This episode is available in Book 2: Earth, Volume 4 DVD, along with, Lake Laogai, The Earth King, The Guru, and The Crossroads of Destiny. (edit) On March 27, 2007, this episode received a Genesis Award from The Humane Society of the United States in the category "Outstanding Children's Programming," which the HSUS Genesis Award press release described as "...a mythical tale about animals held captive for human entertainment that resonates with the way animals are used in circuses today." (edit) It would appear Appa is omnivorous. This is shown when he tries to eat a large egg, and previously shown eating things like hay. (edit) A jackalope, a mythical rabbit with the horns of an antelope, is seen in this episode. (edit) According to Nick.com, the Guru is 150 years old, being therefore older than Aang. (edit) The Eastern Air Temple was where the airbending women resided, in contrast to the Northen and the Southern temples, which were exclusively male. (edit) According to Nick.com the female airbender we see is called Iio. (edit) The Water Tribe man seen gasping as Appa flies above his boat is in fact Hakoda, Katara and Sokka's father. (edit) This is the third flashback episode; the first episode was The Storm, and the second was Zuko Alone. (edit) During Appa's fight with the porcupine-boar, he throws a tree trunk at it, suggesting that, like Momo, Appa has opposable thumbs. (edit) Apparently, the Guru is a man who is waiting on the Avatar to tell or teach him something of the upmost importance. (edit) Long Feng is revealed to be an earthbender in this episode. (edit) Hero Debut: Guru Pathik (edit) This is the fifth time a character's name has been used for the title (Appa); the first four being Roku, Jet, Bato, and Zuko. (edit) Appa can fly without the use of his legs, since from the time of his escape up to when the Kyoshi Warriors find him, he can fly well with his tail, and very restricted movement from his legs, meaning that his tail may be the main source of his flight abilities, which he also uses for attacking. (edit) Appa has been captured by Long Feng who lured Appa to him by using a high-pitched whistle and then earthbended Appa underground with him. (edit) Because of his ordeals, Appa developed xenophobia (fear of strangers or that which is foreign) and pyrophobia (fear of fire). (edit) The fight between the Kyoshi Warriors and Azula's group is left on a cliffhanger, the last scene featuring Suki facing off against Azula before freezing and closing, the much like what occured during the fight between Jet and Zuko in City of Walls and Secrets. (edit) This is the second time the Kyoshi warriors have made an appearance, the third time Suki has appeared. (edit) It is revealed that Appa is currently in Ba Sing Se, albeit underneath the city, within the possession of the Dai Li. (edit) Apparently, flying bison can "airbend" by blowing streams of air through their mouths. (edit) It is revealed that the stolen Hami Tribe "Sand Sailer" that Aang and the rest discovered and used to travel through The Desert, was buried by none other than Appa. And that it was in fact Gashuin who stole the Sand Sailer in the first place. (edit) The Eastern Air Temple is seen in this episode, and it's revealed that Aang first met Appa there. In The Storm, this was the temple Aang was supposed to be sent to be trained. According to the Guru, whom he met there, he had a vision years ago Aang and Appa would need him. (edit) This episode introduced several new weapons used by the Kyoshi Warriors. In addition to their trademark fans, they also use a kind of folding shield (capable of deflecting even Azula's blue flames) and katanas. (edit) Appa trusts Suki because he recognizes the apple, which looks like the same type of apple Aang gave him when they became "partners." (edit) The footprint from the previous episode is revealed to be of Appa being sent underground, which also explains why when Aang called on his whistle Appa didn't come running. It also explains why Long Feng in City of Walls and Secrets says that if Aang ever wants to find Appa, he will cooperate. (edit) The Guru locates Aang by focusing on his unique energy, the exact same way that Aang found Appa in The Swamp, disproving Sokka's theory from that episode, disregarding Aang and Appa's spiritual bond as "Avatar stuff." (edit) This episode reveals several people whom Appa comes across who are all interconnected: Iroh, Azula, Ty Lee, Mai, Suki, The Warriors of Kyoshi and the Guru. (edit) This is the first appearance of Azula, Mai, or Ty Lee since The Drill. (edit) Suki and the Kyoshi warriors make it their duty to bring Appa back to Aang, but are forced to separate from him by the arrival of and fight with Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee. (edit) Appa visits the Eastern Air Temple. Like the Southern Air Temple, it is completely deserted, save the animal inhabitants and one sole human occupant. (edit) The Shirshu from Bato of the Water Tribe is mentioned in this episode. It is also revealed that the secretion from its tongue can be used to make effective tranquilizer darts. (edit) It is revealed that Iroh briefly witnessed Appa fly over him and Zuko. When questioned by Zuko, Iroh reluctantly chooses to tell him that he saw nothing. (edit) This is the second episode that focuses entirely on a single character, the first one being Zuko Alone. (edit) This marks the first time a female Airbender has had a speaking role, and also the first time we've been given an extended look at one. It also appears that the front part of their heads are shaved in order to place the Blue Arrow (edit) We see a younger, smaller Appa through a flashback in this episode, as well as a much younger Aang. (edit) Numerous scenes from The Desert were shown from Appa's point of view in this episode, most noticeably the one in which Aang created a massive mushroom cloud of sand out of frustration for failing to find him.
