Character Debut: Fire Lord Ozai (edit) It is reavealed why Aang ran away and disappeared for a 100 years. (edit) This is the first time Iroh bends lightning. (edit) This chapter is Avatar co-creator Michael DiMartino's third favorite episode of the first season, due to the intriguing backstory of both Aang and Zuko that it delved into. (edit) Pai-Sho must be a pretty popular and long-practiced game in Aang's world since we've seen Uncle Iroh playing it in several episodes and in this episode we see a flashback of Aang and Monk Gyatso playing it over 100 years ago. (edit) The four toys Aang chose were a turtle, a string-powered propeller, a Hog-Monkey, and a rattle drum. (edit) This is Dante Basco's, the voice behind Zuko, favorite episode. During the scene where Zuko faces against his father in the Agni Kai, Basco worked with Mark Hamill and relates the scene to those in Star Wars when Luke (Hamill) faces off with Darth Vader. (edit) We learn in this episode that there isn't just a Southern and Northern Air Temple, because one of Aang's instructors suggested to send him to the Eastern Air Temple. There also is a Western Air Temple. (edit) This is the first time we see Zuko smile after doing a good deed. (edit) For a split second at the end of Aang's dream, the camera flashes a picture of Fire Lord Ozai. (edit) We can see that Aang was the only youngster at the temple with Airbender tattoos, which are only given when someone has mastered airbending. Aang certainly proves this when we learn that no one taught him the Air Scooter technique, he created it himself. (edit) Fire Lord Ozai is one of those "villains" whose face we never see, at least not until Episode 41 The Awakening. (edit) Zhao was one of the spectators who saw what happened to Prince Zuko, and we later learn that Azula is the girl standing beside him. (edit) It was revealed in this episode that Gyatso, along with the four monks who were hit with cakes by Aang and Gyatso in The Southern Air Temple, were the leaders of the Southern Air Temple and made decisions for the community. (edit) Enemy Debut: Lieutenant Jee (Fire Nation)
At this time we didn't really know his name, but Jee is Zuko's Lieutenant, and was seen arguing with him in this episode. (edit) Zuko's teenage sister, Azula, makes a cameo apperance in this episode: she can be seen behind Uncle Iroh during the duel smiling at her brother's punishment and is also seen (in Zuko's memory) running next to Zuko up the hill. (edit) We learned more about Zuko and Aang's past in this episode. This is the first time we get to see Zuko with hair and without his scar. And we see some of Aang's life at the temple before he ran away. (edit) Aang was going to be taken away from his guardian, Gyatso, had he not "flown" away. What Aang never found out is that Gyatso had decided to fight the ruling, and was determined to be the one to raise him with love. (edit) Zuko got his scar after he spoke out of turn in the war chamber and refused to fight his father in an Agni kai (a firebending duel). (edit)

General: The Earth Kingdom defenses are concentrated here. A dangerous battalion of their strongest earthbenders and fiercest warriors, so I am recommending the 41st division.
Old General: But the 41st is entirely new recruits. How do you expect them to defeat a powerful Earth Kingdom battalion?
General: I don't. They'll be used as a distraction while we mount an attack from the rear. What better to use as bait then fresh meat?
Zuko: You can't sacrifice an entire division like that! Those soldiers love and defend our nation! How can you betray them? (edit) Zuko: Lieutenant, you'd better learn some respect, or I will teach it to you. Lieutenant Jee: What do you know about respect? The way you talk to everyone around here, from your hard-working crew to your esteemed uncle, shows you know nothing about respect. You don't care about anyone but yourself! Then again, what should I expect from a spoiled prince? (edit) Katara: You ran away.
Aang: (Looking up at Katara) And then the Fire Nation attacked our temple. My people needed me, and I wasn't there to help.
Katara: You don't know what would've..
Aang: The world needed me, and I wasn't there to help!
Katara Aang?
Aang: The fisherman was right. I did turn my back on the world.
Katara: You're being to hard on yourself. Even if you did run away, I think it was meant to be. If you stayed, you would have been killed with all the other airbenders.
Aang: You don't know that.
