Among Avatar's most beloved episodes receives a dedicated MTG Secret Lair.
Usually, summary installments are disliked by fans as an unnecessary time filler, or at best tolerated as a requirement for shows in the age of weekly production. That wasn't always the case, but Avatar: The Last Airbender demonstrated this through "The Ember Island Players," a beloved segment from its final season which is now granted an exclusive Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair release.
Information regarding the collector's edition
The full Secret Lair superdrop for the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender collection was revealed on November 4. Containing five separate collections, and while one titled "My Cabbages!" is clearly humorous tribute to Avatar's beloved recurring figure, the other collections seem somewhat uninspired, except for one standout: "The Ember Island Players."
Inspired by the seventeenth episode from season 3 of the beloved series, this Secret Lair includes these particular cards:
- 1x Phantasmal Image portrayed as "Absolutely Accurate Actor"
- 1x Braid of Fire
- 1x Cursed Mirror
- 1x Mask of Memory
- 1x Thespian's Stage
The reason this segment stands out
Audiences of the series fondly remember this episode, which served as a recap of Aang and the group's adventure leading up to the conclusion. Different from other recap episodes, or retrospective segments, "The Ember Island Players" wasn't motivated from financial limitations or production issues. The producers truly wanted to give fans an opportunity to reflect on the show's narrative, yet they chose to approach it inventively.
During the installment, the heroes observe a play inspired by their journeys at a playhouse set on Ember Island, titled The Boy in the Iceberg. The whole thing is inaccurate, over-the-top, and utterly comical. It succeeds since it plays with the characters' perception of themselves, juxtaposing them compared to how society (and particularly the Fire Nation citizens) sees them. It contains the perfect balance of self-awareness, and it results in possibly the finest interpretation of the series we have had.
Worth and pricing
In terms of value, this offers a fantastic Secret Lair due to one key factor: Braid of Fire. This specific card is valued between $20 and $40 through card retailers at the time of writing, while for $29.99 you can acquire the entire Secret Lair, or alternatively $39.99 for the shiny edition.
Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender collection can be accessed for advance previews on Nov. 14 and launches globally come November 21.
