This is Yue's first appearance since The Swamp. She appears as a spirit in this episode. (edit) This episode was animated by Moi Animation. This is the first episode done by Moi, and they are the third company to animate episodes of the show. (edit) This episode is available in Book 3: Fire Volume 1 DVD, along with, The Headband, The Painted Lady, Sokka's Master, and The Beach. (edit) Creature Debut: Sealguanas (Seals and Iguanas) These creatures inhabit the Fire Nations outlying islands. They love the hot, humid weather and swimming. They make a melodius call. Sailors used to believe that the sealguanas were mermaids. (edit) Appa is shown to have a new saddle, one apparently made from an old wooden boat. (edit) According to the canonical comic Going Home Again, Azula has passed her position as ruler of Ba Sing Se over to Joo Dee, dubbing the former guide Supreme Bureaucratic Administrator. (edit) Following the conquest of Ba Sing Se, Azula had the Dai Li destroy parts of the walls to allow the Fire Nation army easy access to the city. (edit) Azula has given credit for Aang's supposed demise to Zuko, with the intention of having him as a scapegoat should it be discovered that the Avatar is alive. (edit) With the Earth Kingdom fallen the Fire Nation invasion must now be executed via guerilla operations. Towards that end, the gang is now gathering their past allies to build up a small, makeshift invasion force. (edit) For the very first time in the series, Ozai's face is shown in its entirety. (edit) Iroh and Ty Lee do not appear in this episode but Iroh is mentioned by Fire Lord Ozai. (edit) Katara's waterbending skills are shown to have greatly improved in this episode, as she is seen making a huge wave to separate her ship from the attacking Fire Nation ship and creates a large steam barrier for cover. (edit) The port from the episode The Waterbending Scroll is revisited briefly. (edit) During the Fire Nation's march through Ba Sing Se, Jin, the girl who went out with Zuko in The Tales of Ba Sing Se can be seen briefly inside the tea shop he and Iroh once worked for, with their former employer Pao standing at the door. (edit) The family of refugees that the gang helped in the episode The Serpents Pass, along with baby Hope, is seen in this episode again. (edit) Aang uses a piece of driftwood and a huge tidal wave in order to travel across the ocean, reminiscent to Avatar Kuruk's waterbending display, in The Avatar State. (edit) Aang returns to the Crescent Island in this episode, which has since become uninhabited following the destruction of Avatar Roku's temple. The island serves as a starting point for the gang's journey into the Fire Nation. (edit) The pond seen in flashbacks to Zuko's childhood within Zuko Alone is seen again. It is also hinted that the turtle-ducks Zuko is shown feeding remember Azula's tormenting, as they swim away at the sight of her. (edit) Pipsqueak and the Duke, characters first seen in the episode Jet, are seen again in this episode. (edit) The Super Deformed animation style short Bending Battle is shown immediately following the premiere of this episode. (edit) Aang's glider is severely damaged and ultimately burned to ashes by the end of this episode. (edit) Avatar Roku makes a spiritual appearance to Aang alongside Princess Yue when he is doubting himself. (edit) This is the first time Azula is seen with her hair down. (edit) As a result of remaining unconscious for several weeks, Aang has come to have grown a full head of hair. (edit) YTV aired this episode at 5:00, three and a half hours before it aired on Nickelodeon. (edit) Several storylines in between this episode and the previous season finale were dealt with in canonical interlude comics featured witin the second all-Avatar Nick Mag Presents issue. These include:
-The return of Hakoda's fleet and the capture of the Fire Nation ship.
-Zuko's reaquaintance and relationship with Mai.
-The travels of the Earth King and Bosco. (edit)

(Aang has asked Katara to leave the room, for he is angry at himself)
Katara: Is there anything you need?
Aang: I need to redeem myself. I need my honor back. (edit) Zuko: No. There's no way he could've survived.
Azula: Well, then I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. (edit) Toph: Hey, what's... (Grabs Aang's dismantled glider from the water) Oh... it's your glider.
Aang: That's okay. If someone saw it, it would give away my identity. It's better for now that no one knows I'm alive. (Spins glider and slams it into the lava. He leaves, and soon after the torn glider burns away.) (edit) (As Aang is clinging to driftwood)
Aang: I'm not gonna make it. I failed.
(Lightning strikes and Roku's spirit appears)
Aang: Roku?
Roku: You haven't failed, Aang.
Aang: But everyone thinks I'm dead again. They think I've abandoned them...and I'm losing this war. I'm letting the whole world down.
