Avatar: The Last Airbender 3x2 REACTION | "The Headband" | First Time Watching!

[@ariannaw6858]

I KNOW, I KNOW! I am sorry for mispronouncing Uncle Iroh’s name, I have tried to be more conscious of it in the episodes after it was brought to my attention. Forgive my ignorance.😢

[@spazzout1k350]

We forgive you❤

[@DevonRucker]

Uncle arrow is the goat 🐐 lmao. I love the reaction, I just want you to pronounce the name right so the comment section will give you a break. I honestly don't care too much, it's season 3, so I know who you're talking about.

[@emmyjr1231]

lol

[@madleyalex2662]

Hi

[@emmanuel1337]

The worst thing was that you guys seemed to miss Iroh crying while having his back turned to Zuko...

[@jakelovell5882]

Aang is trying to get the Fire Nation kids to cut loose, you know get Footloose and kick off their Sunday shoes

[@novAviator01]

Nice

[@wilder11]

I hate you. And I love you, for that comment.

[@therealneal3034]

Nobody puts Katara in the corner 😂

[@tofu_golem]

When Azula warned Zuko about visiting Iroh, she was probably being genuine for a moment. She's so used to manipulating and ordering that she doesn't know how to be genuine. And Mai genuinely likes Zuko. She has since they were little kids.

[@A_Qwynide]

"It's just you and me right now" Aang, the Rizzbender

[@nathanielreik6617]

Definitely a step up from "Sooo...papaya" or "I'd rather kiss you than die"

[@A_Qwynide]

@@nathanielreik6617 well he has Sokka - a rizzbending master

[@mariroldan7151]

That's kuzon the rizzbender

[@Seraphimisdead]

Mai is definitely not pretending to like Zuko, its legit. Her being attracted to him is mentioned in the episode she herself is introduced, when Ty Lee teases her about it, and one of the flashbacks in "Zuko Alone" also hints at it a bit.

[@videohistory722]

The dancing between Aang and Katara is called "Capoeira", a Brazilian martial art. It combines elements of kung fu, music, and dance. It was actually invented by slaves as a way of teaching themselves to fight back against slave owners undetected, so they would think they were just dancing.

[@Deined]

That was _not_ capoeira, lol. It's a little too rigid. Aang's main style is based on Baguazhang, an ancient Chinese martial art. It's fluid in its own right, but it's not as loose and rhythmic as capoeira.

[@akumakami64]

Okay, I'm going to drop a bomb that is hard to swallow for some. Azula isn't lying when she says she's worried about Zuko. She honestly does love him. The creators have gone on record that she loves him the most, only after Ozai. And its hard to see that until you REALLY think about the Coup of Ba Sing Se. She didn't actually need Zuko on her side, not with the Dai Li. She had nothing to gain from bringing Zuko home, sharing in the glory. Technically, it was a net-loss for her in some ways because Zuko is the Crown Prince again, first in line to the throne if Ozai drops dead. If she didn't care about him at all, she would have killed or captured him, turning on him entirely at some point. I know, it's weird to think about at first, but its there. Thanks in no small part to her father, she has a very warped view on....everything, including family and love.

[@patrickcromwell7554]

Also there's a very brief moment where you can SEE Mai give Azula the "stink-eye." Since Mai is always naturally very reserved and non-bothered, it may have seemed like she was quick to obey Azula, but it the side look she gives as she passes Azula that tells you she didn't appreciate Azula's interruption. And Mai is also the one most likely to NOT just obey Azula all the time. Remember the episode with the drill?? She refused to jump into the sludge to go after Sokka and Katara.

[@jeepjockey3217]

There's even a little sting in the music with the side eye

[@rms7268]

Mai is a character that has a lot of subtle expression that I only really caught on a rewatch. Really, there's a lot of little subtleties in the background of a lot of these characters that come out in a rewatch - part of what makes this show so great.

