So, The Day of Black Sun finally came. The day when the eclipse would sap the fire-bending powers from the Fire Nation for eight minutes, giving Aang the opportunity to take down Firelord Ozai. Phew. What can be said? It’s rare that you watch a TV show these days, when you can honestly say you felt truly rewarded for being a fan.
The Day of Black Sun was just that, a reward for all the long time fans of Avatar. The fans who built a buzz around the Internet for over a year, waiting desperately for the return of Book 3 - Fire. Granted there have been some “interim” episodes this season that swung more on the light-hearted humor side of Avata… well outside of the blood-bending episode that is. But, Episode 10 changed all that.
From the onset, we were thrilled to see several characters from season 1 and 2 return to join the invasion forces. People like the swamp benders, the Boulder and the Hippo, Haru, and the mechanists.
The invasion forces made quick work of the Fire Nations initial defenses. But, it was obvious that this was a trap, as the invasion forces would soon learn. When Aang entered Firelord Ozai’s palace it was abandoned. Toph was able to find the hidden bunker the Firelord was hiding in. Unfortunately, Team Avatar ran into Princess Azula who delayed their attack just long enough for them to miss the eclipse.
Then the fate of Prince Zuko was revealed. In one of the most thrilling scenes in Avatar history, Zuko confronts his father the Firelord. Zuko finally makes a stand and shuns his father in favor of Uncle Iroh. The Firelord clever as ever tricks Zuko into waiting past the eight minutes of the eclipse, by revealing that Zuko’s mom may still be alive. When the eclipse ended, the Firelord attacks Zuko with white lightning (kind of like Seto Kaiba’s Blue Eyes White Dragon in Yugioh). But guess what? We’re rewarded once again. White lightning, the one technique that Zuko could never master because of his inner turmoil, the one technique that gave Azula the upper hand, Zuko unleashes right back at his father blasting him into the wall.
In the end, team Avatar is forced to make a hasty retreat. The elders stay as prisoners of the Fire Nation, while the young escape on Appa. And, what of Uncle Iroh. He escaped too. This is great. Episode 10 concludes with Zuko on the tail of Team Avatar.
This may well have been the best Avatar episode to date.
I do agree with you. This episode was the best!!!