Writer:	Michael Dante DiMartino
Director:	Giancarlo Volpe
Star:	Jack DeSena (Sokka),  Mae Whitman (Katara),  Dante Basco (Prince Zuko),  Makoto Iwamatsu (Uncle Iroh),  Zach Tyler Eisen (Aang),  Dee Bradley Baker (Appa/Momo/Various Others)
Guest Star:	Jack Angel (Pirate Captain),  Victor Brandt (Master Pakku),  Jon Polito (Chief Arnook),  Keone Young (Captain Li),  Byron McKittrick (Pirate Barker),  Lucille Bliss (Yaguda),  Johanna Braddy (Princess Yue)

Military Debut: Northern Water Tribe warriors (edit) According to the DVD commentary for this episode, Master Pakku's waterbending trick of trapping Katara in a cage of icicles was inspired from a scene in House of Flying Daggers. (edit) Character Debuts: Yugoda (edit) The ariel view of the northern water tribe is completely different than the Venis-like view that is portrayed once the gang enters the city. (edit) This episode aired in the UK on 15/10/06 (15 October 2006). (edit)

Pakku: I carved this necklace for your grandmother when we got engaged. I thought we would have a long happy life together. I loved her.
Katara: But she didn't love you did she? It was an arranged marriage.
(Yue's eyes start tearing)
Katara: Gran Gran woudn't let your tribe's stupid customs ruin her life. That's why she left. It must of taken a lot of courage.
(Yue leaves with her eyes tearing)
Aang(to Sokka): Go get her. (edit) Pakku: You have disrespected me, my teachings, and my entire culture!
Aang: I'm sorry, I-
Pakku: You are no longer welcome as my student! (edit) Zhao: He's heading north. The Northern Water Tribe. The Avatar needs to master waterbending. He's looking for a teacher.
Captain Li: Then what are we waiting for? Let's go get him!
Zhao: Patience, Captain Li. This isn't some little Earth village we can just march into. The Water Tribe is a great nation. There's a reason they've survived a hundred years of war. The frozen tundra is treacherous. The landscape itself is an icy fortress. We'll need a massive invasion force. (edit) Uncle Iroh: He's taking everyone. (starts sobbing) Even the cook! (edit) Zhao: So, have you reconsidered my offer?
Iroh: Yes, I accept. It will be an honor to serve as your general. To the Fire Nation!
Zhao: To Victory! (edit)

When Yue tells Sokka to meet her on the bridge, Sokka falls in the water. When he gets out, he sits on the edge, his feet almost touching the water. But in the next shot, overhead, we see Sokka in the same position except the water is up to his knees. (edit) While Appa is swimming through the canal, the man bending Yue's gondala has brown hair and a light blue parka, but when Sokka focuses on Yue, the man's hair is grey and his parka is much darker. (edit) Master Pakku: In our tribe, it is forbidden for women to learn waterbending.

It seem nonsensible that the Northern Water Tribe would retain such a custom, considering the mulitple female Avatars that have to have been born into it, and the treatment towards the Avatar that people are constantly shown to provide. (edit) It is openly stated by Zhao that Zuko's weapons are broadswords; this is a common misconception. The twin swords that Zuko uses are known as Chinese Dao and are classified as sabre (saber) not broadswords. (edit) When Zuko's ship is being blown up, if you slow down the part were the fire engulfs Zuko, you can see him protecting himself by projecting a fire shield. (edit)

The Northern Water Tribe is an allusion to the Inuit culture. The Inuit people live in the Arctic, just like the Northern Water Tribe. In addition, the Inuit people use fish and other marine animals for daily needs just like the waterbenders do in the Northern Water Tribe. (edit) Given her harsh experiences of living in a world without the Avatar, Gran Gran's true name, Kanna, is most likely taken from the Japanese word 'kanna', which translates to 'godless world.' (edit) The small boats seen inside the city are based off gondolas, traditional Venetian rowing boats used for centuries as the primary means of transportation within Venice, Italy and continue to have an active role in public transport, serving as ferries for major canals. The canals of the Northern Water Tribe capitol city themselves are clearly designed from that of Venice. (edit) The water-locking chambers at the entrance of the Northern Water Tribe that are used to lift vessels to the level of the city's waterways are similar to that of the Panama Canal. (edit) House of Flying Daggers.
According to the DVD audio commentary for this episode, Pakku's method of disabling Katara at the end of their fight by trapping her within a cage of icicles was inspired by a sequence in House of Flying Daggers. (edit)