It also clears up the mystery of how Toph recognized Ghashiun's voice, as Appa's capture was longer and more detailed. (edit) We meet the Guru in this episode. He is apparently a spiritual teacher of some kind who Aang was supposed to meet. (edit) We see how Appa and Aang met. Apparently the kids get to pick which flying bison they want by getting friendly/getting to know them. (edit) Precisely four weeks have passed since the events that occured in The Library. (edit) This episode ended eerily similar to the previous, at the scene of Appa's footprint. (edit)

(Appa flies overhead)
Iroh: Oooh!!
Zuko: (triedly) Uncle? What are you looking at? Is there something out there?
Iroh: Ahhh...it's nothing. Go back to sleep... (edit) Suki (reassuringly to Appa): It’s gonna be ok Appa. I have to leave, but I am gonna be back soon with help. (edit) Kyoshi Warrior: I can't believe you found the Avatar's bison. Didn't you just see the Avatar a few days ago?
Suki: Yes, so he can't be too far from here. It's our responsibility to get Appa back to him safely. This could be our most important mission yet. (edit) Fire Nation Man: I am gonna get a bag of sizzle-crisps. Stay here and stay away from that monster. Behave yourself, or you’ll regret it. (edit) Circus Trainer (softly): Oh. I understand you’ve had a rather hard time lately. That’s too bad. You probably felt you had no choice but to behave outrageously. Like a wild animal. But don’t worry, you won’t anymore. (in a sinister voice) Because I am going to break you. (edit) First Beetle Merchant: We’ve gotta get rid of this one! He’s too much trouble.
Second Beetle Merchant: We could sell him for parts. (edit) Ghashuin (calling back): He’s your problem now. (laughs)
Second Beetle Merchant: What!?
(Appa rocks the sled side-to-side and breaks the ropes with his tail, flipping over the beetle that is supposed to transport him)
First Beetle Merchant (shouting): We need the shirshu spit darts!
Second Beetle Merchant (whips out a blowgun): Got em’! Ok big fella, you’re gonna take a nice little snoozle. (edit) First Beetle Merchant: How’s his temper?
Ghashuin: Uhhhh, pretty good.
(Appa roars ferociously)
Ghashuin: Uh, most of the time.
Second Beetle Merchant (to the first merchant): I bet someone will pay a fortune for him in Ba Sing Se.
First Beetle Merchant: All right. You’ve got a deal. (edit) (Flashback of Aang as a child offering an apple to a pup version of Appa. Appa accepts the apple and tackles Aang)
Aang: I guess this means we'll always be together. (End flashback to present day Aang at Serpent's Pass. Still asleep, laughs) Always. (edit) Mai (after pinning a surprised Kyoshi warrior to a tree): You're so colorful, its making me nauseous. (throws more stilettos) (edit) Suki (Waving a flaming branch to keep Appa away): Get out of here! You have to find Aang! We'll be okay! (edit) Guru (to a grumbling Appa): I know I'm not the person you expected... and I didn't expect to be licked by a giant tongue just now. Life is full of surprises! (edit) Azula: Afraid of fire I see. That's good - you should be. (edit) Ty Lee (to a Kyoshi Warrior): You are not prettier than we are. (edit) Suki: If you're looking for the Avatar, you're out of luck.
Mai (sighs): I knew this was gonna be a waste of time.
Azula: No Avatar huh? Well, that's okay, any friend of the Avatar (attacks) is an enemy of mine! (edit) Azula (to Appa, holding up a handful of his fur droppings): My, my you're easy to find. It's astounding my brother hasn't captured you yet. (edit) (Suki pulls out fan to prepare for Azula's attack)
Azula: Don't you know fans just make flames stronger? (edit) Suki (to Azula): What do you want with us?
Azula (to the Kyoshi Warriors): Who are you, the Avatar's fangirls?
