This is one of the best episode of the series for me. There are events from the previous episodes, one such as, The Library that connects to this episode. As the title of the episode suggests, it focuses on what happened to Appa after his capture on The Library. The details of the story is amazing, it connects the past episodes and builds for the rest of season. The flashback scenes are touching and sad, showing how close the relationship between Aang and his animal guide. The music is one of the best scores of the series' 61 episodes - it's sweeping and panoramic. Crisp transitions from scene to scene. This episode is transcendental in terms of development of early episodes to the last episodes of the season. The sensibility of this episode is one of the many reasons why for me, the series is the best, not only animated, but also the whole TV series.
5 Reviews
Proof that Avatar episode doesn't need the Avatar to be Outstanding
INeverAskedForThis3 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
An excellence of story can often be limited to an incredibly like-able protagonist and enjoyable antagonist. While The Last Airbender can boast some of the finely crafted villain in animated history with arguably the best redeeming arc, however, the power of these series is not just Goodie and Baddie. And not even to our beloved 'Gaang' (Sokka, Katara and Toph).
The Brilliance of these series surfaces when we are stripped of our main characters (as in, they are only briefly mentioned here). First of all, the world building is great here. We learn more of the many peoples and diverse cultures in world of Avatar. Appa's journey touches a number of nations (or tribes). We learn much of the mentality, lifestyle and personality of them in just a brief appearances.
Then, we see more prominent characters that appear throughout the series. It is delightful when they appear, greatly entertaining with their lovable personalities. We, as a viewer, bond with these side characters and learn more about them, even if they do not interact with the 'Gaang' directly.
Finally, we are introduced to a new Character. That character, similarly to others is a manifestation of a certain culture, while retaining certain degree of uniqueness (so they are no a cliché, for example, the 'Kill Bill' type old fighting masters). He and his outlook on life interwoves into the story seamlessly.
Obviously there is much more to praise, but as an attempt to understand the brilliance of the series, 'Appa's Lost Days' teaches us the importance of 'background characters' and how much personality they can emit in an incredibly short screen time.
The Brilliance of these series surfaces when we are stripped of our main characters (as in, they are only briefly mentioned here). First of all, the world building is great here. We learn more of the many peoples and diverse cultures in world of Avatar. Appa's journey touches a number of nations (or tribes). We learn much of the mentality, lifestyle and personality of them in just a brief appearances.
Then, we see more prominent characters that appear throughout the series. It is delightful when they appear, greatly entertaining with their lovable personalities. We, as a viewer, bond with these side characters and learn more about them, even if they do not interact with the 'Gaang' directly.
Finally, we are introduced to a new Character. That character, similarly to others is a manifestation of a certain culture, while retaining certain degree of uniqueness (so they are no a cliché, for example, the 'Kill Bill' type old fighting masters). He and his outlook on life interwoves into the story seamlessly.
Obviously there is much more to praise, but as an attempt to understand the brilliance of the series, 'Appa's Lost Days' teaches us the importance of 'background characters' and how much personality they can emit in an incredibly short screen time.
I can't
jjjjaviera2 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I hate this episode so much. It's the only one I usually skip whenever I have my anual rerun of this amazing tv show.
The only reason this is my skip episode, it's because appa is basically my favorite character (along with zuko) and it hurts my stomach see how much he suffered when he was away from Aang. It's heartbreaking because a lot of animals actually suffer the same destiny on daily basis.
All the sounds he makes when he is being abused, burned, being hit, being laughed at, and making him do horrible things for that hideous circus make me wanna cry. Doesn't help the fact that I have a huge dog that has the same attitudes as him and reminds me of him. Maybe this is why I can't watch this episode.
Poor thing he suffered way to damn muchðŸ˜. I honestly hate people in this episode.
The only reason this is my skip episode, it's because appa is basically my favorite character (along with zuko) and it hurts my stomach see how much he suffered when he was away from Aang. It's heartbreaking because a lot of animals actually suffer the same destiny on daily basis.
All the sounds he makes when he is being abused, burned, being hit, being laughed at, and making him do horrible things for that hideous circus make me wanna cry. Doesn't help the fact that I have a huge dog that has the same attitudes as him and reminds me of him. Maybe this is why I can't watch this episode.
Poor thing he suffered way to damn muchðŸ˜. I honestly hate people in this episode.
Fear has been placed where trust should be
matitya-3393716 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Disclaimer: Most of this review will effectively consist of repeating "it's sad". On with the review
The Good
1) After seeing this, there's no way we can blame Aang for reacting the way he did in the desert 2) Poor Appa 3) After seeing Appa suffer so much, seeing him reunite with Aang will be all the more heartwarming 4) It's nice to see that not everyone in the Fire Nation is bad 5) It's nice to see how much Appa cares about Aang 6) This episode does a great job getting me to despise Long Feng, which is the point 7) Guru Pathik helping out Appa was a touching scene 8) Suki having to scare Appa off in order to save him was heartwrenching
The Bad 1) Tai-Li tells the Kiyoshi Warriors "you'll never be prettier than me" and that's a pointlessly corny line 2) Azula should know that the Avatar is in Ba Sing Se since this episode says Suki was just traveling with the Avatar to Ba Sing Se which means is set after The Drill and as such Azula saw Aang get into Ba Sing Se when she couldn't 3) Azula isn't Zuko. As much as she wants to capture the Avatar, that isn't her job. Her job is to capture Zuko and Iroh.
Conclusion:This episode is sad 10/10.
The Good
1) After seeing this, there's no way we can blame Aang for reacting the way he did in the desert 2) Poor Appa 3) After seeing Appa suffer so much, seeing him reunite with Aang will be all the more heartwarming 4) It's nice to see that not everyone in the Fire Nation is bad 5) It's nice to see how much Appa cares about Aang 6) This episode does a great job getting me to despise Long Feng, which is the point 7) Guru Pathik helping out Appa was a touching scene 8) Suki having to scare Appa off in order to save him was heartwrenching
The Bad 1) Tai-Li tells the Kiyoshi Warriors "you'll never be prettier than me" and that's a pointlessly corny line 2) Azula should know that the Avatar is in Ba Sing Se since this episode says Suki was just traveling with the Avatar to Ba Sing Se which means is set after The Drill and as such Azula saw Aang get into Ba Sing Se when she couldn't 3) Azula isn't Zuko. As much as she wants to capture the Avatar, that isn't her job. Her job is to capture Zuko and Iroh.
Conclusion:This episode is sad 10/10.
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