[@LanaLiliyMoon]

Even in this context mei is just zuko's girlfriend she can't disobey the princess. azula knows she can't command zuko they are both prince and princess but mei she can. you can see this dynamic in any historical dramas. But mei was being extremely sarcastic as she passed azula.

[@patrickcromwell7554]

@@LanaLiliyMoon Umm, she CAN and she DOES. She doesn't care one bit for Azula's title. She's the ONLY person who doesn't give a F@#k. Ty Lee is terrified of Azula and her temper. Mei just doesn't care enough to bother fighting her. That's the real truth. Mei doesn't actually care much about anything, except Zuko. And her family of course. If Mei doesn't feel like doing what Azula says, then she won't. It's that simple. Avatar is not a historical drama either; it's a cartoon. And the look she gives Azula isn't sarcasm, it's disgust. Azula is overstepping and Mei is just picking her fights more intelligently than Azula.

[@QuackAttack]

8:20 I really do think Azula was actually looking out for Zuko, even in her own twisted way.

[@SnowyWolborg]

I think that in the beat case situation, Azula _can_ tolerate Zuko being in her life, but at the same time sees him as competition. Same way that she clearly enjoys and trusts Mai and Ty Lee, but still expects them to obey her when they are working. Being 100% vulnerable is not something Azula would ever allow.

[@therealneal3034]

⁠@@SnowyWolborgAzula is a lesson on parenting.

[@videohistory722]

The symbol on Aang's headband is a Fire Nation symbol meant to resemble a flame. But Aang wears the symbol upside down so that it looks like his arrow tattoo.

[@JesseShadows37]

Iroh crying bc he knows Zuko can be better than this is alway so sad. And the fact the they framed the scene in the jail to make it look like Zuko is the one in fact in a cage not Iroh. It’s subtle but once you notice it, it all makes sense.

[@Onaterdem]

@@Pandaemoni I don't think so

[@Onaterdem]

@@Pandaemoni But this comment is not explaining anything about said future conflict? It's merely investigating the current scene

[@LincolnDWard]

@@Pandaemoni I would argue that this was all revealed in his outburst at Zuko under Lake Laogai, as well as in his body language in this scene plus everything we know about Iroh so far. I think the tension in episode 19 is dramatic irony - the audience knows something about Iroh that Zuko does not yet understand.

[@brianroman4114]

⁠the irony though lol you're spoiling by elaborating so much about future episodes 😁

[@LincolnDWard]

@@Pandaemoni No, I thought it was beautiful. It was absolutely in character for Zuko to have those fears, and seeing those fears finally broken was deeply powerful and resonant : ) The tension is purely within Zuko, but that doesn't make it any less real.

[@suke9502]

Fun fact: aang was wearing what was supposed to be the belt for the uniform upside down which reinforces how he didn’t fit in. And the little triangle on the belt/headband looks kinda like a little fire symbol 🔥. Also when the party got busted and the kids help hide aang, a lot of people don’t notice that all the kids turn their belts into headbands and also put it upside down. MAN I LOVE THIS SHOW

[@dametreusv]

Somebody watched @overanalyzingavatar 😂😂😂

[@keny1555]

Sokka: Worried about their groups safety. Aang: I enrolled in school and am gonna throw a secret dance party! Sokka very understandably: "Enrolled in what!?!?!?"

[@Skeletongentleman7808]

I like that the series allows characters not only to fail but to also reap what they sow. Zuko needed to see that there was no going back to his old life, and that conditional love like what his Dad offered isn’t healthy nor fulfilling.

[@bradstrife2211]

Fun fact, that instrument Aang was playing is the one Zuko is very gifted at playing.

[@MattSamma]

Don't be so harsh in judging Mai. Yes, she is a cold and almost apathetic person with the rest of the people, and she may obey Azula's orders (up to a point, remember the drill episode in Ba Sing Se), but her crush on Zuko is far from being faked, in fact it was already manifesting since they were kids, as can be seen in Zuko's memories in the episode "Zuko alone".

[@amidoshi1909]

The whole time they were talking about that just one sentence was going through my head: Spoilers ✨ "I love Zuko more than I fear you" , one of my absolute favourite lines from the whole show!!!

