Avatar Finally Explains The Movie’s Most Ridiculous Sequel Plot Hole

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With the release of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the popular Avatar series continues to impress, both in ticket sales and the grand scale of the climactic battle between the Na’vi and the human invaders. However, even devoted fans may wonder why Jake Sully relinquished his status as Toruk Makto—and the power and safety that came with it—instead of utilizing it in The Way of Water.

Why Did Jake Give Up The Powerful Role of ‘Toruk Makto’?

The Na’vi’s Greatest Weapon Was Needed in ‘The Way of Water’

Viewers probably didn’t question why the Sully family didn’t use their Toruk mount during the final battle in Avatar: The Way of Water, given how far they traveled to reach the Metkayina clan. However, the new story, Fire and Ash, makes that lack of Toruk involvement a significant issue that needs to be addressed.

Viewers might assume that becoming Toruk Makto, the legendary “Last Shadow,” would grant a permanent bond and lifelong partnership with the creature. However, the third movie directly tackles this question, as Jake Sully explains why he won’t ride Toruk again.

Riding that creature changes you, makes you like it. The more you fight, the stronger it gets. I refuse to become the leader again.

This line is more suggestive than explanatory, and its meaning isn’t immediately clear. It invites interpretation, but what happens later in the movie overshadows any chance to really explore it.

Avatar: Fire and Ash Only Makes Toruk’s Absence More Confusing

Instead of Explaining Jake’s Decision, His Return To Toruk Seems Like A Good Thing

While the idea that Jake avoided flying Toruk in Avatar 2 due to the dangerous effects of the ‘bloodlust’ made sense, his eventual decision to fly it in the third movie undermines that explanation. The novel Fire and Ash suggests Jake might now be hesitant or feel unprepared to take on that role after being away for so long. However, Lo’ak’s narration when Jake returns to Toruk’s nest only adds to the confusion surrounding his motivations.

Toruk admired my father and understood their combined strength. He sensed that when they took to the skies together, conflict was inevitable.

The story now includes a romantic connection between Jake and Toruk, which makes their eventual separation even more heartbreaking. This also clarifies that their bond wasn’t dangerous or manipulative. The reasoning presented is that Jake initially connected with Toruk to gain an advantage in the war, then rejected the bond because of the potential for destruction. Later, when he needed that power again, he rejoined as Toruk Makto. Throughout it all, Jake is consistently portrayed as a hero, which adds to the complexity of his choices.

It’s definitely a confusing part of the story, to say the least. Luckily, the movies left out an important piece of information that explains why Jake was so afraid of becoming Toruk Makto, and it makes his decision to return to that role in Fire and Ash even more impactful.

The Actual Reason Jake Stopped Being Toruk Makto Makes Perfect Sense

The Full Explanation Makes The Third Movie Even Better

The details are fully explained in the official comic series, Avatar: The Gap Year – Tipping Point. This comic tells the story of what happened during the time jump at the beginning of Avatar: The Way of Water. Written by Ethan Sacks with art by Salvatore Porcaro and Michael Atiyeh, it shows the first conflicts after the RDA returns to Pandora, fifteen years after the events of the first Avatar movie.

Now that the Resources Development Administration is back on Pandora with a powerful new villain for Avatar 4, it won’t be long before conflicts with humans start claiming Na’vi lives. This naturally leads people to wonder where the Toruk Makto – the one who led them to victory before – has gone. Jake has an explanation, though he keeps it to himself for now.

Neytiri doesn’t voice it, but I understand what my wife – what everyone – is hoping for. They’re waiting for Toruk Makto to return – the warrior I became to bring the clans together during the battle at the Hallelujah Mountains.

I’ve made the decision to never ride Toruk again. It’s because so many young Na’vi warriors followed me into that fight, believing the stories they’d heard. They died believing in a legend, and I just can’t live with that responsibility. There has to be a different path forward, a way to protect my people without such a terrible cost.

This clarifies why Jake dedicates himself so fully to preparing his Na’vi warriors for battle in The Way of Water – he prioritizes training, planning, and avoiding direct confrontations. It also explains his reluctance to harm anyone from the Metkayina clan. By highlighting the Na’vi lives lost due to Jake assembling an army under the legend of the “Last Shadow,” the impact of Toruk Makto’s power shifts – it’s no longer just about the enemy’s losses, but also the cost to his own people.

Jake now believes there must be another solution, a feeling that’s central to the most intense moment in Fire and Ash. The older Tulkun, by avoiding direct conflict, echoed Jake’s own worries. However, once Jake realizes he’s fighting for survival, the significance of becoming Toruk Makto truly hits home. Ultimately, the final battle is exactly what it needs to be, regardless of the outcome.

While some viewers might have liked to have seen this explained in the movie itself, it definitely adds to the experience when rewatching Avatar: Fire and Ash, making it a film that gets better with each viewing.

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2026-01-21 09:39