In this pilot episode, everyone refers to momo as 'peach', which is the japanese translation of momo. (edit) In this episode, the standard Fire Nation uniforms are different than that commonly seen throughout the main series. The creators in the commentary revealed that the change in design for the Fire Nation uniforms was not so much that the design was bad, the spikes were too inconvenient for some bending moves. (edit) In this pilot, Kya (Katara) and Aang do not seem to express quite the same type of relationship they do in the main series, Kya treats Aang more rationally and is considerably less trustful in her abilities than in the series as Katara. (edit) The scene between Momo and Zuko's pet Hawk was CG-based. According to the creators, it was the last time they did anything like that in the show because all the fire had to be animated by hand by Bryan. (edit) In this episode, Aang actually throws himself into danger in order to enter the Avatar state, a tactic he would never so impulsively execute in the series. Here, he utilizes it simply as a quick power up, whereas the concept of the Avatar state was altered to have much more complexity within the series. (edit) A freeze-frame scene with Aang flying on his glider is used in this pilot. This is most likely what inspired the freeze-frame scene of the heroes sliding down the mail chute in The King of Omashu. (edit) The intro for this episode is very different than any other episode. It has a completely different set of benders and clearly displays each of its characters demonstrating their native element sans the use of silhouettes. (edit) Most, if not all, the scenes in the trailer for the series were from this episode, including the sea serpent, Aang and Zuko's scaffold fight scene, Aang saving Zuko from falling, Aang being surrounded by the Fire Nation soldiers, etc. (edit) The sea serpent, who is later seen in Book 2: Earth, Chapter 32: The Serpent's Pass, is seen in this episode. The serpent is also featured in the brief trailer for the series based on this episode. (edit) Mitchel Musso was originally cast as the voice of Aang, but the character was re-cast and the part was given to Zach Tyler Eisen for unknown reasons. (edit) Several scenes of this pilot episode were animated by co-creator Bryan Konietzko himself. (edit) Prince Zuko is seen with a Dragon hawk in his possession. The co-creators revealed that the fowl originally served as his pet, but for some reason did not make it into the series. (edit) Uncle Iroh, who appears throughout the series, is the only main character from season 1 to not make an appearance. Even Momo, who in the series joined Aang and the others later in the third episode, is seen with the gang in this pilot episode. (edit) In this episode Katara's name is Kya. This was her original name, but was changed prior to the making of the first TV episode to Katara. (edit) This unaired pilot episode is available on the Avatar: The Last Airbender Complete Book 1 Collection DVD with commentary from co-creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino. So far, it is the only place where the episode is available and is only available with the commentary, making the dialog of the characters difficult to be heard. (edit)

Sokka: Kya, quit playing.
Kya (Katara): For the last time, waterbending is NOT playing. Braiding my doll's hair - now THAT'S playing.
Sokka: (blushing) I was six! (edit) Sokka: Hmm... (eats some berries) Bleh! (walks out of the bushes and sees a rhino) AH! (edit) Aang (while fleeing from Zuko): Woo hoo!
Sokka: You idiot! We're about to die! (edit) Kya: Aang, focus. (edit) Aang: You sure about that? (edit) Zuko: Give up now and I will make sure my father goes easy on you. (edit) Aang (To Kya): Kya, remember: (spreads his legs and squats a bit with his staff in his hands) It's all in the legs.
Kya: Thanks. (edit)

The statue of Ozai being built in the city is referenced Return to Omashu, with the massive structure of Ozai being constructed in the upper level of the city, and it is where Aang and Azula start off their fight. (edit) When Aang first fights Zuko's flame daggers, his collar turns red. (edit) In this episode, Sokka calls waterbending playing, and Kya tells him "for the last time, waterbending is not playing." This line may have inspired Sokka calling waterbending "magic" in The Boy In The Iceberg. (edit) In this episode, Zuko has a pet dragon hawk. This seems to be the inspiration for Sokka getting a messenger hawk in the episode The Runaway. (edit) The serpent from Serpents Pass and The Awakening appears. (edit) The Fire Nation outfits in this pilot greatly differ from the ones in the official series. (edit) When Zuko is going up the rope and the camera zooms into his eye, this is much like Azula going up the rope on Return to Omashu and the camera doing the same thing. (edit) When Kya (Katara) is using Aang's advice to waterbend, it is much like Aang teaching Katara the water-whip move in The Waterbending Scroll. (edit) In this episode the building of a statue of Ozai on top of Zuko's base resembles the Building of an Ozai statue on top of the city of New Ozai in Return to Omashu. (edit)

The original Fire Nation soldier uniform resembles Japanese samurai armor. This Japanese samurai armor is also similar to the ones in Heroes, in which Takezo Kensei dons. (edit)