The Crossroads of Destiny: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:08, 5 December 2006

Latest revision as of 13:08, 12 June 2025

(502 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)

Line 1:

{{InfoboxShort description|The finale of the second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender episode}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}

| name = The Crossroads of Destiny

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

| image = [[image:Rossroadsaangkatara7.jpg|284px]]

| caption = Katara holds the fallen Aang.

| book = Two: Earth

| chapter = Twenty

| episode_num = Forty

| prod_num = 220

| date = [[December 1]], [[2006]]

| writer = [[Aaron Ehasz]]

| director = [[Michael Dante DiMartino]]

| guest =

| prev = [[The Guru (Avatar: The Last Airbender episode)|The Guru]]

| next = [[to be determined|TBA]]

}}

{{wikiquote|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Chapter 20: The Crossroads of Destiny|The Crossroads of Destiny}}

'''"The Crossroads of Destiny"''' is an [[List of Avatar: The Last Airbender episodes|episode]] from the animated television series ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'', which airs on [[Nickelodeon (TV channel)|Nickelodeon]]. It is the twentieth episode of the second season of the series, and in conjunction with episode 19, The Guru, this episode forms the Season Two Finale.

{{Infobox television episode

Everyone races against time to stop [[Azula]]'s sinister conquest of [[Ba Sing Se]]. [[Zuko]] and [[Katara]] spend time together in an unexpected way. [[Aang]]'s destiny hangs in the balance - and so does Zuko's, as [[Iroh]] tells him.

| series = [[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]

| image = Aang's death, from The Crossroads of Destiny.png

| image_size =

| caption = The climax of the episode sees the death of main character [[Aang]] by a lightning strike fired by Princess [[Azula]]. The moment is considered one of the most shocking moments in the series.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}

| season = 2

| episode = 20

| airdate = {{Start date|2006|12|01}}

| production = 220

| writer = [[Aaron Ehasz]]

| director = [[Michael Dante DiMartino]]

| music =

* [[Benjamin Wynn|Ben Wynn]]

* [[Jeremy Zuckerman]]

| photographer =

| guests =

* [[Phil LaMarr]] as the Earth King

* [[Clancy Brown]] as Long Feng

* [[Brian George]] as Guru Pathik

| season_article = Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2

| episode_list = List of Avatar: The Last Airbender episodes

| prev = [[Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2#ep39|The Guru]]

| next = [[Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3#ep41|The Awakening]]

}}

"'''The Crossroads of Destiny'''" is the twentieth and [[season finale|final]] episode of the [[Avatar: The Last Airbender (season 2)|second season]] of the American [[animated cartoon|animated]] [[television series]] ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'', and the 40th episode overall. The show follows [[Aang]] ([[Zach Tyler Eisen]]), the last airbender and the “Avatar”, on his journey to bring balance to a war-torn world by mastering all [[Classical element|four elements]]: air, water, earth, and fire. On his quest, he is joined by companions [[Katara (Avatar: The Last Airbender)|Katara]] ([[Mae Whitman]]), [[Sokka]] ([[Jack DeSena]]), and [[Toph Beifong]] ([[Michaela Jill Murphy|Jessie Flower]]), and hunted down by Fire Nation prince [[Zuko]] ([[Dante Basco]]) and princess [[Azula]] ([[Grey DeLisle]]). The episode was written by head writer [[Aaron Ehasz]] and directed by co-creator [[Michael Dante DiMartino]].

The episode, written by [[Aaron Ehasz]] and directed by series co-creator [[Michael Dante DiMartino]], follows Aang returning to the city of Ba Sing Se, which Azula has now taken over, to rescue Katara. It also follows Zuko having to make the choice between joining Azula or turning away from the Fire Nation. The episode premiered on [[Nickelodeon]] on December 1, 2006, immediately after the previous episode, "[[Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2#ep39|The Guru]]". It received universal acclaim with praise for its visuals, fight choreography, emotional moments, pacing, storytelling, and dark tone when compared to the remainder of the series. It is named by many as one of the best episodes of the show, and is considered "the ''[[The Empire Strikes Back|Empire Strikes Back]]'' of the series" in regards to its [[Cliffhanger|cliffhanger ending]].<ref name="ESB of ATLA">{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Re-Avatar State: "The Guru" & "The Crossroads of Destiny" |url=https://the-avocado.org/2020/07/24/re-avatar-state-the-guru-the-crossroads-of-destiny/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=The Avocado |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Plot Synopsis==

