1. THE ORDINARY WORLD. The hero, uneasy, uncomfortable or unaware, is introduced sympathetically so the audience can identify with the situation or dilemma. The hero is shown against a background of environment, heredity, and personal history. Some kind of polarity in the hero’s life is pulling in different directions and causing stress.
- Chilling in the Southern Air Temple (episode 3?)
2. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE. Something shakes up the situation, either from external pressures or from something rising up from deep within, so the hero must face the beginnings of change.
- “Aang… you, are the Avatar!” (also episode 3/12?)
3. REFUSAL OF THE CALL. The hero feels the fear of the unknown and tries to turn away from the adventure, however briefly. Alternately, another character may express the uncertainty and danger ahead.
- Runs away from air temple + denies his responsibility (Episode 12)
4. MEETING WITH THE MENTOR. The hero comes across a seasoned traveler of the worlds who gives him or her training, equipment, or advice that will help on the journey. Or the hero reaches within to a source of courage and wisdom.
-”Aang, I think, has several characters who fill this role. The most obvious is Roku, who gives Aang essential information about being The Avatar. Also obvious is Guru Pathik, who teaches Aang how to control his power. Less obvious, but no less important are Katara and Toph, who teach Aang how to bend water and earth.”
Aang has to travel to the Fire Temple to receive the message from Avatar Roku on the Winter Solstice. - epsiode 8
Katara, despite her limited training as a waterbender, begins teaching Aang episode 9
5. CROSSING THE THRESHOLD. At the end of Act One, the hero commits to leaving the Ordinary World and entering a new region or condition with unfamiliar rules and values.
- Water Tribe + future; Fire Nation War
- Episode 1, learning about the War
6. TESTS, ALLIES AND ENEMIES. The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special World.
Katara, Sokka - episode ½; agreeing to join/go on the search together
7. APPROACH. The hero and newfound allies prepare for the major challenge in the Special world.
Earth Kingdom - Search for training etc 21(season 2); reaching the Earth Kingdom
8. THE ORDEAL. Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear. Out of the moment of death comes a new life.
Katara’s death is faked and triggers the Avatar State
9. THE REWARD. The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death. There may be celebration, but there is also danger of losing the treasure again.
- Reciprocated feelings and a kiss
10. THE ROAD BACK. About three-fourths of the way through the story, the hero is driven to complete the adventure, leaving the Special World to be sure the treasure is brought home. Often a chase scene signals the urgency and danger of the mission.
- Back to Air Temple (out of necessity)
11. THE RESURRECTION. At the climax, the hero is severely tested once more on the threshold of home. He or she is purified by a last sacrifice, another moment of death and rebirth, but on a higher and more complete level. By the hero’s action, the polarities that were in conflict at the beginning are finally resolved.
Severely tested - won’t kill Ozai. Triggered to Avatar State (risk of death) and beginning conflicts (Fire Nation) is resolved
12. RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR. The hero returns home or continues the journey, bearing some element of the treasure that has the power to transform the world as the hero has been transformed.
- Fire Nation is defeated! Also transformed into an able and willing Avatar
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