Key Takeaways:
– Despite overall praise for the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, the finale and its resolution of the conflict between Aang and Fire Lord Ozai is a source of controversy.
– While some fans felt that only Ozai’s death would adequately resolve the conflict, Aang instead disables Ozai’s firebending capability.
– Series creator, Bryan Konietzko, firmly supports the finale’s outcome, saying it’s in keeping with the protagonists’ vision for the future world.
Historically Revered yet Controversially Viewed
Avatar: The Last Airbender, an animated series universally celebrated for its rich narrative, intricate world-building and defined characters, has earned itself the prestigious title of an iconic television series. Its stylish blend of drama and comedy, combined with a striking animation style, enthralled audiences in 2005. Despite some recent disappointments associated with a derivative live action series, the fanbase’s adoration for the original remains largely undiluted. However, one element of the series has encountered occasional scrutiny – the resolution of the central conflict in the series finale.
The Final Battle: Expectations Defied
Throughout the entire series, viewers eagerly followed the simmering rivalry between Aang, the lovable hero and Fire Lord Ozai, the unrelenting antagonist. Aang relentlessly prepared to square off and neutralize Ozai’s ongoing reign of terror, and hand him retribution for the pain inflicted on innocent lives.
Audience anticipation peaked as the ultimate battle approached. Yet, Aang’s deeply ingrained principle against taking lives understandably led audiences to question how he would dismantle Ozai’s oppressive regime. The expectation was the vanquishing of the Fire Lord, however, Aang chose a less predictable path.
Alternative Measures Evoke Controversy
In the pivotal finale showdown, Aang opted to strip Ozai of his firebending abilities. This creative non-violent resolution was a departure from the expected, which did not sit well with a section of the audience. They argued that incapacitating Ozai instead of delivering a lethal blow didn’t feel like satisfactory retribution for the despot’s atrocities.
Bryan Konietzko, the architect behind this well-crafted series, firmly stands by his technique of subtly subverting audience expectations. While a number of viewers might view Aang’s non-lethal resolution as indirectly sparing Ozai, Konietzko believes the non-violent ending was in sync with the overarching message of the series.
Konietzko’s Perspective on the Ending
During the commentary track for the last four episodes of the showdown titled Sozin’s Comet, Konietzko shed light on his controversial but conscious decision. He mentioned that although Aang had the power to eradicate Ozai, it was not what the world they were building needed.
Konietzko argued, “Everyone’s been oppressed and fearful for a hundred years, do they really need some all-powerful being just wiping people out? You know, it’s not really the remedy for the world’s situation.”
This non-violent approach is also echoed by Zuko, another central character, who explicitly advocates for an era of love and peace at the series’ end. Konietzko believes that starting a new reign on the bloodshed of Ozai would have tainted both Zuko’s role as the Fire Lord and Aang’s legacy.
In Conclusion
Konietzko’s justification for Aang’s non-lethal ending of Ozai, although controversial among some fans, ties into the foundational principles of the world Avatar: The Last Airbender has built. This serves as a constant reminder to viewers of the thematic commandments of love, mercy, and peace, which as per the creator, were the true essence of the series. Despite varied opinions among fans, Konietzko’s defense of the contentious but visionary finale adds another layer to the rich legacy of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