{{spoilers}}

The episode begins with [[Sokka]] and [[Aang]] both hurrying back to [[Ba Sing Se]] on Appa; as they fly along, they spot a huge dust cloud moving very fast. When they get close, they see it is [[Toph]], who is using [[Earthbender|Earthbending]] to get back as quickly as she can. After scaring her and watching her crash, they pick her up and fly to Ba Sing Se, trying quickly to get there to see if [[Katara]] is all right. When asked if he had mastered the Avatar State, Aang lies to the others, saying that he has mastered it.

== Plot ==

Meanwhile, deep underground, Azula---who has been given control of the [[List of Avatar: The Last Airbender minor secondary characters#Dai Li|Dai Li]] by [[Long Feng#Long Feng|Long Feng]] for the planned coup---works quickly to establish her position of leadership and make them fear her: She tells them all that soon the Earth King will lock them away, just as he did to Long Feng. She also warns them that if she senses so much as a ounce of disloyalty, or weakness, or hesitation, she will not hesitate to remove it. This inspirational fear is shown later on when one agent visits Long Feng, and when asked about Azula, says that she is "both terrifying and inspirational."

[[Sokka]] and [[Aang]] hurry back to Ba Sing Se on [[Appa (Avatar: The Last Airbender)|Appa]] to rescue [[Katara (Avatar: The Last Airbender)|Katara]] who has been captured by [[Azula]], Mai, and Ty Lee.{{efn|name=The Guru|As depicted in the previous episode "[[Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2#ep39|The Guru]]".}} They pick up [[Toph Beifong|Toph]] along the way who is also travelling to the city. While riding on Appa, Aang lies to Sokka and Toph claiming he has mastered the Avatar State, when in actuality he was told by Guru Pathik that until he opens his [[Sahasrara|final chakra]] he will not be able to enter the Avatar State at all.{{efn|name=The Guru}} In the city, [[Zuko]] and [[Iroh]], under the belief they have been invited to serve the Earth King tea, are approached by Azula who aims to capture them. Iroh manages to hold them off for them to escape, but Zuko turns back looking to fight Azula himself. Instead, he is captured and thrown underground into an underground cave called the Crystal Catacombs where he meets Katara.

Aang, Sokka, and Toph return to their apartment to find it is empty and Katara is nowhere to be found. Iroh arrives asking for help with finding Zuko, and Aang agrees. After Toph interrogates a Dai Li agent, he gives up the ___location of Zuko and Katara and the group begin to plan a rescue effort. Sokka and Toph go to rescue the Earth King Kuei, but Azula holds him hostage after the two find out Mai and Ty Lee are not Kyoshi Warriors. After Sokka and Toph are arrested, Long Feng, who has been freed from prison, arrives and orders to arrest Azula. However, Azula explains that the Dai Li serve her now as they recognize the "divine right to rule", something you are born with and cannot achieve through conniving and trickery like Long Feng did. Long Feng surrenders and bows to Azula as she takes the Earth King's throne.

[[Iroh]] and [[Zuko]] arrive at the Earth King's palace, on the esteem invitation they received to serve him tea. Iroh remarks that many times, he has envisioned himself at the threshold of the Palace, but rather as a conqueror, instead of the king's guest: He laughs and says that Destiny has a funny way of working. While waiting for the King, the two become somewhat apprehensive, and Zuko suspects something is wrong. A circle of Dai Li agents surround Iroh and Zuko, and it quickly is revealed to be a plot by Azula. Zuko takes a defensive stance; however, Iroh takes a different approach. He calmly ask Azula if she ever heard why Iroh earned the nickname, “Dragon of the West,” to which Azula just waves him off and says she has no time for lengthy anecdotes. Iroh rubs his beard, and sarcastically remarks that this is actually more of a demonstration: A quick sip of tea and Iroh begins shooting fire out of his mouth like a [[dragon]]. The two begin their escape, dodging bullets of earth fired by the Dai Li and Iroh destroys a wall with a blast of flame and lightning. He leaps out of the Palace, lands on the ground and tells Zuko that they must escape. However, Zuko decides that it is time to end this running away and turns to fight Azula. After Zuko challenges her to an [[Agni Kai]], she turns him down and turns her back. Zuko fires off a fireball, which is blocked by the Dai Li, who manage to capture him with their gloves.

