Avatar Episode : The Serpent's Pass

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

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

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

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...