This episode is in the Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 2: Earth, Volume 1 DVD, along with The Avatar State, Return to Omashu, The Swamp, and Avatar Day. (edit) Translations:
-The sign over the entrance to the cave means 'Cave of the Lovers'
-The sign over the door in Song's clinic means 'doctor'
(edit) Character Debuts: Song, Lily, Chong, Moku (edit) Unlike most episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Dee Bradley Baker has a major speaking role as the guitar-playing nomad Chong. His usual roles are making the animal noises for Appa and Momo. (edit) It becomes very apparent within this episode that Aang's voice is deepening. This is likely due to the fact that as of now, his voice actor, Zachery Tyler Eisen, is 13-years-old and is experiencing puberty. However, unlike most cases, the probably unexpected vocal change for the time being coincides uncannily perfectly with both his character's maturation as well as the series' progression. (edit) It is revealed in this episode that Zuko and Iroh would rather be killed by the Earth Kingdom than to be captured by Azula and the Fire Nation. (edit) It is hinted in this episode that Aang and Katara kiss, but this is not confirmed. (edit) This episode aired in the UK on 5/11/06 (5 November 2006). (edit) This is the first episode in which we see Sokka in his undergarments. Also, Katara is seen for the first time in what is probably her bathing suit. (edit) Momo apparently talks to Appa, whether or not Appa understands him. (edit) This is the first time that Azula is absent in an episode, since her debut in The Siege of the North (Part 2). (edit) One of Dante Basco's brothers, Derek, had a role in this episode as Moku. (edit) This is the second time we see Sokka with his hair out. (edit) Appa apparently has a severe case of claustrophobia. (edit) This is the first time we see Katara wearing something other than her robe or fur coat. (edit) We see that Zuko is growing all of his hair out. (edit) Creature Debut: Badger-Moles -- the first known creatures to teach people of Earthbending and the Wolf-Bat -- obviously a wolf crossed with a vampire bat. (edit) Waterbending Move: The Octopus
In this episode, we discover "The Octopus" waterbending move. In this move, the bender manipulates the water around him/her into eight "arms" which rotate around the bender, empowering him/her to grab eight separate things at once. The bender is also able to form the water around him/her into the shape of an octopus. (edit) Aang isn't so smooth with the ladies. We can see that when he wanted to kiss Katara but kinda insulted her instead. (edit)

Katara: (voice-over) They met on top of the mountain that divided their two villages. The villages were enemies so they could not be together, but their love was strong and they found a way. The two lovers learned Earthbending from the Badgermoles; they became the first Earthbenders. They built elaborate tunnels so they could meet secretly. Anyone who tried to follow them would be lost forever in the labyrinth. But one day the man didn't come; he died in the war between their two villages. Devastated, the woman unleashed a terrible display of her Earthbending power. She could have destroyed them all, but instead she declared the war over. Both villages helped her build a new city where they would live together in peace. The woman's name was Oma and the man's name was Shu. The great city was named Omashu as a monument to their love. (edit) Chong: Hey, I remember that line of the song! (gets his banjo and stands in the front of the cave and sings) AND DIE!! (edit) Chong: (singing) Two lovers, forbidden from one another, war divides their people, and the mountains divide them apart. Built a path to be together - (talking) Yeah, forget the next couple of lines but then it goes - (singing again, rocker style) SECRET TUNNEL! SECRET TUNNEL! Through the mountain! SECRET, SECRET, SECRET, SECRET TUNNEL! Yeah! (everyone claps) (edit) Aang: We're gonna run out of light any second now, aren't we?
Katara: I think so.
Aang: Then what are we gonna do?
Katara: What can we do? (they lean toward each other right when the lights go out) (edit) Aang: Hey, Sokka, you should hear some of these stories. These guys have been everywhere.
Chong: Well, not everywhere, Little Arrowhead, but where we haven't been we've heard about through stories and songs. (edit) Aang (after Katara presents the idea of them kissing): Us... (stupid grin settles on his face) kissing... (edit) Chong (to Sokka): Nice underwear! (Sokka uses Momo to cover it) (edit) Chong: The big bad badger moles, they live in the tunnels, hate the wolf-bats but love the sounds. (edit) Chong: Sokka, I hope you learned a little something about not letting the plans get in the way of the journey. (Hugs Sokka)
Sokka (Blushing): Just play your songs.
Chong: Hey, good plan! (edit) Aang: So are you guys gonna come to Omashu with us?
Moku: Nope
Aang: Okay. Thanks for everything, Moku. (edit) Katara: Sokka!
Sokka (Jumps off of badger-mole): How did you guys get out?
Aang: Just like the legend says. We let love lead the way.
Sokka: Really? We let huge, ferocious beasts lead our way. (edit) (After cave in; Sokka is trying to dig to Aang and Katara)
Chong: Yeah, it's no use. We're separated. But at least you have us!
(Sokka is horrified and moans loudly; he starts digging faster and gets covered in a pile of dirt) (edit) Iroh: Zuko, remember that plant I thought might be tea?
