Avatar - The Last Airbender Fansite

Avatar Episode - The Beach

2008-01-31T18:35:00.000-08:00

Azula, Zuko, Ty Lee and Mai are on a boat to Ember Island for the weekend. Ty Lee is excited but Zuko thinks it is a waste of time. Azula explains that the Fire Lord wants to meet with his advisers alone.
They arrive and are greeted by the two old ladies Lo and Li. They look up the beach and see a tiny shack. The ladies know that they are not happy to be there but that the island is a special place.

Meanwhile, Aang and the others are relaxing in a pool surrounded by rock walls. Toph worries that Aang should be covering up his tattoos but Katara says they are surrounded by walls so they should be fine. Aang goes down a slide of water that he finds. Nearby, two Fire Nation soldiers lay around a small outpost. They groan how boring the job is then they hear a yell and see Aang fall out of the water tunnel.

Aang suggests to Momo that they go again and he leaps up the cliff wall to their hiding place. Shocked, the guards realize that the Avatar is still alive. They get their messenger hawk and tie on a priority message.

On the beach of Ember Island, the group walks up and on the way Azula frightens some small children. A boy runs up to Ty Lee and offers to unpack her bag. She hands him the heavy bag and he falls over. He quickly takes out a beach towel and, at her request, stands in front of the sun to give her some shade.

Zuko sees a shell and offers it to Mai as a present. She doesn’t care though so Zuko throws it away. It falls next to a boy and he looks over. He sees Ty Lee and runs up to offer the shell to her. An argument breaks out between the two boys who are trying to impress her.

Zuko walks up to Mai with some snow cones but as he gives it to her, it falls on her lap. Azula spots some people playing a game further down the beach. She says they are playing next and orders Ty Lee to come over and leave the 3 boys who are taking care of her. Zuko removes his shirt and some girls start giggling.

Azula explains her strategy and the game begins. The game goes fairly quickly and two boys watch their progress. The game ends and the two boys walk over and invite Ty Lee and Mai to a party they are having that night. Azula asks why they didn’t invite her and Zuko. The boys Chan and ronjohn (Chan is the son of Admiral Chan mentioned in the awakening) consent to let them come too.

Back at their house, Zuko asks why Azula didn’t reveal who they were. Azula says that she just wanted to see what it was like. Somewhere else, the messenger hawk is flying with its message when it is attacked by another bird. The other bird, tangles the messenger in its own ribbon then steals its message after it falls to the ground.

It flies back with the message and lands on an arm of metal. It hands over the message to none other than the assassin hired by Zuko. He reads the letter then it starts to burn. Azula and the group arrive at the party but there is no one there yet. Azula tries to compliment Chan but she does not do very well.

As the party gets going, all the boys from the beach ask her who she likes, she gets scared and paralyzes all of them. She walks up to Azula who says that the boys don’t really like her. Ty Lee starts crying and Azula apologizes and explains she is a little jealous. Ty Lee tries to coach her in how to get a boy to like her but Azula has some trouble not being intimidating.

Mai and Zuko are bored so Mai tells Zuko to go get her some food. Azula walks up to Chan who is talking with another girl and asks for a tour of the house. They go out on the deck overlooking the water and Azula manages to keep it together. They kiss and then Azula makes fire in her hands saying that they will rule the world together. Chan quickly runs away leaving Azula frustrated.

As Zuko is walking back to Mai with the food, he is jostled by a boy and the food falls to the ground. Zuko tells the boy off and says the food was for his girlfriend. He points and looks and find Mai talking to the other boy from the beach. He walks over and pushes him out of the way. Zuko warns him not to talk to his girlfriend. The boy walks over again and says that it is just a party. Zuko knocks him backward into a vase.

Mai tells him to stop getting angry over everything. Zuko yells back that she doesn’t even have emotions. Mai says it is over and Chan runs up and sees the vase. He tells Zuko to leave and Zuko says he was already leaving. Zuko walks alone on the beach and arrives at the house where he used to come as a kid.

He walks in and finds a picture of his family and a block with he imprinted his hand as a child. He has a series of flashbacks from his childhood. Somewhere in the Fire Nation, Aang and the others sleep. Toph wakes up and rouses the others saying that a metal man is coming. A beam of light falls on Aang’s face and he sees someone standing up on the cliff wall. The beam of light is coming from the figure’s metal arm.

The man rears back and then shoots a beam at the group from the eye on his forehead. Everyone tries to use their bending to block it but each time the man blasts right through it.

Azula finds Zuko at the house and tells him to come down to the beach. The group is gathered there. Zuko tries to approach Mai but she turns away. He asks her if she is cold but she does not answer. Ty Lee says she is and Zuko says he will make a fire.

The unknown assassin continues to fire blasts out of his third eye. Sokka wonders how they can defeat someone who can blow things up with his mind. Aang says he will distract the man while they get on Appa. With the man in pursuit, Aang leaps over into valley filled with stone pillars. With his earthbending, Aang tries every trick he knows but the man always blasts the earth away. Aang finds an opportunity and uses one of the blasts to shoot himself into the air where Appa picks him up. The group wonders who the man was and why he attacked.

Back on Ember Island, Ty Lee asks Zuko why he is burning the picture of his family. They get into an argument and names are called. Mai joins in and soon the whole group is arguing and explaining about their pasts. Ty Lee suggests they calm down before they break out. Zuko turns to her and points to his scar saying he does not have the luxury of worrying about his face.

Zuko explains that he is angry and he doesn’t know why. The others ask him who he is angry at but Zuko does not know. Finally he can’t take it and shouts that he is angry at himself. He says that he is confused and he is not sure if he knows the difference between right and wrong. Mai says she cares about him and they kiss.

Azula claps at their dramatic performances. Zuko says that she wouldn’t understand. Azula agrees and says that their mother liked Zuko more. She says that their own mother thought she was a monster. Azula admits that she was right but that it still hurt.

Ty Lee comments that the beach did help them learn about themselves just like Lo and Li said. She says she will always remember this. Azula says that they could make the trip really memorable. Chan opens the door and Azula says that they have bad news. They start trashing the place and they leave Chan crying as they leave the house in ruins.

Avatar Episode - Sokka's Master

2008-01-31T17:53:00.000-08:00

Aang and the group are lying down watching a meteor shower. Everyone is impressed but Toph does not really think it is so cool because she can’t see it. Suddenly one of the meteors changes course and heads toward the ground. Sokka tells Toph that this is something that even she would be amazed by. The meteor passes over their heads by only a few meters. It then veers down and hits the ground several miles away.

They fly over on Appa, and see a growing fire surrounding the meteor. Seeing there is a town nearby, Aang, Katara and Toph use their bending to smother the fire. Sokka wants to help but since he can’t bend, Aang tells him to watch Momo. Katara takes water from a creek and puts it over the fire and Toph and Aang cover it with earth. Sokka can only watch. Aang tells Sokka to watch it and he sends a wave of water that turns to snow which buries Sokka.

In the Fire Nation prison, the door to Iroh’s prison is opened. The guard drops a bowl of food and Iroh crawls forward and starts eating it off the floor. The guard is disgusted and says Iroh is a disgrace. As soon as the guard has left, Iroh sits back and eats properly.

In the town, Aang comments on how no one knows how close they came to being burned by the fire. Toph wishes that they could be heroes but they know they cannot draw attention. Sokka scoffs at Toph saying “Ooh, poor heroes.” Katara asks what is wrong and Sokka admits that he feels like he is not able to do anything for the group since he can’t bend. The others try to cheer him up, but he is just down about it. Katara says they don’t think of him as useless and she thinks of something to make him happy.

They go shopping and Sokka gets a smile. He thinks maybe he can get a new weapon but he has trouble with all of the ones he looks at. Aang, meanwhile, surprises Katara when he appears before her in full armour. Finally, Sokka turns and sees a magnificent sword hanging on the wall. When he examines it, the shop owner says that it was made by Pi En Dow, the greatest sword master and sword maker in Fire Nation history.

Aang suddenly realizes that Sokka needs a master because all of them had one and so Sokka deserves one. Katara agrees that it is a good idea while Sokka thinks it over. Finally Sokka agrees. In the Fire Nation prison, Iroh opens his eyes and starts doing sit-ups.

Sokka walks up to the doors of the master and knocks. He has to knock many times before the door is opened. He says he wants to train with the master and the man tells him that Pi En Dow turns almost everyone away. Sokka goes in with the man to see Pi En Dow who is painting. Sokka introduces himself and asks to be trained. Pi En Dow asks him if he is the type who is good so they think that they deserve to train with a master. Sokka kneels and says that he knows he has a lot to learn. Sokka also says that he does not know if he is worthy. Pi En Dow smiles then goes up to Sokka and agrees to train him.

Later on, Pi En Dow tells Sokka that he must think of his sword as an extension of his body. Meanwhile, Aang and the others are lying down bored without Sokka. In the Fire Nation prison, Iroh also trains his body in secret.

Sokka is told by his master that he must practice arts to keep his mind sharp. He is told to write his name but he gets nervous and ends up painting his face and rubbing it on the paper. In a practice match later on, Sokka is quickly defeated by Pi En Dow’s attendant.

Next he is taken blindfolded to a clearing that overlooks a beautiful waterfall. He is given one short look at it then told to paint it without looking. When he finishes he has drawn a simple landscape and added a rainbow. Pi En Dow sighs. In his next practice battle, he does better but is still defeated.

At a rock garden, Pi En Dow tells Sokka that he needs to manipulate his surroundings to his own advantage. Sokka moves a rock and puts a blanket of grass on it. When the attendant sees him lying down he is shocked. Sokka asks for a drink and Pi En Dow asks for a lemon in his.

At the Fire Nation prison, Iroh continues to act like he has gone crazy while exercising. The guard looks on in on him and sees him with a vacant look clapping his hands. The guard mutters to himself and walks away and Iroh smiles. Aang and the others are still having trouble and they miss Sokka.

Pi En Dow congratulates him on his first day and tells him it is time for him to have a real sword. Sokka is told that he will make his own. The next day, Sokka is given different metals and told to choose one for his sword. Sokka looks at them all, then asks to leave and get a special material for his sword. Pi En Dow allows it.

Lying down, Toph suddenly tells the group that Sokka is coming. He arrives and the others hug him. He tells them he needs their help and they walk over to the crash site of the meteorite. With their help, Sokka is able to get the large rock back to the castle. Pi En Dow answers the door and Sokka presents the rock. Pi En Dow says they will make a sword unlike any other.

Over the next while, with Pi En Dow’s guidance, Sokka works on melting down the rock for his sword. Pi En Dow watches Sokka’s hard work looking pleased. Finally the blade is finished. Pi En Dow congratulates Sokka on his hard work and says that he was not impressed by Sokka’s skills but instead by his creativity and intelligence. Pi En Dow then says that Sokka is indeed worthy.

Sokka apologizes and says that he is not worthy. He reveals that he is from the Southern Water Tribe and says sorry. Pi En Dow also says sorry then turns and swings his sword at Sokka. Sokka avoids it and blocks with his own sword. Aang and the others prepare to help but Sokka tells them that it is his battle.

At the prison, the guard walks in and says that Iroh used to be the pride of the Fire Nation and tells him to look at what he has become. Iroh grabs a piece of food through the bars and watches as the guard leaves. He then takes off his robe and reveals his new fit body. As he eats he exercises more.

Sokka and Pi En Dow begin their battle while the others watch. Sokka is hard pressed but he is able to avoid all of Pi En Dow’s slashes. As they fight, Pi En Dow compliments him on his agility and his using of the battlefield to his advantage. As the battle rages on, they go through a forest and Sokka tries to slow Pi En Dow down.

They exit the forest and Sokka narrowly avoids an attack. He then is able to blind Pi En Dow by flicking dust into his eyes. Sokka tries to sneak away but he steps on a twig and Pi En Dow is able to knock Sokka's sword away. After the next attack, Sokka is knocked onto his back.

Seeing him in trouble Aang and the others rush forward. Before they can do anything however, Pi En Dow congratulates Sokka and sheathes his sword. He then comments that he is too old to fight the Avatar. Aang wonders how he knew but Pi En Dow says he picks things up. The attendant gives him a cloth to wipe his face and Pi En Dow says he knew all along that Sokka was Water Tribe from his name.

When asked why he still agreed to train Sokka, Pi En Dow explains that learning the ways of the sword is not something unique to any nation. It is for everyone. Pi En Dow tells Sokka to keep training so that he may become and even greater sword master than he is. He then tells Sokka that next time he should say his name is Lee as there are thousands of Lees. They bow and Sokka leaves with the others.

On their way out, the attendant gives Sokka a small bag telling him that Pi En Dow wanted Sokka to have it to remember him by. Sokka opens it and pulls out a White Lotus tile. He turns and sees the same emblem on the doors of the castle. Sokka then remembers something and gives Toph a piece of the meteorite calling it space earth because he thought she would like it. As they walk away, Katara and Sokka immediately start arguing and Katara comments that she can’t believe she missed him.
Sokka and his master sparred at the end. Sokka battling the best he can. But at the end the master won. His sword at Sokka's neck. Aang, Katara and Toph went to go help Sokka. Then He put his sword aside. Sokka and them confused. As Sokka, Aang,Katara and Toph was leaving, The butler came out to give Sokka a rare coin. As they left to there next rest stop.

Avatar Episode - The Painted Lady

2008-01-31T17:02:00.000-08:00

In a long polluted river, Aang and the others continue their travels toward the Fire Lord. Aang tells the others that he thinks the river is polluted. Katara thinks they will have to find somewhere else to find food but Sokka rolls out a long schedule that he has planned out. Aang spots a village on the river and they head in that direction. They hide Appa and Momo under some heavy grass and walk to the river’s edge.

They see an old man who introduces himself as Doc and offers to take them to the village. Katara tells him that they are from the Earth Kingdom Colonies. On the way, Doc explains that the river is polluted because of the factory that the army uses to make metal, which appeared. The village used to be a fishing town but with the water polluted everyone is struggling to survive.

They arrive at the village and say goodbye to Doc. As they walk around, they see people sitting in the streets looking poor and sick. Katara says that they have to do something but Sokka says no because they have a more important mission. He reminds her that they still have to take out the Fire Lord. Toph covers his mouth and tells him to not be so loud.

They walk over to the market and see Doc. They ask him if he works there too. The man explains that he is Doc’s brother Shu. Aang and the others are confused but they get some fish and ask Shu if his brother could give them a ride back. Shu ducks down and Doc pops up. As they prepare to leave, a small boy runs up and asks for some food. Katara gives him a fish and watches as he runs back to his sick mother with the fish. Doc takes them back to the shore and they go back to Appa to set up camp.

Sokka says that they have thrown off their whole schedule. He suggests they wake up earlier but they say no. He then argues that they could skip meal stops. They all flatly refuse and finally he suggests that they take meal breaks and potty breaks together. Aang and the others are disgusted by this idea. Sokka says no matter what they need to leave first thing in the morning. Katara watches sadly.

The next morning Appa is sick and when Aang checks, he has a purple tongue. Aang is worried and Katara says they should go look for medicine in the town. They go to see Shu and he says that amazingly, food was delivered to the village the night before by a spirit they call the Painted Lady. He explains that she is a river spirit who protects the village in times of need.

Sokka says that they don’t need to help the people because they already have someone to help them. They ask Shu for medicine but he says that the factory takes it all which is why they have so many sick people. Katara says that they need to stay another night to let Appa rest.

That night a heavy fog rolls in and a woman clad in dark robes crosses the river to the village. She enters a house filled with sick people and heals them. Lastly, she comes to the mother of the boy who Katara helped. The boy wakes up and follows her out. He thanks her and she disappears.

In town the next day, Toph gives Shu some money and asks for some more food since their friend is still sick and they can’t leave until he is better. Shu explains that The Painted Lady visited them again and healed most of their sick people. Aang comments that the village seems a lot happier and more festive. At the same time the villagers are erecting a statue of the Painted Lady in the square.

Sokka comments that the Painted Lady better come back everyday or the village will go right back to the way it was. Katara is angry at Sokka for saying such a thing but Sokka counters saying that only way to help the people is to get rid of the factory. He and Aang start joking about using spirit magic and making funny noises. Katara turns and angrily walks away. She walks to edge of the village and looks at the village with a determined look on her face.

That night, she dons dark robes and uses red paint to make marks on her face. As the Painted Lady, she runs off toward the village. Momo wakes up and falls on Aang. Aang wakes up and thinks it is the Painted Lady. He calls to her but she runs away. Aang gives chase through the village. Finally she hides behind a rock. Aang pops up in front of her and she hides her face with her hat.

Katara tries to play it off but Aang thinks she is familiar. She says she is busy and starts to walk away. Aang looks after her with a suspicious look. He sends a gust of wind that knocks her hat into the air. When she turns to catch it, Aang gets a look at her face. Katara turns and says hi to Aang. Shocked, Aang asks her if she is the Painted Lady. Katara says she was just trying to help the village and she wasn’t at first the Painted Lady but it became her disguise.

She explains to Aang that she wants to destroy the factory once and for all. They make their way inside and use their bending to destroy all the machinery. The factory explodes and as they leave, they see the waste entering the river stop coming out of the pipes. As they head back to camp, Katara tells Aang to be quiet so they don’t wake Sokka. As they turn the corner, they see Toph and Sokka standing there waiting and they freeze.

Sokka tells Katara off and says he knows everything about what has been going on. He says that they are leaving right away. Back at the factory, a fire nation soldier comes out of the smoke and looks at the village with rage. As Aang and the others are about to leave, they see a fleet of small boats headed toward the village. Sokka says that they are Fire Nation and he asks what Katara did. Katara explains that they destroyed the factory and Sokka tells her that they are leaving.

Katara refuses to turn her back on the people and she gets ready to leave. Sokka says he is going with her because she needs him. At the village, the Fire Nation soldiers say that they tried to live as neighbours in peace but now they will get rid of the village. They begin to destroy houses and docks. Two soldiers set fire to something but it is blown out each time by a gust of air. Confused, one of the soldiers looks and sees a heavy fog rolling in. There is a sound of heavy footsteps and loud growls. The small boy says the Painted Lady is coming.

Toph, Sokka and Appa are all making eerie sounds to scare the Fire Nation soldiers. Out of the fog, Katara appears in her Painted Lady costume. She charges toward the docks and lands in front of the guards. The leader tells 2 guards to do something. They draw their swords and inch forward. Katara looks up and, under the docks, Aang sends a gust of wind which knocks off the guards’ headbands. They run off scared. Katara uses her bending and sends two of the Fire Nation boats into the cliff wall. She raises her hand and all the guards run away leaving the leader alone. He shoots fire but Aang blows Katara into the air and then blasts him into the river. Katara tells him to leave and never come back. He swims to his boat and leaves.

The villagers thank her and Doc comes forward but sees that it is Katara because her face paint has rubbed off. The boy says that she is the one who gave him a fish. The villagers get angry but Sokka says that even if she is a waterbender she did it for the village. They wonder what to do and from the crowd Toph suggests that they clean the river. The villagers agree and Doc also agrees to keep their secret. Doc says he will get his other brother Bushi to help clean. He switches hats and says he is Bushi. Aang jumps forward and says they are all the same. Bushi says that Doc is crazy and he was always Bushi. This leaves Aang confused and frustrated.

Helping with their bending, Katara and the others all clean until the river is pure and clean again. That night, the real Painted Lady spirit appears before Katara and thanks her. As she leaves into the mist, Katara smiles.

Avatar Episode - The Headband

2008-01-31T16:54:00.000-08:00

In a dark room in the royal palace in the Fire Nation capital, Prince Zuko tosses and turns in his sleep. Unable to beat the insomnia, he heads outside cloaked and hooded to a tower/prison. There he is spotted by a guard, he says nothing and silently turns away.

Later, the gang fly through the air on Appa who is disguised as a cloud. Once landed, they decided to blend in with their surroundings and steal Fire Nation attire from a near-by clothesline after they make camp in a cave, something that Sokka is not pleased about. In town, they buy some more accessories while heading to a meat stand for lunch. Aang would rather eat lettuce from the garbage than then consume meat and waits for the other outside. Guards come forward claim Aang is skipping school (he inadvertently stole school uniform from the clothesline). Without another word they drag him away. He is taken to a school and there finds nothing but discipline and strictness. After school, a girl named On Ji treats him kindly and he is invited to hang-out with some kids.

When he returns to the cave that night, they immediately round on him. Aang tells them what happened and expresses the wish to return, do to the normal childhood that his status deprive him of. Sokka immediately shoots him down but Aang gains his support by claiming they will be learning about a secret river that leads right to the Fire Lord's palace. They agree.

Elsewhere, Zuko returns to Iroh's prison where he is confronted by the guard from the previous night. Upon recognizing Zuko, the guard yields and Zuko orders him to say nothing of their encounter. In the cell Zuko has a one-sided conversation with Iroh in which he justifies his decision. Iroh is unresponsive, and Zuko storms out of the prison in anger.
The next day in school starts off badly for Aang, under the false name Kuzon. At the beginning of class he spoofs-up the oath to the Fire Lord thus earning a pop quiz from his teacher. In the quiz, he speaks out at a question which states that the Air Nomads had a standing army. In music class Aang dances to the beet of the song which gains unwanted attention from the instructor who states that dancing and other forms of self-expression or highly discouraged in the mainland. At the end of the day, after being complimented on his dancing by Onji, her paranoid boyfriend confronts him. Aang effortlessly dodges each blow to the point that the other boy beats himself up. The teachers find Aang standing while the boy lies on the ground half-conscience and ask to speak with his parents.
Aang's "parents" (Sokka and Katara) Chen and Saphire Fire speak with the headmaster who claims that if Aang slips one more time he will be sent to the coal mines. In the capital Zuko and Mai share a moment together before it's interrupted by Azula who uses reverse phsycology to get Zuko to admit he visited uncle. She says she'll keep it a secret and is actually looking out for him. She also warns him not to do anything foolish.
Back in the cave Sokka, acting very much like a father, scolds Aang and demands they leave. Aang protests and says he wants to help these kids who are forced to be servants to the Fire Lord. He wants to throw them a dance party. Once again he wins out and they set up for the party in their cave.
The school kids enter and are wary of dancing for fear of who will catch them. Aang coaxes them to dance by sampling classic Fire Nation dances. Impressed by his skills in dancing they begin to join him.
Zuko revisits Iroh in the prison and is still ignored, Zuko pours out his heart and frustration to his uncle but it falls on deaf ears. Angered, he leaves the prison and Iroh sheds a tear.
In the cave, Aang teaches a partner dance to the group with Onji which catches Katara's eye. Next Aang offers his hand to Katara who is nervously reluctant at first but Aang convinces her with a simple "Take my hand" They preform a synchronized martial arts dance in front of everyone. But the party is broken up when Onji's boyfriend leads the headmaster to the cave. The other kids give Aang cover as he escapes.
Once safe, Toph and Sokka congratulate Aang on his party and Katara thanks him for the dance with a kiss on the cheek. Elsewhere Zuko hires an killer known as the Combustion Man to kill the Avatar whom he believes is still alive.

Avatar Episode - The Awakening

2008-01-31T16:04:00.000-08:00

Aang wakes up, heavily bandaged and, unaware of it, full of hair, and finds himself on a fire nation ship. He tries to get out but can do nothing but limp. He limps out and finds two fire nation soldier. He tries to blow them away with airbending, but they don't get blown away. He limps out of the ship very fast but trips and finds himself in front of two soldiers petting Momo. He wonders what is going then Toph calls out to him and everyone gathers around him. Aang wonders if this is a dream and Katara assures him this isn't a dream. Sokka then greets Aang happily. And Aang suddenly faints.

Meanwhile, on another fire nation ship, Zuko stands out looking at the sea and Mai comes to him and asks him if he's cold. Zuko starts telling that he's been banished from the fire nation for three years. Then he wonders if things have changed. Mai interrupts by saying she was only asking if he was cold not to hear a life story. She approaches near him and tells him to stop worrying and kisses him, then walks away.

Aang asks why are they on a fire nation ship and why is everyone dressing as a fire nation soldiers and why Aang doesn't know about this. Katara tells him to take it easy and explains that he got hurt pretty badly. She mentions that she likes Aang's hair. Aang is surprised to hear it and asks how long has he been knocked out. Katara answers by telling him that he's been knocked out for a few weeks. Hakoda, Katara's and Sokka's father, asks if everything is okay. Katara replies with a slight tone of anger that everything is fine. Hakoda introduces himself to Aang, but Katara tells his father that Aang knows who he is because Katara called him dad with the same tone. Aang replies to Hakoda it is nice to officially meet him. Katara interrupts impatiently that they know each other and asks for privacy. Hakoda walks away and Aang asks if Katara is mad at her father, Katara replies she isn't and asks Aang what made him say that. Aang replies he doesn't know and soon clutches his ribs in pain. Katara suggests that she should start healing him. They go into the same room and she starts healing Aang at the area where Azula struck him. Aang starts telling where it hurts the most. He soon gets a flashback of what happened to him. Katara finishes healing Aang and removes the healing water out of Aang and at that moment, Aang remembers what happened. He remembers that he was gone. But Katara brought him back with healing. He told her that she saved him. Katara tells him that he should get some rest.

Meanwhile, Lo and Li announces about Azula's greatest conquer of Ba Sing Se. They also announce that both Azula and Zuko had returned and slain the Avatar.

On the fire nation ship, Sokka explains to Aang what happened after the escape in Ba Sing Se. They flew to Chameleon Bay and met up with Hakoda and the other water tribe warriors. The Earth King decided to travel into the wild with Bosco. When the Bay was overrun by the fire nation ships, they manage to board one of them and traveled in disguise. Since then, they traveled west; crossing through the Serpent’s Pass and have successfully passed the fire nation ships without being discovered. They also continued to modify Sokka’s plan of invading the fire nation on the solar eclipse. They plan to fight with only their old allies, such as Pipsqueak and the Duke. But to make things worse for Aang, their secret to the plan is that the whole world thinks he is dead. Sokka sees this as an advantage as the fire nation won’t be looking for them, but Aang doesn’t approve of this secret. As a fire nation ship floats by, Aang prepares to fight, but Katara assures him that they’ll talk their way out or their cover will be blown. As the rest hide, including Appa, Hakoda and Bato confronts three fire nation soldier. Hakoda tells that they’re from the eastern fleet so they would be delivering cargo instead of helping occupy Ba Sing Se. The leader almost falls for it. When the discussion ends, one of the soldier tells the leader a piece of evidence that they could be lying. They plan to sink the ship after they make it to their own. Toph discovers that they know that Hakoda was lying and metalbends the gangway down. The fire nation ship fires a giant fireball at the Aang and his friends.

Meanwhile, Zuko is seen at the pond feeding turtleducks like in “Zuko Alone.” Azula approaches to Azula and sees that Zuko is feeling a bit worried and Mai is in an unusually good mood. Zuko confesses that he is worried that Fire Lord Ozai won’t restore Zuko’s honor because he didn’t capture the Avatar. Azula assures him that Avatar is dead but asks him suspiciously that the Avatar could have made it out alive. Zuko recalls Katara telling him about the Spirit Oasis Water with healing power. Zuko lies that there is no way Aang could’ve survived. Azula looks at him suspiciously and tells him there isn’t anything he needs to worry about. She then walks away.

Back at the ship with Aang and his friends, fireballs are still being hurled at their ship. Aang’s friends start fighting back and Toph asks how are they doing. Sokka comments that things couldn’t get worse. Just then, the serpent from the Serpent’s Pass appeared making Sokka say that the universe loves proving him wrong. A fireball is hurled at the serpent and starts attacking the enemy fire nation ship. After they manage to get away, they dock in the port. Sokka, Katara, and Toph comes in and asks if Aang is hungry. Aang wants food but doesn’t want to go out there if he can’t wear his airbending arrow proudly. Katara tells the others to go and talks with Aang. Katara starts off telling she knows how Aang feels about being a secret. Aang confesses that he doesn’t like being a secret because he feels that he did fail everyone who needed him. Aang tells Katara that he should face the fire lord alone because he doesn’t want his friends to fix his mistake. Katara leaves and Aang says that he needs his honor, making him sound like Zuko.

Zuko is seen walking to the fire lord’s chamber. He hesitates to go in there but soon he does and faces the fire lord.

Katara walks into Aang’s room bringing him food only to find he’s gone. Katara knows why Aang has left and runs out of the room while Aang is seen flying off.

Zuko bows to his father and his father says that Zuko has been gone for three years. He tells Zuko that he has redeemed himself and welcomes Zuko home, with his face finally seen.

Aang is seen flying across the sea with his glider. Katara is running to her father and tells what Aang has done and the reason was because he was being selfish. Hakoda knows that she is also describing himself. Hakoda confesses that he was sad and lonely because he misses Katara and Sokka during his time at the war.

Fire Lord Ozai says that he is proud of Zuko that he and Azula conquered Ba Sing Se and that he captured Iroh, considered a traitor, but most importantly, Zuko has slain the Avatar. Zuko knows this is a lie and asks where he heard from it. Ozai tells Zuko he heard it from Azula and compliments him.

Aang is still flying over the sea and manages to pass the fire nation blockade. He manages to speed up his travel using a log and his glider as a windsurfer but loses his glider.

That night, Zuko comes into Azula’s room, while she is sleeping, and asks why she told their father that he killed the Avatar. Azula tells that she wanted Zuko to have some glory so that he had nothing to worry about. Zuko knows that she is planning something but doesn’t know what. Azula asks what she could gain for giving the glory to Zuko that he killed the Avatar unless he survived. The glory would turn to shame then. But she recalls that Zuko told her that there was no way the Avatar survived. Zuko goes out of Azula’s room.

Aang is stranded at sea, without any hope. Aang believes he has failed. Suddenly, Avatar Roku appears to him and confesses to Aang that he is the one who failed, because he couldn’t stop the war before it began. Aang still isn’t confident, but Yue also appears and tells him not to give up. Aang says that she is right and he won’t give up. He waterbends the ocean to make a wave to travel. Yue speeds up Aang’s travel by helping to build the wave. Aang is seen at the shore of the island where Roku’s temple was destroyed. He finds Momo on top of him and Sokka, Toph and Katara finds him too. Aang’s friends tell that they will help Aang on his quest to invade the fire nation. Aang agree's. Then Toph finds Aang’s broken staff and gives it back to him. Aang decides that he can't have it or their plan will fail If the Fire Nation knew the avatar was died. He puts his staff on top of the mountain and lets it burn, ending the chapter.

Avatar Episode - The Crossroads of Destiny

2008-01-31T15:51:00.000-08:00

Everyone races against time to stop Azula's sinister plan. Zuko finds companionship in an unlikely source.Katara spends more time with Zuko, who learns the time has come to make a choice about his future. Aang's destiny hangs in the balance and so does Zuko's, as Iroh tells him "it is time to choose."

Avatar Episode - The Guru

2008-01-29T16:24:00.000-08:00

It is the morning, and Iroh is at work slaving over a hot stove preparing what he calls, “Jook.” Zuko walks into the room, yawns, and comments on the smell of the jook. Iroh says that he will not like the stuff, but Zuko contradicts him, smelling it and saying it smells good. Iroh is somewhat confused, and makes mention of the fact that Zuko has changed greatly since he recovered from the fever he had in The Earth King. Zuko just smiles, and becomes very optimistic: It is a new day, in fact the day of the Grand Opening of Iroh’s new tea shop, and they have a wonderful new apartment, and Zuko only has high thoughts about it all.

At the same time, Aang and Sokka land at the mouth of Chameleon Bay, where they were told that Sokka’s father Hakoda and the rest of the Southern Water Tribe Warriors are. Sokka is very nervous, but Aang tries to calm him down, and succeeds somewhat. Sokka questions Aang on his feelings towards him meeting Guru Pathik to master the Avatar State. Aang smiles, and says that he is ready to master the Avatar State. He then takes off on Appa, shouting back to Sokka that he will see him in a week.
Sokka walks into the base, and is greeted with warm and welcome arms by the warriors of the Southern Water Tribe, who all seem to recognize him. After some laughs, the warriors point him off to a tent. Sokka takes a breath, and walks into the tent. He sees several Water Tribesmen, one of which is Bato, who we last saw in Bato of the Water Tribe His arm is burnt red (apparently the injury he received back in Book: Water) and he nudges a man who is seated center. The man looks up, in surprise, and says in disbelief, “Sokka.” Sokka smiles, and replies “Hi Dad,” and the man (Sokka’s dad Hakoda) rises up to embrace his son, who just smiles and rubs his face against his father’s chest.
Back in Ba Sing Se, the Earth King is entertaining Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee, still disguised as the Warriors of Kyoshi. He tells them of Long Feng, and how he lied to him and had been planning on taking over the city, to which Azula remarks that it is so terrible when you cannot trust those closest to you. He says that there is good news, and proceeds to tell Azula that The Council of Five, the highest ranking Earth Kingdom generals, are planning an invasion of the Fire Nation during the summer, on the Day of the Black Sun; the solar eclipse. Her eyes widen, and she acts surprised, saying how fascinating the plan is.
At that exact moment, the Council of Five is going over the Invasion Plan with Katara and Momo. General How says that General Fong’s base (that we saw first in The Avatar State) will be the staging point of the attack, and they will send in troops: As he says this, he moves three pillars colored green with the symbol of the Earth Kingdom onto the Fire Nation with Earthbending. Momo suddenly appears, running a muck across the war map, knocking down the pillars. Laughing, Katara says that they could just send in Momo; however, the Council does not find this amusing, and with a simple closed fist, all of the pillars stand back up, scaring away Momo. General How takes a scroll and earthbends it to Katara atop a chunk of rock from their table, and says that all they need is the Seal of the Earth King himself to finalize the plan. Katara takes the scroll, and says that she will take it to him immediately.
Aang finally arrives at the Eastern Air Temple, and finds Guru Pathik meditating atop the same pillar we saw him on in Appa's Lost Days. When Aang asks him if he is the same Guru who sent the letter attached to him, and we learn that Guru Pathik was a spiritual brother to the Air Monks, and a good close friend to Monk Gyatso. Aang ask him how he plans on teaching Aang how to gain control of the Avatar State., to which Guru replies that he must first bring balance to himself before he can bring balance to the world. To start it all off, Pathik tells him he must drink this yellow liquid. Just as Aang starts to drink the liquid, he spits it out violently, and says that it taste like, “onion and banana juice.” The Guru tells him that is because it is onion and banana juice, and he puts the bowl on his head and says in a sing-song voice, “Yum yum yum.”
Out on a road, an ostrich is pulling a cart carrying Master Yu and Xin Fu as well as Toph who is trapped within a huge metal box. The two up front are arguing about which to go in order to back to the Beifong estate, Toph’s home, when Toph tells the, “two old ladies” to stop arguing and let her out to go to the bathroom. Master Yu starts to get up to let her out, but Xin Fu tells him that it is a trick, to which he tells Toph he is not letting her out. Toph pounds against the cage she is in, only infuriating Xin Fu more, who tells her that no matter how good an Earthbender she thinks she is she cannot bend metal.
Back in Ba Sing Se, Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee are undressing, when Azula presents the s an idea: She says that they have a perfect opportunity to bring down the Earth Kingdom, and that for 100 years, her people have been hammering away from the outside. Now, they are in the inside, the perfect position to stage a coup and overthrow the Earth King. The key to all of this, according to Azula, is the Dai Li, the arm of Long Feng, first seen in City of Walls and Secrets.
Back at the Eastern Air Temple, Guru Pathik is beginning Aang’s instruction of the chakras: Chakras are nexuses of metaphysical and/or biophysical energy residing in the human body. In order to master the Avatar State, Pathik says that you must first open the chakras of the body. First, he asks Aang what he knows about chakras, however, when Aang rubs his eyes and asks what chakras are, Pathik starts at the very beginning. Using a pond clogged with algae he successfully explains to Aang the concept of chakras, and the two move on to open the chakras.
There are seven chakras going up the body, each with a purpose and each with a different blockage: An intense sensation results from the opening of them all, you can not stop opening them once you have opened one until all seven are open. Aang accepts and they begin the process.
The first chakra is the Earth Chakra, located at the base of the spine. It deals with Survival, and is blocked by Fear. Aang goes into meditation, and is surrounded by fire, sitting before a man who appears to be either Fire Lord Ozai or Prince Zuko. After clearing his thoughts, the images disappear, and Aang gives a sigh of relief as he comes out of meditation. Guru Pathik congratulates Aang, and tells him the first chakra has been opened, to which Aang gives another
The second charka is the Water Chakra, which deals with Pleasure, and is blocked by Guilt. When asked what he blames himself for, Aang says it is that he ran away upon finding out he was the Avatar, and that he hurt all of these people at General Fong’s base in The Avatar State. Pathik says to accept the reality that these things have happened, and do not let them cloud your judgment and poison your energy. In order to become a positive influence for the world, Aang must forgive himself for these things. Aang slips into meditation again, and we are left seeing his silhouette.
Back in Chameleon Bay, Sokka, his father Hakoda, and the rest of the Warriors are preparing what are called Tangle Mines. Comprised of a buoyant casing around an e mine, they are filled with Stockfish and Seaweed. Upon detonation, the seaweed entangles the Fire Nation ships, immobilizing them, and then the smell of the Stockfish forces the soldiers to abandon ship. Hakoda calls the plan, “The Stink and Sink,” to which Sokka explodes with laughter, and Bato just sighs and says that Sokka is definitely his father’s son.
A scouting party returns to inform the warriors of the presence of three Fire Nation ships, and Hakoda tells Bato to finish preparing the mines, and the rest of the warriors to prepare for battle. Sokka watches as everyone runs off to get ready, and then asks Hakoda what he is supposed to do. In a slightly irritated, yet jokingly tone, Hakoda says, “Aren’t you listening, I said the rest of you men get ready for battle,” to which Sokka can only smile and follow orders.
Once again, in Ba Sing Se, The Jasmine Dragon is finally opening, and Iroh and Zuko stand proudly as people come into their tea shop. Iroh says that he is in disbelief that as coming to the city as refugees that he would own his own tea shop. He tells Zuko to follow his dreams, and Zuko can only congratulate his uncle, who expresses great pride. Zuko thinks it is for finally owning a tea shop, but Zuko tells him it is from Zuko deciding to share this special day with him. Zuko runs off, with his new found optimism to start making tea, to which Iroh responds with a grin and a shout. “Let’s Make some Tea!”
Third is the Fire Chakra, which is located in the stomach. Aang’s stomach bles, and he says sarcastically, “My Fire Chakra would like to eat something besides onions and banana juice. Pathik laughs heartily, and says, “Good one…Moving along,” and begins to explain the fire chakra: Dealing with Willpower, the Fire Chakra is blocked by shame. Aang has a vision of when he first attempted Firebending, and severely burned Katara’s hands (In The Deserter. He tells Pathik that he will never Firebend again, who just responds that in order to obtain Balance, you must accept all aspects of your life: Aang is the Avatar, and therefore a Firebender. With a slight breathe in and an exhale, Pathik comments that the third chakra opened less like a flowing creek and more like a burping bison.” Aang gives a huge burp, and says that it tasted like onions and bananas, and strangely like something else, which he thinks is pickles,
On the steps of the Palace, Mai and Ty Lee are relaxing. Mai complains about her outfit, and how it is y and she does not understand how anyone can fight in them, and she also complains about cleaning up bear poop. Ty Lee then spills the entire plan, to which Mai tells her to be quiet. We see some agents of the Dai Li climb up some poles, as they were listening in the whole time. Once they are gone, Azula emerges and tells the s good job, and that the Dai Li will surely deliver the message to Long Feng.
Aang and Pathik have now moved on to open the fourth chakra. Located in the heart, this chakra deals with Love, and is blocked by Grief. Laying his grief before him, Aang sees all of the Air Monks he knew, all of whom died because he abandoned them all. They fade away, and become dust. Love, according to Pathik, is a form of energy, and flows around us, and that their Love for Aang is still all around them and manifests itself inside of new love: The Love Aang has for Katara is an example of this new love. Aang, wiping away his tears and with a weakened sweet voice, asks politely if he can have some more onion banana juice.
The fifth Chakra is the Sound Charka, and is located in the throat. It deals with Truth, and is blocked by the Lies we tell ourselves. Pathik says that we must accept what we are, and that Aang must accept he is the Avatar, even though he never wanted to be. With a sigh, and a vision, Aang accepts he is the Avatar, and he opens the Chakra of Truth.
Located in the center of the forehead, the sixth Chakra of Light is responsible for Insight, and is blocked by Illusions. The greatest Illusion is that of Separation: Things you think are separate and different are actually one and the same. Aang mentions the Four Nations, and Pathik says that everyone is part of One People, yet we live as separate people. Even the Separation of the Four Elements is an illusion; four parts of the same whole. He mentions metal, which is simply Earth which has been purified by Fire. We are then shown Toph, who is continuing to bash her hands into the metal walls of her cell, realizing as she continues to bash that the metal contains Earth, which she can bend. Continuing to push, she finally manages to bend the metal, which she exalts that she “rules”
Again back in Ba Sing Se, Katara and Momo, just before going to see the Earth King, decide to stop at a new tea house for a cup or two. When waiting to be seated, Katara hears and sees Zuko ordered tea from Iroh in the back, and she gasps before running off to warn the Earth King.
Finally Aang is at the Seventh Chakra, the last, the Chakra which will enable Aang to be able to go in and out of the Avatar State, as well as having complete awareness of all things occurring in the Avatar State. Called the Thought Chakra, it is located at the crown of the head, and deals with Cosmic Energy, and is blocked by earthly attachment. Aang is asked to meditate on what he is attached to, and only images of Katara flood his mind, and Pathik asks for Aang to let go off his attachments. Aang suddenly becomes angry, asking how he can let go of Katara, when he loves her. He is also confused about why he would take Cosmic Energy over the Love of Katara and how attachment is bad now when attachment was good 3 chakras ago. According to Pathik, if Aang ever wants the pure Cosmic Energy to enter him, he must let go of all earthy attachments, including Katara
Running into the Palace, Katara tells "Suki", that the Fire Nation has infiltrated the city, and that Prince Zuko and Uncle Iroh are here as well. She tells how they need to inform the Earth King, but “Suki” comes forth, Katara immediately recognizes her as Azula, and before she can even attack, Ty Lee hurtles into the air and disables Katara. Lying on the ground in a pool of water, Katara is helpless as Azula plans a little family reunion with “Zuzu.”
The argument continues back at the Eastern Air Temple, with Pathik telling him he must open all of the chakras to master the Avatar State. Aang decides to at least try, and he begins to let go. An image of Katara disappears into space, and Aang is taken high above the planet to walk along a purple stream of cosmic energy, radiating from the Avatar State, which is shown as a shirtless Aang whose s are glowing. Walking towards the Avatar State, Aang is suddenly shocked to see an image of Katara, struggling in chains, screaming for help. He abandons the Avatar State, and begins running back to the planet. The stream of cosmic energy gives out, and Aang falls back. Jolting awake, he says that Katara is in trouble and that he must go back to Ba Sing Se. Pathik stops him, telling him that now, by choosing Attachment, the chakra is locked, and that if he leaves now, he will never be able to enter the Avatar State at all. Aang simple drops his head before leaping away.
Back on the road, there is a loud tearing sound, and Master Yu and Xin Fu decide to investigate. Upon seeing the massive hole in the container, Master Yu says it is a trick, but Xin Fu corrects him rather angry at the whole remark. Just then, Toph emerges to send two giant slabs of rock up out of the ground, trapping the two men, and then throwing them inside the container. Once she closes the metal walls, she exclaims to all the world, “I am the greatest Earthbender of all, and don’t you two dunderheads forget it.” She makes a huge ball of earth, and proceeds to run away atop it, almost like surfing. As she escapes, Xin Fu groans that he is going to be trapped inside the container forever, to which Master Yu moans “I have to go to the bathroom.”
Sokka and the rest of the Water Tribe Warriors are finishing up backing their boats for war. Sokka tells Hakoda that he is going to make him proud and prove what a great warrior he is, and Hakoda places his hand atop his son’s shoulder: Telling him that he has always been proud of Sokka, and he knew he was a great warrior, which was the reason why he left Sokka in charge of the tribe. Just as they are about to embark, Sokka sees Appa and Aang, who land next to him on the beach. One look from Aang is all that was needed in order for Sokka to say, “This can’t be good news.” We see Appa take off, with Sokka and Aang onboard, with Sokka looking back at his father, who is looking back up at his son.
Being carted down the hall by agents of the Dai Li, Azula continues to resist. Taken into Long Feng’s cell, she demands to know why she has been taken out of her bed in the middle of the night, and how this is not the way you treat a Kyoshi Warrior. Long Feng smiles, and tells her he knows exactly who she is and how he wants to make a deal. Since Azula has the Earth Kings trust, and Long Feng promises her the Avatar, she intently listens in.
At the Jasmine Dragon, Iroh and Zuko receive wonderful news: They have been invited to serve tea to the Earth King. Zuko smiles as he continues sweeping the floors, apparently content in his new life. Back in Long Feng’s cell, a deal has been worked out, ands Azula is carted away, a slight coy grin across her face.

