Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV Series) Masks (2024) User Reviews

The 'heart' of the cartoon show.

[fj_cruz1 · 9/10 · 24 February 2024]

It's been so long since i watched the cartoon TV series, but one thing i do remember from the show was the 'heart' aspect of it, and I believe this episode fully captures that portion, especially that of Zuko's story.

While many seem to criticise the acting in this series all the time which I've personally had no complaints about, I would say the acting improves mid way into the season, with this episode being a highlight, especially for Dallas Liu which allows him to shine, as well as from support actors such as Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as the Uncle Iroh we know, Daniel Dae Kim pulling off more and more the Fire Lord Ozai in him, and even Ruy Iskander as the main Lieutenant of Zuko's crew.

Backed with the series' engaging and heartfelt soundtrack, I think this episode is a good example of what this Netflix show is capable of achieving. Solid 9/10 from me.

The best one so far! 'The Blue Spirit' was Perfect! Chatting with Roku not so much...

[tslstudio · 9/10 · 26 February 2024]

They captured Zuko's background perfectly into this episode. The interactions between Zuko and Aang have been expended in a really good way too! They got some extra lines and moments together which were perfect.

They even added something to make the connection between Zuko and his crew bigger, which was also great!

It brought so much more emotions and explanations to what drives the characters to do certain things.

Before 'The Blue Spirit' episode part, Aang went to Roku's island. He had some interaction with the Fire sages, and he got some help, which was alright. However, there was hardly a challenge in getting to speak with Roku.

The chat of Roku was unfortunately quite lame... No talking about learning the 4 Elements and no mention at all about the Comet!

Personally, I find that really lame in general... that they changed the whole drive of Aang after his chat with Roku. Aang should be wanting the learn the 4 elements ASAP!!! (he was completely stressed/restless in the anime)

Aang was supposed to learn water bending with Katara from the scroll before getting to the north and couldn't wait to learn fire bending from Jeong Jeong 'the deserter'.

But that's more of a series problem, than just this episode (that's why my rating is still high on this one).

the Spirited Away/Masks two parter shows the potential of this series

[nerrdrage · 9/10 · 28 February 2024]

So far this season has been somewhat hit or miss, starting strong, getting bogged down with somewhat inane adventures, but now it's finding its footing again.

The Fire Nation really is the strong point of this series. It features the best actors and has the most interesting and grownup plotline. I'd watch this series if it was just about them.

The machinations of Azula and Admiral Zhao threaten the "good guys" Zuko and Iron even if they are the "bad guys" of the main plot. It makes the whole thing interestingly multilayered.

I also like the notion that the Fire Lord is a rival spiritual leader to the Avatar. Great, now we have a holy war on our hands.

Apparently this series has been doing very well for Netflix, beating even One Piece, so we can look forward to seeing where all this goes in season 2.

Great Emotional Payoff

[kancale · 10/10 · 24 February 2024]

There is a scene here that wasn't in the original animation that elevated this episode far above the usual plot. It was the most emotional episode in the series, and that's thanks to a couple of themes being at play here.

The episode starts off with some earlier interpersonal conflict that was beautifully resolved by some revelation as to why the antagonist had ended up with the group he is with now. Not only was this revelation a surprising addition, but it also served to deepen the bond between two characters and his group that were at odds with one another since the start of the show. This was a stroke of genius on the filmmakers part as it serves to not only move the plot forward but it did so with an emotional payoff that was genuine and very moving.

Best performances has to go to Dallas Liu, who plays his character with a lot of depth and intensity. Also noteworthy is Daniel Dae Kim as Ozai; he shines in this episode with playing his character who is cruel and unforgiving.

This was actually.. really good!

[and_mikkelsen · 10/10 · 25 February 2024]

This episode was an emotional rollercoaster and without a doubt the best one so far, capturing some of the best and most significant moments faithfully and with the same emotional weight!

Zuko was done incredibly well in this episode and we got the same understanding of him as we got in the cartoon! Now we cant see Zuko the same way again! It felt like the thing they had to do justice, and they did! The themes portrayed in the show were excellently translated!

Daniel Dae Kim also gave us a menacing Ozai that showed us, not only what kind of father he is, but also that he is the main antagonist!

The action was great as well with some excellent direction!

Loved the soundtrack too!

Overall a really solid episode that won me over!

Amazing job

[ysminlaakso · 10/10 · 25 February 2024]

This show has gotten some bad reviews which i have to agree with some things like the over explaining of the story at the beginning. Also its strange that Aang hasnt practised water bending in the water book yet. I have still enjoyed the visual side of the show all the way.

Besides that I REALLY enjoyed this episode! Truelly amazing work. Hopefully we will be getting more episodes like this. It had everything. I enjoyed especially the storytelling in this episode + it had a lot of emotions. I cant tell how happy it made me to see my favourite show come alive just the way i imagine it. This gave me hope to continue the show.

