Nickelodeon has a treat in store for those missing Avatar: The Last Airbender, sharing the unaired pilot for the series during a recent Twitch stream! The animated show aired from 2005-2008 and is among Nickelodeon's most popular. It follows Aang, the Avatar able to bend water, Earth, fire, and air, the four elements. He and his friends work together to end the war between the Fire Nation and others. Though Avatar: The Last Airbender was beloved during its original run, it's gone on to become a full-blown franchise, including graphic novels.
The series led to a spinoff show, The Legend of Korra, that aired from 2012-2014. There was also a live-action film adaptation from M. Night Shyamalan in 2010, though it was panned by critics. More recently, Netflix has been working on an Avatar: The Last Airbender TV series that would similarly be in live-action. However, original creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko recently announced they departed the series earlier this summer over creative differences. Though that's a blow to fans of the franchise, Nickelodeon provided a special surprise that should cheer them up.
This week, the network streamed the unaired test pilot for Avatar: The Last Airbender on Twitch, which is still available as of this writing. The pilot, which is surprisingly dark, was originally used to pitch the series and never actually aired on Nickelodeon. However, it has been made available for purchase before on iTunes, as well as in certain DVD sets. Some have also uploaded the episode to YouTube in chunks, though it hasn't been made available in an official capacity. The pilot begins at the 39:55 mark in the video here.
The pilot opens with an intro similar to the official series. It then follows Aang, Katara (originally called Kya) and Sokka as they go on the run from Prince Zuko and his Fire Nation warriors. Eventually, they get to an island to relax, unaware that it's under Fire Nation occupation. However, everything's a little sped up in the pilot — after the initial introduction, the episode introduces Aang, Kaya, and Sokka, who are in the middle of their adventures, as opposed to the team coming together after siblings Katara and Sokka discover Aang stuck in an iceberg in the hour-long premiere that aired in 2005. Momo also shows up in the pilot episode despite not appearing in the broadcast series until the third episode. Additionally, the serpent from the season two episode, “The Serpent’s Pass” also makes an appearance. That’s where Zuko comes in.
During a chase across a vast ocean, Aang and the others manage to escape the attacking serpent but Zuko and his ship end up face-to-face with the creature. We see Zuko prepare to strike, and the next thing you know this happens.
You’re not imagining things: That’s the decapitated head of the serpent being carried into the Fire Nation’s camp, tongue flapping, marked with burn marks from Zuko’s fatal attack. Sure, benders can do a hell of a lot of shit and it’s safe to assume there’s collateral damage, but it’s all handled offscreen. Not even Jet’s presumed death was shown because this is a show for kids. I’m guessing test audiences took one look at that flapping tongue and said, “no thank you,” and the show was altered to make any deaths incidental instead of right there in front of your decapitated face. Zuko, how could you?
You’re not imagining things: That’s the decapitated head of the serpent being carried into the Fire Nation’s camp, tongue flapping, marked with burn marks from Zuko’s fatal attack. Sure, benders can do a heck of a lot of stuff and it’s safe to assume there’s collateral damage, but it’s all handled offscreen. Not even Jet’s presumed death was shown because this is a show for kids. I’m guessing test audiences took one look at that flapping tongue and said, “no thank you,” and the show was altered to make any deaths incidental instead of right there in front of your decapitated face. Zuko, how could you?
The pilot episode comes in at just under 45 minutes, and there are several noticeable differences in the pilot: Sokka is rather antagonistic towards Aang, and Zuko is more ruthless.
Aang is voiced by future Hannah Montana star Mitchel Musso (he was replaced by Zach Tyler Eisen in ATLA).
There are some slight personality differences as well; Kya is less strong-willed and leans more on Aang in the unaired pilot than in the show, and the airbender was definitely not the schmoozer we got to see. Weirdly comforting though, is finding out that Zuko has always been angsty.
Some of the bending looks a bit different as well, particularly firebending.
The animation is also slightly less polished than the final product, and some characters have heavier accents and different designs. However, the glimmers of the finished product can be seen in this pilot. It clearly gave Nickelodeon a sense of Avatar: The Last Airbender's spirit, which was enough to earn it a green light. Considering the longevity of the franchise, the network made the right call. Executives could see the show would go on to become something special, even just from the pilot episode.
The pilot was released on Sunday as part of Nick’s The Last Airbender: Origins event, which dove into how the world of Avatar came to be. The special was narrated by creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. While the unaired pilot was previously available on DVD and iTunes, this is the first time Nickelodeon has shared it for free.
Along with the original pilot, the hour and 15 minute long special also includes behind the scenes moments with the animation studios JM Animation, DR Movie, and MOI Animation, who worked on the series. Fans who watched the show when it was on air will also recognize Sifu Kisu, who was the show's martial arts expert, who used to appear on commercial breaks to break down the different bending techniques.
Of course, series creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko also make an appearance breaking down the show's finale. Several mini specials are shown throughout, with the characters shown in adorable chibi style.
Although Kya wasn't used in the series, the name was later used in The Legend of Korra for Katara and Aang's daughter.
Though some may have already seen the pilot, it's smart of Nickelodeon to release it this way now. Many are disappointed about the recent live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender news, and this may take their minds off it. It's also a good reminder that, even if the upcoming series is disappointing, the original still exists for audiences to enjoy. Now, they also have easy access to the unaired pilot, showing where the story of Avatar: The Last Airbender began.
The original animated adventure series concluded with a widely lauded two-hour television movie in 2008, which is widely regarded to be one of the best series finales of all time.
Both Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra are available to watch on CBS All Access and Netflix. Fans can also catch "Avatar Extra" on Nicktoons for special airings of Avatar: The Last Airbender featuring extra information about the series.
The world of Avatar has continued to be expanded in Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra graphic novels from Dark Horse.
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More Nick: Netflix to Host Open Casting Call for Live-Action 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Series!
Originally published: Saturday, August 15, 2020.
Original source: ScreenRant; Additional source: CBR.com, We Got This Covered, Entertainment Weekly, IGN, Seventeen, io9, Polygon.
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