Roku: If anyone is to blame for the state of the world, it is me. I should have seen this war coming and prevented it. You inherited my problems...and my mistakes. But I believe you are destined to redeem me and save the world.
(As Aang looks away)
Aang: I dunno...
(Moonlight floods the screen and Yue's voice speaks)
Yue: You already saved the world. (She appears before the moon as Aang looks to her) And you'll save the world again. But you can't give up. (She descends to Aang and he becomes resolute)
Aang: You're right. I won't give up.
(He creates a wave and Yue helps intensify it, sending him forward on his journey to the Fire Nation.) (edit) Lo: Your Princess Azula, clever and beautiful...
Li: ...disguised herself as the enemy and entered the Earth Kingdom's capital.
Lo: In Ba Sing Se she found her brother Zuko, and together they faced the Avatar.
Lo and Li (shout together): And the Avatar fell. And the Earth Kingdom fell!
Li (said while showing the Dai Li taking down the wall): Azula's agents quickly over took the entire city.
Lo:They went to Ba Sing Se's great walls...
Lo and Li (said together): And brought them down!
(The Dai Li take down a huge section of the wall allowing the Fire Nation to enter)
Li: The armies of the Fire Nation surged through the walls and swarmed over Ba Sing Se. Securing our victory!
(Fire Nation troops march through the city. Ying and Than are shown with crying baby Hope. Fire Nation tanks roll up to the palace.)
Lo and Li (said together): Now the heroes have returned home!
Lo (Azula walks to the edge of the balcony): Your Princess Azula!
Li: And after 3 long years, your Prince has returned.
Lo and Li (shout together): Zuko!
(Zuko walks to the balcony edge and looks down at the army) (edit) Aang: I went down. I didn't just get hurt, did I? It was worse than that. I was gone! But you brought me back.
Katara: I just used the Spirit Water from the North Pole; I don't know what I did exactly.
Aang: You saved me.
Katara: (Smiles and touches Aang's cheek) You need to rest. (edit) Katara: I like your hair.
Aang: I have hair?! How long was I out?
Katara: A few weeks. (edit) Katara: Aang, you're awake!
Aang: Are you sure? I feel like I'm dreaming.
Katara: You're not dreaming. You're finally awake.
Sokka: (In a Firebender's armor) Aang! Good to see you back with the living, buddy.
Aang: Sokka?
Toph: Uh-oh! Somebody catch him, I think he's gonna-
(Aang faints) (edit) Zuko (Entering Azula's bedroom): Why'd you do it?!
Azula (calmly): You're going to have to be a little more specific.
Zuko: Why did you tell father I was the one who killed the Avatar?
Azula (still lying in bed): Can't this wait until morning?
Zuko: It can't!
Azula (annoyed sigh): Fine. You seemed so worried about how father would treat you because you hadn't captured the Avatar. I figured if I gave you the credit, you'd have nothing to worry about.
Zuko (quietly): But why?
Azula (gets out of bed): Call it a generous gesture. I wanted to thank you for your help, and I was happy to share the glory.
Zuko: You're lying.
Azula (sighs while walking): If you say so.
Zuko: You have another motive for doing this, I just haven't figured out what it is.
Azula (stretches): Please Zuko. What ulterior motive could I have? What could I possibly gain for letting you have all the glory for defeating the Avatar? (walks next to Zuko) Unless the Avatar was actually alive? All that glory would suddenly turn to shame and foolishness (walks back to bed). But you said yourself, that was impossible. (Zuko looks shocked then turns and leaves). Sleep well ZuZu. (Azula goes back to sleep). (edit) (Katara zooms in, her eyes wet with tears.)
Bato: I'll leave you two alone.
(Bato leaves)
Hakoda: What's wrong Katara?
Katara: (her eyes tearing) He left.
Hakoda: What?
Katara: Aang, he just took his glider and disappeared. He has this ridiculous notion that he has to save the world alone, that it's all his responsibilty.
Hakoda: Maybe that's his way of being brave.
Katara: (barely holding back tears) It's not brave, it's selfish and stupid! We could be helping him, and I know the world needs him but doesn't he know how much we need him to? How can he just leave us behind?
Hakoda: You're talking about me too aren't you?
Katara: How could you leave us dad? I mean, I know we had Gran Gran and she loved us, but we were just so lost without you. (unable to hold back, she cries)
Hakoda: I'm sorry Katara.
Katara: I understand why you left, I really do. And I know you had to go, so why do I still feel this way? I'm so sad, and angry and hurt!
Hakoda: I love you more than anything, you and your brother are my entire world. I thought about you everyday since I was gone and every night when I went to sleep, I would lie awake missing you so much it would ache. (edit) Mai: Aren't you cold?
