The essential episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Avatar: The Last Airbender — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · February 21, 2005 · 30m

   Book One: Water - Chapter One: The Boy in the Iceberg7.8

   When a young waterbender, named Katara, and her brother, Sokka, discover a giant iceberg while fishing for food around their homestead at the South Pole, they discover that there is a boy, named Aang, inside. Aang, they discover, is an airbender, (a group of people which were thought to be extinct). However, after a string of unfortunate events which puts the village in harm's way, they soon learn that there is more to him than meets the eye. Will Aang prove his hidden abilities, or will he be thought as just a child?

2. 02

   S01E08 · Top rated · April 15, 2005 · 30m

   Book One: Water - Chapter Eight: Avatar Roku (Winter Solstice, Part 2)9.2

   Aang learns that he must go to the Fire Nation temple during the winter solstice if he wishes to speak with Avatar Roku to see what he must do. However, with Prince Zuko on his trail while he heads straight into the heart of the nation who wants him captured, he realizes that this isn't going to be an easy task. Will Aang be able to talk to Avatar Roku before Zuko finds him?

3. 03

   S01E13 · Top rated · June 17, 2005 · 30m

   Book One: Water - Chapter Thirteen: The Blue Spirit8.8

   After Sokka and Katara get sick due to being in the storm, Aang seeks out a cure and discovers he needs some frozen frogs in order to get them cured. Meanwhile, Zhao has been promoted to Admiral and he is using the Fire Nation's best men to capture Aang, and he eventually succeeds. All hope seems lost for Aang and his friends, but there may just be a glimmer of hope when a strange blue spirit masked figure comes to Aang's rescue, but who could it possibly be?

4. 04

   S01E19 · Top rated · December 2, 2005 · 30m

   Book One: Water - Chapter Nineteen: The Siege of the North, Part 18.9

   Zhao begins to launch his attack against the Northern Water Tribe. As the walls of the besieged city begin to fall, the Avatar taps into the spirit world and seeks the help of one of the oldest spirits, in hopes of saving one of the most prominent areas of the world. Can Aang combine forces with the spirits and save the Northern Water Tribe?

5. 05

   S01E20 · Season 1 peak · December 2, 2005 · 30m

   Book One: Water - Chapter Twenty: The Siege of the North, Part 29.3

   Aang returns from the spirit world to a big surprise. Meanwhile, Zhao and his forces continue to press deeper into the Northern Water Tribe. Iroh makes a powerful stand and Zuko struggles to keep his plan intact. What could possibly stop the Fire Nation from destroying this tranquil region?

6. 06

   S02E07 · Season 2 peak · May 12, 2006 · 30m

   Book Two: Earth - Chapter Seven: Zuko Alone8.9

   Following a fight with Uncle Iroh, Zuko travels by himself to an Earth Kingdom town were he meets a local boy. The two almost become friends. Meanwhile Zuko suffers from flashbacks of his past. Can Zuko save his friends and remember who he is?

7. 07

   S02E11 · Top rated · July 14, 2006 · 30m

   Book Two: Earth - Chapter Eleven: The Desert8.9

   Aang searches for Appa, while Katara struggles to keep everyone together so they can survive in the vast desert while Sokka begins acting crazy because of Cactus juice in the desert. Meanwhile, Iroh and Zuko seek help from an ancient secret society. Will Aang find his furry friend, and will they all be able to make it out of the desert?

8. 08

   S02E20 · Top rated · December 1, 2006 · 30m

   Book Two: Earth - Chapter Twenty: The Crossroads of Destiny8.9

   Everyone races against time to stop Azula's sinister plan. Zuko finds companionship in an unlikely source. Aang's destiny hangs in the balance and so does Zuko's, as Iroh tells him "it is time to choose." Can Zuko choose the right path during his crossroads of destiny or will the Fire Nation finally win?

9. 09

   S03E04 · Top rated · October 12, 2007 · 30m

   Book Three: Fire - Chapter Four: Sokka's Master8.9

   Feeling as though he isn't contributing enough to the group, Sokka seeks out an elusive swords master from whom he can learn the ways of the blade. But, Sokka soon has doubts whether or not he is worthy. Can Sokka pull himself together or will the gang lose an important team member and friend?

10. 10

    S03E06 · Top rated · October 26, 2007 · 30m

    Book Three: Fire - Chapter Six: The Avatar and the Firelord9.1

    The tale of Avatar Roku and Fire Lord Sozin is revealed to Aang and Zuko by different sources. Both learn about themselves and are shown the origins of the war. But will Zuko and Aang learn anything from this?

11. 11

    S03E11 · Top rated · November 30, 2007 · 30m

    Book Three: Fire - Chapter Eleven: The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse9.0

    As the invasion force fights their way to the Fire Nation capital, the kids help Aang to find the Fire Lord in time for the eclipse, but there are a few surprises waiting ahead. Will Aang finally complete his mission or will he lose the battle against the forces of the Fire Nation?

12. 12

    S03E18 · Top rated · July 19, 2008 · 30m

    Book Three: Fire - Chapter Eighteen: Sozin's Comet, Part 1: The Phoenix King9.0

    Sozin's Comet is only three days away. Zuko tells the others what the Fire Lord plans on the day of the comet and the gang realizes that they must stop him before then. But Aang doubts that he can do what is expected of him.

13. 13

    S03E19 · Top rated · July 19, 2008 · 30m

    Book Three: Fire - Chapter Nineteen: Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters9.2

    Aang awakes on a mysterious island and confronts his past lives for advice on how to stop the Fire Lord without killing him. The rest of the group searches for Aang.

14. 14

    S03E20 · Season 3 peak · July 19, 2008 · 30m

    Book Three: Fire - Chapter Twenty: Sozin's Comet, Part 3: Into the Inferno9.3

    Zuko battles his sister with Katara's help for the right to be named Fire Lord. Elsewhere, Aang meets Ozai just as the comet arrives.

15. 15

    S03E21 · Series finale · July 19, 2008 · 30m

    Book Three: Fire - Chapter Twenty One: Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang9.1

    Aang's moment of truth arrives. Can he defeat Ozai, the Phoenix King? Will he be forced to take a human life? All the characters face their greatest challenges.