This episode is in the Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 1: Water, Volume 2 DVD, along with The King of Omashu, Imprisoned, and The Spirit World (Winter Solstice Part 1). (edit) This is the first time in the series that Aang and the gang have been to the fire nation. (edit) As of this episode, Aang and his friends have been to each of the four nations.
(edit) We learn that Zuko definitely is 16 years old. (edit) Hero Debut: Fire Sage Shyu
According to official sources, Shyu comes from a proud lineage of sages. His grandfather, Kaja (Avatar Roku's mentor), was the very first who declared against popular belief that the Avatar had managed to survive the initial assault on the Air Temples, a determination that he passed on to his son. This was accounted as treason against the Fire Lord and Shyu's father was labeled a traitor and sent away never to be seen again, leaving Shyu orphaned and to be raised by the other sages.
(edit) "Roku" is the Japanese word for six. (edit) Avatar Roku destroys the Fire Temple in this episode, meaning that Aang now has to find other ways to talk to Avatar Roku. (edit) This is the first time Aang enters the Avatar State and changes the way he looks; in this episode, he changes into Avatar Roku. (edit) This is the first time Aang uses the Avatar State to bend fire. (edit) This is the first time someone's name has been used in the title (Avatar Roku). (edit) Second time Zuko's ship is badly damaged when it is set on fire by Zhao's fleet. (edit) Sokka has some experience with explosives, as he uses them to try to open the firebenders lock. (edit) This is the first time we see Zuko's mini-boat. (edit) At the end of the episode Shyu is arrested by Commander Zhao along with the four other Fire Sages. (edit) Avatar Roku is the Avatar in the opening theme that is using each element. (edit) We learn that Aang must master all the four Bending arts before the end of the summer or else he won't be able to defeat the Fire Lord. (edit) Commander Zhao returns in this episode to guard the Fire Nation's temple from Aang. (edit) Spirit/Hero Debut: Avatar Roku (Fire Nation) (edit)

(A fireball is shot at Appa and the gang all hold their noses and make expressions of disgust)
Katara: Aang we have to get out of Zuko's range before he fires another hot stinker at us! (edit) Iroh: Really Prince Zuko, couldn't you shoot them down with something more fragrant?
(Zuko ignites the fireball)
(edit) Roku: One hundred years ago, Fire Lord Sozin used that comet to begin the war. He and his Firebending army harnessed its incredible power and dealt a deadly first strike against the other nations.
Aang: So the comet made them stronger?
Roku: Yes. Stronger than you could even imagine.
Aang: But that happened a hundred years ago. What does the comet have to do with the war now? (edit) Aang: If we fly north, we can go around the Fire Nation ships and avoid the blockade. It's the only way.
Katara: There's no time.
Aang: This is exactly why I didn't want you to come; it's too dangerous!
Katara: And that's exactly why we're here. (edit) Katara: Fire ball!
Aang: I'm on it! (edit) Zuko: You're too late, Zhao. The Avatar is inside and the doors are sealed.
Zhao: No matter, sooner or later he has to come out. (edit) Zuko: If Zhao wants to follow my trail of smoke, than that's exactly what I'll let him do. (edit) Katara: Sokka, you're a genius!
Aang: How is Sokka a genius? His plan didn't even work.
Sokka: Come on, Aang. Let her dream.
Katara: You're right. Sokka's plan didn't work. But it looks like it did.
Aang: Did the definition of "genius" change in the last hundred years? (edit) Avatar Roku (to Aang): Sozin's comet will return by the end of the summer, and Fire Lord Ozai will use its power to finish the war once and for all. If he succeeds, even the Avatar won't be able to restore balance to the world. Aang, you must defeat the fire lord before the comet arrives. (edit) Sokka (in disbelief): We made it to the Fire Nation... (slumps his shoulders) ...Great... (edit) Commander Zhao (On his ship, after Roku destroyed the temple): No prince, no Avatar, apparently the only thing I do have is five traitors.
Great Sage: But Commander, only Shyu helped the Avatar.
Commander Zhao: Save your stories for the Fire Lord. As far as I'm concerned, you're all guilty! Take them to the prison hold! (edit) Zuko (after Aang broke away from him and entered the area where Avatar Roku's spirit would appear): Why did you help the Avatar?
Shyu: Because it was once the sages' duty. It is still our duty. (edit) Prince Zuko: Can't sleep? Seen the Avatar lately? (edit) Aang: They were waiting for me...
Sokka: Hey, don't feel bad, you're only a hundred years late! (edit) Aang: Follow me!
Sokka: Do you know where you're going?
Aang: ...Nope! (edit) Sokka: His butt may be trying to tell you something... (edit) Katara: Please don't go, Aang. The world can't afford to lose you to the Fire Nation. Neither can I. (edit) Uncle Iroh: Sailing into Fire Nation waters... Of all the foolish things you've done in your sixteen years, Prince Zuko, this is the most foolish!
Zuko: I have no choice, Uncle.
Iroh: Have you completely forgotten that the Fire Lord banished you? What if you're caught?
Zuko: I'm chasing the Avatar! My father will understand why I'm returning home!
Iroh: You give him too much credit. My brother is not the understanding type. (edit) Fire Sages: It's the Avatar's lemur! He must have crawled through the pipes! We've been tricked! (edit) Sokka: Ah, ha! Fake firebending! (edit) Katara: How's Aang going to make it out of this?
Sokka: How are we gonna make it out of this? (edit)

