Top 11 Best Avatars (with Dante Basco)

Top 11 Best Avatars (with Dante Basco)
Released	September 23, 2014
Running time	35:39
Previous review	Ghost Rider 2
Next review	Maximum Overdrive
Link	http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/thatguywiththeglasses/nostalgia-critic/44818-top-11-best-avatars-with-dante-basco

(The opening)

NC: Hello, I'm the Nostalgia Critic. I remember it so you don't have to. Well, as a lot of you know last week, I did a Top 11 list of the WORST "Avatar" episodes, with the understanding there's really no such thing as a BAD "Avatar" episode, just some that aren't as good as others. Well, this week, I'm going from the WORST of the best to the BEST of the best.

(Footage from "Avatar: The Last Airbender")

NC: (v/o) Avatar is one of the most amazing shows ever put on the air. Its stories intriguing, its characters lovable, its messages thought-provoking, its philosophy enlightening, and its animation incredible. So as you'd imagine, finding the absolute best of this series is no easy task. There are so many great episodes with so many great moments. But we're here to discriminate for the best, and that's exactly what we're going to do.

NC: So let's not waste any time and take a look at the top 11 best episodes! Why top 11? Because I like to go one step beyond. So, sit back and enjoy the top 11- (Suddenly a fireball hits him, blowing him out of his seat and his face goes into the wall) What the fuck?! (He than pulls his face out and turns around to see who threw the fireball at him)

Dante Basco is standing in the door to the room, dressed as Prince Zuko.

NC: Dante Basco?

Dante: You have dishonored the franchise and so have dishonored me. The time has come to reclaim my honor you dishonorably dishonored by honorably honoring my honorable honor.

(beat)

NC: Okay, I have no idea what you said just now.

Dante: Don't worry, you'll feel it.

(He throws another fireball as NC dodges and runs out of the room, locking Dante in)

Tamara: Critic, what is it?

NC: It's Dante fucking Basco! I think he drank the Cactus Juice or something!

(knocking on the door)

Dante: (vo) Honor!

NC: (sigh) He thinks he's one of the characters from Avatar. Go dress in the appropriate attire. Maybe we can distract him.

Tamara & Malcolm: Right!

(Tamara & Malcolm leave as Dante opens the door)

NC: Look, it's okay. I'm doing a Top 11 BEST Avatar episodes.

Dante: You don't deserve the chance!

NC: Okay, look, maybe we'll come to a compromise: I can give you a really glowing review and take the lead.

(Dante continues throwing fireballs at NC, but NC escapes and flees for the front door)

Dante: Honor!

(Dante continues shouting honor while shooting fireballs at NC, even through his dick)

Malcolm: (dressed as Sokka) Halt! It's time to fight fire with fire, and Sokka knows how to do it!

Tamara: (dressed as Peter Pan from Hook) Arrgh! And us Lost Boys have to stick together!

NC: Tamara, that's not Avatar, that's Hook. And why are you talking like a pirate? Why do pirate talk like pirates? Now you need to try harder. I want you to go home, do some research, gimme an update on your process. Okay?

Tamara: (before leaving) Okay.

Malcolm: Alright, buddy! It's time to show you who's boss!

(Dante throws a fireball at Malcolm, which Malcolm ducks from)

Malcolm: Well, we'll show you who's boss. (to NC) Right?

(Wrong! NC just walks into another room and locks the door.)

Malcolm: (grabbing at the door knob) Critic! Critic!

NC: (sitting down) Sorry, Malcolm. The needs of me outweigh the needs of you.

Malcolm: He's gonna kill me!

NC: Well, that's show business for ya! Just try to keep him entertained while I start the countdown.

(Malcolm nervously turns his head to Dante as the latter stars walking towards him)

Malcolm: Bangarang???

(Dante starts beating up Malcolm off-screen)

NC: Well, while they're lolly-gagging out there, why don't we go ahead and start the Top 11 Best Avatar Episodes.

(Title for "The Top 11 Best Avatar Episodes" with NC beat-boxing to ending credits for the show and Chester A. Bum says, "SPOILERS")

(For each interlude on the Top 11, NC beat-boxes to the show's ending theme over white clouds--similar to the original show's closing credits--with the number zooming in.)

#11

NC: (v/o) Number 11--"The Ember Island Players". The irony is: I was almost one step away from putting this on the WORST Episodes List, because, in many respects, it has little to do with anything. Team Avatar sees the Fire Nation is putting on a play of their travels, and, even though it's phenomenally dangerous, they decide to check it out. What follows is a theatrical interpretation of their adventures, only it's done from an incredibly biased and exaggerated angle, pissing all of them off.

