Writer:	Michael Dante DiMartino
Director:	Ethan Spaulding
Star:	Jessie Flower (Toph),  Zach Tyler Eisen (Aang),  Jack DeSena (Sokka),  Dee Bradley Baker (Appa/Momo/Various Others),  Mae Whitman (Katara)
Recurring Role:	Sab Shimono (Master Yu)
Guest Star:	Kevin Michael Richardson (The Hippo),  Mick Foley (The Boulder),  Cam Clarke (Lao),  Marc Graue (Xin Fu)

Toph begins her recurring nickname for Aang in this episode: Twinkletoes (as he battles her for the first time, he seems to be "light on his feet". (edit) Translations:
-The advertisement for Master Yu's Academy means 'Master Yu's Earthbending Academy is the best school in the entire country. Guaranteed everything taught will be learned. Special promotion - first lesson is free. You only need to purchase a high-quality uniform'
-Toph's ransom note means 'if you wish to see your daughter alive, (pay) 500 gold bars. The Boulder & Xin Fu'
(edit) Character Debuts: Master Yu, The Boulder, Lao Bei Fong, Xin Fu (edit) "The Boulder" is voiced by Mick Foley, a real-life professional wrestler. (edit) According to DVD creator commentary, Toph came to develope her unique style of earthbending by observing the movements of the blind earthbending Badgermoles that inhabit the caves around her hometown. Toph's Chu Gar Praying Mantis style was originated when Bryan Konietzko asked Martial Arts consultant Sifu Kisu to come up with some unique movements for a rare earthbending style based on the movement of the previously introduced Badgermoles. Kisu then turned to his friend and martial brother Manny Rodriguez, who introduced him the what he calls "zombie style," because of its strange postures and steppings. (edit)

Toph: (Aang has just entered the ring) Do people really want to see two little girls fighting out here?
Crowd: Oooooooooo... (edit) Toph (to Aang): Somebody's little light on his feet, what's your fighting name, "the Fancy Dancer?" (edit) Toph: Even though I was born blind, I've never had a problem seeing. I see with earthbending. It's kind of like seeing with my feet. I feel the vibrations in the ground with my feet, and I can see where everything is: (fades to wide view) you, that tree, (Shows ant hill) even those ants. (Back to Aang and Toph)
Aang: That's amazing!
Toph: My parents don't understand, they've always treated me like I was helpless.
Aang: Is that why you became the Blind Bandit?
Toph: Yeah.
Aang: Then why stay here where you're not happy?
Toph: They're my parents, where else am I supposed to go? (edit) Toph: Dad, I know it’s hard for you to see me this way, but the obedient little helpless blind girl that you think I am just isn’t me. I love fighting. I love being an earthbender. And I’m really, really good at it. I know I’ve kept my life secret from you, but you were keeping me secret from the whole world. You were doing it to protect me. But I’m twelve years old and I’ve never had a real friend. So now that you see who I really am, I hope it doesn’t change the way you feel about me.
Lao: Of course it doesn’t change the way I feel about you, Toph. It’s made me realize something.
Toph (hopeful): It has?
Lao: Yes. I’ve let you have far too much freedom. From now on, you will be cared for and guarded 24 hours a day.
Toph: But dad!
Poppy: We are doing this for your own good, Toph.
Lao: Please escort the avatar and his friends out. They are no longer welcome here.
Aang: I'm sorry Toph.
Toph: I'm sorry too. Goodbye Aang.
(Toph sheds a tear) (edit) Earthbending Pupil #1: I think The Boulder is gonna win the belt on "Earth Rumble 6."
Earthbending Pupil #2: But he has to fight his way through the world's best Earthbenders to even get the shot at the champ.
Aang: Excuse me, but where is this Earthbending tournament, exactly.
Earthbending Pupil #1: It's on the island of Nun'ya... nun'ya business! (both laugh)
(Sokka laughs)
Sokka: Ooohh! I gotta remember that one! (edit)

"Fire Nation man", "like the Boulder" is based on a real-life professional wrestler "Nikolai Volkoff", evident as they both sing opposing countries national anthems. (edit) "The Boulder" is based on real-life professional wrestler "The Rock", this can be seen in the way he speaks in the third person. (edit) Second Appearance of Toph.

Her first appearance was in Chapter 4, The Swamp. Although, Aang was just seeing things. (edit) Despite the explicit fact that nobody knew who the Blind Bandit's true identity, or that the Bei Fong family even had a daughter, Xin Fu and the others are able to locate Toph with little to no difficulty. (edit) While Toph is shouting at Xin Fu while in the suspended metal coffin, it has three bars in the screen, but when the view zooms out, the coffin has four bars in the screen. (edit)

Xin is a male Chinese name that means: New
Fu is a male Chinese name that means: wealthy
So Xin Fu's name could be a reference to how he profits off of Toph's abduction and the bounty hunting afterwards. (edit) The closing scene, with Toph resting her head on her arms leaning outward near the back of Appa's saddle while flying into the night sky, parells the ending of The Southern Air Temple. However they at the same time contrast with each other, as Aang indicated a feeling of remorse taking one last gaze of his old home, while Toph's eyes were closed with contentment. (edit) Martial Arts Consultant Sifu Kisu and co-creator Bryan Konietzko have stated that Master Yu and his academy actually serve as a satirical parody of atypical "strip mall" dojos where parents purchase martial arts belts for their children disregarding the symbolism and substance behind them, as well as their own personal disdain for the use of belt systems. (edit) The fighter who pledges allegiance to the Fire Nation and asks for respect as he sings its national anthem is modeled after pro wrestler Nikolai Volkoff, who used to ask for the same as he sang the national anthem of the Soviet Union in the '80s. (edit) The Boulder is voiced by the professional Wrestler Mick Foley (AKA Mankind, Dude Love, Cactus Jack) who once partnered with The Rock as part of The Rock and Sock Connection. The Boulder is a direct parody of the quirky behavior exhibited by The Rock-most notably referring to himself in the third person. (edit)