Zuko: You didn't.
Iroh: I did. (Turns around revealing a horrible rash; Zuko jumps) And it wasn't. When the rash spreads to my throat, I will stop breathing. But look what I found. (Shows stick he was using to scratch his back; it is covered with pink berries) These are Pecurry Berries, known to cure the poison of the White Jade plant. That or Maccaory Berries that cause blindness.
(Zuko throws the berries)
Zuko: We're not taking anymore chances with these plants! We need to get help! (edit) Zuko: Uncle. What are you doing?
Iroh: You are looking at the rare White Dragon Bush! Its leaves make a tea so delicious, it's heartbreaking! That or it's the White Jade Bush which is poisonous.
Zuko: We need food, not tea! I'm going fishing! (Zuko walks off)
Iroh (deciding): Hmm. Delectible tea...or deadly poison? (edit) Sokka: You guys are gonna be done soon, right? We've got a lot of ground to cover if we want to make it to Omashu today.
Katara: What? Like you're ready to go right now, naked guy?
Sokka: I could be ready in two minutes. Seriously, whenever. (edit) Chong (sees Aang, Katara and Sokka "playing" in the water): Hey! River people!
Katara: We're not river people.
Chong: You're not? Then what kind of people are you?
Aang: Just... people.
Chong: Aren't we all, brother! (edit) Chong: Wait a minute, we're thinking of ideas? 'Cause I've had an idea for about an hour now. (edit) Sokka: Look, I hate to be the wet blanket here, but since Katara is busy, I guess it's up to me. (Katara looks at him angrily) (edit) Lily: All you need to do is trust in love... according to the curse.
(Sokka stops walking, while the others keep going)
Sokka: Curse?! (edit) Chong: We don't need a map, all we need is love! (Pointing over at Aang) The little guy knows it.
Aang: Yeah... (scratching his head) ...but I wouldn't mind a map as well. (edit) Song: My name is Song, what are yours?
Zuko: I'm... uh... Lee! And this is my uncle... Mushi. (Iroh looks over at Zuko, annoyed)
Iroh: But Lee is named after his father, so we call him Junior! (Zuko looks at Iroh annoyed and stamps his foot) (edit) Song: When I was a little girl, the Fire Nation attacked my village. They took all the men away; that was the last time I saw my father.
Zuko: I haven't seen my father in many years.
Song: Is he fighting in the war?
(Iroh looks at Zuko nervously; Zuko sets his bowl down on the table)
Zuko: Yeah. (edit) Iroh (As they're leaving Song's house): Junior, where are your manners? Thank these kind people.
Zuko: Thank you.
Song: I know it doesn't seem like there's much hope left, but there is: the Avatar has returned.
Zuko: I know... (edit) Chong: The tunnels, they're'a changin'! It must be the curse! I knew we shouldn't've come down here!
Sokka (sarcastically): Right, if only we'd listened to you. (edit) Song (to Zuko whose sitting silently on the front porch): Can I join you? I know what you've been through. We've all been through it. (she sits beside him and notices his scar) The Fire Nation has hurt you. (she reaches to touch his scar but Zuko catches her hand and lowers it) It's okay. They've hurt me, too. (raises her dress to reveal a severe burn scar on her leg) (edit) Sokka: We will be fine. All we need is a plan. Chong, how long do those torches last?
Chong: Ah, about two hours each.
Lily (takes four torches out and lights them): And we have five torches so that's ten hours!
Sokka (stomps the four torches out): It doesn't work like that if they're all lit at the same time!
Lily: Oh. (edit) (Chong tells the group about the "legend" of the Cave of Two Lovers)
Katara: Is this real or a legend?
Chong: Oh, it's a real legend. (edit) Chong: I'm Chong. And this is my wife Lily. We're nomads. Happy to go wherever the wind takes us. (plays random notes on his banjo)
Aang: You guys are nomads? That's great! I'm a nomad!
Chong: Hey, me too.
Aang (Kinda annoyed): I know. You just said that.
Chong: Oh! (glances over at Sokka) Nice underwear! (Sokka smoothly walks away) (edit) Sokka: O-MA-SHU!
Katara: Sokka's right. We need to find King Bumi, so Aang can learn Earthbending somewhere safe.
Chong: Well, sounds like you're headed to Omashu. (Sokka slaps his forehead) (edit) (Approaching the city of Omashu)
Sokka: I now present to you the Earth Kingdom city of O - (sees city has been taken over by the Fire Nation) Oh no! (edit) Aang (to Katara): Yeah I definitely wouldn’t want to kiss you. (Aang realizes he has made a giant mistake)
Katara: Oh, well I didn't realize it was such a horrible option. Sorry I suggested it!
Aang: No, no, I mean if it was choice between kissing you and dying...
Katara: Oh!
Aang: What?! I'm saying I'd rather kiss you than die. That's a compliment.
