Throughout all three seasons ofAvatar: The Last Airbender, there’s only one episode that can be skipped every time you watch. For viewers who are experiencing the series for the first time, it’s best to watch every installment, as this provides a clear picture of the world and characters. However, this doesn’t mean there isn’t an occasional filler episode, even if these are few and far between. Audiences who are revisitingAvatarand have a good sense of each storyline within the showwon’t miss anything by avoiding this episodeand forgetting that it was part of the series.
Unlike theAvatarepisodes that are masterpieces, “The Great Divide” feels like it was written in a rush and isn’t a true depiction of the dynamics of the Earth Kingdom people. Though it’s part of season 1, this episode isn’t representative ofAvataror these episodes as a whole. Of all theiconicAvatarmoments across the seasons, there are plenty in season 1, proving that there isn’t just filler within the show’s debut installment.“The Great Divide” stands out because it’s such a significant deviationfrom the typical high quality of the content.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Fans Agree That “The Great Divide” Is The Show’s Worst
This Season 1 Episode Is Largely Forgotten About For A Reason
As the lowest-rated episode onIMDB, with only a 6.8/10, it doesn’t come as a surprise that “The Great Divide” has been consistently criticized. Of course, it isn’t just ratings and critical reception that define the quality of an episode of television. However, in this case, the lower rating represents the truth about “The Great Divide.” Airing at the halfway point in season 1,“The Great Divide” was quickly followed by “The Storm,“which is credited as being an episode you shouldn’t miss.
The episode follows two rival Earth Kingdom groups who have been in conflict for many years and are trying to find a way to cross a great canyon. When Aang, Katara, and Sokka encounter them, it soon becomes clear that it’s up to them to bridge the gap between the groups and create peace.“The Great Divide” could be viewed as one of Aang’s first tests as the Avatarand his first step in fulfilling his destiny, but it doesn’t go far enough with these themes to warrant being known as a memorable addition to the show.
“The Great Divide” Is The Only Avatar Episode That Can Be Called Filler
Almost Every Other Installment Pushes Forward The Plot Or Characters
There are many amazing episodes ofAvatarthat take place off the beaten path and see Team Avatar venture into a setting or meet a group of characters who don’t come back later. However, this doesn’t necessarily make these types of episodes filler. A filler episode like"The Great Divide” is just taking up space within the season as a whole.The overarching plot doesn’t progress at all, and the characters remain stagnant throughout. Even the new supporting characters aren’t exciting enough to pique our interest.
All thebest TV shows likeAvatarare careful to avoid filler, as this can disrupt the flow and pacing of a series. “The Great Divide” is a blip within the series as a whole, even among the many exposition-heavy episodes of season 1.Avatarseason 1 is the weakest installment of the show, especially compared to the tight pacing of seasons 2 and 3, but the episodes are still fun to engage with. However, this can’t be said for"The Great Divide,” which consistently disappoints viewers and falls short of our expectations.
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You Can Easily Skip “The Great Divide” When Watching ATLA Season 1
If You’re Going To Skip An ATLA Episode, It Should Be “The Great Divide”
It’s a testament to the writing and pacing ofAvatarthat there are so few episodes that can be skipped. While there are some other installments that aren’t as plot-heavy, “The Great Divide” doesn’t do anything to move the story forward. It might feel a little wrong to avoid any episode ofAvatar, as the series holds such a special place in the hearts of fans. However, there’s nothing to miss in “The Great Divide.“Getting to “The Storm” as quickly as possible is much more importantthan seeing Aang attempt to navigate the social dynamic between two groups.
If you do watch “The Great Divide,” it won’t be a waste of time, and it is still an opportunity to spend time with these beloved characters.
Of course, if you do watch “The Great Divide,” it won’t be a waste of time, and it is still an opportunity to spend time with these beloved characters. However, the primary villain in “The Great Divide” is Admiral Zhao, who is arguably the weakest antagonist of the entire show. He doesn’t have the depth and character development of Zuko, and he isn’t as scary as Azula. AsAvatar: The Last Airbenderprogresses and finds a clearer sense of self, it begins to use “filler” episodes as an opportunity to push the story even further.
