ONE
Our gang rests on an island while everybody reunites with Appa.
TWO
Sokka argues that, after so much success, they should return and meet with the Earth King. It’s always been his objective to seek help against the Fire Nation, and he eventually convinces the rest of the gang to join him.
THREE
In the distance, ships sail the lake. Aang says the Dai Li are looking for them.
FOUR
Up they go on Appa, Toph clutching fur in fear because they no longer have a saddle. As they fly over Ba Sing Se, earth benders throw rock missiles at them. Aang, with masterful bending, defends them until they land in front of the palace. They must fight their way forward. Toph and Katara are at peak bending powers. All the soldiers don’t stand a chance. Inside the palace, Sokka looks for the King while the others continue to fight.
Transition to Iroh and Zuko returning to their apartment. Still shaken from his generous decision to free Appa, Zuko wavers and falls ill.
Meanwhile, Sokka’s found the impressive door to the throne room. Aang air bends it open. There sits the Earth King, but before anyone can speak, Long Feng steps between them. They’ve invaded the palace. The Earth King doesn’t trust them. In response, Aang drops his glider as a peaceful gesture. The Dai Li bend rock shackles around their wrists and Long Feng gives an evil grin. He orders his henchmen to restrain the Avatar. “The Avatar?” the Earth King asks. Aang, tossing off the rock handcuffs, waves happily to the Earth King, then bends his cuffs back in place. The Earth King isn’t sure what to think until his bear, Bosco, nuzzles Aang, who giggles.
Despite Bosco’s approval, the King listens to his advisor, disbelieving there could be a war. Long Feng, disputing that a sky bison could even exist, orders the gang to be taken. Aang blows an air blast that lifts Long Feng’s robes, showing the rectangular tooth bite Appa gave him on his leg. So, one of their claims proves true. They’re no longer under arrest, but the Earth King still doubts their story.
Cut to Zuko sweating in bed. Iroh nurses him through his fever.
The Earth King, much to his subjects’ shock, rides the train to the Outer Wall. He’s never left the palace before. While Aang rides nearby on Appa, Sokka and Katara take the King to see Lake Laogai. On the shore, though, they find that the entrance to the tunnels has been destroyed. They have no proof. The damage to the Outer Wall, they decide, can’t be covered up. It’s Sokka who realizes that a ride there on Appa will be irresistible to the King.
SWITCH
Cut to the Earth King screaming in terror as he rides on Appa.
FIVE
Zuko has fever dreams. He’s back in the Fire Nation palace, sitting on the throne. He has no scar. Two dragons twine around the columns behind him, the Blue one (Azula) advising “Fire Lord Zuko” to rest. The Red Dragon (Iroh) urges him to resist. Zuko closes his eyes. “Sleep, like mother!” the Blue Dragon threatens. Zuko watches his mother scream and disappear.
Meanwhile, Appa has reached the wall. The broken down Fire Nation drill still penetrates the outer layer. They land on the wall where the King can look down on the drill and realize what he’s missed. Long Feng arrives, explaining the drill as a construction project. The Earth King finally doubts him, and orders his arrest.
Back at the palace, the King thanks the gang for opening his eyes. Now that they have his attention, they explain about the comet and the solar eclipse that precedes it. Sokka encourages the King to invade the Fire Nation on the Day of Black Sun when they’ll be helpless. The King agrees, and the gang celebrates.
Entering is General How. He’s found something in Long Feng’s office: secret files. In a chest are letters that Long Feng intercepted. Toph’s mother is in the city. Aang is given the note the Hermit Guru had attached to Appa’s horn. Sokka and Katara have no private letter, but there is a report of a small fleet of Water Tribe ships protecting Chameleon Bay led by . . . their father!
Iroh prepares tea for Zuko, whose fever has broken. His sickness is unnatural, a result of his critical decision under the lake. His own mind and body are at war.
SIX
The gang sits in Long Feng’s office, contemplating their letters. The Guru can teach Aang to control the Avatar state. Sokka and Katara have found their dad’s location. Toph’s mother wants to reconcile.
SEVEN
They’ll need to split up and go separate ways.
EIGHT
All of their efforts are to organize the invasion. Katara will stay with the King so Sokka can finally see his father.
As they say goodbye, Aang decides he needs to talk to Katara. Before he can admit his feelings for her, though, Sokka bursts in, ready to leave with him. (Aang and Appa will drop him at Chameleon Bay, which is on the way to the Air Temple.)
Guards come and announce to the King, who is here to send off the gang, that visitors are here: the Kyoshi Warriors. Sokka exclaims that they’re wonderful and trustworthy.
At the final goodbye, Katara hugs Aang and kisses his cheek. The guys mount up, and Appa flies them away.
Zuko wakes, his sickness over.
Sokka, as they fly, tells Aang that everything’s looking great.
NINE
Transition from their positive attitude to a dungeon cell. A guard brings Long Feng his dinner, revealing that the Dai Li remain loyal to him.
Toph goes to visit her mother, but the house is empty. Large metal jaws drop from the ceiling and trap her. It’s Master Yu and Xin Fu who’ve finally tracked her down for the reward.
In front of the palace the King greets the three Kyoshi Warriors. Close-up on their faces in make-up as they look at him. It’s Azula with Mai and Ty Lee.
CRITICAL NOTES
Textbook structure. In the Four, the Earth King doubts. In the Five, he’s part of the team. At the Three, the Dai Li are a threat. At the Six, they are (seemingly) defeated. Sokka’s push at the Two to approach the Earth King about war resolves at the Eight when the gang must separate in order to plan and execute a battle against the Fire Nation. All of this is wonderfully tidy.
Zuko has his own arc; although it’s not tied to any of the beats, we can tell that his transition from conflicted to settled will be immensely important. We’re left wondering what he’ll do. Meanwhile, the Nine sets up consequential events for the episode to come. We are compelled to binge watch forward.