The Podstorm

In this episode of Avatar State Radio, Kev and Mike dive into The Storm, an emotional and revealing episode that explores the pasts of both Aang and Zuko. But first—MARK HAMILL, BABY! Mike takes a moment to celebrate every version of Fire Lord we’ve had, from Mark Hamill’s legendary voice acting to Cliff Curtis and Daniel Dae Kim’s live-action performances.

The episode’s intensity kicks off with Aang’s haunting dream, which starts with everyone flying in a whimsical way before turning into a nightmare about his past. Kev and Mike break down how the weight of Aang’s decision to leave the Air Nomads has been haunting him for 100 years. Meanwhile, Kev loves the episode’s flashbacks, as they provide crucial context for why Zuko is the way he is. The biggest takeaway? Zuko is not his father. When it comes down to it, he’s willing to save his people, not sacrifice them.

Parallels between Aang and Zuko’s pasts become clear, with Aang’s discovery of his Avatar status quickly leading to his fateful freezing in the storm. At the same time, Zuko’s story unfolds, revealing the tragic consequences of his defiance. Kev and Mike debate what’s worse: the way the grumpy fisherman talks to his wife or adults literally hitting children.

Katara reassures Aang that he gives people hope, while Iroh reminds the crew that, in his own way, the Avatar also gives Zuko hope. And speaking of Iroh—this episode delivers an incredible moment as he redirects lightning for the first time, proving just how powerful he is as a firebender.

For the first time in a while, we see Aang enter the Avatar State, heightening the emotional weight of the episode. Though Kev initially feels this is one of the weaker episodes, talking it through with Mike helps him appreciate it more. Mike, however, notes that for many fans, The Storm is a top-tier episode of Season 1, leading to some fun debate. They also touch on the fascinating way the Air Nomads determine the next Avatar, which mirrors how the Dalai Lama is chosen.

And finally, Kev completely loses his ability to pronounce “Zuko,” proving that even in an intense episode, there’s always room for some laughs.

Find Mike

Tellest.com | Twitter @tellest | Facebook @tellestbooks | Twitch @ThatTellestGuy | Etsy | Patreon

Find Kev

ThatNerdyKev.com | Starbird Media, LLC | Everything is Awesome | Get 'Em Next Year | @ThatNerdyKev on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Twitch

Find Avatar State Radio

AvatarStateRadio.com | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon

Our intro music is The Voyage by Audionaut