The latest remake from the streaming giant, Netflix is Avatar: The Last Airbender for the uninitiated.
This writer would be so bold to say the remake does in fact do a good of respecting and honouring the source material. Or in this case, the original animated series.
Especially with respect to the portrayal of characters within Avatar: The Last Airbender.

But as with every remake or reimagining flaws are sure to exist. Therefore, Avatar: The Last Airbender has a number of them which can be spotted for the keen eyed viewer. But only one of those substantial flaws will grace the wordings of this article.

As to where the live-action series falls short. It is in Episode 4 titled, Into the Dark which includes an obvious adaptation of Season 2, Episode 2 titled, The Cave of Two Lovers.

To summarise, in the original animated series, Aang and Katara are separated from Sokka. Then get lost in a labyrinthinian cave built by two lovers who wanted to keep their forbidden passion hidden.

In the live-action version, Sokka and Katara are now the ones who get separated from Aang. And now have to navigate the labyrinthinian cave.

The animated series did a clever job of foreshadowing the romance between Aang and Katara by having both isolated in a cave built by lovers.

The problem with the live-action series is how it completely ignores this by replacing Aang with Sokka. Even though, the outcome of Aang and Katara ending up together is ultimately the end goal.

Judging by how faithful the adaptation is aiming to be.

Things like this can end up counteracting the intentions of the original animated series. Which in turn can affect the overall quality of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Understanding the essence of each scene will bring about a more faithful adaptation even if details are treated with more laxity.

All episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender are streaming on Netflix.

Related Articles