Avatar Episode - The Earth King

2008-01-29T16:20:00.000-08:00

The gang is happy to have Appa back and after their fight with the Dai Li, find refuge on a small island on Lake Laogai. With Appa back, Sokka wants to fly to the Ba Sing Se Earth King's palace and give him the information on the eclipse and expose the Dai Li. Although Toph and Katara are first skeptical, they all finally agree after seeing ships that are presumably Dai Li searching for them.

While approaching the palace, they are attacked by earth kingdom soldiers. The gang fight their way through the soldiers all along trying to let them know they don't want to fight them and they should all be on the same side. Once inside the palace, they finally reach an inner chamber where they find the Earth King with Long Feng standing beside him. To show they are not attempting to overthrow him, the kids drop their weapons only to be rock-tied behind their backs by the Dai Li soldiers at Long Feng's command. After finally convincing the Earth King that Long Feng is a liar by exposing the bite that Appa left on his leg, the gang then must convince him that there is a war going on. First they take him to Lake Laogai to show him the prison where all the brainwashing was taking place only to find it has been destroyed already, presumably by the Dai Li. Once they cohearse the Earth King to travel to the outer wall on Appa's back, he finally realizes there is a war going on when he looks upon the drill with the Fire Nation emblem. The Earth King orders the Dai Li to arrest Long Feng to face charges of crimes committed against the Earth Kingdom.
Meanwhile, we see Iroh and Zuko returning from Lake Laogai. Zuko begins to get blurred vision and collapses. He is stirred awake by Iroh explaining to him that his actions in freeing the Avatar's Bison have started a reaction inside him and that once he awakes from his turmoil, he will be the beautiful Prince that he was meant to be. Zuko first dreams has him sitting in the Fire Temple's chambers being addressed as Fire Lord Zuko by a blue dragon with Azula's voice. Zuko's scar is gone and the Blue Dragon is trying to get him to sleep but the Red Dragon, with the voice of Iroh, wants him to stay awake and leave. The Blue Dragon tells him to sleep again, just like his mother. Zuko's dream then changes to a vision of his mother asking him for help which he is unable to give as he gets sucked into a black hole.
Back at the palace, Sokka and Aang fill the Earth King in about the comet and the eclipse. He agrees to provide troops to assist in the attack against the Fire Nation. Their meeting is interrupted by General How, the leader of the Counsel of 5, a group of highest ranking Generals. He advises the group that they found items of interest while searching Long Feng’s office. Aang is given the note from the Guru that was attached to Appa’s horns. Toph is given a letter presumably from her mother asking to meet her at a location in Ba Sing Se. Sokka and Katara are given an intelligence report detailing the location of their father. The group decides to split up to follow these leads with Katara staying behind in Ba Sing Se to assist the Earth King with plans to invade the Fire Nation.
As Aang and Sokka are preparing to leave on Appa, they are interrupted when the Earth King approaches them with news of a group of individuals calling themselves Kyoshi Warriors who are asking for an audience with the king. Sokka assures the Earth King that they are valuable and trustworthy allies in the fight against the Fire Nation and he agrees he will greet them as honorable guests. Before leaving, Aang attempts to tell Katara how he feels about her. Sokka breaks into the moment and the gang shares a tender moment together when they realize the won‘t be seeing each other for awhile. Aang and Sokka are seen flying off on Appa with positive thoughts that everything is finally going in the right direction.
Again, we see Zuko waking up and going to splash water on his face. As he brings his face up to look in the mirror, he is shocked to see that he has an airbender's arrow on his bald head and once again, the scar is not present. Zuko jerks awake to realize it was just a dream. He slowly raises his hand to his face, touching below his right eye feeling where the scar is still present.
The scene shifts to a prison, where we see a Dai Li soldier sliding a dinner plate under a door to Long Feng. The soldier states that the military and the Counsel of 5 are loyal to the Earth King but the Dai Li is still loyal to Long Feng.
Back in Ba Sing Se, we see Toph approach a house and knock upon the door. Entering inside calling for her mother, she realizes something is wrong. A large metal coffin drops from the ceiling, enclosing her inside. We see Master Yu and Xin Fu drop from the ceiling and approach the coffin stating that somebody has been a bad wandering so far from home.
We finally see the procession of 3 Kyoshi Warriors approaching the Earth King. As the warriors march past the soldiers, they bow down to present themselves to the king as he welcomes them. The head Kyoshi Warrior raises her head wearing the head piece of Suki, but instead we hear Azula’s voice say, "We are the Earth King’s humble servants." The 3 Kyoshi Warriors are actually revealed to be Azula, Mai and Ty Lee.

Avatar Episode - Lake Laogai

2008-01-29T16:09:00.000-08:00

The episode begins at the kids' house in the upper ring of Ba Sing Se. Sokka is attempting to draw pictures of Appa for posters Aang would drop around the city. Aang and Katara burst in with a professionally-made poster, featuring a much better picture of Aang's pet than Sokka's crude drawings. The group plans on spreading the fliers all over the city, hoping someone will have some information.
Meanwhile, Iroh's tea-making skills have earned him renown throughout the city. So much so, that a rich patron is willing to give him his own tea shop in the upper Ring of the city, much to the dismay of his present, now former, employer. While this is a dream come true for Iroh, Zuko, of course, is much less enthusiastic. He goes outside to sulk, and one of Aang's flyers falls into his hand, he is now faced with a decision. He has one more opportunity to capture Aang.

Later, Aang returns home, impatient to see if the fliers have had any success. Katara tells him to be patient, when there is a knock on the door. Aang thinks it is someone with information on Appa, instead, it's Joo Dee. She was the first one who met them when they entered the city. She explains her mysterious disappearance at the Earth king's party as having taken a short vacation to Lake Laogai. She informs the group that dropping fliers without clearance is against the rules. Aang has had quite enough of the "rules", and tells Joo Dee off, saying that he intends to find Appa, and that she should stay out of his way. Toph is elated at the opportunity to break the rules, and expresses this joy by breaking a wall in there house. The group heads out, with two Dai Li agents watching there every move.
Elsewhere, Long Feng is disappointed in Joo Dee's second failure to control the Avatar and his friends. Joo Dee worries that the group no longer trusts her, and rightly so. Long Feng simply says, "Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai". Joo Dee's eyes go blank, and she all-too calmly accepts the invitation. Long Feng tells her to await further orders. As she leaves, Long Feng himself reveals that he too is worried that the Avatar may disrupt his control over the city and the king.
Back at their little apartment, Iroh is still excitedly mowing over names for his new tea shop. Zuko informs Iroh that the avatar is in the city and searching for his bison. Iroh warns Zuko that further perusing the Avatar in Ba Sing Se could jeopardize their attempts at rebuilding their lives. Zuko is still set upon reclaiming his believed destiny. Iroh tells him that he should take the time to think about what that means, and why.
Out in the city, the gang is setting up more posters when Katara is approached by Jet. He tells her that he wants to help, but Katara is understandably furious with him, and attacks. Jet deflects her attacks, and tries to prove his honesty by dropping his hooked swords. The others arrive, drawn by the noise of her attack, to find Jet pinned to the wall. Toph, reading Jet's heartbeat and breathing patterns, pronounces that he's telling the truth. Katara is still distrustful, but agrees. Jet leads them to a large empty warehouse, where he says they may have been holding Appa. Toph confirms it by finding a tuft of Appa's fur. A old man who is sweeping comes in and says that he's glad that he doesn't have to clean up after the creatures droppings. The old cleaning man says that the creature was sent off to Whale Tail Island, which would take weeks, maybe months to get to. It is located down near the South Pole. He said it was bought by some wealthy noble for a zoo or something. Aang immediately wants to set off, and Jet offers to come along. But Katara reluctantly says no.
On their way out, the group is sidetracked when Smellerbee and Longshot who happen to come across them. Katara once again turns on Jet, as he had claimed to have left his gang behind. Jet insists that he's been living a peaceful life in the city, but Smellerbee of course says that he was arrested by the Dai Li a few weeks beforehand. Toph says that they're both telling the truth, even though their stories don't match. Sokka quickly realizes that the reason Toph can tell that neither of them is lying is because they both think their telling the truth. Jet has been brainwashed.
That night, a Dai Li agent is walking alone down a street when he's bumped aside by the Blue Spirit(Zuko). He chases the Spirit down an alley and attacks him, knocking the head off a decoy. Zuko quickly captures him, demanding that the agent tells him what he needs, and if he is denied, The Blue Spirit implies that he will cut off the agents head.
Meanwhile, the group, plus Longshot and Smellerbee, are holding Jet. Katara guesses that Jet and the old man were used to try to lead them away from the city on a false lead. Aang, realizing that Appa may be held in the same place they brainwashed Jet, tries to get him to remember where he was taken. When trying to remember the night his home was attacked proves too painful, Katara uses her healing to try to help him out. Jet remembers that he was taken to a secret facility under a water like a lake. Sokka remembers what Joo Dee had said about her "vacation", jogging more off Jet's memory. She said she went on vacation at Lake Laogai. The base is under Lake Laogai.
The group makes their way to the lake the next day, and Toph quickly finds and uncovers an underwater tunnel. They go inside, quietly making their way through the dark corridors. In one room, a group of women are being "conditioned" to be Joo Dees. Jet leads the group to a cell he thinks will be big enough to hold Appa, when he opens. Inside his cell, Appa gets up as his cell door is opened. But it's not Jet who opened this door, but The Blue Spirit.
Meanwhile, the gang find themselves confronted by Long Feng and several Dai Li agents. A battle quickly breaks out. Long Feng starts to leave the room, with Aang and Jet in hot pursuit. Long Feng tries to make one last bargain with Aang, but he and Jet refuse. Instead, he extends the same invitation to Jet that he did to Joo Dee. Jet's eyes go blank, and he attacks Aang.

In Appa's Cell, The Blue Spirit (Zuko) is suddenly confronted by Iroh, who asks who could be behind that mask. Then, Iroh scolds Zuko for not planning ahead, particularly over the time when they were at the North Pole, in which he would have died had the Avatar's friends not come along. He pleads with Zuko to look inside himself for once, and find his own destiny, not the one forced on him by his father. Zuko throws his mask and swords to the ground in anger.
Elsewhere, Aang is trying to get Jet to snap out of his trance, while avoiding his attacks. He finally gets through to him by reminding him of his past as a Freedom Fighter. Jet recovers and Long Feng asks whats he is doing and tell him to finish Aang. Jet quickly hurls one of his hooked swords at Long Feng's head, who dodges and retaliates with a crushing blow. Long Feng escapes as the others enter the chamber. Katara tries to heal Jet, and realizes just how badly he was injured. Smellerbee asks them to go on ahead they'll be fine. Katara tells them that they can't just leave them there but Longshot speaks for the first time and tells Aang and his group that they should go an find Appa, and leave Jet to Smellerbee and himself. He's our leader. Jet tries to assure Katara that he'll be alright, but as they leave, Toph sorrowfully tells Sokka that Jet was lying.
They finally reach Appa's cell, only to find the chains broken, and Appa gone. Thinking that the Dai Li have taken him, they rush back to the surface, only to find themselves surrounded by Long Feng and Dai Li agents. Momo suddenly takes off into the sky, only to have Appa come down and break through two of the walls the Dai Li made and Appa taking out Long Feng by biting him. Toph and Aang take this opportunity to take out the remaining Dai Li on the middle wall and flings them into the lake. Long Feng tries to attack Appa, only to have his foot caught in Appa's mouth, and gets tossed into the lake Laogai, skipping across the surface. Aang and the others joyfully reunite with there Flying friend.
Meanwhile, Zuko and Iroh leave the base, barely missing the fighting. Zuko acknowledges his Uncles words, dropping the Blue Spirit mask into the water. He stands looking at it, as it sinks into the darkness.

Avatar Episode - Appa's Lost Days

2008-01-29T15:58:00.000-08:00

This episode spans a period of four weeks, from the end of 'The Library' to just before 'Tales of Ba Sing Se', detailing Appa's adventures after he was captured by the Sandbenders outside of Wan Shi Tong's library.
The Episode begins with Appa's capture in the earlier episode. Sandbenders attack Appa with intent to capture him, while Toph, her hearing is hampered by the sand, and divided by the need to prevent the library from sinking, is unable to help.
The sandbenders drag Appa away, until Ghashiun, the leader of the group, orders Appa's saddle ransacked for any valuables, but nothing more valuable than Sokka's club is found. Appa tries to fight back once more, destroying one of the sand sailer's, but Ghashiun is unfaded, as that sailer had been stolen from another tribe in the first place. He tosses the supplies on the saddle away, and continues with his plan to sell Appa to a group of Earth Kingdom Merchants with beetle-like hats.
After a little debate, the merchants decide to buy Appa, giving the Sandbender's a small chest with the money. The merchants start to drag Appa into a position so they can secure him on a caged sled , but once Appa is fastened into the sled, Aang blows his whistle during his search for Appa. Appa hears the whistle and begins to struggle, lifting the entire sled off the ground. The merchants decided to shoot Appa with some Shirshu spit darts fired from a blowgun. The darts land in Appa's foot and he falls quickly to the ground. Before he is unconscious, he sees the giant cloud created by a frustrated Aang as he hears the two merchants discuss selling him for parts.

Appa next wakes up inside a small cage, along with several other animals. A firebender talks to him and seems sympathize, but it immediately becomes apparent that he is an Animal Tamer, and intends to break Appa to his will. He begins by feeding the other animals, but not Appa. Instead, he lets out a Vulture Griffin and shows how Appa will "earn" his food by sending the Vulture Griffin through hoops. While the Animal Tamer is performing tricks, Appa slyly sucks in air, pulling the cabbages from the cart to his mouth. The Tamer furiously threatens Appa with fire.
That night, the circus is performing in a Fire Nation town. Appa tries to pull a bale of hay closer to him to eat, but it is much heavier than a cabbage. A small boy, waiting for his father to return with some "sizzle crisps," disobeys his father's orders not to move, and helps Appa by moving the hay close enough for him to eat. He stays with Appa, only leaving when the Animal Tamer comes back. The Animal Tamer speaks to the circus' Ringmaster of how Appa is not "ready" to perform and how he needs more time, but the Ringmaster tells him that a circus is, "the home of Fear and Danger," and that Appa will perform that night.
During the show, Appa is introduced as "The Wind Buffalo," and dressed in a garish costume and makeup. The crowd laughs at the sight of Appa, and the Animal Tamer attempts to get Appa to fly by shouting, "Up." Appa spins around, and the crowd laughs more, only infuriating the Animal Tamer, who strikes at Appa with a whip of flame. Appa flies up and goes through a burning hoop and stands up on a high-rising platform, then flies through another hoop. However, Appa's costume catches on fire, and he slaps the hoop to the ground, striking the Animal Tamer on the head and knocking him to the ground. The crowd laughs again. Appa lands, and sees the boy who helped him earlier, who reminds him of Aang. The boy yells at Appa, telling to escape, and as Appa flies up, the Animal Tamers gets back up and is about to strike Appa with the whip, only to have Appa send him flying through the Circus tent. Appa manages to slip through an airhole at the top side of the tent, and escapes, leaving behind his costume for the small boy to watch and smile.
Appa flies back to the spot where the library was, only to find it completely buried. He tries to dig it out, but decides it a futile effort, and flies off. Feeling hungry, Appa lands to find food. He starts to move towards a giant purple egg, and just as he is about to eat it, a bipedal lizard runs off with the egg held above his head. He then turns over and goes to eat a cactus, scaring away a jackalope in the process: However, Appa eats the whole cactus, and gets a mouth full of thorns for his trouble. Appa lifts off again, and finds himself in the Buzzard-Wasp nest that Aang and the gang travelled to, quickly earning the ire of its inhabitants. Appa manages to fight them off, and collapses in the sand, trying to get at the honey on his feet.

Avatar Episode - The Tales of Ba Sing Se

2008-01-29T03:13:00.000-08:00

The Tale of Toph and Katara
The story opens at the location of the gang's house in Ba Sing Se, the whole group busily cleaning themselves up for the day aside from Toph who has yet to wake up. When Katara wakes her, Toph presents herself with her hair a mess and her body covered in dust, considering herself ready. Katara suggests they have a "Girl's Day Out," and takes her to the Fancy Lady Day Spa. Toph agrees, as long as they don't touch her feet. This is a denied request and Toph sends one of the attendants through the wall during a pedicure. The girls then take a mud bath where Toph uses her Earthbending to make creepy faces with the mud and scare away the attendant. The two then relax in a sauna, using their bending to both feed the fire and create the steam.
The girls leave the sauna now with make-up on their faces. Toph comments that while she does not usually do fancy things, it's not something she dislikes. As they cross a bridge, three older girls poke fun of Toph's makeup. Toph is upset by these remarks and Katara tries to urge her to ignore them. Toph, however, laughs back at the girls and then Earthbends the ground from under them sending them into the water below. Katara finishes with her own parting shot by washing the girls downstream.
Katara tries to console Toph as they continue walking on. Toph claims that because she is blind, she does not have to worry so much about personal appearance or the approval of others, the words of the girls still hurt her all the same, and she sheds a few tears. Katara compliments that Toph is not only confident and self-assured, but also pretty. Toph proclaims she would like to return the favor but has no idea what Katara looks like. Katara laughs at this and the story ends with Toph giving her a friendly punch on the arm.

The Tale of Iroh
While strolling through a market, Iroh stops and buys a few things at a street stand. Iroh purchases a picnic basket and when the owner asks, Iroh claims that it is for a special occasion. He then aids the shopkeeper by helping a Moon Flower bloom by moving it closer to the shade. Continuing his walk, he sees a small boy crying and his mother struggling to calm him. Iroh borrows a liuqin from a nearby shop and sings a song to the weeping child. The song tells the tale of a young soldier boy marching home from war. The boy stops crying as Iroh sings to him and he then proceeds to thank Iroh by pulling his beard and laughing.
In a small street alley, Iroh watches some boys play a form of soccer that employs Earthbending. The ball gets repelled of a rock and crashes through a window. He tells them that it is always best to admit your mistakes in order to restore honor. However, the owner appears in the window, massive in size and he retracts his comments and tells them to run. After running down an alley, he is threatened at knife point by a mugger. Unconcerned for his own safety, Iroh tells the mugger that his stance makes him weak to attacks and proves it by knocking him down and stealing his dagger. Iroh corrects the man's stance and comments that he does not look like a criminal. The man admits that he is confused with his life right now and has turned to crime. Iroh and the man share some tea as Iroh suggests that the man would become a good masseur. The man comments that no one has ever believed in him, to which Iroh comments that help from others can be a great blessing. Iroh gave the same wisdom to Toph in the episode "The Chase."
Iroh comes to rest upon a hill with a large tree. He sets up some rocks and pulls out materials from the basket he purchased earlier. The special occasion it was needed for was a memorial for Lu Ten's birthday (the son Iroh lost in the war). Iroh places a cloth out upon the ground along with a picture of Lu Ten. He then lights two incense sticks and places them in a holder. Iron says happy birthday to the image and confesses that he wished he could have helped his own son, as he had helped those along his way. Iroh then starts singing the song he had played earlier for the crying boy, though this time, it is broken up by tears as Iroh mourns Lu Ten's absence.
The Tale of Aang
Flying high over Ba Sing Se, Aang lands at a small zoo looking for Appa, Looking around; he sees a wide variety of animals, all of whom are miserable in their small cages. Many of them are also partially starved and hungry. The Zookeeper tells Aang that the zoo is no longer receiving funding from the Dai Li because it is no longer popular with the children. However in a circle of troubles, nobody comes to the zoo because it does not receive the funding and is quite filthy (one of the cages shows an animal lying near multiple piles of feces). The Keeper would like nothing more than to let his animals run wild in open spaces. Aang suggests moving the animals outside to an open area just outside the city.
The animals prove much more difficult to control than Aang originally thought and they end up running wild over the city, terrorizing the citizenry. Hog-monkies destroy a shop, various animals attack the citizens, and the Cabbage Merchant has his cabbages eaten by a Rabaroo. After trying to restore order, Aang pulls out his Bison whistle and blows a huge burst of air through it using Airbending. He then hops on an air-ball as the animals run after him.
Meanwhile, the Zookeeper frantically tries to get the guards to open the gate. The refuse until they see the oncoming stampede. Once the gates are open, Aang reaches the other side and hops on his air-ball again. Using his Earthbending, he creates a wall around the animals. He continues to Earthbend paths, secluded areas, and habitat accessories. The children and their families come flocking to the new Zoo and the Zookeeper thanks Aang for his help. The Zookeeper tells Aang he should have a job with animals. However, the zoo animals weren't the only creatures that followed the sound of the whistle, as many cats, dogs, and cat-dogs are also inside the animal pens. After that, the Zookeeper decides that Aang should stick to saving people.
The Tale of SokkaIn the peaceful city, Sokka is outside his element of war and battle. His boomerang has become a toy as he walks through the city. Sokka finds a haiku class full of pretty girls. While peeking through the window, enjoying the show, he is shoved from behind by an Ostrich Horse and winds up inside. While explaining the window to the girls he actually rhymes in haiku. The instructor becomes upset with the intrusion and disruption of the class. She is also disgusted with the common place message his haiku presents and presents the rules of haiku to him in a much more formal tone. Sokka soon gets into a contest with the teacher, both of which speak only in haiku. After each of Sokka's, the girls in the class breaks into giggling. After several bouts, with Sokka comically winning each one, he eventually messes up and adds an extra syllable to the final line, causing the class to become silent and hard faced. After counting the syllables, a very large guard throws him out of the class back on to the street. Sokka changed his mind about liking poetry in the end.
The Tale of Zuko
Working at the teahouse, Zuko is worried that a young girl has made him out as being from the Fire Nation. When he tells Iroh about it, Iroh realized that the girl, Jin, simply has a crush on Zuko. This is quickly proven correct when Jin comes to the counter and asks him out after paying. Iroh quickly accepts on his nephew's behalf. They meet after sundown outside the shop.
Zuko leaves the shop, polished in nice clothes and slicked hair that took Iroh ten minutes to fashion. Jin, however, messes it up before they leave. Zuko, not used to something as mundane as a date, is more than a little nervous, and makes a few missteps, but Jin seems to take it in stride. She asks Zuko about his life, which causes Zuko to make up a story that he and Iroh were part of a traveling circus before they came to Ba Sing Se. Jin asks him what he performed as, but she stops him, because she wanted to guess. When Jin guesses "juggling", Zuko flows with it. With encouragement from Jin, Zuko starts and gets himself covered in food claiming a lack of practice as the problem.
Jin pulls Zuko off to one of her favorite parts of the city, the Firelight Fountain. At night, the fountain is usually lit by lanterns in the evening and causes the water to sparkle. But when they get there, the lanterns are all dark and unlit. Sensing her disappointment, Zuko tells Jin to close her eyes. Then, making sure no one else is around to watch, he quietly lights all the lanterns with his Firebending. Jin and Zuko stare into the fountain and Jin reaches out and holds Zuko's hand. Slyly, Jin tries to give Zuko a kiss, but as she tries, Zuko holds up a coupon for a free tea between them and gives it to her. Nonplussed, she tells Zuko to close his eyes so she could present her gift to him. She then kisses him lightly and briefly. Zuko gives her a brief kiss in return, but quickly breaks away and leaves. When Jin asks him why, he simply says that it's complicated and continues to leave.
Back at his apartment, Iroh's query about the night is answered only by a slamming of the doors to Zuko's room. But Zuko opens the door slightly afterwards and tells him it was nice, and then slides the door closed.
The Tale of Momo
Momo dreams about eating fruit from a tree in the clouds with Appa, but wakes up when he is startled by a loud bang of thunder. He leaps into Sokka's bag and comes up with a tuft of white fur on his head. Smelling it, Momo realized that the fur is Appa's. Seeing an Appa-like shadow on the ground, he wraps the fur around his wrist and takes off after it, only to find a lone cloud. A similar sighting only turns out to be a cherry tree.
Disappointed, Momo decides to continue searching the city for Appa. Unfortunately, he soon draws the attention of a trio of Pygmy Pumas, which see him as a potential meal, Momo tries to escape, but the cats work together to try to bring him down. Momo manages to run into a crowd of people, but he is quickly grabbed by a man, fitted with a hat, and set out with a pair of dancing monkeys. The cats chase him out of the crowd and pin him to the ground, but all four of them suddenly find themselves captured.
The four animals are brought to a butcher and the man that captured them begins haggling with the owner. Momo frees himself using his opposable thumb and starts to run off. However, upon seeing the three pumas, he frees them from their cages and all four run off on the rooftops. As they sit on a roof, one of the pumas removes the fur tied to Momo and the three run off down an alley. The cats stop and place the fur in a large three-toed footprint belonging to Appa. Momo does not notice the print as he lands in it. He curls on top of the tuft of fur and falls asleep as rain starts to fall.

Avatar Episode : City of Walls and Secrets

2008-01-29T02:55:00.000-08:00

As a reward for protecting Ba Sing Se from the Fire Nation attack, Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph are allowed into the city and given a house in the inner ring. While the others are optimistic about having reached the city, Toph is none too thrilled- apparently she has been in Ba Sing Se before, and did not find it to her liking. Soon after they arrive, Aang and his friends are met by Joo Dee, a woman assigned to guide them around the city. Attempts by Sokka to try and get their guide to talk about the war and a possible audience with the Earth King are invariably ignored. As they see the many sections of Ba Sing Se, the kids soon find the segregation of rich and poor people is not to their liking. Aang recalls that this may be the reason why he didn't visit the city in the years before his being trapped in the iceberg. When a possible audience with the Earth King is finally mentioned, it is revealed that they will have to wait at least a month. It soon becomes apparent that within the walls of the city, no one wants to talk or even think about the war raging in the rest of the world. Even Aang's attempts to find Appa bears no fruit as no one seems willing to divulge any information to them, thanks to some meaningful glances from Joo Dee.

Meanwhile, Zuko and Iroh have found jobs in a tea house, where the former Fire Nation general soon becomes popular for his superior tea brews. Unknown to the two, Jet the freedom fighter is constantly watching them and waiting for either one to show signs of firebending.
When a notice arrives of a party being held in the palace, Katara decides its a good way to reach the Earth King. Toph says that since the gang are mostly commoners, they'd be spotted right away if they went to the event. In the end, Toph and Katara dress up in formal attire and head for the palace as Aang and Sokka wait. The girls are initially refused entry by a guard, who rejects even Toph's family seal. They eventually get inside by tagging along with an official named Long Feng.

Aang and Sokka arrive at the palace themselves and enter the side entrance as servants. All of the kids are soon discovered by Joo Dee, who appears very frightened that they have defied the orders and entered the palace. Aang is soon exposed as the Avatar and a commotion erupts. Sokka, Katara, Toph and Momo are soon gathered gently but forcefully by the guards. Aang himself is confronted by Long Feng, and taken to a room where the others are waiting.

Jet, getting impatient with waiting, finally charges into the tea restaurant where Iroh and Zuko are working. He accuses the two newcomers as Firebenders, but is met only by skepticism by the tea shop patrons. Angered, Jet draws his swords. Zuko draws his own double blades and the two start a prolonged duel. Despite taunts from Jet, Zuko holds his own without using his firebending. Zuko finally disarms Jet at the cost of one of his blades. Guards arrive at the scene and take Jet into custody. Smellerbee and Longshot watch as their friend and leader is taken away. Later, in a darkened room, a captive Jet appears to be subjected to a form of brainwashing.

Inside Long Feng's chamber, Aang and the rest try to talk about the coming Solar Eclipse, but are abruptly cut off by Feng. To preserve the culture and utopian life within the walls of Ba Sing Se, no mention of the war is permitted. It is also revealed that Feng, the Earth King's secretariat, is in charge of handling day-to-day affairs in the city, including all military matters. The King himself is no more than a figurehead, a beloved icon. When Aang threatens to talk and tell everyone about the war, Feng threatens them with expulsion from the city. He then goes on to say that if Aang persists, he may never see the missing Appa ever again.

As they are dismissed, Long Feng calls in Joo Dee to accompany them. Aang stares in disbelief as they all realize that a different woman has taken the place of Joo Dee.

Avatar Episode : The Drill

2008-01-28T17:03:00.000-08:00

The episode begins with Fire Nation tanks moving towards the wall with the drill close behind. Several segments of the drill then extend out making the drill even larger. Steam comes out of pipes and spikes lodge into the ground around the drill. The command module then rises up into the sky attached to the drill like an antenna. Inside the command module is Mai, Ty Lee, Azula, War Minister Ching, and several fire nation soldiers operating the drill. War Minister Ching is bragging about the drill and how it will defeat Ba Sing Se. He says, "Nothing can stop us." Ty Lee then questions whether the earthbenders in the drill's way will stop it. Ching then replies, "The drill's metal shell is impervious to any earthbending attack." and hits the periscope Ty Lee was looking through. Azula doubts Ching and sends Mai and Ty Lee to take out the earthbenders. Mai sighs, "Finally, something to do." Then we see the family Toph, Katara, and Sokka are leading to Ba Sing Se with their new born baby: Hope. Aang flies down on his glider with Momo and lands in front of them. Katara asks what he's doing there. Aang answers Katara and then Toph and Aang are earthbending everyone up the wall. Sokka asks, "Now, what's so big that Appa has to wait?" Aang says, "That." The drill is shown briefly and then everyone is on top of the wall looking down at it with horror. The mother says that they're finally there and that no one is safe. Earthbender soldiers then ask what they are doing there. Aang says that he is the Avatar and asks them to take him to their leader. The general says that their help is not needed and goes on about how the wall is impenetrable.

Toph says that the Dragon of the West(Iroh) got in and the general responds saying that he was quickly removed. He makes a joke about the meaning of the word Ba Sing Se. Toph says that there is still the drill. The general says he has sent out a team of Earthbenders called the Tera Team. Sokka comments on the name being catchy. The Terra Team knocks one of the Fire Nation tanks into the air and out of their way. They bend earth spike-like columns to the drill from the ground. The drill extends again and the columns crumble. They all create earth shields protecting them from Mai's daggers. Ty Lee and Mai slide down the drill's side. Ty Lee swings off a rope onto the ground. She deftly takes out all the earthbenders in seconds. Ty Lee is standing over all the defeated benders. The general sees their defeat and exclaims, "We're doomed!" Sokka slaps him and tells him to get a hold of himself. The general apologizes. Toph asks him if he wants their help again. He turns to Aang and says," Yes, please." Katara, Toph, and Aang all look at Sokka for a plan. Iroh and Zuko are at the underground ferries. The ticket lady says their names and looks at them suspiciously. Iroh corrects her on the pronunciation of their names and she gets mad and asks him if he's telling her how to do her job. Then Iroh compliments her and says she's pretty. She likes it and compliments him back. The ticket lady stamps their tickets and welcomes them to Ba Sing Se. Zuko snatches his ticket out of Iroh's hand and says,"I'm gonna forget I saw that." Jet and Smellerbee talk about Lee(Zuko) joining the new Freedom Fighters. Smellerbee doesn't like the idea. Katara is using her healing powers on one of the Earthbenders that was attacked by Mai and Ty Lee. The general asks her what is wrong with him. She tells him that the earthbenders chi is blocked. Katara asks the earthbender who injured him and from the description Katara knows that it's Ty Lee. She is talking about Ty Lee and says "it's like she takes you down from the inside." Sokka face lights up and he waves his arms in excitement. Sokka says,"What you just said that's how we're gonna to take down the drill. The same way Ty Lee took down all these big earthbenders. Toph chimes in by saying,"By hitting its pressure points!" Aang summarizes what was just said. Toph earthbends a creating an enormous dust cloud for them to use as cover. Toph tells them to stay close. They all run into the cloud. Ty Lee sees the dust cloud through the periscope and says that it's poofy. Azula looks at War Minister Ching and he reassures her that it's nothing.
Everyone is running in the dust and Toph creates a tunnel and tells everyone to get in. Sokka says how it's a dark and Toph sarcastically says,"Oh no, what a nightmare." Sokka apologizes for being so careless. They all come out of the tunnel and are under the drill. Sokka sees an open hatch and Aang helps them all get into the drill. He tells Toph to get on and she explains that she wouldn't be able to see and that she'll help from the outside. Toph wedges a huge rock against the drill and to slow it down. Sokka says that he needs some schematics of the drill and Aang asks where they're going to get it. Sokka swings his machete taking off a wheel to a pipe. Steam starts to rush out of it. At first Aang and Katara don't get why he broke that but Sokka explains and they understand. A firebender engineer walks out of the mist and turns around. Katara freezes all of the steam and the engineer too. Sokka takes a schematic from the engineer and the gang run up some stairs. Sokka examines the schematic and explains that they need to cut through the braces that hold together the inner mechanism and the outer shell. Iroh and Zuko are sitting on a bench. Jet comes over and sits next to Zuko. Jet asks Zuko if he has any plans once in the city. A tea cart comes by and Iroh asks for some Jasmine. Iroh spits it out disgusted and complains that it's cold. Jet asks Zuko if he could talk to him. Zuko heavily sighs. Jet tries to convince Zuko to join the Freedom Fighters but Zuko declined. Jet sees Iroh drinking hot tea and then Jet is sure that he's a firebender. Zuko knocks the tea out of Iroh's hand and scolds Iroh for firebending his tea in public. Iroh says,"I know I'm not supposed to cry over spilled tea, but it's just so sad." Sokka, Katara, and Aang arrive to the braces. Sokka comments on the size of the braces. Aang and Katara slowly slice away at the brace. After half way through one brace both Aang and Katara are exhausted. Sokka tries to cheer them on and almost gets water whipped by Katara. They cut through one brace and they are both beat. Aang and Katara both don't know if they can make it in time. Suddenly, there is a loud rumbling and the entire drill shakes. They think that they finished the drill but then War Minister Ching comes over the announcement system and explains that they have made contact with the wall. Sokka is uselessly pushing as hard as he can against the brace Katara and Aang cut through. Katara says that this is bad. Sokka then says how they're putting everything they have into cutting down the braces. Aang then explains that they don't need to cut all the way through the braces just enough and then he'll give the final blow. Aang reminds them that everyone in Ba Sing Se is depending on them. Toph is still slowing down the drill painstakingly. Aang and Katara are still cutting away at the braces. Earthbenders on the wall are throwing tons of boulders at the drill but to no avail. A soldier informs the war minister that the engineer was ambushed, and another tells him that a brace was cut clean through. Azula says,"Let's go ladies." Aang and Katara are still cutting through the braces. Sokka is in the middle of cheering them on when a blue fire ball comes down. He dodges and screams. Ty Lee exclaims,"Wow, Azula you were right it is the Avatar... and friends." Sokka waves and says,"Hey." Katara pulled him away. Ty Lee dove towards Aang and he airbended her away. They split up and Katara gives her water sack to Aang. Mai and Ty Lee follow Katara and Sokka. Azula follows Aang and says that the Avatar is hers. Sokka and Katara come to a hatch that reads: "slurry pipeline". Katara asks what it means and Sokka says that it's their way out. They jump down into the muddy water and get carried away. Ty Lee and Mai look down into the pipe. Ty Lee tries to get Mai to go with her but Mai persistently refuses. Ty Lee shrugs and jumps in. Mai closes the hatch after her. Aang speeds past numerous engineers and control rooms with Momo on his back. He goes up a ladder to deliver the final blow. Katara and Sokka end up outside of the drill covered in wall sludge with Ty Lee close behind. Katara bends the water in the mud creating a plug with Ty Lee in it. Sokka tells her to keep it up so that when Aang delivers the final blow it'll be ready to pop. Aang picks a spot on the top of the drill to deliver the final blow to. Suddenly, several boulders fall from the sky. One of the boulders nearly hits Aang. Aang tries to tell the general to stop shooting rocks and then right after the general says,"Soldiers, whatever you do, don't stop shooting rocks down there!" Aang uses the water to weaken the spot where he is going to deliver the final blow. Katara is still holding back the slurry to build up pressure. Sokka is cheering her on and she finally gets fed up and pushes him down with slurry. Toph asks if they need any help and Katara asks her to help plug up the drain. Toph earthbends the earth causing the pipes to be about to burst. Aang is still working on weakening the spot and stops to say,"What I'd give to be metal bender." Momo shrieks and they turn around to see a blue fire blast shooting towards them. Aang dodges it. Aang sends Momo away for his fight with Azula. Azula shoots several balls of fire at him. Aang dodges them and shoots an airbending blast back. He uses his water whip to knock Azula's blasts off target. She kicks two fierce blasts and Aang tries to block them with water but it evaporates while he is knocked back. Several boulders start falling again and Aang takes the opportunity to shoot one at Azula. She ducks in time and shoots a fire ball. Aang creates a wall of rubble and shoots rocks from the wall at Azula. She kicks them away and almost gets Aang's head with a kick of flames. Azula somersaults in the air and does a really powerful fire blast destroying his wall. Aang hurtled into the wall and falls unconscious on to the ground. The drill extends again and Azula walks over to Aang to deliver the final blow. Azula picks Aang up and holds him against the wall. She forms a blue flame in her hand while Aang is coming to. He quickly makes an earth glove and blocks her attack which knocks her several feet back. Slurry spews from the wall which causes them to lose their balance and crash into each other. They both begin sliding off the drill. Azula is able to stop herself and Momo helps Aang back on his feet. Aang thanks Momo and runs to the weakened spot. A rock falls right next to him. Aang shapes it into a nail and goes high up on the wall on an air scooter. He races down the wall and successfully gives the final blow just missing getting hit by a fire ball by Azula.
Toph makes an island blocking them from the flood of slurry. Iroh and Zuko are on a train with Hope's family heading into Ba Sing Se. And Zuko still wants to go after the avatar. Sokka still tries to give the team a name but gets no one's approval.

Avatar Episode : The Serpent's Pass

2008-01-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

The scene opens with Aang Toph, Momo and Katara enjoying a short refreshing break in a pool of water at the base of a waterfall while Sokka reviews the maps they acquired from the Spirit Library. After accidentally soaking the maps with a waterbending bomb (similar to doing a cannonball in a pool), Katara uses her waterbending to extract the water from the maps. The group then huddles around the map to discuss which direction they should go – the Serpent’s Pass appears to be the most direct route. Just as they decide Serpent’s Pass is what they will head toward, a group of three Earth Kingdom refugees approach and greet the gang. Hearing Aang’s group’s plans to go through Serpent’s Pass (a route for only the desperate) the Earth Kingdom trio convince Aang’s group to go to Full Moon Bay to take a ferry to Ba Sing Se.

