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Ordinarily, clip shows face criticism by fans as a pointless time filler, or perhaps viewed as a necessity for series during the period of weekly production. That wasn't always the case, but Avatar: The Last Airbender proved it with "The Ember Island Players," a popular installment in its last season that is now getting a special Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair release.

Details regarding the collector's edition

The full Secret Lair superdrop for the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender collection was unveiled on November 4. Containing five separate collections, and although one titled "My Cabbages!" is certainly amusing nod to the series' best background character, the remaining sets feel a bit uninspired, except for one standout: "The Ember Island Players."

Based on the seventeenth episode of the third season of the beloved series, this special set contains the following cards:

• 1x Phantasmal Image portrayed as "Absolutely Accurate Actor"
• 1x Braid of Fire
• 1x Cursed Mirror
• 1x Mask of Memory
• 1x Thespian's Stage

What makes this segment is special

Viewers of Avatar clearly recall this particular episode, which acted as a summary of the protagonist Aang and his friends' journey before the series' finale. Different from standard summary installments, or "clip shows," "The Ember Island Players" was not driven by budget restrictions or creative challenges. The show's makers genuinely intended to provide audiences a moment to reflect on the show's narrative, yet they chose to approach it inventively.

In the episode, the heroes view a stage show inspired by their journeys in a theater set on Ember Island, titled The Boy in the Iceberg. The play itself is wildly exaggerated, melodramatic, and completely amusing. It works as it plays with the heroes' understanding regarding their own identities, contrasting them against how the world (and especially the Fire Nation) perceives them. It contains the perfect balance of introspective humor, and it becomes possibly the top rendition of the series released so far.

Appeal and pricing

Regarding worth, this offers a fantastic Secret Lair for one simple reason: Braid of Fire. This specific card trades for $20 and $40 through card retailers at the time of writing, and at $29.99 you can snag the complete collection, or $39.99 for the premium foil treatment.

Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender collection will be available for advance previews beginning November 14 and debuts internationally on November 21.