Katara: I know it's meant to be this way. The world needs you now. You give people hope. (edit) Zuko: Finding the Avatar is far more important than any individual's safety. (edit) Iroh: I looked away. (young Zuko gets his scar)
Young Zuko: Ahhhhhh.
Lieutenant Jee: I always thought that Prince Zuko was in a training accident. (edit) Zuko (in a higher voice): Let me in!
Iroh: Prince Zuko, what’s wrong?
Zuko: I want to go into the war chamber, but the guard won’t let me pass!
Iroh: You’re not missing anything, trust me. These meetings are dreadfully boring.
Zuko: If I’m gonna rule this nation one day, don’t you think I need to start learning as much as I can?
Iroh: Very well. But you must promise not to speak. These old folks are a bit sensitive, you know.
Zuko (bowing to Iroh): Thank you uncle. (edit) Old Woman: My joints say there’s going to be a storm! A bad one.
Old Man: Well, it’s your joints against my brain.
Old Woman: Then I hope your brain can find someone else to haul that fish, cause I ain’t comin!
Old Man: Then I’ll find a new fish hauler and pay him double what you get! How do you like that?
Sokka: I’ll go!
Old Man (points to Sokka): You’re hired!
Sokka (to Aang and Katara): What? You said ‘get a job,’ and he’s paying double.
Old Man (looking at Sokka in a weird way): Double? Who told ya that nonsense? (edit) Shopkeeper: Swishing means it’s ripe! It’s the ripe juices swishing around, eh?
Aang: I think it’s true, Katara, swishing means it’s ripe.
Katara (putting fruit back): I just realized we’re out of money anyway.
Shopkeeper (grabbing basket from Sokka): Awww! (edit) Katara: Are you all right, Aang?
Aang: I’m okay.
Katara: You seem to be having a lot of nightmares lately, you wanna tell me about it?
Aang: I think I just need some rest.
Sokka (sits up, excited): You guys want to hear about my dream? (Katara looks annoyed) That’s ok, I didn’t wanna talk about it anyway. (edit) Old Lady (To Aang and Katara): My husband is out in that awful storm!
Katara: So is Sokka!
Aang: We have to go get them!
Katara: I'm going with you!
Old Lady: I'm staying right here! (edit) (On the fisherman's ship, waves rocking the boat all over the place)
Sokka: I'm too young to die!
Fisherman: I'm not, but I still don't wanna! (edit) Prince Zuko: Uncle, I'm sorry.
Uncle Iroh: Your apology is accepted. (edit) Uncle Iroh: After the duel, the Fire Lord said that by refusing to duel, Zuko showed shameful weakness. And so he was banished and sent to capture the Avatar.
Lieutenant Jee: So that's why he's so obsessed. Capturing the Avatar is his only chance he has of things returning to normal.
Uncle Iroh: Things will never return to normal, but the important thing is the Avatar gives Zuko hope. (edit) (The fisherman offers Aang a fish as a token of gratitude)
Aang: Sorry, I don't eat meat.
Fisherman: Fish ain't meat! (edit) Sokka: They left without saying good bye?
Fisherman: Your friends aren't real polite, are they?
Sokka: I know. This one time I...
Fisherman: Yeah, yeah take this below deck. (edit) Sokka: So, you're still gonna pay me right?
(raw fish gets plopped into open hands)
Sokka: AAAAAUUGGHH!!! (edit) (In Iroh's story while Zuko was in his Agni Kai with his father.)
Prince Zuko: Please, Father! I've only ever had the Fire Nation's best interest at heart! I'm sorry I spoke out of turn! (edit) Aang: They wanted to take away everything I knew and everyone I loved!
(Aang creates a whirlwind around himself)
Katara: Whoa! Hot cinders! (edit) Sokka: What's going on? Did we get captured again? (edit) Gyatso: Aang, I'm not going to let them take you away from me. (edit) Uncle Iroh (after he separated Zuko and the lieutenant): Enough! I know we are all a bit tired from being at sea so long. But I'm sure that after a bowl of noodles, everyone will feel much better. (edit) Aang: Look at those clear skies, buddy! Should be some smooth flying.
Katara: Well, we better smoothly fly ourselves to a market, cause we're out of food.
