ONE
The team arrives at the city of Omashu. Later it will become clear that they’re only here for Aang to have fun on his way to the North Pole. They have no other agenda at this point.
TWO
Aang knows he wants to stop at Omashu because he’s been here before. His friend, Bumi, lived here. More memories come later, but this is the introduction of a character critical to the episode and to the Eight. Trouble.
THREE
The arrow tattoos will be recognized, so Aang must wear a disguise. Using Appa’s itchy fur, the team crafts a wig and mustache that turn Aang into an old man.
FOUR
This is our first look at the Earth Kingdom and its bending style. Part of the Four is a tutorial, or exhibition, of what earth benders can do. Walls part, doors peel out of a rock wall, and boulders hang overhead as a threat. It’s a very rooted style of martial arts, beautifully rendered.
The city, built in tiers up a mountain, uses a slide system to deliver cargo and goods. Earth benders send the items up, and gravity brings crates down from the palace level. Aang’s here to use the slide as a roller coaster ride, basically. He and Bumi did this long ago when they were children together.
Of course it goes wrong and the team destroys half the city during their ride. They’re arrested and brought before the King.
If you know where this story is going (and, as I’ve seen it many times, I do), then it’s fun to watch the King’s reaction to meeting Aang. He declares him the Avatar and prepares to set some challenges for tomorrow.
SWITCH
The team, prisoners for all intents and purposes, rests.
FIVE
Aang awakens alone. When he meets with the King, Katara and Sokka are shown. They wear “creeping crystal” rings, which will encase them in stone over time.
The first challenge involves retrieving a key from inside a waterfall. The second involves the King’s pet, Flopsy. Aang struggles with each and then triumphs. The quests are strange. Meanwhile, crystal has gone from covering the forearm to blocking the whole body. Sokka’s face, surrounded by purple rock, is played for humor.
The last challenge is three men, two warrior-looking dudes and the King. Aang must choose his opponent for a duel.
SIX
The King in his robes is hunched over and decrepit. In a minute we’ll see that he is in disguise as an enfeebled old man.
SEVEN
Aang chooses the King as his opponent.
This is a perfect Seven. If he’d chosen one of the other guys, I think the challenges would’ve continued endlessly. Aang must face off against the King at the finale, and this Seven stops the endless Five and moves the story onward.
EIGHT
Tossing off his robes, the King stands tall. He’s ripped lol! Still old, he’s in excellent shape and is the most accomplished earth bender in the kingdom.
As the two battle each other we learn how wonderful earth bending can be. What we saw at the Four was more practical; this is the true fighting showcase. Aang, running in a circle, creates a twister to suck in the flying rocks and end the challenge.
But there’s still one more question: What is my name?
After thinking, Aang realizes. It’s Bumi. The wall-eye, the snort-laugh, the Mad Genius way of thinking . . . I don’t remember how soon I recognized him on my first viewing. All the clues are there, though. Bumi, of course, knew Aang immediately. He’s just been messing with him this whole time.
NINE
Bumi and Aang go on one last ride down the slide delivery system.