight Aang in the Crystal Caves. Zuko didn't meet & join the gang in the Fire Lord's Bunker. I could say the costumes but this could be a decision of the playwright.

[@CyborgNinja442]

Oh you guys are coming up on the best series finale ever.

[@jarhead98gaming]

Have they not released the last episode reaction yet? I’ve been watching their playlist of it but it says video 59(finale) is unavailable

[@ZackMuffinMan]

Almost the finale!

[@LamirLakantry]

Watch the Shamalan live action movie, but splice in the Avatar gang reacting to the play. It fits so perfect!

[@RavagHer]

u just witnessed team avatar reacting to M. night's the last Airbender, "......but the effects were decent..."

[@willot4237]

they need to put the play on ion RL!! LOL

[@mmxxiii9503]

0:51 the legend is back 🤣

[@HuxtableK]

See, the thing that few people seem to comment about here, from what I've seen, is that this is war propaganda. This is the Fire Nation's retelling of the story arcs so far, making themselves look better, and the Avatar and all his friends look more comical and incompetent, but dangerous enough so that when they're defeated, the crowd cheers. Sure, the meta jokes, the way the play lampshades so much, while also giving an effective in-universe recap of the show right before the finale, that's a good touch. But you have to see it from the Fire Nation's perspective as well. This was meant for their own citizens. Imagine, if you will, a movie made by 1940s Germany, depicting their view of the war, and the Allies, and you'll see what this episode's worth really is.

[@Garebear_]

Next weekend can't come soon enough!

[@novAviator01]

Thank you for the video

[@Skeletongentleman7808]

Best recap episode in any series

[@streamspoart2671]

Glad you were watched the live action first, this episode really roasted the live action "Terrible but effects were descent"

[@Diegesis]

Actually they finished avatar then watched the movie. They've been done with avatar for months

[@Ashcash95]

Finale time can’t wait for next week for yall to see it the finale!!!

[@arlohurst1595]

LET'S GOOOOOOO!!!!

[@MrNoLen5]

You can use a blue screen 😊

[@TimpossibleOne]

Best recap episode ever

[@393Dan]

it's not over? I have to wait another week to finish the series? That sucks, I thought it was a "2 years ago" type thing, when I started to watch the reaction

[@zoex3316]

It‘s either a week or two. I think you‘ll be ok.

[@393Dan]

@@zoex3316 nooo, I was binging this, I won't be ok x.x

[@Theoneeyed_ghoul]

Welcome to the club you joined late gang! Haha I found them when book 2 ep’s we’re still rolling out. They’re awesome (:

[@393Dan]

@@Theoneeyed_ghoul yeah they are, also ouch sorry, season 2 ep's? Now I feel lucky I got only a week to wait. Next time I need to be more careful when I start watching a reaction like this, to make sure they finished the whole show first. I don't have your patience, you're a big man or woman.

[@tonywalker1954]

The last episode. A 4 parter in one episode. I can't wait to see your reactions to this conclusion then on to korra reactions so excited 😊

[@davidbeyerle6996]

I think this episode is based on the series finale of Reboot.

[@Pandaemoni]

There are four seasons of The Legend of Korra still to watch, so you have that to look forward to after this series ends.

[@windygrass9807]

"Did Jet just die?"

[@videohistory722]

Actor Aang is based on Peter Pan, another male character who is often played by a woman.