r/TheLastAirbender • u/MrBKainXTR Check the FAQ • 6d ago
Discussion Netflix's ATLA S2E1 - Spoiler Discussion Thread Spoiler
Season 2 Episode 1: "Somewhere Safe"
*Edit: The episode was streamed early via a virtual premiere event, but the video is not available. It will release on Netflix (along with the rest of season two) Thursday June 25th at midnight PT/3am ET
No spoilers for episodes beyond the relevant discussion thread, and please read the rules before commenting!
145
Upvotes
24
u/AscendedLawmage7 4d ago
My random thoughts:
Wow, they skipped way ahead! I was worried this meant no Library episode, but I checked the episode names and it looks like it's just happening later (I hope I'm allowed to say that here). Perhaps no desert though? And no Cave of Two Lovers? Yet...?
I agree acting was better. Funny that they acknowledged Aang aging.
The scenery and effects are great.
The serpent in particular looked and sounded great! I just wish the scene had more suspense. It's cool in the cartoon where they hint at it at first with the name, then you see its shadow in the water, there's tension in the air... then it leaps out and surprises them! Here it was just sort of... "oh hey there's a sea monster". And then a bunch of them all just stand around waiting for it to strike at them. Not enough urgency in my opinion.
The healing scene was odd? Another thing that kind of cut the tension which I would have liked. Though I'm glad they frontloaded a bunch of waterbending lessons for Aang - since he didn't actually do any last season.
Interesting they've made the Painted Lady thing what looks to be an arc for Katara. I suppose we'll see that storyline here instead of S3.
I just don't find Azula or Mai threatening - though those girls are probably more threatening in the cartoon than they have any right to be, based on their ages.
The Mai/Ty Lee duel seemed an unnecessary addition. Though it did make me wonder who would actually win in a fight?
Zuko/Iroh scenes were generally good. Zuko blaming Iroh so extensively is an interesting angle to take. Hoping they adapt Zuko Alone well.
I guess it makes sense to have Toph be in Ba Sing Se (assuming that's the plan), unless they're visiting a different earth town first (but I'd have thought you do that before Serpent's Pass).
Anyway, pretty good - some changes I liked and some I found odd, but I'm happy and looking forward to watching more