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Usually, clip shows face criticism by fans as a pointless time filler, or perhaps viewed as a requirement for shows in the era of weekly production. That wasn't always true, but Avatar: The Last Airbender proved it with "The Ember Island Players," a cherished segment in its last season which is now receiving an exclusive Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair drop.

Information about the special release

The full Secret Lair superdrop for the soon-to-release Avatar: The Last Airbender edition was unveiled on November 4. Containing five separate collections, and although one titled "My Cabbages!" is clearly humorous tribute to the show's beloved recurring figure, the additional releases feel a bit uninspired, with one notable exception: "The Ember Island Players."

Inspired by episode 17 of the third season of the animated show, this special set includes these particular cards:

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

The reason this installment stands out

Audiences of the show warmly cherish this episode, which acted as a summary of the hero Aang and his friends' quest leading up to the conclusion. Different from typical clip shows, or retrospective segments, "The Ember Island Players" was not driven from financial limitations or production issues. The producers truly wanted to give fans a chance to reflect on the show's narrative, but they decided to do it creatively.

Throughout the segment, the main characters view a play inspired by their journeys on a stage located on Ember Island, called The Boy in the Iceberg. The whole thing is inaccurate, melodramatic, and utterly comical. It succeeds since it plays with the heroes' understanding of themselves, contrasting them compared to how society (and notably the Fire Nation) views them. It contains the right amount of self-awareness, and it becomes perhaps the best adaptation of the series released so far.

Value and cost

In terms of value, this is a great Secret Lair for one simple reason: Braid of Fire. This card trades for $20 and $40 on various platforms at the time of writing, while for $29.99 you can acquire the entire Secret Lair, or for $39.99 for the premium foil treatment.

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