It didn't occur to me when I first watched this episode, but Zuko giving the medal to Iroh was more significant than just a memorial. It belonged to someone destined to do great things. That's Zuko telling Iroh that he still had great things to do in his future whereas everyone else at Lu Ten's funeral was whispering about his life being over and forever being remembered as a coward. And we all know how true that is and what those great things will be.
It also shows that Lu Ten thought Zuko was destined to do great things. To a father who lost his son, knowing that his son believed so much in the future of someone, it gives a grieving parent a goal, or something to do, to honor his memory.
That's what Iroh meant by "I owe him, far more than I can ever repay". Zuko gave Iroh what no one else did; hope. Now Iroh is trying to give it back to him.
@@Saphthings (spoilers for season 3 of the animated show in my reply - just fair warning to anyone else reading this comment...just in case)...... . . . . . . good enough warning? okay.... I think the perfect mirrored bookend to this scene would be in season 3 when Zuko returns and apologizes to Iroh (every fan of the animated show knows the scene I'm talking about, in Iroh's tent at the White Lotus camp, where Iroh doesn't say anything at first and instead just yanks Zuko into a big bear hug - and in the live action, that would be another perfect time to use the Leaves on the Vine instrumental that they've now tied to Iroh's fatherhood not just of Lu Ten, but also being the father Zuko needed) if Iroh returns the medal back to Zuko, reinforcing Lu Ten's belief that Zuko was destined for great things. Get us all tearbending again
Currently honestly sobbing at the line "Everything I need is on this boat". I love how they expanded Zuko and Uncle Iroh's story, it is so much more impactful
I really liked how they added more lore to the avatar verse with the Earth kingdom troop. War has a big impact on society as a whole and here it shows how even insignificant characters both were affected and contributed to the story.
I really like the way this series delves into Uncle Iroh's history as a former war leader. It's actually difficult to reconcile the kind, wise man we know from the animated ATA/LoK with someone who precipitated crimes against humanity in the name of conquest. By accepting his responsibility for his past, Iroh choose to become a better person, and try to correct the bad actions of his family/nation by guiding the (hopefully) future Firelord to a path of decency and compassion. I am very pleased they managed to create new layers to the GOAT mentor.
I mentioned before that in the animated series, it seems like Iroh has already had his full character arc offscreen before the series started. Here they seem to be cluing us in on his journey, instead of him starting out the series with nowhere to go emotionally.
Movies and TV are MADE for you. Your reactions are so great. You feel so deeply. Your heart is on your sleeve, and you're not afraid to say what's on your mind. This is everything this niche of the internet should be!
Knowing the pain of loss firsthand with the sudden death of my youngest brother and recalling my parents in such grief hit so hard when Iroh is heartbroken over his son. You need a hug, I need a hug, we all need a hug. Thanks for the reaction. ❤
Love the confrontation between Iroh and Earth Kingdom soldier. While we love Iroh and he was never cruel like his forefathers and Ozai, he has done terrible things. Lu Ten died fighting a war their family started. Iroh changed for the better after Lu Ten’s death.
Zuko pre-scar was kinder and his mom was still around to nurture that compassionate side of him. He showed the simple act of kindness that Lu Ten gave him and he wanted to repay that to Iroh. That wake scene is accurate irl to Asian cultures in the sinosphere where the immediate family sit beside the casket. So Zuko console Iroh by sitting where a son would sit. I like the last scene when Iroh says they always getting on/off boats and then Zuko remembers his memory of getting on that boat feeling alone and ashamed. Then Iroh choose to be there for Zuko just as Zuko was there for him.
18:22 I love the evolution of Angela and how at first people would say "there is no ____ in ba sing se" and she'd be like "ok..." or she'd mention a tunnel in a random reaction and the comments would all be "SECRET TUNNNEEEEEEL" and she'd just pass it by like, "alright..." and now she's one of us xD It's ingrained in her like it is in us haha
I like this Bumi. Anyone who has been at war for 100 yrs and had to make choices that he has makes it through without becoming more angry and even bitter. Especially when when the kid/friend you had your hopes pinned on disappears, letting you fight/sacrifice alone, only to turn up suddenly and be like ‘Yeah I know people have died and the world is on fire, but lighten up’. I’d be a little pissed too.
I do like the story beats better here re: Bumi. Aang, knowing who this king is, and how the last century has changed him, drives the moral lesson all that much more deeper, rather than discovering his identity afterwards and softening that lesson.
This. More importantly, showing an old man in live-action acting like an immature child, simply does not look right. Making Bumi angry and bitter was the right call.
I’m really curious to see if Bumi in future episodes will be back to how he was in the animated series. This portrayal with bitterness made so much sense to me with what 100 years would do to someone in that world. I felt like at the end of this episode, much like the change seen in Suki’s mom, Aang and friends have helped restore faith and hope, and that they are a changed person now
Exactly! Don't get me wrong, for me the original Bumi can never be beat, but in the context of a live action, the original Bumi really doesn't make much sense. Almost no one can be practically the same between a 12 year old kid and a 112 year old leader. The new lesson was something actually grounded in reality; the restoration of hope in others as well as understanding the difficulty of choices in leadership. The original cartoon never ever brings up these morals since it wasn't really needed. But the live action makes it far more clear this is a serious WAR, and it'd be disrespectful to just treat it the exact same way as the original and act like it wouldn't screw with people over a hundred years
I like the idea of Aang having to puzzle out who the king of Omaha really is. But it's not necessary, and a darker Bumi does make sense. Although he can't be too dark given what we know about him from the cartoon. Here, he still serves the purpose of teaching a lesson, but it is a different lesson and one that is more important.
8:40 when she hears just 3 notes of the "leaves from the vine" and starts tearing up. Hold on Angie, hold it in, it's gonna get worse... way way worse xD I was a sobbing mess by the end of this episode haha. Some people complained about the changes to Bumi. Personally having a senile leader with dementia sounds goofy and funny in an animation, but the reality is a lot scarier. And it makes sense that he'd be upset. At the end I think we have our Bumi back, he just had to be reminded of it. But honestly, I couldn't care less about that with that amazing Zuko/Iroh part xD I was a mess...
Imagine 100 years of making terrible, horrible decisions, where you can never be sure you made the right choice. And every choice results in horrible consequences.
The way I see the difference between the animated and live stories is like this: I have watched a number of Robin Hood movies and while they were different, they were good [ok, a couple I have seen were not good but, the others...] and even without the names, you can see that they are the same story because there are enough key points that appear one way or another. They don't detract from each other even though they are also not the same. Same thing with King Arthur and Merlin stories - there is a wide range of them with many that are good, but different. This is also true of comic book characters like Batman and Superman. If we compare as if the new work must be judged by the older work, a lot of the stories will fall short, but if we recognise the core that makes them related but judge each on their own, it gives us a rich experience.
your tearbending in this episode was truly powerful, Angela. I was also sobbing, the moment the song started playing it was raining on my face. I LOVE all the scenes with Iroh and Zuko.
Although this Bumi is so different I really like the take on it. “You may be a hundred years old but you have not lived a hundred years” is a powerful statement. Bumi still loves his friend but he had to be there through it all. Aang woke up as the last of his people, Bumi lived through the eradication of Aang’s people. He lived through countless battles, countless deaths and had to make decisions Aang couldn’t imagine. I LOVE the portrayal of Bumi in the cartoon but the live action Bumi isn’t an unrealistic one and at the very least I can respect/enjoy it for that
I agree with you that he's realistic, but he was a huge disappointment for me. When you're adapting an animated show (in my opinion) going too far into realism can be a mistake. I personally felt like they removed too much of what made Bumi, well, Bumi. I get what they were going for, but I think they took it a little bit too far. I respect the point they were making with him, but I didn't enjoy it too much. On the opposite side of the coin, I think the realistic and mature inclusion of Iroh at his son's memorial mourning him and Zuko more directly talking about it was amazing. I think that's an example of them showing the dark realism and it really paying off. But that also didn't change any characters. We knew Zuko was proud of his uncle, and we knew Iroh was very defeated and mourning his son, they just showed us that more directly and it was a beautiful moment. So there's definitely good and bad.
@@itsmylesfr totally understand where you’re coming. Honestly this is why I’m not really an advocate for live action adaptations as a whole lol. At BEST they do their best to replicate the original source and it’s just a watered down version of the original or they deviate a little (which they sometimes have to for the sake of time and money management) and it’s hit or miss whether people like it or not
I agree. Bumi has dealt with 100 years of leadership in war, such a thing would wear someone down over the years and there's no way anyone could go though that much time in a constant state of stress, dealing with leadership and warfare without it making someone dark. I understand why people might like the goofy Bumi from the cartoon and that's fine you like what you like, but I thought they did a good job of making a more realistic Bumi.
I think this version of Bumi works for this version of AtLA. Aang is scared of his responsibilities as the Avatar, but since they have to rearrange the story into 8 long episodes instead of 22 short episodes, they can't show this by having him derail to do a bunch of filler episode stuff. So instead, this Aang's fears manifest as, "Maybe this external thing [Kyoshi writings/airbender I thought I saw in the distance/Northern Water Tribe teachers/etc.] will give me what I need to succeed, so I don't have to look inside myself for the answers (because what if I let everyone down again?)." So instead of a Bumi who is like, "Aha! I was totally wise and cool all along, and was just passing on a lesson you needed the whole time!", this Bumi is challenging Aang on the fact that there are no easy answers on his journey, while Aang finds it in himself (and his friends!) to refute Bumi's no-win scenario. It's definitely a different take on Bumi as a person, but the changes make sense in order to have him fulfil the same role he needs to fill in the narrative.
