The 'Filler' Episode That Netflix's 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Needs To Adapt In Season 2

It is common for TV series, particularly anime, other animated series, or shows with longer seasons, to include what are known as 'Filler' episodes. Filler episodes are those that do not advance the main plot, or alter relationships between characters in any meaningful way. They may feature the characters engaging in a low stakes recreational activity, such as a day at the beach. Filler, as the name suggests, exists simply to fill space.

In adapting the 20 episiodes of the animated Avatar: The Last Airbender's first season, also known as Book One: Water, into eight hours of live-action TV for Netflix, necessitated the pruning of much of that season's filler. The recently confirmed adaptation of Book Two: Earth, will likely require similar pruning. However, there is one episode which, while technically considered filler, deserves to be adapted, even if only in part. Fans would be deeply disappointed if this episode were to be omitted entirely. Critics would be similarly disappointed, as many considered the episode in question to be one of the best pieces of TV filler content of all time.

2x15, 'Tales of Ba Sing Se'

In the early stages of Book Two: Earth, the main players in Avatar: The Last Airbender are on different paths. While Team Avatar search for a suitable Earthbending Master to teach Aang, Prince Zuko and General Iroh, now considered fugitives of the Fire Nation, struggle to avoid capture at the hands of Zuko's sister, Princess Azula. Towards the end of the season, the separate stories begin to converge when both parties arrive in the city of Ba Sing Se, the Earth Kingdom's final remaining stronghold against the Fire Nation. While Zuko and Iroh enter the city posing as Earth Kingdom refugees, Aang and co are searching for his beloved Sky Bison, Appa, who was stolen earlier in the season.

It is during this period that the episode 'Tales of Ba Sing Se' takes place. Rather than a singular plot, the episode is made up of a series of 3-4 minute vignettes, each focusing on a particular character. Though technically filler, these short stories give insight into what each character is going through, and provide what some fans consider their favourite moments of the entire series.

While the message of Katara and Toph's tale could easily be worked in elsewhere, and Sokka's tale is simply a humorous interlude, fans would be disappointed if the other four tales were omitted. Let's take a look at those four segments, and why they should be included in the live action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

The Tale of Iroh

Former General Iroh is thriving in his new life as Mushi, the manager of an increasingly popular Tea shop. Taking an afternoon away from his business, Iroh collects a picnic hamper, but is repeatedly delayed on the way to his picnic destination when he stops to help various Ba Sing Se residents, including a Mother with a crying child. Eventually making it to his destination, a shady tree at sunset, it is revealed that the Picnic is an offering for Iroh's late son, Lu Ten, on what would have been his Birthday. Lu Ten died in a siege on the very city that has now become Iroh's sanctuary.

"If only I could have helped You."

Aside from being one of the biggest tearjerkers in all of ATLA, Iroh's tale would serve narrative purpose if adapted into the live-action series. Aside from reaffirming Lu Ten's death as the event that changed Iroh's life and worldview, it also spotlights his current relationship with Zuko, and why he is so eager for his nephew to settle into their new life in Ba Sing Se. He failed to bring his first 'Little Soldier Boy', Lu Ten, home from the War, but there is still a chance for Zuko.

The Tale of Zuko

During a shift at the Tea Shop, Zuko, going under the alias of Lee, expresses concern that he and Iroh's cover has been blown when he catches a customer, a young woman named Jin, watching him. Iroh corrects him, explaining his belief that Jin has a crush on Zuko. When Jin then approaches the counter to ask 'Lee' for a date, Iroh accepts on his nephew's behalf. Despite some early awkwardness, Zuko enjoys his time with Jin, even receiving a kiss. However, at the end of the night, he pushes Jin away, deciding his situation is too complicated.

While typical filler in that it doesn't further the ongoing story at all, Zuko's tale gives us a look into the disgraced Prince's mindset. Despite the lure of a new life in Ba Sing Se, he is not ready to let go of his past. This potentially foreshadows the decision he makes at the end of Book Two: Earth, and could serve a similar function if included in the live action adaptation.

'The Tale of Aang' and 'The Tale of Momo'

While presented as separate vignettes within the episode, both Aang and Momo begin their tales with the same goal: To find the missing Appa. Aang begins his search in Ba Sing Se's Zoo, but becomes disheartened by Appa's absence, as well as the less than optimal conditions in the Zoo. After learning the Zookeeper is eager to do better by the animals, but lacks the means, Aang helps relocate the animals to the large grassy plains beyond the city walls, and uses his new Earthbending skills to fashion new, spacious enclosures for the animals.

While not directly feeding into the main plot, the tale is a defining character moment for Aang, pausing the pursuit of his own desires in favour of helping someone else.

Meanwhile, Momo, having found a piece of Appa's fur, embarks on his own search for his missing friend. After a series of misadventures, Momo finds a footprint recently left by Appa, thus proving the Sky Bison has recently been in the area. The discovery of the footprint gives Momo's story the greatest significance in the entire 'Tales of Ba Sing Se' episode.

All this is not to say that 'Tales of Ba Sing Se' needs to be adapted into a full episode of Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender. The tales could easily be incorporated as subplots across multiple episodes of the remake. The point is that these stories, filler or not, deserve to be included, and if they are not, Netflix will have some rather upset fans to answer to.