After arriving at the hidden Full Moon Bay Ferry station, Katara is amazed to see how many refugees there are awaiting transportation. Unknown to the group, a ferry which has just departed has not only Uncle Iroh and Prince Zuko disguised as Mushi and Li, but also three former Freedom Fighters, Jet, Smellerbee and Long Shot. Jet manages to convince Zuko into liberating some food from the captain.
Meanwhile, back at Full Moon Bay, the ticket master refuses to allow the Cabbage Guy to bring on any vegetables as they may have parasites. Aang then approaches the ticketmaster and requests four tickets. She refuses as he does not have a passport, no animals are allowed and she refuses to believe Aang is the Avatar as she sees 50 a day. Aang backs away as Toph approaches with her family crested documents and the ticket master practically falls over herself to accommodate Toph by granting passage to the four of them (and allowing Momo as her seeing-eye-Lemur).
Just as Sokka is celebrating their score of the tickets, he’s grabbed at the neck by a guard asking for tickets and passports. Not recognizing her until she kisses him on the cheek, Sokka is surprised by a clean faced Suki greeting them. As they catch up on old times and Suki is told of Appa’s disappearance, the trio that was traveling with Aang’s group calls up to them in desperation as their tickets and passports had been stolen. Despite Aang’s appeal to the ticket master, she will not allow the trio onto the ferry. Therefore, Aang decides he will lead them all through the Serpent’s Pass.
As the group heads to the Serpent’s Pass, Suki joins them although Sokka seems to have some misgivings which he doesn’t voice. The group arrives at the Serpent’s Pass and Katara reads the inscription on the post at the entrance stating they should abandon hope. As they head along the pass, they see a Fire Nation ship in the lake. Suddenly, the rock path gives way underneath one of the refugees, but Toph manages to save him. Unfortunately, the rock fall attracts the attention of the Fire Nation ship, which begins firing at the group. Aang deflects fireballs from the group, but one manages to make a hit. After pushing Suki out of the way of rock debris from a Fire Nation blast, Sokka is sure to be hit, but Toph earthbends a barrier to deflect the rock. Instead of thanking Toph, Sokka focuses on getting Suki out of harm’s way. This rightfully annoys Toph, but she quickly follows the group. As night falls, Sokka again acts overprotective of Suki, which baffles her.
Back on the ferry, Zuko, Jet and Smellerbee sneak up into the captain’s private food storeroom and liberate some food. Long Shot shoots up a line for them to escape, which is then pulled out once the group is back on the lower deck disguising the escape route.
As Aang looks out over the water, Katara lets Aang know it’s alright to miss Appa. She asks why he’s keeping his emotions in check and Aang replies that he didn’t like how anger changed him in the desert. Katara encourages Aang to not give up on hope and attempts to give him a hug, but Aang simply bows and thanks her for her concern.
As Sokka is looking at the moon, Suki approaches him and comments on its beauty. She asks him why he’s being so over-protective and he tries to explain about how he was unable to protect someone at the North Pole and he doesn’t want that to happen to anyone else he cares about. Suki, in a roundabout way, tells Sokka she has missed him and the two almost kiss, but Sokka claims he can’t. Suki apologizes, but Sokka says it’s not her fault.
As the ferry continues its passage to Ba Sing Se, Jet hands out food to other passengers, while Iroh comments that Smellerbee is an unusual name for a young man, Smellerbee says maybe it’s because I’m a girl and storms off. Long Shot seems to calm her down. Jet sits with Iroh and Zuko and thinks about how great it will be to see the wall of the great city. Iroh says it is a sight to behold as he saw it once when he was a different man. Jet says he’s going there for a new beginning and Iroh says to Jet, but appears to be directing the words at Zuko, that people deserve a second chance.
The next morning at the Serpent’s Pass, the group hits a section which is completely submerged by the lake. Initially discouraged, the group is brought together as Katara tells everyone to get in a single file line as she parts the water for them to walk the path. Aang helps out and they create a bubble for them to walk in. Momo jumps into the water looking to catch some fish when suddenly something large swims by. The bubble is burst by the creature, Toph earthbends the floor of the path high enough to get them above the waterline. The creature circles them and then shows itself. As Sokka states, we now know why it’s called the Serpent’s Pass. Aang tells Katara to get the others to safety as he distracts the serpent. Katara makes an ice bridge for the others to cross and then heads out on top of the water to assist Aang. Sokka encourages Toph to cross the ice, but mid-way the serpent smashes the bridge sending Toph into the water. Suki rescues her, but thinking it was Sokka, who had called out to Toph that he was coming for her, Toph kisses Suki instead, an embarrassed Toph says “You can go ahead and let me drown now.” Aang and Katara make a huge whirlpool spinning the serpent, which eventually gets knocked out as it hits one of the pass’ walls. The group completes its trek to the other side of the pass and they see the wall of Ba Sing Se. Unfortunately for Sokka’s smooth sailing plans, the pregnant refugee goes into labor. Katara takes charge again and designates jobs to everyone as they prepare to help the woman deliver her baby.
Jet tells Zuko that from the scar he knows who he is, which immediately put Zuko on the defensive, but Jet says he’s an outcast like himself and they need to have each other’s back. Zuko states he’s realized that being on one’s own isn’t always the best path.
Katara helps deliver the baby and they others go right in to see, except for Aang, but Katara tells him he has to see so he heads in. Amazed, Aang’s expression changes from discouraged to encouraged. As the couple thinks of a name, Aang tears up and says “I’ve been going through a really hard time lately, but you’ve made me… hopeful again.” The mother says she knows what they should name their daughter – Hope. The husband agrees.
Later Aang tells Katara he thought he was being strong, but he was really running away from his feelings. Seeing the family full of love reminded him of how he feels about Appa and about her. They embrace as the others walk toward them. Aang says he’s going to try to find Appa and they wish him luck.
Suki tells Sokka she needs to get back to her warriors and Sokka is surprised to realize she came to protect him. Suki apologizes for the previous night, but Sokka stops her with a kiss.
Aang reaches the wall and majestically ascends to the top only to be shocked to see a huge mechanical drill with the Fire Nation emblem emblazoned upon it. Aang turns to Momo and says “Sorry Momo, Appa is going to have to wait.” The drill moves menacingly forward.

Avatar Episode : The Desert

2008-01-28T15:50:00.000-08:00

The scene opens with the gang stuck in the desert right after Aang, Sokka, Katara and Momo exited the Library before it sank. All but Toph are looking in different directions for signs of Appa. A distraught Aang verbally goes after Toph for letting the sandbenders get away with Appa – accusing her of intentionally letting Appa be captured. Katara attempts to calm Aang down and points out that Toph saved them. Sokka doesn’t help the situation by pointing out they are still in need of rescuing - as they are in the middle of the desert. Aang then lashes out at everyone by calling them selfish. Despite Katara’s efforts to calm Aang, he heads out on his glider to look for Appa leaving the others behind. Katara then decides the rest of them need to start walking if they hope to get to Ba Sing Se and get the solar eclipse information to others.

While riding on the ostrich-horse, Iroh makes many sounds appearing to be pretending to be in pain in order to get Zuko to stop for a break. As soon as the duo stops, they are surrounded by five adversaries on rhino’s – the same ones from Avatar Day. Iroh identifies the group as Colonel Mongke and the Rough Rhinos. Iroh greets them in a friendly manner, but takes note of where they all are as the Colonel has stated they are there to capture some fugitives (Zuko and Iroh). As the group attacks, Iroh and Zuko effectively maneuver an escape. Zuko asks Iroh if he has any old friends that don’t want to attack them, giving Iroh an idea.

Katara, Sokka, Toph and Momo are tiredly walking through the desert. Sokka slows a bit and Toph runs into him prompting an irritable Sokka to begin to say “Can’t you watch where you’re…?” momentarily forgetting that Toph is blind. Katara parts up some of her bending water to help keep them hydrated. But is met with some criticism as Sokka realizes it’s been used in the swamp. Sokka spots a cactus and slices part open to reveal water type drink inside. Momo also drinks some. Katara warns against eating strange plants where they do not know what the effects are when suddenly, Sokka’s pupils dilate and both he and Momo begin acting delirious. Katara decides it’s best if they do not have any more and continue looking for Aang.

Aang glides along looking for Appa – blowing his bison whistle and yelling. He then lands and in his anger he airbends a huge sand mushroom cloud. The others (seemingly a long distance away) not only see the cloud but also feel the air. Unknowingly, they decide to keep walking - away from Aang. Sokka and Momo are still delirious.

Back at the Misty Palms Oasis, Xin Fu and Master Yu get information that Aang and Toph have been there recently, but headed into the desert and may never come back. Just then, Xin Fu notices Fire Nation wanted posters as well as Iroh and Zuko arriving into the Oasis.

Nearing sunset and Aang rejoins the group – without Appa. Aang is very discouraged and seems willing to give up, but Katara pulls the group together again and they continue on even as vulture-wasp like creatures buzz overhead.

As Katara declares “I think we should stop for the night” the others gladly fall to the ground exhausted. Toph asks for water and Katara begins to ration out the last of what she has when Momo runs into the water causing it to sink into the ground. Katara manages to get most back using her waterbending. She asks Sokka for a look at some of the information from the library and Sokka (still under the effects of the cactus) accuses Momo of ratting him out by telling Katara about the information he had – forgetting Katara was with him in the library. Still in his defeatist mode, Aang says the maps won’t help them find Appa, but Katara points out they will help them head to Ba Sing Se by following the stars. Katara says they should start up again in a few hours to take advantage of the cool nights.

Iroh and Zuko are in side the same establishment where Aang’s crew met the Professor in the previous episode. Iroh spots someone at the Pai Sho table and believes this may be the friend they are looking for. As they head over, Xin Fu wants to go after them, but Master Yu points out they may be in over their heads given where they are and they should show patience and wait for the right moment to go after Zuko and Iroh. Iroh approaches the Pai Sho table and asks to play. After beginning with the Lotus tile, the friend and Iroh begin what appears to be a ritualistic game understood by the two of them. Xin Fu loses his patience goes for Iroh and Zuko, but their new friend creates a diversion causing the rest of the people in the establishment to fight with two would-be captors while Iroh and Zuko escape.
Meanwhile, Katara is rousing everyone awake to take advantage of the night. Aang mistakes a cloud for Appa. When Katara asks him to waterbend the cloud into her water-skin, Aang angrily does so. After Katara comment on how little water there was from the cloud, Aang blows up at her asking her what she’s doing… to which he quietly states “trying to keep everyone together”. As they head out, Toph bangs her foot against what she calls a boat and Aang uncovers a glider like the sandbenders used. There’s a compass aboard and the group decides to use the glider to try to get out of the desert. Sokka and Momo are still delirious.

Iroh and Zuko are led into a building (flower shop) by their friend who tells Iroh what an honor it is to have such a high ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus. Zuko, still unconvinced as to how Pai Sho playing will help them, makes a derisive statement about flower arranging. Iroh apologizes to their new friend about Zuko lack of appreciation for their group. After a cryptic exchange through a speakeasy type opening, Iroh and the new friend are let into a back room, but Zuko is shut out and made to wait in the flower shop as it is “member’s only”.

Aang uses his airbending to move the glider over the sand. Katara mentions that she doesn’t think the compass is pointing north and suddenly they see a huge rock formation ahead. Toph is excited to get to the rock while Aang appears to be maliciously hoping there are sandbenders there.

When they reach the top of the huge rock, Toph falls back to make a rock angel to show her joy at being back on solid ground. The crew goes into some caves and Sokka says he thinks his head is starting to clear up, but then proceeds to eat a gooey substance from the walls which tastes terrible. Suddenly, Toph realizes these aren’t natural caves and there is something buzzing that is coming toward them.

Huge buzzard-wasp like animals swarm out. Toph’s aim is hampered by the fact the creatures are flying and Katara is out of water for bending. Momo is snatched by one of the buzzing creatures and Aang goes after them. He successfully frees Momo, while the others work their way down the rock. It appears Aang used his airbending to kill the creature after Momo was freed, showing a sinister side to Aang. The rest of the group are fighting off the swarm when suddenly, huge sandblasts shoo them back to the top. When the sand clears there are several sandbenders, Aang returns and lands in between his group and the sandbenders.

Iroh finally emerges from the back room and awakens Zuko as he’s sleeping standing up. He tells Zuko they will be heading to Ba Sing Se and hiding in plain sight. Unfortunately, Xin Fu and Master Yu are still looking for them.

The sandbenders ask why they have one of their vessels and Katara explains they found it and that their Bison was stolen. Toph recognizes one of the voices as one who took Appa. Suddenly Aang demands to know where his bison is and when his accusation is challenged he destroys one of the gliders and makes his demand again.

Xin Fu and Master Yu head into the flower shop looking for Zuko and Iroh, but they are not to be found – even after Xin Fu knocks down the door to the back room. A cart with two potted plants is being taken out of the Oasis and suddenly we see Iroh and Zuko are hiding in the pots.

Aang again demands to know where Appa is and destroys another glider. The leader turns to his son and asks what he did. The son denies any wrong doing, but Toph she heard the son say to put a muzzle on Appa, Hearing this, Aang gets angry and goes instantly into the Avatar state and destroys another glider. The son confesses he took the Bison, but didn’t know it was the Avatar’s. Aang (in a menacing Avatar voice on top of his own) demands to know Appa’s location and the son says he traded Appa to merchant and that he’s probably in Ba Sing Se by now. Avatar Aang begins to form an air ball around him similar to when he was in the Southern Air Temple and had found Gyatso. Sokka takes Toph by the shoulders and says run. As Avatar Aang begins rising into the air, Katara approaches him, grabs his wrist, pulls Aang down and embraces him – eventually bringing Aang out of the Avatar State and it is revealed that tears are streaming down his face.

Avatar Episode : The Library

2008-01-27T19:00:00.000-08:00

The scene opens with Aang sitting in the ground looking over a vast open savanna type landscape. The scene then shifts showing the gang standing behind the seated Aang, who is holding a flute in his hand and Sokka asks “What’s out here?” As Toph bends down to touch the ground, she responds “A lot actually.” Just as she’s about to elaborate, Aang interrupts her telling her not to ruin the surprise. Aang make a musical note with the flute and then a ground-hog type creature emerges and repeats the same note. After several more notes, a frustrated Sokka pus his finger into the end of the flue and states they need to make pans. Toph points out they are making plans - mini-vacations plans. Sokka doesn’t feel they have time for vacations. Aang points out he is working his “arrow off” diligently with Toph and Katara to master the elements and Katara agrees there’s nothing wrong with enjoying themselves during their downtime. Sokka is very concerned they have no inside information about the Fire Nation and that even if Aang masters the elements then what do they do as they have no idea how to even find the Fire Lord let alone defeat him. Sokka states they need intelligence (information) in order to win the war.

Katara aptly states “Alright, we’ll finish our vacations and then we’ll look for Sokka’s intelligence.”
For her mini-vacation, Katara chooses the Misty Palms Oasis from Aang’s map. However, the gang soon finds out the Misty Palms Oasis has gone downhill in reputation in the past 100 years. They go into a bar-like establishment where an employee prepares a fruit beverage using broadswords in almost a teppanyaki style preparation. The customer being served accidentally bumps into Aang spilling some of his drink onto Aang. Aang uses his airbending to dry himself. The customer, excited to meet an airbender, introduces himself as Professor Zei of the Ba Sing Se University. He begins quizzing Aang as though Aang is a science specimen. Sokka inquires as to whether the Professor has a more recent map and the Professor unrolls a map showing a vast desert with routes marked where he has gone in search of the Knowledge Spirits library. With the possibility that the library may have information to be used against the Fire Nation, Sokka dramatically announces his choice for the next mini-vacation to be the library. The Professor states it is impossible to cross the desert and the gang then introduces him to Appa. Sandbenders, who are Earthbenders who specialize in bending sand, are trying to take Appa, but the Professor shooed them away.

The group heads out in search of the large library. After a long search, Sokka finally spots something that looks like a tower sticking out of the sand. Just as they are about to give up, a fox carrying a scroll walks up the side of the tower and into a window at the top and Sokka realizes this is the library. Devastated that his life long dream of finding the Knowledge Spirits library is buried, the Professor drops to the ground and begins to excavate. Toph puts her hand on the tower and announces the library is intact under the sand. All but Toph and Appa head into the library.

After entering the library, they hear something approaching and hide behind ornate columns. A huge black white-faced owl comes out. After a few moments taking in his surroundings, the owl speaks, telling the group he knows they are there. Professor Zei comes out excitedly and introduces himself. The owl is less than impressed and tells the Professor he should leave or he will stuff him like an animal trophy. The others come out from hiding and Sokka asks if he is the spirit who brought the library to the physical world to which the owl says yes. The Knowledge Spirit then informs them that humans are not permitted in the library anymore because they abuse the knowledge in his library. After Aang promises they will not abuse the knowledge, the owl relents but only after each provides some knowledge for the library. The Professor offers a first edition book; Katara offers a waterbending scroll; Aang offers his wanted poster and Sokka offers a specialty tied knot. After accepting these donations to his library (some of which he is less than impressed with), the Knowledge Spirit descends into the lower levels allowing the group to look around.

Meanwhile, Toph attempts to make small talk with Appa outside. She explains to Appa how because the sand is loose her “seeing” abilities are blurred (similar to when a person who wears glasses removes them).

Back inside the library, the group looks around and we learn that in a previous life, Aang was once left-handed. Sokka finds a parchment stating the darkest day of the Fire Nation with a date. The group then goes in search of a Fire Nation wing of the library. Once they find it, they are shocked to discover everything has been destroyed by firebenders. From nowhere a fox appears and indicates that it will lead them to where they can get more information. The fox opens a door to a planetarium and shows them how to use it. Katara suggests putting the date from the parchment and then run the machine. Once this is done, they realize a solar eclipse will incapacitate the firebenders in a manner similar to how the removal of the moon affected the waterbenders. Just as Sokka is gloating about how the firebenders going down, the Knowledge Spirit appears. Understandably angry, he flaps his wings and begins sinking the library. The group begins to flee with the owl chasing them.

Outside, Toph realizes the library is sinking. Her initial attempt to stop the sinking proves fruitless as she begins to sink herself, but she then manages to solidify some sand around her feet while using her fists to slow the library’s decent.

As the chase inside the library continues, Sokka has Aang come with him back to the planetarium so they can see if or when the next solar eclipse will happen before the return of Sozin’s comet. The spirit continues to chase Katara and the Professor as Aang and Sokka head back.

While continuing to hold up the library, Toph becomes aware that others are there. Sandbenders arrive, but Toph can not make out who is there or where they are.

Aang and Sokka begin checking dates from that day to the arrival of Sozin’s comet and eventually find the date of the next solar eclipse, which is in a few months away.
Alternating between holding up the library and shooting random shots at the sandbenders, Toph loses her battle to protect Appa while continuing to hold the library up from sinking.
The Knowledge Spirit catches up to Katara and tells her he is versed in all types of waterbending styles and her bending will do her no good. Suddenly Sokka drops down on the owl and knocks it out. As they begin to ascend the rope, Sokka calls to the Professor who refuses to leave. The spirit regains consciousness and shakes Sokka and Katara off the rope, but Aang manages to catch them and flies them out of the library. Realizing they are out, Toph releases her grip on the library and it vanishes into the sand. Although initially happy at the discovery of a weakness to the Fire Nation, the mood changes once hey realize Appa is gone. A tear goes down Aang's face and the camera pans to the sun and fades to black.

Avatar Episode : Bitter Work

2008-01-27T18:56:00.000-08:00

The episode opens with a whoop from Aang as he celebrates the first day he begins instructions in Earthbending with none other than Sifu Toph, who appears to be equally enthusiastic as she explodes out of her tent, greeting her pupil, and even dedicates a moment to give Sokka a nice wake-up lift.
Meanwhile, back in another part of the desert, Zuko explains to a waking uncle Iroh that Azula had unleashed a surprise lightning attack on him (which, in fact, wasn't all too much of a surprise). After a bitter taste of Zuko's home-made tea, it is agreed that Azula needs to be brought down, and to do so, Iroh will resume training Zuko in firebending. It looks like they'll be turning up the heat to match that of Azula, but doing so requires prince Zuko to face his shame and embrace humility.
Things aren't looking so great for Aang when it becomes apparent that he can't move boulders, but they move him as his first attempt to imitate Toph in smashing a giant rock into the cliff turns into him airbending himself right into Appa. "Rock beats airbender" says a hungry Sokka, who goes off to look for some grub.

As Sokka nears his next meal from afar in the tree tops, he prepares a jump that will secure his meal, but secures himself into a crevice instead. A nonchalant attitude sons turns into panic as he realizes he's gotten himself into a real jam that could very well spell the end of his days as a sarcastic meat-eater, or his own life if doesn't get out.
Toph begins to put Aang through a series of trials in earthbending, each more trying than the one before it, but it appears to be improving his ability to sense the Earth, or so it seems. After a particularly rough few words from Toph, Katara pulls her aside and advises her to be gentler with Aang as he responds better to kind encouragement and a gentle nudge in the right direction.
Seemingly agreeing with Katara, Toph blindfolds Aang, and tells him to stop a rolling boulder speeding toward him from the cliff top. At the last moment, he airbends above it, disappointing Toph to the point that she berates him even further. Aang trudges off with Katara to practice waterbending to take a break from something he obviously cannot master. The two talk and Katara reveals that just as Fire and Water are opposites, so are Earth and Air. As an airbender, earthbending will naturally come harder, but if he tries thinking differently, it will come to him.
Sokka, still stuck in the ground, has befriended the little cuddly animal now resting upon his head, and shares with it his tale that if he ever gets out, he promises that he won't ever eat another piece of meat again, nor will he crack a wind of sarcasm either. Great, the two distinguishing features of his personality, now going to waste. As if to console him, the animal brings back an apple...which Sokka can't even reach.
Zuko becomes frustrated that he can't seem to manipulate the energy and its balances correctly to create lightning, always receiving a blast in the face full of fire. Uncle Iroh reveals that he was afraid this would be the fate of his lesson. Zuko cannot master this technique because he still has too much turmoil inside of him that he must let go, allowing himself to be humble. Zuko seems to only partially understand as he confuses his pride for humility. Uncle finally imparts upon him the philosophies of the different groups, from fire nation to the very own water tribe. Zuko, confused, wonders why Uncle Iroh is teaching him about matters that would seem only relevant to the Avatar. He learns from his uncle that knowing more about who you deal with makes you a stronger contender in the long run, and leads him to learn how his Uncle created his own move to deflect lightning from the very waterbenders themselves. This pleases Zuko greatly.
After an extremely annoying Toph reveals she has taken it upon herself to not only eat Aang's walnuts, but also of using his staff as a nutcracker, he becomes aggravated but continues his meditation. Yet again he is disturbed, but this time from Katara, who worries about Sokka and how although sunset is approaching, he has yet to come back. Aang decides it would be quicker to find him if they split up.
Aang finds Sokka nestled in his little crevice with his snuggly little animal, but despite his airbending efforts to free him, is unable to ultimately get Sokka out of his jam. Sokka advises Aang use his newly found art of earthbending, but a depressed and disappointed Aang not only refuses to help because he can't, but also does not seek out Toph either. It is only when the snuggly little animal's mom comes around that both realize that Sokka's life is in jeopardy unless Aang can do something else beside his airbending. In a final attempt to stop the beast, Aang miraculously earthbends a wall that the creature runs into, and is shocked to discover Toph was watching the whole time. After a heated demand of an explanation of why she didn't do anything to help, she helps him realize he can earthbend now because he was able to stand up to her. Toph is the one to free Sokka from the ground because Aang, while he finally achieved earthbending, still could wind up crushing his poor friend.
Zuko, armed with the knowledge that his uncle left him (in the deflecting lightning requires that you feel the energy travel from your fingertips, to your stomach and out your other hand - but never past the heart!), heads out into a developing storm. He had wanted his uncle to shoot lightning at him so he could deflect it, but after his uncle refused, he insisted he would find another way. Atop a mountain in the raging storm, he begins to tear as he realizes he might not get his chance to prove himself, as always seems to be the case for so much of his life. With that note and a blazing storm in the background, the episode ends...

Avatar Episode : The Chase

2008-01-27T18:42:00.000-08:00

Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph have landed in a clearing where they begin to unpack. Toph comments on their superb campsite finding abilities as she fells the "soft grass." But Sokka corrects her that it's not grass but Appa's shed fur. This comment is not received well by Katara who believes it gross. Katara vocalizes her happiness of having another girl in the group because of the boys' immaturity. But, those hopes are shattered as Toph walks up and she like Aang and Sokka is playing in the fur. Aang and Sokka laugh, and Katara has no choice but to giggle too.
Night has fallen as he group sets up camp. Aang pitches a tent, while Sokka's unraveling sleeping bags, Katara as filling a pot with water, and Toph is lounged lazily against a rock. Katara comes over and begins to explain the group's normal system of setting up camp: they divide up the work, for example while someone pitches a tent someone else might get food or water. Toph doesn't take the hint and tells her she's already collected her food and water. Katara gets slightly frustrated and tries re-explaining the system but Toph becomes aggravated and snaps at her. Katara storms of.

Later that night, Aang and Sokka are setting up the last of camp as they de-saddle Appa. Katara comes over to apologize to Toph. Toph again agitates Katara by turning the apology around on her. Now even later that night, Toph is silently sleeping in her Earth made tent when she is awakened by a vibration in the earth. She rushes to tell the others. She tries to see if she can identify it, she says "It feels like an avalanche, but also not like an avalanche." Sokka congratulates her on her "frightening" powers of perception. They decide leaving the campsite is the best choice.
Of in the distance the get a slight glimpse of what’s following them: a large, tank-like war machine is moving fast across the desert terrain. After hours of flying the group's exhaustion plays out on their faces as they each have dark circles under their eyes showing from their lack of sleep. Finally they settle on a spot. Toph makes her way over to where she plans to sleep but Katara again asks her to help and Toph declines. Katara is again displeased by this and decides enough is enough and confronts Toph about her lack of help to them.
Toph argues back before "slamming the door" in Katara's face as she Earthbends a tent and Earthbends the door right in front of Katara. Aang decides to play peacemaker and asks them both to calm down. But, Katara's on surface emotions due to lack of sleep cause her to snap at Aang. Later, Aang and Sokka are seemingly fast asleep as Katara stares angrily at the night sky. She loudly comments on how beautiful the stars are and how Toph won't be able to see them in her tent. In response, Toph earthbends Katara airborne, a few feet before she lands on Sokka.
Sokka's also on surface emotions cause him to snap from being woken-up. But there's little time to argue as Toph informs them the machine is back. The again fly away on Appa. While in the air they debate about the machine and how it continuously finds them. Finally finding a spot that as seemingly lost the machine the groups decides to not even set up camp but to sleep. They again debate for a minute on how or what the thing is. Katara brings up the possibility that it's Zuko, given they haven't seen him since they were up north. Unaware of whom Zuko is Toph inquires about him. Sokka answers that he's "just some anger freak with a ponytail who’s tracked us all over the world."
But, their debate is cut short as Momo senses the machines approach as does Toph. They see the machine moving forward in the distance as it kicks up dirt behind it. Aang believes they should face them and find out who they are. The tank comes to a halt and the door opens. Three large basilisk lizards emerge from it. Their riders and the cause of all the tension between everyone in the gang are revealed to be Ty Lee, Mai, and Azula.
Toph believes they can take them as she calculates the odds: three on three. But, Sokka corrects her telling her their's actually four of them. After a small argument Toph recalculates: three on three plus Sokka. Sokka is infuriated but he's no time to argue as Azula's group draws closer. Toph sends the first strike as she Earthbends boulders down at them but their lizards easily climb over them.
They decide it's safer if they left so Aang, Katara, and Sokka head back for Appa. Toph tries to buy them some time by creating a large rock wall separating Azula from them. It seems to work until Azula sends a bolt of lighting at it blowing a huge hole into the wall. The gang barely escapes as Azula sends one more jet of electricity at them as they fly off. She stares after them, failure is not an option.
Meanwhile Appa too is tired and is rapidly closing and opening his eyes, trying desperately to stay awake. Again they debate on what to do and Katara reveals her fear of Ty Lee taking her bending away again. To Sokka's horror the sun rises over a mountain in the distance signaling they've been up all night. They decide to keep flying for as long as possible, but Aang warns them that they can't keep flying forever.
As the sun rises Azula's machine is racing to catch up with the gang. But, they're not alone; Zuko follows the machines tracks not far behind. Appa, meanwhile, is having even more difficulty staying awake and finally gives in and falls asleep. This sends Appa and the gang plummeting towards the ground. Aang tries desperately to wake him as they continue to race towards the ground. Finally Appa awakens and stops just above the trees but is unable to keep airborne and they crash land in the woods. Aang states the obvious: "Appa's exhausted."
More high tension causes another fight to break out between Katara and Toph but this time Aang joins in when Toph blames Appa for their predicament: his sheddings are leaving a perfect trail for Azula and her gang. Toph, out of aggravation, decides to leave, as Azula's machine picks up speed upon seeing the fur flying through the air proving Toph was right. Aang is furious with himself for yelling at his Earthbending teacher and Katara too is disgusted with herself because of her actions. Sokka is of little comfort as he agrees that they "were jerks."
They decide to find Toph and apologize but to first wash Appa. Now clean and shedded fur-less Appa is deemed ready to fly by Aang as long as they leave his saddle and everything else off. Aang decides to give Azula the slip and take what's left of the shedded fur and lead the tank of course. Appa flies off in one direction (hitting trees on take-off) and Aang in another.
Toph has now walked for sometime and gained much distance. She stops suddenly upon feeling a vibration. She hits the ground knocking the unknown pert off his feet. But he's revealed to by Iroh. Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee have reached the spot of Appa's bath and found the wet fur deposited into the stream. Ty Lee debates with herself as to whether the "wads" are "bundles" or "bushels" of fur. Mai helps her along deeming them "clumps." Ty Lee excitedly hugs Mai before she can contradict the action. She pushes Ty Lee off and tells Azula the trail heads off in a direction to the right. But, Azula notices the broken trees from Appa's shaky take-off and is suspicious of Aang's plan to divert them. She tells Mai and Ty Lee to head in the direction of the broken trees and she'll follow the fur trail.
Aang, exhausted and low on momentum, lands in a small abandoned Earth Kingdom town. He slumps on to the end of the town, there he dumps the remains of what fur is left and sits there, waiting for Azula. Back on Appa, Momo lets out a screech signaling the return of Mai and Ty Lee. Katara desperately tries to get Appa to move faster but to no avail. He shoots like a stone being skipped across the river to where Sokka and Katara believe they're safe. But their hopes are shattered as the basilisks reveal their most astonishing ability: they're able to run on water.
Ty Lee heads for Katara. Once there she begins darting her hands to pressure points but Katara's smarter this time and dodges more easily. After a small battle Katara ends up pinned to a tree by the hem of her sleeves and Sokka's almost completely paralyzed by Ty Lee's strikes. But, Appa proves to be a saving grace as he smacks his tail to the ground shooting Mai and Ty Lee in the river.
Back in the town, Azula has reached the end of the trail where Aang is waiting for her. She dismounts her lizard. Aang, tired and sleep deprived, tries to seek diplomacy and asks who Azula is and what she wants. She's surprised he hasn't guessed yet so she gives him a hint: she covers the left side of her face with her hand and deepens her voice to somewhat match Zuko's and says "I must find the Avatar to restore my honor." Aang doesn't respond.
Toph and Iroh are sharing a cup of tea on cliff over-looking a farming village. Iroh finds similarities between Toph and his nephew. Toph asks where his nephew is and if he's lost. Iroh responds that he's "a little lost," he tells her his life has recently changed and now he's trying to find who he is. He also advises her not to contradict when people that love you try to help you. She takes this into consideration and heads off to find the gang.
Azula and Aang stand facing each other at a stand off. She asks Aang if he really wants to fight her, right on cue Zuko busts through an old building and lands between the two. It's a three way stand off as Zuko holds his position between Aang and Azula keeping his battle stance poised at both of them. Azula fires the first shot, hitting Zuko hard and knocking him back.
All three exchange blows until the duel is joined by Katara, Sokka, Iroh, and Toph. The six of them (Katara, Aang, Sokka, Toph, Zuko, Iroh) create a perfect perimeter in front of Azula and back her in a corner. She surrenders, and for one brief second Iroh lets his guard down and turns to see his comrades. Azula takes advantage of this and fires a jet of electricity at him. Zuko lets out a horrified cry and all four benders unleash their power against her. After a large explosion Azula disappears.
Zuko rushes to his uncle's side. Zuko presumes him dead as he's laying there not moving, and let’s out another angered cry. He senses the others behind him and orders them to leave. Katara comes forward and offers to help but before she can explain how Zuko's frustration causes him to let out a violent burst of fire and he orders them to leave again. Later that night the gang finally finds peace as they are fast asleep.

Avatar Episode : Zuko Alone

2008-01-27T18:35:00.000-08:00

Zuko is traveling by himself through dry desert-like terrain on his ostrich-horse. He stops suddenly at the smell of something; he looks over to find a man cooking a large piece of meat over an open flame. Zuko puts a hand over his gurgling stomach and then moves the hand to his sword hilt. But upon seeing the man is traveling with a pregnant woman, he continues on. Now more tired than ever,Zuko is carefully walking a razor's edge of passing out, his vision becomes blurred as he presses on and he closes his eyes; a woman walking down a dark hallway with a hood appears. Zuko opens his eyes suddenly, but keeps his head down.

Finally Zuko has come to a village. On his way in he passes some Earth Kingdom soldiers; they lock eyes for a moment before Zuko presses on. He dismounts his ostrich and walks to man standing behind a counter. He asks for water, hot meal, and a bag of feed and extends his hand forward revealing a small amount of coins. The man tells him that he doesn't have enough for a hot meal but he can give him two bags of feed. As the man goes to retrieve Zuko's feed two boys hiding beside the counter through eggs at the soldiers just behind Zuko and run. Thinking Zuko threw the eggs the soldiers make their way over angrily, the interrogate him. Zuko covers for the boys saying he saw nothing and tells them a chicken may have flown over, as the man brings Zuko's feed out, one soldier takes it and thanks Zuko for his "generous contribution to the army."
As Zuko re-mounts his ostrich-horse the boy who threw the egg pops up from behind it and thanks him for covering for him. Zuko doesn't reply and moves forward on his ostrich, the boy follows him and offers to take Zuko to his house and feed his ostrich-horse for him in return for not ratting him out. Zuko allows the boy to lead him.
Zuko and the boy approach a large farm full of two kinds of hybrids between a pig and a cow and a pig and a sheep. The oink loudly as Zuko and Lee approach the house, Lee says it’s good because no one can ever sneak up on them. Zuko replies "No kidding." As Lee goes to put Zuko's ostrich in the barn, his father approaches Zuko, Lee re encounters Zuko's small confrontation with the soldiers. Lee's mother comes asking Zuko's name, unable to give his usual false name for obvious reasons Zuko stutters for a moment before Lee's father comes to the rescue saying "He doesn't have to say who he is if he doesn't want to."
The family explains how the real soldiers, like Lee's older brother Sen Su, are fighting in the war while these thugs stay here. She asks if Zuko wishes to stay for dinner, he declines her offer. After a brief pause she says that Zuko can help Lee's father roof the barn and then they'll eat. Zuko scowls for a minute at this before nodding. Zuko's handicapped skills with a hammer, as a result of not having to do any work what so ever his whole life, show through here as he hammers wildly on the roof at about six bent nails.
Behind him Lee is asking him rapid fire questions: "Where are you from? Where are you going?" His father silences the boy but he persists with: "Where'd you get that scar?" At this Zuko lets out a small groan as he hammers his own thumb. Lee's father tells him i's not polite to ask so many personal questions and that Zuko's past was his business. As Zuko continues hammering he's thrown into a memory.
A young Prince Zuko and his mother are sitting by a small pound in a garden somewhere in the palace grounds, feeding turtle-ducks. Zuko offers to show his mother how Azula feeds them and throws a rock at a one. His mother scolds him for it as the mother turtle-duck comes forward and bites down hard on Zuko's foot. He yells in pain as his mother detaches the small creature. "Stupid turtle-duck! Why'd it do that?" he asks his mother. "Because Zuko, that’s how mothers are: you mess with their babies and they'll bite back." She and Zuko laugh for a minute before returning their gaze back to the pound.
As Zuko and his mother walk back through the garden we see a young Princess Azula attempting a cart-wheel but falls to the ground with a thud. Behind her a young Ty Lee, runs forward and performs the move with ease; Azula pushes her over and laughs. A young Mai sits against a tree watching them; she turns and sees Zuko walking through the garden she turns her gaze away and blushes, smiling to herself. Azula notices this and whispers to Ty Lee "Watch this." Ty Lee giggles as Azula runs up to her brother and mother asking if Zuko would come play with them. After a small argument between Zuko and Azula their mother makes Zuko go and play with them.
Azula explains how the game goes: you try to knock the apple of the other person's head. She sets an apple on a very bored looking Mai's head and sets it ablaze. Zuko rushes forward trying to knock the burning apple of her head, but trips and they fall into the fountain landing on top of each other. Ty Lee comments on how cute they are and Zuko storms off angrily (and wet) while Mai, also anger, says \"You two are such-!\" Zuko's mother informs him that she's received a letter form Uncle Iroh in Ba-Sing-Se.
Iroh says in the letter that if the city is as beautiful as its walls then it would really be something to behold. He also says he hopes they can come and see it one day if he doesn't burn it to the ground first (Zuko and Azula laugh at that). He has also sent gifts for his niece and nephew for Zuko: a pearl dagger that belonged to the general who surrendered when Iroh broke through the outer wall. The inscription on the dagger reads: Never give up without a fight. For Azula: an Earth Kingdom doll "wearing the latest fashion in Ba-Sing-Se.\"
Azula comments that if Iroh didn't make it back from the war then her father would be next in line to be Fire Lord. Her mother scolds her for saying such a thing as Zuko asks her how she'd feel if Iroh's son, Lu Ten, wanted their dad to die. She says in reply "I still think our dad would make a much better Fire Lord than his royal tea-loving kookiness." She sets her new doll ablaze.
Present day Prince Zuko is sleeping soundly on a pile of hay in the family's barn. Lee enters silently and takes Zuko's swords and silently slips out. Zuko's eye opens. Lee takes the swords outside where he begins to hack wildly at a field of daisies. From behind him Zuko says he's holding them wrong and explains that he has to think of them as a whole because they're two halves of the same blade.
The next day Zuko mounts his ostrich-horse and prepares to set off, Lee's mother gives Zuko some food. Just then dust kicks up in the distance; the soldiers from the village came with grave news: Lee's older brother's battalion was captured. Zuko's brought back to the memory of his cousin's he and Azula are playing together in the garden while their mother is sitting near the pond. A servant delivers a message to her, she reads it and looks up, and a tear drips down her face. She informs Zuko and Azula their cousin didn't survive the battle.
Le's father declares he's going to the front to look for Sen Su. Li asks if Zuko will stay after his father leaves, but he declines and gives Li his dagger his uncle gave him. As Zuko rides off he's thrown into another memory: Zuko is practicing with his knife while Azula watched from a chair. She said "You waste all your time with knifes, you're not even good." He replies "Put an apple on your head and we'll see how good I am!" She informs him Uncle's coming home, she also informs him of her opinion of Iroh: "a quitter and a loser. "
Their mother enters the room and tells them their father has requested an audience with their grandfather Fire Lord Azulon. Azula comments on how he's not the powerful Fire Lord he used to be and that someone was probably going to end up taking his place soon. Azula's mother once again scolds her and says to herself "What is wrong with that child?" In the Fire Lord's war room Ozai is asking questions of Zuko and Azula: "And how did Great-Grandfather Sozin win the battle of Hahn Ti?" While Zuko stammers for an answer Azula answers for him: "He carefully calculated his advantages: they were up wind and there was a drought. " Ozai is pleased with his daughter and asks her to show her grandfather the new moves she strated for him.
As Azula gracefully performs her Firebending move a smile creeps across Ozai's face. He comments on how she is a prodigy like her grandfather for whom she's named. As Azula retakes her seat beside Zuko she whispers in his ear: "You'll never catch up." Zuko rises and asks to strate what he's been learning; the smile on Ozai's face vanishes. As Zuko stumbles with his form Azula smirks. "I failed" Zuko says as he hits the ground after trying to no avail.
His mother comes forward and tells him "No Zuko, that's who you are: someone who never stops fighting even though it's hard." Impatient, Azulon dismisses Ursa, Zuko, and Azula and asks Ozai to tell him what he wants. As they make for the door Azula grabs Zuko's hand and leads him behind a curtain where she plans on eavesdropping on there father and grandfather's meeting. Ozai said with Lu Ten gone Iroh's bloodline has ended and he was away at war. But, Ozai was here and his children are alive. Again impatient, Azulon asks what Ozai wants. Ozai says \"Revoke Iro's birth right, I'm your humble servant here to serve you and our nation. Use me\" Angered by his son's arrogance and lack of sympathy for Iroh's loss, the Fire Lord tells Ozai that Iroh has suffered enough but his punishment has barely begun.
Zuko runs away frightened before he can hear what it was. In his room Zuko lays in his bed frightened of what he just saw. Azula enters with an evil smirk singing "Dad's going to kill you" but becomes serious\"Really he is." She reveals Ozai punishment to be sacrificing Zuko so he may know the pain of loosing a first born son. Zuko doesn't believe her. Ursa enters the room demanding to know what’s going on and pulls Azula away angrily saying "It's time for a talk." Zuko remains in his bed saying "Azula always lies, Azula always lies."
Present day Zuko is laying on grass, eyes closed, repeating those same words when Lee's mother comes and informs him that when the soldiers from the village came demanding food, Lee pulled a knife on them. They then took him away saying if he was old enough to fight than he was old enough to join the army. He begs for his help through her tears. Zuko agrees to help. Zuko rides up to the soldiers where Lee is tied to a poll and is extremely happy to see Zuko. He dismounts and removes his China-man's hat.
He orders the soldiers to release Lee, but they ask who he thinks he is ordering them around. Zuko replies "It doesn't matter who I am. But I know who you are: you're not soldiers; you're bullies, free-loaders abusing your power mostly over woman and kids. You're sick cowards; you don't want Lee in your army. You're just messing with a family that’s already lost one son to the war." The leader asks the other soldiers if they're going to sit there and let Zuko insult them like this.
One rushes forward: Zuko knocks the man of his feet and back about 10 yards with a simple hit from his sword hilt without even having to remove the sword from its sheath. The next one runs at Zuko, without much effort Zuko performs a simple self-defense move knocking the man to the ground. The third runs at him and Zuko simply performs a front kick, breaking the man's spear and scaring him into running away one more to go. The leader, whose last, pulls out two large hammers; Zuko pulls out his swords. He smacks the ground with his hammers and sends a rock pelting towards Zuko who breaks it easily.
The next few blows appear more difficult to block. Meanwhile from the side-line Zuko is getting cheer from an elderly man and his wife. Now the man is hitting harder. Zuko is barely able to block the rocks that are pelting towards him until finally he's hit with a final blow that knocks him airborne and back about 10 feet. He hits the ground hard and is blasted into another memory. Zuko is sound asleep in his room when his mother gently wakes him. She tells the half-asleep Zuko that everything she's done has been to protect Zuko and to no matter how things change to never forget who he is. And with that she disappears down a dark corridor.
Present day Zuko is lying on the ground, seemingly passed-out. The man moves forward for the final blow when Zuko opens his eyes and decides. He sends a ring of fire pelting around him as he jumps up, Li looks at him terrified. As Zuko moves forward he resembles his father as we often see his silhouette standing before a wall of fire powerfully. He sends blasts of fire towards the man as he swings the blades. He tried to stand and fight but to no avail and he's knocked back hard.
He asks Zuko who he is and Zuko gives him his full title "My name is Zuko, son of Ursa and Fire Lord Ozai, Prince of the Fire Nation, and heir to the throne." The man who had recently been cheering Zuko tells him he's heard of Zuko: "An outcast, his own father burned and disowned him!" Zuko ignores the man and retrieves his dagger. Zuko walks toward Li, but his mother steps between them and tells Zuko not come a step closer. Obeying Zuko kneels and offers the dagger, Lee tells him no and that he s him.
Zuko is now haunted by his turbulent past. He wakes suddenly from his bed yelling for his mom. He runs down the hall only to find his sister Azuala playing with his knife. He asks her about there mom. She replies suspiciously that nobody knows and that their grandfather passed away last night. Zuko tells Azula that she's sick; then takes his knife and runs to find his mother. Finding his dad instead at the pond were he is standing silently staring into it. Zuko asks him where his mother is but he doesn't reply. Zuko bows his head.
Then the fire sages have a special ceremony for the Fire Lord. All Zuko's family are present, for Zuko everything is ablur, he is unsure of the events that have just taken place. He looks on to the long journey awaiting him.

Avatar Episode : The Blind Bandit

2008-01-27T18:10:00.000-08:00

The scene opens with a sweeping pan over a lush Earth Kingdom valley where a large town is situated. This appears to be a bustling community with merchants and schools. We catch up with Katara, Aang and Sokka as Sokka is contemplating the purchase of a bag. His indecisiveness bores the other two, but they try to be supportive as Sokka weighs the pros and cons of the purchase. Aang and Katara start walking away and while Sokka finally makes his purchase, the other two are approached by a man handing out flyers for a local earthbending teacher. Katara convinces Aang to give it a try.
At Master Yu’s Earthbending Academy, Aang uses the flyer’s coupon to receive his “free” lesson. However, it appears all Aang gets is a face full of dirt and rock and Master Yu’s attempts at selling him a year’s worth of lessons. As the trio departs Master Yu’s, they overhear two young men discussing Earth Rumble Six, an earthbending tournament. When Aang asks them where it is located, one of the young men says laughingly “It’s on the island of Nunya… Nunya business…” and the two walk away. Katara follows them around the corner (leaving Sokka and Aang behind) and manages to get the information from them by encouraging them with her waterbending skills. The scene cuts to the guys encased in ice up to their necks horizontally attached to the sides of the buildings – heads touching each other.

