Writer:	Michael Dante DiMartino
Director:	Giancarlo Volpe
Star:	Mae Whitman (Katara),  Jack DeSena (Sokka),  Mako (Uncle Iroh),  Dante Basco (Prince Zuko),  Dee Bradley Baker (Appa/Momo/Various Others),  Zach Tyler Eisen (Aang)
Recurring Role:	James Garrett (Avatar Roku),  Jason Isaacs (Zhao)
Guest Star:	Michael Yama (Shyu),  Clement Von Fronckenstein (Great Sage)

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)

(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)

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)

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)