Iroh is the sweetest person in the show. He has lost someone so important to him that he felt like he had lost his purpose in life. But that all changed when Zuko was there for him at his son’s funeral/wake. Seeing how much his nephew cared compared to everyone else, this was when Iroh saw him as his new son, and decided he would be there for him when he needed him. It breaks my heart every time 😢😢😢 Also… MY CABBAGES!!!😂😂😂
I randomly started crying during the episode and didn't really know why, until my sister pointed out that they are playing the motif from Leaves From The Vine in the background. that damn piece of music get's me every time.
I've been waiting for this. This is when Angie is going to find out that they really fleshed out Iroh/Zuko a lot more in this series, and what has been the highlight for many. It doesn't end in just this episode either! : )
Something that I liked about the series is that we can see the aftermath of the war, the difficult decisions that Bumi has to make, the sad story of the earth soldier and the loss of his brother, and what Lu Ten's death meant for Iroh, you can feel how no matter who is the good or bad guy in the story, both sides lose children, brothers, fathers, mothers, irreparable losses😢
Another person recognized Leaves of the Vine, it's Omn1Media, here is its video czcams.com/video/CIelSFdeIrI/video.htmlsi=9H5hT_7hWmdGJhmw I've seen many reaction videos to this episode, expecting they would recognize the song, but only 2 found it: you and Omn1Media. I think you and Omn1Media are the most sensitive reactors to small details, and I apreciate that. Thank you!
The funeral and boat scene literally hit every note right, the music, the interaction between zuko and iroh was honeslty perfect. Great acting and in a way better executed than the animated series. Yes, I dare say it!
Tears from our eyes, Come rolling down, Like little drops of rain, When we hear the sound, Avatar fans, have nothing to defend Against Uncle Iroh's, ability to tearbend. (-read/sing in Uncle Iroh's voice as in Leaves from the Vine for full effect)
Toally agree. If they would have portayed him as in the animation, that would have been super awkward. This live action is darker than the animtion which was clearly made for kids back then. I love the animation - ALTA and the Korra sequel as well, and I love this live action adaptation just as much.
@@markwilliams125no, it's not everything. But, consistency is. And considering the approach this adaptation takes, having a king endure a century of war and still being childlike would be an extreme tonal clash. The characters have to fit in the world you're creating. Otherwise, you end up with Jar Jar Binks. And nobody wants that
Yeah i cried this entire episode, the stunning rendition of leaves from the vine broke straight through my defenses. Great reaction ma'am as always! Love the shirt too btw
I think Bumi's version is perfect for live action. If he made it happy and joking, it would not be realistic at all, it would be impossible to take him seriously as the tone of the series intends it to be.
I say, Bumi's portrayal here was more "human". It all make sense, since he's been fighting war for a decade. The thought of how to save his people, choosing what to sacrifice in exchange of the safety of the majority etc. this will really affect and change someone even the most goofiest person.
Could not agree more with you. As much as I adore the original, Bumi's portrayed more or less as a crazy old guy with a great power. There's not too much depth in his character. Here, he seems more troubled and burdened, though still looney.
on point! Especially I can relate to what happened to Bumi. Also, if you'd look at it, zuko is kinda the same with Bumi. They changed because of everything they've been through.
Greg Baldwin and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee hang out a lot and are great friends. (Both Irohs) Greg Baldwin's most frequently asked request from fans is to sing Leaves from the Vine which he always refuses. He always explains that the song belongs to Mako and only to Mako. That is why he refuses to sing the song for anyone even after taking up the mantle of voicing Uncle Iroh. "No one sings it but him." -Greg (About Mako) The fact that Paul also does not sing the song in the first season is also a fitting tribute to Mako as well and makes sense since Iroh is unable to say or speak due to his grief from losing his son. With Season 2 and 3 confirmed by Netflix, it is likely that we will get the live action Iroh Tales of Ba Sing Se episode but he will not actually sing Leaves from the Vine. If it is added in season 2 we are definitely going to need to prepare for more tear-bending.
I knew you’d be bawling in this episode. I’m glad to have someone to sob with. I cried like a baby and have bawled during every CZcams reaction I’ve watched.
The quote you're thinking of is “Even In The Material World, You Will Find That If You Look For The Light, You Can Often Find It…But If You Look For The Dark, That Is All You Will Ever See”. It's an Uncle Iroh quote from LoK.
"Moments like that have to be earned..." YES exactly! this isn't a cartoon, so all these moments and relationships have to evolve not just happen because the plot requires them to in a 20 min episodic romp through the forest etc. BTW the moment Katara actually tells Aang that her and Sokka are his family now is very much earned and perfectly placed given the arcs these kids started out with.
A beautiful and authentic reaction, you are the first one to NOT resist reacting to "leaves from the vine" and just let the emotions flow (as I did when i heard it). These additions to the new series have been quite special, look forward to seeing many more in season 2.
The fact that Lu Ten gave zuko his medal that was meant for “people destined to do great things” just shows how much compassion he really had which shouldn’t be as much of a surprise as it is since that is irohs boy but it’s nice to see people in the fire nation not act like monsters
I didn’t watch the original series but Bumi to me is played so great cuz he has this joking familiarity with Ang that he recognizes but he’s also become so hardened old man after what he’s lived and had to lead through
To be fair, with Bumi, the animated version works as a cartoon type story but when you make it "more real", it is hard to believe that 100 years of brutal war would still leave Bumi childlike and all. This Bumi is a more realistic version but not as much fun ... in the end though, he IS trying to teach Aang to be ready, but he is an old man who has seen war all his life and so way is different. He had lost all hope and he believed the only way for Aang to save the world was for him to become tough and callous. Once Aang and Friends showed him there was hope, we start to see the Bumi we know from the animation. I think that when we see Bumi next, he will be more the Bumi we love. So I do see why you were unhappy with this version of Bumi, but I think by the end of series, we will have seen the Bumi we all love.
But the great thing about Bumi was that he wasn’t like everyone else, his mind worked differently. That’s what we’re missing here is he’s just like everybody else now. Angry and bitter… They took the guy that thinks differently about the world and made him think the same about the world. Such a bummer.
Sure, he operated differently from other characters, but for live action, I thought this was appropriate. Especially for new audiences that never did see the original animation, because they’d be flabbergasted that a king can be jovial and fun loving while at war where his people dies regularly for the past 100 years. The animated Bumi wouldn’t have translated well to live action, especially with the current world events. Sounds unfair but that’s how it is.
@@funnylilgalreacts True, but I think he still looks at things differently, just a little too much pain for too long so the guy we love [because I also love the animated version] is a bit lost - having a bad day, shall we say, but at the end, the ride he and Aang took seems to be telling us that the Bumi we like is not gone.
@@wendella.4074 I sort of agree, but I'd say we just need a bit of story to transition from where we are here to where we were in the animation. I personally feel that after this episode it will be possible to move to something more like the Bumi from the animation.
@funnylilgalreacts - I absolutely get that. And when we're looking at it through the lense of measuring against the original series' standard, I understand the disappointment and discontent. But I think when you look at this series as it's own entity - teaching the same lessons overall, but to adult audiences vs single digit age children - it makes more sense. The way they sped up some Aesopic fable lessons in the story with this rendition, I think they're delaying others. I'd let them cook the story the rest of the way before rendering an immutable judgement. It may tie together later down the road in a better way than you anticipated later.
Iroh is easily my favorite character in this series. I've enjoyed seeing the emotion that I feel being shared by you. I love how we get to see Zuko and music fill the emptiness in Iroh's heart. It creates the moments he never got to experience with his son while providing Zuko with the father figure he needs. Blessings from tragedy
Yeah, I was a bit shocked how much they changed up Bumi's motivations and attitude. His bitterness was jarring at first. That's the only plot issue that contributed to my final personal rating of this Season 1 an A-. However, after rewatching the episode (a couple times) I was able to appreciate it--seems like both Aang and Bumi's perspectives had to be tested in this version. What gave me solace is that Bumi was his same lighthearted, semi-senile self at the end as he was the whole episode in the animated series. Maybe he'll be more of his delightful, goofy badass self in the white lotus scenes later. I think there was an overall theme of coping with trauma and the after-effects of suffering, overcoming bitterness and burn out, how to gain perspective, and reconnecting with your true values and goals. In that, I think Bumi's arc in this episode ultimately did work.