Aang and Iroh walk through the underground tunnels to find Katara and Zuko. Aang lets him know about how he turned down cosmic energy over his love for Katara,{{efn|name=The Guru}} to which Iroh gives him the advice that "sometimes life is like this dark tunnel... but if you just come moving forward, you will come to a better place" just as the two enter the Crystal Catacombs. Katara expresses her hatred towards Zuko, claiming that when she thinks of the Fire Nation his face appears and that he doesn't know what the war cost her, telling him she lost her mother. Zuko shares that his mother was lost to the Fire Nation too{{efn|As depicted in the episode "[[Zuko Alone]]".}} and the two bond. Katara tells Zuko she could heal his scar using the water she got from the Spirit Oasis, which has special healing properties.{{efn|As depicted in the episode "[[Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2#ep21|The Avatar State]]".}} However, Aang and Iroh arrive before she can do so. While Aang and Katara escape, Iroh tries convincing Zuko to look inwards and choose good, claiming this is his "Crossroads of Destiny." Azula arrives and tempts Zuko into helping her, claiming if he does so he can reclaim his honor and their father, Ozai will accept him back in the Fire Nation, before going after Aang and Katara leaving him to choose.

[[Image:The Dragon of the West.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Iroh demonstrating why he was called "The Dragon of the West".]]

Meanwhile, the gang arrives in Ba Sing Se and goes to see the Earth King, who tells them not to worry: Katara is fine, and after the meeting with the Council of Five, she decided to go with the [[Earth Kingdom#Kyoshi Island Warriors|Kyoshi Warriors]] still unaware that they are actually [[Azula]], [[Ty Lee]] and [[Mai]] in disguise. When the team goes to their house, they find it empty and they realize Katara is indeed in danger.

Azula engages Aang and Katara in a fight in the Crystal Catacombs, while Sokka and Toph escape from their cell with the Earth King and they later liberate Bosco, the Earth King's pet bear, from Mai and Ty Lee. Zuko joins Azula in the fight in the Catacombs, betraying Katara. As the fight becomes too intense due to the Dai Li agents joining to fight against Aang and Katara, Aang creates a hut out of the crystals and attempts to unlock his final chakra. He rises into the air, but before he can let go of Katara and gain control of the Avatar State, Azula shoots Aang down with a lightning bolt to the back, killing him and wiping the Avatar Spirit from the plane of existence. Consequently, Aang fails to clear the last chakra and master the Avatar State, leaving his attachment to Katara intact.<ref>From older Avatar: The Last Airbender official site, originally on Nick.com. Encyclopedia now broken, archived at [https://atla-lore-archive.tumblr.com/post/170957721910/gear-celestial-avatar-spirit-aang-this-colossal The Lost Lore of Avatar Aang - Gear: Celestial Avatar Spirit Aang].</ref> Katara manages to catch Aang before he hits the ground and Iroh fends off the Dai Li agents while Katara escapes with Aang's corpse. Iroh is taken into custody while Katara uses the water from the Spirit Oasis to bring back Aang to life. As Azula reassures a distraught Zuko that he has gained his own honor by helping her and betraying his uncle, Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Kuei look on Ba Sing Se as the latter sadly states that "the Earth Kingdom has fallen."