Earth Rumble Six is held inside a jagged mountain, the stage illuminated by many glowing crystals above. The trio looks for seats, wondering why so many front row seats are vacant. Suddenly a rock comes crashing toward them providing a clear explanation as to why the seats were vacant. From center stage, a huge column of rock comes up with an announcer on top (who then pushes the column back down into the stage) welcoming viewers to the event and announcing himself, Xin Fu, as the host.
Bored with the upcoming rock-chucking festival, Katara turns away. However, as the action begins and The Boulder (kind of a cross between several wrestling stars such as The Rock with a Hulk Hogan-like voice) begins battling his opponents, Katara’s interest appears to be at least somewhat restored. Aang doesn’t seem too impressed with The Boulder because, as Aang puts it “Bumi said I need a teacher who listens to the earth, he’s just listening to his big muscles.” Sokka, on the other hand, has become The Boulder’s newest #1 fan. After defeating several challengers, it is time for The Boulder to take on the current champion, The Blind Bandit.
On center stage is a young girl holding her champion belt over her head in pride as the crowd cheers. Her eyes are clouded and seem to indicate to the viewer that she is blind, despite Katara’s wondering if she's really blind or if it is just an act. The Boulder briefly has reservations about fighting a small blind girl, but soon those vanish as The Blind Bandit taunts him by saying it sounds as if he’s scared to fight her. As she laughs at The Boulder, Aang hears something familiar in her laugh and realizes she’s the girl with the flying boar in the vision he had in the Swamp. The viewer is then shown how The Blind Bandit senses the vibrations and uses the information to strategically make her move; easily defeating The Boulder. Sokka is devastated, Katara is amazed and Aang appears to be happy as he explains to Katara, “She waited and listened.
Xin Fu then offers a bag of gold pieces to anyone who can defeat The Blind Bandit. After a short silence, Xin Fu dramatically says “What? No one dares to face her?” Aang pipes up, “I’ll will.” Aang tries to explain to The Blind Bandit that he doesn’t really want to fight, but talk to the champion. However, the champion begins to fight. Aang manages to use his airbending to evade the champion’s attacks and she is clearly unsettled by her inability to fully track him. As she hurls a rock at Aang, he defensively uses airbending, but in the process, manages to push the champion off the stage and erroneously (as he did not use earthbending) wins the match. Aang rushes to catch the Blind Bandit to tell her he thinks she’s supposed to be his teacher, but she won’t stay and listen. Disappointed, Aang heads back on stage, where Sokka collects the gold pieces and belt.
The next day, the trio heads to Master Yu’s earthbending school in search of The Blind Bandit. Katara tries her intimidation tactics on the young men she froze the day before, but they end up not having the information she asks for. Aang then realizes they are asking about the wrong person. When he describes the girl from his vision, the young men don’t recognize the description, but they do know a local family who’s symbol is a flying boar – like the one in Aang’s vision. The trio leave to check out the lead, but not before Katara enforces her intimidation on the two young men by telling them, “Hey! I’ve got my eye on you.” Leaving the class, while Sokka whispers "Water Tribe.
Back at the arena, The Boulder tells Xin Fu that there was no earthbending being done in the defeat of the champion, which leads Xin Fu to believe The Blind Bandit intentionally lost in order to split the money with the challenger. He is not happy at this apparent cheating.
The trio looks at a guarded entrance gate with a flying boar symbol above it and Aang indicates this must be the place. They head around back and climb over the outer wall into a garden area. Suddenly, the trio is thrust into the air by the earth being pushed up from underneath them and lands in various bushes (with the exception of Sokka, who hits the ground). The Blind Bandit asks what they are doing there and Aang counters by asking how she knew it was them. Aang then explains that a crazy king and a vision led him to believe she was to be his earthbending instructor. The Blind Bandit tells them to leave or she’ll call the guards and after they try to talk to her again, she comes through and yells “Guards, guards, help!” which causes the trio to scatter. When the guards arrive, her name is revealed - Toph. Observing this, Aang smiles and appears to have an idea of what to do next.
Toph’s father and mother are meeting with Master Yu to confirm that she is not trying anything dangerous in her lessons and Master Yu assures them that he has kept Toph at the basic level. A servant comes in to tell them a visitor has come – the Avatar.
At dinner, Aang, Katara, Sokka and Master Yu have joined Toph and her family. Toph’s father inquires of Aang how long he feels the war will go on. Aang explains he hopes to defeat the Fire Lord by summer, but still needs an earthbending teacher. Although Master Yu is mentioned as a candidate by Toph’s father, Aang attempts to bring up the possibility of Toph as a teacher, but is thwarted by Toph who eventually pulls Aang’s face into his soup. Not to be outdone, Aang returns the favor by sneezing and airbending Toph’s soup at her (as well as Master Yu and Toph’s mother). Toph’s father seems confused by both their behavior.
Later, Sokka, Katara and Aang are getting ready for bed (as guests of Toph’s family) and Aang is surprised by Toph’s sudden appearance. She calls a truce and the two of them walk the grounds of her family’s estate while she explains to Aang how she uses earthbending to see. Toph appears to envy Aang’s carefree life, but knows she has commitments to her family that prevent her from just leaving. Just then, the two of them are ambushed by Xin Fu and his wrestling thugs. A ransom note is left demanding 500 gold pieces for the safe return of their daughter. Toph’s father enlists Master Yu’s help and Sokka and Katara state they are coming as well.
They arrive at the arena with the ransom and Toph is lowered down and she and her father and Master Yu begin to leave. When Katara asks about Aang, Xin Fu states that he plans to turn the Avatar over to the Fire Nation for reward. Katara runs after Toph to enlist her help and despite her father’s protests that she can not help, Toph says “Yes. I can”. Toph heads back into the arena demanding Aang’s release. The Earthbenders begin to attack and Toph forcefully tells Sokka and Katara, “They’re mine.” As Katara and Sokka work to free Aang from the metal case, Toph defeats each opponent almost effortlessly. This amazes and shocks Toph’s father and Master Yu. Finally, Toph faces off with Xin Fu, but again easily defeats him. Master Yu exclaims, “She is the greatest Earthbender I’ve ever seen.”
Back at home, Toph tries to explain herself to her parents stating that she’s kept her abilities secret from them, but they have kept her secret from the world and hopes that what they now know about her will not change their feelings about her. Her father says they won’t, but then decides that Toph has had too much freedom and must have tighter controls on her, much to Toph’s dismay. Aang, Katara and Sokka are then told to leave and Toph sheds a tear at losing the possibility of gaining friends and what little freedom she had.
They prepare Appa to leave, but are surprised when Toph comes running up to them telling them her father has changed his mind. Aang excitedly jumps off Appa when Toph says she wants to show him something - only to be shot up into a tree by Toph as payback for knocking her off stage at the championship battle. Toph then requests the belt back and Sokka tosses it down to her, forgetting she can not see, and the belt hits Toph on the head. Sokka sheepishly says “Sorry” to Toph and then Aang falls out of the tree.
Toph’s father brings a small chest to a table in front of Master Yu and Xin Fu saying he knows they are different, but have a similar interest. He then opens the chest to reveal gold. He’s offering it to them for the safe return of his daughter, who he states was kidnapped by the Avatar. As the quartet fly away on Appa, Toph appears to be enjoying her first taste of freedom.

Avatar Episode : Avatar Day

2008-01-24T17:12:00.000-08:00

Aang, Katara, Sokka, Appa, and Momo are sleeping, when Momo finds a spider has spun a web in Sokka's open mouth, but when he snatches the spider and its web, he wakes up an irate Sokka in the process. Soon after that, the rest are awakened by four Fire Nation men on rhinos who surround them and begin to attack them. Upon trying to escape, Sokka is forced to abandon his boomerang, which makes him very upset.
While buying produce from an Earth nation man, Sokka laments on how losing his boomerang amounts to losing his identity. After happily accepting Katara's Water Tribe money and giving the group their produce, the man wishes them a Happy Avatar Day and asks if they are going to the Avatar Day festival in the nearby village. After arriving at the village, they see giant paper floats of Avatar Kyoshi, Avatar Roku, and Aang brought to the town square. A short time later, a man with a torch runs up to the first two floats and sets them on fire. To the trio's dismay, the townspeople begin to chant "Down with the Avatar!"

Meanwhile in another Earth Kingdom city, a couple carrying food is robbed by Zuko in his Blue Spirit costume. After hiding his mask, he gives the food to Uncle Iroh. Iroh is suspicious of the source of the food, but enjoys it anyways.
At the festival, the Mayor Tong signals to the man, who throws the torch at Aang's float. Katara runs up to the floats and uses her waterbending to put out the fires. As the people begin to complain, Aang leaps to the top of his float and reveals himself. The people become fearful, thinking that the Aang has come to kill them but he and Katara try to persuade them that the Avatar helps people. The Mayor then tells that over 300 years ago, Avatar Kyoshi killed their leader, Chin the Great.
In an effort to clear the Avatar's name, Aang agrees to follow the town's laws, which include standing trial (and awaiting his trial in jail, on bail). Unfortunately, they don't accept Water Tribe money. When Sokka insists that Aang use his airbending to escape jail, Aang refuses and asks for Sokka and Katara's help in clearing his name. Sokka is then convinced to become a detective. After donning a funny hat with a magnifying glass on the brim, he gets to work on the case.
On a forest road, a rich Earth Kingdom noble is traveling with a chest full of gold. When the driver is attacked, he cowers in fear and locks the chest. Zuko (in his Blue Spirit costume) cuts a hole in the roof and takes the chest.
Katara and Sokka examine the cliff, where Avatar Kyoshi supposedly killed Chin the Great. The Mayor says that Avatar Kyoshi emerged from the temple and struck down Chin, and afterwards they built a statue of him to commemorate him. Sokka observes that the statue and the temple are made from the same stone and that they were built at the same time. When Katara tries to help him get to the point, Sokka yells at her, claiming that it's his job to come to the conclusion: Avatar Kyoshi never set foot in the temple. Sokka decided that he and Katara need to go to Kyoshi Island for more proof.
n jail, Aang meets another one of his cellmates, a bald man with tattoos. He charges at Aang, but the chain and collar on his neck keep him at bay. He tells Aang creepily that he will fit in nicely in the jail cell.
When Katara, Sokka, Momo and Appa arrive at Kyoshi Island, the natives flock with excitement, but soon leave in disappointment when they learn that Aang's not with them. They greet Oyaji, the village leader and tell of Aang's plight and he offers to take them to Kyoshi's shrine. On the way to the shrine Sokka asks about Suki, the leader of the female warriors of Kyoshi who he had befriended before. Oyaji tells that after their visit, Suki and the other warriors felt inspired to go and help fight in the war. They reach the shrine and go inside.
Inside a room in the shrine, Oyaji displays some of Kyoshi's old things. After seeing Kyoshi's boots, Katara remembers the footprint at the tip of the cliff where Kyoshi was said to have stood. Before she can express her revelation, Sokka insists that since he is the "detective" he make it instead: the Kyoshi's feet were too big to make that footprint.
Back in the jail we see that Aang has befriended all of the inmates, who proceed to give him advice on his relationship with Katara. Even though he is unsure, they reassure him that he's smart, handsome, funny, and the Avatar. One teary-eyed inmate encourages Aang to tell Katara how he feels.
Back at Kyoshi, Oyaji shows Sokka and Katara a painting of the day that Kyoshi Island was founded. It was painted on sunrise on the same day 370 years ago to the present day. After noticing the position of the shadows of the people in the painting, Sokka (after pushing Katara to beat her to the punch) says that since Kyoshi was on Kyoshi Island at sunset then she couldn't have been at Chin committing the crime. The two return to Chin, and tell Mayor Tong that they have a solid defense for Aang built on good evidence. The mayor then tells them that the way the trial goes is that he tells what happens, and then they tell what happens, and then he decides what's right: justice, or "just-us" he claims.
At the trial on the next day, the Mayor gives his biased account on what happened, and then proceeds to let Aang give his story. Aang displays a feeble attempt to memorize the evidence that Sokka and Katara have gathered. Sokka and Katara agree that Aang's dead.
Back at their hideout in the forest, Uncle begins to wonder about the new things that Zuko is bringing everyday. He tells Zuko that there is nothing shameful about having nothing, and to keep hope that he will be able to go home one day. Zuko walks off to think about his uncle's words.
At the trial, Katara calls a surprise witness: Avatar Kyoshi! It is then revealed just to be Aang dressed in Avatar Kyoshi's clothes and face paint, which Katara believes will trigger something. Mayor Tong complains that this is a mockery on the city, and prepares to sentence Aang when a giant whirlwind appears around Aang. A shadow appeared over the whole village and the whirlwind disappears to reveal Avatar Kyoshi herself. She then states, "I killed Chin the Conqueror."
She proceeds to tell the tale of Chin, an Earthbender tyrant who waged a campaign to conquer the continent. When he came to the peninsula where Kyoshi and her people lived he ordered her surrender, but she refused. Not backing down, Chin stood poised to fight her, and she replied by using her fans to airbend his clothes off. She then uses her earthbending to form a canyon between them, her firebending to cut off her side with magma, and airbending to blow her side of the peninsula away, creating Kyoshi Island. Chin screams and the cliff he stands on crumbles and drops him into the ocean.
She says that she created Kyoshi Island so that her people could be safe from invaders, and in another whirlwind she vanishes and the shadow is lifted. In light of Kyoshi's amazing testimony, the Mayor still finds Aang guilty, and orders that "The Wheel of Punishment" be brought out.
Zuko comes back and tells Iroh that he thought about what he has said and realizes that they have nothing to gain by traveling with each other. Claiming that he needs to find his own way, he takes his things and leaves. Iroh gives him the riding animal that Zuko stole and sends him on his way.
Aang now has to spin the Wheel of Punishment to determine his sentence. After the wheel lands on "Boiling in Oil", the village is attacked by the same group of rhino-riders from the Fire Nation, or "Rough-Rhinos." They destroy the temple and Chin's statue and demand to see the Mayor, who hides behind the wheel and begs Aang to save them. After Aang explains that he's "supposed to be boiled in oil" Mayor Tong moves the wheel to "Community Service" and tells Aang to serve to community by defeating the invaders. After Aang knocks one of the riders off of the cliff, the rest of the riders proceed to destroy the town.
Katara and Sokka defeat three of the riders and in the process Sokka reclaims his long lost boomerang, which "always comes back". After Aang defeats the leader of the riders, the town decides to change from hating the Avatar to celebrating the Avatar. The three are given the new festival food: un-fried dough cookies shaped like Aang, to remind them on how on that day, the Avatar was not boiled in oil.

Avatar Episode : The Swamp

2008-01-24T17:07:00.000-08:00

The episode opens up with Zuko and Iroh in a village street begging for money. Zuko refuses to gravel, trying to keep grasp of what dignity he has left while Iroh has more willing accepted their new lot in life. A swordsman approaches Iroh and has him sing for a coin. As Iroh sings the swordsman swings his blades at Iroh’s feet to have him “dance.” As the swordsman leaves, Zuko is angered and humiliated by his uncle’s degrade.
Meanwhile Aang, Katara, and Sokka are seeking an Earthbending teacher for Aang they fly over a swamp. Aang thinks the swamp is calling to him but due to the reluctance of his friends agrees to leave. Suddenly a tornado appears, swallowing everyone. Aang uses Airbending to free them. Unfortunately he separates humans and animals into two separate groups.

The human group begins looking for Momo and Appa. Aang and Katara are weary of the environment, sensing something ominous about it. Sokka uses his machete to hack through the swamp, clearing a path. He gets annoyed at his sister and friend’s warnings. Sokka states there is nothing out of the ordinary about the place.

With the Momo and Appa the two animals are also looking for the other members of their group. Unknown to the flying bison and winged lemur natives of the swamp are hunting them for dinner.

Aang, Katara, and Sokka make camp for the night. While they are asleep a swamp monster attacks them, which ends in a further separation of the group. Alone in the swamp each person experiences a vision of a person. For Katara she sees her mother, and momentarily believes she has returned. Sokka envisions Yue in spirit form who says hauntingly to him “You didn’t protect me.” Sokka refuses to believe what he witnesses, clinging to the belief there’s a logical explanation. Aang spots a laughing young girl and a flying pig in the swamp. It’s no one he recognizes. He calls out to her but she runs away. Aang begins to chase after her.

Returning to Momo and Appa, the two animals are confronted by the swamp-dwelling hunters Tho, Due, and their brethren in canoes. Tho attempts coaxing the animals to him but unaware they understand human speech mentions eating them, Appa and Momo flee. Due shouts angrily at Tho for his insolence, Tho defends himself by saying how was he to know. To catch up with Appa and Momo Tho begins Bending the water around his canoe causing it to sped forward rapidly after the animals.

Aang is seen still chasing the girl. Eventually when he thinks he corners her it turns out to be Katara. Sokka drops in (literally). Each confesses their encounters. Aang and Katara wonder how the swamp is doing everything but Sokka continues to insist nothing is out of the ordinary when a giant swamp monster attacks them. It takes some time but they are able to defeat it thanks to a finishing move by Katara. The swamp monster turns out to be a Waterbender who was controlling the water in the plants surrounding his body.

They demand to know who the Waterbender is, Sokka reveals that Aang is the Avatar and stuff like this happens “a lot.” The Waterbender says his name his Hue. He reveals the reason why he attacked them was that he was protecting the swamp which Sokka was harming. He takes the three friends to the roots of an enormous tree, the heart of the swamp. Hue’s story is that he achieved enlightenment under this tree, and how the swamp is the roots of the tree spreading for miles. He says that everything is connected, how time and death are only illusions, and that the swamp shows us our dead loved ones are not as gone as we think they are. Aang asks about the girl he saw, stating it was no one he knew but eventually he figures out the girl is someone he will meet. Aang touches the tree, connecting to the swamp. Far away he sees Appa and Momo being chased. Aang, Katara, and Sokka then rush to the animals’ aid. When they finally arrive Aang and Katara use Waterbending against Due and Tho but the swamp-dwellers use Waterbending themselves. Upon this discovery the fighting stops. Tho and Due unite with Hue who had followed the gang showing the Waterbenders know each other.

The scene switches to Aang, Katara, and Sokka sitting around a fire in the swamp-dwellers’ camp. Aang and Katara continue to wonder about the swamp but Sokka is steadfast that there is nothing out of the ordinary. The next moment shows a bird perched on a root; a vine rises from the ground then lashes out at the bird making it to take off. Sokka doesn’t seem to be as right as he thinks he is.

The last scene shows the swordsman who mistreated Iroh and Zuko in a dark alley way. He senses someone there. The man pulls out his blades and demands that the person show themselves. Hands grab his wrist making him release the blades. He’s thrown into a stack of crates. The culprit is the Blue Spirit.

Avatar Episode : Return to Omashu

2008-01-24T16:49:00.000-08:00

After seeing the shocking news of Omashu's siege Aang still insists, against Sokka and Katara's warnings, to enter the city in search of Bumi. While in the city, Sokka gets small purple octopus like creatures attached to his face, after removing them, Fire Nation soldiers believe he has disease due to the small pox-like spots left on his face from the small octopus like animal and run, buying the kids some time.
Meanwhile, back on her ship, Azula seeks the advice of her trainers about capturing her brother and uncle. They tell her: "When tracking your brother and uncle the royal procession may no longer be an option. You must be wise if you wish to keep the element of surprise." She takes their advice and decides to put together a small, agile team to track them.

Back in the city, Aang, Katara and Sokka make their way through and decide that wherever Bumi's being held prisoner, is made entirely of metal to prevent his Earthbending. Just below them, the governor’s wife and children walk; his eldest, Mai, complains about how boring it is in Omashu is, completely unaware that above them two Earthbenders from the resistance have sent large boulders plummeting towards them. Aang sees the rocks heading towards the people below and shoots them out of the way; then people below notice this and attack them. Eventually the resistance rescues the gang.
Azula, meanwhile, has tracked down her first companion for her team: Ty Lee, the daughter of a nobleman who has apparently joined the circus. The two went to the Royal Academy for Girls together. Azula informs her she wants her help in tracking down her, "fuddy-duddy" uncle (but leaves out Zuko). Ty Lee declines her offer and Azula accepts her decision but informs her she staying to watch her show; Ty Lee is not thrilled by this (possibly aware of Azula's motives).
After being rescued Aang is informed that, before even fighting, King Bumi surrendered the city. Aang decides the best thing to do is get everyone out of the city so they can "live to fight another day." Against the leader's protests, they agree. Sokka comes up with the idea to re-create his make-believe, deadly case of "Pentapox" so that the soldiers will allow them to leave the city. After the citizens re-create the spots on their face Aang goes in search while the guards are distracted.
Back at the governors palace, he and his family watch as the "sick" people roam the streets; he orders the guards to drive them out of the city to prevent it from spreading and be careful not touch them. They're all completely unaware that his infant son has wondered off.
Aang has come across Flopsie in his search; thrilled to see him Flopsie rushes forward but is held back by a chain. Aang frees him by freezing ice to the chain and then smashing it. The two go in search of Bumi.
Momo, who's hungry, finds some berries near where the young infant has wondered off. Interested by Momo's tail, a young boy latches on to him. The two fly throughout the city until the boy finally releases Momo and wonders off further... towards the city's gates.
Back at the circus, the ring master tells Azula how honored he is to have the Fire Lord's daughter at his circus, he informs her to let him know of anyway he can the show more enjoyable for her. She smirks while accepting his offer. Up on the high wire, Ty Lee is balancing on a pole that is on top of some kind of round pot. Azula asks the ringmaster if he thinks she'll fall; he replies: "of course not." In that case Azula decides it would be more interesting if she did it without the safety net or better yet set it on fire. Not about to refuse and order from a Fire Nation Royal he sets it ablaze. Ty Lee grows very nervous as it becomes obvious to her that Azula is threatening her to help her in her search. Azula then orders all the animals the circus has to be released inside the tent.
After getting out of the city safely the resistance leader informs the gang that they have one more person then they should. The governor is now aware his son is missing and believes the freed citizens have kidnapped him, and ponders on how to get him back.
Back at the circus, Azula congratulates her friend on the show; Ty Lee decides the universe is telling her to go with Azula.
Katara is playing with the small child and thinks he's very cute, but the leader says he won't be so cute when he's older and a killer. Then a messenger hawk arrives telling them that the governor will trade King Bumi for his son. As they accept the offer, Sokka believes they're walking into a trap, but Aang says he's got a good feeling about this.
Back inside the city Azula, entering in her throne, and Ty Lee approach Mai. Mai, jokingly, asks hopefully if Azula was here to kill her; the two friends hug. Mai is thrilled to help Azula on her mission, wanting anything to get her out of Omashu. Azula confronts the governor who pleas with her, and asks for forgiveness. But Azula, having too much of her father in her, tells the governor he's making a mess of things and also corrects him that there was no more "Omashu." She re-names the city in honor of her father: New Ozai. She decides Mai will handle the trade so he doesn't mess it up.

In front of Fire Lord Ozai's statue Aang, Katara and Sokka approach Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai; ready to trade and they lower Bumi who’s trapped in some kind of coffin. But, Azula believes trading a powerful, Earthbending king for a two year-old isn't a fair trade and Mai calls of the deal. They raise Bumi and Aang, angered by this, rushes for him. But unfortunately his turban slips off and Azula sees his arrow and recognizes him. Without a second thought she abandons the original plan and rushes for him. Aang jumps onto Bumi's coffin and attempts to free him the same way as he did Flopsie but Azula is hot on his trail.
Back down on the platform Katara assumes an attack position towards Ty Lee and Mai while Sokka calls Appa. Ty Lee rushes for Sokka; after blocking the attack from Mai, Katara gives Sokka some cover so he can get the baby out.
Nearly to the top of the statue, Aang has almost completely frozen the chain but Bumi tells him to stop but before he can react Azula shoots out of the top and shoots a blast of electricity at the them braking the chain and sending them plummeting towards the Super Slides. Azula jumps into a cart and rides after them. Aang is happy saying "It's just like old times" but Bumi says he needs to talk to him, but Azula blasts at them before he can speak. She continues the chase all the way down the slides.
Back at the platform Katara and Mai exchange blows but from behind her Ty Lee strikes Katara in three different pressure points causing her to be unable to bend. With no way of blocking any attack, Mai pulls out a three-pronged knife but Sokka throws his boomerang and knocks it from her hand. Appa smacks his tail to the ground and knocks Ty Lee and Mai from the platform. Katara and Sokka find Aang being chased by Azula; once close enough to Appa, Aang shoots himself and Bumi of the slide but over shoots Appa and are back on track with Azula. She continues blasting at Aang, Bumi reveals his able to Earthbend by using his uncovered face and Azula is forced to come to a stop.
At the bottom of the slide Bumi explains to Aang the concept of jing: choice in battle. Aang says he knows about it: fighting is good jing and retreating is negative jing, but Bumi reveals the third jing: neutral jing, which consists of doing neither and waiting for the opportune moment to strike, which is why he surrendered the city and why he must go back to his capturers. But before leaving, he tells Aang he must learn from a master whose mastered neutral jing.
Now leaving the city, Azula in her throne, with Mai and Ty Lee beside her the converse about their mission. Mai says "It'll be interesting seeing Zuko again, won't it Mai?" and turns to Mai slyly who smiles to herself, possibly harboring a crush for Azula's brother. Azula ignores the comment and tells them that they now have a third target, the Avatar.
Back at the Governor’s house, the Governor and his wife are still worried and Aang silently returns Tom Tom to them.

Avatar Episode : The Cave of Two Lovers

2008-01-24T16:17:00.000-08:00

The episode opens at a shallow area of a lake with Aang and Katara working on their waterbending while Sokka (with a sleeping Momo on his chest) relaxingly floats on his back on a huge leaf in just his underwear. Sokka tells Aang and Katara they need to think about going soon if they want to get to Omashu that day. Katara is showing Aang a move called the Octopus and Aang blushes as Katara moves his arms into a proper stance. Aang performs the move as Katara throws icicles at him. He manages to effectively defend himself with the move.
Suddenly, they hear music as a group of people approach playing instruments and singing. The leader introduces himself and his group as nomads wandering wherever the wind takes them. The group seems reminiscent of a hippie like group: carefree, and unconcerned with material things. The leader (Chong) appears to have some short-term attention/memory issues as he repeats himself from time to time and jumps from subject to subject.

Meanwhile, Iroh is looking at a beautiful flower telling Zuko that it is either the White Dragon bush which produces a wonderful tea or the White Jade bush which produces a deadly poison. Zuko impatiently announces he is going fishing as they need food not tea. Iroh is left contemplating which plant it may be "Hmm, delectable tea or deadly poison?"
Back at the lake, Sokka and Momo approach the others who are having flowers made into adornments for their hair/head (including Appa). Aang excitedly tells Sokka that the nomads offered to show them some sights, but Sokka again says they need to get going and have no time for the sightseeing. Katara agrees with Sokka. Chong tells them about secret pass through the mountains to Omashu - calling it a real legend. Aang agrees that going underground will not work for them as Appa doesn't like being underground and they need to do what makes Appa comfortable. After a brief scene with the Fire Nation firing at them as they try to fly, the gang decides to go with the nomads through the tunnel as Sokka states "Secret love cave, let's go."
Zuko returns to Iroh with his catch, a very small fish, only to find his uncle has ingested the plant, which turns out to be poison. After his uncle begins again to guess about plants properties, Zuko decides enough is enough and they need to look for help. As they consider their options, Zuko states, "If the Earth Kingdom discovers us they'll have us killed." To which Iroh states, "But if the Fire Nation discovers us we'll be turned over to Azula." They decide to take their chances with the Earth Kingdom.
On their way to the tunnel, the gang finds out it's not just one tunnel but a series of tunnels designed by the two lovers in the legend to thwart anyone following them. Chong explains that the cave's curse says they must trust in love to find the way through or be trapped for ever and die. As they see smoke from the Fire Nation approaching, the gang decides to head into the cave anyway. As the Fire Nation approaches the cave after the gang had entered it, they decide to destroy the entrance and trap everyone inside rather than take their chances with the curse.
Although shaken by the turn of events, the trapped group decides to work their way through. Sokka will keep track of where they are going so they can solve it like a maze.
In an Earth Kingdom healing facility, Iroh is attended to by a young Earth Kingdom girl who realizes they are not from around there as villagers know not to touch the White Jade bush. The camera shows Iroh has had a severe reaction including swelling and redness, but is still his jovial self as he says "oops" to the young woman's comment. Zuko tells her his name is Li and his uncle is Mushi. Iroh tells her they just call "Li" Junior as he is named after his father. The young woman introduces her self as Song and offers for them to come for dinner. "Junior" initially refuses, but once roast duck is mentioned "Mushi" asks for directions to Song's house.
After it appears Sokka's map making doesn't seem to be getting them anywhere, Sokka determines there is only one explanation - the tunnels are changing. Suddenly, the earth quakes beneath them.
At Song's house, her mother serves dinner, while Song tells of how they used to be refugees after the Fire Nation raided their village and took all the men - including Song's father. Li (Zuko) says he also hasn't seen his father in years. When Song asks if his father is fighting in the war, Li (Zuko) hesitates and then just says "Yeah".
Back in the tunnel, the nomads begin to panic as they hear strange noises approaching. Suddenly a wolf-bat flies past them and as Sokka attempts to fight it off with a torch, the torch falls at Appa's feet. A frantic Appa then begins running around hitting the sides of the tunnel which not only scares off the wolfbat, but causes a rock slide. Aang manages to blow the nomads, Sokka and Momo to one side then pushes Katara to the other side with Appa as the rockslide separates the two groups.
Outside Song's house, Zuko appears to be meditating. Song asks to join him. She attempts to touch Zuko's scarred face, but he stops her. She tells him she too has been hurt by the Fire Nation and then lifts her pant leg to reveal scars on her leg, which shocks Zuko.
Momo sits on Sokka's shoulder as he walks with the nomads as they play music and sing. Sokka is clearly annoyed, but says nothing.
Aang, Katara and Appa attempt to make their own way through the maze when they see a door. Thinking it is the exit, Appa charges the door, but they discover it is the tomb of the two lovers from the story. Katara reads the story. They met on a mountain which divided their two warring villages. By learning earthbending from the Badger-moles, the two built the elaborate tunnels so they could secretly meet, but prevent anyone from following them. One day the man did not show up because he had been killed in the war. The woman unleashes powerful earthbending, but instead of harming anyone, she declared the war over. The two villages helped her build a new city where they would live as one. It was named Omashu after the woman (Oma) and man (Shu). Katara then reads "Love is brightest in the dark"
A nomad (Moku) expresses frustration over Sokka leading them to another dead end. Sokka tells Moku that at least he's trying to come up with ideas. Chong then says he's had an idea for an hour, but didn't know they were trying to come up with ideas. Chong idea is if the answer is to trust in love then they should play a love song and then begins to play music as Sokka smacks himself on the forehead in frustration.
Next, it's time for Katara to voice her own crazy idea. Maybe the answer is for Aang and her to kiss. Although excited by the idea, Aang attempts to hide his feelings and manages to put his foot into his mouth by saying he definitely wouldn't want to kiss Katara. Realizing he said the wrong thing, Aang questions himself "What is wrong with me?"
As Li (Zuko) and Mushi (Iroh) depart from dinner at Song's house, Song tells them there is hope - the Avatar has returned. Unknowingly, Song has touched on a bad subject and Zuko bitingly says "I know". After going through the gate, Zuko sees the family's ostrich horse and decides to take it despite Iroh's protest over stealing from people who just showed them kindness. However, Iroh relents and also mounts the animal. From an opening in the door, Song watches them leave - her disappointment evident, but without saying anything.
As the light from the torch is about to run out, Aang and Katara move in closer to one another for a kiss, but the viewer can not know for sure if they did. Shortly after the light is gone, luminescent crystals begin to glow on the ceiling of the tunnel.
Sokka, Momo and the nomads are attacked by a swarm of wolf-bats, but Sokka soon realizes the wolf-bats weren't attacking them, but running from something else. Suddenly, huge badger-moles appear, but just as Sokka is about to be attacked, his finger touches an instrument and a musical note is made which seems to calm the badger-mole. The nomads begin to play music to calm the creatures.

Aang and Katara realize the crystals were used by the lovers to guide them to each other and that they show the way out. They rush out of the tunnel, but then wonder where Sokka may be. Suddenly, two huge tunnels appear (one on each side of the exit) and the badger-moles come out carrying the missing group members on their backs. After dropping the group off, the badger-moles head back into the mountain; closing the tunnels they created behind them. The nomads head in their own direction as Aang, Sokka and Katara head to Omashu.
However, as they crest the final ridge to see Omashu, they see the city has been taken over by the Fire Nation.

Avatar Episode : The Avatar State

2008-01-24T16:14:00.001-08:00

Steadily, the obscure images come into focus. Aang is at the Southern Air Temple where he finds his own self-looking at the skeleton of Monk Gyatso, the guardian who cared for Aang 100 years ago. The ‘other Aang’ turns around and glares with his eyes and tattoos glowing from being in the Avatar State. Suddenly they are outside, and a powerful sphere of energy surrounds the ‘other Aang’. Katara and Sokka are watching from behind the rocks, when the other Aang releases the energy and blows everyone away.
The winds from his avatar self blow Aang into the Fire Temple on the crescent-shaped island previously visited in Episode 8. Aang watches as the door opens to reveal his other self once more in the Avatar State. The Avatar lashes out and the floor splits open beneath Aang. He lands on a Fire Navy ship in the North Pole when the Ocean Spirit faces him with the water encasing his avatar form. With a slice from the Ocean Spirit and his Avatar self, Aang springs awake. After he catches his breath, Aang makes his way up the ladder. Katara awakens by the sound and follows suit.

She follows him to the deck of the Water Nation boat and asks Aang if he wants to talk about it. Aang tells her no, saying it was just a nightmare. He continues to tell her how he was in the Avatar State, but he was outside his body watching himself. “It was scary. I was scary.” She comfortingly puts her hand on his shoulder.
The next day, the three travelers are given gifts from Master Pakku. Katara receives an icicle-shaped amulet filled with sacred water from the oasis, and is capped with a crescent-shaped lid. Aang is given a box of scrolls that will help him in his waterbending training. Lastly, Sokka comes up beaming, expecting similar gifts, but instead he receives a pat on the shoulder and told to take care of everyone. Afterwards, Master Pakku instructs them to head east to the Earth Kingdom Base where General Fong will provide them escorts to King Bumi in Omashu. There, Aang will be safe and able to learn Earthbending. As the three travelers (and Momo!) take off on Appa, Katara shouts back to Master Pakku to “say ‘Hi’ to Gran Gran!” for her.
Pink cherry blossoms fall lightly on a town located on top of a river, where Uncle Iroh receives a well-deserved massage after “three weeks without food and water and sea vultures ready to pick out their liver.” Zuko is sitting down and leaning against the wall while wearing a ‘China Man’s’ hat. Uncle Iroh comes up to him and says, “It’s the anniversary, isn’t it?”
"Three years ago today I was banished. I lost it all. I want it back. I want the Avatar; I want my honor, my throne." Zuko concludes sentimentally, "I want my father, not to think I’m worthless."
At this, Uncle Iroh attempts to cheer Zuko up by saying that why would his father banish him if he didn’t care, but Zuko stands up and walks off. Iroh glances towards the masseurs and mutters that that came out wrong.
And now, a new character enters the Avatar story. We see a large Fire Nation ship and on it two long rows of soldiers bowing down, facing each other. The door opens and four men carry out a covered sedan chair. Two of them pull back the front curtain and an attractive girl in Fire Nation apparel steps out. She motions for the soldiers to rise, and narrates on how her brother and uncle have disgraced the Fire Lord and brought shame to all of them. “You may have mixed feelings about attacking members of the royal family, I understand. But I assure you, if you hesitate, I will not hesitate to bring you down. Dismissed.”
As the soldiers depart, the captain comes down and reports to Princess Azula that the tides will not allow them to dock before nightfall. She acts obtuse and asks him to explain. Then she asks him, “Do the tides command this ship?” At first the captain does not understand, but Azula makes her point quite clearly in her next few words. All you need to know is that when Princess Azula’s eyes are set on the goal, it doesn’t matter if she has to throw a few men overboard.
Meanwhile, Appa soars through the sky and Sokka points out the Earth Kingdom Base. A circular stonewall surrounds it with a pagoda in the center. When they land, they are greeted by General Fong and his group of about 20 men, who address them with respectful titles. Fireworks then burst into the sky from green capsules shot by Earthbender soldiers.
In a dimly lit room at the top of the pagoda, General Fong divulges his knowledge about the Northern Water Tribe attack and how Aang single-handedly took out the Fire Navy fleet. His point is that he believes Aang is ready to face the Fire Lord. Aang has this flabbergasted look on his face and Katara backs him up by saying that Aang still has to master all four elements. General Fong persists, saying that with Aang’s powers to wipe out hundreds of battleships in minutes, he can defeat the Fire Lord now. Sokka interrupts saying that Aang can only do that when he’s in the Avatar State. General Fong says he’s well aware that Aang’s eyes and tattoos glow and when he is in that state, he possesses unbelievable power. He continues, saying that with that power leading the way, as the “ultimate weapon”, the Earth Kingdom soldiers could go straight to the heart of the Fire Nation. Aang hesitates, saying that he doesn’t know how to get in or out of the Avatar State, and General Fong quickly says; “It’s decided then. I’ll help you figure out how to get into the Avatar State and then you’ll face your destiny.”
At this Katara counters back, saying that they already have a plan. Aang will face his destiny his own way. General Fong says that while they take their time learning the elements, the war goes on. Aang is brought to a window and General Fong shows him the wounded soldiers returning from the infirmary. “Those are the lucky ones. They came back. People are dying, Aang. You could end it. Now.”
Nearing sunset on the Fire Nation ship, Azula trains on the deck while two identical old ladies with their gray hair in buns scrutinize her movements. She shoots a beam of lightning into the open air and one of the ladies says, “Almost perfect.” While the other lady states “One hair out of place.” A crazed look enters Azula’s eyes as she glares at the misplaced hair and says, “Almost isn’t good enough,” and pushes the hair back. (Such a perfectionist). She does the lightning attack once more and Iroh wakes up in the place he and his nephew are staying at.
It is dark at the Base, and Aang tells General Fong that he’s in -- that he’ll fight the Fire Lord in the Avatar State. He returns to bed and tells Katara and Sokka. Katara strongly disagrees that this is not the right way, but Sokka reminds her of how incredible Aang was when he took out the Fire Navy. She argues that the right way takes practice and discipline, but Sokka counters with “Or, he could glow it up and stomp that Fire Lord!” Katara shouts that if they want to throw away everything they’ve worked for then fine, and exits the bedroom angrily. Aang calls after her that they don’t have time to do things the right way, but to no avail.
The next day Aang goes through several tasks, all of which don’t succeed. He is given this rare chi-enhancing tea that is supposed to increase his strength ten-fold, but instead it increases his energy and chattering. “I guess he could talk the Fire Lord to death…” Sokka mutters. For the second task Sokka tries to shock Aang into the Avatar State. Katara covers Aang’s eyes with her hands and when she moves he sees Sokka with Momo’s head screeching at him. Although it scares Aang, he doesn’t turn glowy. Sokka ends up losing balance and falls to the side. The third task is a ceremony. Aang is wearing a ceremonial piece of clothing from each of the bending nations, including an Earth Kingdom hat and a Water Tribe robe. An old man mixes the four elements of earth, water, fire, and air into a bowl and splashes it onto Aang, who says it’s just mud. “…Well, do you feel anything?” The old man asks. A moment of silence impends until Aang ends up sneezing, and the mud splatters all over Katara, Sokka, and General Fong. “We have to find a way.” He says.
Back at the tranquil village, Uncle Iroh drops his bag and shells pour out onto the wooden table. He picks some of them up saying how he’ll enjoy them for years to come, but Zuko scolds him because they have to carry everything themselves now. Across the room Azula’s voice is heard greeting them. The two turn around and Zuko asks her what she is doing here. She walks toward them, saying how ‘in her country’; pleasant hellos are exchanged before asking questions.
"Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?" She asks, and Zuko yells to not call him that. Uncle Iroh enters the conversation in a more respectful tone, but she crushes one of his shells, saying it must be a family trait to get straight to the point. She tells them that she came with a message from home. There are rumors of plans to overthrow their father, and that family is the only ones you can really trust. The mood changes when she says, "Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home."
At this unexpected news, Zuko’s expression softens and he looks out of the window, deep within his thoughts. But Azula is impatient for an answer and when Uncle Iroh tells her that Zuko simply needs a moment, she snaps at him. She continues to prod Zuko for an answer, but sees that he needs more time. She tells him that she’ll come back for them tomorrow.
Aang and Katara are gazing out at the mountains at the sunset, leaning against the parapet. Katara asks if he remembers when he saw Gyatso’s dead corpse at the Air temple. How traumatic it must have been for him, and how she saw him get so upset that he wasn’t even himself anymore. "I’m not saying that the Avatar State doesn’t have incredible - and helpful - power, but for the people who love you, watching you be in that much rage and pain is really scary." At these words, Aang thanks her, but still continues to go on with the training for the good of the people who die every day. "I’m already a hundred years late. Defeating the Fire Lord is the only way to stop this war. I have to try it!" Katara resigns and tells Aang that she won’t be coming to watch the next day.
It is nighttime at the village, and Zuko is ecstatic and packing his stuff for the next day. But his blissful mood makes him blind to Iroh’s advice, "I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine. In our family, things are not always what they seem." Zuko bursts out in rage and calls his uncle a lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who’s always been jealous of his brother. In order not to increase Zuko’s ire, Uncle Iroh says no more.
Back at the Base, Aang’s dream continues. This time, he sees himself in the water typhoon shown in Episode 2. Aang is knocked overboard by his avatar self and the avatar turns and glares at Zuko. A look of fear enters Zuko’s eyes, and he attempts to escape when his avatar self slashes out at him, causing Aang to spring awake. He then wakes up Sokka and tells him that he doesn’t want to bring on the avatar state, and asks if he thinks the General will be mad. Sokka says, "What can the General say? You’re the avatar; who knows better than you." But Aang still looks a little unsure.
Cherry blossoms fall gently on the stone steps as Zuko descends the next day. He sees the ship in the port and Uncle calls down to him to not leave without him. Zuko has this joyful look on his face (don’t see that often) when he hears his uncle’s call. "Family sticks together, right?" Uncle places a hand on Zuko’s shoulder and a memory of his father doing the exact same thing while they look out over the hill enters his mind. (The same memory shown in Episode 12) "We’re finally going home," Zuko says and gazes down at the ship once more along with his uncle. But as Zuko continues down the steps Iroh looks at the ship suspiciously.
At the Earth Kingdom Base, Aang tells General Fong that he has decided not to go through with the tasks anymore. The benevolent face of General Fong looks disappointed and asks him once more if he is certain. Aang tells him that the only way that he can only reach the Avatar State when he’s in genuine danger. General Fong says he was afraid of this, and Aang is completely taken by surprise when he sends his desk flying into Aang who is sent out of the top of the pagoda. Aang airbends to soften his fall and rolls out of the desk’s path just before it crashes to the ground. General Fong then gives the order for his soldiers to attack the Avatar.
Aang looks around at the gathering soldiers in disbelief, when General Fong jumps out of the pagoda and uses earthbending to land safely. Aang asks him what he’s doing, and he says, "We’re about to get results." Desperately, Aang dodges giant coin-shaped stones (the ones with the square hole in the middle) that are sent at him from every direction.
Sokka is being held captive in the pagoda by two soldiers, but kicks back with his heels to force the men to drop and release him.
Meanwhile, Aang air scooters and dodges stones and earthen walls jutting out of the ground. He scooters up the wall surrounding the city, but two Earth soldiers riding ostriches pursue. As the air ball runs out he continues running up the wall, but the two soldiers swing their weapons ahead of him and he back flips onto the ground once more. He dodges their attack again and runs across the field where a stone coin rises up around him and he’s pulled in front of General Fong. The general yells to him that he can’t run forever, and Aang shouts back that he can’t fight forever. At the port, sentries filed in two lines meet Zuko and Iroh. They walk in between the still sentries, Iroh gazing warily from one guard to another. The two stop before the ship and respectfully bow when Azula welcomes them. The captain asks her if they are ready to depart, and Azula sweetly says, "Set our course for home." At the word "home," Zuko repeats it reminiscently. Azula’s plan would have gone perfectly had it not been for the captain who orders the men to take the "prisoners" home. After a moment of silence and a death glare to the captain from Azula, Iroh leaps at the soldiers, sending one guard after another into the water. "You lied to me!" Zuko shouts to Azula in rage, and he battles his way up onto the deck of the ship.
As Aang continues to dodge the giant stones sent at him, Katara lies in her room when she hears the ominous shuddering. Wanting to make sure Aang is okay; she gets on her feet and exits. When she reaches the bottom of the outside stairs, she meets up with Sokka and he tells her what’s going on. Together, they enter the fight. Sokka manages to mount onto an ostrich. Katara uses the water from her gourd, but ends up being surrounded by the giant stones.
It’s her against General Fong. She sends a stream of water towards Fong, but is countered by dirt rising from the ground, which turns into mud instantaneously. Ruthlessly, General Fong sinks Katara’s feet into the ground. This action makes Aang throw air at the General, but he evades it by sending up an earthen wall. Sokka attempts to rescue his sister, but General Fong sinks the ostrich’s feet and he is sent flying off and into the square hole of the coin.
By now, Katara has sunk almost halfway into the ground and Aang is begging the General to let her go. He remains implacable and says to Aang that if he were in the Avatar State, he could save her. Tears stream out of Aang’s eyes as he says he’s trying. Now only Katara’s head is above the ground, and Aang is on his knees shouting that the General doesn’t have to do this. “Apparently, I do.” He says, and Katara is completely sinks into the earth. Aang attempts to grab her before she sinks, but he is too late. His whole body shakes uncontrollably and when Aang turns around, his eyes and tattoos are glowing and a look of hatred and rage shows clearly on his face. The general grins with delight and triumph that it worked, but his expression changes when he is sent flying into the wall.
At the port, Zuko is successful on reaching the deck. He kicks out both ways, sending the two guards overboard. He steps towards Azula and dagger-like flames appear behind his fists. On the dock, Iroh is fighting more of the guards and sending each of them into the water. He looks toward the ship and shouts, "Zuko! Let’s go!" before continuing to fight.
On deck, Zuko sends a flurry of firebending slashes at Azula, who dodges each attack easily with that smirk on her face. To add salt to the wound, Azula tells Zuko that their father blames Iroh for the loss at the North Pole, and that he believes Zuko to be a "miserable failure for not finding the Avatar. Why would he want you back home, except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him." She grins maliciously, and enraged Zuko persists in his offensive slashes. Azula continues to dodge his attacks, and scratches his forehead with her long nails. They battle up the steps until Azula decides to stop toying with him and grabs his wrist. They look at each other; Azula with her confident grin, and Zuko wondering what her next move will be. Rapidly, she sends a stream of blue flame out of her fingertips that sends Zuko flying onto the bottom deck. Zuko hazily looks up at Azula, who is generating a deadly lightning attack. But before Azula finishes can finish her brother off, Iroh absorbs the bolt and directs it into a cliff. He throws her overboard and he and Zuko run far away from the boat.
A dirt tornado surrounds Aang and General Fong calls out to him, explaining that it was all at trick to trigger his avatar state. Katara is brought out of the earth, breathing heavily and Aang descends down, sending a powerful earth force that obliterates the area.
Suddenly his spirit separates from his body and rises into the sky where Avatar Roku picks him up on his dragon. "It is time you learned," Avatar Roku states.
The two are taken among the yellow clouds and Avatar Roku explains to Aang the purpose of the Avatar State: it is a defense mechanism, designed to empower him with the skills and knowledge of all the past Avatars. "At the Avatar State, you are at your most powerful." When he explains the glow, four images are shown: one of Kyoshi levitating gargantuan statues; another showing a Waterbender sending a tidal wave; a third showing an Airbender directing wind powerfully against grass and trees; and a fourth showing a Firebender sending magma flying out of volcanoes.
"But, you are also at your most vulnerable."
Reincarnations of his former self are shown among the clouds. The previous avatars then line up and one by one disappear. Avatar Roku explains that if Aang is killed in the Avatar State, the reincarnation cycle will be broken and the Avatar will cease to exist.
So now Aang understands the importance and caution he must take when he is in the Avatar State. His spirit descends down into his body that is surrounded by an air shield, and Aang gazes shamefully at the devastation he has caused. Katara runs to Aang and comforts him and he apologizes to Katara, hoping that she will never see him like that ever again. But General Fong comes up at that moment, and tells Aang that his avatar state was almost perfect and that they just need to find a way to control it (can you believe him?). In his fervor, General Fong doesn’t notice Sokka riding on an ostrich and knocking him unconscious from behind. Sokka asks if the other soldiers have a problem with that, and they quickly shake their head no. The three are ready to depart for Omashu.
In the tranquil village, Azula holds up a wanted poster with the faces of Zuko and Iroh and warns the villagers that if anyone were to harbor these traitors, they would face the Fire Lord’s wrath.
Between the sakura trees, Zuko and Iroh still run onwards until they reach a glade. Here they kneel down to rest by the river. Solemnly, Zuko takes out a knife engraved with symbols on the blade and waits a moment, before cutting his hair. With that one cut, he has thrown away his honor, his throne; everything that he had been fighting for in the past since his banishment. He passes the knife to Uncle who understands as well. Both drop their cut hair into the river and the two stand together in the glade: two outcasts, two refugees.