[@JustGrowingUp84]

Man, I love these episodes inside the Fire Nation, they humanize and add complexity to what, until now, was mostly presented just as "the Enemy".

[@Archangelicus93]

Zuko's arc is so legit. No one can make a choice to give up their family, nation, or culture without feeling regret and resentment about it, and he'd be forever asking "what if I'd tried to be a better son?" The only way to choose one and move forward is to let go of the possibility of the other, and doing that means to fully try living in it before he can understand that it's not for him. No one can explain it to you, you've just got to go through it. It happens really often with second generation immigrants that choose between their family's traditions vs the new environment they were born into. Watching it here with fresh eyes means so much more than when I watched this when I was younger, and I love that the writers didn't take shortcuts with Zuko's "redemption" arc. They wrote a complicated character that reflects so many of the difficult decisions we all go through.

[@patrickcromwell7554]

I love how they choreograph Aang and the Fire Bending bully. He's going all out to try to fry Aang and Aang is just casually stepping aside without ANY effort. I mean after having to dodge and evade Zuko and Azula for months, this "child" is barely even a nuisance. lol.

[@cky7765]

Lmao

[@windygrass9807]

He's an air bender, known for speed and agility and Aang is a prodigy.

[@patrickcromwell7554]

@@windygrass9807 Yes, I know. That's why I said "after Zuko and Azula, this is nothing. Is anyone really thinking he'd move THIS well against Toph, or Katara, or Zuko, or Azula?? It's always funny to me that people will respond with what they THINK is really important information. Like I don't already know what they're trying to tell me. lol. Everything I post is carefully thought out; otherwise I don't post it. And here's a bit to think on: Azula is also a prodigy and Aang has bested her too. That stand to reason that he is also a prodigy. So when I mention how he beats them THAT is pretty much already saying Aang's a prodigy. You saying it is just redundant.

[@windygrass9807]

@@patrickcromwell7554 Chill bro, I'm on your side.. 😂

[@kurayami8896]

Another thing I love, is one of the "dances" aang and katara do together is actually something I learnt while taking kung fu lessons once, it's a called "bagua", it's just really interesting to see how they implemented Real historical roots and stuff into the show and specifically aangs style and how all of the bending techniques are actually styles of kung fu (without actually bending elements lol)

[@NameOptional-p9u]

Azula's character is actually pretty sad. She was probably born a bit of a psycho, but her psycho father really helped nurture those characteristics and she has no idea how to be compassionate, understanding, or how to love. She has spent her entire life trying to never make a mistake and always be perfect. Talk about a lot of stress and hardship. Her lying to her father about Zuko being the one that killed the Avatar is actually understandable when you consider how she was raised. She is already the favorite child, the more skilled bender, and the better leader (in her eyes and father's eyes), and is already the 2nd most important person in the Fire Nation. Giving Zuko the credit does allow Zuko to come back to the family with honor, and as she said, if the Avatar survived then Zuko receives the embarrassment and punishment for failure, not her. So Azula lied to her father to prevent being seen as a failure and unworthy of being his daughter and possible successor. And if the Avatar is indeed dead, then Zuko will be in her debt and owe her for giving him his honor and place in the family back. She would most definitely use this as a bargaining chip in the future and probably keep that over his head for the rest of his life. But in her mind, it wouldn't be blackmail, but a kindness that he would need to repay to her every day.

[@rakat2746]

This is one of the first episodes to show that the Fire Nation's war has not only harmed the other nations. Even the Fire Nation itself. Can you imagine how tyrannical a country is, where your teacher comes to you with SOLDIERS? Because you throw a party in your spare time?

[@Uzkodas]

The most interesting thing about this episode are the scenes with Iroh and Zuko. Every time they’re talking the framing shows Zuko as if he was behind bars, meaning that despite having everything he wanted Zuko is a prisoner of his own choices and consequences

[@videohistory722]

The Fire Nation Oath was written almost a hundred years ago. The oath was commissioned by Fire Lord Sozin, and it's titled "The March to Civilization".