23:49 This illustrates to me the faults of the writing in this version of the show imo. They wanted a "darker" and "more realistic" take, but didn't properly do the work to set it up. Because this version of Aang doesn't goof off. Animated Aang played airball just coz, went Koi riding, went zigzag across the map wherever he wanted, and went to Omashu to ride the delivery carts. Netflix Aang had a self imposed deadline as early as episode 2. Kiyoshi gave him a reason to get to the North ASAP. Netflix gAang went to Omashu to follow what they thought was an airbender. That's not just goofing off. They then STAYED in Omashu to solve the bombing crisis. Also, not goofing off. This dark version of Bumi's accusations hold no weight. Netflix Bumi was talking to animated Aang. Not Netflix Aang. The same way a lot more characters in the show is accusing Netflix Aang of running away. It holds less weight because specifically of the seemingly minor but major change of Aang leaving the air temples. Netflix Aang was overwhelme with the Avatar news and wanted air to think. Animated Aang deliberately left to escape his responsibilities---packed with his stuff and a goodbye note. An active character choice vs being swept away by coincidence or destiny. And in doing the extremes of highlighting "this is a dark world", not only does the Netflix show show thay it pales in comparison, it also shows that it can tell a comprehensive story on its own. It has that effect of angsty tween first learning to use curse words. Throwing them around for no reason, not only makes you not mature, it only highlights how immature you are. The same applies to the show in showing graphic burnings and "dark realistic takes" on characters like Bumi. The minor changes and additions they did/give to Zuko and Iroh are damn good and the best to come out of the show. Because they actually spend time to develop them. The main gAang however have little time to develop themselves and are relegated to hitting plotpoints after plotpoints.
@@funnylilgalreactsOur hearts are with you too. Your friends from afar, who rode with your channel since the early days, feel the depth of your tears... 🫂in the memory of your sis, who was likely very wonderful, and worth remembering 🙏
Who is this Grizzled Wizard and why does he look like our Katarn xD But in all seriousness it felt very funny when Angela refers to Suraj from the Normies and etc. It's like the dimensions are crossing haha
The flashback and having them add it the note for leaves from the vine got me to my core, not a lot of reactors mentioned or noticed it. But love you're reactions, also love the sweater ❤ KC Represent!!! HOW BOUT THEM CHIEFS!!!!
I’ve been WAITING for you watch this episode. The relationship between Zuko and Iroh was like putting my heart in a blender and Leaves From The Vine did NOT help 😭 I told ya you needed a stockpile of tissues 🤣🤣🤣🤣
That scene at Lu Ten's funeral. Paul Sun Hyung Lee killed it. I can almost guarantee that either he has experienced that kind of loss or someone he is very close to knows that loss because that performance was painfully accurate. I know this because I looked at Iroh in that scene and all I saw was the face of my grandfather at his son's (my uncle's) funeral. Just that broken, silent, lost look of suppressed agony that nobody should ever have the misfortune of experiencing.
That scene wrecked me so hard I wasn't even aware I was crying. They put Leaves in the same episode as Bumi and Secret Tunnel?! I was settling in for shenanigans and a touching rescue by Zuko but damn
Been waiting for your react to this ep ❤️😭 Zuko and Iroh are really this whole show, for me. The funeral scene is the best scene in the whole series, for me, but that scene with the earthbender soldier and Iroh was incredible too
I personally really like this iteration of Bumi. It doesn't have to be the same as the original, and it kind of makes sense that he would struggle emotionally seeing aang, still 12 years old, seemingly unburdened by the trauma wrought by 100 years of war, still able to do something about it now, but yeah, unscathed. The original cartoon didn't really make Bumi's duty as king of omashu much of a focus in book 1, and in book 2 he infuriated his people by surrendering without a fight, something we gloss over because we like bumi and come around to his way of thinking, but it doesn't make it easy for his people to understand simply submitting to the fire nation. Even if the original is 'better', to me, it is just interesting, the idea that bumi didn't take seeing aang so well, because that's real to me.
I agree with your take, but disagree with the application. nothing makes me angrier about this show than how horrible they did Bumi. not just compared to the original but in general. I hated the "games/challenges" there was no clear lesson until the end when he shouts it at him while trying to kill him. lazily thrown in jokes like 'lettuce leaf" with no context, build up or respect for the people they're trying to please with the lazy nostalgia lines they just find a place and shove. lol I don't get how people liked this. the acting, the jokes, the games. all of it was absolute trash.
@@Algorythmfpv I agree. I was fine with reinventing Bumi. Giving him a different take as in the cartoon is very refreshing, but I feel the show had trouble sticking with the changes they made. All in all, I enjoyed when they added something completely different, while I disliked it when they washed it down by trying to force scenes and references for nostalgia sake.
This one took me a couple of viewings to be even just ok with Bumi. But the Zuko and Iroh stuff? TOP. FUCKING. TIER. Been waiting for that exact thumbnail, btw.
I had a similar reaction to how they portrayed Bumi in my first watch-through. But, in subsequent watch-throughs, I noticed something in how they're portraying people in general in this world when Aang shows up. Remember in the original series, Aang seems to be super welcomed by everyone he runs across, EXCEPT for the fisherman in The Storm episode, who tells him to his face that the Avatar turned his back on the world and left everyone else to suffer through a hundred years of war. Now, it's easier to dismiss him as just being a cranky old man who gripes about everything, because he's really the only one who comes out and says it. Also, the war is present, but more of a background fact in Book 1; it doesn't really start making its effects felt directly until, really, the attack at the North Pole. Yeah, Fire Nation troops are around; yeah, we hear about it from some people here and there; yeah, we see refugees at times. But the war doesn't feel immediate in Book 1. In this version, though, they aren't mucking about with the fact that this war has been tearing the world and its people apart for a century. Notice in this version that Aang isn't receiving the warmest welcomes when he shows up in different places. It's more like, "Oh, so you're the Avatar, huh? So where the hell have you been for the last hundred years, people are dying." Suki's mom isn't exactly thrilled to see him, either, and not just because of the potential for him being followed by yhe Fire Nation. It's like they didn't have the angry fisherman to just come out and say it, so they're spreading that pain and resentment around. And it makes sense; a hundred years of endless war is going make these people bitter, and angry, and even hopeless to an extent. So, here's Bumi. We're used to him being the cracked but lovable and kind ruler of Omashu in the original series, and that's who we've grown to love. But this Bumi here, this is the Bumi who has spent years having to make choices that affect real lives, choices where he knows that people are going to die. And after DECADES of that, he's going to be scarred, deeply. So, when an Airbender shows up out of the blue, a century after the genocide of the Air Nomads, it's going to be obvious to anyone that, hey, this guy *must* be the Avatar; Bumi put that together real quick. But the fact that the Airbender in question turns out to be his childhood friend, who doesn't look any older than he did the last time they saw each other, I don't think it's out of the question for it to really hit Bumi where it hurts. Maybe he's angry that Aang didn't tell him that he's the Avatar (although, in fairness to Aang, he doesn't know it himself until immediately before the genocide); maybe the belief that Aang turned his back on the world and ran away goes against everything that Bumi thought about him, and it feels like more of a betrayal than anything. But those are normal human reactions, coupled with normal human trauma and PTSD, so it doesn't come off, to me, like they're doing Bumi a disservice. One thing I've enjoyed about this version is that they aren't shying away from showing the effects of a protracted war. There's trauma, there's PTSD, there's survivor's guilt, and on and on, and I feel like they're doing a good job of portraying that in the setting of the ATLA universe. TL;DR- instead of being upset that we didn't get wacky, happy-go-lucky Bumi, I appreciate that they gave us a very human Bumi, with very human actions, reactions, and issues. It's just that the difference between the two versions is... jarring.
The vibe I'm getting from this season is that they wanted to unpack how every character feels about their past. You've got Katara dealing with the loss of her mother, Sokka feeling the pressure left by his dad, Aang searching for absolution after not being there for the Air Nomads (and being guilt-tripped by every authority figure he's spoken to since!), Iroh remembering Lu-Ten, several flashbacks with Zuko. The animated show didn't deal with half of this until later seasons. So I get the feeling Season 2 is going to be focused on the present, and very light on flashbacks. Hopefully that means room for more relationship building between Team Avatar, more chances for training and action scenes, and a really meaty Ba Sing Se arc. Also more Appa.
Bumi's portrayal and Aang not being there for the secret tunnel bit are definitely changes that shouldn't have been made. The addition of the Lu Ten memorial was good, although I'm thinking that means we won't be getting a Tales of Ba Sing Se episode in season 2.
Cartoon S3 spoilers I really like how Aang's response to Bumi's last challenge here mirrors his response to being told he has to kill the Fire Lord at the end of book 3. He just does. not. accept. the choice he's presented with. He's given two options and he goes: ok, but what is the third option? And he doesn't stop until he finds it. And in both cases, he doesn't do it alone. Here he has Sokka and Katara to help and in book three the lion turtle helps him. Because that's how all the big (and most of the little) things in life get acomplished. Together.
yes! i’m loving how they’re foreshadowing huge character moments already (not necessarily events in the show, but core things integral to what makes a character and their growth)
Thank you! I’m loving your reactions to the live-action series! I’m really sick of how toxic some of the fans are being… If they knew how to write a script/story, they would see that this show is actually better than the original cartoon when it comes to structure. The cartoon is great, but realistically, they can’t spend 10 million extra dollars per filler episode. LOL All the changes I have noticed, make sense. There’s a lot of cheesy moments in the cartoon that wouldn’t work for real people.
Y'know... (And I hope Paul will agree) He can't replace Mako... No one can. But I do gotta say my god does he still do a damned fine job as Iroh. Edit to add: I adore that this version shows that Lu Ten and Zuko were close... It's a brilliant example of something this one does that is arguably better than the original... It's important for adaptations like this to find the weak points or gaps and build on them in meaningful ways... That is honestly the biggest flaw with the Shyamalan film... It never once tries to do this. While this one does several times, not all land well... But the ones that do land amazingly well.
