Avatar: The Last Airbender

The Desert was a really spectacular episode of Avatar The Last Airbender. I really enjoyed watching this episode because there was a lot of character and plot development. It was fun to watch Sokka and Momo tripping off of cactus juice together through the desert while Katara struggles to keep every one together. Meanwhile Zuko and Iroh are searching for help and Zuko learns why Iroh prized the White Lotus Tile so much. It was sad to find out what happened to Appa and to see Aang's reaction. The ending was very touching and shows how connected Aang and Katara are. I look forward to watching the next episode!!!!!!!

The first half of this episode was pretty slow. Just the crew dragging on through the desert with some dysfunction, mainly with Aang and his rage at the loss of Appa. There's also the Zuko and Iroh side of the story as they are hunted down by bounty hunters. Luckily though the second half picked up, tremendously. Zuko and Iroh's story didn't get anymore interesting, besides the part where they're headed to Ba Sin Se, but the main heroes part did. We see how angry Aang is and how deep rooted his love for Appa is. And then in even more rage he takes his anger out on the sand benders that captured him in the first place by being close to releasing the Avatar state. Aang has never shown this aggression before and it really shows how close he is with his bison.

I saw this again yesterday day out of the blue, and I loved as much as I did couple years ago. Aang is angry and sad that appa was kidnapped. His anger is on a deeper level than most shows approach it, you actually understand why he is angry and emphasize with him. Katara is trying her best to keep the gang together and doesn't lose her hope. Aang becomes so angry that he kills a buzzard wasp when it try to steal momo. The episode was very solemn but it showed how three dimensional the characters are especially Aang. The funnies part is Sokka and the cactus juice. It will quench you!

This episode was really painful to watch. It was a good episode, but it was out of character to see Aang so upset and the gang falling apart. The best part of the episode was when Sokka and Momo drank cactus juice and got high XD Sokka's eyes got really big, and he was saying some of the stupidest stuff XD Towards the end of the episode, the gang runs into the bandits/sandbenders who took Appa. Aang gets really mad and goes into the Avatar State. They get scared, and tell him Appa was sold and is now on his way to Ba Sing Seh. Katara grabs Aang and hugs him until he calms down. Meanwhile, Zuko and Iroh find help from a secret organization of the White Lotus.

the only reason i liked this episode was sokka!

he was SO funny!

i always loved sokka's personality. sarcastic , and meat loving.

a little skeptical too.

there was a lot of character development too.

A giant mushroom! maybe its friendly!



hahaha i fell of the couch on that one.

it was funny and very sokka-like.

sokka and his random ways are little spices in the avatar series.

sokka and aang's humor gives us a little more boost to love avatar more and more.

its funny how they think of all this characters, all these complicated, but funny characters gives us more reason to love avatar,'

so lets love avatar!

i love avatar

yeah, im back . im gonna finish the reviews for season 2 today but i dont think i can do it today so i might finish it tomorrow but i also need to finish season 3 tomorrow so i dont know if i can do it. uhh this is so trouble some . oh crap i already wrote 60 words and i didnt even know it! but i still have to write 30 now and that sucks badly! 22 more words and then i got to go to the serpent pass thing 8 more words till im done and im done

Aang searches for Appa, while Katara struggles to keep everyone together so they can survive in the vast desert while Sokka supposedly gets "high" of Cactus juice in the desert. Meanwhile, Iroh and Zuko seek help from an ancient secret society. Will Aang find his furry friend or did the sandbenders cause a catastrophe? I loved the cave thing and the bee thing animal type of - whatever. it was extremely cool and it had its funny moments and was very nicely done. i loved watching it. it showed a lot of character developemtn as well and i liked that.

The gang is stuck in the Si Wong Desert right after Aang, Sokka, Katara and Momo exited Wan Shi Tong's library as it sank into the sands. All but Toph are looking in different directions for signs of Appa. A distraught Aang castigates Toph for letting Sandbenders get away with Appa – accusing her of intentionally letting Appa be captured. Katara attempts to calm down Aang by pointing out that Toph saved them from sinking with the library. Despite Katara's efforts, Aang heads out on his glider to look for Appa, leaving the others behind. Katara then decides the rest of them need to start walking if they hope to get to Ba Sing Se and inform others about the future solar eclipse which could spell victory for them over the Fire Nation.While riding on the Ostrich Horse, Iroh makes many sounds pretending to be in serious pain in order to get Zuko to stop for a break. As soon as the duo stops, they are surrounded by the Rough Rhinos from "Avatar Day." Iroh greets them in a friendly manner, as they are his old friends, but also prepares for a fight. As the group attacks, Iroh and Zuko effectively maneuver an escape. Zuko asks Iroh if he has any old friends that don't want to attack them, giving Iroh an idea.