As the gang searches the apartment, Toph senses someone at the door, but she soon knows who it is after a knock. She tells Aang and Sokka that it is an old friend of hers, and as she opens the door, we find out it is Iroh. Toph recognizes and welcomes him (having met him earlier in "[[The Chase (Avatar: The Last Airbender)|The Chase]]" without ever discovering his identity), and once inside, Iroh asks if he can come in. He tells them that Azula has captured Zuko, and he says that he needs their help. Sokka grows defensive, and does not want to save Zuko; however, after Aang puts the whole image into perspective, Sokka changes his mind and the gang heads outside. Once there, they trap the captured Dai Li agent (caught by Iroh) in a pinch of rocks, and after Sokka’s questioning, the gang learn that Katara is being held in a secret underground cave that is part of Old Ba Sing Se.

== Credits ==

Katara stands in a dark, crystal-lighted cave when suddenly a light shows: Above, a slab of rock slides away and the Dai Li tell her she now has company. We find that it is Zuko, and when he first comes into the cave Katara becomes defensive. She is initially furious to see him; she begins ranting about how Zuko is "a terrible person" always following them, trying to capture the world's last hope for peace, and how she thinks that him being in the cell is a trap. She tells him that all he cares about is capturing the Avatar, and how spreading war and hatred is in his blood. When she says that he does not know the pain of the Fire Nation killing her mother, Zuko apologizes, and says that this is something they both have in common, softening her slowly.

Main cast members [[Zach Tyler Eisen]], [[Mae Whitman]], [[Jack DeSena]], [[Michaela Jill Murphy|Jessie Flower]], [[Dante Basco]] and [[Dee Bradley Baker]] appear as the voices of [[Aang]], [[Katara (Avatar: The Last Airbender)|Katara]], [[Sokka]], [[Toph Beifong]], [[Zuko]], and [[Appa (Avatar: The Last Airbender)|Appa]] respectively. Appearing as guests are [[Mako (actor)|Mako]] as Zuko's uncle [[Iroh]], [[Phil LaMarr]] as the Earth King, [[Clancy Brown]] as the villainous Long Feng, [[Grey DeLisle]] as Fire Nation princess and Zuko's sister [[Azula]], Cricket Leigh as Azula's knife-throwing friend Mai, [[Olivia Hack]] as Azula's acrobatic friend Ty Lee, and [[Brian George]] as Guru Pathik, who only appears through archive recordings from [[Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2#ep39|the previous episode]].<ref name="TV Guide Cast">{{cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/avatar-airbender/cast/194673 |title=Avatar: The Last Airbender Cast and Details |publisher=[[TV Guide (magazine)|TVGuide.com]] |access-date=November 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216072355/http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/avatar-airbender/cast/194673 |archive-date=16 December 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> The episode marks the final episode where Iroh is voiced by Mako due to his death in July 2006.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 25, 2006|title=Mako, 72, Actor Who Extended Asian-American Roles, Dies|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/25/arts/25mako.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=April 8, 2024|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613213303/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/25/arts/25mako.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He is replaced in [[Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3|the third season]] by [[Greg Baldwin]], who also voiced the character for brief pieces of dialogue throughout episodes of the second season, including this episode.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cultureslate.com/editorials/exclusive-interview-greg-baldwin-voice-of-the-second-uncle-iroh |title=Exclusive Interview: Greg Baldwin Voice Of The Second Uncle Iroh |publisher=Culture Slate |access-date=April 8, 2024 }}</ref>

The episode was directed by co-creator [[Michael Dante DiMartino]] and written by head writer [[Aaron Ehasz]].<ref name="TV Guide Cast" />

Outside the Palace, the gang discovers (with Toph’s help) that there is indeed a huge underground city, and Sokka begins planning: While Toph and Sokka go to warn the Earth King about the coup, Iroh and Aang are sent to rescue Katara and Zuko. Traveling down a tunnel to this prison, Aang mentions that Toph says Iroh gives great advice and tea (To which Iroh says the key is Proper Aging with a laugh) and tells him of the events of his meeting with Guru Pathik. When questioning his choice, and saying how he doubts his abilities without the Avatar State, Iroh suggests that Aang was very wise to choose happiness and love over power and perfection, which are both overrated in his opinion. Iroh tells Aang that Life is much like the dark tunnel they are in: You can’t always see the light at the end, but if you keep moving, you will come to a better place.