Avatar Episode : The Siege of the North (Part 2)

2008-01-23T20:12:00.000-08:00

The second half of the season finale begins with Sokka, Katara and Yue setting out on Appa. They are in search of Aang as the Fire Nation continues its attack on the Northern Water Tribe. As Zuko carries Aang across the polar ice cap, Aang’s spirit has arrived in what looks like a swamp. He then approaches a meditating monkey and asks for some assistance on finding the moon and ocean spirits. The annoyed monkey tells Aang to “Go… Away.” As Aang continues to ask the monkey for help, a glowing speck flies by and the monkey suggests Aang chase it, because it may be able to help him. Aang chased the glowing speck through the Spirit World, but when he finally manages to grasp it, the branch he was standing on disappears and Aang fell into the water. Roku’s image appeared as a reflection in the water and Roku’s voice greeted Aang. Back in the natural world, the polar ice cap begins to give way under Zuko and Aang’s weight. Zuko quickly runs while carrying Aang and manages to avoid falling through the ice. Just then, Zuko spoted a shelter in the distance, drags Aang’s body into the shelter and ties him up. Aang’s spirit tells Roku the Water Tribe is under attack and he needs help locating the Moon and Ocean spirits. Roku’s spirit ascends out of the water to face Aang as he tells Aang those spirits crossed over into the mortal world near the beginning and there is only one spirit old enough to help Aang.

The spirit is named Koh but Roku warns Aang to be careful as Koh is dangerous. Aang must not show any emotion when facing Koh or Koh will steal his face. Aang nods in understanding. Sokka, Katara and Yue, riding on Appa through the blizzard continue to look for Aang with no luck. Zuko talks to Aang’s body while Aang is in Spirit World. He laments how now that he has Aang, the blizzard prevents him from taking Aang back to the Fire Nation. Zuko then compares Aang’s natural talents to his own sister’s and recalls his struggles that have made him strong without any help from luck. Back at the Northern Water Tribe, Fire Nation troops move further into the city despite the waterbender warrior’s efforts. Iroh reminds Zhao that if the Water Tribe is not subdued by the rise of the full moon the waterbenders will be unbeatable. Zhao says he is planning to remove the moon as a factor. Iroh and Zhao are briefly interrupted as Han miserably fails at his attempt to attack Zhao and is thrown overboard. Zhao explained to Iroh how a long time ago he had stumbled upon the secret of the Moon Spirit’s mortal form in an underground library while serving as a young officer in the Earth Kingdom. Zhao then believed it was his destiny to kill the spirits. Iroh forcefully informs Zhao that the spirits are not to be trifled with. Zhao condescendingly tells Iroh he has heard of Iroh’s journey into the spirit world, but the Moon and Ocean gave up their immortality and will now pay the consequences. Aang approaches a large leafless tree, takes a deep breath and enters, calling out to Koh. Suddenly, Koh, with a large centipede like body and a face similar to a Japanese Noh mask, appears in front of Aang. As he switches faces, Koh explains to Aang that this is not their first encounter as one of Aang’s previous incarnations tried to kill Koh over the stealing of a loved one’s face. Aang takes a breath in to gather strength in order to not show any emotion as Koh tries to manipulate Aang into an opportunity to steal his face. At the same time, Aang’s body in the natural world also takes in a deep breath as Zuko looks on. Zuko comments that it looks like they will be in the shelter for awhile.Yue tries to comfort Katara by saying Zuko and Aang could not have gotten away. Katara says she’s not worried they got away, but that they didn’t. Sokka assures Katara that Zuko will not give up and both he and Aang are alive and they will find them.Menacingly, Koh asks, “So. How may I help you?” Aang tells Koh he needs to find the Moon and Ocean Spirits. Koh tells Aang the spirits’ names - Tui (push) and La (pull). Aang explains that and entire ure may be destroyed if he doesn’t get the spirits help. Koh informs Aang that it is the spirits who are in need his help as someone is planning on them. Aang asks how he can find the spirits to protect them. Koh tells Aang that he has already met them and their names are ebb and flow Tu and La. As Aang realizes the spirits’ mortal identities, he almost reveals his expression to Koh, narrowly avoiding the opportunity for Koh to steal his face. Upon leaving Koh’s tree, Aang tells Roku’s reflection that the spirits are in trouble and he needs to get back to the mortal world. Roku tells Aang Hae Bai is there to guide him back. Nightfall has come and the full moon has risen. The waterbending warriors exhibit massive power as they fiercely battle the Fire Nation soldiers. Zhao and his search party depart his ship in search of the Oasis. Zhao declares that when they get there “We’re going fishing”. Hae Bai takes Aang back to the gate and breaths out a light toward Aang which sends Aang’s spirit to the mortal world. However, to Aang’s dismay, he finds his body is not at the Oasis where it had been left. His spirit suddenly goes into a bright light form as it rushes to Aang’s body. Katara sees the light and realizes it’s Aang’s spirit and they turn Appa to follow the light as it reveals Zuko and Aang’s shelter. As his spirit rejoins his body, Aang suddenly sits up, forcefully acknowledges Zuko’s presence and then proceeds to blow a large gust of air which throws Zuko against the side of the shelter and him out of the shelter into the snow. Zuko manages to catch Aang, but then Appa approaches and Katara jumps down. Zuko says “Here for a rematch?” and Katara confidently replies “Trust me Zuko, it’s not going to be much of a match” as she forces Zuko about 40 feet into the air with a column of snow and then knocks him out by smashing him to the ground. Although he is in a hurry to save the spirits, Aang refuses to leave Zuko to die and they tie up the unconscious prince and take him with them. At the Oasis the location of the moon and ocean spirits, Zhao grabs the white fish and the sky goes red. The waterbending warriors lose their bending abilities. Yue says feels faint and Aang says he feels it too. Yue then explains how the Moon Spirit gave her life as a baby and how she received her name; Yue – for the Moon. Zhao begins arrogantly applauding his efforts to fulfill his destiny of the Moon Spirit. Momo then jumps onto Zhao’s head puling at Zhao’s hair and then flies over to Aang. Aang pleads with Zhao to consider how his actions will hurt everyone, not just the Water Tribe. Suddenly, Iroh appears confirming Aang’s words and tells Zhao if he harms the spirit, Iroh will unleash 10 fold the force against Zhao. Zhao releases the spirit back into the water, but then kills it with a fire blast - extinguishing moon. Iroh unleashes his firepower and easily defeats the soldiers accompanying Zhao, but Zhao manages to escape. The camera them pans behind Yue (still sitting on Appa) to reveal Zuko is missing. Iroh lifts the white fish out of the water and Yue says there’s no hope now, it’s over. Aang goes into the Avatar state and say powerfully “NO, It is NOT over.” He then walks into the Oasis and merges with the Ocean Spirit to head out and attack the Fire Nation invaders in the city. The Ocean Spirit (with Aang) then heads out to sea. As Zhao tries to escape, Zuko shoots a fireball at him. Shocked that Zuko is alive, Zhao confirms he tried to have Zuko killed because of Zuko’s Blue Spirit identity and for releasing the Avatar. Zuko says he had no choice, but Zhao tells Zuko he should have accepted his fate as a failure and a disgrace. Zuko continues to battle Zhao. Meanwhile, Iroh places the white fish back into the Oasis and then notices that Yue has been touched by the Moon Spirit. Yue decides it is her duty to give the life she was given back to the Moon Spirit despite Sokka’s protests. She places her hands on the fish transferring her spirit, exhaling one last time and then falls back into Sokka’s arms – no longer alive. The Ocean Spirit heads out into the open ocean and attacks the Fire Nation ships. Yue’s body disappears, the white fish begins to glow and Iroh places the fish into the Oasis. The fish begins to swim and the Oasis glows as the spirit image of Yue appears above the water to tell Sokka she will always be with him. Her spirit kisses Sokka one last time before becoming the Moon. The Ocean Spirit sees the Moon is back and then places Aang atop a piece of the outer wall and then heads back into the Water Tribe city. Zuko and Zhao continue to battle when Zhao notices the Moon has returned and shouts “It can’t be!” Just then the Ocean Spirit grabs Zhao and begins to take him away. Zuko tries to help but Zhao stubbornly refuses to accept Zuko’s hand. Zhao is pulled into the water and disappears. Master Pakku announces plans to head to the South Pole with other tribe members to help rebuild the tribe there. Katara asks about Aang’s training and Pakku tells her Aang will have to get used to calling her Master Katara. Chief Arnook quietly tells Sokka about the vision the spirits gave him when Yue was born about a young woman giving her life to become the Moon. Sokka replies that he must be proud. The Chief says he is proud, and sad. Iroh slyly says is surprised Zuko is not at that moment trying to capture the Avatar. Zuko declares he is tired and Iroh soothingly tells him he should rest as “A man needs his rest.” Zuko closes his eyes. Katara meets up with Aang and they embrace. Momo jumps in as Sokka takes hold of Aang’s shoulder and Appa shows up as they all look out at the moon realizing they managed to ward off the Fire Nation and there is still hope to restore balance. Back in the Fire Nation, Fire Lord Ozai ominously gives Azula an undisclosed task.

Avatar Episode : The Siege of the North (Part 1)

2008-01-23T19:42:00.000-08:00

The scene opens with a pan over the Northern Water Tribe city and then moves to a sparring match between an anxious young man and a confident Katara. After Katara swiftly defeats her opponent by encasing him in an ice formation about 20 feet high and taking away his ability to waterbend, Master Pakku releases the student, Pupil Sangook, unceremoniously on his back. Pakku then asks the other students (who look as though they’ve already had similar run-ins with Katara’s waterbending that day) if any of them feel up to facing Katara again. Hearing no response, Master Pakku then tells Katara that she has progressed faster than any other student he has had and that her hard work and determination have paid off in ways that raw talent alone can not. Seeing Aang playing with Momo, Master Pakku cynically asks Aang if he wishes to face Katara since he must have mastered waterbending already. Unconcerned by Pakku’s tone, Aang responds by saying he wouldn’t say he’s mastered waterbending, but he has something to show Pakku. Aang then wraps snow around himself as if her were a snowman; which does not impress either Master Pakku or Katara. Meanwhile, Sokka is walking on a ledge of an ice bridge as Princess Yue walks on the bridge beside him. She asks if there are not any palaces in the Southern Water Tribe. Sokka says, “I grew up on a block of ice. It’s not exactly a cultural hub”. As Sokka comes down from the ledge, Yue touches his shoulder and laughs at his statement. Then her smile turns to a frown as she says what they are doing is wrong because she is engaged. Undeterred, Sokka says they are just friends and he would like her to meet another of his friends – Appa.

Appa greets Sokka by pushing him to the ground and giving him a big lick, which leads Yue to giggle and say, “It looks like you haven’t been giving Appa enough attention.” Sokka and Yue get into Appa’s saddle and Sokka introduces Yue to the joys of flying with a simple “Yip… yip”. Yue is amazed but wonders if it is always cold when flying (and then scoots closer to Sokka). Sokka softly replies “Not when you’re with someone”. They look into each other’s eyes and begin to move toward a kiss. When they realize what is about to happen, they blush and quickly try to change the subject. However, the subject presents itself in the form of gray snow falling on them.
The scene cuts back the Northern Water Tribe city where we see gray snow falling. While Aang is rolling in the snow around Momo, Momo eats one of the gray particles and coughs it out, which gets Aang’s attention. The water fountains have turned gray as a result of this unusually snowfall and Water Tribe citizens look on wonderingly.
Sokka and Yue have landed on a nearby glacier and Sokka tells Yue he recognizes the gray as soot from Fire Nation ships mixed with snow as this happened when the Fire Nation attacked his village. He tells Yue the Fire Nation has closed in on the North Pole and from what he sees there are a lot of them. The camera pans out onto the horizon to show a huge gray cloud in the distance.
Several Fire Nation ships are shown in the water (presumably heading to the North Pole) and Admiral Zhao sinisterly tells General Iroh they are in the process of writing history as they will be destroying the Water Tribe civilization. Iroh warns Zhao that history is not always kind to its subjects. Zhao condescendingly assures Iroh that this will not be like Iroh’s legendary failure at Ba Sing Se; to which Iroh ominously tells Zhao he hopes not, for Zhao’s sake. Zhao tells Iroh to tell the captain to prepare for first strike and Iroh departs. Subsequently, Iroh finds Zuko in disguise as a guard and tells him they will be landing soon and inquires if Zuko has a plan. “I’m working on it, Uncle” he replies.
Back at the Northern Water Tribe, a large drum adorned with the water tribe’s symbol is beaten as citizens rush to the main gathering hall. As Sokka and Yue head up the steps, Yue abruptly stops to tell Sokka they can not see each other because she is engaged and she likes him as more than a friend.
At the gathering hall, Chief Arnook tell the citizens that war is upon them and he is saddened to know that some of the faces he sees may vanish in the next few days. He calls upon the Ocean and Moon Spirits to be with them as they face the battle for existence. When the Chief asks for volunteers for a dangerous mission, Sokka is first to stand and say “Count me in” - despite Katara’s objection. As Sokka receives his mark from the Chief signifying his acceptance to join the mission, Yue looks on and as he heads back to his seat Yue looks away blinking tears from her eyes.
As they await first strike from the Fire Nation, Chief Arnook tells Aang the stillness before battle is unbearable. A hundred years ago Aang was not there to help his people; he emphatically states that this time he will make a difference. Finally, as the Water Tribe warriors look on, there is a WHOOSH as the first fireball is launched. The fireball strikes the middle of the Northern Water Tribe emblem on the outer wall throwing many back by the blast. A second fireball lands in the heart of the city and as the third approaches, Aang yells “Yip, yip” to Appa and they head out to face the Fire Nation Navy.
Several fireballs are launched by the lead ship and as Aang approaches he manages to deflect one fireball into the nearby ice cap. He then leaps off Appa, expands his glider and maneuvers between soldiers’ fire blasts as he then lands on the deck and sweeps away those attacking him. After several maneuvers disabling the fireball catapults on the lead ship, Aang is trapped against a catapult with chains thrown by an attacker. Appa appears out of nowhere and grabs the attacker and throws him overboard. Just then the ship is encased in ice by approaching waterbenders. Aang leaps aboard Appa to head to the next ship, but is shocked to find what looks like a thousand Fire Nation ships in the horizon.
Meanwhile, Chief Arnook addresses the recruits for the mission revealing they will be infiltrating the Navy disguised as Fire Nation soldiers. Sokka inadvertently laughs upon seeing the Fire Nation uniform they are to wear. After demonstrating his knowledge of the Fire Nation military, Sokka is told to brief Han (the warrior modeling the antiquated Fire Nation uniform) on all Fire Nation information to be used for the mission. Chief Arnook also instructs Han to show Sokka respect as he expects nothing less from his future son-in-law. Shocked, Sokka manages an insincere “congratulations” to Han.
As night approaches, Iroh advises Zhao to cease the attack as waterbenders draw strength from the Moon and it is almost full. Zhao states he is aware of the Moon issue and is working on a solution, but agrees to halt the attack until morning.
Returning from battle, Aang is exhausted and frustrated stating he was only able to take out about a dozen ships. Aang begins to doubt his ability to help the Water Tribe hold off the Fire Nation attack.
Deep in the hold of Zhao’s ship, Zuko has removed his Fire Nation soldier uniform and is preparing for his solo journey into the Water Tribe city to capture the Avatar. Iroh expresses his concern for Zuko saying that he only nags Zuko because, since the loss of his own son, he sees Zuko like his own. Zuko acknowledges his uncle’s statement and says he will meet Iroh again “after – I have the Avatar”.
Back in the Water Tribe warrior barracks, Han arrogantly informs Sokka about the perks of marrying Yue, which only serves to anger Sokka. Not fully comprehending his insensitivity toward Yue, Han then insults Sokka by insinuating Sokka lacks the ability to understand their tribe’s way of doing things. Sokka lunges at Han calling him a “jerk, without a soul”. The fight continues until Chief Arnook breaks it up and tells Sokka he is off the mission.
Zuko maneuvers his kayak to the shores of the ice cap just next to the base of the Water Tribe outer wall and observes what looks like turtle-seals diving into an opening in the ice. Knowing the creatures must come up for air somewhere; Zuko takes a deep breath and dives in.
While looking at the nearly full moon, Yue tells Aang & Katara about the legend of the Moon teaching waterbending to the water tribe people by observing the push and pull on the ocean by the Moon. Suddenly Aang realizes that maybe the spirits can help him on his quest to save the Water Tribe. Yue says she may know of a place where Aang can reach the spirits. She takes them to the most spiritual place in the entire North Pole. Aang is ecstatic to see grass again and Katara is amazed at how warm it is there. Aang begins to meditate at the base of the oasis pool containing two Koi fish – one black, one white – swimming in a circle.
Zuko manages to find where the turtle-seals come up for air - an underground cave. He uses his breath of fire to ward off the effects of his icy swim – yelling at the creatures to “Be quiet”. Zuko then works his way up an opening with water rushing through.
As Sokka sharpens his boomerang, Chief Arnook approaches him for a special task – guarding his daughter, Princess Yue. Sokka humbly agrees.
Zuko ascends to an air pocket in the freezing water and catches his breath. He then spots another passage up under the water and heads through, but is met with an ice barrier. Using his firebending, Zuko melts the ice and breaks through, resting briefly– he has made it into the Water Tribe city.
As Aang tries to get into the Spirit World through meditation, Katara and Yue’s conversation distracts him, but after he shouts “How ‘bout some quiet!” they comply. Aang then focuses on the Koi fish and finally enters the spirit world. Yue asks Katara if they should get some help, but Katara says she can protect Aang. At that moment Zuko says “Well, aren’t you a big girl now”. Yue leaves to get help as Katara and Zuko fight it out. Zuko realizes Katara’s skill level has greatly advanced from earlier encounters and he is eventually encased in ice similar to what Katara did to Pupil Sangook at the beginning of the episode. However, as the sun rises, Zuko manages to melt his way out of Katara’s trap and knock her out by forcing her against a tree with a fire blast. “You rise with the Moon, I rise with the Sun”, he says.
Fire Nation ships break through the Water Tribe outer wall and rush in to attack. Back on his command ship, Zhao states the city will fall today despite any efforts to fight off the inevitable.
Katara regains consciousness to find Aang is gone. Sokka and Yue approach on Appa and Katara tells them Zuko has Aang. The camera pans up to show a path going up the side of the polar ice cap surrounding the city. Finally, it is shown that Zuko is carrying Aang through a blizzard across the ice cap and the camera pans up showing snow falling from an ominous cloud filled sky.

Avatar Episode : The Water Bending Master

2008-01-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

Appa is tired after flying for two days straight, and Sokka is getting irritable. Upon noticing the arctic sea around them, Aang and Katara realize that they are in the North Pole. After a while, they believe it to be deserted, but are quickly set upon by Waterbenders in canoes. After forcing Appa into the water and freezing the water around him, they escort Aang and his friends to the Northern Water Tribe capital. As they gaze in wonder at the great icy city and its inhabitants, Sokka spies a beautiful white-haired girl.
Meanwhile, Admiral Zhao is determined as ever to find the Avatar. In a meeting with his council, he points to a map and deduces that since the Avatar is moving north, he must be going to the Northern Water Tribe to find a Waterbending master. He organizes a massive task force to head to the North Pole and capture the Avatar.

On Prince Zuko's ship, Zhao arrives in the middle of their music night, and explains that he's taking his crew. He offers Uncle Iroh to be a general in his army, but Iroh politely declines. In Zuko's room, Zhao notices two broadswords on the wall, which look suspiciously like the ones used by the Blue Spirit who helped the Avatar escape from his fortress.
In the North Pole, Chief Arnook of the Northern Water Tribe holds a feast in honor of the arrival of the Avatar and his friends. He also announces that his daughter, Princess Yue, is 16 and of marrying age; she is also the white-haired girl whom Sokka saw earlier. While Sokka is trying to make small talk with the princess, Chief Arnook introduces Aang to his new Waterbending teacher, the stern Master Pakku. Aang also asks if Pakku will teach his friend to Waterbend, and Pakku agrees. They retire early in preparation for tomorrow.
Admiral Zhao convenes with the Pirates from "The Waterbending Scroll" and pays them handsomely for a special task to keep Prince Zuko out of the way. Uncle Iroh asks Zuko if he wants to take a walk, but he prefers sitting in his room and sulking. After Uncle Iroh leaves, the Pirates sneak onto the ship with blasting jelly. After hearing a noise, Zuko wanders around the ship and sees the Pirate Captain's parrot-lizard sitting of the mast. But he is all too late, when the pirates light the fuse and jump off of the ship as it explodes. Uncle Iroh looks in horror as his nephew's ship breaks apart.
The next morning, Aang meets Master Pakku for his Waterbending lessons. When Katara arrives, Pakku announces that his tribe doesn't teach s. Infuriated, Aang threatens to leave Pakku, but Katara relents. Pakku tells Katara that female Waterbenders are supposed to learn healing arts, so Katara joins Yaguda's healing Sokka manages to arrange a rendezvous with Princess Yue.
After the healing is over, Yaguda notices Katara's necklace and tells her asks her "who the lucky boy is". She then explains that Water tribe males carve necklaces for their brides-to-be as a sign of engagement. She then tells Katara that her Gran Gran was born in the Northern Water Tribe, and Katara looks exactly like Gran Gran Kanna at her age. She and Yaguda were also good friends. Before her arranged marriage to a young waterbender could happen, she ran away, and those that knew Kanna still don't know the reason why she left.
That night, Sokka meets Princess Yue on a bridge and gives her a carving of a fish, which she mistakes for a bear. After he tells her that he likes her, she cries, apologizes, and runs away. When they get ready for bed, Aang is angry that Pakku won't teach Katara and Sokka suggests that Aang secretly teach Katara what he learns from Pakku. They go outside and Aang teaches Katara the move he learned today, but they are discovered by Master Pakku. He refuses to teach Aang to Waterbend.
The next morning, Aang apologizes to Pakku, but Katara is furious and demands to fight him and marches outside. After striking him with a water-whip, Pakku agrees to fight Katara, and they engage in a deadly Waterbending duel. After admitting her impressive show of skill, Pakku still refuses to teach Katara and imprisons her in icicles. Upon sighting her necklace on the ground, he tells her that he carved it for Gran Gran Kanna a long time ago, having won an arranged marriage with her. He had loved her very much, but Katara surmises that Kanna did not love him. Knowing her Gran Gran, Katara tells Pakku that he lost Kanna forever because she refused to passively go along with the Northern Tribe's "stupid rules" for women; that's the reason why she fled to the South Pole. Sokka meets with Princess Yue again, who explains that she likes him, kisses him and sadly reveals the carved engagement necklace on her neck.
Uncle Iroh has tea with Zhao on his ship, and tells about Zuko's tragic fate. After explaining about the pirates, and how the Fire Lord will not be pleased, he accepts Zhao's offer to be a general in his army. After leaving the room, Iroh walks down the hall and meets a Fire Nation soldier, who is revealed to be the assumed-dead Prince Zuko. He tells Zuko that everything is going as planned, and that once they reach the North Pole, the Avatar will be his. We then see Zhao's massive armada of ships heading to the North Pole.
Back at the North Pole, Aang is about to begin his Waterbending lesson, when an exhausted Katara arrives. Master Pakku smiles and finally admits her to train under him. Aang greets her and they begin their lesson.

Avatar Episode : The Northern Air Temple

2008-01-23T19:10:00.000-08:00

The episode opens at night, with a crowd (including Aang, Momo, Katara and an apparently bored Sokka) surrounding a fire pit listening to a storyteller’s account of his great-grandfather’s encounter with secret air walking people who laugh at gravity. After his tale is done and the story teller goes around with his hat for contributions, Katara asks Aang if the airbender stories are accurate and Aang replies that he laughs at gravity all the time. When the storyteller comes to Sokka for a contribution; Sokka shows that he has no money and sheepishly says sorry. Aang thanks the storyteller and tells him how great it is to hear airbender stories and that it must have been over 100 years when his great-grandfather saw the airbenders. The storyteller sharply asks Aang what he is talking about as his great-grandpa saw the airwalkers just the previous week.

Excited at the possibility of there being airbenders at the Northern Air Temple, the gang heads there. As the temple comes into view there are gliders circling it and Aang’s excitement shows on his face; only to fall a few seconds later as Aang realizes they are not airbenders, but non-airbenders using gliders. Suddenly, one of the gliders with a chair attached swoops by them. Aang sees this as a challenge and leaps off Appa with his glider in order to show them what a real airbender can do. Appa takes the Katara, Sokka and Momo to the temple to watch as the glider (Teo) and Aang face off in a sort of air duel. Aang shows some of his airbending moves and then Teo does a skywriting caricature of Aang with an annoyed look on his face – which happens to mirror Aang’s facial expression upon viewing it. Both Aang and Teo head in to land at the temple. Other residents remove the glider from Teo’s chair to reveal he is in a wheelchair. As Teo wheels himself over to Aang, Sokka and Katara, he exclaims “Hey, you’re a real airbender!” which seems to lighten the mood between the two competitors.
Teo takes them into the temple where pipes, pulleys chutes and chimneys have been installed throughout the temple. While Sokka is amazed, Aang is shocked by what he sees as a violation of his cultural history. Teo takes then to an outside coliseum type area that appears to have been untouched, but just as Aang expresses his happiness to have found this, a wrecking ball breaks through the wall destroying a huge statue of an airbending monk. Aang angrily yells at the leader about how this destruction of a sacred place in order to install a bathhouse stinks. He then forces the wrecking ball machine off the mountain with a single air blast. Teo tells the leader (his father) that Aang is the Avatar and used to come there 100 years ago. Teo’s dad explains how they came to live there (not by choice, but by necessity) several years ago after a flood wiped out their village and took Teo’s mother’s life. He, an inventor, states they are just improving on what was here, but Aang disagrees saying that nature knows when to stop. Teo’s father agrees that sometimes progress can go too far. Sokka is impressed with Teo’s father’s inventions and follows him to see more.
Teo takes Aang and Katara to see the sanctuary door, which looks similar to the Southern Air Temple’s, and tells Aang that at least there is something is just as it was when Aang was there last. Although he knows Teo would like to see inside, Aang refuses to open the door - not wanting to taint what is left of the temple and Teo understands.
The inventor takes Sokka down a staircase as they hold lanterns filled with fireflies – which puzzles Sokka. As they reach a door, the inventor checks the fabric seal around the door and tells Sokka to hold his breath and look through a small sliding door opening. The inventor explains that beyond the door is natural gas – which is why they are using a non-flammable source of light. The inventor is currently working to resolve the problem of detecting gas leaks in order to prevent a future explosion.
Outside, Katara prepares to use a glider for the first time as Teo instructs her. Katara is afraid she doesn’t have it in her to go through with it, but Teo tells her everyone has “it” and Aang give “it” a name - spirit. Katara takes the plunge and after an initial nervous few seconds, allows her spirit to guide her. Teo and Aang follow her and Aang advises her to keep her mouth closed so she doesn’t swallow a bug. Aang and Teo land and Aang tells Teo he has decided to show Teo the sanctuary despite his earlier reservations about it.
Back in the inventor’s workroom, Sokka knocks over an old experiment and a rotten egg. They frantically look for the rotten egg.
Aang then uses his airbending to open the sanctuary locks.
The inventor and Sokka realize the answer to the natural gas problem is to put rotten eggs in the room with the natural gas so that when there is a leak they will smell rotten eggs. As they congratulate each other, a bell goes off and the inventor says he has to go. Sokka follows.
The doors of the sanctuary open to reveal to Teo, Aang and Katara an arsenal of weapons including a balloon with the fire nation emblem. The inventor arrives with Sokka. The inventor explains that a year after the moved there, the Fire Nation threatened the residents - forcing the inventor to provide weapons for the Fire Nation in order to survive.
Back in his workroom, the inventor lights a model balloon and Aang and Teo follow him there. Aang asks when the Fire Nation is coming and the inventor says very soon. Teo tells his father he can not be proud of him when his inventions are used for murder. Just then, the Fire Nation arrives and Aang and Teo hide in the room. As the inventor is about to lead the officer to the weapons, Aang slams the door shut and stops them from leaving the room; telling the officer he will be leaving empty handed. The Fire Nation officer tells Aang that the destruction of the Temple will be Aang’s fault and then leaves.
Aang explains that they can defeat the Fire Nation as they control the skies and Teo’s dad says he wants to help. Back in the inventor’s workroom, Sokka explains how he came up with a solution to the balloon issue – a lid. Even Katara is impressed. They ready themselves for the Fire Nation attack and head out into the skies – hitting them with their various bombs. Despite their best efforts, the Fire Nation advances. The tank-like machines appear unstoppable even after Aang blows them away with air blasts. The center part of the machines is counter balanced to self-level and then moves forward again. Realizing the counter balance is done with water, Katara uses waterbending to stop a few of the machines. The gliders are out of bombs and suddenly the war balloon with Sokka and the inventor shows up. The Fire Nation soldiers do not attack the balloon because of the flame emblem. After deploying all the weapons they have, Sokka and the inventor notice a rotten egg smell. Realizing the opening in the ground below them is where natural gas is escaping, Sokka and the inventor use the balloon’s engine to ignite a huge explosion - blowing the Fire Nation off the mountain as well as destroying the access to the mountain. As the balloon goes down, Aang heads down on his glider and Sokka throws his boomerang attached to a rope toward Aang who pulls the two of them back up to the temple.
Aang tells Teo and his father he is glad they are living there. Teo says that means a lot coming from him. Sokka states as long as they have the air the Fire Nation can be kept away; however, the introspective inventor realizes something they don’t. Just then, in the forest, the Fire Nation can be seen recovering the lost balloon and the officer ominously says “This defeat is the gateway to many victories.” The episode ends as the Fire Nation is re-inflating the balloon, confirming to the viewer the inventor’s worries.

Avatar Episode : The Deserter

2008-01-23T19:03:00.000-08:00

Momo raises his ears as if he hears something and then flies off. A shadowy figure then is seen in a distance following. Momo meets up with the rest of the gang at a kiosk where Katara looks for information about the area. Sokka requests Katara to look for a menu as he is (as usual) hungry. Aang reads a poster for the Fire Days Festival and suggests going there so he can study some firebending. Sokka goes on the other side of the kiosk and suggests they rethink the idea. Aang looks and says “Hey, a poster of me!” Unfortunately, it is a wanted poster. There are three other posters, one of the Blue Spirit, one with a man with brown hair and another with white hair. Katara questions the idea of them going to the festival, but Aang presses to go so he can see firebending up close. Sokka can not believe how easily Katara agrees to go along with Aang’s idea. There is then a close up of the poster of the white haired man showing the man has a mustache and what appears to be two large scratch style scars near and on his right eye.

The three decide to cloak themselves to disguise their identity and Aang tells Momo and Appa to wait in the forest. A figure cloaked in brown follows the gang as they head to the Fire Days Festival. As the trio enters the festivities, they notice everyone is wearing colorful masks and determine they need to find better disguises. Fortunately, someone has masks for them to acquire. After rearranging Sokka and Aang’s masks to better suit their personalities the trio head in further. Sokka goes for some flaming fire flakes and after shoveling many into his mouth exclaims Ahh! Ohh! Hot! Hot! Katara sarcastically states “Flaming fire flakes – Hot – whadda ya know …”
There is a puppet show and Aang, Sokka and Katara watch the kids in the audience cheer on the Fire Lord puppet as he shoots fire at the Earth Kingdom soldier puppet trying to attack. The trio then heads into a crowded area and see a firebending magician do a trick. The magician then asks for a volunteer for his next trick. Aang wants to go but Katara tells him they need to not draw attention to themselves. However, then the magician chooses Katara and she reluctantly goes on stage. The figure from the forest can be seen at this time. The trick is called Taming the Dragon where Katara is the captured princess (the magician wraps a cloth around her and appears to tie it (it is unknown how tight the cloth was tied) and the magician is “taming” fire in the shape of a dragon. The magician pretends to struggle with keeping his hold on the “dragon” and Aang worries as the fire gets closer to Katara. Finally, Aang jumps onto stage (Sokka and the figure that has been following the trio appears to try to stop Aang) and uses an air vortex to stop the fire “dragon” sending confetti into the air. The magician is not happy with Aang upstaging him and the crowd boos as Aang performs a little dance to distract them as Sokka unties Katara. Suddenly, Aang is recognized and Fire Nation soldiers head toward the stage. The figure that has been following the trio yells for them to follow him.
The stranger leads them through the streets as the try to avoid the soldiers. Aang blows on his bison whistle and Sokka says he hopes it really works. They are trapped in a dead end alley near a lot of fireworks when Appa flies down and blows the soldiers away with his tail. As they escape on Appa, the stranger throws a fire small bomb down to ignite the fireworks near where they were trapped. Lanterns stuck to Appa also ignite the large flame torch in the middle of the festival as he flies over. Unknowing observers cheer as they think it is a planned show.
Che reveals himself to the trio. He is a former Fire Nation soldier. As the group heads back to the forest and sits in front of a campfire, Che describes his mentor Jeong Jeong the Deserter, the first person (and high ranking officer) to leave the army and live – Che being the second. Aang is excited to learn there is a firebender who does not support the Fire Lord and sees this as a great opportunity to learn firebending. Che reveals this was the reason he followed them into the festival, to get Aang to meet with Jeong Jeong. Sokka says they need to head to the North Pole instead. Aang pleads with Sokka - again stating this may be a missed opportunity to learn firebending if they leave. Katara agrees and says it can hurt just to talk to Jeong Jeong. Sokka points out that this was the logic Katara used to convince him they should go to the festival (which turned out to be disastrous in Sokka’s eyes). However, Sokka stops short when the group is ambushed. It turns out the ambushers are also followers of Jeong Jeong and they relay to Che that he is in trouble for going to find the Avatar. They approach the encampment, Che is told to go see Jeong Jeong alone and Aang is stopped as he tries to head down with Che.
Meanwhile, Admiral Zhao has come to the Fire Days Festival to question the soldiers about the Avatar escaping them. The soldiers believe they are headed up river and Zhao commands his crew to ready the river boats.
Che returns to Aang, Katara and Sokka and tells Aang that Jeong Jeong will not see Aang because Aang is not ready. Aang decides to go see Jeong Jeong anyway. Jeong Jeong tells Aang to get out, but Aang does not listen and presses his case. Jeong Jeong tells Aang that he needs to master discipline itself before he can master firebending. Despite additional pleadings, Jeong Jeong gets angry and says Aang is too weak. Suddenly, a the flames if the candles surrounding Jeong Jeong shoot up and Jeong Jeong has a vision where Avatar Roku is standing where Aang was sitting and there is a tree. Jeong Jeong is repentant as Avatar Roku tells him he WILL teach the Avatar firebending. In the end, Jeong Jeong does agree to teach Aang.
The next day Aang begins his training. First up is concentration. Aang asks what he is to concentrate on and he is told the Sun as it is the greatest source of fire. Aang’s impatience shows as he asks when he’ll get to work with fire rather than concentrate as he was instructed. Next, Jeong Jeong takes Aang to the top of a mountain to learn proper breathing as breathing is the source of power in firebending. Aang is left there to practice.
Aang comes into Jeong Jeong’s hut a few hours later and the master questions Aang as to why he is there. Aang is angry and asks Jeong Jeong to stop wasting his time since he already knows how to squat, feel the sun and breathe and he wants to know how to shoot fire out of his fingertips. Jeong Jeong tells Aang of a student which had no interest in learning discipline and was only interested in destroying his opponent with fire. As Jeong Jeong continues telling Aang about this student, Zhao is shown heading up river looking for them. The master tells Aang he must learn restraint or risk destroying himself or those he cares for.
Aang is sitting on a rock in the water as Jeong Jeong exits his hut and promises to be more patient. Despite this statement to be patient, when Jeong Jeong tells Aang they will begin working with fire, Aang leaps up in excitement. Aang is handed a leaf where Jeong Jeong has set it on fire in the middle and tells Aang to concentrate on keeping the fire from reaching the edge of the leaf. One of Jeong Jeong’s followers comes to tell him there is trouble (Zhao) and Aang is told to stay there and concentrate. Aang begins to concentrate even though he is frustrated with Jeong Jeong’s teaching style. Through concentration and breathing, Aang is able to make fire, but does not take heed of Katara’s warning to be careful. When attempting a trick he saw the magician do, Aang accidentally burns Katara’s hands. Aang feels guilty and tries to help while Sokka tackles him and angrily tells Aang that he told him he should not mess around with firebending. Jeong Jeong returns and Sokka blames him and Jeong Jeong accepts blame, tells them to pack their things as they must leave and goes to check on Katara.
Jeong Jeong finds Katara as she has put her hands in water and healed them – a power she did not really know she had. He admires Katara’s gift of healing. Katara asks why as he is such a great master. Jeong Jeong explains it is because water brings healing and life, while fire brings only pain and destruction. He sees firebending as a curse which can tear those with it apart. During this time Zhao’s boats arrive and begin shooting fire. Jeong Jeong tells Katara to get her friends and leave immediately. He then puts up a huge wall of fire to force the boats to the shore, but Zhao informs his men not to worry as his old teacher gave up fighting long ago, confirming it was Zhao was the student referred to earlier that would not master discipline.
Katara see Sokka loading up Appa and tells him she’s fine and asks where Aang is. She goes to speak with Aang in Jeong Jeong’s hut. Aang swears he will never firebend again despite Katara telling him he will have to. She then tells him she’s healed, but when Aang asks how, Katara says she will tell him later as they need to leave now because Zhao is attacking. Aang decides he must help Jeong Jeong face Zhao.
Zhao tells Jeong Jeong he is surprised to find his old teacher is now a savage but Jeong Jeong tells Zhao it is Zhao who has embraced savagery and that he is no match for the Avatar. Zhao sneers at the possibility that Aang is stronger than him and orders his men to capture the deserter. As Aang nears, Jeong Jeong manages to escape under cover of a huge fireball. Zhao tells his men to search for Jeong Jeong in the woods. Zhao then faces off with Aang to see what his old master has taught him. Aang is surprised to learn Zhao was Jeong Jeong’s student. Zhao begins to shoot fire at Aang and Aang realizes Zhao has no self control and decides to use that to his advantage. Aang goes onto Zhao’s boats and taunts Zhao by saying such thinks as “Is that all you’ve got? Man, they’ll make ANYONE an Admiral these days” and “I don’t know why, but I thought you would be better than Zuko”. Finally, Aang informs Zhao he has lost. Zhao inquires how this is possible as Aang has not fired a single shot and Aang then points out that Zhao has – at his own boats. Zhao then realizes what Aang did and yells in anger. Aang shouts a pleasant “Have a nice walk home” to Zhao. Sokka and Katara arrive with Appa and they head out. Aang asks about Jeong Jeong but is told he has disappeared as well as almost everyone else. We see Che return to the encampment thinking a trick was being played on him and everyone was hiding not realizing what had just transpired.
As they are flying away on Appa, Katara realizes Aang is burned and heals him with waterbending. Sokka asks when she learned that and Katara says she guesses she always knew. The Sokka sarcastically thanks Katara for all the first aid over the years by recounting various mishaps he had been in where she “helped” him (meaning she did not help him).

