Jake here, and with the awesome news that Avatar blew away the competition in the ratings!  Avatar goes out with a bang, just as well all wanted.

USAToday.com has the ratings, and the Avatar finale movie "Sozin's Comet" placed as the (tied for) #4 most watched program on cable last week.  It was tied for second overall in terms of scripted programming for the week in cable, bringing in an Avatar record 5.6 million viewers last Saturday night.  One DF admin, however, made a bold prediction about two weeks ago, saying the finale would get 5-6 million viewers in total, and his name starts with a J.    Yes that person definitely wins for predictions.

For the week Avatar also grabbed the last 3 spots on the top 15.  317 ranked 13 with 4.5 million viewers, 316 ranked 14 with 4.2 million and the movie combined of 314/315 brought in 4.0 million at number 15.  Probably the most encouraging news is the ratings went up each day.  317 even brought in more then 219/220, the previously highest viewed episode before.  For sure 314-321 is one of the best stretches for Avatar, and has made us all forget the first 13 episodes (and the horror of 309!).  Actually, 304, 306, 308, 310-311 and 312 weren't bad, in my opinion.  I take that back, all of season 3 was awesome except for 309. ;)  Maybe 307...

Hat tip to Dylan, who is on vacation and did not invite the rest of the DF-ers, for finding this. :)

(Sorry, Jake and Dylan are too busy still spazzing over the finale to make a post at this time.  We apologize for the inconvenience.) 

Dylan here and the 46th "From the Spirit World" Podcast is now up. You can listen at iTunes or in the podcast page. We will have more finale discussion next week.

Jake here, with your guide for an ultimate fan experience for the Avatar finale night!

We've all known it was coming.  We endured excruciatingly long waits (it is approxmiately 596 days, or over 19 and a half months, since the season 2 finale first aired, yikes!), we've endured trailers trying to catch our interest (like we really need it).  There have been episodes airing early in the UK, Canada and first-to-DVD episodes.  We've seen Aang kick Zhao's butt (remember, he's an Olympic swimmer!), but then get his own butt kicked by Azula... twice!

So the confrontation we have all been waiting for is here.  The day we never thought would arrive.  The day with so many mixed emotions, excitement for the finale, but disappointment because this is the last time original episodes will be produced with these characters in the animated show.  [Note: To end speculation, no plans to continue Avatar with new characters have been made.  It's still an option, but wouldn't happen any time soon anyway).

So now, Avatar fan, how do you spend the hours leading up to the finale we've all waited so long for?  Here are a few tips:

1) Pick out your favorite episodes and watch them on DVD or online (legally!).  Watch series classics like "Lake Laogai" and "The Deserter," maybe re-watch the two finales.  Or maybe you could just watch the last 10 or so episodes of season 3.

2) Watch Avatar fan trailers!  We have lots of talented people in the Avatar fandom, not the least of which is the video-makers.  Check out this Youtube link and watch some fan trailers for the finale.  It will get your blood going before you watch one of the biggest finales in TV history!

3) If you've got a laptop and wish to discuss the finale live, join the finale chat on Skype I am putting together!  Details I have in another post, but go to www.skype.com if you haven't yet, download it and create a name.  Then go to here and that should redirect you to the chat.  If not, add pooldude256 to your contact list, and click on the link in my Skype mood.  Dylan (Dylan0513) will also be available on Skype, and can add you if you are still having problems.

4) Grab your popcorn, soda and all other party essentials and turn on the television to Nickelodeon at 7:58 pm EST (so you don't miss a thing!).  Enjoy the finale, because, as Dylan would say, these are the final episodes by this "original, magical crew."   Just sit back and watch the amazing action, writing and animation.  And if you already haven't, I guarantee you will have a crush (or man crush, if you're a guy) on Mark Hamill/Ozai in this finale.  "PREPARE TO DDDDIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!"

Don't let shipping make or break the show.  As you might think, the writers have thrown us in a loop in the last two episodes, so some of you may be given hope, but keep in mind Mike and Bryan have said time and again Kataang is in the "DNA" of the show.  This is coming from a Zutarian as well, the ship has a 0.01% chance of happening, and the only scenario I see it happening in is if Aang would die.  Still, we don't know how much or if there will be any (cliched) Kataang in the finale.  But I digress.

You guys may be thinking about the future of the fandom - and of this site.  Well I plan on keeping DF online, as Nick has plans to continue the show through "mini-episodes" and "global games", as well as the live-action movies.  So make sure to keep checking back!  I'm also planning on another "Avatar Fan Awards" sometime after the finale, which will likely be run out of the Avatar Olympics site.  And there will be more DF events and such in the future.  Who knows - maybe we'll get caught up with characters, episodes and creatures!

The only thing that may change is the server - I'd like to move the site off the paid GoDaddy server to a less expensive or free one.  If a change does occur I will let you all know beforehand.  But DF will definitely be going forward, staying as a home for the Avatar fandom throughout time.

Dylan here and the 45th "From the Spirit World" Podcast is now up. You can listen at iTunes or in the podcast page. The podcast for discussion on the finale will be up around noon on Sunday.