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.