Katara, Sokka, Toph and Momo are tiredly walking through the desert. Katara parts with some of her bending water to help keep them hydrated, but is met with some criticism as Sokka realizes it's been used in the swamp. Sokka spots a wild cactus and slices one of its fruits to reveal cactus juice. Both Sokka and Momo drink from the cactus. Katara warns against eating strange plants when Sokka's pupils suddenly dilate as both he and Momo discover that the cactus' juice has hallucinogenic properties. Katara decides it's best if they do not have any more cactus juice and continue looking for Aang while progressing through the desert.



Aang glides along looking for Appa – blowing his bison whistle and yelling for him. He then lands and in his anger Airbends a huge mushroom cloud out of sand. The others see the cloud and feel the air from a long distance away. Unknowingly, they decide to keep walking away from Aang.



Meanwhile, at the Misty Palms Oasis, Xin Fu and Master Yu get information that Aang and Toph have been there recently, but headed into the desert. Xin Fu then notices Fire Nation wanted posters as well as Iroh and Zuko arriving into the oasis and decide to change their target.



As it nears sunset, Aang rejoins the group without Appa. Aang is not only discouraged and willing to give up, but more overwhelmed with silent anger and spite than ever before. Katara pulls the group together again and they continue on as Buzzard-Wasps circle overhead.



Katara declares that the gang should stop for the night and the others gladly fall to the ground exhausted. She asks Sokka for a look at some of the information from the library and Sokka (still under the effects of the cactus) accuses Momo of telling Katara about the information he stole – forgetting Katara was with him at the time. Still in his defeatist mood, Aang says the maps won't help them find Appa, but Katara reveals that a star chart can help lead them towards Ba Sing Se when traveling at night. Katara says they should start up again in a few hours to take advantage of the cool nights.



Iroh and Zuko are inside the same fruit bar where Aang's crew met the Professor in the previous episode. Iroh spots someone at a Pai Sho table and believes this may be the friend they are looking for. As they head over, Xin Fu wants to arrest them right then and there, but Master Yu points out that in the present company of thieves and lowly men at the bar they could start an unwanted fight over their bounty. Iroh approaches the Pai Sho table and asks to play. After beginning with the White Lotus tile in the center of the board, the friend and Iroh form a flower pattern by rote with the Pai Sho pieces, a secret handshake of sorts that identifies Iroh as a member of the clandestine Order of the White Lotus. Xin Fu loses his patience and goes for Iroh and Zuko, but their new friend creates a diversion, causing the rest of the people in the establishment to fight with them while Iroh and Zuko escape.Meanwhile, patience is wearing thinner as Katara rouses everyone awake to take advantage of the night's cool temperature. Aang mistakes a stray cloud overhead for Appa, as Sokka in his delirium questions why Princess Yue (the moon) would ride Appa when she could already fly in the sky. When Katara asks him to Waterbend the cloud into her waterskin, Aang furiously does so, still holding fast to his spiteful anger. After Katara comments on how little water there was in the cloud, Aang blows up at her. As they head out, Toph bumps her foot against a buried boat and Aang uncovers a Sandbender sailer, equipped with a compass. The group decides to use the sailer to get out of the desert as they become more sure of their survival.



Iroh and Zuko are led into a flower shop by their friend who addresses Iroh as a high ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus. Zuko, still unconvinced as to how Pai Sho playing will help them, makes a derisive statement about flower arranging. Iroh apologizes to their new friend about Zuko's lack of appreciation for their group. After a cryptic exchange of words, Iroh and the friend are let into a back room, but Zuko is shut out and made to wait in the flower shop.



Aang uses airbending to move the sailer over the sand. Katara mentions that she doesn't think the compass points north when a large rock mesa suddenly looms into view ahead of them. Toph is excited to get near rocks again while Aang maliciously hopes to encounter Sandbenders.



When they reach the top of the huge rock, Toph falls back and makes a rock angel to show her joy at being back on solid ground. The crew goes into some caves and Sokka eats a gooey honey-looking substance from the walls which tastes terrible. Suddenly, Toph realizes that the caves were not made naturally because of its octagonal shape and that something buzzing is coming after them.Buzzard-Wasps swarm out of the cave. Toph's aim is hampered by the fact the creatures are flying and Katara is out of water for bending. Momo is snatched by one of the buzzing creatures and Aang goes after it, not willing to lose another friend. He successfully frees Momo and kills the Buzzard-Wasp out of the sky with a vengeance, while the others work their way down the rock. The rest of the group are fighting off the swarm when large blasts of sand envelop the Buzzard-Wasps. Several Sandbenders appear as the sand clears, who question where the group retrieved the sailer and accuses them of theft. Toph recognizes the voice of one of the Sandbenders who had taken Appa. Enraged, Aang demands to know where his bison is. When his accusation is first challenged, he destroys one of the sailers and makes his demand once more.



