Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Final Airbender is brimming with applause-worthy cameos and Easter eggs that may flip followers into Pointing Rick Dalton.

And within the third episode of the collection, “Omashu,” there is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it element lurking within the background.

About 45 minutes in, Prince Zuko (Dallas James Liu) and Uncle Iroh (Paul Solar-Hyung Lee) are standing within the bustling metropolis of Omashu. The 2 Hearth Nation royals are in a conundrum. Due to Zuko’s scorching mood throughout his battle with Aang (Gordon Cormier), the prince has uncovered the presence of a firebender within the Earth Kingdom-run market. Guards begin surrounding them because the panicked crowd rushes previous to the gates. Realizing they will quickly be found, Iroh takes the autumn for his nephew, unleashing his firebending powers as a diversion and giving Zuko time to flee.

Uncle Iroh (Paul Solar-Hyung Lee) and Prince Zuko (Dallas James Liu) in Netflix’s “Avatar: The Final Airbender.”
Credit score: Robert Falconer / Netflix

Because the guards cower, you may see the market kiosk behind them. It is a cart promoting footwear and masks, together with a putting masks adorned with blue and white.

Followers will understand it because the Blue Spirit masks, which first seems within the animated collection episode of the identical identify. As Mashable’s Meera Navlakha writes, “Nobody can overlook the Blue Spirit, an alter ego Zuko adopted within the unique to help in masking himself from the Hearth Nation. The Netflix writers fortunately included this storyline, seamlessly adapting it into an episode all about hiding one’s id.”

The masks comes into play later, in episode 13 of the animated collection, “The Blue Spirit,” and episode 6 of the Netflix collection, “Masks.” Zuko makes use of it to disguise himself as he infiltrates the Pohuai stronghold, on a mission to rescue Aang from Commander Zhao (Ken Leung). Sporting a masks to seize the Avatar is not a simple factor for Zuko to do. Typically, he disapproves of covert terror techniques, telling Iroh within the Omashu market, “That is not proper. Warriors do not conceal their faces in a battle. Father would by no means approve.” However he cannot threat letting his father, Hearth Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim), know Zhao has one-upped him.

Away from the fortress, Aang unmasks a wounded Zuko, coming head to head together with his incessant pursuer. This discovery permits Zuko and Aang to have a cussed however real dialog during which the prince softens (just a little). It additionally makes the Avatar realise how related their predicaments are — expectations can crush you. It is on this episode we additionally get a flashback about Zuko’s previous and his father’s merciless remedy, which deepens our sense of his id even additional.

It is sort of unusual to see Zuko’s signature murderer masks being offered in an Earth Kingdom market within the live-action collection, nevertheless it’s a enjoyable hidden reference for followers to seek out. It is also a becoming nod to id, disguise, and risk for the younger prince.

Avatar: The Final Airbender is now streaming on Netflix.