The Desert

[Mooseboy018]

positives:
-IT'S A GIANT MUSHROOM!
-the very last scene was the first time the series made me cry
-our first look at the Order of the White Lotus
-Aang getting really pissed about Appa being stolen
-Katara being the leader
-Iroh's describing the Rough Rhinos as "a very capable singing group"
-Aang KILLING (I assume that "circle bird" died) after he almost lost Momo

negatives:
-the part where they go to the "circle bird" hive is the only part that really gets boring after a while

rating: 10

[MrBlack103]

I thought this episode was so-so (in terms of ATLA - they're all awesome), but as you did point out, it has some great things going for it.

-Aang KILLING (I assume that "circle bird" died) after he almost lost Momo

This was the best part for me. It really brings across how disturbed Aang is by Appa's disappearance. He seems to be taking it all out on that vulture wasp (what I call them).

[ImperialFirebender]

I am not going to lie, this is also the first episode that made me cry(the very last scene). The music and the whole scene was just really emotional.

[Rose]

Mooseboy, I know you (and everyone here as well) love the series, but I think you're rating these episodes too high. Almost all the episodes you've reviewed have been 9, 9.5 or 10.

But, anyway... The Desert... Hmmm...
I honestly don't like this episode very much.

I'll say what I do like about it first, though. Firstly is Katara. Out of the main characters (Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Zuko, Iroh...) Katara is probably my least favorite. And I honestly could not give you a reason. In most episodes I just don't care for her. However, in The Desert... I really like her. I love how she just takes control, and doesn't get upset when Aang is snapping at her. She understands his pain and... I don't know, just the way she handles the situation is something that is very... admirable. Is that the word I'm looking for? Nyah. The scene I like the best is when everyone is just kinda standing there, obviously exhausted, and Toph sort of staggers a big. Then Katara grabs her arm, tells everyone to hold hands and says something like 'We're getting out of here alive.'
The other thing I like about this episode is Sokka on cactus juice. That... is probably one of the funniest ATLA moments, IMO.

However, here is what I didn't like:
Aang. I know he's upset and angry that his best friend is missing, but it was just a little too much for me. He was annoying.

That's it. I hate Aang so much in this episode that it just ruins the whole thing for me. It really does.
If i was in Aang's situation in that episode, I'd probably act just like him. Aang being upset like that makes the show more realistic. So trust me, I understand.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I appreciate and understand 'the fury of Aang', but for some reason that I don't even know, I don't like it.

I'd give the episode a... 5.5/10. Maybe a 6.

My reasonings for that made no sense, didn't it? XD

[Mooseboy018]

Mooseboy, I know you (and everyone here as well) love the series, but I think you're rating these episodes too high. Almost all the episodes you've reviewed have been 9, 9.5 or 10.

Mostly because season 2 is the best season. There are quite a few episodes I gave between 5 and 7 in season 1, and just wait for season 3....it's gonna be a real rollercoaster.

[Stogi]

Apart from the finale, this is my favorite episode. Why? Well there's plenty of reasons.

One, it is the first time we see Aang extremely mad and actually kill another living being. He has always used his powers to evade and disarm rather than kill, but his emotions take control of him and it is a scary sight. His anger is especially convincing after he kills the Vulture Wasp and Momo reacts in such a fearful way.

Two, it is the first time I let loose a tear (not gonna lie, there are other episodes that have done it, but this was the first). Aang has lost everything; his home, his family, his friends. The only thing he has left is Appa. His bison is the last thing he has left that connects him to his past, to his people. The finale of the episode is so emotionally charged with that feeling that it is just so heart-wrenching to watch. "You muzzled Appa?!" Incredible.

Three, this was the first episode I have ever seen, and though I didn't let a tear fall the first time, I have never seen anything so badass. In all honestly, I came into the episode half way through completely befuddled. But no matter, because when he went into his Avatar State and yelled "Tell me where Appa is!" I got goosebumps and now, a few years later, I'm a happy Avatard!

And finally, Sokka and Momo had me laughing more than any other episode!

