Avatar Saved My Life During Quarantine
SECRET TUNNEL!!! SECRET TUNNEL!!
When quarantine started, my boyfriend and I discussed what if any long term project we would pick up while stuck inside. Woodworking? Scrapbooking? Maybe we would finally reach peak Bay Area couple status and learn to run in tandem. Alas, that did not happen. Instead, we streamed all three seasons of Avatar on Netflix. And before you freak out, I am not talking about the blue avatars or that shitty 2010 “live-action” M. Night Shyamalan movie. I’m talking about the animated Nickelodeon series, Avatar: The Last Airbender.
This all started when I had heard through the digital grapevine (Instagram), that Avatar was coming to Netflix. My boyfriend had never seen Avatar, so I jumped at the opportunity to share with him one of Nickelodeon’s greatest achievements outside of Spongebob Squarepants. I am sure you are reading this and asking yourself, Is this girl really 25? Yes, really, I am; a 25 year old with a deep love and appreciation for complex storylines in an unassuming world.
Avatar is an escapism masterpiece. My love for Avatar may seem out of left field for some, but in reality, it’s not so surprising when you look at the facts. The facts being:
- Donald Trump’s America is too terrifying to living in on a day to day basis
- Avatar: The Last Airbender is a cooler, kinder, more grounded universe in which young people have the agency to change the world with their natural-born gifts, and kick major ass
Avatar is set in a universe where individuals have the power to manipulate four major elements: earth, water, fire, and air. The show centers on Aang, a young boy who is the last living member of the air tribe, who has the power to stop the fire nation from taking over the world (remember, it is fiction).
These are true adventure stories at 20-ish minutes a pop. The character development is on TEN, not to mention the number of strong complex female characters; so many warrior baddies! Aang and his friends work through complex feelings while taking risks and exploring the world, alongside taking the time to TALK through the trials and tribulations of growing up alongside themes of gentrification, propaganda, war, poverty, classism, and genocide. I mean, hello the Fire Nation is trying to take over the world and make sure fire is the only celebrated element in America. *** I mean the world. It’s a ragtag classic tale about a gang of kids who fucking go out and just do it. We’re over here in Avatarland talking about past lives, healing, and proverbs! Avatar taught me how to clear my m-fucking chakras! With wholesome laugh out loud dialogue, beautifully distracting animation, and a killer soundtrack, Avatar is a must-see this COVID season.
I have always been a fan of escapism fantasy. i.e. the Harry Potter posters in my room growing up, the full collection of Glee downloaded to my iTunes or the fact that on a houseboat trip of fifteen drunk 25-year-olds, I was able to engage the entire boat in singing along to the Hamilton soundtrack. Escapism has always given me a safe space to run and hide regardless of my existing reality. Glee gave me the high school experience I craved. Harry Potter gave me the magic I couldn’t find inside myself (too bad J.K. Rowling is a complete asshole). Avatar has served me *25 and still escaping vibes*, and for the first time, instead of hiding it, I am sharing it, rather imploring you to give it a shot. My battle cry, if you will. Fuck, I literally was Katara for Halloween,