Zuko: It's been over three years since I was home, I wonder how things have changed. I wonder if I've changed...
Mai: I just asked if you were cold, I didn't ask for your whole life story. Stop worrying.
(they kiss) (edit) Sokka: The best part is the eclipse isn't our biggest advantage. (whispers) We have a secret (pauses eyes shifting from side to side; whispers again): you.
Aang: Me?!
Sokka: Yup, the whole world thinks you're dead. Isn't that great!? (Stands up lifting hands proudly)
(edit) Aang: I always knew I'd have to face the Fire Lord. But now I know I need to do it alone. (edit) (The sea serpent attacks the enemy ship)
Sokka: Thank you, the universe! (edit) Toph: How we doing?
Sokka: Things couldn't get much worse.
(The sea serpent from "The Serpent's Pass" appears behind him)
Sokka: The universe just loves proving me wrong, doesn't it?!
Toph: You make it too easy. (edit)

Look Hard: After the spirits of Avatar Roku and Princess Yue give Aang hope that he indeed can save the world, Aang rides a tidal wave to shore. If you look closely, you can see that Yue is actually moving her arms, controlling the waves, which makes sense since she has essentially become the moon spirit and the moon creates waves. Furthermore, the moon is the source and origin of all waterbending. (edit) Zuko kneeled down at least twice distance between two pillars away from his dad, but later he appeared to be much closer, only about half the distance between two pillars. (edit) At the beginning when Katara was talking to her dad, her height was only about her dad's neck, but later she suddenly grew higher and reached her dad's mouth. (edit) There were two cups on the left of the table of Aang's room, but later when Katara re-enter the room, there was only one cup on the table. (edit) There was a carpet appeared on the left of the door in Aang's room, but later it appeared to be on the right. (edit) Toph already destroyed one lauching machine by a boulder, but later the four lauching machine on the Fire Nation ship appeared to be clearly intact. (edit) Since Toph was blind, it was impossible for her to aim boulder at the fire balls accurately, it was even more impossible to launch a boulder directly hitting the fire nation ship's launching machine. (edit) In the scene which the Fire Nation conquered Ba Sing Se, among the crowd, there was the family appeared in both Zuko Alone and Serpent Pass. They had come so far to live in "the world safest city". Ironically the city that they thought was safe wasn't safe at all. (edit) Why are Katara and Toph the only ones not wearing armor- or at least given some fresh, Fire Nation clothes to blend in with? (edit) When Toph recognizes Aang on deck after he awakens and Toph and Katara approach him, the skin of Katara's neck beneath the necklace is white. (edit) This is the second time the blockade appears. The first time was when Aang had to go to the crescent island to talk to Avatar Roku. (edit) Look hard: During the naval battle sequence, where Toph hurls stone discs at the enemy ship, the Duke can be seen standing behind her, guiding her movements. (edit) About three minutes into the episode, there is a shot when Sokka is explaining to Aang what happened whilst he was unconscious. When it pans to a shot of Sokka and Aang, you can see that the two people in the background are perfectly still, one with his arms extended, the other with his arms folded. (edit) Katara's clothes are shown to still be to be slightly burned from the battle in The Crossroads of Destiny. (edit) When Azula is speaking to Zuko in her bedroom and her finger is on her chin, the flame pattern on the hem of her right sleeve suddenly vanishes. (edit) The past two seasons have emphasized how Aang must be captured alive, yet Zuko is forgiven and welcomed back with open arms mostly because he is believed to have killed Aang. (edit)

The scene in which Aang is holding on to a peice of driftwood in the middle of the ocean is reminniscent to a simliar scene in Titanic. As both Aang and Rose cling to wreckage, both appear to lose all hope, until someone comes along to tell them not to give up. Both end up surviving because they decided that the other person was right, and that they shouldn't give up. (For Aang, it was Avatar Roku and Yue, for Rose it was Jack) (edit) Once Aang has washed up onto the beach, Momo comes and licks him awake. This appears to be an allusion to the The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, which had one scene where Aragorn's horse licks him awake while he was lying on the bank of a river. (edit) The way the giant serpent attacked the ship by wrapping itself around it is similar to the old stories and paintings about the giant sea monsters in the unknown waters. (edit) When Aang uses his glider and a piece of driftwood to travel across the water, it bears a strong resemblance to modern windsurfing. (edit) The clips of the Fire Nation army marching though Ba Sing Se seem to be a allusion to World War II newsreels that showed German, and later American troops moving though Paris, France. (edit)