[uncle aang]

I agree this is one of the best episodes of avatar. I think its my favrite of season 2. First Momo and Sokka are so funny. It is the funnist part to me of whole series when they are on the cactus jucie. I also like how aang for the first time ever kills and he is upset even more then western air temple. Plus any episode that he goes into beast mode (aka avatar state) is amazing. I thing aangs charater starts changing in this episode.

[Mai Kunrong]

Oh gosh, The Desert, The Desert... I feel like I need to put the capslock key on because seriously, that is how much I love this episode.

The kidnapping of Appa unbalanced the Status Quo; our heroes could no longer rely on their fuzzy friend for easy transportation or a last-minute save. It suddenly made things a whole lot more urgent and serious. How would they get news of the eclipse to the Earth King in time, assuming they would even survive the desert? An excellent way to ratchet up suspense and tension, not to mention the throwing of yet another complication into the once-simple plan of "Master Four Elements, Defeat Firelord, Save World".

It was also emotionally heartbreaking. I still occasionally get a little bit teary-eyed watching it. Aang's sense of security and last connection to his heritage is suddenly yanked away from him, and he's hurting so much in this episode... I mean, the kid has nothing. All he had left of the Air Nomads was his staff, the clothes on his back, and his beloved pet. It tugged on more than a few heartstrings to hear the cynicism and despair in his voice after losing Appa.

Some were plucked for Toph too, for her guilt at not being able to stop it and her feelings of uselessness not being able to see, and for Katara being awesome and assuming the lead because no one else was going to.

But of course, Avatar always has to play on the opposite end of the emotional spectrum and so... Sokka on Cactus Juice is there to lighten the mood. FUNNIEST SEQUENCE EVER.

Oh and the music! I can't forget the music! The mellow hopelessness conjured by the ethnic horns for the Gaang's desert travel, the almost sci-fi up-and-down cadence for Sokka's trippy moments, and the whole last cue with that rendition of the Old Soul Avatar theme that just builds and builds while Aang goes Avatar State, until it turns soft and sad and then that little pling! of the chimes at the end. The chimes get me every. Single. Time.

ALSO THIS:



WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH LIKE, MY FAVORITE SCENE EVER.

[Orwill Yatke]

I first saw about 3 sec of this episode on cartoon network while flipping through channels at a friend's house. I saw the part where Katara tells Aang to fly up and bend the water from the cloud into her pouch. It was so real that I didn't bother to stick around till after the commercials to see the rest. By the time I got back to Nick the show was over. Bummer...
5 years later in a theater in Siren Wisconsin I saw the first trailer for the movie. It got me reintroduced to the series.
Thank you M. Night Shyamalan!
But your movie should be in every theater not just ones in big cities. I had to go 60 miles to Rice Lake to see it! Grrr..

Anyways...
The Desert is an awesome episode. It is one of the saddest and most tense episodes. I love Toph!!!! She holds up Wong-Xi-Tong's library. Toph holds the library from sinking into the spirit world. That is awesome. Greatest;Earthbender;Ever!
Bumi is most powerful but Toph is greatest!
Katara the waterbender leading the group through the Si-Wong desert is super cool.
I like how we see that the Swampbenders and the Sandbenders both capture Appa. A universal reminder that he IS a giant flying Bison; and that a lot of people eat or catch rare animals without even thinking about who that animal is attached to.

Awesome Avatar action. We see Toph learning to hit aerial targets based on vibrations that surround where a person is.
Later in 301 we see The Duke standing behind Toph helping her see where to shoot. Cool sandbending and Appa flying with just his tail.

Sokka and Momo trippin' on cactus juice. Classic.

Oh, and Aang killing a Buzzard-Bee is not a positve thing.

[TEGtheAvatar]

I always feel like I'm gonna tear up when I see this episode. It's just so sad.

I liked how Aang gets so angry at the sandbenders that he triggers the avatar state and everyone is running for cover except Katara. It was so bittersweet.

Sokka on cactus juice was some awesome comic relief (It's a GIANT MUSHROOM!!!).

I always say this when I hear this line.
Sandbender: I didn't know it belonged to the avatar.
my response: Well don't steal things idiot!