(Ty Lee first confused than finally gets it)
Ty Lee: Oh I get it! Good one Azula. (edit)

The Boar-Q-Pine while first charging at Appa has white lumps on its nose bridge, but later on they are missing. (edit) When Mai jumps from her lizard's saddle, we can see she is missing her wrist harnesses and her gloves. (edit) The audience members surrounding the FN boy at the circus constantly change. (edit) Mai's gloves are missing while she is sitting on her Mongoose-Dragon with Azula and Ty Lee but reappear while she is fighting the Kyoshi Warriors. (edit) When Azula disarms Suki of her katana in mid-attack, her wrist shield is missing. It then returns in the next shot. (edit) During Appa's flashback when he and Aang first meet and Aang offers him the apple, a brown patch of fur appears next to his front right leg, close to his right ear, when Appa sniffs the apple; and then vanishes after he finishes eating it. (edit) Shirshu spit darts are used to subdue Appa by the Beetle-head merchants. However only two or three darts are used and they strike Appa's foot. In "Bato of the Water Tribe", Jun's Shirshu struck Appa many more times close to his head before Appa finally collapsed. (edit) Appa's "bed head" doesn't appear until after Guru Pathik makes mention of it. (edit) The Kyoshi Warriors are given much more diversity in this episode. While in "The Warriors of Kyoshi", virtually all of the warriors besides Suki looked completely identical, here no two are shown to have the same facial features, headband, or even hairstyle. (edit) When the Sandbenders ransack Appa's cargo, a sleeping bag, Sokka's club, and the umbrella received from Aunt Wu is among the discarded. (edit)

Azula: And who are you? The Avatar's fangirls?

This statement seems to have a duel meaning- making a pun of the fact that the Kyoshi warriors use fans as weapons; And the fact that a person who follows and is a fan of a show is known as a fanboy or a fangirl depending on the gender. (edit) Once again, a reference to the work of Hayao Miyazaki is made within the show. The large "boar-q-pine" that fought with Appa for the refuge of a cave resembled that of the giant boars from Princess Mononoke in size and appearence, as well as brute strength and rash, extremely territorial behavior. (edit) The tribe that had a sandsailer stolen was named 'Hami', which could mean the Family of Ham. Ham (father of Canaan), along with the other sons of Noah, Shem and Japheth, was rescued from The Great Flood of Genesis in The Ark. (edit) Disregarding his beard, Guru Pathik bears a strong resemblence to Gandhi. (edit) The scene where Appa is backed into a corner by a woman holding a torch is an allusion to Frankenstein's monster and his fear of fire. (edit) Bushido
Along with geisha and tessenjutsu, the martial art of fan fighting, the warriors of Kyoshi also appear to be heavily influenced by Bushido, the Japanese code of conduct and way of life that especially applied to samurai, similar to the European concept of chivalry. This is displayed by their nobility and responsibility regarding Appa as well as the people that Suki and the others have been helping since they left Kyoshi. The Kyoshi warriors are even seen fighting with katanas, the traditional samurai sword, and their clothing resemble Japanese armor. Futhermore, Bushido also happens to translate to, "way of the warrior." (edit) After telling Appa that he can use the bison's energy to see where Aang is, the Guru ends by saying "Funny, what invisible strings connect us all." This is not the first time this season that the writers have brought up the concept of everything, and everyone being connected. The Guru's words are reminiscent of Huu's statements in episode 2.14, The Swamp: "If you listen hard enough you can hear every living thing breathing together, you can feel everything growing. We're all livin' together, even if most folks don't act like it. We all have the same roots, and we are all branches of the same tree." (edit) The swords Suki and the warriors of Kyoshi used appeared to be kodachis, a Japanese sword too short to be considered a long sword but too long to be considered a dagger. (edit) The giant insect that the merchants intended to use to draw a sled Appa that was being carried on resembled an Atlas Beetle, a species of beetle found in Malaysia or other regions of southern Asia. (edit) At the Fire Nation Circus, Appa is dressed to resemble a Chinese Imperial guardian lion. Also, judging from the brief appearance of the white-bearded ringmaster who wanted "the Wind Buffalo" in the show, the circus Appa was sent was the same one Ty Lee performed in before joining Azula. (edit) Wind Buffalo
During his circus performance, Appa is referred to as a buffalo by the announcer. This is a slight reference to the American Buffalo (aka American Bison), a race of bison who like the Sky Bison the Air Nomad race and are in general, were brought to the very brink of extinction due to extermination. (edit) In the episode, a person (known as the Guru) Appa finds at the Eastern Air Temple helps him show where Aang is through the mind, very much like how Aang found out where Appa and Momo were in Chapter Four of Book Two: Earth, The Swamp. (edit)