I like the *concept* of a lot of the things they're doing here. Having a bitter Bumi who Aang needs to show hope again, is a good idea. The Avatar is hope. Bumi is a stand-in for the world. And the lesson he's trying to teach Aang is an important one. Especially considering Bumi knows that to save the world, Aang is going to have to presumably kill Ozai. Hard choices. I even like that in theory more than "think differently" which is the lesson from the animation. All that said, this show has a lot of good ideas, but flawed execution on a lot of things. Though Zuko and Iroh were perfect in this episode. Some of the greatest moments of this entire series, are when the show makes new scenes and expands on the world, instead of trying to shoehorn in moments from the animation for fan service that fall flat. I love the story of Oma and Shu. But the way it was thrown in here, didn't feel earned. "Oh you're going into the tunnels? You should know this exposition." ugh. I want it to be better. I think it has proven in it's moments of greatness that it has the potential within it to BE great.
I guess I really am the only one who *liked* what the live action did with Bumi.😅 I enjoyed that they acknowledged the bitterness and defeatism that a century of war would impart upon a person, and the feeling of betrayal that would come from realizing that not only did the Avatar disappear instead of saving the world, but that it was one of your best friends who seemingly abandoned you. I really liked that they gave him an *arc*. Instead of being a static character, he gets to regain his optimism about life, his hope for the future, thanks to Aang and the power of friendship. I really dug it! No pun intended. LOL
I feel like Bumis anger and resentment would’ve made more sense had Aang actually ran away in the live action as well. Instead he just happened to get fresh air the same night as the genocide. People keep saying Bumi is more realistic here and sure that’s fair but If I found out my friend from 100 years ago was alive and thankfully wasn’t killed bc the avatar cycle is still intact, I wouldn’t be so angry bc hope is still alive.
Bumi didn't know why or when Aang left, or that he had left at all. All he knew was that when the world needed the Avatar, the Avatar was a no show. Then he finds out the Avatar wasn't away training or getting better, but was actually sleeping through things (even if not out of choice), and that it was his best friend all along, and who when he meets, seems intent on delaying training and taking on the responsibility for as long as he can and yeah, that would royally anger most people. He wasn't merely abandoned to deal with a 100 year war of suffering and tough choices by his supposed savior, but also by his friend.
This was the episode where I started to love this show! The Zuko/Iroh moments were so well done, also badgermole! 🤩 Can't wait to see what a komodo-rhino and platypusbear look like! 😁 Btw you have a lovely infectious laugh hahaha! 😄
I watched the original show and the sequel show before I watched this and Iroh is the best character. I liked what they did with him here. He’s the Uncle we all need and I won’t hear a bad word said about him!
I love your reactions and I wish I could give you a hug after this one! If it makes you feel better, I SOBBED my eyes out watching this episode the first time and then just cried again watching you watch it lol! They knew exactly what they were doing by using that song! So beautiful
I'm sorry to admit but it did make me giggle seeing you cry at the happy moments lol! I was like, oh gosh, there she goes again! 😂 It reminds me of that movie, "Bedazzled", where Brendan Fraser's character was trying the sensitive guy persona! lol Depending on what you're watching, my girlfriend and I made a drinking game out of how frequently you get teary eyed or cry. Teary-eyed is one shot. Terry IDE with sniffles is two shots. Full on crying with tissues is three shots! You are my favorite reactor and I follow about 10 others.
eyyy KC Chiefs! If you live in MO, Avatar the last airbender is actually having their symphonic concert on November 2, 2024(if not they are touring around the states this year) c: idk if you've been to the KC symphony but It"s amazing! have a go at it.
I don’t like what they did with Bumi, like most people, but i also don’t like that they solved bumi’s genuinely correct lesson for Aang with ‘FRIENDSHIP’
Yeah this exactly. All these people saying "Well I like this version it was more realistic." It might make sense for Bumi to be more burdened by war, and wanting Aang to make tough choices, but it wasn't even clear that was the lesson until the end, and it gets solved abruptly in a weird way, and they kept ping-ponging between Bumi being angry and Bumi making jokes. It just came across as pointless and weird, and Bumi came across as genuinely deranged in a creepy violent way. Even if their goal was to have a more realistic Bumi who is burdened by war and wants to teach Aang about tough choices, it was not handled well. At all.
I was in the mall yesterday, and were they were promoting Netflix's avatar. They were playing the soundtrack in the food court. While I was waiting in a long line with my daughter for ice cream, they started playing the soundtrack to Lu-Tan's Funeral, which I had not noticed until I ordered our ice cream, and the lady serving use was crying 😢 and was my daughter. That was the amazing part. After receiving our ice cream and I turned around, and the final main instrumental of "Leaves from the Vine" was playing. There was not a dry eye in the line as everyone was looking at me. My daughter had bought me a promotional fire nation tee-shirt that I was wearing with Zuko and Iroh on it.
I was in the same place as you re: Bumi when i first watched it bc animated Bumi is also one of my favorites. But in hindsight, i actually think we will circle back and have a little bit of a slower, more grounded burn for his character. Going from someone who had to make impossible choices for so long to keep his people safe, then seeing his friend unscathed and still full of that youthful optimism when he should have been there to help keep the world safe and share/lessen these burdens. From Bumi's perspective. Idk it feels more real that he'd be a little bitter about the suffering that happened bc Aang was gone. If I'm right, i think we will get that lighter Bumi eventually. I hope I'm right hahaha😅
Like i said before, i love that they're adding more scenes that weren't in the animated series. The scene with the earth kingdom soldier lets us see a side of uncle iroh that we didnt want to know. The secret tunnel part made me jump for joy when they appeared. And the funeral scene, omg the funeral scene tore me apart. I agree with you that Bumi wasnt on par with what we loved. Glad they put "my cabbages" at the end too. Cant wait for the next few episodes. I cant wait for you to see this version of "The Storm"
I'm also not crazy about Bumi's portrayal, but at the same time I get what they were going for. Instead of just a crazy but generally upbeat king this Bumi has had to go through a lot. As someone who has lived through all 100 years of the war it does make sense that he would be a bit jaded, and then one of his closest friends who was supposed to be the world's savior turns out to not have died like he probably thought and mourned for after all but was instead "asleep" the whole time. And yes Aang didn't have a choice there but Bumi is still angry, resentful, hurt, and maybe even jealous that Aang avoided so much of the war. His line (that was cut from the reaction) when the rocks are falling "Do I save this town or that? Who gets the last of the food scraps? The orphanage or the soldiers?", spoken like someone who has faced these same questions and how many people died due to these decisions. Again I wasn't crazy about the changes, but I can see where they were trying to go with his character and can at least respect that.
It didn't occur to me when I first watched this episode, but Zuko giving the medal to Iroh was more significant than just a memorial. It belonged to someone destined to do great things. That's Zuko telling Iroh that he still had great things to do in his future whereas everyone else at Lu Ten's funeral was whispering about his life being over and forever being remembered as a coward. And we all know how true that is and what those great things will be.
It also shows that Lu Ten thought Zuko was destined to do great things. To a father who lost his son, knowing that his son believed so much in the future of someone, it gives a grieving parent a goal, or something to do, to honor his memory.
That's what Iroh meant by "I owe him, far more than I can ever repay". Zuko gave Iroh what no one else did; hope. Now Iroh is trying to give it back to him.
You guys got me tearing up as much as the scene did.
It's even more than that. Zuko told Iroh the medal gave him strength, then gave it to him. Zuko wanted to give his strength to his uncle.
@@Saphthings (spoilers for season 3 of the animated show in my reply - just fair warning to anyone else reading this comment...just in case)......
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good enough warning? okay....
I think the perfect mirrored bookend to this scene would be in season 3 when Zuko returns and apologizes to Iroh (every fan of the animated show knows the scene I'm talking about, in Iroh's tent at the White Lotus camp, where Iroh doesn't say anything at first and instead just yanks Zuko into a big bear hug - and in the live action, that would be another perfect time to use the Leaves on the Vine instrumental that they've now tied to Iroh's fatherhood not just of Lu Ten, but also being the father Zuko needed) if Iroh returns the medal back to Zuko, reinforcing Lu Ten's belief that Zuko was destined for great things. Get us all tearbending again
Go get hydrated, girl. That funeral scene is probably my favorite addition of the series so far.
They nailed the whole Iroh/Zuko relationship, that was one of the high points of the series
Currently honestly sobbing at the line "Everything I need is on this boat". I love how they expanded Zuko and Uncle Iroh's story, it is so much more impactful
"Uncle... Lu Ten would've been proud to have you as his father"🤧
“Everything I need is on this boat”
These assholes got me 😢
And his forced laugh after that. god. What an amazing actor.
All the tea I need! 🙂
The actor playing that Earthbender did an awesome job in those scenes with Iroh.
I wonder if he'll return in the future - it might be interesting to see a follow-up to his story.
@@evenmoor It would be worth it. I'd love to see him in the final battle with the fire nation. Great actor.
I want the fire nation to try and burn that guy in the finale and then Iroh saves him...that would be fitting.
Iroh and Zuko - nothing demonstrates love more clearly than "your burden is now my burden"
I really liked how they added more lore to the avatar verse with the Earth kingdom troop. War has a big impact on society as a whole and here it shows how even insignificant characters both were affected and contributed to the story.
Dallas and Paul were absolutely amazing. I love every single scene that they’re in together.
