‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Live-Action Series Just Changed a Major Fan Favorite Season 2 Episode

avatar the last airbender l to r kiawentiio as katara, ian ousley as sokka in season 1 of avatar the last airbender cr courtesy of netflix © 2023
Ummm...So ‘ATLA’ Changed a Fan-Favorite MomentNetflix

Changes are definitely to be expected when anything gets adapted, but fans of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender series were surprised to see a major changed that had more to do with a special season 2 episode that somehow made an appearance in the live-action's first season. And while it was a big nod to a fan-favorite moment, it did come as a major surprise for those who have already tuned into the show's fourth episode.

Here's everything you need to know about that Secret Tunnel moment in the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender season 1.

Wait, the Secret Tunnel scene?!

Yeah...about that...

So remember how in season 2 of the animated series, we find the really cool hippies who introduce the story about the secret tunnel. Well, they decided to add that scene into the live-action adaptation's first season instead. Now you might be thinking, "But wait, doesn't that help them get to the big moment in Omashu?" The answer is yes, but in a totally different way this time.

How is it different this time?

Well, firstly, it is now happening in season 1. And while the legend of The Cave of Two Lovers remains the same, instead of Katara and Aang's relationship having a big moment because of it, it actually ends up involving Katara and Sokka more instead...which does seem weird, but let us explain!

First, while the story remains the same, their destination is different. The tunnels in the animated series would've led Team Avatar to Omashu. In the live-action, they're still in Omashu and use it to try to find Aang who was taken prisoner. Sokka and Katara manage to find the group right before they go deep into the tunnels who tells them the story about The Cave of Two Lovers and how to find their way out to find Aang. And obviously there's a little sing-along that happens too!

While the story remains the same, it also aligns more with Season 1, Episode 11, "The Great Divide," where Sokka and Katara fight with one another and Aang attempts to bring them together.

As they drift into the cave, instead of Katara and Aang trying more romantic things like kissing to figure out the secret of the cave, Katara and Sokka obviously don't do that. Instead, their sibling love for each other is the thing that saves them from the badgermole that is trying to attack them, noting that they respond to feelings and that love is what calms them.

The badgermole helps them find their way out and also find Aang who is fighting King Bumi at the time.

avatar the last airbender l to r kiawentiio as katara, ian ousley as sokka in season 1 of avatar the last airbender cr courtesy of netflix © 2023
Netflix

How does this change things for season 2?

It looks like the gaang will have to find another way to journey to Omashu since the tunnels seem to start and end within the city. In the animated series, the tunnels lead right outside Omashu where they see that it's been taken over by the Fire Nation (as also evident in the live-action's finale).

It might be a small change, but for hard-core fans, it is a bit of a confusing one since they'll need an alternative way to get to the city without getting caught...

Guess we'll have to hope for a second season to see!

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