TV: Avatar: The Last Airbender

I've got a thing for children's TV. Teen Titans, Fairly OddParents, Kim Possible, Arthur, Blue's Clues - along with all the supposedly more sophisticated fare on the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. I don't know if my tastes are getting broader, or more shallow, or if the quality of the writing on these shows is increasing, or what - but I do enjoy them. For the most part, they're the programming equivalent of a Wendy's Frosty - not something you'd make plans or go out of your way to consume, but if you're passing by, you might take in a little and enjoy with no significant investment of time or energy.

For the most part.

Except for one.

I don't know how to describe Avatar: The Last Airbender to you in a way that doesn't sound completely insane or silly. But if you like martial arts films in the mold of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero, have some familiarity with feudal Japan and the conventions of modern anime, enjoy season-long arcs of character development and the upper-octave-piano-keyed delight of awkward, adolescent longing, then this may be a half-hour worth watching. Set your TiVos and VCRs. And be surprised by what Nickelodeon is passing for kids' fare these days - you may find a slightly less racy, but no less satisfying analog to Buffy the Vampire Slayer following a helium-addled sponge.