Right? They have such a great chemistry on-screen... You'd almost believe the actors themselves are uncle and nephew...
I really like the way this series delves into Uncle Iroh's history as a former war leader. It's actually difficult to reconcile the kind, wise man we know from the animated ATA/LoK with someone who precipitated crimes against humanity in the name of conquest. By accepting his responsibility for his past, Iroh choose to become a better person, and try to correct the bad actions of his family/nation by guiding the (hopefully) future Firelord to a path of decency and compassion. I am very pleased they managed to create new layers to the GOAT mentor.
I mentioned before that in the animated series, it seems like Iroh has already had his full character arc offscreen before the series started. Here they seem to be cluing us in on his journey, instead of him starting out the series with nowhere to go emotionally.
Movies and TV are MADE for you. Your reactions are so great. You feel so deeply. Your heart is on your sleeve, and you're not afraid to say what's on your mind. This is everything this niche of the internet should be!
Knowing the pain of loss firsthand with the sudden death of my youngest brother and recalling my parents in such grief hit so hard when Iroh is heartbroken over his son. You need a hug, I need a hug, we all need a hug. Thanks for the reaction. ❤
Love the confrontation between Iroh and Earth Kingdom soldier. While we love Iroh and he was never cruel like his forefathers and Ozai, he has done terrible things. Lu Ten died fighting a war their family started. Iroh changed for the better after Lu Ten’s death.
For all the bits and pieces I feel the showrunners messed up along the way, Zuko and Iroh's story has been phenomenally well done.
Zuko pre-scar was kinder and his mom was still around to nurture that compassionate side of him. He showed the simple act of kindness that Lu Ten gave him and he wanted to repay that to Iroh. That wake scene is accurate irl to Asian cultures in the sinosphere where the immediate family sit beside the casket. So Zuko console Iroh by sitting where a son would sit. I like the last scene when Iroh says they always getting on/off boats and then Zuko remembers his memory of getting on that boat feeling alone and ashamed. Then Iroh choose to be there for Zuko just as Zuko was there for him.
18:22 I love the evolution of Angela and how at first people would say "there is no ____ in ba sing se" and she'd be like "ok..." or she'd mention a tunnel in a random reaction and the comments would all be "SECRET TUNNNEEEEEEL" and she'd just pass it by like, "alright..." and now she's one of us xD It's ingrained in her like it is in us haha
I like this Bumi. Anyone who has been at war for 100 yrs and had to make choices that he has makes it through without becoming more angry and even bitter. Especially when when the kid/friend you had your hopes pinned on disappears, letting you fight/sacrifice alone, only to turn up suddenly and be like ‘Yeah I know people have died and the world is on fire, but lighten up’. I’d be a little pissed too.
I do like the story beats better here re: Bumi. Aang, knowing who this king is, and how the last century has changed him, drives the moral lesson all that much more deeper, rather than discovering his identity afterwards and softening that lesson.
This. More importantly, showing an old man in live-action acting like an immature child, simply does not look right. Making Bumi angry and bitter was the right call.
I’m really curious to see if Bumi in future episodes will be back to how he was in the animated series. This portrayal with bitterness made so much sense to me with what 100 years would do to someone in that world. I felt like at the end of this episode, much like the change seen in Suki’s mom, Aang and friends have helped restore faith and hope, and that they are a changed person now
Exactly! Don't get me wrong, for me the original Bumi can never be beat, but in the context of a live action, the original Bumi really doesn't make much sense. Almost no one can be practically the same between a 12 year old kid and a 112 year old leader. The new lesson was something actually grounded in reality; the restoration of hope in others as well as understanding the difficulty of choices in leadership. The original cartoon never ever brings up these morals since it wasn't really needed. But the live action makes it far more clear this is a serious WAR, and it'd be disrespectful to just treat it the exact same way as the original and act like it wouldn't screw with people over a hundred years
I like the idea of Aang having to puzzle out who the king of Omaha really is.
But it's not necessary, and a darker Bumi does make sense.
Although he can't be too dark given what we know about him from the cartoon.
Here, he still serves the purpose of teaching a lesson, but it is a different lesson and one that is more important.
8:40 when she hears just 3 notes of the "leaves from the vine" and starts tearing up. Hold on Angie, hold it in, it's gonna get worse... way way worse xD I was a sobbing mess by the end of this episode haha. Some people complained about the changes to Bumi. Personally having a senile leader with dementia sounds goofy and funny in an animation, but the reality is a lot scarier. And it makes sense that he'd be upset. At the end I think we have our Bumi back, he just had to be reminded of it. But honestly, I couldn't care less about that with that amazing Zuko/Iroh part xD I was a mess...
💯💯
Imagine 100 years of making terrible, horrible decisions, where you can never be sure you made the right choice. And every choice results in horrible consequences.
The way I see the difference between the animated and live stories is like this:
I have watched a number of Robin Hood movies and while they were different, they were good [ok, a couple I have seen were not good but, the others...] and even without the names, you can see that they are the same story because there are enough key points that appear one way or another. They don't detract from each other even though they are also not the same. Same thing with King Arthur and Merlin stories - there is a wide range of them with many that are good, but different. This is also true of comic book characters like Batman and Superman. If we compare as if the new work must be judged by the older work, a lot of the stories will fall short, but if we recognise the core that makes them related but judge each on their own, it gives us a rich experience.
your tearbending in this episode was truly powerful, Angela.
I was also sobbing, the moment the song started playing it was raining on my face.
I LOVE all the scenes with Iroh and Zuko.
Although this Bumi is so different I really like the take on it. “You may be a hundred years old but you have not lived a hundred years” is a powerful statement. Bumi still loves his friend but he had to be there through it all. Aang woke up as the last of his people, Bumi lived through the eradication of Aang’s people. He lived through countless battles, countless deaths and had to make decisions Aang couldn’t imagine. I LOVE the portrayal of Bumi in the cartoon but the live action Bumi isn’t an unrealistic one and at the very least I can respect/enjoy it for that
I agree with you that he's realistic, but he was a huge disappointment for me. When you're adapting an animated show (in my opinion) going too far into realism can be a mistake. I personally felt like they removed too much of what made Bumi, well, Bumi. I get what they were going for, but I think they took it a little bit too far. I respect the point they were making with him, but I didn't enjoy it too much.
On the opposite side of the coin, I think the realistic and mature inclusion of Iroh at his son's memorial mourning him and Zuko more directly talking about it was amazing. I think that's an example of them showing the dark realism and it really paying off. But that also didn't change any characters. We knew Zuko was proud of his uncle, and we knew Iroh was very defeated and mourning his son, they just showed us that more directly and it was a beautiful moment. So there's definitely good and bad.
@@itsmylesfr totally understand where you’re coming. Honestly this is why I’m not really an advocate for live action adaptations as a whole lol. At BEST they do their best to replicate the original source and it’s just a watered down version of the original or they deviate a little (which they sometimes have to for the sake of time and money management) and it’s hit or miss whether people like it or not
I agree. Bumi has dealt with 100 years of leadership in war, such a thing would wear someone down over the years and there's no way anyone could go though that much time in a constant state of stress, dealing with leadership and warfare without it making someone dark. I understand why people might like the goofy Bumi from the cartoon and that's fine you like what you like, but I thought they did a good job of making a more realistic Bumi.
I think this version of Bumi works for this version of AtLA. Aang is scared of his responsibilities as the Avatar, but since they have to rearrange the story into 8 long episodes instead of 22 short episodes, they can't show this by having him derail to do a bunch of filler episode stuff. So instead, this Aang's fears manifest as, "Maybe this external thing [Kyoshi writings/airbender I thought I saw in the distance/Northern Water Tribe teachers/etc.] will give me what I need to succeed, so I don't have to look inside myself for the answers (because what if I let everyone down again?)." So instead of a Bumi who is like, "Aha! I was totally wise and cool all along, and was just passing on a lesson you needed the whole time!", this Bumi is challenging Aang on the fact that there are no easy answers on his journey, while Aang finds it in himself (and his friends!) to refute Bumi's no-win scenario.
It's definitely a different take on Bumi as a person, but the changes make sense in order to have him fulfil the same role he needs to fill in the narrative.
Iroh is the sweetest person in the show. He has lost someone so important to him that he felt like he had lost his purpose in life. But that all changed when Zuko was there for him at his son’s funeral/wake. Seeing how much his nephew cared compared to everyone else, this was when Iroh saw him as his new son, and decided he would be there for him when he needed him. It breaks my heart every time 😢😢😢
Also…
MY CABBAGES!!!😂😂😂
I randomly started crying during the episode and didn't really know why, until my sister pointed out that they are playing the motif from Leaves From The Vine in the background. that damn piece of music get's me every time.
We all need an Uncle Iroh in our lives. The scenes with him and Zuko are literally one of the best things about this show so far.
I've been waiting for this. This is when Angie is going to find out that they really fleshed out Iroh/Zuko a lot more in this series, and what has been the highlight for many. It doesn't end in just this episode either! : )
Something that I liked about the series is that we can see the aftermath of the war, the difficult decisions that Bumi has to make, the sad story of the earth soldier and the loss of his brother, and what Lu Ten's death meant for Iroh, you can feel how no matter who is the good or bad guy in the story, both sides lose children, brothers, fathers, mothers, irreparable losses😢
you are the only reacting I've seen who recognized the Leaves of the Vine being played for Iroh. Most seem to miss it
Another person recognized Leaves of the Vine, it's Omn1Media, here is its video czcams.com/video/CIelSFdeIrI/video.htmlsi=9H5hT_7hWmdGJhmw
I've seen many reaction videos to this episode, expecting they would recognize the song, but only 2 found it: you and Omn1Media.
