Day 235: Fixing ‘The Last Airbender’ — Act III

Lee Ngo
Lee Ngo
Aug 24, 2017 · 3 min read

Okay, almost near the end. There’s a big problem, however.

This will not be easy

The big issue with Act III is that it’s pretty much an entire film of its own. M. Night Shyamalan expressed frustration about this issue, and I have to give him some sympathy for trying to pull off a challenging project.

A question of omissions instead of inclusions

Here’s what I decided to omit in this last act just to make it move faster. Each decision broke my heart a little.

  • The subplot of sexist Master Pakku barring Katara from waterbending combat training
  • Zuko’s attempt to kidnap Aang while he’s in a spirit coma
  • The rivalry between Sokka and Hahn, Princess Yue’s betrothed
  • Aang’s trek into the spirit world, confronting Koh the Face Stealer

The most important arc: Aang needs to finally accept his role as the avatar and do something dramatic enough to turn the tide against the Fire Nation without fear … and beyond his control.

Here’s my best approach. Will it be different from Shyamalan?

The Plot of Act III

Act III, Part I — Arriving at the Northern Water Fortress

Team Avatar is greeted warmly, especially with Princess Yue expecting to see Sokka. Aang meets waterbending master Pakku, who agrees to train both Aang and Katara. Given that they are in the middle of a century-long war, Pakku realizes he needs all the help they can rally.

Katara develops rapidly, but Aang does not take his studies as seriously. Meanwhile, Princess Yue and Sokka reconnect at first, but Yue pulls away, confessing that she is betrothed to another. Sokka doesn’t care.

Act III, Part II — The Plan to Destroy the Moon

Meanwhile, Zhao once again enlists in June to track Team Avatar and learns they are heading north. He informs Iroh that he plans to launch a full-scale invasion to capture Aang and seize control over both Water Tribes.

Iroh questions this strategy, but Zhao reveals he knows a secret about the Northern Water Fortress: the physical form of the Moon Spirit resides somewhere inside. Without it, the waterbenders are powerless to stop them.

Iroh, a strong spiritualist, thinks Zhao may have gone too far.

Act III, Part III — The Fire Nation Invasion

When the Fire Nation arrives, the battle between them and the Water Tribe soldiers is an intense clash of forces with no side overpowering the other. Katara shows proficiency in battle, but Aang continues to rely on airbending and looks overwhelmed and scattered.

Aang retreats further into the forest and runs into Zuko, who followed Zhao’s fleet in hopes of leading him to Aang. Zuko and Aang battle through multiple rooms in the fortress until Katara comes to Aang’s aid and momentarily restraints Zuko.

Zhao bursts into the same room and “thanks” Aang and Katara for subduing Zuko by knocking them out. Zhao realizes he’s in the “right room” and hovers over the Moon Spirit, swimming in physical form as koi fish. Iroh arrives and tries to intervene, but he is too late — Zhao kills the fish.

Act III, Part IV — The Wrath of the Moon Spirit

The moon goes completely black, and every waterbender loses their power. The Fire Nation presses their attack. When Aang comes to and discovers the Moon Spirit has been vanquished, he enters the Avatar State as a gigantic Water Spirit, wreaking havoc on the Fire Nation army.

Zhao and Zuko try to escape. The Water Spirit seizes Zhao and pulls him down into the water despite Zuko’s attempts to help. Back in the spirit room, Princess Yue, Katara, Sokka, and Iroh look down at the dead fish. Yue realizes her destiny and revives the fish, becoming the new Moon Spirit and devastating Sokka.

The moon returns to the sky, and the Fire Nation is beaten back by the Water Spirit and the water benders. Once the battle is won, Aang reverts to his physical form and is met with cheers from the Northern Water Tribe. Aang, however, is confused. Zuko and Iroh slip away unnoticed.

Epilogue

With the defeat of Zhao and reports of Zuko and Iroh’s treachery at the North Pole, Fire Lord Ozai appoints someone new to capture the avatar: Princess Azula.

— Lee

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Lee Ngo

Written by

Lee Ngo

Write with intention. Think with compassion.

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