== Production ==

[[Image:Held at Flame point.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Azula threatens to kill the Earth King.]]

The animation for the episode was done by JM Animation.

Outside of the palace, Sokka and Toph soon see General Hao, but before they can say anything, the Dai Li place him under house arrest. At that very moment, every general is arrested, be it at their homes, walking the palace, or standing in the War Room, huge chains of metal come forth and snap them away. The two make it into the Throne Room, and they reveal to the Earth King that the girls are not Kyoshi Warriors: Upon seeking Sokka, Ty Lee starts to flirt with him, but he says that he is involved with [[List of Avatar: The Last Airbender major secondary characters#Suki|Suki]]. Ty Lee does not know who Suki is, which exposes them and Toph throws her to the side with some rocks. Mai, realizing that their identities were exposed, threw a hail of ornate shurikens at Toph, who blocked them with a wall of earth. Ty Lee begins to “fight” Sokka, but it becomes more of a flirting session, with her taking it so lightly on him and laughing and saying it is like they are dancing. However, the fighting is in vain, as Azula soon has the King at flame point. Sokka and Toph give up immediately, and are soon disabled by Ty Lee.

According to head writer Aaron Ehasz, Zuko was originally supposed to join Team Avatar in this episode. However, as they neared the end of writing it, Ehasz decided against it, claiming that "he still wasn't ready."<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 14, 2019 |title=Aaron Ehasz's Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/aaronehasz/status/1096096868994433024 |access-date=April 8, 2024 |publisher=[[Twitter]]}}</ref>

Long Feng appears and immediately orders the Dai Li to arrest Azula; however, to his shock, they do not comply. Azula happily explains the situation to Long Feng; the Dai Li are unsure, and don't know which of them is more powerful. She guesses (accurately) that he is lower class by birth, but had managed to get his power through incredible work all his life; however, she declares that she has “[[Divine Right of Kings| divine right to rule,]]” and confidently takes the Earth King's throne. Long Feng surrenders, bowing to Azula, and saying how she beat him at his own game. Azula smugly replies, “Don’t flatter yourself. You were never even a player."

The episode, as the season finale, looked to tie up many plot points established earlier in the season. The biggest one was [[Zuko]]'s choice between joining [[Azula]] or doing good with [[Iroh]], with the title of the episode being taken from Iroh's quote about how Zuko has reached his "Crossroads of Destiny".

[[Image:Avatar Zuko and Katara.png|200px|thumb|right|Katara and Zuko talk of possibly healing Zuko's scar.]]

Down below in their prison, Katara apologizes to Zuko for how she yelled at him, and tells him that for a long time, whenever she saw the face of the enemy, she saw Zuko’s face. He turns away, touching his scar, assuming she was referencing his scar: A mark he feels that was once symbol to his banishment, and to his “destiny” of chasing the Avatar forever. However, he has gained Katara's trust to the point where she offers to heal his scar using the water from the Spirit Oasis: However, before she can do anything, Aang and Iroh show up both of them embracing Katara and Zuko, respectively.

The way Katara holds Aang's lifeless body after he is struck down by Azula's lightning closely resembles [[Michelangelo|Michelangelo's]] [[Pietà (Michelangelo)|''Pietà'']], a famous sculpture of the [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Virgin Mary]] holding her dead son, [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]], after he is brought down from the cross. Aang's fatal injury and subsequent revival as the savior of the world mirror the [[Crucifixion of Jesus|death]] and [[Resurrection of Jesus|resurrection]] of Jesus Christ in [[Christianity]], while Katara's role as a mother figure to Aang is emphasized through her parallel to the Virgin Mary.<ref>{{Cite web |title="The Crossroads of Destiny" with Michael DiMartino and Zach Tyler Eisen - Avatar: Braving the Elements |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-avatar-braving-the-elemen-83488502/episode/the-crossroads-of-destiny-with-michael-111658699/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=iHeart |language=en}}</ref>