(Almost) perfect

[mickaeldelcey · 9/10 · 28 February 2024]

This is hands down the best episode of the season. It captures the essence of what made avatar such a beloved cartoon. It actually follows "the Blue Spirit" episode almost scene by scene, also adding key ideas from "the Storm" episode. The fact that these 2 episodes were already some of the best of season 1 is a big factor in this episode's strengths. But impressively enough, the adaptation improves on them with a genius move: making Zuko's crew the 41st division. So much more impactful than the "saving the guy" scene from "the Storm" and this leads to one of the most powerful scene in this show.

I do not score this a 10 because of one thing only: the beginning. The whole Roku sub-plot was completely rushed in the first 10 min. If the "Winter's solstice" plotline could not be its own episode, it would have been better dropped altogether. Roku could have easily appeared in future seasons, especially season 3. This is sadly a problem tainting most of the series.

Fortunately, most of the episode was top notch, and I hope, this episode alone will bring people in and make sure we get another season :)

Simply awesome

[herbski · 10/10 · 13 April 2024]

The main characters played their part extremely well like Gordon Cormier and Daniel Day Kim who played Aang and Fire Lord Ozai, respectively. But the real standout who carried the show was Dallas Liu as Prince Zuko who simply nailed the role!

The screenwriters did an awesome character development and put more meaning to the chaotic (at first) dynamics of Zuko and his crew. The story arc was not in the animated version but it was a very welcome addition. The people behind the show put together and has woven an intricate plot and put it altogether in one cohesive storyline.

I really hope it only gets better from this episode and they will be contracted for more seasons.

The best episode so far

[Mobius_loop · 10/10 · 9 April 2024]

I was actually afraid to watch this series since I was so disappointed by the first live action Airbender. Yes, this is different and compressed in some ways compared to the absolutely superb animated series (please watch it if you haven't already after finishing this live series), but so far the changes to plot and timeline have not been jarring. This episode goes into Zuko's motivations and his relationship with his tyrant father.

Spoilers: Zuko is forced to go against his father to free the Avatar after he had captured him and then taken away by Admiral Jiao. As the masked mercenary he succeeds but is in turn saved by the Avatar who has a long conversation with him, although at crossed purposes. Almost as a throwaway we find out about the sacrificial 41st division mentioned in the animated timeline. In this version their significance takes on a profound meaning and their relationship with Zuko changes irrevocably and his sacrifice for them was an act of courage.

Best episode so far but still suffering from insecure writing

[pollereulogy · 6/10 · 2 March 2024]

This was a much better paced episode since pilot and action & lore building was amazing. Actors are doing their best and whoever have done production design is a huge fan of original show because details on every thing are exceptional. Action feels real whether when it is bending or with swords, both feels they are extension of their body.

However, this episode suffers with same thing like the rest of episodes, writers. The writing team of this show is very worried that the audience will not get the emotional arc of the characters and their motivations. So they make the characters say every thing they're feeling which makes it monotonous to watch. The scene with Aang and Zuko was so long where they basically dictated Zuko's entire arc, so audience can sympathise for him. Better writers can add more nuance in dialogues and character's bodylanguage rather than letting sit/stand in same position and give exposition.

Impossible Allies

[ZegMaarJus · 8/10 · 12 March 2024]

This Episode begins with Prince Zuko, he puts on a special suit for a war meeting. Aang. Prince Zuko and Uncle Iroh have a discussion about the Avatar and Firenation. Commander Zhao has captured Aang. Aang escaped, he got help from the man with the mask. The man with the mask is Prince Zuko. Aang and Prince Zuko talk about the Firenation and Zuko his future. Aang got reunited with Katara and Sokka. Nice Episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 1, this was spectacular. I give this great Episode a rating of 8 stars. Looking forward to the last two Episodes of the First Season, Avatar: The Last Airbender!

Actually some nice ideas in here

[mipfel · 7/10 · 6 March 2024]

Unfortunately, we got robbed one of the best scenes in the first season (Roku in his temple) and Roku was acting weird in this adaptation just like a couple of other characters (cough, Bumi) but besides that... this was an actually well executed episode of The Blue Spirit! The action scene of Zuko and Aang escaping the fort was good and really close to the original!

I really liked the scene in the end with Zuko on his ship and his crew turning out to be the people he pretty much saved from being sacrificed!

It's always hit or miss with this version Atla, some ideas are good (like the one mentioned before, Katara's and Sokka's chat in the Cave of Two Lovers or Lu Ten's funeral) and some just... don't do the original justice or just feel off.

Anyway, this for sure is the best episode (so far) of the live action remake!

Greater focus on character breathes life in to show

[thegreendrinker · 5/10 · 27 February 2024]

This is the first episode that really hit me hard and it's all to do with the fact that the Zuko storyline is the most consistently well handled plotline of the entire season. Dallas Liu plays a somewhat softer version of Zuko, but he has continually infused him with nuance and complexity. In one second he is hot-headed and temperamental and in another he is reserved and contemplative. He often sticks to a code of honor, but sometimes goes against his own code in order to achieve what he wants. All this to say, Dallas Liu does a great job as Zuko in this and the past episodes. This episode deals with his severe inner conflict and reveals the trauma that put him on the quest to capture Aang in the first place. There were a couple moments where I teared up, because of Liu's visceral portrayal of Zuko's deep inner pain.

