in which i blatantly plug Avatar: The Last Airbender

guys, let's get real for a moment. i know you like to watch quality tv shows that make you think, make you laugh, and are generally awesome.

i have a show that i think you will adore. that show is Avatar: The Last Airbender. i've recently started another rewatch of this, and i am itching to share the experience with someone. okay, share it with EVERYONE.

i've even prepared a list of reasons why you should watch, why i love it so, and dispel some myths that may hold you back.

what it is:
in a nutshell, it's a three season series following a young man named Aang and his friends, who have to save the world by defeating the oppressive Fire Lord and ending the war against all nations. hilarity, sadness, hope and challenges ensue. there are 4 tribes - Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. the Fire Nation decided they were superior and set out to destroy the Avatar (who is master of all elements, and the only one who can keep them in line). the Avatar is reborn into different tribes and in order to destroy the Avatar, they had to destroy the entire Air nation.

why you should watch:
Great Story. the reason you should watch (or read) anything, ever. the fact that there are only 3 seasons tell you that they were intentional and tight with the writing. everything takes place for a reason, characters grow and develop, and the plot is thought out and complete.
Great Characters. at first, it may seem as if there is A Funny One and A Serious One and An Evil One but you will soon discover that they are so deep, intricate, and authentic that you will want to know more about them and are surprised and impressed with each of their developments.
Serious Issues. this is one of those shows you can take at surface value, which is totally enjoyable and still worthwhile, or you can look at the deeper issues happening. on the base is a battle of good and evil, but deeper there is the challenge of who we are called to be. there is the challenge of acceptance from our friends, our parents, and our selves. there is the challenge of doing what is right, doing what is necessary, and doing something that scares the living crap out of you. there are many more...but i leave you with those.
High Comedy. i can promise you that you will giggle, snort, or even full out bust a gut with every episode. it's one of those that builds upon itself and inside jokes start to form - and you're in on them! also, some things are just plain silly and that's all right with me.
Quality Writing. the main characters are all teens or preteens, and they act as such. sometimes they are broody, angsty, confused, jerkfaces, or flippant. and at other times they are thoughtful, patient, insightful, caring, and impressive. in other words - THEY ARE TEENAGERS. real, complicated, and authentic teenagers. it takes solid writing to create dialogue, situations, and resolutions that involve teenagers and is still totally believable. this show does it well.
It's Accessible. you can watch the entire series on Netflix by disk or watch instantly.

allow me to dispel some myths:

"I don't want to watch it because it's a cartoon." listen - if you don't want to watch an ANIMATED show because you think it's not going to be of the same caliber, sophistication, or creativity as shows with live actors, you are just plain WRONG. i will throw Batman: The Animated Series in your face as proof of intrinsic, dark, and sophisticated writing and run away jumping for joy because i have obviously proven my point. don't let the fact that this is animated hold you back.
"I don't like fantasy stuff like that." okay first of all, if this is your concern, i'm not sure why you're even reading this OR spending time at my blog. but, if for some reason you are here and this is your concern, let me tell you that the world building is creative, yet not difficult to understand. Aang has been 'gone' for 100 years, so they often explain things to him (and you), so you won't fall behind. ever. also, they can harness and use the elements - HOW RAD IS THAT?!
"It's a kids show, no thank you." see the argument for "I don't want to watch it because it's a cartoon". and then also remember that things written for teens, young adults, and children are often of the same quality, intent, and loving care of things that are written for adults.
"I just don't want to." please, i beg of you, watch the first episode. if you're not interested in ANY character or ANY development or laugh at least ONE TIME, then get back to me and we can talk about what's wrong with your brain. (i kid...kind of).
"I saw the movie, and it sucked." yeah, i know. it really did. like a WHOLE LOT. i am embarrassed for fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender everywhere on behalf of that abomination. scratch everything you saw, purge your brain, rinse your retinas, and start over. unless you're in the uberminority like Asheley, who almost damaged our wonderful and beautiful friendship by telling me she 'kind of liked it'. thankfully, i adore her enough to see past it...but just barely.

if you have watched Avatar: The Last Airbender in any capacity, please let me know in the comments! i'd love to geek out with you!

if you haven't watched A:TLA and are thinking about it, let me know that too!