[@dubya_tee_eff]

I'm surprised there was no reaction to Iroh shedding a tear during Zuko's outburst.

[@nomadicnovels]

they talked about it near the end

[@DannyPotato]

@@محمدبابرحیاتoh no, they didn’t give a visible reaction to one moment, that means they obviously didn’t care and everything is worthless.

[@Sab-yk7mg]

I like how this show really takes it deeper than just black and white, good place and evil place. Last season we saw that even though the Earth Kingdom is "good" and the side being attacked they still had evil/ corrupt people. And here in this episode, we see that even though fire nation bad, these kids are just innocent kids who live here and are taught the propaganda but at heart, they are just nice, normal kids going to school, living their life. Most are even pretty nice to the new kid trying to include him and make him feel welcome.

[@videohistory722]

Before the War, the Fire Nation was well known as one of the danciest cultures.

[@django7762]

Always loved how during Zuko and Iroh’s scenes in prison this episode that is Zuko who is the one depicted to being “behind bars”. While Iroh is the shown as the one who is actually “free”.

[@silentassason]

I love how the way they hold their hands when they bow looks like a ball of fire

[@videohistory722]

Aang was not at Sozin's Air temple attack a hundred years ago, he was in the iceberg.

[@fynchbird]

We saw Mai definitely liking Zuko as a kid in one of the flashbacks, unless something happened for her to be totally against him she wouldn't be pretending to have those emotions still.

[@Moonbreaker97]

always love the cinematography of this episode when it comes to zukos interaction with iroh. it always show zuko behind the bars during the "conversation" and not iroh

[@coolunusual]

Fun fact: The bully jock kid was voiced by Matthew Underwood aka Logan Reese from Zoey 101.

[@lukesuess9295]

Man zoey 101 is a blast from the past

[@patrickcromwell7554]

Actually you're both 100% wrong about your assessment of Zuko's authority. Now that he's officially accepted as the Fire Lord's son he HAS ALL the authority that comes with it. He's definitely NOT as "threatening" as Azula - that bitch crazy - but he's not any less intimidating. He's PRINCE ZUKO officially. No one else's opinion matters in the slightest. They aren't even ALLOWED to HAVE opinions on the matter; it's above their "pay grade." If they don't SHOW Zuko respect they'll get respect "burned" into them.

[@SpacepoetYT]

This episode is a slow descent into madness for Zuko, from realizing that everyone around him is part of the system, to seeing his one source of clarity won't talk to him, and he has all the influence in the world that he ever wanted, and his solution is to use that power to hire a hitman to finish the job for him, because he has no idea what else to do. Your analysis of the episode is spot on with his mental state.

[@videohistory722]

Check out more adventures of "Wang Fire" in the Avatar comic: "Private Fire". In the comic, Sokka joins the Fire Nation Army.

[@TimpossibleOne]

These episodes where Iroh stays silent is because his VA Mako passed away and they wanted some time before the new VA was found and used.

[@mmxxiii9503]

Seeing Aang being a kid for the first time on a while is so cool tbh 5:36 😂😂😂 12:40 Gaining hearts and minds

[@CaesiusX]

I understand questioning how much *Zuko* is beloved/respected by others in the Fire Nation, but recall the fanfair when he was presented to them upon his return. I think it is safe to say that the subtleties and vagaries of his place are lost on the masses. He's praised as a result. That's my take anyhow. *EDIT:* I also disagree with *Maple's* assessment of *Zuko* not standing up to his sister. IMO he does this quite often. He even challenged her to an _Agni Kai,_ instead of running away with *Iroh.*

[@Alphakobra24]

You just saw the introduction to a phenomenal new character, he doesn’t get much screen time but when he does it’s such a blast.

[@STAXXX313]

Neat like detail that the headband is the belt that the other kids wear and he the way he wears it in place of his arrow.