When Zuko questions Zhao following him, Zuko's ponytail is missing. (edit) While Sokka nervously comments on being in the Fire Nation, Katara's right bead in her bun is brown like her hair. (edit) While Katara is looking over Appa's saddle for the Fire Navy, before Aang urges Appa to go faster, her braid is missing. (edit) This is the first time Sokka and Katara have ever been in the Fire Naton. (edit) After Sokka, Aang and Katara turn around to see the fire sages Katara's eyes are messed up. One is looking up and the other is looking down. (edit) When the Gaang lands at the fire temple, the shot shows Appa on his side Katara rubbing him and Sokka stretching. Sokka is seen in this shot behind Appa's tail. However, in the next shot when Katara says, "you must be tired after all that flying" Sokka is suddenly infront of Appa's tail and next to katara. (edit) While Appa is flying above the clouds and avoiding the projectiles, his lower lip is fur less and gray like his upper lip should be. His mouth also looks too big. (edit) When Avatar Roku is finished destroying the temple and it zooms in back to Aang. Aang's eyes are glowing but his arrow is not. (edit) When Avatar Roku/Aang unleashes a barrage of fire onto the attackers, the Fire Nation soldiers faceplate's eyes close as if they were real eyes. (edit) When Commander Zhao orders his blockade ships to stop, they immediately come to a dead halt, which is impossible in water. (edit) At the end of the previous episode the moon was crescent-shaped, most likely to symbolize Aang's journey to the crescent island. However in this episode, which as openly stated in the previous takes place the very same night, the moon is full. (edit)

Avatar Roku's sanctum only opening during the winter solstice is a reference to the many structures built by ancient cultures that aligned with solstices. For example, Stonehenge is in line with both solstices. Also, the Newgrange in Ireland is designed to allow a beam of light at sunrise of winter solstice to shine directly into a stone basin inside a chamber. (edit) Dong Zhi, the Winter Solstice festival, is a time of great happiness because the turning of the yin/winter into yang/spring. This is perhaps a reference that this episode is a turning point for Aang's quest. (edit) Dong Zhi - Winter Solstice Festival “~ŽŠ December 22,2006 is an actual festival in China. It is celebrated by all shops, trade and military bases being shut down for a day and food offerings are made to the ancestors. This could be a reference to what Aang is doing by contacting Roku,his "ancestor." (edit) Avatar Roku's temple is clearly modeled off a pagoda, a tiered tower with multiple eaves commonly found in China, Japan, Korea, Nepal and several other Asia regions. Most were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhism, and were often situated near temples. Some like the one here served as temples themselves. (edit)