Zuko and Aang exchange glares, and Zuko grows angry that Iroh was with the Avatar, and Iroh sends Katara and Aang off to help Sokka and Toph. Iroh then explains to Zuko that he is a different and changed man, stronger and wiser than ever before. He tells Zuko that he is now at, “The Crossroads of your Destiny,” and that for once, it is time for him to choose Good. However, a mass of crystals entraps Iroh, and Azula emerges. She says that she expected this sort of treachery from Iroh, but not from her brother. She begins to poison his mind, feeding him tales of how this is the most glorious day in Fire Nation history, and that if he joins her, Zuko will gain back his father’s love and honor. Iroh begs Zuko to not listen to Azula, telling him that the kind of redemption Azula is offering is not the redemption for him, but Azula continues to plot, telling Zuko how she has planned everything, and that they will only win if he joins her. Iroh begs even more, for Zuko to look deep inside his heart and see what he truly wants. Azula sends the Dai Li away, and tells Zuko that he can chose whatever he wants, and she walks away; leaving him to ponder the two sides of the coin.

== Reception ==

Aang and Katara rush to save Toph and Sokka, however, Azula fires a bolt of fire at them. A battle ensues between Aang, Katara, and Azula, and just as Aang and Katara have her cornered Zuko shows up. After a brief moment of dramatic tension, Zuko begins fighting on Azula's side, to everyone’s amazement. The two pairs continue to fight, each using masterful moves of bending, from Katara’s liquid entrapments, which serve as extensions of her own arms, capturing Azula (until Zuko fires away the water), to Zuko’s Fire Whips (which seem to imitate the Water Whips) for a while. In the midst of the battle, the two pairs switch off, with Zuko now fighting Katara, both using element whips on opposite sides of a river, creating a yin-yang impression. Katara expresses her angry disappointment in Zuko, how she thought he had changed. He replies inscrutably, "I have changed." Aang and Azula charge at one another, similar to a [[jousting]] match: Azula using flames like jets and Aang creating a suit of armor out of crystals and then charging forth. However, Azula sends a blast of fire, sending Aang soaring into the air.

The episode received universal acclaim from fans and critics and is considered one of the best episodes of the show.{{efn|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Holub |first1=Christian |last2=Yang |first2=Rachel |date=August 1, 2020 |title=The 15 best episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender |url=https://ew.com/tv/ranking-avatar-the-last-airbender/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Nicholson |first1=Max |date=January 25, 2024 |title=The 10 Best Avatar: The Last Airbender Episodes |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/best-avatar-the-last-airbender-episodes |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Vicary |first1=Katie |title=10 OF 'AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER'S' BEST EPISODES |url=https://www.arc.unsw.edu.au/blitz/read/10-of-avatar-the-last-airbenders-best-episodes |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=Arc @ UNSW |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Rusak |first1=Rotem |date=January 31, 2024 |title=THE 9 BEST EPISODES OF AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER |url=https://nerdist.com/article/avatar-the-last-airbender-best-episodes/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=The Nerdist |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mae Healy |first=Millie |date=December 21, 2020 |title=Every Episode of 'Avatar: The Last Airbender,' Ranked |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2020/12/21/artsrank-ATLA/ |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=[[The Harvard Crimson]] |archive-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824104029/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2020/12/21/artsrank-ATLA/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Possehl |first1=Eddie |date=October 21, 2023 |title=The 10 Best 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Episodes According to IMDb |url=https://collider.com/avatar-the-last-airbender-best-episodes-imdb/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Harkin |first1=Chris |date=December 26, 2023 |title=Avatar: The Last Airbender – 10 Best Episodes |url=https://gamerant.com/avatar-the-last-airbender-best-episodes/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=GameRant |language=en-US}}</ref>ref>{{Cite web |last1=Cheeda |first1=Sam |date=March 1, 2022 |title=Avatar The Last Airbender: Top 10 Episodes, Ranked |url=https://screenrant.com/avatar-the-last-airbender-best-episodes-ranked/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref>}} It was watched by 4.4 million viewers alongside the previous episode "[[Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2#ep39|The Guru]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ratingsryan.com/2020/12/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20070610.html |title=Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending June 10, 2007 |website=Ratings Ryan}}</ref>

Hayden Childs of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' praised the episode, commenting:

Back in the Palace, Ty Lee is trying to teach Bosco the Bear how to walk on his front legs, but soon she is trapped by Toph in an awkward position. Toph and Sokka take a fighting stance against Mai, who in her nonchalantness, simply says, “Just take the bear,” and the King reunites happily with his pet.