[@nullunit]

Season 3 is so good. ATLA Footloose for the win. Every time Aang blushes my heart jumps for him.

[@melanie62954]

One of the reasons this is my favorite show is because, in addition to the superb character development, we see different facets of imperialism and colonialism. This episode in particular shows how the metropole is kept under control via propaganda (in the most fun way possible, by essentially remaking Footloose!). It's such an interesting comparison to the Earth Kingdom, where people were kept in complete ignorance on the other side. Just because a nation is under assault doesn't mean they don't have very complicated politics of their own. And many of the fire nation people are largely innocent because of their ignorance, just as Jet, as a victim of the war, is not. Who'da thunk a kid's show would have such a nuanced depiction of human societies?

[@snakegirl1925]

Cave Jivin aka the Kataango is my all time favourite soundtrack ❤❤❤

[@nikolaiquack8548]

Your takes on Mai...not gonna say anything for the fear of spoiling it, but just no. And on behalf of all goths I am very offended. Also, not to be nitpicky about this, but every time Arianna says "Iroh", it sounds like "arrow" instead 😅

[@MrPlexie]

uncle arrow lol

[@LearnToRefine]

Uncle Iroh = Uncle "eye - row" ... You do great reactions. I wish you continued success!

[@eglantinepapeau1582]

Zuko acted desperate asf in this episode from start to finish , from trying to stupidly guilt trip and gaslight uncle to hiring a hitman to kill Aang . Wild and desperate

[@AngellusRavenix]

Arianna mispronouncing Iroh triggers me back to the Last Airbender movies pronunciations. Minor pet peeve, but there. As for Zuko's situation with Iroh, he knows what's going on. He knows why he feels what he feels, but he needs to come to it on his own. Like Iroh said in Lake Laogai, "It's time to ask yourself the big questions. Who are YOU and WHAT do YOU WANT?" And Iroh knows, given how he's stumbled, he must do this alone. For now at least.

[@streamspoart2671]

The episode where Aang using the bending technique that Sokka taught to him, Backbending Damn Aang, two girls in one night!? Rizzmaster Sokka must be proud to him 🤣

[@timkruse9912]

aang unlike katara, sokka and toph has seen the fire nation before sozin took over, so he knows fire nation weren't always bad

[@tofu_golem]

The school scenes are important. They show how kids in empires are indoctrinated. This should look very familiar to Americans, Brits, Chinese, etc.

[@lottalotto691]

For some reason, this is my favorite episode.

[@ravenward626]

While our circumstances have changed over time in many ways, people seem to be fairly consistent throughout our short recorded history. Not to be pedantic... but, everything short of the present is history. So pick a time, pick a topic, and learn something fun! Some of the best tools to understanding the present and guessing the future are threaded through our histories, and the stories that people thought important enough to retell.

[@jeansalomon8225]

Arianna: Uncle Arrow Me: dies inside

[@DevonRucker]

😂😂😂

[@dontbanmerage416]

I’ve been waiting for someone to mention this I die inside every time

[@videohistory722]

Unlike the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation is not one landmass. The Fire Nation is actually an island chain similar to Japan.

[@Animedingo]

*aang and katara giving each other the sexy eyes* *all the other kids thinking shes his mom*

[@Wright805]

Sorry to spoil the joke but no. The headmaster said "bring your parents to my office after school." None of the students would have seen "Sapphire Fire" as they'd have all left by then.

[@zcbsajsbxnsdjzcnaskxn8883]

love that y'all appreciate episodes like these

[@suke9502]

I’m pretty sure this is my favorite episode. This or the fire bending masters. The aang stuff is fun but the ZUKO AND IROH stuff this ep is on another level

[@TimeTravelingFetus]

1:28 Ah yes, Katara's favorite form of bending: Propertybending

[@cjg8763]

Sokka is a fan of secret rivers, but not of secret tunnels. 😆

[@destro6971]

What’s the Haps, Hotman?

[@CrazeeAdam]

Fire nation Katara O.O Her and Aang so cute :)

[@nathanielreik6617]

The Avatar version of Footloose with a bit of Spartacus thrown in at the end.

