This is one of those episodes we always remember. The introduction of the Kyoshi Warriors is a beloved moment.
ONE
We start with Zuko on his ship. Hilariously, he — the angriest person in the show — meditates peacefully at a candle-lit altar. We know it won’t last long. Uncle Iroh pops in, disturbing Zuko, to tell him the Avatar is nowhere to be found. Zuko reacts and fire erupts from the altar. Multiple sightings have been reported, but nothing certain. Zuko says the Avatar is a master of evasive maneuvers.
TWO
Jump cut, and you know exactly where this is going. It’s funny! Team Avatar looks at a map and their crisscross journey. They have no idea where they’re going. It’s the punchline to the One, but it’s also the Trouble. Their haphazard travels, purposeless beyond meeting Aang’s bucket list, are not something the Avatar can safely do. He needs to focus on his mission. This Two (and its Eight) help clarify that tension.
THREE
Katara, riding on Appa, mends Sokka’s pants. Sokka makes a provocative comment about girls and sewing, and Katara throws the pants at his head.
This is a strange Three, if it can even be called that. However, the next moment is Four-stuff, so this is what we have.
FOUR
Aang wants to surf-ride the elephant koi near an island stop. This episode has a lot of Aang moments where he seeks Katara’s attention and she’s not looking. While he’s showing off on the koi, a large shadow looms. A huge fin breaks the surface. Aang air bends back to shore in a rush.
Here come the Kyoshi warriors. They ambush the team and capture them. The confrontation leads Aang to the giant Kyoshi statue and the admission that he’s the Avatar. Well, that changes things! They are made welcome and feted.
SWITCH
A montage shows the news spreading about the Avatar. Fishermen trade, ships travel, and Zuko hears.
FIVE
Sokka, humiliated he was captured by “girls”, faces the warriors. After Suki defeats him Sokka comes back and apologizes, humbly asking her to train him. As part of the lesson Sokka must don the face paint and skirted uniform. He protests, but then he does it. This look will disguise him later.
Meanwhile, Katara and Aang fight over his increasingly fawning popularity with the village youth. Katara thinks it’s time to leave. Aang wants to ride the Unagi (the huge-finned monster in the water). Not really, but he’s looking to impress everyone. When the Unagi surfaces it beats up Aang. Katara must emergency water bend him out of danger.
SIX
As Aang lies unconscious Katara bends water from his lungs, waking him. Zuko’s boat lands on the island; Aang must be ready to fight.
I’m not happy with this Three/Six. Visually, it has no mirror. All I can grab is that Katara (and her role within the team) is underappreciated at the Three and saves the day at the Six.
SEVEN
Zuko on a rhino-lizard mount waits in the center of town and calls out the Avatar. Aang, fresh from his near-drowning, comes to him.
EIGHT
Battles commence. The most brilliant moment is when Aang borrows the Kyoshi warrior fans and uses them to air slam Zuko backward. As he takes to his glider, Aang gets a bird’s eye view of the village, which is on fire. This sweet place is ruined.
Sokka, who’s been fighting as a member of the Kyoshi warriors, gets a cheek-kiss from Suki.
The team decides to leave as the best way to save the village. Zuko will follow them, they (correctly) deduce. One last idea, though: Aang successfully rides the Unagi, using its water-spitting attack to dowse the burning village.
NINE
Zuko’s all wet.
The team hug each other and fly away.