Avatar Episode : Bato of the Water Tribe

2008-01-23T17:59:00.000-08:00

Aang spots a knife in the ground; Sokka identifies it as being from the water tribe. As they look around, they find evidence that a group of water tribe warriors ambushed a band of firebenders. They then found a water tribe boat, one from Katara and Sokka’s father’s fleet.

On Zuko’s ship, Iroh and Zuko appear to be enjoying a relaxing moment and sharing a cup of tea. But of course they get interrupted and Zuko spills his tea all over himself. They head to the upper deck and find a giant animal with an attractive woman on top(jun). The creature is a Xirxiu, and the woman is a bounty hunter named Jun. She finds a stowaway on Zuko’s boat, and captures him. The Xirxiu has a power within its tongue that allows it to temporarily paralyze anyone or anything it touches. Iroh comments, “I am impressed. Very impressed,” as she rides away.

A few hours later, at night time, we return to Sokka, Katara and Aang. Sokka flashes back two years ago, as the warriors of his tribe were setting sail to battle against the fire nation. He remembers a run-in with his father, which brought on some undeniably tear-jerking moments, not only among Sokka and his father, but also of fans across the world.

Now a man, apparently of the water tribe (based on the way he is dressed) walks into camp. Katara and Sokka recognize him, his name is Bato. He was a good friend of their father, and of theirs, from the South Pole. Bato invites the gang back to his village where he had been staying. This village is populated by “sisters,” who dress sort of like nuns. The head “sister” goes by the title “Superior.” The sisters have been caring for Bato, who is a former water tribe warrior until he was injured. Also revealed is that Katara and Sokka’s father’s name is Hakoda.

After another of Sokka’s attempts at a joke, Bato brings them inside his house. To Sokka and Katara’s delight, Bato’s humble abode is filled with old memories from the South Pole, such as pellets, a campfire and more. But Aang doesn’t seem to be impressed with the animal skins all over the place.

Then, wondering what’s cooking, Katara reveals another memory of South delight: stewed sea prunes. It’s a personal favorite of Hakoda, and Katara and Sokka appear to love them as well. However, Aang tastes a bit of the prunes and makes a face of pure disgust. A little bit of background information about Katara and Sokka’s father is revealed as well. Apparently Bato and Hakoda sought an arctic hippo, but “the hippo did the dragging,” Bato joked. Another good time the water tribe friends endured was “the Great Blubber fiasco” of which the details are still very shady, since not much about it was revealed in this episode. Bato and Hakoda enjoyed many amusing moments, which, according to Bato, weren’t all funny at the time of each incident.

Then Aang, feeling neglected, goes over and puts on an old hat of sorts, but Bato says the “hat” is of ceremonial value and is fragile as well. Now a little embarrassed and still feeling neglected, Aang puts the ceremonial item back on the wall and takes a seat in the back of the room.

The camera then moves to what appears to be a bar. Inside, Jun is arm wrestling a muscular man with humongous biceps, and who sweats a lot as well. Zuko enters the bar and pushes a man out of his way, “Out of my way. Step aside filth.” Iroh tries to apologize for Zuko’s uncouth attitude, “He means no offense. I’m sure you bathe regularly.” As they walk up to the table Jun is at, she greets the two fire nation travelers, “Well if it isn't my new friends, Angry Boy and Uncle Lazy.” While this is going, on the man appears to becoming seriously strained, and is pulling all his might to stay in the match. She pins the man’s arm to the table, without even breaking a sweat. As Jun gets showered with coins from the spectators who had been watching the match from the upper deck, Zuko wants to be paid back for the damage done to his ship by her Xirxiu. But she quickly offers to buy drinks for everyone in the bar, and tells Zuko’s she’s a little short on money. “Money isn’t what I had in mind,” Zuko snaps back.

Outside the bar, Zuko shows Jun Katara’s necklace, and asks her to track down “the bald monk she is traveling with.” Zuko says if she finds this monk he will consider the damage to his boat paid for. “Pfft, forget it.” Jun starts to get on her Xirxiu. Iroh offers to pay her weight in gold, and Jun counters, saying she’ll do it if she gets his (Iroh’s) weight in gold, which, in case you haven’t noticed, is quite a bit more. “Hahaha, you got it!” Iroh responds. Jun tells Iroh and Zuko to get on, and let’s her Xirxiu sniff the necklace, and they’re off.

Back at Bato’s, we hear Bato is expecting word for Hakoda soon, and that Katara and Sokka could travel with him and see their father. Sokka comments it has been over two years since they’ve seen their dad, and it would be incredible. Aang, sadden by the news that his friends might leave him, goes outside to get some fresh air, and think some things over. “It would be great, but we can’t. We have to take Aang to the North Pole first.” Sokka says. And Katara pretty much seconds that motion.

Outside on the boat, Aang is sitting on the edge of the bow. “I can’t believe they would leave me,” Aang says to himself as he hears something in the distance. It’s a messenger riding an ostrich-horse. He asks for Bato of the Water Tribe. Aang says, “I know Bato.” “Make sure he gets this,” the messenger says, and then takes off. Nosily, Aang rolls out the paper the messenger gave him. He finds it’s the map to Katara and Sokka’s father, but selfishly and unmoral, Aang crumbles the paper up and stuffs it away in his shirt.

“Hey everyone, sorry I was gone so long,” Aang greets everyone as he re-enters the room where Bato and the others are. But Aang appears to be acting a bit suspicious, I wonder why? He picks up his bowl of stewed sea prunes, and starts pigging out, but makes a face of total disgust. But then says “Mmmm…,” which causes Bato, Katara and Sokka to give Aang very strange looks.

After a night of heavy traveling (because it is now day time), we see Jun, her Xirxiu and our fire nation friends traveling through the ol’ herbalist institute from episode 13. Remember? The herbalist lady and her cat, which she seems to talk to a lot, are there. The lady is picking herbs to replenish her stock when the band approaches. The insane lady she is asks Miyuki (the name of her cat), “did you get in trouble with the fire nation again.” Miyuki doesn’t seem impressed at her insane keeper’s attempt to be funny, but I got it. Anywho, the Xirxiu is off once again.

Back at the abbey the gang is staying at, Aang is airbending some hay over to Appa for breakfast. But the crumbled up paper inside (the Rendezvous map) falls out of his sleeve, and Superior catches him. “You should be ashamed of yourself, littering in the courtyard,” she scolds. And then she gives the paper back to Aang and everything is ok, for now.

Now the gang is over on the shore with Bato. Aang quickly sees the footprints left by the messenger’s ostrich/horse and airbends them away, and then whistles as if nothing ever happened.

Bato shows Aang, Sokka and Katara the boat, which his father both built and took him ice-dodging in. Bato then asks Sokka about his first time ice-dodging, but Katara says Sokka was not of age (14) at the time his father left home to fight in the war. Now Bato has a novel idea, and says he will take Sokka out ice-dodging.

Still in the middle of their hunt for the Avatar, the Xirxiu and its passengers roll through the town featured in The Fortuneteller. While here, Aunt Wu tries to flirt with ol’ Uncle Iroh. “Care to hear your fortune, handsome?” Wu asks Iroh. Iroh responds, “At my age there is really only one big surprise left, and I just assume leave it a mystery.” Good ol’ Iroh. They continue on their journey.

Now we go back to Aang and the others. The ship is now at the mercy of the rapid waves of the ocean, or, in laymen’s terms, the ship has set sail onto the ocean. Sokka asks how they are going to “ice-dodge” without any icebergs. Bato says they will be dodging a field of rocks in place of the ‘bergs. Sokka is to steer and call the shots, Katara is to handle the mainsail (?), a position which is about bravery, and Aang controls the gin, which is all about trust, which is very ironic, don’t ya think?

Bato takes a seat, and says the kids must pass or fail on their own.

After a very adventurous “rock-dodging” adventure (I’ll save the details for when you actually watch the episode), the kids receive marks for the successful completion of their journey. Sokka receives the mark of the wise for his task (an up-side-down crescent with a small circle in the middle); Katara the mark of the brave (a back-wards shaped moon); and Aang the mark of the trusted (simply an up-side-down crescent). Aang was inducted as an honorary member of the water tribe. However, that might change after what happens next.

Feeling guilty, Aang reveals he has kept the map to the Rendezvous point, where Katara and Sokka’s father is, from them. Sokka is outraged and says Aang can go to the North Pole on his own, and then asks Katara if she is with him, and she decides to leave Aang as well.

Katara, Sokka and Bato begin to head off on their journey. They fill their packs with supplies, and get ready to go to the Rendezvous point. Katara and Aang wish each other good luck, and Superior tells Aang it would be best if he would begin to move on. On Appa, Aang heads out of the gated city, and looks down the road at Bato and his old friends, now pretty down far the path. Aang says “I’m an idiot, Momo,” and begins to steer Appa in the opposite direction, towards the ocean.
Moments later the sisters are interrupted from their perfume-making by Jun, Zuko, Iroh and her Xirxiu. They come bursting through the city’s outer gate, and the sisters are terrified. Jun says, “We’re getting close,” and they head out of the city, in the direction of Katara and Sokka.

Deep inside the forest, Katara, Sokka and Bato hear a wolf’s cry, and Bato says it is because he has been separated from his pack, a feeling he can relate to when the other water tribe warriors had to leave him behind because he was wounded. Sokka flashes back to two years ago when he watched the water tribe warrior ships sail off into the sea, after he wanted to go with them. Next, Sokka decides him and Katara need to go back and get Aang to the North Pole, because that is where he is needed the most. Bato supports Sokka’s decision, saying he knows his father “would understand and I know he’s proud of you.” Bato gives Sokka the map to the Rendezvous point, and says if they changed their mind, they would be able to find him.

In the next scene, Aang, Appa and Momo are preparing to head off. Superior comes rushing in and tells Aang he must leave now, for a large beast using the scent of a necklace came into town. Aang realizes it is Katara’s necklace, and he must go back and attempt to rescue her and Sokka.

On their way back to the abbey, Sokka hears a large pounding sound on the ground. He signals for Katara to stop, and seconds later Jun’s Xirxiu and its three passengers appear from behind some trees, and Katara and Sokka begin to run for their lives. Xirxiu, which had been tracking the scent of Katara’s necklace, zooms in on her. Jun then remarks to Zuko, “So this is your friend. No wonder she left, she’s way too pretty for you.” Zuko just ignores her and proceeds to asking the two where Aang is. Sokka informs Zuko the three split up, and that Aang is long gone. Zuko replies, “How stupid do you think I am?” Sokka replies, “Pretty stupid,” and then grabs Katara and yells “RUN!” But before they can get too far, the Xirxiu hits them with its tongue, temporarily paralyzing them both. The Xirxiu now is seeking out something new, and finds the map to the Rendezvous point. He gets Aang’s scent and blasts back into the city, not to the delight of the sisters of course. The Xirxiu begins walking around in circles, and Zuko asks why. But then the creature looks up and sees Aang flying down right on top of it. The Xirxiu tries to hit Aang with the tongue as he begins to fly in closer to the ground, but instead it just loses its balance and falls to the ground, knocking its travelers, which now include Katara and Sokka, also to the ground. Jun swiftly gets herself and the Xirxiu up on its feet and, just as you might think Aang is doomed (as the Xirxiu is heading full force straight at him) Appa comes in to defend his keeper. He knocks the almost-as-big-as-but-not-as-strong-as-a-flying-bison creature into a building. Aang looks on with a smile, but now has a problem of his own, as Prince Zuko comes into the picture. He blasts Aang with some fire, and Aang fights it off with some airbending. The two now come closer together, and when Zuko’s fire power and Aang’s air power combine, a big explosion occurs, propelling each of them onto the ceiling of different buildings on the outside of the abbey.

Iroh sees Jun lying on the ground, and, worryingly, goes over to check if she’s ok. She appears fine and gets up, ready to battle. She wakes her Xirxiu up, as it has some unfinished business with Appa. Appa tries to fly overtop of the bounty hunter-beast combo, but at mid-air gets struck down by the tongue of the Xirxiu. Jun appears pleasantly surprised as Aang falls to the ground, but Appa, being the tough guy he is, shakes it off and the two collide head-to-head. Jun goes flying off, and strikes Appa with her whip. Appa moans but other than that appears all right as he gets up and almost crushes Jun with his giant front leg. Fortunately for her, though, she gets up just in time.

Aang wakes up, only to see Prince Zuko charging at him with an arm full of fire. Aang dodges the flames and begins to fight, once again. I could go into a lot of detail here, but I’d probably be boring you, so basically here’s what went down: the Xirxiu began to run after Aang, and Appa tries to defend him; Iroh steals some perfume (that old man!!); Zuko and Aang engage in a fight on and around a well; Aang gets Katara’s necklace back; Appa finally goes down for longer than two seconds after being hit by the tongue; Sokka devises a plan that includes Katara using her bending to defeat the Xirxiu; and the Xirxiu is then defeated.

The Xirxiu hits Zuko and Jun with its tongue, and Iroh acts like he got hit by it as well. Zuko says, “Uncle, I didn’t see you get hit with the tongue,” and Iroh replies, “Shhh!” with Jun lying on top of him. Jun doesn’t appear to like it. Again I’ll say it, Iroh you dirty old man!!

Now on Appa, Aang asks where they’re going now. Sokka and Katara tell him that they’re going to the North Pole, and that, as much as they want to see their father, they know where they are now is where they are needed the most, and that is where they’ll stay. Aang then returns the favor as he gives Katara back her necklace, and jokingly says, “Zuko asked me to be sure I got it to you,” and Katara replies, very sarcastically, “Awww, that’s so sweet of Zuko. Would you give him a kiss for me when you see him?”

Aang says, “Sure,” and then Katara kisses Aang on the cheek, and Appa flies away in the distance.

Avatar Episode : The Great Devide

2008-01-20T23:48:00.001-08:00

The episode begins with Katara and Sokka arguing over their campsite. Aang ends the fight, and begins bragging about his ability to solve problems as the Avatar. Aang and his friends must cross the largest canyon in the world, and are planning to fly across on Appa. Just before they leave, a man runs up to them and starts yelling that they better not leave with the guide because he was there first. He is holding a spot for the rest of his tribe (the Gan Jin) until they can arrive. While waiting, another tribe (the Zhang) arrives, a tribe that the man claims has been an enemy of his tribe for 100 years.

The Gan Jin tribe arrives, and we can see that this tribe is neat and prim and proper, while the Zhang tribe is dirty and barbaric. The canyon guide, an Earthbender, arrives, and both tribes get into an argument over who gets to go first, the Zhangs say that they should because they have sick people, the Gan Jins say that they should because they have old people. Aang reaches a compromise and suggests that Appa carry their sick and elderly across, while the two tribes travel together across the canyon.
The canyon guide warns them not to take any food into the canyon, as it will attract dangerous predators. After he has broken a rock shelf so that potential Fire Nation soldiers cannot follow them, a Canyon Crawler attacks. Aang and his friends fend it off, but the guide's arms are broken, which means he can't earthbend and there is no going back. Both tribes argue some more and finally split up. We learn that both tribes brought food into the canyon because they believed that the other tribe must have brought it in, so why should they go hungry while the other tribe eats? Katara and Sokka each learn one side of the story of the feuding tribes. The Gan Jins tell Katara that the forefather of their tribe, Gin Wei, was attacked while transporting the sacred orb during their redemption ritual and robbed by a thief, Wei Gin, from the Zhangs. The Zhangs tell Sokka that their ancestor, Wei Gin, saw Gin Wei passed out on the ground and was returning the sacred orb to Gin Wei's tribe when they wrongfully imprisoned him for 20 years.
They reach the end of the canyon, where they argue some more and prepare to fight and end the feud once and for all. Aang becomes angry and uses Airbending to stop the fight, but in the process reveals the food from both tribes and attracts many Canyon Crawlers. By working together and throwing bags over the Crawlers' heads while the Crawlers are distracted with food, everyone is able to ride them up the wall and out of the canyon. Aang, upon hearing the names of the two tribes' ancestors, reveals that he knew them, and that they were twins. He says that when they were 8, they played a game called "Redemption." Gin Wei was running with the ball when he fell, and Wei Gin picked it up and started running to the other end of the field when he stepped out of bounds and was put in the penalty box for two minutes. Finally, the tribes make up and continue their journey to the Earthbender capital together. Aang then reveals to his friends that he made up the whole thing.

Avatar Episode : The Fortuneteller

2008-01-20T23:26:00.000-08:00

It starts out Aang, Katara, and Sokka at the shore of a lake. Sokka is in the water looking for fish to eat, Aang is fiddling around with something. Sokka finally finds a fish and frantically tries to catch, with no success. Aang gives Katara a necklace (made out of Sokka's fishing string) to replace her other one. She puts it on and she looks absolutely beautiful from the way Aang looks at her. The group decides to move on.
Along the way there is a man being attacked by a platypus-bear, they decide to help him. Aang blasts the bear with air and Appa appears behind the bear and roars, the platypus-bear lays an egg and runs away. The man however stays as calm as can be; Sokka is concentrated on the egg, he says that the man was lucky they were here or the bear would've gotten to them. But the man says that he didn't need their help because the Fortune Teller Aunt Wu said he would arrive safely from his journey; this man is later known as the Calm Man.

The group decides to travel to the village, but before they leave, the Calm Man gives them an umbrella stating that Aunt Wu told him to give it to anyone whom he met on his travels. Aang opens it and it turns out to be an umbrella, Sokka laughs and doesn't believe it will rain. The next second it rains, Aang is protected under the umbrella and Katara waterbends the water so she doesn't get wet. Sokka on the other hand gets wet; he says that of course she could've predicted that the sky has been gray all day. He pretends to predict saying that it will continue to rain. A moment later the rain stops and the sun shined through, Sokka trips and the platypus-bear egg he had been carrying gets thrown up and lands on his head.
The group arrives at the village and gets escorted to Aunt Wu's house. While they wait they meet Meng, who seems to have an interest in Aang, she states that he has big ears. Aunt Wu comes in and asks who would like to go first, Sokka volunteers, but Aunt Wu says, "Your life is full of struggle and anguish, most of it self-inflicted." Sokka gets mad, and Katara decides to go. Meng offers food and Sokka agrees, while Aang ignores her.
Aang is very interested in what Aunt Wu will say to Katara about her love life, he tells Sokka he is going to the bathroom. Aang puts his ear to the door in which Katara and Aunt Wu are; they are talking about how soft Katara's hands are. Aang gets bored, until Aunt Wu mentions about her love life. She says that she will meet a powerful bender and they will be married, she continues on but Aang has heard all he needed to, he assumes that powerful bender is him. He makes his way back all happy, Sokka asks why, before Aang can explain Sokka says he'd rather not hear it.
Katara comes back and says her life will be something she likes. Aang goes next, Aunt Wu asks him to pick up a bone and throw it in the fire. The bone gets a huge crack then it burst in the fire, Aunt Wu is surprised and says, "Your destiny! This is incredible! You will take place in a great battle between good and evil! A battle whose outcome will determine the fate of the whole world!" Aang is not impressed, seeing as he knows that, he asks about his love life. Aunt Wu says that she doesn't find anything, she looks at the sad look on his face and lies and says that he should follow his heart's desires.
Once the group leaves, there is a cloud reading for the village. They meet Ming again and she shows Aang a cloud that looks like a flower, he pushed her aside and shows it to Katara. Aunt Wu predicts that it will be a good year for twins, a great crop growing season, and that the village will not be destroyed by the volcano, the village cheers.
Katara wants another read and goes to Aunt Wu to get one, Aang is looking for something to get Katara, and Sokka is trying to convince the village that Aunt Wu's predictions aren't true. He has very little success. Aang asks Sokka for advice about girls, Sokka says that he has come to the right person, he says that mistakes that nice guys like Aang make is being too nice. Aang is shocked and says, "You can be too nice?" Sokka says that he has been picking up a vibe that the girl is interested in him. Ming shows up and greets Aang; he however ignores her and walks off.
Katara exits Aunt Wu's place leaving a very frustrated fortune teller, before she leaves she asks one more thing, Aunt Wu agrees and Katara asks if she should eat papaya or a mango for breakfast tomorrow. Aang is leaning against the wall and acting cool, she says hey. A turkey-goose comes from nowhere and stares at Aang, this continues for a minutes until Aang leaves. Aang looks for Katara and finds her at the food stand again he tries to act cool. Aang spots a person giving someone a panda lily he asks where to find one.
Aang and Sokka are traveling up a volcano so Aang can get a panda lily for Katara. They make their way up and Aang sees the flowers on the rim of the volcano, he looks down and his face falls, the volcano is active. He makes his way down on his glider goes to the village and says that the volcano is active and they need to evacuate the village. They don't believe him, Katara steps in and says how she believes in Aunt Wu's predictions but her friends saw the volcano.
The villagers ignore them and walk away. Aang decides there is only one way to convince the village, he goes into Aunt Wu's house and looks for the cloud book. Meng is inside and says how she really likes him, but she knows he likes Katara. She hands him the book and Aang says that she is very nice.
Aang and Katara look for the cloud formation of volcanic destruction. They go up on Appa and bend the clouds to that formation. Aunt Wu sees it and says that the village will be destroyed be a volcano. Aang says that they must prepare, he gathers all the Earthbenders and they make a ditch, but when the volcano erupts the ditch cannot hold it.
Everyone evacuates, but Aang stays he goes to the middle of the ditch, he breathes in and then does a humongous blow. The lava hardens in a partly dome shape over the village, Sokka says how he sometimes forgets what a powerful bender Aang is, Katara has a realization she asks Sokka to repeat it again, he does....
Aunt Wu tells Aang how he messed with the clouds and took her book back; she smiles. Aang tells her that she didn't really see love in his future she says, "Just as you re-shaped those clouds, you have the power to shape your own destiny." He smiles and him, Katara, Sokka get ready to leave. They once again meet the Calm Man and Sokka says that the fortune telling was wrong and that the volcano did erupt. The man says that her prediction was right and the village was not destroyed, Sokka said he hated him. When they leave, Katara told Meng to take care.
The episode ends with Meng saying take care to Katara with the word “floozy” at the end.

Avatar Episode : The Blue Spirits

2008-01-20T20:18:00.001-08:00

The episode opens with what looks likes a hawk approaching a Fire Nation fortress. Archers are practicing very advanced skill levels. Commander Zhao and Colonel Shinu are observing the training. Colonel Shinu denies Zhao’s request to use the (now identified) Yu Yan archers in Zhao’s quest to retrieve the Avatar calling it a vanity project for Zhao rather than part of the real war. However, just then the hawk arrives with the news from Fire Lord Ozai that Zhao has been promoted to Admiral. He then informs Colonel Shinu that his request to use the Yu Yan archers to go find the Avatar. Shinu then bows in agreement. The scene then zooms on the roof above Zhao and Shinu showing a figure in dark clothes and blue mask.

The episode then switches to the ruins of a mountainous region (presumably in the Earth Kingdom) where Katara is caring for an obviously ill and delusional Sokka. According to Katara, this illness has resulted from his exposure to the storm in the previous episode. Aang comes in returning from looking for ginger root (with no luck) but returns with a map to an herbalist institute on a nearby mountain. Katara states that Sokka is not in any condition to go there declaring that all Sokka needs is some rest and then she begins to cough herself. Despite Katara’s protests that she is fine, Aang realizes she too will be as delusional as Sokka in a few hours and decides he must travel to the herbalist. However, there is lightning (possibly remnants of the huge storm in the previous episode) and Aang decides to go by foot and not use his glider and begins running very fast with the aide of his airbending.
Meanwhile, Lt. Jee is going over the map with Prince Zuko to make plans to continue the search for the Avatar. Suddenly, the ship is overshadowed by a large Fire Nation Naval ship, spurring Zuko to wonder what they want. It is not for a game of Pai Sho as Uncle Iroh speculated, but to inform Prince Zuko and his crew that all information regarding the Avatar is to be reported to Admiral Zhao (revealing the recent promotion of Zhao to all present crew members). Zuko informs the Fire Nation soldier he has no information to give to Zhao and commands them to get off his ship and let them pass. Zuko and his crew are then informed that Zhao is not allowing passage in or out of the area. Again, the soldiers are told to get off the ship by Zuko. Iroh, seemingly indifferent to the conversation, declares he has won the pot, but encourages his opponents in an effort to get them to play again (theoretically so he can beat them again).
Fire Nation lookouts are hiding in something similar to a duck blind reading the wanted poster for the Avatar. One soldier doubts the validity of some of the claims as Fire Lord propaganda, but as Aang speeds by, the soldier realizes the claims are true and blows a signal horn to spread the news of the sighting of the Avatar.
Katara enlists Momo’s help to get water, but as the scene shifts to Momo’s perspective the viewer is led to believe that Momo just hears random sounds and really does not know what Katara is saying. Nevertheless, Momo departs with the waterskin.
Aang finally reached the herbalist and tries to relay his problem, but the herbalist is distracted by telling stories as she gathers ingredients. Aang tries to be patient, but it is difficult for him.
At this time Iroh is asking Zuko if he is alright as Zuko has not given the crew an order in over an hour. Zuko declares that he doesn’t care what they do. Iroh tries to build up Zuko’s confidence by saying Zuko can still capture the Avatar before Zhao, but Zuko seriously questions how as Zhao has much greater resources. Zuko then voices despair at the idea that he may need to face losing his honor, throne and country.
When the herbalist finds the final ingredient, Aang grabs the bowl and says Thanks, but the herbalist swats him and grabs the bowl back asking him what he thinks he’s doing. Aang says he’s taking the medicine and the herbalist explains the mixture is not a cure but her cat Miyuki’s dinner. She then explains to Aang that all his friends need to do is suck on some frozen wood frogs from the swamp below. The skin has medicinal properties, but only when the frogs are frozen.
As Aang departs for the swamp below, two arrows pin the cuffs of his boots to the ground. He then deflects several other arrows with airbending and then begins to free himself. Once free, a chase begins between the Yu Yan archers and Aang. Aang manages to evade the Yu Yan down the side of the mountain and through the forest, but in the swamp, when he is distracted with gathering the frozen frogs, Aang is finally captured by the Yu Yan.
Once captured, Aang is brought back to the Fire Nation fortress shown at the beginning of the episode and his arms and legs are secured to two posts. Zhao comes in (meeting Aang for the first time face-to-face – in their previous encounter in the episode Avatar Roku, Roku was inhabiting Aang’s body as Zhao was attacking) and taunts Aang by reminding him he is the only airbender left, but that unlike his people, Aang will not be killed as it is not in the Fire Nation’s best interest to have to search for the Avatar again once reborn. In a rare instance, Aang’s anger and frustration cause Aang to use airbending in an aggressive rather than defensive act as he forcefully blows Zhao to a wall. Zhao then attempts to further break Aang down by telling him there is no escape and no one will rescue him.
At this time, Momo has returned to the still very ill Sokka and Katara, but not with the filled waterskin, but a dead mouse. Momo departs again. Katara wonders what is taking Aang so long.
Outside the Fire Nation fortress, the same masked figure from the opening scene waits. He then uses a supply cart to sneak into the fortress by hanging underneath and then inside the cart as the guards inspect it. Zhao then addresses the troops and informs them he has captured the Fire Nation’s last obstacle to victory – the Avatar. He foresees the Fire Nation will take the Earth Kingdom city of Ba Sing Se within the year with the strength of Sozin’s Comet.
The frozen frogs Aang gathered begin to thaw out. The masked figure works his way to Aang’s location and manages to subdue the guards and free Aang – much to Aang’s surprise. While trying to gather the runaway frogs, Aang is pulled away by the masked stranger who does not talk to Aang.
Back with Katara and Sokka, Momo had brought many items from fans, to pottery and jewelry, even a tiara on Katara’s head but no water. Katara pleads for Aang’s swift return. Sokka still has delusions and refers to Katara as your highness.
The masked stranger and Aang sneak out via what appears to be the sewer or drainage system of the fortress. On his was to see Aang in his prison cell, Zhao is dictating to his assistant how he wishes his speech and testimonies from high ranking officer to be sent to the Fire Lord. Zhao then discovers the bound guards and empty cell (with the exception of one frog). An alarm is set off and the attempt by Aang and the masked figure to scale the wall is thwarted when the rope they were using is cut by a guard.
Aang breaks the fall with airbending. The masked figure points to the open gates and they make a run for them. Zhao orders the gates to be closed. Aang uses airbending to clear away several guards blocking the exit, however the masked figure can not move as fast as Aang and gets caught battling with guards that have caught up with them. Aang stops to see this and one guard almost gets him with a spear, but Aang blows him away, breaks off the spearhead and uses the stick and airbending to clear of the guards attacking the masked figure as well as to throw the masked figure up onto the first of the fortress walls.
Aang uses the stick from the spear in a helicopter fashion and lifts the masked figure from one fortress wall to the second wall as the masked figure fends off attacks with his broadswords. More guards come up to attack the duo on the second wall. One pushes off the stick Aang had used previously. The masked figure throws one guard over the wall and Aang airbends the rest away. More troops use bamboo ladders to scale the wall, but again Aang blows them off. He then takes the ladders and calls to the masked figure to get on his back and they use the three ladders like stilts to go from one wall to the third and final wall. However, a firebending soldier manages to light the last ladder on fire forcing Aang and the masked figure to jump to the next wall. Their grip does not hold and both fall to the ground just in front of the main gate.
As firebenders come to attack the duo, Aang pulls the masked figure behind him and blocks the attack with airbending. Zhao tells the men to stop, for the Avatar needs to be captured alive. Suddenly the masked figure puts his broadswords to Aang’s neck and a standoff begins. Zhao orders the gate to be opened and they let the pair out as the masked figure takes Aang with his swords still around Aang’s neck. Zhao then has a Yu Yan archer knock out the masked figure with a single shot.
After the masked figure falls to the ground, Aang sees a small part of the face below and creates a dust cloud as cover while Aang removes the mask to reveal – ZUKO! At first Aang is shocked and afraid and begins to run and then stops to look back at Zuko. As the dust clears and the guards approach the area we see no one is there, which angers Zhao.
Zuko regains consciousness and Aang tells him of a story about his friend from 100 years ago named Kuzon from the Fire Nation and wonders if he had known Zuko back then if they would be friends. Zuko responds by attacking Aang with a fire blast, which Aang easily avoids and then leaves Zuko hopping from tree to tree. While Zuko looking.
Aang goes back to the swamp to collect frozen frogs as Zuko heads back to his ship. Uncle Iroh asks Zuko where he’s been and Zuko just replies that he is going to bed. Aang returns to his friends and puts the frogs into their mouths and then plops down on Appa’s tail to rest. Sokka asks Aang if he made any new friends to which Aang says he doesn’t think he did and turns on his side. At the same time Zuko looks at the Fire Nation flag and also turns away to his side. Sokka and Katara begin to feel better but are shocked as they realize they are sucking on frogs and quickly spit them out.

Avatar Episode : The Storm

2008-01-20T19:52:00.000-08:00

It all starts with Aang having a nightmare of when he was caught up in the storm and had to freeze himself and Appa. After waking up Katara asks Aang if he is alright saying that he’s been having a lot of nightmares lately, Aang reassures her that he is alright. In the morning we Zuko’s ships one the ocean there on the deck of the ship is Iroh he warns Zuko that there is a storm coming and it is a big one. Zuko after taking one look at the cloudless sky tells his uncle that he is crazy and dismisses his suggestion. Iroh pleads with Zuko to consider the safety of the crew; Zuko then says that the safety of the crew doesn’t matter. While Zuko was saying that one of lieutenant had just walked onto the deck obviously not happy with what Zuko said. The prince tells the lieutenant that no ones individual safety is more important than capturing the Avatar. With that Zuko leaves the deck, after leaving the deck Iroh tries to explain to the lieutenant that Zuko doesn’t really mean what he says.

Aang and company are now at a dock shopping for food when they realize they have no money to buy it. Then two people walk into view one man and his wife, the fisherman’s wife tells him not to go out fishing telling him that there is a storm coming he like Zuko doesn’t believe it so he still decides to go. His wife says that she isn’t going with him Sokka instantly takes the chance to volunteers for the job and is hired. Latter in the day storm clouds have gathered on board Zuko’s ship the lieutenant and a few other members of the crew are on the deck when Zuko walks on deck the lieutenant states that his uncle was right. Zuko then scolds the lieutenant for his disrespect while the lieutenant clams that Zuko doesn’t know anything about respect. After a brief conflict is broken up by Iroh both Zuko and the lieutenant go in opposite directions. Meanwhile back on the dock Aang and Katara seeing the storm clouds are trying to convince Sokka not to go out saying that it is too dangerous. When the fisherman overhears that Aang has tattoos he looks at him and discovers he’s the Avatar. He then verbally attacks Aang for turning his back on the world, Katara defends Aang claiming it wasn’t his fault he disappeared. Aang then leaps on his glider and takes off; Katara follows Aang on Appa leaving Sokka which he thinks is rude.
Katara finds Aang in a cave and tells him not to take what the old man said to heart but Aang tells her that he was right to blame him for not being there when the world needed him. Katara starts a fire and Aang tells Katara about his life at the Southern Air Temple just before he found out he was the Avatar, we see him and other Airbenders like himself Aang is teaching the others about the air scooter when five of the head monks at the temple ask to see him. In a room they show him four toys that he used to play with when he was a child they explain that out of thousands of options he choose those four. Those four belonged to past Avatars, they normally wouldn’t have revealed this to him until he turned 16 but they fear that war is coming to the world.
Aang’s flashback ends and the scene goes back to Zuko’s ship only it is in the boiler room were we see the Lieutenant talking to a few others about how he is tired of chasing the Avatar. Iroh walks in and after the lieutenant says that he is welcome he sits down and says that Zuko is a complicated young man that has been through much. Another flashback showing the inside of a Fire Nation building we see military leaders enter a room and a young non-scared prince Zuko tries to enter the war chamber but the guards won’t let him pass. Iroh pulls Zuko off to the side and after being convinced Iroh decides to let Zuko enter the War Chamber but cautions him not to talk. There in the chamber a military leader is telling a group about his plan on how to attack the Earth Kingdom, he suggests sending in a group of new recruits to attack them directly sacrificing them so they can mount an attack from the rear. Zuko speaks out against the general’s plan saying that it is wrong to sacrifice their own soldiers. The flashback ends with Iroh sitting around the others and he says that Zuko was right but that it wasn’t his place to speak out and that there would be consequences.
The scene with Iroh is then switched back to Aang and Katara. Aang tells her that after it was revealed that he was the Avatar everything began to change. His friends no longer wanted to play games with him thinking that he being the Avatar would give his team an unfair advantage. Then when he and Gyatso are playing a game of Pai Sho one of the other four monks want to train him in his Airbending skills Gyatso tells him that Aang has trained enough for one day. The monk obviously doesn’t approve of Gyatso’s decision.
The scene once again changes back to Iroh as he picks up the story, after Zuko spoke out against the general Zuko’s father became furious with his son. With an act of disrespect like this the only way to settle it is with an Agni Kai. Zuko thought that his opponent would be the general he had challenged and so he wasn’t afraid to fight him. But as the duel started Zuko discovered that it was not the general that he had to face but Fire Lord Ozai-his father.
Once again the scene goes to Aang’s story, shortly after Gyatso’ s challenge of the other monk there was a private meeting involving Gyatso the other monk and the leader of the other monks. Gyatso said that he only wants Aang to have a normal life, but the head monk does not agree with Gyatso’s view claiming that what the world needs is the Avatar and that is what really matters. The leader believes that Gyatso’s feelings for Aang are clouding his better judgment, so his decision is to send Aang to the Eastern Air Temple to complete his training. What they don’t know is that Aang overheard the entire conversation. When Katara tries to comfort him Aang’s but by this time Aang is angry at what they wanted to do, after he calms down he continues his story. He says that after finding out what they wanted to do he ran away from the temple shortly after he was caught up in a storm and Appa was taken down into the ocean there Aang’s Avatar spirit activated and froze him and Appa in a circle of ice and for 100 years would never be found not until Sokka and Katara found him. Katara tells him that if he hadn’t run from the temple than he would have been killed with the other when the Fire Nation attacked. She continues by saying that he can’t change what happened and that he’s here now and that he brings hope to those who have none. Aang starts to feel better.
We return to Iroh’s story he says that when Zuko found out it was his father he had to face Zuko begged for mercy. His father had no compassion for his son’s feelings ordering him to fight but Zuko refuses. Then Ozai clams that Zuko must learn respect and the only way to learn it is through suffering. We see Iroh watching the duel with a group of other of the Fire Nation and in his own words. “I looked away” with those words we see light envelope the scene and the only thing we hear is a scream. The Lieutenant states that he thought Zuko got his scare from a training accident, but Iroh states it was no accident. Iroh continues saying after the duel the Fire Lord said that by refusing to duel Zuko showed shameful weakness and as a punishment was banished and sent to capture the Avatar only then could he return home. The Lieutenant then realizes Zuko’s obsession with trying to find and capture the Avatar saying that the Avatar is the only chance Zuko has of things returning to normal. Iroh simply says that things will never return to normal, but the important thing is the Avatar gives Zuko hope. We see Zuko meditating in a room we see glimpses of two children playing in a field one of them being Zuko. His memories are interrupted by a lighting strike.
Back in the cave Aang and Katara are found by the wife of the fisherman saying that the storm is becoming a typhoon and he and Sokka are still out there. Aang sets out to go find them along with Katara. Back on the deck of Zuko’s ship Zuko, Iroh, and the Lieutenant are trying to find out where they were hit. Iroh sees the helmsman hanging form a bar, Zuko and the lieutenant quickly head up the ladder that leads to the helmsman, back on the deck we see Iroh as he is struck by lightning oddly enough he is able to control it and redirect it into the ocean. Prince Zuko and the lieutenant are about to reach the helmsman when he losses his grip and falls, Zuko miraculously catches him by his arm and lowers him down to the lieutenant and they both exchange a smile.
Aang meantime is having his own troubles due to the storm as he and Katara ride Appa while trying to dodge huge waves and even having to bust through one. Katara the Fisherman’s boat and directs Aang toward it. While they sail towards Sokka they go right past Zuko. The lieutenant asks what he wants to do, Zuko after a brief pause says to let him go and to get the boat to safety. Iroh states then they will have to go into the eye of the storm with a smirk on his face. Aang and Katara reach Sokka and he goes down to the deck and ties a rope to Sokka and the Fisherman then has Appa toss them onto the saddle. But their relief is short lived as a wave hits them and sends them into the water where they start to sink. Aang looks around and sees his friends about to die and his Avatar spirit activates again he grabs the reigns and creates an air pocket around Appa and they begin their ascension upward. We see that Zuko’s ship has reached the eye of the storm and are now safe. Zuko apologizes to his uncle and Iroh accepts it with a smile. Seconds later Appa bursts out of the water in front of the ship, Zuko and Aang look at each other for a split second before Appa soars into the clouds.
After returning to the cave in one piece the fisherman’s wife tells him to apologies to Aang. The fisherman asks if instead of an apology he gives him a free fish to call it even, Aang tells the man that he doesn’t eat meat and the man humorously says: “Fish ain’t meat.” Sokka isn’t as amused and asks if he’s still going to get paid, but to his dissatisfaction the only thing he gets is a hand full of fish. Aang tells Katara that she’s right, that he is through with beating himself up about the past and he’s going to make the best out of the situation. Then the Fisherman thanks Aang for saving his life, Sokka notices that the storm is over so the group exits the cave to savor the sunshine only to have Appa shake water over all of them.

Avatar Episode : Jet

2008-01-20T19:33:00.000-08:00

The episode starts with Momo getting caught in a trap while in the trap Aang and co find him and free him they also free the others animals trapped. Before they go on Appa’s back Sokka says that they shouldn’t fly because Appa is too noticeable and that they should walk.
They walk and walk straight into fire nation camp as soon as they were about to be attacked then a group of kids help and beat the fire nation soldiers. Their leader is a boy named Jet and he instructs his gang to take the fire nation stuff. Jet takes Katara, Aang and Sokka to his hide out.