[@samuelmathu3327]

lmao the first Patron's username 13:23

[@Eirikr69]

I absolutely cannot unhear Uncle Arrow. Lord save me

[@justin_g6187]

I like how aang didnt even know if the name kuzon was still in fashion. Imagine youre in middle school around 2010 and a new kid comes in and he introduces himself as harold

[@PaulMenden5659]

yay, the assassin, "Sprüh-Sprüh-Knall-Bumm-Mann" as Sokka named him in the German dub, objectively the best name for him.

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

I too am a fan of secret rivers.

[@aarongisclair4803]

2:06. A dictatorship? Lol. In America kids are forced to go to school too lmao. Pretty sure this is a world wide thing

[@Short_Round1999]

I wanna say that one of the big things about Iroh being silent for the next episodes was because of the new voice actor trying to get the vibe right, but don’t quote me on that

[@cjg8763]

I love how all the kids covered for "Kuzon" by pretending to be him, and creeping out the adults in the process. Mad propaganda being taught in the Fire Nation. This episode did a good job of showcasing how it starts young.

[@MarisuSedai]

Things are heating up in the Book of Fire. 💃 🔥 🕺

[@alexanderwiles2003]

wearing the uniform and a guy making a kid go to school isn't a dictatorship thing those guys who find kids who didn't go into school and are wearing there uniforms are called truant officers police some times do this too if the kid doesn't say why they aren't in school

[@murciadoxial8056]

aang unleashed all of his rizz

[@burningbelow4424]

Adriana, "uncle Arrow" 😂🤣 its uncle Iroh! "E Y E R O W"

[@nikot.9920]

The third book is where all the character development is. You'll love the rest of the season 🤘

[@davido.1233]

Fun fact: This episode draws inspiration from Footloose.

[@DaDunge]

The Zuko part is the only part of this episode I like.

[@maggie4028]

Loving your reactions!! 💛

[@videohistory722]

The last time Aang was in the Fire Nation was over a hundred years ago. So his slang is a little dated.

[@McBeelzebub]

Arianna had kind of a thousand yard stare during the school scenes…

[@sayonfoxx8862]

Ahh yes, Uncle Arrow

[@billm5555]

It's not Uncle Arrow it's Uncle Eye-ro

[@bhelliom3]

EYE- ROW. Aye-Roh. Please no more EEEr-oh, I involuntarily cringe so hard every time, flashbacks of the movie that doesn’t exist.

[@WatAHardScope]

It's "Eye-Row" put some respect in Uncles name. 00:12

[@DaisyAzuras]

Why do you guys call him uncle arrow? His name is Iroh. I-roh.

[@rogercruz1547]

"Go punch your sister" - Maple hahahah

[@xanblu]

the fire nation fits>>>>>

[@1angrykoala]

Iroh. Eye Row

[@CorruptedCrooklyn]

“That was freaking cool as tits !” Me: tits are pretty cooool 💀

[@anthonylocasto3554]

Just wait, Sokka is about to level up in a few episodes. You think you love him now? HA... HA! ❤️👍😁😎

[@samuikeven1925]

everytime y'all say "Diegesis" I keep hearing "Diet Jesus" 😂

[@rubenarmstrong262]

I know I shouldn't lol but dance wasn't the sin it's what the pastor thought help people to sin. In the movie they use the Bible to help make the case for them to be able to dance.

[@Seetiyan]

Aang with hair for real!!

[@rafag5018]

For clarity, it’s pronounced “eye row”. Less air, more eye. Iroh.

[@nobleknight3079]

Combustion-man is half air bender and half fire bender.

[@tonywalker1954]

I can't wait to see that hippo cow again 😊 gonna be a great episode

[@captainkaa]

Ms morality Katara😂

[@ColvyMolvy]

Awwww yeah, Sparky Sparky Boom Man

[@Cam_lostpotion]

The next 4 episodes are funny as hell can’t wait for y’all see it