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Typically, clip shows are loathed among audiences as an unnecessary waste of time, or perhaps viewed as a necessity for series in the era of regular broadcasts. That wasn't always the case, though Avatar: The Last Airbender proved it with "The Ember Island Players," a beloved installment in its last season which is now granted a dedicated Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair collection.

Information regarding the Secret Lair

The complete Secret Lair superdrop for the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender collection was unveiled on November 4. It features five distinct sets, and while the one called "My Cabbages!" is clearly humorous tribute to Avatar's most famous minor character, the remaining sets feel a bit uninspired, with one notable exception: "The Ember Island Players."

Based on episode 17 in the final season of the beloved series, this Secret Lair includes these particular cards:

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

What makes this installment remains memorable

Viewers of the series fondly remember this episode, which served as a recap of the hero Aang and his friends' quest leading up to the conclusion. Unlike other recap episodes, or retrospective segments, "The Ember Island Players" did not stem by budget restrictions or creative challenges. The creators genuinely intended to give fans an opportunity to recap the overall plot, however, they opted to approach it inventively.

Throughout the segment, the heroes observe a theatrical performance based on their journeys in a theater set on Ember Island, called The Boy in the Iceberg. The play itself is wildly exaggerated, over-the-top, and completely amusing. It succeeds since it plays with the heroes' understanding regarding their own identities, juxtaposing them compared to how society (and particularly the antagonist nation) sees them. It has an ideal level of introspective humor, and it ends up arguably the finest interpretation of the show released so far.

Value and availability

Regarding worth, this represents an excellent Secret Lair due to one key factor: Braid of Fire. This card trades for $20 and $40 through card retailers currently, and for $29.99 you can obtain the complete collection, or alternatively $39.99 for the premium foil treatment.

Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender edition is available for pre-release events beginning November 14 and releases worldwide come November 21.