I think you and Omn1Media are the most sensitive reactors to small details, and I apreciate that. Thank you!
The funeral and boat scene literally hit every note right, the music, the interaction between zuko and iroh was honeslty perfect. Great acting and in a way better executed than the animated series. Yes, I dare say it!
Tears from our eyes,
Come rolling down,
Like little drops of rain,
When we hear the sound,
Avatar fans,
have nothing to defend
Against Uncle Iroh's,
ability to tearbend.
(-read/sing in Uncle Iroh's voice as in Leaves from the Vine for full effect)
“Everything I need is on this boat.” 😭😭😭
I'm with you on the downright Pavlovian response to the soldier boy riff... 4 notes and I'm BAWLING...
Well you did it. You made me tear up during Lu Ten’s funeral. Probably my favorite scene in the entire season.
I think this Bumi is more realistic.
He’s lived 100 years of war. Made tough decisions. It makes sense
Love the added depth to Zuko and Iroh
Toally agree. If they would have portayed him as in the animation, that would have been super awkward. This live action is darker than the animtion which was clearly made for kids back then. I love the animation - ALTA and the Korra sequel as well, and I love this live action adaptation just as much.
I agree, nobody is the same person after going through a war, it changes a person.
@@ElanorLilyIndeed, Bumi has had to make hard choices “day after day, year after year” and the war has clearly affected him.
Realism isn't everything. My God media is in a messed up place
@@markwilliams125no, it's not everything. But, consistency is. And considering the approach this adaptation takes, having a king endure a century of war and still being childlike would be an extreme tonal clash. The characters have to fit in the world you're creating. Otherwise, you end up with Jar Jar Binks. And nobody wants that
I don't cry easily or a lot, but I have a pavlovian response to do so whenever I hear Leaves From The Vine.
I'm crying with you girl 😭
Yeah i cried this entire episode, the stunning rendition of leaves from the vine broke straight through my defenses.
Great reaction ma'am as always! Love the shirt too btw
I think Bumi's version is perfect for live action. If he made it happy and joking, it would not be realistic at all, it would be impossible to take him seriously as the tone of the series intends it to be.
if you revisit the funeral scene, you will notice the picture of Liu Ten/Young Mako on the wall above the casket. bring more tissues
So..... this episode featured a bitter and jaded Bumi, Secret Tunnel, _AND_ Leaves from the Vine??!! Holy mood whiplash, Batman!! 😂😂
Leaves from the Vine and Kingdom Hearts "Dearly Beloved" brings me to tears every time.
And Bink's Sake from One Piece.
I say, Bumi's portrayal here was more "human". It all make sense, since he's been fighting war for a decade. The thought of how to save his people, choosing what to sacrifice in exchange of the safety of the majority etc. this will really affect and change someone even the most goofiest person.
* century xD
Centuryyyyyy
At first I REALLY disliked the depiction of Bumi. But with time to reflect on it... yeah. This is a way more realistic, deep take on the character.
Could not agree more with you. As much as I adore the original, Bumi's portrayed more or less as a crazy old guy with a great power. There's not too much depth in his character. Here, he seems more troubled and burdened, though still looney.
on point! Especially I can relate to what happened to Bumi. Also, if you'd look at it, zuko is kinda the same with Bumi. They changed because of everything they've been through.
Greg Baldwin and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee hang out a lot and are great friends. (Both Irohs)
Greg Baldwin's most frequently asked request from fans is to sing Leaves from the Vine which he always refuses. He always explains that the song belongs to Mako and only to Mako. That is why he refuses to sing the song for anyone even after taking up the mantle of voicing Uncle Iroh. "No one sings it but him." -Greg (About Mako)
The fact that Paul also does not sing the song in the first season is also a fitting tribute to Mako as well and makes sense since Iroh is unable to say or speak due to his grief from losing his son.
With Season 2 and 3 confirmed by Netflix, it is likely that we will get the live action Iroh Tales of Ba Sing Se episode but he will not actually sing Leaves from the Vine. If it is added in season 2 we are definitely going to need to prepare for more tear-bending.
this Zuko and Iroh so far are highlights of tv series. I love the additional scenes to their story
I knew you’d be bawling in this episode. I’m glad to have someone to sob with. I cried like a baby and have bawled during every CZcams reaction I’ve watched.
The quote you're thinking of is “Even In The Material World, You Will Find That If You Look For The Light, You Can Often Find It…But If You Look For The Dark, That Is All You Will Ever See”. It's an Uncle Iroh quote from LoK.
I didn't want to spoil that he's in Korra so I didn't say that
"Moments like that have to be earned..." YES exactly! this isn't a cartoon, so all these moments and relationships have to evolve not just happen because the plot requires them to in a 20 min episodic romp through the forest etc.
BTW the moment Katara actually tells Aang that her and Sokka are his family now is very much earned and perfectly placed given the arcs these kids started out with.
Ii wish they earned more moments . Too much reliance on relationships only established in the actual show.
A beautiful and authentic reaction, you are the first one to NOT resist reacting to "leaves from the vine" and just let the emotions flow (as I did when i heard it). These additions to the new series have been quite special, look forward to seeing many more in season 2.
I miss Flopsy. That grand hall sculpture didn't cut it.
The fact that Lu Ten gave zuko his medal that was meant for “people destined to do great things” just shows how much compassion he really had which shouldn’t be as much of a surprise as it is since that is irohs boy but it’s nice to see people in the fire nation not act like monsters
I didn’t watch the original series but Bumi to me is played so great cuz he has this joking familiarity with Ang that he recognizes but he’s also become so hardened old man after what he’s lived and had to lead through
FINALLY someone who had the same exact reaction as me to hearing Leaves from the Vine 😭 most reactors that I've watched missed it!
To be fair, with Bumi, the animated version works as a cartoon type story but when you make it "more real", it is hard to believe that 100 years of brutal war would still leave Bumi childlike and all. This Bumi is a more realistic version but not as much fun ... in the end though, he IS trying to teach Aang to be ready, but he is an old man who has seen war all his life and so way is different. He had lost all hope and he believed the only way for Aang to save the world was for him to become tough and callous. Once Aang and Friends showed him there was hope, we start to see the Bumi we know from the animation. I think that when we see Bumi next, he will be more the Bumi we love. So I do see why you were unhappy with this version of Bumi, but I think by the end of series, we will have seen the Bumi we all love.
But the great thing about Bumi was that he wasn’t like everyone else, his mind worked differently. That’s what we’re missing here is he’s just like everybody else now. Angry and bitter… They took the guy that thinks differently about the world and made him think the same about the world. Such a bummer.
Sure, he operated differently from other characters, but for live action, I thought this was appropriate. Especially for new audiences that never did see the original animation, because they’d be flabbergasted that a king can be jovial and fun loving while at war where his people dies regularly for the past 100 years. The animated Bumi wouldn’t have translated well to live action, especially with the current world events. Sounds unfair but that’s how it is.
@@funnylilgalreacts True, but I think he still looks at things differently, just a little too much pain for too long so the guy we love [because I also love the animated version] is a bit lost - having a bad day, shall we say, but at the end, the ride he and Aang took seems to be telling us that the Bumi we like is not gone.
@@wendella.4074 I sort of agree, but I'd say we just need a bit of story to transition from where we are here to where we were in the animation. I personally feel that after this episode it will be possible to move to something more like the Bumi from the animation.
@funnylilgalreacts - I absolutely get that. And when we're looking at it through the lense of measuring against the original series' standard, I understand the disappointment and discontent.
But I think when you look at this series as it's own entity - teaching the same lessons overall, but to adult audiences vs single digit age children - it makes more sense.
The way they sped up some Aesopic fable lessons in the story with this rendition, I think they're delaying others.
I'd let them cook the story the rest of the way before rendering an immutable judgement. It may tie together later down the road in a better way than you anticipated later.
Why did we go down the secret tunnel from which no living being returns?
katara: I don't know, why don't we ask Sokka's instincts.
Sorry, those were cut. Sokka has no instincts in this version.
@@destroyerofnirn3537 I actually didnt mind sokkas actor, I just thought they had poor scripts and poor direction in many scenes.
@@NarinsNewAge-zz2hf it was a joke. They cut out that entire episode.
@@destroyerofnirn3537i mean they did have it in the episode, the context was different tho
@@mochiyeosang1908no they didn't
OMG I knew you were going to cry, and I cried with you 😭😭😭
Once again, this is a very appropriate thumbnail
Iroh is easily my favorite character in this series. I've enjoyed seeing the emotion that I feel being shared by you. I love how we get to see Zuko and music fill the emptiness in Iroh's heart. It creates the moments he never got to experience with his son while providing Zuko with the father figure he needs. Blessings from tragedy
Listen Netflix, you cannot be just hitting me with "Leaves From The Vine" like that. That is not fair.
I love the pure joy on her face when the show does something justice.
I think everyone of us has used a little _Secret Tunnel_ 🎶reference in their lives
Yeah, I was a bit shocked how much they changed up Bumi's motivations and attitude. His bitterness was jarring at first. That's the only plot issue that contributed to my final personal rating of this Season 1 an A-.