Jet explains his gang's history with the fire nation. Most of them were orphaned because the war killed their parents, including himself, while some were merely lost kids seeking shelter. They hold a little celebration in honor of their skirmish victory. Sokka says that they are leaving but he is persuaded to stay with them by Jet who says he needs him for a special mission.
In the mission they see an old man and Jet attacks him but Sokka mediated, trying to explain that the old man was harmless despite the fact he is from the fire nation. Back to Aang and he is playing around when Sokka comes and tells them what happened. They go to see Jet and he admits it but he says the old man was a spy that was going to attack him. He brings out a knife with a hidden compartment in it containing poison.
It’s night time and everyone is sleeping and Jet and his gang leave followed by Sokka. Jet reveals his plan about killing all the towns’ people and Sokka is caught. Jet tells to of the gang to take Sokka for a walk. Its now day time and Aang and Katara are following Jet. He asks them to bring up the water from under ground to fill the dam.
After they finish they go of to find Jet, while they are doing that Sokka traps the two boys with him. They are on the top of the hill and see the dam and Aang realizes Jets plans and tries to fly down to stop him but jet takes his staff. They fight and in the end Katara helps by freezing him. Jet gives the signal, they are too late the dam is destroyed and wiped out by the water.
Sokka flies to them on the back of Appa and tells them that he saved the villagers he and company leave without freeing Jet. Sokka and company are then flying in the sky and episode ends.

Avatar Episode : The Waterbending Scroll

2008-01-20T17:38:00.000-08:00

The episode opens with Aang pacing up and down nervously on Appa. Sokka tells to him down, because if they hit a bump, they’d go flying. He then asks Aang “what’s bugging him anyway.” Aang replies that it what Avatar Roku says, then proceeds to worry about mastering all the elements in time. Katara offers to teach him Waterbending, but notes that they’d need a good source of water first. Sokka says that they may be able to find a “puddle they can splash in.”
Cut to a waterfall with a large body of water beneath it.
“Nice puddle.” Sokka notes. After a short debate its agreed that Sokka will wash the mud (and bugs) out of Appa’s feet while Katara and Aang Waterbend.
It’s to Prince Zuko’s ship, where he is training. Suddenly, his ship changes course. Angered, he demands why the course has been changed. Iroh tells him that he has lost a vital game piece (the lotus tile) for his game of Pai Sho. He says that there should be one in the nearby markets. Zuko is characteristically not impressed by this and breathes fire. Before disappearing in smoke, Iroh ironically says that it is nice to have such an understanding nephew.

Katara demonstrates her various bending moves, all which Aang perfects on his first try. This annoys Katara and she appears to be jealous. She shows Aang a move that not even she has fully learned yet, but Aang shows a natural ability for it. He asks what else Katara knows. Eyes narrowed slightly, she tells him that they’ve done enough practicing for today. Having managed to “practice their supplies down the river” they need to find somewhere to replenish their food.
Next time we see Aang, Katara and Sokka, they are in a market. Whilst Sokka and Katara seem a little off-put by the hustle and bustle, Aang seems delighted, and spends a copper piece on a bison whistle that doesn’t seem to work. Katara kindly tells Aang that she will hold the money from now on. With their remaining two copper pieces, they continue to look around. A man comes up to the group and advertises his merchandise: exotic curious. When Aang asks what curious are, the man confesses that he isn't entirely sure, but "we've got 'em!"
Intrigued, Aang, Katara and Sokka look aboard the ship. After seeing many things that catch her eye, Katara notices a Waterbending Scroll with advanced techniques. When Aang asks the Captain, where he got the scroll, the man replies “Let’s just say I got it up North, at an extremely reasonable price. Free.”
Sokka susses out that the guys on the boat are pirates. The salesman tells him that he prefers to think of themselves as ‘high-risk traders’
Katara wants to know how much the Waterbending scroll is. The Captain tells her he already has a buyer for 200 gold pieces. Aang (hilariously) tries to haggle with the Captain to sell them the scroll for one copper piece. The Captain laughs and refuses. “Okay…two copper pieces!” Aang says.
Getting annoyed, the Captain refuses again. Katara asks Aang if they can get off the ship, which they quickly do.
Before they can go anywhere, the pirate from before runs after them, shouting at them to come back. The other pirates jump off the ship, brandishing knives and other weapons. Needless to say, Katara, Sokka and Aang run off, with the pirates chasing them. After a lengthy chase scene (which features the now legendary figure of the Cabbage Guy: “My cabbages! This place is worse than Omashu!”) Aang tells Katara and Sokka to hold onto his glider, and they fly away.
When they land, Katara reveals that she stole the Waterbending scroll, much to Sokka’s outrage. He tells her that she put their lives in danger so she could learn some “fancy splashes”. She replies that these are real Waterbending moves that could help Aang. Sokka walks off, muttering “whatever”. Aang tells Katara that now they have it they might as well learn from it.
Meanwhile, in the same market, after his uncle says that he couldn’t find a lotus tile anywhere, Zuko angrily states that “It’s good to know that this trip was a complete waste of time for *everyone*!”
Iroh tells him to the contrary, and both watch as three soldiers carry goods that Iroh bought onto the ship. Zuko isn’t impressed.
They walk along to the pirate ship, and Zuko overhears one pirate telling the captain about the “Water Tribe girl and the bald monk she was traveling with”. Zuko enquirers about the monk.
Katara tells Aang she wants to try one move (the water whip) then the scroll is all his. She tries the move and ends up smacking her forehead. Sokka laughs and tells her she deserves it. He tells Aang that Katara only wants the scroll for herself, something she angrily denies. After a couple more tries of the water whip (hitting Momo in the process) Katara still can’t get it. Aang tries and, of course, executes the move perfectly. When he tries to give her advice, Katara yells at him to “Shut your air hole! Believe it or not, your infinite wisdom gets a little old sometimes! Why don’t we throw the scroll away since you’re so naturally gifted!?”
She then sees Aang’s look and apologizes guiltily, saying that she didn’t know what came over her. Katara gives the scroll to Aang.
Zuko (on his mini-boat, seen in the last episode) and the pirates (on their ship) are on a river. The Captain asks if they should stop to search the woods. Zuko replies that there is no need. If they stole a Waterbending scroll, then they’ll be on the water.
It’s now night, and Katara is the only one awake (apart from Momo) by the fire. She gets up and retrieves the Waterbending scroll from Sokka’s bag, telling Momo to go back to sleep. She walks down to the river and practices the water whip. Frustrated that she still can’t get it, she begins to yell at the water.
Zuko and the Captain hear her voice and look at each other.
Hearing a noise, Katara peers through the bushes. To her horror, she sees the pirates ship. Moving backwards, she bumps into a pirate, who tries to restrain her. She bends water into the pirates face, and runs ahead.
Straight into Zuko.
Clutching her wrists so she can’t escape, he tells her that he’ll save her from the pirates.
It’s a few minutes later and Katara is tied to a tree by the river, surrounded by Zuko, his uncle, the pirates, and some of Zuko’s crew.
Zuko tells Katara to tell him where the Avatar is, and he won’t hurt her or her brother. Katara angrily suggests he “go jump in the river!”
Changing tack, Zuko circles her almost menacingly, telling her that he needs to restore his honor by capturing the Avatar. In return, Zuko could restore something that Katara has lost. He holds up Katara’s mother’s necklace to her neck. Shocked, Katara asks how Zuko got the necklace. He says that he didn’t steal it, if that’s what she was wondering. After ordering her again to tell him where the Avatar is (she obviously refuses) the Captain tells Zuko that he promised him a scroll. Zuko retaliates by wondering how much the scroll is worth, then lighting a fire underneath the scroll. The pirates react the way Zuko wants them to: in fear. Zuko tells the Captain that if he helps them find what he wants, then Zuko will give them the scroll back. He orders the pirates to search the woods for the Avatar and then meet back.
Sokka and Aang wake up to discover Katara missing. They barely have time to speculate as to where she’s gone when they are attacked by the pirates and Aang is captured in a net. Sokka sarcastically asks if he isn’t good enough to kidnap, before an identical net snares him.
Soon everyone is reunited, and Zuko congratulates the pirates on their good work. Katara apologizes to Aang, saying this is all her fault. Aang replies that it isn’t. Iroh, however, tells her “Yeah, it kind of is.”
Sokka asks the pirates if they’re really going to trade a scroll for the Avatar, who is worth much more. The pirates decide Sokka is right, that they will keep Aang, which does not bode well with Zuko.
Cue fight scene.
The pirates throw a smoke bomb, encasing the scene so that no one can see. Using this as an advantage, they fight the Firebenders and protect Aang and Sokka. Meanwhile Momo frees Katara by biting off the ropes binding her hands. Aang too is freed.
Zuko and the Captain soon start fighting, and, using this distraction, Aang, Katara and Sokka escape on the pirate ship by Aang and Katara using their combined Waterbending skills.
Iroh interrupts Zuko and the Captain’s fight by asking if they have not noticed their own ship is setting sail. Zuko angrily tells him that this is no time for his proverbs, before he and the Captain notice the pirate ship halfway down the river. Zuko starts to laugh, but abruptly stops when the pirates steal his boat. Iroh muses that maybe it should be a proverb, before running after his nephew.
The pirates catch up to Aang, Sokka and Katara and another fight soon begins, in which Katara uses the water whip successfully for the first time. Momo takes care of the Captain’s pet reptile-bird, and Aang takes care of a few pirates. However, they have bigger problems, in the form of the huge waterfall they’re about to go over. Producing the bison whistle he bought previously, Aang blows on it. When the whistle seems to have no effect, Aang and Katara use their Waterbending again to slow the boat down. But soon the boat begins to break in half, and they have no choice but to jump over the waterfall. Just in time, Appa flies in and saves them from a potentially rocky/watery death. Aang notes he knew the bison whistle would come in handy.
Zuko, already annoyed by the fact his boat got stolen, gets even more angry when Iroh sheepishly reveals that the lotus tile was in his sleeve the whole time. Snatching the lotus tile, Zuko hurls it into the water, hitting a pirate on the head.
Katara tells Aang that she owes him an apology for being competitive, and that she didn’t need the scroll anyway. Sokka chooses this time to produce the scroll, but won’t give it to Katara until she tells him what she learned.
“Stealing is wrong.” She dutifully says. Sokka gives her the scroll, and then she mischievously adds, “Unless it’s from pirates!”

Avatar Episode : Avatar Roku (Winter Solstice (2))

2008-01-20T17:15:00.000-08:00

The episode starts with Aang packing his things on Appa, Aang doesn’t want to endanger his friends lives so he intents on going alone. As he is about to set off he is stopped by Katara and Sokka, telling Aang that they are going with him. Aang tells them that it is too dangerous but his friends won’t hear of it so looks like Aang’s not traveling alone. One of the villagers gives Aang some more supplies and tells him that it is a long journey to Avatar Roku’s temple and if they want to get there before the Solstice is over they must leave immediately, Aang tries to thank him for his kindness but the villager tells them to leave right that instant and so they do. Later on that night there is a knock at the door of that same villager’s house, he opens it to find Prince Zuko. Zuko pushes the man and demands to know where the Avatar went.

It is now day time as Appa flies through the sky that is when Katara spots Zuko’s boat as it is trailing them. On Zuko’s boat Iroh scolds his nephew reminding him that he is banished from the Fire Nation and if he enters their waters he will be arrested. Zuko tells him that since he is chasing the Avatar his father will understand Iroh states that his brother isn’t an understanding person. Back on Appa, Katara and Sokka see that something is coming out of Zuko’s boat, it is a catapult. The catapult is set on fire and sent hurtling towards Appa. Aang is able to help Appa dodge the shot but just barely. After missing Zuko orders for the catapult to be reloaded when he sees in the distance a blockade of Fire Nation ships blocking the way. Iroh tells Zuko that since he is still in Earth Kingdom waters if he turns back now he won’t be arrested. Zuko refuses to turn away and orders the ship continue forward.

As luck would have it the man in control over the blockade is no other then Commander Zhao. He orders his ships to open fire on the Avatar. One of his men tells Zhao that there is a Fire Nation ship out in the water, after Zhao sees it’s Zuko he claims it belongs to a traitor and re-orders the attack on the Avatar. As a horde of shots from dozens of blockade catapults are fired towards Appa. Aang prepares to dodge the borage of attacks as the first few whizzes by Appa. Zuko isn’t as lucky as one of the shots hits Zuko’s ship in the back causing the ship to smoke heavily. One of his men explains what was damaged and that they need to stop for repairs, but Zuko still wont’ back off as he charges forward again.

As Aang continues to dodge a swarm of shots the force of one knocks Sokka from Appa sending him plummeting. Appa dives down and narrowly catches him. Aang has Appa charge right down the middle towards the blockade, while Zhao takes one last shot. But Aang is able to destroy it with Airbending and they soar past the blockade and past Zhao. Less than pleased with the fact that the Avatar made it through the blockade, Zhao knows he has to follow him but he doesn’t know where he’s going, that’s when he sees Zuko’s ship approach and instead of arresting him he allows him to pass through the blockade untouched so he can follow him to the Avatar.

Back on Appa they spend hours flying through the air it is almost dusk when Appa finally makes it to the crescent shaped island where Roku’s dragon took Aang when he was in the Spirit World. When they land Appa takes a well deserved rest while the others enter the temple it is empty when they enter the temple’s first room but behind them are five men dressed in red robes. Aang knowing they are fire sages thinks that they will try and help him but after telling them he is the Avatar they attack him. Aang blocks the attacks and Aang and the others run from the five sages and go down many different halls until they reach a end and as they go to turn around one of the five sages in front of them Aang prepares to fight him but the sage explains that he is on Aang’s side. They at first don’t believe him but when they hear the others approach the sage opens a secret passageway and they escape from the other sages.

Back with Zuko he is confused as to why Zhao let him pass. Iroh states that it is most likely because he wants to use Zuko to find the Avatar hearing his uncle’s theory Zuko is at a loss for what to do.

Back with Aang the sage that helped them tells them that his name is Shyu. He goes further by saying that when Avatar Roku died the other sages and his grandfather waited for the new Avatar to appear but he never did. Then Fire Lord Sozin started the war and forced the sages to serve him. After time they did and only Shyu’s family stayed loyal to the Avatar. He explains that when the sages found out that Aang was alive, Shyu knew that he would have to betray the others and help Aang. They eventually arrive on a higher level of the temple in front of them is a huge door. Shyu tells them that it must have recently been closed and the only way to open it is with five fire blasts from five different firebenders. None of them know how to open the door… no one but Sokka.

Back with Zuko he has come up with an idea since Zhao is following the smoke from his ship he will take a smaller vessel and sneak past Zhao under the smoke. We see Zhao a distance back as he looks at the smoke of Zuko’s ship with a suspicious look on his face.

Sokka reveals his plan he makes five small oil-based and places each in one of the five areas where the door takes in the fire. He has Shyu light the fuse and they stand back, a huge explosion rips through the room and Aang rushes to the door but it didn’t open. Aang begins to send waves of air to try and open the door but to no avail. Sokka doesn’t understand why the door didn’t open stating that it didn’t work. Katara says that it may not have worked but it looks like it did understandably the group is confused.

The next scene has Shyu yelling to the other sages to come to the door he states that the Avatar has entered the room behind the door. They don’t know how he could have but Shyu points out the burn marks on the door and points to a shadow coming form the other side. The sages instantly open the door with their firebending to discover that the shadow was only the lemur and that it must have crawled through the pipes. Now Katara’s plan springs to action as each of the four sages are grabbed by Shyu, Katara, Sokka, and Momo. Katara yells to Aang to enter the chamber but there is no answer from him. Then Zuko appears from behind a pillar with Aang. In their surprise they each in turn loss control over the sages and they are now held down by them. Zuko tells the sages to close the door immediately; Aang turns to see the others being tied up to a pillar and struggles free from Zuko and races to the door. The sages attempt to stop him but he makes it inside before the doors close then a bright light comes from the room then dies away.

Aang, now in the chamber where he had been with Roku’s dragon, sees only a statue of Avatar Roku and doesn’t know what to do now. Outside the doors Zuko and the four sages attempt to open the door but now it won’t. One of the sages states that it must be Avatar Roku and that he doesn’t want them to enter. Aang calls to Roku asking for his help then a wind spirals around Aang and he is in front of Roku on the top of a mountain rage and Roku says hello to Aang and asks what took him so long. Back outside the doors Zuko asks Shyu why he helped Aang, Shyu says that it was once the Fire Sage’s duty to help the Avatar and that it still is. This moment in interrupted by Zhao and a group of soldiers, Zhao places Zuko under arrest and claims that he will simply wait for the Avatar to come out.

Roku begins to tell Aang why he had to meet him, he tells him that one hundred years ago a meteor came and Souzan used its power to start the war and deal a ly first strike against the other nations. Roku continues by saying that the meteor gave them great power and that the meteor is coming back. Roku tells Aang that he must master the other three elements before summers end for that is when the comet returns and if he hasn’t mastered the elements by then there will be nothing he can do as Fire Lord Ozai will use its power to finish the war. Aang is understandably shocked at what he has just heard and doesn’t think he can do it in such a short time but Roku has confidence in him because he has done it before. Roku senses that there is a great danger waiting outside the doors of the chamber and offers his help if Aang thinks he’s ready. As Aang’s avatar spirit activates he claims that he is there we see the mountain range disappear and we are back outside of the doors where Zhao and the others are braced to attack Aang the moment he steps out. Then with another flash of light the door opens and they attack the figure behind the door. They see it is not Aang but Avatar Roku that stands before them he sends the fire back with great force and knocks the group back the heat of the fire melts the chains that holds Katara and the others Zuko takes this opportunity to run back to his boat. Shyu tells Katara and Sokka to run from the temple because Avatar Roku is going to destroy it they refuse to leave without Aang. We see Roku split the ground and he brings lava up from beneath the temple and sends it up through the temple. We see Zhao and his men retreat back to their boats before the temple begins to fall. The sun sets and with that the solstice is over and Roku with one last breath is enveloped in a current of wind and when the dust clears Aang remains, he collapses and is picked up by Katara and Sokka. As the temple is falling apart they have no way to get out of the temple as all the ways are block by debris. Then Appa appears and they jump onto his back and they fly away from the temple that falls moments after they leave.

Zhao looks up and sees the Avatar fly away from his sight, he is not pleased as he has lost any chance of capturing the Avatar or Prince Zuko. But as a consolation he claims he has five traitors, we see all five sages including Shyu. The Sages say that only Shyu helped the Avatar but Zhao isn’t interested in their story and has them thrown into the prison hold of his ship. We then see Zuko on his smaller ship also looking at the Avatar as he flies away. As the episode ends, Katara and Sokka group around Aang and comfort him, as they fly away.

Avatar Episode : The Spirit World (Winter Solstice (1))

2008-01-20T17:12:00.000-08:00

The episode starts with Aang, Sokka and Katara flying on the back of Appa. Aang wants to know what the cloud is made of so he jumps down into the cloud and back onto Appa’s back. They land and Aang is upset because of the damage to the country they’re in done by the fire nation. Prince Zuko is talking to his uncle Iroh about his troubles, then it’s to Katara talking to Aang and an old man comes and takes Aang to his town. Aang is told that there is trouble with the normal world and spirit world and that a spirit comes at night and takes one of their villagers.

Iroh is in a hot spring and is taken prisoner by earth benders. Its night time and Aang is walking around looking for the spirit. He turns round to face the building and Aang walks back then the spirit appears behind him. It’s destroying the town and it takes Sokka and runs away Aang goes off and follows it.
Prince Zuko finds out that his uncle has been taken then it’s to Aang and he’s still following the spirit and Sokka and then they disappear with Aang only able to lay a hand on it. The earth benders are on horse back with Iroh.
Katara is upset as her brother is gone Zuko is still searching for his uncle. Aang tries to talk to Katara but she can’t see or hear him. Aang sees a spirit dragon and its heading towards him and he can’t use his powers. Aang talks the spirit and as a vision of the past avatar and flies on the back of it.

Uncle Iroh sees them fly above him and then he escapes. Aang lands on an island with a temple with a statue of the past Avatar. He has another vision of a meteor then it’s to the uncle and he is caught. Katara is flying on the back of Appa and is seen by prince Zuko.

The dragon takes Aang back to his body, while the earth benders are going to crush Iroh’s hands and stopped by Zuko who chose to save his uncle instead of going after Katara. They fight back to back and beat the earth bender soldiers. Aang is waiting for the spirit and reveals that it’s the spirit of the forest a giant panda. The people come back. Aang then says he needs to go to the island.

Avatar Episode : Imprisoned

2008-01-20T17:00:00.000-08:00

Aang and company awake from there camp site and are startled by loud noises coming from the distance. Aang and Katara are curious and set out to investigate with a less than cooperative Sokka right behind. They then find a young Earthbender practicing his bending. Katara introduces herself but before she can finish the young bender races off seeming very fearful. Katara decides that they should follow him and they end up in a small town that happens to be under fire nation control. They later find the same young man and follow him into a store. He is talking to his mother when Katara and company enter the story asking why he ran. He tells them that his name is Haru, his mother and him explain that since the Fire Nation took control of the town any one discovered to be an Earthbender is arrested and sent to a Mining Rig in the far off shore.

Haru then tells them that his father was also sent to the rig a long time ago.Later on that day Haru and Katara are walking with each other both sharing there own stories and seemingly falling for one another when they come across an old man that has been trapped by a cave in. Haru reluctantly uses his Earthbending to save the old man. The next morning Katara wakes up to get some water when Haru's mother tells Katara that the old man he had saved told the fire nation that he was an earth bender and was arrested and sent to the mining rig. Once she learns of Haru's situation she decides to take action and find a way onto the rig.

Decides the only way to get to that rig is if the fire nation thinks she's an Earthbender, so after some strategy she is able to "Earthbend" with the help of Aang and some ventilation pipes while fire nation solders are watching. So now she's captured and sent to the rig. There she and some other captives meet the Warden of the rig and he is less than a happy camper. He states that since the entire rig is made of steal there is nothing for the Earthbenders to control so they are helpless.After finding Haru and his father Tyro she asks what their plan is to escape. Tyro says that escape isn't an option and that the only way to survive is to do what they're told and hope the war goes in their favor. Shocked by his lack of hope Katara tries and inspirational speech to try and stir to life the spirits of the other benders but to no avail. That night Katara meets up with Aang and Sokka to try and find a way for the prisoners to fight back and gain back their confidence.

Then they notices the smoke stacks and states that they are burning coal and therefore there is earth on the rig that the prisoners can use.Drawing from her experience from the fake earthbending she used to get herself arrested they have Aang close all the vents around the fire save for one that will lead to the outer vent where Katara and Sokka are at. Then the Warden discovers them and states that they are to surrender or die. Then the coal bursts from the vent and lands in front of Haru and the others, Katara tells them that this is their chance to stand up and fight. But no one seems to have the will to fight anymore. The warden states that their spirits were broken a long time ago and he walks away in triumph. Or so he thinks, as a chunk of coal strikes him on the head. He turns around to see that it was Haru who threw it. The warden attacks Haru but his attack is blocked by Tyro and two other benders. Then all together the prisoners attack the fire nation soldiers and after a dramatic fight the Earthbenders are victorious and they through the warden over board.After winning their freedom Tyro thanks Katara for giving his people hope again, then Haru thanks her while she is touched by Haru's words she notices that her mother's necklace is gone. There on the rig we see Katara's necklace on the ground and is picked up by Zuko. And with a blank look he clutches the necklace and looks out toward the horizon.

Avatar Episode : The King of Omashu

2008-01-20T16:53:00.000-08:00

Aang, Katara, and Sokka, stand outside the earth nation city of Omashu. Katara and Sokka believe they should disguise Aang because of their past troubles when people discover that Aang is the Avatar. Aang assures them that the people of Omashu are very kind, but when they arrive at the gate to Omashu, they see soldiers kick a man away.
The three enter the city and Aang looks around. He then has a flashback about his young friend from 100 years ago, Bumi, who was very eccentric.
Aang persuades Katara and Sokka to go on the Omashu’s delivery system, which works on a system of storage containers sliding on stone chutes throughout the Kingdom, much like a roller coaster. Leaping into an empty container, the three go on a wild ride through the city, and inadvertently cause damage for which they are detained by soldiers.

The three are then taken to the King, who seems very old and frail, and somewhat eccentric. Instead of punishing the three for the damage they caused, he treats them to a great feast, during which the King asks Aang if he wants some chicken, but Aang says he doesn’t eat meat. The King then flings a piece of chicken at Aang, but Aang uses his air-bending powers to stop it.
Having thus revealed Aang as the Avatar, the King tells him that he must face some challenges, and sends the three to the "dungeon", which turns out to be comfortable quarters, though there is no way to get in or out without earth-bending capabilities. Aang wakes up and discovers that Sokka and Katara are not there. Aang is taken to the King, who tells him that if he completes a series of "challenges", then his friends will be set free. Aang refuses, so the King orders that Sokka and Katara each be fitted with a peculiar ring which causes a crystal to grow over their fingers and hands. The King says that it will eventually encompass their entire bodies, unless Aang accepts the challenges.
Forced to accept, Aang's first challenge is to collect a key which is hanging from a chain inside a waterfall in an underground cavern with huge stalactites and stalagmites, and no simple way to reach the key. His first two attempts fail, but Aang succeeds on the third try.
The second challenge is to find and retrieve the King’s pet, "Flopsy", who is, supposedly, inside an underground arena. Aang sees a cute rabbit, and tries to catch it, but he is suddenly chased by a giant, horned, furry animal. When it appears that Aang is about to be overcome by the beast, he realizes that the monster is actually the King's over-friendly pet, and thus completes that test.
The final challenge is to face an opponent in combat. Aang is shown two fierce warriors standing in front of the King, who gives Aang the choice of whom to fight. Aang asks if he can select anyone he points to. The King says "yes", so Aang points to the frail-looking King.
The King tells Aang that he has made a mistake, because, despite appearances, he is actually the strongest earth-bender in the city. He then takes off his royal robe, and straightens up, revealing a taut, but muscular, body. They fight, with Aang using his air-bending powers against the King's earth-bending abilities.
Aang is eventually victorious, but the King says he will release his friends - - who are now nearly totally encased in the ever-growing crystal - - only if Aang can answer one question: "What is my name?"
At first, Aang is mystified, but Katara tells him to think about the challenges and what he has learned from them. After some consideration, Aang finally comes to the conclusion that the King is his friend from 100 years ago, "Bumi". King Bumi then uses earth-bending on Sokka's and Katara's crystal encasements, which shatter (it turns out that the crystal is "genemite", which is actually rock candy).
Aang then makes a challenge to King Bumi: The scene cuts to the two taking a wild ride on the delivery system, causing some damage, at which point the episode ends with the off-camera Cabbage Merchant shouting, "My cabbages!"

Avatar Episode : The Warriors of Kyoshi

2008-01-20T16:44:00.001-08:00

The episode starts with Zuko’s ship sailing and he is meditating his uncle Iroh and he tells the prince not to get angry. Zuko says he can control his temper and Iroh says he doesn’t know where the avatar is and prince Zuko gets really angry. Aang and Co. are flying on the back of Appa. Katara is sewing Sokka’s trousers. Aang is trying to get her attention but because she’s busy. Sokka makes chauvinistic comment and she throws his trousers back at him.

They land and Aang wants to show Katara his moves by riding on an Elephant Koi and he is almost attacked by a Unagi eel, but he fortunately ran away. After he dresses up they are attacked by a group of people. They are then tired to a big pole and they take off the cloth covering Aang and co eyes and Sokka has to make a comment because he realizes he was attacked by "girls".

Aang tells to them they say the island is called Kyoshi and that it is named after the avatar Aang tells them he knows her because he was the Avatar. They don’t believe him and they say that he should be an air bender if he’s the Avatar. So Aang shows them his powers and they realize who he is.

The news of the avatar in town travels from person to person and news finally reaches price Zuko and his uncle Iroh. Aang and Katara are eating and the towns’ people are cleaning up the statue of Kyoshi. Aang goes off and shows of to the young women of Kyoshi, and they chase him around.

Sokka goes to the warriors and he is ask if he wants to show of some moves he tries but he is beaten by a female warrior named Suki. Sokka asks her to train him and she accepted but he has to dress up in their clothes. Katara is practicing her water bending and its back to Sokka is training and battles Suki.

Aang is with the kids and they get bored of him and leave Katara goes to Aang and he apologizes to her. Aang plays with the fish again and he is attacked by the same giant fish. Aang is knocked unconscious and Katara goes to him and saves him with her water bending skills. Zuko comes with his ship. Sokka training is complete and he tries to help fight but is told to goes.

Aang and Co. leave as the town is being set on fire and the soldiers follow. Aang jumps down from Appa and uses the Unagi that attacked him and he uses it to spray water on the town to put out the fires before he leaves and they fly away.

Avatar Episode : The Southern Air Temple

2008-01-08T16:51:00.000-08:00

While journeying to the North Pole, Aang, Sokka and Katara explore Aang's former home, the Southern Air Temple. After one hundred years, Aangs returns home to the abandoned Airbender Temple where he faces his past and his future as the Avatar. Aang believes that there is no chance that the fire nations could attack the temple due to its height. In one of the temple room they found statues of avatar in circle formation - The Avatar Circle. Each time avatar reincarnated, it will be in the cyclic element turn of Water - Earth - Fire - Air (just like the episode/book formation).

Meanwhile, Zuko and his uncle, Iroh, have their ship repaired at a Fire Nation port commanded by a rival, Commander Zhao. He told his uncle not to mention anything about the Avatar.

But later, Commander Zhao find out what just happened to Zuko ship from his soldier. The enmity between Commander Zhao and Prince Zuko become clear and leading to Agni Kai (Fire Fighting - Firebender Duel). After a tiring fight, it's end up with Zuko as the winner. Commander Zhao try to attack Zuko from behind after the Agni Kai, but it's blocked by General Iroh. "Even in exile my nephew is more honorable than you" said General Iroh

Back at the temple, desperate for hunger, a winged lemur flew in to the temple. Sokka and Aang chased down the winged lemur. Aang suprised he found that Firebenders was ever been there.

A startling discovery forces Aang to come to terms with what really happened to the airbenders after he found Monk Gyatso dead body. Aang learns of his people's genocide at the hands of the Fire Nation; his anger triggers his Avatar State, which in turn alerts the world that the Avatar has returned, including the avatar temple in the Fire Nation. Soon the Firelord - Lord Ozai would notice that the Avatar has returns.

Meanwhile, Katara try to calm Aang, considering about what has just revealed in front of them. There is no turn back, and it wasn't Aang fault. Katara told him that, he still have family, Katara and Sokka. But when a winged lemur, Momo, joins the group, he offers Aang a new sense of hope. Meanwhile Prince Zuko realizes he has competition when the ambitious Commander Zhao vows to capture the Avatar before him.

Avatar Episode : Avatar Returns

2008-01-07T02:33:00.001-08:00

While exploring an abandoned Fire Nation warship, Aang realizes he has been in suspended animation for a century, and accidentally sets off a trap warning the Fire Nation of his presence on their ship. Aang and Katara come back from the ship to be greeted by many angry faces. Because the beacon has set off, the safety of the village has become endangered. The villagers, after angry words spoken by Sokka, decide to banish Aang from the South Pole. Katara becomes outraged with the decision, and at first decides to leave as well so that she can follow her dream of becoming a Waterbender. However, after only a small amount of persuasion by Sokka and Kanna, she sadly decides to stay with her family. Aang and Appa ride off together, setting course for the Southern Air Temple where Aang previously lived. Katara is quite frustrated that they have banished Aang, and snaps at her grandmother.

Sokka quickly readies the young children for combat with the Fire Nation. Meanwhile, Aang and Appa, taking a break from their so far young journey, rest on an ice formation. Aang spots Zuko's ship approaching the village, and quickly decides to help defend his new friends, leaving a dozing Appa to continue resting in the ice formation.

Sokka and Zuko individually prepare for the rapidly approaching encounter. Zuko dons a traditional Fire Nation soldier's uniform and helmet, while Sokka readies his weapons and applies black, grey, and white warpaint to his face.

Zuko's ship quickly arrives at the Water Tribe village, its mere approaching collapsing Sokka's makeshift walls and towers. Still, Sokka stands bravely, only balking in order to avoid the ramp that descends from the ship. Zuko quickly descends, accompanied by only a very small number of soldiers, and Sokka charges him. The more experienced Zuko requires only his bare hands to counter Sokka's primitive weaponry, and he is almost dismissive of his presence at first. Zuko demands the location of the Avatar, expecting to find an old man somewhere in the village. He grabs Gran Gran Kanna threateningly, and Sokka attacks Zuko again. The two fight briefly, and once again Zuko only needs to use his bare hands to render Sokka's attacks useless. Sokka only manages a lucky hit when his boomerang strikes the back of Zuko's helmet, angering the prince to the extent that he prepares to use Firebending on the unfortunate villagers.

Aang arrives at the nick of time, riding on a penguin-otter, and knocks Zuko off of his feet. Zuko is shocked as he realizes that the Avatar is merely a twelve-year-old boy, rather than the ancient master he was expecting. As he voices this revelation, the Water Tribe villagers express their own surprise. Zuko quickly regains his focus, and wastes no time in launching a series of fire blasts at Aang. Aang is able to defend himself with Airbending, but soon decides to stop the battle when he realizes that Zuko's attacks would inevitably strike the children he has befriended. Aang surrenders, and Zuko's soldiers take him aboard as a prisoner before setting off for the Fire Nation.

Katara and Sokka, now with the knowledge that Aang is the Avatar, quickly move to save him. They ready a canoe to chase after Zuko's ship, and before embarking receive farewells and encouragement from their grandmother. The siblings realize that their small boat has no chance of catching the larger, faster Fire Nation ship, until Appa arrives to give them a ride.

On Zuko's ship, the guards escort Aang to the prison hold, while Prince Zuko entrusts his Uncle Iroh with taking the boy's glider to his personal quarters. Iroh, true to his nature, immediately and casually passes the job on to the nearest guard. While being taken to the prison hold, Aang, with his hands tied, uses his powerful breath to knock out both of his escorts. He then proceeds to rapidly run through the inners of the ship, trying to retrieve his staff. One of the escorts recovers, and sounds the alarm.

Katara and Sokka, having found Appa and started after Zuko's ship, slowly make progress as Appa swims through the water. Sokka eventually remembers Aang's command phrase for Appa to take off, "Yip yip," and the bison quickly launches into the sky, moving much more quickly. For a brief moment, Sokka loses his previous cynical and grumpy attitude in a fit of excitement, a moment that passes when he realizes Katara is watching his rare behavior.

Aang continues to run through the ship's many hallways, in the process displaying tremendous speed and agility and also cutting his bonds on the helmet of one of the guards. He looks through several rooms before finally discovering Zuko's personal quarters. He runs in to claim his staff, just as a waiting Zuko slams the door shut to cut off his escape route. Zuko launches a number of attacks in hopes of incapacitating Aang, but the Airbender easily avoids them before finally launching a short series of powerful gusts that slam Zuko against the room's walls and ceiling, briefly stunning him. Aang heads to the outside of the ship, and prepares to make his escape on his glider. However, just as Aang takes off, Zuko is able to leap after him and grab his ankle. Not able to compensate for the extra weight nor to break free of Zuko's grip, Aang is unable to remain aloft, and the two crash clumsily onto the deck. The two prepare to face off a third time, but are distracted by the sudden appearance of Appa, carrying Sokka and Katara to Aang's rescue. Aang is unable to regain his focus before Zuko, who quickly launches a series of fire blasts that presses him to the edge of the deck and knocks his staff away. Another two blasts follow, and Aang, while apparently unharmed by the flames, falls overboard into the frigid sea below.

Aang sinks as Katara cries out in dismay, and he appears momentarily unconscious. However, his eyes soon open, before they and his tattoos glow a brilliant white, and his expression becomes stern. Aang, in the "Avatar State," begins to Waterbend the sea around him, pushing himself into the air on a whirling column of water. Zuko, Katara, and Sokka are shocked at this immense display of bending power, and Aang deposits himself on the deck of the ship before bending his liquid platform into a spinning wall of water that sends Zuko and all of his guards currently ondeck flying, Zuko himself going overboard. Appa lands on the deck, while Aang, apparently dazed after the massive display of power, collapses. Katara and Sokka rush to his aid, assuring that he is alright before preparing to leave. Sokka goes to retrieve Aang's staff, to find Zuko climbing back onto the deck. At a great advantage due to Zuko's position, Sokka quickly strikes the prince in the forehead a number of times, sending him overboard again. Zuko is only barely able to cling to an anchors chain approximately halfway down the ship's hull. Some of the soldiers recover, and begin to approach Katara and the still-exhausted Aang. Katara, although inexperienced at Waterbending, is able to freeze the guards in place to stop their approach. All three take off on Appa just as Iroh arrives on the scene. Iroh helps Zuko on-board again, and the two launch a combined fire blast in an attempt to shoot down the escaping air bison. Aang recovers from his dazed state just in time to turn this attack against the Firebenders, using a blast of wind to redirect the fireball into one of the immense walls of ice on either side of the ship. The resulting avalanche buries the front half of Zuko's ship in ice and snow, stopping it cold. Appa flies into the distance, his passengers laughing happily.

Zuko, angry that the Avatar has escaped his grasp, vows not to underestimate the boy again. He instructs his crew to dig the ship out and pursue the Avatar and his friends as soon as possible. Unfortunately for him, the majority of his crew is either frozen solid or helping to thaw other crew members.

As Appa flies into the sunset, Katara excitedly asks Aang how he was able to earlier execute incredibly powerful Waterbending techniques, a capability Aang himself is unable to understand. She then questions Aang as to why he did not initially say that he was the Avatar when Katara questioned him about the legend. Aang sadly and simply replies that he never wanted to be the Avatar, indicating the duty was impressed upon him against his wishes. Katara reminds Aang of the world's need for the Avatar, stating that he must master the Bending arts of Water, then Earth, then Fire. She muses that they might find a Waterbending teacher at the North Pole, and Aang quickly brightens up, suggesting they learn Waterbending together. Along with Sokka, who decides to come along under the excuse of this being an opportunity to defeat Firebenders, they decide to journey together.

Avatar Episode : The Boy in the Iceberg

2008-01-06T21:07:00.001-08:00

A narrator, (Katara) speaks of a time when the Avatar, master of all four elements, kept peace between the four nations: the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Air Nomads, until he mysteriously vanished, and the Fire Nation attacked. A century later, the Fire Nation is on the brink of victory in its imperialist war. Two years ago, Katara's father and the men of the Southern Water Tribe went to the aid of the Earth Kingdom troops. Though things look bleak, Katara still hopes the Avatar will return and save the world.

While fishing near their village in the South Pole, two teenagers — Katara, a young Waterbender, and her older warrior brother Sokka — accidentally steer their canoe into a rip current, where it is crushed between ice floes. Left stranded on a floe, Sokka blames Katara for their predicament, because "girls always mess things up". Katara begins to yell angrily about his inconsiderate behavior, gesturing emphatically as she does so. Unbeknownst to her, she is involuntarily Waterbending, and accidentally cracks a massive iceberg directly behind her.

As the top of the iceberg crumbles into the sea, a large, spherical underwater portion bobs to the surface, revealing a large bison and boy, trapped in a state of hibernation. After being revealed, the boy's tattoos begin to glow while he opens his eyes, and Katara realizes the boy is actually alive. She grabs her brother's club and shatters the iceberg, freeing him. When she does so, a column of bright light shoots up from the iceberg into the sky.

On a Fire Nation warship just off the coast, Prince Zuko, an armor-clad teenager with a burn scar over his left eye, eagerly tells his skeptical Uncle Iroh that the light must have been caused by the Avatar. Dismissing his uncle's advice to not get his hopes up, and to calm down with some tea, Zuko orders the course be set for the light, determined to capture the Avatar.

The boy falls out of the iceberg and collapses into Katara's arms. The boy quickly wakes from his sleep, and immediately asks her to go penguin-sledding with him. He then introduces his flying bison, Appa. An incredulous and suspicious Sokka says the boy generated the light to signal the Fire Nation Navy, to Katara's irritation. After a sneeze causes the boy to soar high into the air, then fall back down without any harm, the boy introduces himself as Aang, an Airbender, and offers to escort them home on Appa.

As evening wears on, Iroh advises Zuko to get some rest, and reminds him that his quest is as futile as when his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather attempted it. Zuko tersely comments that they hadn't found the Avatar because their honor was not at stake, unlike him. Meanwhile, riding on a swimming Appa's back, Katara asks Aang if he knows what may have happened to the Avatar. He replies hesitantly that he never knew the Avatar, although he "knew people who knew him."

Aang falls into a nightmarish sleep that night, filled with memories of being caught in a storm with Appa and dragged underwater, reflexively channeling some otherworldly force to freeze them both in an ice sphere.

He wakes in the tiny Southern Water Tribe village, and is swiftly introduced to the remaining population of women and children, who regard him in fear and awe. Katara's grandmother explains to Aang that Airbenders have been thought to be extinct for the past hundred years. Aang diffuses the tension by showing off his flying skills on his glider after Sokka claims it would not be a good weapon. Katara then expresses joy with her grandmother at having finally found a Master Bender who may be able to teach her.

Iroh, meanwhile, is teaching Firebending basics to Zuko, drilling the prince and his infantry sparring partners in a sequence Zuko can't quite complete correctly. After Iroh lectures on the importance of strength as an extension of breath and not brute force for Firebending, an impatient Zuko tries to browbeat Iroh into teaching him a more advanced set. Zuko reasons that it will take more than basics to defeat the Avatar, who has had a century to master all the elements. Iroh grudgingly acquiesces, but first takes a moment to finish his roast duck.

Back at the village, Sokka is failing miserably at instilling a warrior's spirit into several small boys that make up his ersatz "army", and is further frustrated when Aang lures them away with games and jokes. When Sokka lambastes Aang for indulging in fun during wartime, Aang doesn't understand which war he meant. As Aang bolts off in pursuit of a penguin, Katara trails after.

While Aang chases penguins, he and Katara strike up a bargain: If she shows him how to catch one, he'll take her to the Northern Water Tribe, at the North Pole, to find a Waterbending Master to teach her. Katara obligingly tosses Aang a fish as bait, and soon they are both riding on the backs of penguins. They sled down towards the shoreline at dizzying speeds, until they come upon the wreck of a warship, torn open on jutting ice shelves.

Katara explains that it is a Fire Nation ship and a very bad memory for her tribe. As Aang begins to walk towards the warship, she informs him that they can't go in, as it is forbidden, as well as the possibility that the ship may be laced with booby traps. Overcome with curiosity, Aang enters anyway, convincing Katara to follow suit by stating that a bender must let go of fear. As they explore the ship, Katara goes on to tell how the vessel has haunted their tribe since her Grandmother was a little girl, and that the Fire Navy ship dates from the Fire Nation's first attacks. Aang expresses confusion about the war, as there was no war before he was frozen. Katara realizes that he was frozen for a hundred years, and comforts Aang while he copes with the shock.

Unfortunately, while trying to find a way out, Aang triggers a tripwire, which sends up a signal flare. Katara and Aang escape the shipwreck, but not before Zuko sees them heading toward the village through a telescope. Zuko tells his crew to wake his uncle and report that he has finally found the Avatar.