Actor Sokka: My stomach is so empty that it's making me tearbend! (throws his arms up hopelessly before dropping to his knees, clutching on to Actress Aang's other leg, and crying)

Sokka: (leans forward in his seat; clearly annoyed) This is pathetic!

NC: There are one or two moments of emotional exposition, but for the most part, it's just watching the play. As an episode, little happens, but as a series recap that actually works its way into the show itself, it's actually friggin' brilliant. It's explaining everything that's happened on the show except with a comedic edge, making fun of theatrical tropes, story tropes, and even their own character tropes; Katara, for example, is too inspiringly emotional.

Actress Katara: We cannot give up hope! (begins to cry)

Katara (with crossed arms, displeased): Well that's just silly. I don't sound like that. (Sokka and Suki are laughing behind her)

NC (vo): Toph is a giant male neanderthal.

Actor Toph: I release a sonic wave from my mouth. (screams very loudly at the Team Avatar players)

NC (vo): And Zuko is always too much of an angsty sourpuss.

Actor Iroh (completely at ease): Let's forget about the Avatar and get massages.

Actor Zuko (turns toward his uncle, leaning forward menacingly; shouting): How could you say that?!

NC (vo): I think of all the other shows that do series recaps and they're usually just clip shows or something separate that just has a narrator telling you what happened, but they decide to take it in a different direction, actually incorporating it into the story. Truth be told, I can't think of any other show that has ever done that. At least in this clever a way, it shows the characters' reaction to the whole thing. Not just to their own adventures, but the villains' interpretations of their adventures, and their satire of both Broadway and movie styles. In fact, could it be interpreted as the characters' reaction to the Last Airbender movie?

Zuko: That ... wasn't a good play.

Katara: No kidding.

Suki: Horrible.

Toph: You said it.

Sokka (walking with Suki): But the effects were decent.

NC (vo): This might not be the most important or dramatic of the episodes, but it is one of the most clever and funny. And on that level, it definitely deserves the number 11 spot.

Zuko: So far, this intermission is the best part of the play.

(Interlude to next entry)

#10

NC (vo): Number 10--"The Chase". This one is very similar to "The Drill", where most of the episode is just one big action sequence. But the reason I put this one over "The Drill" is not only is the action sequence really intense and brilliantly planned out, but it also allows for character reactions you wouldn't normally see. Toph and Iroh, for example, share a touching talk throughout all the chaos, mostly because they have no idea who they are, or that they're on opposite sides.

Toph: So where is your nephew? Is he lost?

Iroh (Looks away; slightly sad): Yes; a little bit. I know he doesn't want me around right now, but if he needs me, I'll be there.

NC (vo): That's a really unique relaxing moment among super extreme intense panicking. Zuko fights Aang, Aang fights Azula, Azula fights Zuko, It's a Mexican stand-off of all the coolest combinations you could think of. You just feel so sorry for our heroes in this one. All they wanna do is get a good night's rest, but Azula's patsy is constantly on their back, never letting up. This not only adds to the suspense, but also just what an all-around kick-ass villain Azula really is: she's a fucking machine of evil and she makes sure everybody knows it; nothing seems to slow her down. The intensity just keeps going and going and going and getting more and more insane and crazy; it's just a huge rush. By the time it's over, you feel like you need a nap, which is exactly how the episode ends. While certainly not devoid of story or character, sometimes the best way to sympathize with your hero is just to put them in the middle of what they're going through; to feel that racing heart-beat, to feel that running out of breath, and in this one, you feel every second of that panic. The fighting's great, the layouts great, the characters are great, it'll make sure you sleep damn well after watching it.

Aang: So what's our plan?

Toph (stumpled against the saddle, exhausted): Don't know ... too tired to think.

(Interlude to the next entry)

#9

NC (vo): Number 9--"The Firebending Masters". After Zuko joins the team, he agrees to finish Aang's firebending training. The problem is: Zuko's bending has gone downhill, because he doesn't have the rage he used to. So they have to travel to the original source. The closest thing they have is a civilization thousands of years old known as the "Sun Warriors". The ancient ruins, however, have a lot of tricky booby-traps that indicate something is still kicking. Sure enough, not only there still people living out there, but--

(The red and blue dragons appear)

NC (vo): Holy shit! Motherfucking dragons! Fuck "Game of Thrones"! This is the first one that dropped the dragon bomb!

Zuko (cut to Zuko and Aang standing): These are the masters.