{{Cquote|"As we head into the final moments of season two, it becomes apparent that this season was about defeat. In season one, almost every episode involved the Aang Gang overcoming adversity through their own skill or, at the very least, blind luck. In season two, Aang has failed to tell Katara his feelings, failed to free Bumi, failed to defeat Azula, lost Appa for seven out of 20 episodes, failed to defeat the Dai Li, failed to protect the Earth King, failed to secure the Earth Kingdom’s armies for their planned invasion of the Fire Nation, failed to master his chakras, and, most importantly, failed to draw breath for a good long number of minutes."<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Childs |first1=Hayden |date=December 6, 2011 |title=Avatar: The Last Airbender: "The Guru"/"The Crossroads Of Destiny" |url=https://www.avclub.com/avatar-the-last-airbender-the-guru-the-crossroads-1798170764 |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |language=en-US}}</ref>}}

Max Nicholson of ''[[IGN]]'' gave the episode a rating of 9.5 out of 10, writing that the episode was "equal parts action-packed and emotional, from the Crystal Catacombs showdown to Zuko's inner conflict" and that it "delivered on almost every single level, ending on a suitably dark note."<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Nicholson |first1=Max |date=July 31, 2015 |title=Avatar: The Last Airbender - "The Crossroads of Destiny" Flashback Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/07/31/avatar-the-last-airbender-the-crossroads-of-destiny-flashback-review |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

Underground, the fight continues on, with Katara taking on both Zuko and Azula, before Aang manages to stand back up from being thrown earlier. He slams into the ground, creating a tidal wave of Earth barreling towards Azula and Zuko, but he is stopped by the Dai Li. Soon they are joined by dozens of Dai Li agents, and Katara assumes the Octopus stance. Horribly outmatched, Aang realizes there is no other choice and does the only thing he can think of---creating a quick crystal shelter with Earthbending, he meditates, and sadly releases his attachment to Katara in order to enter the Avatar State. He then rises into the air, but before he can attack, Azula shoots him down with a lightning bolt to the back. At that moment, the Avatar Spirit falls from the plane of existence. As Aang falls back to the ground, Katara creates a huge wave by [[Waterbender|Waterbending]], and manages to scatter the Dai Li, Zuko, and Azula; and catch him before he hits the ground. Holding him in tears, she is defenseless, but Iroh suddenly appears. He tells the two to escape, and that he will hold off Azula and the others as long as he can. Once they escape, Iroh surrenders himself to the Dai Li, and exchanges a look with Zuko: He glares right into his eyes, before turning his head in absolute shame.

[[Image:Iroh Shame.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Iroh ashamed of Zuko's decision.]]

=== Comparisons to ''The Empire Strikes Back'' ===

The episode and the previous, ''The Guru'', have been often compared to the 1980 film ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' in how it presents an ending to the second part of a trilogy where the heroes lose. Aang ([[Luke Skywalker|Luke]]) leaves Pathik ([[Yoda]]) after seeing a vision of Katara ([[Princess Leia|Leia]]) in trouble despite Pathik telling him that his Avatar ([[Jedi]]) training must be finished before he leaves. Aang (Luke) makes the wrong choice to abandon his training with Pathik (Yoda) to go save Katara (Leia), and is defeated. Similar to how Luke has his hand severed, Aang is left with lightning scars. Both Aang and Luke suffer from the psychological impacts of their failures in the third installments of their respective series.{{efn|[[Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2|Book Two: Earth]] is the second part of the overall show which is presented in a trilogy of seasons, and ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' is the second part of the [[Star Wars original trilogy|original Star Wars trilogy]].}}

Jeremy from The Avocado writes:

The entire group manages to escape; while flying away on Appa, Katara uses her Spirit Oasis water to heal Aang, who initially appeared dead. With a quick flash of light, nothing occurs, and Katara begins to cry and holds Aang close. Then Aang’s tattoos glow shortly and he opens his eyes and smiles at her. Overwhelmed and relieved that he is okay, Katara embraces him closer.