List of Avatar The Last Airbender Episodes

2008-01-06T19:16:00.000-08:00

This is a list of episodes for the Nickelodeon animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender. The series premiered on February 21, 2005. The series classifies each season as a "book" and each episode as a "chapter." The list is ordered by release date which, with the exception of "Appa's Lost Days", also adheres to the show's continuity.

Book One : Water (2005)

The Boy in the Iceberg
Writer : Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko
Director : Dave Filoni
Original Airdate : February 21, 2005
Sokka and Katara, two teenage siblings living in the South Pole, discover Aang and his pet flying bison, Appa, trapped in an iceberg. After Katara accidentally frees him, Aang learns that he is the last surviving Airbender. Meanwhile, his unfreezing attracts the attention of the Fire Nation's Zuko.
The Avatar Returns
Writer : Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko
Director : Dave Filoni
Original Airdate : February 21, 2005
Prince Zuko attacks the Southern Water Tribe seeking to capture the Avatar, Aang. Katara and Sokka fly in on Appa to save Aang from the Fire Nation .
The Southern Air Temple
Writer : Michael Dante DiMartino
Director : Lauren MacMullan
Original Airdate : February 25, 2005
While journeying to the North Pole, Aang, Sokka and Katara explore Aang's former home, the Southern Air Temple. Aang learns of his people's genocide at the hands of the Fire Nation; his anger triggers his Avatar State, which in turn alerts the world that the Avatar has returned. Meanwhile, Zuko and his uncle, Iroh, have their ship repaired at a Fire Nation port commanded by a rival, Commander Zhao.
The Warriors of Kyoshi
Writer : Nick Malis
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : March 4, 2005
As Aang and his friends begin crossing the expansive Earth Kingdom, they are captured by the female warriors of Kyoshi Island. Sokka is trained by the Kyoshi Warriors while Aang lets the villager's reverence go to his head.
The King of Omashu
Writer : John O'Bryan
Director : Anthony Lioi
Original Airdate : March 18, 2005
While in Omashu, Aang and the gang accidentally destroy parts of the city on a joyride. The King of Omashu challenges Aang to three tasks that require creative thinking before allowing Aang and his friends to leave the city.
Imprisoned
Writer : Matthew Hubbard
Director : Dave Filoni
Original Airdate : March 25, 2005
Aang, Katara, and Sokka camp at a small Earth Kingdom town where all the town's Earthbenders are enslaved by the Fire Nation. Katara accidentally gets an Earthbender, Haru, arrested; in her guilt, she tricks the Fire Nation into arresting her so that she can help to free the Earthbenders from the inside.
The Spirit World (Winter Solstice, Part 1)
Writer : Aaron Ehasz
Director : Lauren MacMullan
Original Airdate : April 8, 2005
The gang find themselves in a small Earth Kingdom village under attack by a Spirit World monster. Aang attempts to stop the monster from destroying the town but is accidentally transported into and trapped within the Spirit World. Meanwhile, Iroh gets captured by a group of Earth Kingdom soldiers and Zuko must track him down.
Avatar Roku (Winter Solstice, Part 2)
Writer : Michael Dante DiMartino
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : April 15, 2005
Aang must travel to the Fire Temple, while battling Zuko and Zhao, to receive a message from Avatar Roku. He soon finds that even the once loyal sages of the Avatar are against him.
The Waterbending Scroll
Writer : John O'Bryan
Director : Anthony Lioi
Original Airdate : April 29, 2005
Katara steals a Waterbending scroll from a band of pirates and begins to teach Aang waterbending before they reach the North Pole. Zuko and Iroh learn that the pirates were robbed by the Avatar and team up with them in order to capture Aang.
Jet
Writer : James Eagan
Director : Dave Filoni
Original Airdate : May 6, 2005
A band of guerrilla fighters, led by the rogue Jet, rescue Aang, Katara, and Sokka from a small group of Fire Nation soldiers. The Freedom Fighters request their help to rid the neighboring town of the Fire Nation, but Sokka soon grows suspicious of Jet's true intentions.
The Great Divide
Writer : John O'Bryan
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : May 20, 2005
While crossing a canyon on foot, Aang has to mediate between two tribes, the Zhangs and the Gan-Jins, who have been feuding for almost 100 years. After sending Appa to the other side with the sick and elderly, they are all trapped in the canyon when their Earthbender guide's arms are broken.
The Storm
Writer : Aaron Ehasz
Director : Lauren MacMullan
Original Airdate : June 3, 2005
While a storm approaches, Aang tells Katara why he ran away from the Air temple 100 years ago. Meanwhile on Zuko's ship, Iroh tells the crew the tale of how the prince received his scar and was banished from the Fire Nation.
The Blue Spirit
Writer : Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko
Director : Dave Filoni
Original Airdate : June 17, 2005
Aang must travel to an herbalist to retrieve a cure for the ill Sokka and Katara. While returning to his friends, he is attacked and captured by the Yu Yan Archers, sent after him by the newly promoted Admiral Zhao. A mysterious masked swordsman assists Aang in escaping his imprisonment.
The Fortuneteller
Writer : Aaron Ehasz, John O'Bryan
Director : Dave Filoni
Original Airdate : September 23, 2005
Katara convinces Sokka and Aang to go to a village after hearing of a fortuneteller named Aunt Wu there. Aang and Katara become excited when the fortuneteller predicts their love-lives. Sokka, however, doubts Aunt Wu's predictions and tries to convince the villagers not to believe them blindly.
Bato of the Water Tribe
Writer : Ian Wilcox
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : October 7, 2005
Sokka and Katara meet Bato, a warrior from the Southern Water Tribe, at an abbey. When Aang overhears that Sokka and Katara are excited over the prospect of reuniting with their father, he hides a map leading to their father's location. Meanwhile, Zuko, using Katara's necklace, hires a bounty hunter named June to track down Aang.
The Deserter
Writer : Tim Hedrick
Director : Lauren MacMullan
Original Airdate : October 21, 2005
After being chased out of a Fire Nation festival, Aang, Sokka, and Katara encounter a group of Fire Nation deserters, led by Firebending master and ex-general Jeong Jeong. After realizing that this could be his only chance to learn Firebending, Aang- with the help of Avatar Roku's spirit- convinces Jeong Jeong to teach him Firebending. Meanwhile, Admiral Zhao continues his chase for the Avatar.
The Northern Air Temple
Writer : Elizabeth Welch Ehasz
Director : Dave Filoni
Original Airdate : November 4, 2005
After hearing tales that people with the ability to fly are inhabiting the Northern Air Temple, Aang and the crew travel there, eager to meet Airbenders. However, they instead find a misplaced tribe of Earth Kingdom natives, who, much to Aang's disappointment, have renovated much of the temple.
The Waterbending Master
Writer : Michael Dante DiMartino
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : November 18, 2005
Finally reaching the North Pole, Aang finds a Waterbending Master. However, the Master refuses to teach Katara because she is a girl. Meanwhile, Sokka spends time with Yue, Princess of the Northern Water Tribe. Admiral Zhao hires the pirates (from The Waterbending Scroll) to assassinate Zuko while he prepares a massive fleet to invade the North Pole.
The Siege of the North, Part I
Writer : John O'Bryan
Director : Lauren MacMullan
Original Airdate : December 2, 2005
The Northern Water Tribe braces against the attack by the Fire Nation. Meanwhile, Zuko sneaks into the North Pole to capture the Avatar. Aang, realizing that the Water Tribe cannot defeat Zhao's fleet alone, decides to visit the Spirit World to get help from the Moon and Ocean spirits.
The Siege of the North, Part II
Writer : Aaron Ehasz
Director : Dave Filoni
Original Airdate : December 2, 2005
Sokka, Katara and Yue follow Zuko to save Aang. In the Spirit World, Aang learns the identities of the Moon and Ocean spirits, and that they are in danger. As Aang returns to the real world, he is saved by Katara. Meanwhile, Zhao succeeds in capturing the Moon Spirit, the source of all Waterbending.

Book Two : Earth (2006)

The Avatar State
Writer : Aaron Ehasz, Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Tim Hedrick, John O'Bryan
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : March 17, 2006
After leaving the North Pole, Aang and the group travel to an Earth Kingdom military base to receive an escort to Omashu, so Aang can learn Earthbending from King Bumi. The general there reveals a surprising plan, suggesting that Aang trigger the Avatar State to defeat the Fire Lord immediately. Meanwhile, Zuko's sister Azula says that the Fire Lord will pardon both him and Iroh if they return home with her.
The Cave of Two Lovers
Writer : Joshua Hamilton
Director : Lauren MacMullan
Original Airdate : March 24, 2006
While on the way to Omashu, Aang and the crew meet a group of traveling bards, who take them through a vast tunnel known as "The Cave of Two Lovers". In the cave, Aang, Katara, and Appa become separated from Sokka and the bards. Elsewhere, Zuko and Iroh are sheltered by kind people after Iroh "accidentally" drinks the tea from a poisonous plant. Song, a young and compassionate healer, shows Zuko the effects of war from a normal citizen's perspective.
Return to Omashu
Writer : Elizabeth Welch Ehasz
Director : Ethan Spaulding
Original Airdate : April 7, 2006
Aang and the crew are shocked to find Omashu captured by the Fire Nation. They sneak in and are caught by Fire Nation soldiers, but released when pox marks on Sokka create the illusion of an illness. They then meet the resistance and allow the whole city to escape by creating a fake epidemic with the same pox marks. While they are leaving, the Governor of Omashu's son, TomTom, accidentally leaves with the Earthbenders who are willing to trade him for King Bumi.
The Swamp
Writer : Tim Hedrick
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : April 14, 2006
While flying over a swamp, Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Appa get separated by a tornado. After landing on the swamp, Appa and Momo are captured. Meanwhile, Sokka sees visions of Princess Yue, Katara sees visions of her mother, and Aang sees visions of an unknown girl. Elsewhere, Zuko steals food for himself and Iroh.
Avatar Day
Writer : John O'Bryan
Director : Lauren MacMullan
Original Airdate : April 28, 2006
After getting attacked by a band of Fire Nation soldiers, the gang stumbles upon a town celebrating Avatar Day. However, they find out that this is an "Anti-Avatar" celebration, and Aang is arrested for killing Chin the Great in a past life. Sokka and Katara go to Kyoshi Island to find clues to prove Aang's innocence.
The Blind Bandit
Writer : Michael Dante DiMartino
Director : Ethan Spaulding
Original Airdate : May 5, 2006
Still looking for an Earthbending master, Aang and the crew stumble upon an Earthbending tournament. While there, they see the blind master Earthbender Toph, a girl whom Aang saw as a vision in The Swamp. Aang challenges her and easily defeats her with Airbending, but she refuses to teach him Earthbending. Both Aang and Toph are captured by the owner of the Earthbending Tournament.
Zuko Alone
Writer : Elizabeth Welch Ehasz
Director : Lauren MacMullan
Original Airdate : May 12, 2006
After leaving his uncle, Zuko continues his solo journey. He meets a boy in an Earth Kingdom town who brings him home to dinner. While this happens, Zuko has flashbacks about his life before banishment, such as his loving mother and cruel sister, Azula.
The Chase
Writer : Joshua Hamilton
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : May 26, 2006
Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph are chased by an unknown machine, which prevents them from stopping to sleep. After Toph and Katara keep arguing, Toph leaves and runs into Iroh, who is tracking down Zuko. After cleaning Appa so his fur doesn't leave a trail, Aang goes one way as a decoy and Sokka and Katara go another direction on Appa.
Bitter Work
Writer : Aaron Ehasz
Director : Ethan Spaulding
Original Airdate : June 2, 2006
Aang tries to learn Earthbending from Toph, despite interference from his previous Airbending training. Sokka is stuck in a hole after trying to hunt an animal. Elsewhere, Iroh teaches Zuko how to re-direct lightning so he will be better able to fight Azula.
The Library
Writer : John O'Bryan
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : July 14, 2006
A professor tells the gang about a Spirit Library full of information, hidden in the desert. Sokka decides to find the desert library in hopes of finding secrets and weaknesses about the Fire Nation. When the group gets to the library, they find that much of the information on the Fire Nation has been destroyed, but they still find crucial information about firebenders that could possibly end the war.
The Desert
Writer : Tim Hedrick
Director : Lauren MacMullan
Original Airdate : July 14, 2006
Since Appa was captured, the gang walks across the desert to tell the king of Ba Sing Se about the Fire Nation's secret. Aang is angry and sad over Appa's capture. Elsewhere, a secret society helps protect Iroh and Zuko from the Fire Nation and bounty hunters.
The Serpent's Pass
Writer : Michael Dante DiMartino, Joshua Hamilton
Director : Ethan Spaulding
Original Airdate : September 15, 2006
After leaving the desert, the group and Suki attempt to lead a couple who are expecting through the dangerous Serpent's Pass. While Zuko and Iroh are on the ferry to Ba Sing Se, they meet Jet, who is trying to turn his life around. Jet takes an instant liking to Zuko and asks if he wants to join him and his Freedom Fighters.
The Drill
Writer : Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : September 15, 2006
Aang discovers a secret Fire Nation super weapon heading straight for Ba Sing Se and must stop it before it destroys the great wall that protects the city from invasion. Meanwhile, Jet wishes to recruit Zuko for his Freedom Fighters, but learns a dangerous secret about him instead.
City of Walls and Secrets
Writer : Tim Hedrick
Director : Lauren MacMullan
Original Airdate : September 22, 2006
Aang and the kids finally arrive in the Earth Kingdom's capital, Ba Sing Se, to tell the Earth King about the opportunity the coming eclipse offers to attack the Fire Nation, only to be stopped by mysterious forces within the city. Meanwhile, Jet tries to prove that Zuko and Iroh, supposedly simple refugees, are actually Firebenders.
Tales of Ba Sing Se
Writer : Aaron Ehasz
Director : Ethan Spaulding
Original Airdate : September 29, 2006
Katara and Toph have a girls' day out. Iroh helps out people in town. Aang helps a zookeeper build a new zoo. Sokka accidentally ends up in a poetry club. Zuko goes out on a date. Momo looks through Ba Sing Se for Appa.
Appa's Lost Days
Writer : Elizabeth Welch Ehasz
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : October 12, 2006
This episode starts during the events of "The Library" and shows Appa's abduction and his various adventures over the next few weeks. These include performing in a Fire Nation circus, revisiting the former site of Wan Shi Tong's library, fleeing a startled farmer, and fighting with a porcupine boar. Suki and her fellow warriors from Kyoshi Island help him recover from his injuries, then the group is also attacked. He flees to the Eastern Air Temple, where a mysterious guru provides him with aid on his search.
Lake Laogai
Writer : Tim Hedrick
Director : Lauren MacMullan
Original Airdate : November 3, 2006
The gang continues looking for Appa, so Long Feng tries to throw them off by sending Jet to make them leave the city. They meet up with Longshot and Smellerbee and realize Jet was brainwashed. Elsewhere, Zuko discovers that Aang is in the city and begins his own search for Appa.
The Earth King
Writer : John O'Bryan
Director : Ethan Spaulding
Original Airdate : November 16, 2006
The gang breaks into the Earth King's palace to talk to him about the war, Long Feng, and the Dai Li. At their new house, Zuko falls spiritually ill as his latest action has set a different course for his future.
The Guru
Writer : Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : December 1, 2006
Aang starts to learn control of the Avatar State from Guru Pathik at the Eastern Air Temple. Sokka is reunited with his father. Toph teaches herself "metalbending" while Xin Fu and Master Yu are transporting Toph back to her parents. Katara and the generals plan the invasion of the Fire Nation. Later, she sees Zuko and Iroh running their tea shop.
The Crossroads of Destiny
Writer : Aaron Ehasz
Director : Michael Dante DiMartino
Original Airdate : December 1, 2006
A coup is staged by Azula with the Dai Li and the Earth Kingdom has fallen, Aang is critically injured, Zuko betrays his uncle. The group escapes along with the Earth King and Bosco, but must now form their battle plans from scratch.

Book Three : Fire (2007-2008)

After a nine-month hiatus, the show began its third season September 21, 2007. In break from the usual airing pattern, wherein episodes air first on on Nickelodeon in the USA, several episodes aired in other countries first. Episodes six through nine were first shown in the UK, ten and eleven were first shown in the Netherlands, and twelve and thirteen were first shown in Canada. In addition, this season will feature twenty-one episodes, rather than the twenty of the prior two seasons.

The Awakening
Writer : Aaron Ehasz
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : September 21, 2007
Aang wakes up on board a Fire Nation ship with the gang, Bato and Hakoda all in Fire Nation disguises. Aang finds out what has been occurring and is told to keep his continued existence a secret until the eclipse. Zuko and Azula return home to be greeted by Fire Lord Ozai.
The Headband
Writer : John O'Bryan
Director : Joaquim dos Santos
Original Airdate : September 28, 2007
Aang and the rest steal Fire Nation clothes, but Aang finds out he stole a school uniform, and is taken to a Fire Nation school by soldiers who believe he is skipping class. Meanwhile, Zuko pleads with Iroh for advice.
The Painted Lady
Writer : Joshua Hamilton
Director : Ethan Spaulding
Original Airdate : October 5, 2007
Aang and the gang are travelling towards the Fire Lord as they come across a village that is starving. That night, a mysterious spirit comes to aid the village. As Appa falls ill, the gang is forced to remain in town for Appa to heal.
Sokka's Master
Writer : Tim Hedrick
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : October 12, 2007
In order to contribute better to the group and not feel left out, Sokka looks for a sword master to train him. Meanwhile, Iroh devises a plan to escape prison and starts exercising in secret while appearing feeble in front of the guards.
The Beach
Writer : Katie Mattila
Director : Joaquim dos Santos
Original Airdate : October 19, 2007
Zuko, Azula, Mai and Ty Lee go on vacation to Ember Island, where they learn much about themselves and one another. Meanwhile, Aang and the rest are being chased by an assassin that Zuko hires, who firebends from his mind.
The Avatar and the Firelord
Writer : Elizabeth Welch Ehasz
Director : Ethan Spaulding
Original Airdate : October 24, 2007
Aang and Zuko are taken on a parallel adventure that gives them insight into their forefathers' pasts. We learn that Avatar Roku and Fire Lord Sozin were best friends as children, but as they grew older their opinions differed.
The Runaway
Writer : Joshua Hamilton
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : October 25, 2007
Katara expresses her disapproval when Toph discovers a way to make quick cash, resulting in a rift that leaves the group in a disastrous situation.
The Puppetmaster
Writer : Tim Hedrick
Director : Joaquim Dos Santos
Original Airdate : October 25, 2007
The gang looks into strange disappearances in a spooky town. There, an old lady named Hama teaches Katara some secret waterbending techniques. Meanwhile, Toph hears strange voices calling out under a mountain.
Nightmares and Daydreams
Writer : John O'Bryan
Director : Ethan Spaulding
Original Airdate : October 26, 2007
The group arrives at the rendezvous point for the invasion four days ahead of schedule but Aang begins to get nervous about confronting the Fire Lord, leading him to have nightmares and then stop sleeping entirely. The group tries to help him relax in their own way
The Day of Black Sun Part 1: The Invasion
Writer : Michael Dante DiMartino
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : November 23, 2007
The invasion begins on the day of the eclipse, and Sokka's invasion plan carries out.
The Day of Black Sun Part 2: The Eclipse
Writer : Aaron Ehasz
Director : Joaquim dos Santos
Original Airdate : November 26, 2007
As the invasion force fights their way to the Fire Nation capital, Sokka and Toph help Aang to find the Fire Lord in time for the eclipse.
The Western Air Temple
Writer : Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Tim Hedrick
Director : Ethan Spaulding
Original Airdate : December 14, 2007
Seeking redemption and a chance to be on Team Avatar, Zuko follows Aang and his friends to the Western Air Temple. There, he desperately tries to prove to them that he's changed for the better.
The Firebending Masters
Writer : John O'Bryan
Director : Giancarlo Volpe
Original Airdate : January 4, 2008
After Zuko loses his firebending power, he and Aang go to find the origin of firebending. They then get caught by sun warriors who take them to two firebending masters where they realise the real meaning of firebending.

Avatar - The Last Airbender Character : Azula

2008-01-06T16:47:00.000-08:00

Princess Azula is a gifted Firebender and highly favored crown princess of the Fire Nation, initially bent on retrieving her exiled brother, Prince Zuko, and delivering him to their father, Fire Lord Ozai. She is accompanied on her search by her childhood friends, Mai and Ty Lee.

Azula was born to Prince Ozai and Princess Ursa around two years after her brother, Zuko. As such, she is the descendant of both Fire Lord Sozin (from Ozai) and Avatar Roku (from Princess Ursa). She is named for her grandfather, Ozai's father, Fire Lord Azulon. Azula grew up in the riches, splendor, and privileges of being royalty in the Fire Nation. Even when she was only eight years old, Azula expressed her natural talents, along with her tendency for malice and perfectionism. Her sharp wits and the prodigy she displayed towards Firebending gained her much attention and acclaim and made her Ozai's favorite child. Her father began raising her as his true heir early on, taking her into his confidence and grooming her in politics while ignoring Zuko. Azula can now also bend blue fire and lighting (since blue fire is much more deadly than red) From the quality of her ship and soldiers, her favored status was readily apparent.

She had no desire to waste time playing around like a regular girl. She was much more interested in power, suggesting that her father would make a better Fire Lord than the heir apparent, her Uncle Iroh, whom she also dubbed "a quitter and a loser" for abandoning his siege at Ba Sing Se. No love developed between her and Zuko throughout the next few years—when he was burned by their father in an Agni Kai, she watched with a savage triumph.

Book 1: Water

During one of Iroh's flashbacks in "The Storm," Azula can briefly be seen within the audience observing the Agni Kai in which Prince Zuko receives his facial scar from his father. As Iroh narrates, he looks away when his nephew is burned, but at Iroh's side are Admiral Zhao, then a Captain, and a then-unknown girl, both of whom look on eagerly. Online speculation on who she was erupted as soon as the episode aired, and her identity was revealed a month later at the 2005 San Diego Comic Con. Originally set to be at the age of fifteen and entitled "Zula", the character was revealed to be Prince Zuko's younger sister.

Azula makes a full, albeit cameo, appearance at the end of the season one finale, The Siege of the North. She is shown kneeling before her father, Fire Lord Ozai, who, after commenting that Zuko is a failure and Iroh is a traitor, charges her with a mission.

Book 2: Earth

Family Reunion

When Fire Lord Ozai branded Iroh a traitor and her brother Zuko a failure, she obeyed her father's command for her to go and capture them, as seen in the final seconds of the first season finale. Azula attempted to capture the two by luring Zuko with the false promise of being accepted as guests when they would have really been taken in as prisoners. When Zuko learned of the deception, he attacked her, but she easily manages to evade his every blow, taunting him all the way. However, she failed to finish her brother off, as Iroh redirected her lethal lightning attack away from Zuko and into a cliff face, and then kicked her off the edge of the ship.

Counseled by her twin masters Lo and Li that the royal procession was not a wise choice to accompany her on her mission, she decided to abandon the unit, opting to find and recruit her childhood friends. Ty Lee required some "convincing," but Mai was only too willing to leave the boredom of the conquered city of Omashu in favor of going on an exciting hunt—especially if it involved Zuko. While there, Azula renamed Omashu to the city of New Ozai.

A New Target

During this episode, Azula first encountered the Avatar. She and her new allies were almost able to defeat Aang and his friends, but their lack of preparation as well as a trump card delivered by a shrewd King Bumi enabled the three kids to escape. Soon after the battle, she named the Avatar as a personal target in addition to her brother.

In "The Chase," Princess Azula and her two friends relentlessly pursued the Avatar's group, using a Fire Nation tank train and Mongoose Dragons as mounts to pursue them night and day. After wearing down the group, the three decided to split up when Aang tried to lead Azula's group away from Sokka and Katara's trail. Azula sent Ty Lee and Mai to follow Sokka and Katara, while she continued chasing down the Avatar. Azula encountered the Avatar in an abandoned town and prepared to fight but was interrupted by her brother Zuko, who had tracked them and had his own plans for capturing Aang. Azula managed to fend off both of their attacks and land a knockout blow on Zuko and trap Aang beneath some fallen rubble. Katara, Sokka and Toph showed up to rescue Aang, while Iroh arrived to help Zuko. Cornered, she claimed to surrender, saying that "a princess surrenders with honor". But Azula took advantage of Iroh's momentary distraction and seriously wounded him with a bolt of blue fire, then disappeared as the four benders attacked with their respective elements.

Azula was not seen again until "The Drill" where she, along with her allies Mai and Ty Lee, were overseeing War Minister Qin's efforts to use a giant drill to break through the outer wall of Ba Sing Se. When the engineers reported an accident involving an ambushed engineer, stolen drill schematics, and further sabotage, Azula recognized that it was the work of the Avatar. She found Aang, Katara, and Sokka attempting to break the engine's braces. Aang and his gang fled. She sent Mai and Ty Lee after Katara and Sokka while Azula followed Aang. She caught Aang trying to bore a hole at the top of the drill, and they engaged in a brutal match. Her Firebending nearly overwhelmed the young Avatar, after both were knocked off the drill by a blast of slurry, Azula was only able to climb too late as Aang's impact on an earthen wedge destroyed the drill and knocked Azula away.

Fall of Ba Sing Se

Azula, Mai and Ty Lee are seen again in "Appa's Lost Days," tracking down Aang's bison, Appa, not realizing he had been separated from Aang and his friends. He was in a forest clearing being tended to by the Kyoshi Warriors, a band of elite female warriors. Azula and her friends initiated a battle with the warriors, and to protect Appa, the Kyoshi Warriors drive Appa away to escape while they distracted Azula Mai and Ty Lee. The result of the battle remains unseen, but it is apparent that the Kyoshi Warriors did not claim victory, at the conclusion of "The Earth King," the three girls are seen in stolen Kyoshi outfits and makeup, impersonating the warriors.

The Earth King, believing the girls to be Kyoshi warriors, reveals to them the treachery of the Dai Li led by Long Feng and Sokka's plan to invade the Fire Nation on the day of a solar eclipse. Additionally, by speaking of the Dai Li, the Earth King hands her an vital tool for enacting a plan to take down his city from the inside. Feigning ignorance of spying Dai Li agents, Azula and her friends plant knowledge of their affiliation with the Fire Nation and were taken to the imprisoned Long Feng as they are still loyal to him. He gave her control of the Dai Li to overthrow the government in exchange for the Avatar.

Upon discovering that Zuko and Iroh were in the city, Katara quickly approached Azula, believing her to be Suki, with the news. She realizes too late who they truly are and is swiftly dispatched by Ty Lee. Azula locked Katara in the crystal catacombs beneath the city and sent a letter to Iroh and Zuko, telling them that the Earth King wished for them to serve him tea. The pair soon fell into her trap, and were surrounded by Dai Li agents. Iroh managed to escape the palace but Zuko chose to stay and face Azula. He was quickly overwhelmed by the Dai Li and imprisoned in the same dungeon as Katara.

Azula then proceeded to unleash her coup on the city, having the Dai Li arrest the Council of Five, the Earth King's highest ranking generals, while she captured the Earth King. Sokka and Toph were arrested as well while attempting to warn the Earth King of the danger, and Azula sent them off to a metal prison cell, but the group managed to escape since Toph knew how to Metalbend out of the prison but the Earth King said that he was not going to leave without his pet bear Bosco. Entering back to the Earth King's throne, they first attack Ty Lee but she got stuck after Toph Earthbended her, but Mai didn't want to fight and told "just take the bear" since it was belonged to the Earth King. Before Toph, Sokka, and the Earth King escaped from the metal prison, Long Feng arrived with the Dai Li agents and commanded the Dai Li to arrest Azula, proclaiming a double cross. Azula explained that the Dai Li no longer knew whom to follow. She denounced him for his lack of divine right to rule. She then commanded Long Feng to bow to her. He grudgingly obliged, saying that she had beaten him at his own game. She scathingly replied that he was "never even a player."

Later on, Azula chased Aang and Katara in the crystal catacombs and engaged in battle. She was joined by Zuko, who chose to fight alongside Azula and the two overwhelmed Aang and Katara separately. Aang cleared all of his chakras and induced an avatar state. While in the Avatar State, Azula struck him from behind with lightning (during the Avatar State). Katara gathered Aang (after the lighting strike) in her arms and managed and escape with the help of Iroh who defended and attacked both the Dai Li, Zuko, and Azula. Afterwards, Iroh was promptly arrested by Dai Li, and Azula was left in control of Ba Sing Se.

Book 3: Fire

Returning Home

In "Going Home Again," a canonical interlude comic featured within the second All-Avatar Nick Mag Presents edition, Azula is shown making arrangements for their return to Fire Nation. One of which is passing her position as ruler of Ba Sing Se over to Joo Dee, whom she views as the perfect person to govern in her stead, dubbing the former tour guide Supreme Bureaucratic Administrator. Azula refuses to take no for an answer when Zuko chooses to remain in Ba Sing Se. Gathering Ty Lee, the princess schemes to use Mai and Zuko's mutual childhood crushes to entice her brother's decision. With the false report of a meeting with a Admiral Liang, she sets the two up on a Fire Nation dinner date, with Dai Li agents serving as waiters. However, Zuko overhears Azula and Ty Lee giggling in the nearby bushes. The princess attempts to catch herself, claiming that she was just telling Ty Lee to stop messing around in the bushes. Neither Zuko nor Mai buys into the tale and leave off on a private walk around Ba Sing Se.

The following day, while boarding the ships, Azula looks on at Zuko and Mai speaking affectionately with one another and concludes that her plan seems to have been successful after all. She turns to her chained uncle and wonders aloud if the prisoner will even survive the trip home. As she bids her brother farewell, Zuko suddenly makes the resolve to come with them back to the Fire Nation.

Upon returning home, Azula and Zuko are welcomed with open arms by the people with a rally held in their honor to praise their successful efforts at the Earth Kingdom capital. Later Azula and Zuko converse about Zuko's long-awaited meeting with their father. When Zuko meets his father, it is revealed that Azula misinformed Ozai that he was the one who killed the Avatar. When confronted, Azula claims that she saw how worried Zuko was about not having the Avatar and decided to give him credit for his demise out of a generous gesture to repay his aid in the takeover of Ba Sing Se. Zuko, in disbelief accuses her of having an ulterior motive. Azula points out how letting him have all the glory over slaying the Avatar could do little to benefit her, but acknowledges the fact that should it be discovered that the Avatar was indeed alive, all that glory would swiftly turn into shame and foolishness.

Later on, after interrupting a picnic between him and Mai, Azula easily manages to trick Zuko into admitting that he had been making visits to Iroh's cell. Azula seemingly expresses concern for her brother, warning him that if others were to discover that he and Iroh were meeting, it would be assumed that they were plotting together.

In "The Beach," Azula, Mai, Ty Lee, and Zuko travel to Ember Island for a vacation while the Fire Lord privately confers with his advisors. Azula takes advantage of this opportunity to experience life as a normal person, choosing to keep her and Zuko's identity a secret. At a party the group attended, Azula confides in Ty Lee that she is jealous of how popular Ty Lee is with boys. She takes advice that Ty Lee gives her on attracting attention, but quickly reverts to her usual persona, scaring away possible suitors. Later, Azula plays the role of interpreter as Ty Lee, Mai and Zuko take turns telling stories of their personal inner turmoil. When her turn comes, Azula states she doesn't have a sob story. But does softly admit that she was aware that her mother loved Zuko more and thought she was a monster, but callously adds that her mother was right. As a testament of their special day, Azula leads the others into trashing the host's home.

The Day of Black Sun

A few minutes after the beginning of the solar eclipse, as Aang, Toph, and Sokka manage to locate and burst into the Fire Lord's underground bunker, they are confounded to instead find Azula. She reveals that she's known about the invasion for months (she found this out when the Earth King told them, believing them to be The Warriors of Kyoshi) and is fully prepared to face and delay the attackers. Azula has two Dai Li agents she brought back from Ba Sing Se attack the trio while she runs away, closely pursued by Aang, Sokka and Toph. Once the agents have been defeated and Azula is cornered, Sokka realizes that she's merely wasting their time and that they should just forget her in favor of searching for Ozai. As they start to leave, Azula mentions Suki to Sokka, stating that she gave up hope on him ever rescuing her from her imprisonment. This revelation promptly makes Sokka charge at her in blind rage. Azula pulls out a shuriken, but Toph senses it and pins her to the wall. Sokka furiously demands to know where Suki is while Azula simply remains silent. When the eclipse ends, Azula breaks her restraints and coyly informs the trio of Ozai's precise location before running down the hall. As the invasion draws to a close, the princess is shown observing the Avatar and his friends escape aboard Appa from her airship. However, she chooses not give pursuit, knowing that sooner or later, they'll be back. During Azula's confrontation with the group, Zuko confronts his father, Ozai, and tells him that Azula lied to him by saying that Zuko killed the Avatar, when in reality Azula struck down the Avatar and managed to survive in the end. In addition to this, Azula did not attempt to kill the Avatar when he and his friends attacked the capital. What Ozai did or plans on doing to his daughter remains to be seen.

Prolog : Avatar - The Last Airbender

2008-01-06T00:12:00.000-08:00

Avatar 降卋(世)神通 (Jiàngshì Shéntōng - The divine medium who has descended upon the mortal world) : The Last Airbender takes place in a fantasy world, home to humans, fantastic animals, and supernatural spirits. Human civilization is divided into four nations—the Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, the Air Nomads, and the Fire Nation. Within each nation, an order of men and women called "Benders" have the ability to manipulate their native element. These Bending arts combine a certain style of martial arts and elemental mysticism. The Bending types are Waterbending, Earthbending, Firebending, and Airbending.

In each generation, one person is capable of Bending all four elements; this is the Avatar, the spirit of the planet manifested in human form. When the Avatar dies, he or she is reincarnated into a baby native in the next of the four nations in the Avatar Cycle, which parallels the seasons: winter for water, spring for earth, summer for fire, and autumn for air. While legend holds that the Avatar must master the elements in order, starting with their native element, this can sometimes be compromised when the situation requires it. Learning to bend the element opposite one's native element is extremely difficult because opposing Bending arts are based on opposing fighting styles and doctrines. Firebending and Waterbending are opposites, as are Earthbending and Airbending.

The Avatar possesses a unique power that resides within him or her, called the Avatar State. It is a defense mechanism that empowers the Avatar with the skills and knowledge of all the past Avatars. When the state is reached, the current Avatar will be able to wield the combined power of all past lives. When the Avatar enters this state, his or her eyes and mouth, and tattoos in the case of an Airbender, begin to glow. The glow is the representation of all the Avatar's previous incarnations focusing their energy through his or her body. However, if the Avatar is killed in the Avatar State, then the reincarnation cycle will be broken, and the Avatar will cease to exist.

Through the ages, countless incarnations of the Avatar have served to keep the four nations in harmony and maintain world order. The Avatar also serves as the bridge between the physical world and the Spirit World, home of the world's disembodied spirits.

Avatar - The Last Airbender Character: (Uncle) Iroh

2008-01-05T10:26:00.001-08:00

General Iroh, also called Prince Iroh or Uncle Iroh, (a.k.a The Dragon of the West)is a Firebending master, former Crown Prince and heir to the Fire Nation throne, retired General of the Fire Nation, and older brother of Fire Lord Ozai. Iroh accompanied his exiled nephew Zuko on his quest to capture Aang, the long-lost Avatar, in order to restore the young prince's honor and rights to the throne.

Iroh was the firstborn son of Fire Lord Azulon and Fire Lady Ilah. He was long said to have slain the last dragon, but Iroh lied in order to preserve the remaining two that he found. Iroh was destined to succeed Azulon as Fire Lord of the Fire Nation, but because of the mysterious events surrounding Azulon's death, and Iroh's abandonment of the siege on Ba Sing Se to grieve for his son, Lu Ten, Iroh's younger brother Ozai succeeded to the throne.

Three years before the start of the series, an indulgent Iroh allowed his beloved nephew to observe a meeting of Ozai's war council—a mistake he would soon come to regret. In the council, Zuko spoke out against a general who planned to sacrifice an entire division of novice troops in battle as a diversionary tactic. Though Iroh silently agreed with young Zuko's assessment, the Fire Lord demanded that Zuko participate in a fire duel, the Agni Kai, for his insubordination. Zuko accepted, under the mistaken impression he would be dueling the General he'd insulted. However, because Zuko had spoken out in his father's war room, Zuko had disrespected his father. Iroh bore witness in the audience when Zuko fell to his knees in the arena, pleading for forgiveness and refusing to duel his own father. When Iroh's brother badly burned his own son's face, permanently scarring him as punishment for his cowardice and disrespect, Iroh looked away, unable to stand the sight.

Zuko was afterward stripped of his birthright and exiled from the Fire Nation. However, one condition could restore his honor and throne and allow him to return home. Zuko was instructed to find and capture the Avatar. The Avatar was a perpetually reincarnated spirit of the planet manifested in human form, master of all four elements, and maintainer of balance between the Four Nations. This powerful being was the only threat to the Fire Nation's victory in its imperialist war against the other nations. Yet the Avatar had vanished a century ago—shortly before the Fire Nation's first strike. Three generations had conducted fruitless searches, and Zuko was to be sent on a quest that seemed little more than a fool's errand.

Book 1: Water

Undeterred, Zuko sought to do the impossible, and Iroh accompanied him. The pair spent two years at sea, searching in vain for any sign of the supercentenarian Airbender the Fire Sages had described. Though Iroh was resigned to the futility of their mission, and whittled away his days with games, finally a day came when a strange beacon lit the skies off the coast of the South Pole. When Zuko investigated, he discovered that the Avatar had reappeared at last. Improbably, the long-sought old man was actually Aang, a twelve-year-old boy recently woken from a hundred years of suspended animation. Thrown off-guard, Zuko underestimated the boy, who managed to escape their grasp. Zuko and Iroh quickly engaged in hot pursuit, tracking the Avatar and his friends across the globe. Upon reaching the North Pole, Iroh forsakes his hope of ever returning home when he attacks Admiral Zhao in an attempt to save the Spirit of the Moon, thus assisting the Avatar and the Northern Water Tribe in repelling the Fire Nation invasion.

Book 2: Earth

At the beginning of Season Two, Iroh and Zuko have been branded traitors to the Fire Nation. During a confrontation with Azula, they learn of a plot to capture them and return them home imprisoned. Having escaped from Azula's nearly victorious trap, Iroh and Zuko cut their hair to symbolize their new life as fugitives unable to return home. The two later took refuge in random Earth Kingdom towns acting as homeless beggars. While Iroh was able to adjust to a life of simplicity, humility, and poverty, Zuko was not, and Iroh soon suspected that Zuko had been obtaining items for their day-to-day life by theft. The older man attempted to persuade his nephew that those who maintain hope in the face of adversity are the ones with true strength. However, Zuko thought otherwise, and the two separated. They were soon reunited, as Iroh covertly followed Zuko to assist him if needed. When Zuko got in over his head in a three-way battle with Aang and Azula, Iroh intervened, as did Aang's companions. The six of them confronted Azula together, but she managed to wound Iroh with a fire blast to the chest, and escape.

After recovering from his injury, Iroh decided to teach Zuko the advanced Firebending techniques he would need to defeat Azula. He first tried to teach Zuko how to create lightning, but his nephew's emotional turmoil prevented him from making progress with the difficult art. Instead, Iroh taught Zuko a technique of his own creation—to absorb and redirect lightning, which he developed after studying Waterbenders. Zuko soon demanded that Iroh attack him with lightning so that he can redirect it, but Iroh refused to perform such a dangerous test.

Iroh is a grand master of the secret society, the Order of the White Lotus; although what the group represents or does has yet to be seen. The Order of the White Lotus has members spread far and wide across the world—even in desolate remote villages of the Earth Kingdom. Iroh and Zuko sought their aid in avoiding the bounty hunters Master Yu and Xin-Fu, who temporarily decided to seek the two fugitives from the Firebending nation rather than pursue the Avatar and Toph. Since the people who protected Iroh appeared to be of the Earth Kingdom, the organization of the group may itself be independent of any particular nation. Also, the White Lotus appears to have at least some degree of bureaucratic influence, as it managed, on short notice, to produce fake passports and other paperwork to smuggle Iroh and Zuko into Ba Sing Se.

With help from the Order of the White Lotus, Iroh and Zuko are able to make their way to Ba Sing Se as refugees. Once inside, Iroh gets them jobs at a tea shop. During the episode "The Tales of Ba Sing Se," Iroh spends a day shopping in the city. In this episode, Iroh is displayed as a teacher as he grants wisdom and help to all those he encounters during his day of shopping. He later holds a small memorial service for Lu Ten, marking his late son's birthday, and tearfully noting he wished he could have helped Lu Ten.

After weeks in Ba Sing Se, Iroh is given the chance to run his own tea shop, but Zuko has other plans. When Zuko attempts to capture Appa, Iroh confronts Zuko and tells him rather bluntly to stop trying to live the life people say he has to live. Iroh convinces Zuko to give up his alias as the Blue Spirit and takes care of his nephew when Zuko is stricken by the negative effects of the mental metamorphosis caused by Zuko's actions, after which he becomes more cheerful, becomes more optimistic towards a new life in Ba Sing Se. Iroh remains confident in Zuko and believes that Zuko will become the prince he was meant to be.

When Azula offered Zuko a chance to reclaim his honor by helping take over the Earth Kingdom capital, he agrees. Iroh was last seen defending the wounded Avatar and Katara, giving them time to escape before he peacefully allowed himself to be captured. Iroh makes eye contact with Zuko before turning away, expressing shame at his nephew's decision.

Book 3: Fire

In the episode "The Headband," Zuko secretly visits Iroh, who has been imprisoned in a tower. After threatening the guard to keep silent about the visit, Zuko attempts to talk to his uncle, only to have Iroh turn away from him and say nothing. Zuko later brings food to Iroh and asks for his help. He continues his silence, causing Zuko to become angry and storm from the room. A single tear then rolls down Iroh's face.

As displayed in "Sokka's Master," Iroh has been misleading the guards by acting senile and delusional, in order to make them believe that their once great commander has fallen from grace and is now nothing more than a crazy old man. In reality, however, he is just as wise and wily as ever, and has been secretly exercising in confinement. Through this intensive training, it is displayed that Iroh has become significantly more muscular in comparison to his former physique.

It is implied that Iroh had resources despite his confinement, as he managed to deliver a message to Zuko in "The Avatar and the Firelord." When his nephew confronts in regards to the purpose of the message, Iroh at last responds. Iroh informs Zuko that he is a descendant of Avatar Roku, and that he believes Zuko can be the one to right the sins their family has brought. To commemorate this, Iroh provides Zuko with the antique headpiece once worn by his forefather, as it is supposed to be worn by the Crown Prince, another example of how influential and how many contacts Iroh may have to fall into the possession of the missing headpiece lost in the times of Avatar Roku whilst being held in prison.. During the episode "Day of Black Sun," Iroh (off-screen) breaks himself out of prison and single-handedly defeats the prison guards. The defeated warden tells Zuko, who intended to free his uncle himself, that Iroh was like a "one-man army". Zuko left to join the Avatar afterwards, and presumably he assumes that Iroh is safe somewhere else.