TV Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender Season Two (2006)

Avatar: The Last Airbender Season Two (2006) created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko

For my review of season one, go here.

Avatar Aang and his two compatriots, Katara and Sokka, head south from the Northern Water Tribe is search of someone to teach Earthbending. After a few false starts, they discover Toph. She's the only daughter of a rich Earth Kingdom family. She's also blind, so they are very protective of her, to the point of smothering her. Toph sneaks off to compete in professional Earthbending fights (much like out professional wrestling) and is convinced to go with Team Avatar for adventures and training. They travel over much of the Earth Kingdom, looking for help and knowledge to take down the Fire Nation before Sozin's Comet returns. The comet's presence will boost the firebenders enough to complete their conquest of the other nations.

Meanwhile, dishonored Prince Zuko and his Uncle Iroh are reduced to fugitive status when Zuko's sister Azula tries to take them both back to the Fire Lord for a reckoning. Azula is clever and sadistic. She's been tormenting Zuko all his life. Now he's forced to be an impoverished outcast. Iroh is more philosophical about the situation. He still trains Zuko and tries to convince him to move on with his life. They also have a good variety of adventures as they alternately pursue the Avatar and search for a regular life.

The show does a great job of building on the strong foundation of the first season. More of the world is revealed, with the embattled Earth Nation fighting on various fronts and in different ways. The world is mostly Asian in character but the writers are able to give a lot of other familiar things an Avatar interpretation, like rednecks and professional wrestling and circuses. Azula makes a good foe for everyone. She is able to lighteningbend as well as firebend, making her a tough opponent. She is completely ruthless, making her even more dangerous. The show maintains the balance of drama and comedy well.

Highly recommended.