Katara (obviously angered): Well, I'm not sure which I would do! (hands torch to Aang and stomps off)
Aang: What is wrong with me? (edit) Katara: Love is brightest in the dark. (edit) Katara (after they've escaped the caves; to Sokka, who has a large red mark on his forehead): Why did you have a red mark on your forehead?
Chong (pointing to Aang): Nobody react to what I'm about to tell you: I think that kid might be the Avatar.
(Sokka smacks his forehead and another red mark appears) (edit) Iroh: But where are we going to go? We're enemies of the Earth Kingdom and fugitives from the Fire Nation.
Zuko: If the Earth Kingdom discovers us, they'll have us killed.
Iroh: But if the Fire Nation discovers us, we'll be turned over to Azula.
(Pause)
Zuko: Earth Kingdom it is. (edit) Katara (to Aang): What if we kissed? (edit)

The two white bracelets on Chong's right arm vanish when Sokka sarcastically agrees that they should have listened to Chong. (edit) When Chong gives Sokka the flower necklace at the end, it disappears right away. (edit) Considering the fact that he has fought multiple enemies from all four nations and even retains a large facial scar himself, Zuko shock expression towards seeing someone scarred by the Fire is somewhat unreasonable. (edit) When the pile of rocks fell on Sokka, he did not show any sign of injury. He should have been in extreme pain for the rest of the episode. (edit) When Iroh turns his head around while covered in a rash after Zuko asks him about eating the plant, Iroh's shirt and pants turn into the yellow green robe we see him wear in Avatar Day. (edit) After Sokka stomps out the four remaining torches, one is left. It goes on Katara and Aang's side after Appa runs into the wall and blocks them from Sokka and the nomads. However, in the next shot of Sokka, he is holding a torch as well. (edit) After Sokka falls off the leaf he was on, the leaf some how is gone. (edit)

The word Chong translates to 'bug' in Chinese. No doubt an obvious reference to his constant pestering of Sokka. (edit) When Chong says "All we need is love!" this could be seen as a allusion to the song All You Need Is Love by The Beatles off the Magical Mystery Tour album. (edit) The name of Chong's wife, Lily, translates to the Chinese word for the flower, b¨£i h¨¦ (°ÙºÏ), which means "hundreds unite." This is yet another reference to the characteristic activities related to a hippie. (edit) Upon discovery that the tunnels mysteriously change, Chong states that, "The tunnels, they're changin", a clear take on the title of American singer-songwriter/poet Bob Dylan's third album "The Times They Are a-Changin," released in 1964. The title track went gold and is one of Dylan's most famous, as many felt that it captured the spirit of social and political upheaval that characterized the 1960s. (edit) The hat Zuko is wearing in this episode is called a coolie hat which is referred to in Chinese as "Li" or "Lee", while Iroh, who at the time was looking half-dead with a medicinal paste smeared over his sores, was given the name "Mushi", which translates to "grave corpse" in the same language. Mushi is also Japanese for insect. If you refer to someone as an insect, it means they are inferior to you or are a pest (edit) The nomads Aang and his friends meet on the way are very much like people that are referred to as hippies in the late 1960's and early 1970's. (edit) Moku (the nomad in pink and white) is the Japanese onomopatpoeia of smoke. Fitting as it is Moku that spots the trail of smoke left by the Fire Nation tanks. His name can also be seen as a variational pronunciation of the Chinese word for 'mushroom,' mó gu, which he somewhat resembles with his white robe and coolie hat. (edit) The first human Earthbenders learned their bending art from mole-like creatures, this actually corresponds with certain ancient legends. In fact, almost every culture contain stories about our ancient human ancestors in which they're described to have learned the skills and created the tools we still use today by observing animals. In terms of the Asian-influence theme of the show, almost all martial art forms and styles, including those actively used within the show for the bending disciplines, are based from and were engendered by observing the movements of animals, including the snake, eagle, crane, bear, monkey, tiger, and several others. (edit) Chong
Chong could be an allusion to Tommy Chong of comedy duo "Cheech and Chong". Their comedy was based on the hippies and free love movement of the 1960s. (edit) In Mizayaki's Castle in the Sky, The two main characters enter a cave that contains large deposits of "volucite" ("aetherium" in Disney's English language dub), crystals that glow only in the dark, very similar to the glowing path of stones that guide Katara and Aang's way out of the tunnel. (edit) Junior: In most Asian cultures, it is very unusual to give a child the same name as their parents. (edit) When the scene at the clinic began, you see a doctor using the cupping method to diagnose a patient. This is an allusion to the Chinese method of pain relief. And another would be Song, the junior doctor, and how she dressed in the Korean Ham Bok. This was an allusion to the historical personal and popular Korean Drama Dae Jiang Kum. (edit) Aang: This isn't the exit... it's a tomb.
This is almost exactly Boromir's famous line in the "Fellowship of the Ring," when they discover the corpses within the Mines of Moria. (edit) The "Legend of the Two Lovers" is similar to William Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet. (edit) This title is an allusion to a cave on Urunao Beach in Guam, called "Two Lovers Cave." (edit)