3 ways Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 was ruined (and 2 ways it was improved)

Live-action remakes of certain animated titles can sometimes be hits or misses. Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of those shows where it felt like there was promise at first (even when the creators left), but when season 2 came around, I was…less than excited.

Keep in mind I’m a huge fan of the original animated series, so while I can separate the Netflix show from the source material as something fun to watch and not an exact remake, it’s still hard to please me. And there were just a few differences this season that sort of ruined the live-action version.

Despite that, there were two ways it actually improved on the first season, too — we can’t be negative all the time. Let’s dig into it.

1. Ruined: Toph’s character introduction
2. Improved: Azula’s influence and background
3. Ruined: Aang’s storyline…in general
4. Improved: The bending
5. Ruined: Katara’s Painted Lady moment

Ruined: Toph’s character introduction

As a young girl who was essentially raised by cartoon characters, I was lucky enough to grow up in a time when there were plenty of strong females to support. One just so happened to be Toph, so when I found out who would play her in season 2 of the live-action, I was excited.

The actress who played her did do a good job — I have no qualms about Miyako’s performance. That said, I didn’t like this particular version of Toph.

I think the main issue is the episode count. Throughout the animated series, we get Toph in slow doses: yes, she is a tough-as-a-rock girl who grew up sheltered by overprotective parents who want her to use her bending and be free. But we slowly start to see the passionate side of her as she does anything to help her new friends and aid Aang.

In this, it all feels…conglomerated together, and it doesn’t flow as well.

Improved: Azula’s influence and background

When the first season of the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender came out, I was surprised to see that Azula was a bigger part of the story. In the animated franchise, she really only becomes a main character in season 2, so I was eager to see what they would do with her. However, Azula is just kind of in the background of season 1, and it made me wary abut her role.

However, in season 2, they do give her more to do, and the actress, Elizabeth Yu, does a good job with what she is given. It’s a more complex way of digging into her character and really looking into Zuko's and her past with their mother. It adds layers that we didn’t really see in the animated series — and only got to read about in the comics years later.

Ruined: Aang’s storyline…in general

I wish I didn’t have to say this, but Aang doesn’t really feel like… Aang anymore.

Personally, I believe this is because of the age difference between the actors and the time that has passed. There have certainly been some artistic liberties taken with the story, but it feels like Aang grew up far too fast, way faster than in the animated series.

Yes, this does make sense, as there has been a time skip in the live-action, but for him to really feel like Aang, he has to have that sort of whimsy, and I just…don’t see it anymore. Maybe it’s because he feels a little too…teenager-y? It’s like he’s going through a phase, and it’s not necessarily a good one. His morals and desires feel off from how he was in the original show.

Then there’s the fact that he also somehow taps into the Avatar State in the finale without the help of Guru Pathik. Like, that is a huge issue with Aang, and Guru Pathik makes him realize he can’t fully go into the Avatar State due to his feelings for Katara. That’s a major point. And it’s just…nothing now?

Improved: The bending

I can say this second season seriously improved the bending. I think with any kind of TV show that has fantasy elements, it can be hard to make elemental magic look real. That's always been a big complaint with many fantasy shows on the platform. But they did a good job this time around.

Some praise I really need to give to the special effects team is the earthbending. Overall, it is really well done. Some do moments feel obviously fake, but overall it kept me entertained, and I was fully locked in.

Ruined: Katara’s Painted Lady moment

For the LIFE of me, I cannot understand why they would put a FIRE NATION SPIRIT as a storyline in season 2. I’m not saying that Kiawentiio did a bad job because she was great. Honestly, I feel her portrayal of Katara was better this season (she can still do better in season 3, but regardless).

My biggest qualm is basically changing the lore entirely. The Painted Lady is supposed to be watching over a specific village in the Fire Nation, not some local spirit in Ba Sing Se. I understand that it’s supposed to show that Katara will do whatever she can to help others, and that maybe it is a great way to feed the Zutara (Zuko/Katara) shippers with their scenes together as the Painted Lady and the Blue Spirit.

But it takes away a key moment from this arc for Katara — her willingly helping Fire Nation civilians after what happened to her mother. That’s something that is a HUGE moment of growth for her in the series, despite her past trauma, and here the total meaning behind it feels a little lost.

There is a third and final season confirmed for the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender, and I’m going to watch it because I love this universe of shows. But I don’t think I’ll be rewatching it anytime soon. Maybe I’ll just stick to the new movie that came out.

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