Episode 39 (The Guru) Review
Episode 39 Review (The Guru)
Jesus this was a big episode. Let’s get the synopsis out of the way, even though it’s a pretty big one. First Sokka meets up with his dad, and it’s a pretty standard meet up. Oddly this is usually the big part of the story in a normal show, but no it’s kind of crammed in there. Each character goes through a big change, but he’s the one that doesn’t. He just meets his dad, they have their quick bonding, then Sokka has to leave him behind as he goes to war again because Aang picks him up on the way to help Katara. Meanwhile Toph… oh God. Yes, little blind girl Toph is captured, and what to do? She is almost challenged by one of the guys who I think said something like, "Well, nobody can Earthbend metal!” And so during the episode you see as she is slowly going through this metamorphosis to a metalbender. And Aang’s thing and hers intertwine as the Guru is getting philosophical about it, and you totally believe this thing is born, and it’s like that feeling of Super Saiyan, that feeling of becoming so cool in talent. And she gloats, then she Earthbends away sonic the hedgehog style with the earth just bolting her forward as she goes back to Ba Sing Se. And how metal bending after this point becomes kind of a norm, and knowing the legacy of her metalbending, it just makes the moment that more special. Meanwhile, Azula is making the entire earth kingdom her bitch. She’s trying to get the Dai Li on her side because that will get her power over pretty much everyone. So she set up this thing where Ty Lee and Mai were talking, and then they reveal their secrets, and the Dai Li overheard them. And the viewer thinks "oh, the Dai Li got them!” But no, that was apart of Azula’s plan. She knew they’d capture her, then make a deal. Meanwhile Katara is doing business stuff, and basically gets captured by team Azula. Meanwhile Zuko is… enjoying his tea maker job. Yeah, it’s a little disturbing seeing him calm. At one point the man is just sweeping… with a big ol’ smile… weird. Anyway, best part is Aang and his new Guru pal. And this is probably Aang’s best episode. He in order to turn into the Avatar State at will must open up I think seven chakras. And they’re cramming it into twenty some minutes, so you have to go through the journey a little faster than you’ll want. But he goes through six chakras, and each one he let’s something go. Like he lets go of his guilt of leaving his people, avoiding being the avatar, burning Katara, hurting people, he lets it all go. He learns that everything is one, the nations are all one, the elements are all one, he learns some great philosophies in there, and they all show who Aang is in this metamorphosis. And then he has to let the last one go, his earthly ties, namely Katara. And yeah, then he sees Katara is in trouble. And he goes Empire Strikes Back and goes to save them. No Avatar State. And I think six out of seven on a big thought scale, that sums up Aang I think. He’s willing to do everything but let his friends die for the greater good. And holy shit this was a fantastic episode. So much shit happened! And boy does it set you up for a finale. It should make a top ten, maybe even a top five episodes list. Aang learning this was so cool, Toph metalbending was so cool, Sokka seeing his dad was so cool, Azula being the great villain she is was so cool, seeing Zuko work contently in a tea shop was so cool (creepy) but so cool! And overall it was clusterfuck of awesome leading to the big finale! I’ll see you there!
Avatar: The Last Airbender Episode 39 (The Guru) gets a 5/5
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