Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 3 Needs to Develop These 5 Relationships

Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 focuses on Team Avatar’s journey through the Earth Kingdom. This new chapter introduces new dynamics while exploring previously established relationships.

From Toph shaking up Team Avatar to Sokka and Suki’s rocky romance, Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 has several relationships that will establish an epic conclusion in Season 3.

However, some relationships are more underdeveloped than others, and the show must concentrate on strengthening certain key dynamics to ensure a great final season. 

Here are the 5 most important relationships that Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender must develop in the show’s final season in order to stick the landing: 

1. Aang and Katara

Aang and Katara are the heart of the original story. Two survivors of the Fire Nation’s genocides against their respective people find each other in the throes of war and develop an everlasting and meaningful relationship.

However, Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender has not treated Aang and Katara as the most important dynamic. In fact, they do not have many substantial interactions together and do not connect beyond a superficial friendship. There is no earthly attachment or cosmic bond.

Aang treats Katara terribly on multiple occasions, including when he sides with Pakku at the Northern Water Tribe and when he dismisses her work as the Painted Lady.

Furthermore, the live-action adaptation has eliminated several critical scenes that deepen Aang and Katara’s relationship. The show skips over Katara teaching Aang how to waterbend, turns the cave of two lovers storyline into a narrative about Katara and Sokka, and excludes essential collaborative moments beyond the Serpent’s Pass.

It is disheartening to see how Avatar: The Last Airbender has portrayed Aang and Katara’s relationship so far, but the narrative has established the groundwork to turn things around in Season 3 — as long as the show gives them the proper time and care.

2. Katara and Toph

Katara and Toph have one of the most fascinating dynamics because it is a friendship they fought hard for.

They are well known for their iconic conflicts on the animated show, ranging from amusing banter to epic bending fights. They eventually develop a close bond, illustrating how far they have come from their days of barely getting along.

Avatar: The Last Airbender offers a glimpse into their chaotic relationship, but for the most part, they seem to be on good terms, which is why their friendship falls flat.

Katara and Toph deserve the depth and complexity that the animated show provides. Having them be friends right away with a significantly reduced turbulent dynamic is a disservice to the wonderful friendship they eventually develop.

However, the show can still rectify this issue by having their headstrong personalities clash in Season 3.

3. Zuko and Mai

Most of Zuko and Mai’s relationship development occurs in the final season of the original cartoon, so it is unsurprising that Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender has barely touched on their dynamic. 

However, a notable interaction between Mai and Ty Lee in Season 2 already jeopardizes Zuko and Mai’s future.

One reason Zuko and Mai become so iconic despite their minimal screen time is Mai’s illustrious line, “I love Zuko more than I fear you.” All it takes is one powerful moment to illustrate how legendary their romance is.

Unfortunately, Mai and Ty Lee’s interaction emphasizes that, regardless of how Mai feels about Zuko, she prioritizes Azula and will always put her first, damaging Zuko and Mai’s relationship.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 3 must feature a storyline for Mai that demonstrates an attitude shift so that when the time comes, her romance with Zuko will be compelling despite reduced screen time. 

4. Team Avatar

Team Avatar’s friendship is the bedrock of the show, even if some individual partnerships are more developed than others.

Avatar: The Last Airbender has done a great job of portraying some of these dynamics, including Sokka and Toph, Aang and Toph, and Katara and Sokka.

However, the show must give the group more screen time to bond as a whole, and those moments are few and far between.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 3 will test Aang and his friends as never before, and the narrative must allow room for the group to grow closer and solidify their friendship. After all, it transcends lifetimes.

5. Sokka and Hakoda

Avatar: The Last Airbender has severely neglected Sokka and Hakoda, a peculiar decision that significantly affects Sokka’s arc.

On the animated show, Hakoda is integral to Sokka’s character, even if he is not always there. They share a unique bond despite not having seen each other for three years — it is what makes their reunion at the end of Book 2 even more special.

However, the live-action adaptation has gone a different route. Sokka admires his father, but Hakoda does not take Sokka seriously or see him as a warrior. The show does not even revisit their relationship in Season 2.

It is even more egregious considering how much the narrative humanizes Ozai while disregarding Hakoda. 

Avatar: The Last Airbender must develop Sokka and Hakoda’s father-son dynamic in the final season, especially given how deeply Hakoda influences Sokka’s Season 3 arc.

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The live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender is currently streaming on Netflix.

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