However, after rewatching the episode (a couple times) I was able to appreciate it--seems like both Aang and Bumi's perspectives had to be tested in this version. What gave me solace is that Bumi was his same lighthearted, semi-senile self at the end as he was the whole episode in the animated series. Maybe he'll be more of his delightful, goofy badass self in the white lotus scenes later. I think there was an overall theme of coping with trauma and the after-effects of suffering, overcoming bitterness and burn out, how to gain perspective, and reconnecting with your true values and goals. In that, I think Bumi's arc in this episode ultimately did work.
23:49 This illustrates to me the faults of the writing in this version of the show imo. They wanted a "darker" and "more realistic" take, but didn't properly do the work to set it up.
Because this version of Aang doesn't goof off. Animated Aang played airball just coz, went Koi riding, went zigzag across the map wherever he wanted, and went to Omashu to ride the delivery carts. Netflix Aang had a self imposed deadline as early as episode 2. Kiyoshi gave him a reason to get to the North ASAP. Netflix gAang went to Omashu to follow what they thought was an airbender. That's not just goofing off. They then STAYED in Omashu to solve the bombing crisis. Also, not goofing off. This dark version of Bumi's accusations hold no weight. Netflix Bumi was talking to animated Aang. Not Netflix Aang.
The same way a lot more characters in the show is accusing Netflix Aang of running away. It holds less weight because specifically of the seemingly minor but major change of Aang leaving the air temples. Netflix Aang was overwhelme with the Avatar news and wanted air to think. Animated Aang deliberately left to escape his responsibilities---packed with his stuff and a goodbye note. An active character choice vs being swept away by coincidence or destiny.
And in doing the extremes of highlighting "this is a dark world", not only does the Netflix show show thay it pales in comparison, it also shows that it can tell a comprehensive story on its own. It has that effect of angsty tween first learning to use curse words. Throwing them around for no reason, not only makes you not mature, it only highlights how immature you are. The same applies to the show in showing graphic burnings and "dark realistic takes" on characters like Bumi.
The minor changes and additions they did/give to Zuko and Iroh are damn good and the best to come out of the show. Because they actually spend time to develop them. The main gAang however have little time to develop themselves and are relegated to hitting plotpoints after plotpoints.
Angela and Grizzled Wizard releasing this episode on the same day? What a treat!
Yay I love that guy!
And Blindwave as well 😊
@@funnylilgalreactsOur hearts are with you too. Your friends from afar, who rode with your channel since the early days, feel the depth of your tears... 🫂in the memory of your sis, who was likely very wonderful, and worth remembering 🙏
Who is this Grizzled Wizard and why does he look like our Katarn xD But in all seriousness it felt very funny when Angela refers to Suraj from the Normies and etc. It's like the dimensions are crossing haha
I personally dislike how they portrayed Bumi as well. Lu Ten's funeral is absolutely one of my favorite additions, though.
The flashback and having them add it the note for leaves from the vine got me to my core, not a lot of reactors mentioned or noticed it. But love you're reactions, also love the sweater ❤ KC Represent!!! HOW BOUT THEM CHIEFS!!!!
I’ve been WAITING for you watch this episode. The relationship between Zuko and Iroh was like putting my heart in a blender and Leaves From The Vine did NOT help 😭 I told ya you needed a stockpile of tissues 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I can't help but immediately think of Mako during the funeral.scene
That scene at Lu Ten's funeral. Paul Sun Hyung Lee killed it. I can almost guarantee that either he has experienced that kind of loss or someone he is very close to knows that loss because that performance was painfully accurate. I know this because I looked at Iroh in that scene and all I saw was the face of my grandfather at his son's (my uncle's) funeral. Just that broken, silent, lost look of suppressed agony that nobody should ever have the misfortune of experiencing.
That scene wrecked me so hard I wasn't even aware I was crying. They put Leaves in the same episode as Bumi and Secret Tunnel?! I was settling in for shenanigans and a touching rescue by Zuko but damn
Been waiting for your react to this ep ❤️😭 Zuko and Iroh are really this whole show, for me. The funeral scene is the best scene in the whole series, for me, but that scene with the earthbender soldier and Iroh was incredible too
Leaves From The Vine got me tearbending fr.
This episode hit close too me because I recently had to bury my Uncle In Law just 3 weeks ago. It was my first Wake& Funeral.
I really love how you show your heart and the best thing about this show to me is iroh and zuko.
I personally really like this iteration of Bumi. It doesn't have to be the same as the original, and it kind of makes sense that he would struggle emotionally seeing aang, still 12 years old, seemingly unburdened by the trauma wrought by 100 years of war, still able to do something about it now, but yeah, unscathed. The original cartoon didn't really make Bumi's duty as king of omashu much of a focus in book 1, and in book 2 he infuriated his people by surrendering without a fight, something we gloss over because we like bumi and come around to his way of thinking, but it doesn't make it easy for his people to understand simply submitting to the fire nation. Even if the original is 'better', to me, it is just interesting, the idea that bumi didn't take seeing aang so well, because that's real to me.
I agree with your take, but disagree with the application. nothing makes me angrier about this show than how horrible they did Bumi. not just compared to the original but in general. I hated the "games/challenges" there was no clear lesson until the end when he shouts it at him while trying to kill him. lazily thrown in jokes like 'lettuce leaf" with no context, build up or respect for the people they're trying to please with the lazy nostalgia lines they just find a place and shove. lol I don't get how people liked this. the acting, the jokes, the games. all of it was absolute trash.
@@Algorythmfpv Not here to argue, just stated that I liked it, it's okay if other people didn't , that's the beauty of art!
@@MamoruMewell put!
@@Algorythmfpv I agree. I was fine with reinventing Bumi. Giving him a different take as in the cartoon is very refreshing, but I feel the show had trouble sticking with the changes they made. All in all, I enjoyed when they added something completely different, while I disliked it when they washed it down by trying to force scenes and references for nostalgia sake.
This one took me a couple of viewings to be even just ok with Bumi. But the Zuko and Iroh stuff? TOP. FUCKING. TIER. Been waiting for that exact thumbnail, btw.
I had a similar reaction to how they portrayed Bumi in my first watch-through. But, in subsequent watch-throughs, I noticed something in how they're portraying people in general in this world when Aang shows up.
Remember in the original series, Aang seems to be super welcomed by everyone he runs across, EXCEPT for the fisherman in The Storm episode, who tells him to his face that the Avatar turned his back on the world and left everyone else to suffer through a hundred years of war. Now, it's easier to dismiss him as just being a cranky old man who gripes about everything, because he's really the only one who comes out and says it. Also, the war is present, but more of a background fact in Book 1; it doesn't really start making its effects felt directly until, really, the attack at the North Pole. Yeah, Fire Nation troops are around; yeah, we hear about it from some people here and there; yeah, we see refugees at times. But the war doesn't feel immediate in Book 1.
In this version, though, they aren't mucking about with the fact that this war has been tearing the world and its people apart for a century. Notice in this version that Aang isn't receiving the warmest welcomes when he shows up in different places. It's more like, "Oh, so you're the Avatar, huh? So where the hell have you been for the last hundred years, people are dying." Suki's mom isn't exactly thrilled to see him, either, and not just because of the potential for him being followed by yhe Fire Nation. It's like they didn't have the angry fisherman to just come out and say it, so they're spreading that pain and resentment around. And it makes sense; a hundred years of endless war is going make these people bitter, and angry, and even hopeless to an extent.
So, here's Bumi. We're used to him being the cracked but lovable and kind ruler of Omashu in the original series, and that's who we've grown to love. But this Bumi here, this is the Bumi who has spent years having to make choices that affect real lives, choices where he knows that people are going to die. And after DECADES of that, he's going to be scarred, deeply. So, when an Airbender shows up out of the blue, a century after the genocide of the Air Nomads, it's going to be obvious to anyone that, hey, this guy *must* be the Avatar; Bumi put that together real quick. But the fact that the Airbender in question turns out to be his childhood friend, who doesn't look any older than he did the last time they saw each other, I don't think it's out of the question for it to really hit Bumi where it hurts. Maybe he's angry that Aang didn't tell him that he's the Avatar (although, in fairness to Aang, he doesn't know it himself until immediately before the genocide); maybe the belief that Aang turned his back on the world and ran away goes against everything that Bumi thought about him, and it feels like more of a betrayal than anything. But those are normal human reactions, coupled with normal human trauma and PTSD, so it doesn't come off, to me, like they're doing Bumi a disservice. One thing I've enjoyed about this version is that they aren't shying away from showing the effects of a protracted war. There's trauma, there's PTSD, there's survivor's guilt, and on and on, and I feel like they're doing a good job of portraying that in the setting of the ATLA universe.
TL;DR- instead of being upset that we didn't get wacky, happy-go-lucky Bumi, I appreciate that they gave us a very human Bumi, with very human actions, reactions, and issues. It's just that the difference between the two versions is... jarring.
The vibe I'm getting from this season is that they wanted to unpack how every character feels about their past. You've got Katara dealing with the loss of her mother, Sokka feeling the pressure left by his dad, Aang searching for absolution after not being there for the Air Nomads (and being guilt-tripped by every authority figure he's spoken to since!), Iroh remembering Lu-Ten, several flashbacks with Zuko. The animated show didn't deal with half of this until later seasons.
