25 moments Netflix’s remake of Avatar: The Last Airbender MUST get right

Toph Invents Metalbending

Toph, the brash, blind young Earthbender Aang and company meet in the Book Two, is one of The Last Airbender‘s most beloved characters, and moments like this show why. In the original series, it wasn’t enough for Toph to be one of the most powerful Earthbenders around; she had to do the undoable and master the art of bending metal, something that was previously believed to be impossible.

There are hints that Metalbending is on the horizon scattered throughout the episodes before “The Guru,” but that doesn’t take away from the surprise and satisfaction at seeing Toph escape the metal prison she’s put in by her parents’ lackeys, Xin Fu and Master Yu. And if Netflix wants us to believe that Toph is capable of being the Avatar’s Earthbending master, it’s going to have to include this moment. (Also, why wouldn’t it? It’s fantastic.)

Including this will also be critical if the streaming service one day hopes to adapt The Legend of Korra as a live-action sequel series. Thanks to Toph, Metalbending is common practice for Earthbenders a few generations down the line, all because she was smart and skilled enough to think it up.