A standout among Avatar's top installments receives a dedicated MTG special card drop.
Typically, recap episodes are loathed by fans as an unnecessary waste of time, or perhaps accepted as a requirement for series during the period of regular broadcasts. However, this wasn't the case, though Avatar: The Last Airbender proved it through "The Ember Island Players," a cherished installment from its final season which is now granted a dedicated Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair release.
Details about the Secret Lair
The complete Secret Lair superdrop for the soon-to-release Avatar: The Last Airbender edition was revealed earlier this month. Containing five distinct sets, and although a set named "My Cabbages!" is an admittedly funny homage to Avatar's best background character, the remaining sets feel a bit uninspired, with one notable exception: "The Ember Island Players."
Drawing from installment 17 from season 3 of Avatar: The Last Airbender, this Secret Lair includes the following cards:
- 1x Phantasmal Image as "Absolutely Accurate Actor"
- 1x Braid of Fire
- 1x Cursed Mirror
- 1x Mask of Memory
- 1x Thespian's Stage
What makes this episode remains memorable
Viewers of Avatar clearly recall this episode, which functioned as a recap of the protagonist Aang and his companions' quest leading up to the conclusion. Different from other recap episodes, or retrospective segments, "The Ember Island Players" did not stem by budget restrictions or creative challenges. The producers specifically aimed to give fans a moment to reflect on the overall plot, however, they opted to execute it with flair.
In the episode, the main characters view a stage show inspired by their adventures on a stage on Ember Island, called The Boy in the Iceberg. The entire performance is wildly exaggerated, melodramatic, and utterly comical. It works as it plays on the characters' views regarding their own identities, contrasting them compared to how society (and particularly the Fire Nation citizens) perceives them. It has the right amount of meta-commentary, and it results in possibly the top rendition of Avatar we have had.
Appeal and cost
In terms of value, this is a great Secret Lair because of one major element: Braid of Fire. This specific card sells between $20 and $40 on various platforms at the time of writing, and for $29.99 you can snag the entire Secret Lair, or for $39.99 for the premium foil treatment.
Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender edition can be accessed during early access events on Nov. 14 and debuts internationally come November 21.