So I get the feeling Season 2 is going to be focused on the present, and very light on flashbacks. Hopefully that means room for more relationship building between Team Avatar, more chances for training and action scenes, and a really meaty Ba Sing Se arc.
Also more Appa.
Bumi's portrayal and Aang not being there for the secret tunnel bit are definitely changes that shouldn't have been made. The addition of the Lu Ten memorial was good, although I'm thinking that means we won't be getting a Tales of Ba Sing Se episode in season 2.
Cartoon S3 spoilers
I really like how Aang's response to Bumi's last challenge here mirrors his response to being told he has to kill the Fire Lord at the end of book 3. He just does. not. accept. the choice he's presented with. He's given two options and he goes: ok, but what is the third option? And he doesn't stop until he finds it. And in both cases, he doesn't do it alone. Here he has Sokka and Katara to help and in book three the lion turtle helps him. Because that's how all the big (and most of the little) things in life get acomplished. Together.
yes! i’m loving how they’re foreshadowing huge character moments already (not necessarily events in the show, but core things integral to what makes a character and their growth)
If this episode made you cry, I recommend having a box of tissues before watching episode 6.
Thank you! I’m loving your reactions to the live-action series! I’m really sick of how toxic some of the fans are being… If they knew how to write a script/story, they would see that this show is actually better than the original cartoon when it comes to structure. The cartoon is great, but realistically, they can’t spend 10 million extra dollars per filler episode. LOL All the changes I have noticed, make sense. There’s a lot of cheesy moments in the cartoon that wouldn’t work for real people.
Y'know... (And I hope Paul will agree) He can't replace Mako... No one can. But I do gotta say my god does he still do a damned fine job as Iroh.
Edit to add: I adore that this version shows that Lu Ten and Zuko were close... It's a brilliant example of something this one does that is arguably better than the original... It's important for adaptations like this to find the weak points or gaps and build on them in meaningful ways... That is honestly the biggest flaw with the Shyamalan film... It never once tries to do this. While this one does several times, not all land well... But the ones that do land amazingly well.
I like the *concept* of a lot of the things they're doing here. Having a bitter Bumi who Aang needs to show hope again, is a good idea. The Avatar is hope. Bumi is a stand-in for the world. And the lesson he's trying to teach Aang is an important one. Especially considering Bumi knows that to save the world, Aang is going to have to presumably kill Ozai. Hard choices. I even like that in theory more than "think differently" which is the lesson from the animation. All that said, this show has a lot of good ideas, but flawed execution on a lot of things.
Though Zuko and Iroh were perfect in this episode. Some of the greatest moments of this entire series, are when the show makes new scenes and expands on the world, instead of trying to shoehorn in moments from the animation for fan service that fall flat.
I love the story of Oma and Shu. But the way it was thrown in here, didn't feel earned. "Oh you're going into the tunnels? You should know this exposition." ugh. I want it to be better. I think it has proven in it's moments of greatness that it has the potential within it to BE great.
I appreciated that they made Oma and Shu both women! 🏳🌈 🟧⬜🟪 ❤
I’m having similar issues with some of the character reinterpretations, but I really liked this version of Secret Tunnel!
I guess I really am the only one who *liked* what the live action did with Bumi.😅 I enjoyed that they acknowledged the bitterness and defeatism that a century of war would impart upon a person, and the feeling of betrayal that would come from realizing that not only did the Avatar disappear instead of saving the world, but that it was one of your best friends who seemingly abandoned you. I really liked that they gave him an *arc*. Instead of being a static character, he gets to regain his optimism about life, his hope for the future, thanks to Aang and the power of friendship. I really dug it! No pun intended. LOL
Exactly he was just reacting to seeing his long lost friend after 100 years of war.. bitter and sweet.
I feel like Bumis anger and resentment would’ve made more sense had Aang actually ran away in the live action as well. Instead he just happened to get fresh air the same night as the genocide. People keep saying Bumi is more realistic here and sure that’s fair but If I found out my friend from 100 years ago was alive and thankfully wasn’t killed bc the avatar cycle is still intact, I wouldn’t be so angry bc hope is still alive.
Bumi didn't know why or when Aang left, or that he had left at all. All he knew was that when the world needed the Avatar, the Avatar was a no show. Then he finds out the Avatar wasn't away training or getting better, but was actually sleeping through things (even if not out of choice), and that it was his best friend all along, and who when he meets, seems intent on delaying training and taking on the responsibility for as long as he can and yeah, that would royally anger most people. He wasn't merely abandoned to deal with a 100 year war of suffering and tough choices by his supposed savior, but also by his friend.
Oma and Shu were both she/her.. I like that❤
This was the episode where I started to love this show! The Zuko/Iroh moments were so well done, also badgermole! 🤩 Can't wait to see what a komodo-rhino and platypusbear look like! 😁 Btw you have a lovely infectious laugh hahaha! 😄
"Leaves From the Vine".... 😭 Every.... Damn.... Time..... 😥
I watched the original show and the sequel show before I watched this and Iroh is the best character. I liked what they did with him here. He’s the Uncle we all need and I won’t hear a bad word said about him!
I love your reactions and I wish I could give you a hug after this one! If it makes you feel better, I SOBBED my eyes out watching this episode the first time and then just cried again watching you watch it lol! They knew exactly what they were doing by using that song! So beautiful
I'm sorry to admit but it did make me giggle seeing you cry at the happy moments lol! I was like, oh gosh, there she goes again! 😂 It reminds me of that movie, "Bedazzled", where Brendan Fraser's character was trying the sensitive guy persona! lol Depending on what you're watching, my girlfriend and I made a drinking game out of how frequently you get teary eyed or cry. Teary-eyed is one shot. Terry IDE with sniffles is two shots. Full on crying with tissues is three shots! You are my favorite reactor and I follow about 10 others.
eyyy KC Chiefs! If you live in MO, Avatar the last airbender is actually having their symphonic concert on November 2, 2024(if not they are touring around the states this year) c: idk if you've been to the KC symphony but It"s amazing! have a go at it.
I don’t like what they did with Bumi, like most people, but i also don’t like that they solved bumi’s genuinely correct lesson for Aang with ‘FRIENDSHIP’
There are lots of things that this show does terrible.
Yeah this exactly. All these people saying "Well I like this version it was more realistic." It might make sense for Bumi to be more burdened by war, and wanting Aang to make tough choices, but it wasn't even clear that was the lesson until the end, and it gets solved abruptly in a weird way, and they kept ping-ponging between Bumi being angry and Bumi making jokes. It just came across as pointless and weird, and Bumi came across as genuinely deranged in a creepy violent way. Even if their goal was to have a more realistic Bumi who is burdened by war and wants to teach Aang about tough choices, it was not handled well. At all.
It’s a good lesson for Aang but bumi’s the wrong person to teach him
Dammit, Angela over here making me cry first thing in the morning. 😭
I was in the mall yesterday, and were they were promoting Netflix's avatar. They were playing the soundtrack in the food court.
While I was waiting in a long line with my daughter for ice cream, they started playing the soundtrack to Lu-Tan's Funeral, which I had not noticed until I ordered our ice cream, and the lady serving use was crying 😢 and was my daughter.
That was the amazing part. After receiving our ice cream and I turned around, and the final main instrumental of "Leaves from the Vine" was playing. There was not a dry eye in the line as everyone was looking at me. My daughter had bought me a promotional fire nation tee-shirt that I was wearing with Zuko and Iroh on it.
I was in the same place as you re: Bumi when i first watched it bc animated Bumi is also one of my favorites. But in hindsight, i actually think we will circle back and have a little bit of a slower, more grounded burn for his character. Going from someone who had to make impossible choices for so long to keep his people safe, then seeing his friend unscathed and still full of that youthful optimism when he should have been there to help keep the world safe and share/lessen these burdens. From Bumi's perspective. Idk it feels more real that he'd be a little bitter about the suffering that happened bc Aang was gone. If I'm right, i think we will get that lighter Bumi eventually. I hope I'm right hahaha😅
Like i said before, i love that they're adding more scenes that weren't in the animated series. The scene with the earth kingdom soldier lets us see a side of uncle iroh that we didnt want to know. The secret tunnel part made me jump for joy when they appeared. And the funeral scene, omg the funeral scene tore me apart. I agree with you that Bumi wasnt on par with what we loved. Glad they put "my cabbages" at the end too. Cant wait for the next few episodes. I cant wait for you to see this version of "The Storm"
I'm also not crazy about Bumi's portrayal, but at the same time I get what they were going for. Instead of just a crazy but generally upbeat king this Bumi has had to go through a lot. As someone who has lived through all 100 years of the war it does make sense that he would be a bit jaded, and then one of his closest friends who was supposed to be the world's savior turns out to not have died like he probably thought and mourned for after all but was instead "asleep" the whole time. And yes Aang didn't have a choice there but Bumi is still angry, resentful, hurt, and maybe even jealous that Aang avoided so much of the war. His line (that was cut from the reaction) when the rocks are falling "Do I save this town or that? Who gets the last of the food scraps? The orphanage or the soldiers?", spoken like someone who has faced these same questions and how many people died due to these decisions. Again I wasn't crazy about the changes, but I can see where they were trying to go with his character and can at least respect that.
*Everything I need is on this boat*
Uncle Iroh is one of a kind!