LogFAQs > #940497895

Exam week is over, so time to try to save this topic from its state of abandonment!

#28: The Chase (2.08)

This is the first episode after Toph joins Team Avatar (since they don't appear in 2.07 at all). The main theme is that Toph doesn't have a very good chemistry with the group. She is selfish and independent and doesn't want to contribute beyond training Aang and just kicking ass. Katara, being Katara, wants them to be a happy family, and the two fight. Eventually, Toph gets fed up with the group, and leaves, but some wise words from Uncle set her in the right path again, in time to join the action. Although "new member needs to learn to get along" is an old plot, it's done very well.

What makes this episode memorable though, is the main action plot. Azula finally makes a serious attempt at hunting down the Avatar, and damn, she is effective. She realizes Appa can be tracked by the fur he is sheding, sets up a FN tank and her two henchwomen, and engages in a 24/7 pursuit. The kids are poorly equipped to deal with one of the best firebenders in the world and two other powerful fighters, and they can only run. Their lack of sleep due to having to run non-stop also contributes to the stress among the team.

Eventually, the kids win, after coming up with a clever plan to separate the 3 women and ramming Appa into Mai and Ty Lee. But Azula is still very hard to take down, and it takes Zuko, Iroh and Toph appearing at the last minute to force her into a 6 vs 1 fight even she can't win. And she still manages to almost kill Uncle before leaving.

For showcasing how badass and resourceful Azula is and being an overall strong action episode, this one earns its place in the upper half.