Avatar S1E4: "The Warriors of Kyoshi"
Sokka gets a lesson in feminism | Grade: B+
Thanks for tuning in to my fourth of 61 daily reviews of Avatar: The Last Airbender! Yesterday, we watched S1E3: The Southern Air Temple.
Now that we’re comfortably into Season 1, we get a lighthearted episode that leans into humor and filler after the heaviness of last episode. The show continues its world-building by bringing us to our first Earth Kingdom territory, Kyoshi Island. The island is home to a band of amazons, the all-female Kyoshi Warriors, who surprise and capture the Gaang. Luckily, the whole island worships one of Aang’s past lives, Avatar Kyoshi, so he proves that he’s the Avatar and all is forgiven.
The villagers worship Aang as the reincarnation of Kyoshi, too, and suddenly he has a gaggle of adoring young fangirls who follow him around everywhere. Aang comes off as a humble kid, so it’s a bit surprising when he lets the fame get to his head and spends his time showing off. Katara feels jealous over the newfound attention that Aang is getting, and their relationship continues to evolve as they struggle to communicate their feelings and take out their frustrations by freezing each other out. Ultimately, Aang’s groupies get tired of his repetitive antics (“Not that again. Boring!”) and he realizes that celebrity is a hollow trophy. It was Katara’s attention that he wanted all along.
Perhaps the most meaningful character development this episode comes for Sokka, as he’s forced to reckon with his unexamined sexism. He and Katara have butted heads over his opinions about the “natural order” of gender roles and his earlier jibe, "leave it to a girl to screw things up!” Sokka refuses to believe that “a bunch of girls” could best him, asking to speak to “the men who ambushed us.” It’s not until he gets schooled later by their leader Suki, in humiliating fashion, that he takes the message to heart.
Even as he’s arrogantly blustering his way into the Kyoshi Warriors’ dojo, Sokka makes such a comedy of himself that it’s hard to judge him too harshly. His misogyny is predictable from his upbringing in a tribe with well-defined gender roles (and zero single women, from our glimpse in Episode 1). Sokka has been forced to act the part of the tribe’s protector and “the man” in the absence of the male warriors. But Sokka redeems himself with Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors when he humbles himself on his knees before them and apologizes.
I’d be honored if you’d teach me. I'm sorry if I insulted you earlier. I was wrong.
Boys, take notes! One aspect of Sokka’s popular appeal is his relatability and accountability. Rather than presenting him as a heroic archetype, the show is very transparent about his personal shortcomings. By allowing him to own and grow from these flaws, Sokka avoids falling into the one-dimensional trap that befalls many comic relief characters. For boys watching the show, Sokka models not just how to act, but how to take responsibility from mistakes and evolve.
To atone for his sins and earn their tutelage, Sokka promises to follow all of the Kyoshi Warrior’s traditions. All of them. For his troubles, Suki gives him what’s likely his first romantic kiss (on the cheek) and a lesson that treating women just like men is just another form of sexism. “I am a warrior. But I’m a girl, too.” Overall, the episode shines brightest in this entertaining subplot that effectively packages a feminist-lite message for a young audience.
Sokka: I treated you like a girl, when I should’ve treated you like a warrior.
Suki: I am a warrior. But I’m a girl, too.
Zuko eventually manages to track Team Avatar to Kyoshi Island, but the ensuing conflict is mostly cookie-cutter “peaceful hero” fare for the show. They just run away to protect the town, and Aang gets brownie points by aiming the Unagi’s water spout back at the town to extinguish Zuko’s flames.
See you tomorrow for Episode 5: The King of Omashu! Share your own thoughts on this episode in the comments.
Spare observations
“He is clearly a master of evasive maneuvering.” “You have no idea where you’re going, do you?”
Casual Back to the Future reference? “Relax, Sokka. Where we're going, you won't need any pants!”
“Unagi” literally means “Eel” in Japanese.
Who is Foaming Mouth Guy? Someone needs to get this man some medical attention.
A hilariously passive-aggressive exchange between Katara and Aang: “Have fun.” “I will.” “Great.” “I know it’s great.” “I’m glad you know.” “I’m glad you’re glad.”
Sokka is finally feeling himself in his “warrior’s uniform,” only to have Aang burst his bubble: “Hey, Sokka! Nice dress!”
Zuko and company apparently have three komodo rhinos (basically a rhino, but with some reptilian features) that they keep on the ship. The rhinos are a popular war beast in the Fire Nation.
Friends of the White Lotus [SPOILERS]
Sokka has a bit of a crush! We will meet Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors again. She and Sokka won’t forget the moment they shared.
This isn’t the only episode with a feminist message. Towards the end of the Season, we’ll see Katara stand up to the sexist Master Pakku.