{{Cquote|"At the end of The Empire Strikes back we learn that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father. Arguably the defining narrative twist of the last forty years. A moment that undercuts all expectations for a flash of total shock and defeat for our heroes. What’s amazing about “The Crossroads of Destiny” is that Avatar is able to replicate the feeling of, “I am your father,” without relying on a particular crutch. There are no grand revelations or secret identities. Just one simple question: will Zuko help Iroh or Azula?"<ref name="ESB of ATLA"/>}}

Ian Cardona of [[Screen Rant]] made multiple comparisons between the two, stating that:

[[Image:Aang lives.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Aang survives the lightning.]]

{{Cquote|"In the sequel to [[Star Wars (film)|A New Hope]], [[Luke Skywalker|Luke]], [[Han Solo|Han]] and [[Princess Leia|Leia]] found themselves on the run from a more menacing [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Empire]] in a film that was much darker and more spiritual than its predecessor. The [[Rebel Alliance|Rebels]] were on the run from the Empire at every turn, and Luke learned more about the Force -- just as Aang learned about the Avatar. In fact, Luke learned about the Force and trained with [[Yoda]] on [[Dagobah]], while Aang learned to harness the powers of the Avatar from Guru Pathik at the Eastern Air Temple. And just as Luke interrupted his training following a vision of his friends in trouble, Aang also left his spiritual quest unfinished after experiencing a vision of Katara in danger. But most importantly, while Season 1 of Avatar and A New Hope both conclude with the heroes victorious, Season 2 and The Empire Strikes Back end with a crushing defeat."<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Cardona |first1=Ian |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 Was Basically the Series' Empire Strikes Back |url=https://www.cbr.com/avatar-the-last-airbender-season-2-empire-strikes-back/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en-US}}</ref>}}

Meanwhile, in the palace Zuko frets over "betraying Uncle." However, Azula reassures him, by telling him that it was actually Uncle that betrayed them, not the other way around. Zuko then asks Azula about returning to the Fire Nation, raising his doubts about being accepted and having his honor restored since he does not have the Avatar. Azula again reassures him by saying that he "restored his own honor", though Zuko still seems unsure. Azula is firmly in control of the city, and as the Earth King, Bosco, Momo, Toph, Sokka, Katara, and Aang fly away, the Earth King looks back and sadly announces "The Earth Kingdom... has fallen."

== Notes ==

{{Notelist}}

*The Crossroads of Destiny was aired with [[The Guru (Avatar: The Last Airbender episode)|The Guru]] as the second part of the second season finale.

*We learn that [[Iroh]] got his nickname of "The Dragon of the West" not because of one particular incident or because of his ferocity in combat, but rather because of his aptitude at breathing fire.

*The way Katara is holding Aang's body after he is struck by lightning slightly resembles the [[Pietà]] sculpture by Michaelangelo.

* The dream that Zuko had of the red and blue dragons in "[[The Earth King]]" mirrors the argument between Iroh and Azula over Zuko's will.

*While Aang was falling after being struck in the back by Azula's lightning, a burn mark is visible on his left foot, most likely showing the way the lightning traveled from Aang's body to the ground.

== External Links ==

[http://tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?episodeid=6106353&tvobjectid=194673&more=ucepisodelist TV Guide] has information on the episode along with the [http://www.nick.com/all_nick/tv_shows/tv_schedule2k3.jhtml?_requestid=1558012 Nick.com TV schedule.]

== References ==

{{Avatar episode}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Avatar: The Last Airbender}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crossroads of Destiny, The}}

[[Category:Avatar: The Last Airbender episodes]]

[[Category:2006 American television episodes]]