Sokka: Guys, wait, this was in my dream, we shouldn't go to the market.
Katara: What happened in your dream?
Sokka: Food eats people!
(Aang and Katara give him a weird look)
Sokka: And Momo could talk. (To Momo) You said some very unkind things... (edit) Gyatso: No. As long as I am his guardian, I will decide when he trains....and when he gets his butt kicked at pai-sho. (edit) Prince Zuko: The Avatar!
Lieutenant Jee: What do you want to do sir?
Prince Zuko: Let him go. We need to get this ship to safety.
Uncle Iroh: Then we must head directly into the eye of the storm. (edit) Gyatso: All I want is what is best for him.
Senior Monk: But what we need is what's best for the world. You and Aang must be separated. The Avatar will be sent away to the Eastern Air Temple to complete his training.
(edit) Katara (in Aang's dream): We need you, Aang.
Aang: I need you, too.
(Katara and Sokka disappear; Gyatso appears)
Gyatso: Aang, why did you disappear?
Aang: I didn't mean to.
(Gyatso fades away) (edit) Aang: I'm sorry for running away.
Katara: It's okay, that fisherman was way out of line. (edit) Uncle Iroh: Try to understand, my nephew is a complicated young man. He has been through much. (edit) Katara: Aang is the bravest person I know! He has done nothing but help people and save lives since I met him. It's not his fault he disappeared, right Aang? Aang? What's wrong? (edit) Aang: I'll never forget the day the monks told me I was the Avatar. (edit) Sokka (depressed): Out of food and out of money, now what are we supposed to do?
Katara: You could get a job, smart guy. (edit)

When Monk Gyatso argues that as Aang's guardian he chooses when Aang can play and train, the green pillow he is sitting on turns orange like his robe. Also the rug from before is missing. (edit) How did the old woman know where Aang and Katara went after leaving the market? (edit) When Sokka states that he had a dream where Momo could talk, this is actually a hilarious foreshadowing to the fact that Momo does actually talk in the episode Nightmares and Daydreams, albeit in Aang's dream. (edit) It's clear when Zuko goes back up to the top of the ship to investigate the lightning strike, a good deal of his crew has joined him. As he goes up the ladder you can see them standing on the deck of the ship. However, when Iroh turns to redirect lightning, every member of the crew has disappeared, only to return in the next shot of the deck. (edit) The outline of the man's mustache above his teeth vanish for a second while he debates on apologizing to Aang in the cave. (edit) When Katara walks into the cave and sees Aang kneeling on the ground and walks up to him, her shadow can be seen moving over him on the ground but the light from outside is still shining on his back, even with Katara's shadow over top of him. (edit)

In the flashback, Ozai challenges Zuko to an Agni Kai, meaning fire duel. Agni is the Hindu god of fire. Kai is from Japanese, meaning a confrontation. (edit) At the very beginning of Aang's flashback, two Airbenders can briefly be seen playing a "Rock, Paper, Scissors"-like game. (edit) When Aang and Katara are riding on Appa up the huge wave crest during the storm is seems to be a allusion to the movie The Perfect Storm. (edit) The scene where the fishing boat was breaking apart in the storm with Sokka, and the fisherman on it could be a allusion to the woodcut painting In the Hollow of a Wave off the Coast at Kanagawa (from a Series of Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji) by Katsushika Hokusai. (edit) The method that the monks use to identify the Avatar when he is young is very similar to how the people of Tibet find the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. One of the tests they use is to see if the suspected reincarnation is really the new Dalai Lama is to see if the boy can recognize several of their old possesions from a past life. In this episode, it is revealed that Aang picks past Avatar's toys to play with out of a large amount of toys. (edit) The old wife says that her bones aching means that a storm is coming. Many sailors, soldiers, and various older people claim to be able to predict the weather like this. It mostly involves being able to sense the change in barometric pressure, which precedes storms and major shifts in weather. The pressure presses in on the bones, sometime made hollow or brittle by age or osteoperosis. (edit) Sokka's payment of a fish is in keeping with pre-industrial labor practices; workers were often paid with the produce of their efforts. (edit)