Aang (in a low voice): Still think we can take 'em?

Zuko: Sshh. I never said that.

NC (vo): However, just like in "Game of Thrones", the reaction is exactly the same: you simply can't believe they exist in this world. You think you have a grasp of how it works because you identified with the characters so much and how they have a grasp on the world. So when they're surprised to see these things are still alive, you're just as shocked. On top of that, the episode does great at not only explaining how bending is an extension of one's self, but showing it. When inside the dragon's fire, they see various colors they didn't even know fire could make. It's the equivalent of going through the stargate in "2001"; it's beautiful and other-worldly.

Sun Warrior Chief: They judged you, and gave you visions of the meaning of firebending.

NC (vo): Few shows, especially family shows, can give that experience this large without having to explain it, but this one did. It just let the moment speak of itself; it was pretty damn memorable. It was a great episode for Zuko and Aang to work off each other, it was great for their explanation of what one's skills are capable of, and it was great for giving us one fiery hell of an incredible experience.

#8

NC (vo): Number 8--"The Day of Black Sun". This 2-parter is probably the biggest battle the show has had, at least in the size of people and characters. Practically, everybody you've seen in the show comes together to take try and take down the Fire Lord. It's the Day of the Eclipse where all the firebenders lose their power, and this day has been built up for several episode; at least, half the season. So you can imagine what a heart-crippling stab in the balls it is to see every conceivable thing that can go wrong--go wrong. The Fire lord knows about the attack and is taken away, Azula is there to distract them and...goddammit; she's pretty damn good even without her bending, and just when you think they're going to leave her and find the Fire Lord...

Azula: My favorite prisoner used to mention you all the time.

NC (vo): Oh no, Sokka! Don't listen!

Azula: She was convinced you were going to come rescue her.

NC (vo): Don't listen, Sokka! No, you got a Nation to save! Don't listen to her, Sokka! Don't listen--

(Sokka sheds a few tears before charging at Azula in blind rage.)

NC (vo): GODDAMMIT, AZULA! YOU'RE SUCH AN EVIL WHORE! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!! I HATE YOU!!! The episode ends with everyone getting captured, except for our few young heroes.

Katara (grabs Hakoda): We can't leave you behind!

Bato: The youngest of our group should go with you. The adults will stay behind and surrender.

NC (vo): And just when you think all hope is lost--it's just been one terrible moment after goddamn terrible moment--a huge twist happens: Zuko leaves his father to join the Avatar, leaving a glimpse of hope for their future.

Zuko: I'm going to join the Avatar and I'm going to help him defeat you. (puts his swords away) Goodbye.

NC (vo): Good god, man! Talk about an epic middle of the season! You end up hating the bad guys even more, but you get so invested in how the good guys are going to win the day. It the perfect halfway point; "The Empire Strikes Back" of the final season, so much greatness destroyed, but so much potential to be born. That's one eclipse to remember.

Azula: It doesn't matter. They'll be back.

Malcolm (behind the door): Critic, it's okay! I took care of Basco.

NC (getting up and walking out of the room): Oh hey, great! I knew you could take him yourse--

(But he only notices Basco alive)

NC: But, wait! Where's Malcolm?

(Basco points upward to a charred Malcolm stuck on the ceiling)

NC: Dammit, Malcolm! I can't believe you broke under pressure!

Malcolm (weakly): Sorry! I was weak!

NC (frustratingly to Basco): You just can't get good he--

(Basco throws another fireball at NC, forcing him to flee)

NC (running out of the building): Your aiming sucks!

(NC flees into a Barnes & Noble and passes Jason Laws who is reading a book entitled "Taxi Pick Up Lines")

Jason (reading Chapter 1 entitled "Getting Bitches in Your Cab"): Huh, so that's how I can bag me some more ladies in my cab.

(Suddenly, one of Basco's fireballs hits the book)

Jason: No! My cab bitches!

(Basco chases NC up the esclator, while NC begins digging through some book)

NC: There's gotta be something connected to firebending around here!

(Basco continues searing for NC)

NC (looking at the "How to Earth Bend" book): Uh, no! (looking at the "Learning to Metal Bend" book) No! (looking at the "Fire Bending for Dummies" book) Ah-ha! (getting up) Here we go!

(Another fireball is thrown at NC, forcing him to run. Basco throws more fireballs at NC, while also shouting "Honor!", until the last one knocks the book out of NC's hands.)

Tamara: Hold it!

(She appears in front of the camera, this time dressed like The Huntsgirl from American Dragon: Jake Long.)