We are racing to the conclusion of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and there’s lots going on. After Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen) and the gang are forced to separate and make an escape from the Air Temple following an attack by Fire Nation forces led by Azula (Grey Griffin), Zuko (Dante Basco) wants to prove himself to Katara (Mae Whitman) so he helps her track down the man who killed her mother.

The Southern Raiders was written by Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, and was first broadcast on 17 July, 2008.

As Katara and Zuko prepare to set out, Aang and Sokka (Jack De Sena) try to point out that revenge is not the best plan, and that forgiveness may be harder to do but may be the better choice. When they arrive at a Fire Nation ship, the pair rip through a number of the crew, and Katara goes dark by using blood-bending. Through their violence, they learn the location of the man, who is living a sad and miserable life, and perhaps that is justice enough?

When they confront him and Katara sees him, she may not be able to forgive him, but she won’t pursue violence against him. It does lead her to forgive Zuko, who points out to Aang that if violence isn’t the answer, then what will Aang do when he confronts the Fire Lord (Mark Hamill)?

A really good episode, a great message, and Katara really shines. There’s also some great comedy with Sokka who wants to spend some alone time with Suki (Jennie Kwan).

The Ember Island Players is the penultimate episode of the series before the four-part series finale. It first aired on 18 July, 2008 and was written by Tim Hedrick, Joshua Hamilton, and John O’Bryan. It serves as a big ‘previously on Avatar’ as the group hides out on Ember Island, and watches the local theatre group put on a performance about the Avatar’s adventures.

Hiding out in the Fire Lord’s Ember Island house (we were there previously with Sokka and Azula’s trio) the group elects to go to the play, and consequently is shocked to see how they are portrayed, though some of them are close to the mark, and it brings lots of laughs to the viewer.

As the play continues not only is the group troubled by how they are seen, but also the possibility that some of the things they are seeing are accurate about their intentions and feelings. But when the play catches up the present and gives their resolution of the series, it’s a troubling possibility.

It’s a fun, insightful episode that gives us, and the characters a bit of a breather before diving into the series finale. It’s a great piece, with some wonderful emotional moments for Aang and the rest.

Next time, the series comes to a conclusion with the four-part episode Sozin’s Comet. It’s been an amazing ride, let’s see how it finishes. Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Complete Series on Blu-ray is available now from Paramount Canada.