The experience, however, is somewhat hampered by Gordon Cormier, who plays Aang, not being able to quite match Liu's performance and a rushed resolution to the Koh the Face Stealer plotline, but it is made up for by the quite excellent character study. Daniel Dae Kim also does a great job playing the cold-blooded, ruthless Ozai who thinks the horrible things he does are for their own good. This is a slightly different take on the original character who was even more sociopathic than his live-action counterpart (Ozai in the animated show didn't hurt Zuko for his own good- he did it merely to punish him for Zuko "disrespecting" him). This is a change, however, that I think works to make Ozai more of a fully fleshed out character, because his animated counterpart was a little two-dimensional and we never really got to know him that well.

dizziness

[erfaneinabadi · 8/10 · 10 March 2024]

At first, I must say that I expected there to be a more important reason for Ozai's war with Zuko, not just a small argument with the commander of the Fire Nation. And if Zuko was banished, why did Ozai burn Zuko's face? Two punishments for a small mistake from a young and inexperienced prince. This part was beautiful, but apart from this, it had subtle points that did not make sense in it and caused problems in my mind. From the first episode until now, I was hoping to see an episode that I could give it a perfect score of 10, considering that I am a fan of the Avatar series, but in every episode, problems in the series bothered me. I hope to see a perfect episode in the remaining two episodes.

Finally a reason I'd tell people to maybe watch

[tannermwilks · 6/10 · 29 February 2024]

Up until the end of this episode I had very little good things to say about this show. The sets are oozing with CGI backgrounds and all too perfect lighting that doesn't make it feel like an actual life action, the acting has been flat, the writing has depended heavily on unnecessary call backs to the animated series or has been too heavy handed on the messages that I don't actually feel them, but FINALLY -- there is a new piece I actually really like. The 41st division piece.

Truthfully it's not something you need to watch the show to appreciate, someone could just tell me that and I'd appreciate it. However maybe this will develop?

Overall I just wish the acting was twice as intense on all aspects, when Zuko is angry I want him like full raging like an angsty banished teenager, when Ozai is cutting people off I want him to do it with bluntness and malice. When Katara and Sokka argue I want them at each other's throats not just saying "you're a jerk." I think the whole point of a live action is to make it feel more life like, but the acting fails to suspended my disbelief and all I see are kids in costumes reading lines, not true characters living lives.

OZAI IS A BETTER DAD??? why did he dragon claw zuko's face instead of full handing it?

[eviebookwalter · 3/10 · 26 February 2024]

Okay we're getting a blue spirit storm combination episode.

I DON'T LIKE WHAT THIS IS.

Storm without the storm to actually make them talk.

I liked jee but this jee sucks.

They want me to believe he's gonna change after this episode, but he's already sold Zuko out.

Wow, Aang really did just fly around the fire nation until he found the temple from zuko's notes.

Aang is just talking to the fire sages?

He's just gonna tell them he's the avatar?

Doesn't he realize the fire nation isn't friendly?

They're tracking Aang but zuko never has katara's necklace which is going to fundamentally change their interactions.

Also, the other avatars are like just chilling in their shrines waiting for aang to roll around?

Why is Roku the one who took something from Koh?

I like the lore of Koh, but also why am I getting it in this context?

That's it?

No more roku? That was all we got?

SERIOUSLY????

June hitting on Iroh is kinda funny.

Are we not explaining zuko to his crew???

Okay Zuko's speaking out?

Awww buddy you care about your people.

This Zhao would be perfect but different if he had beef with zuko from before.

Ahh our one moment of comedy there it goes.

Blue Spirit!

I think the blue spirit just fire bended- no he didn't we're all good!

Okay why are they cutting out the fight scenes of the blue spirit???

Let me see zuko be cool with the dao

I like this scribe.

Okay, okay he's doing pretty good now

Maybe we can get some more dao action with Zuko then we did before.

Okay that was good. I might even give this a fairly good rating.

Blue sprit = mercenary to zhao which I actually like

We pulling a reverse Cinderella.

This Aang

Give him back his book he's gonna kill you.

Good zuko but once again season 2 not season 1

Nice bonding moment.

Wow, Zuko's just gonna explain this.

This isn't actually applicable.

Aww doubling down zuko!

Okay bro you should have seen that scar sooner- it was too small

Are we making azula softer.

This is not....

Um zuko is not fighting back- uhhh I don't like that.

Zuko should be begging for forgiveness- but I will accept that this is why he's at season 2 zuko instead of season 1.

Yike no wonder

I guess that's why the scar is smaller- but me no likey.

Oh my god aang leave.

Why is aang not running away- air benders are all about the dodge and the run.

Does Ozai actually want him to come back stronger? This is a very odd take.

Wow Zuko do be talkin back after this.

I don't hate it but I don't want it in my fanfiction.

Why would Ozai send zuko after the avatar an endless quest if he maybe wants him back?

Oooh- I like that his ship is all the 41st division.

I don't get why they did the dragon claw instead of the full hand of fire.

Yeah Jee get that character development.