Meanwhile, Iroh has finally emerged from the back room of the flower shop. He awakens Zuko and tells him that they will head to Ba Sing Se, a stronghold not even he could topple in his earlier years, where they can hide in plain sight among the many refugees. Unfortunately, Xin Fu and Master Yu are still looking for them, and they are forced to flee the oasis hidden in two large potted plants.



Aang demands once more to know where Appa is and destroys another sailer. The leader, Sha-Mo, turns to his son, Ghashiun, and asks what he did to incur such wrath on their people. Ghashiun denies everything, but Toph recognizes his voice, also pointing out that he ordered a muzzle to be put on Appa. Infuriated, Aang enters the Avatar State and destroys another sailer. Ghashiun confesses he took the Bison, but didn't know it was the Avatar's. In the booming voice of his many past lives, Aang demands to know Appa's location. Ghashiun replies that he traded Appa to a merchant and that he's probably in Ba Sing Se. Aang begins to form an air ball around himself similar to when he was in the Southern Air Temple. Sokka takes Toph by the shoulders and tells everyone to run away from Aang, but Katara stays. As Aang begins to rise into the air, Katara approaches him and grabs his wrist. He turns at her in an instant, with the fiercest intent in his eyes, as she sadly pulls him down into an embrace. Held in Katara's arms, Aang leaves the Avatar State with tears running down his face as the episode comes to a close.

After Appa is kidnapped to be sold somewhere, the group finds themselves trapped in the desert. Will they make it out? Overall a good episode I guess, you see a side to Aang that may have always been lingering but doesn't come to full measure until he sees that Appa is gone. There is a lot of anger and aggresion in this episode but it's good to see the group pull through it, of course if you'd be stuck in a desert, you probably wouldn't be skipping. The episode mounts to full measure when Aang confronts the man or leader who sold Appa. You also see however, how much Katara cares for Aang and it makes me feel good seeing them together through it all.

The scene opens with the gang stuck in the desert right after Aang, Sokka, Katara and Momo exited the Library before it sank. All but Toph are looking in different directions for signs of Appa. A distraught Aang verbally goes after Toph for letting the sandbenders get away with Appa – accusing her of intentionally letting Appa be captured. Katara attempts to calm Aang down and points out that Toph saved them. Sokka doesn't help the situation by pointing out they are still in need of rescuing - as they are in the middle of the desert. Aang then lashes out at everyone by calling them selfish. Despite Katara's efforts to calm Aang, he heads out on his glider to look for Appa leaving the others behind. Katara then decides the rest of them need to start walking if they hope to get to Ba Sing Se and get the solar eclipse information to others. While riding on the ostrich-horse, Iroh makes many sounds appearing to be pretending to be in pain in order to get Zuko to stop for a break. As soon as the duo stops, they are surrounded by five adversaries on rhino's – the same ones from Avatar Day. Iroh identifies the group as Colonel Mongke and the Rough Rhinos. Iroh greets them in a friendly manner, but takes note of where they all are as the Colonel has stated they are there to capture some fugitives (Zuko and Iroh). As the group attacks, Iroh and Zuko effectively maneuver an escape. Zuko asks Iroh if he has any old friends that don't want to attack them, giving Iroh an idea. Katara, Sokka, Toph and Momo are tiredly walking through the desert. Sokka slows a bit and Toph runs into him prompting an irritable Sokka to begin to say "Can't you watch where you're…?" momentarily forgetting that Toph is blind. Katara parts up some of her bending water to help keep them hydrated. But is met with some criticism as Sokka realizes it's been used in the swamp. Sokka spots a cactus and slices part open to reveal water type drink inside. Momo also drinks some. Katara warns against eating strange plants where they do not know what the effects are when suddenly, Sokka's pupils dilate and both he and Momo begin acting delirious. Katara decides it's best if they do not have any more and continue looking for Aang. Aang glides along looking for Appa – blowing his bison whistle and yelling. He then lands and in his anger he airbends a huge sand mushroom cloud. The others (seemingly a long distance away) not only see the cloud but also feel the air. Unknowingly, they decide to keep walking - away from Aang. Sokka and Momo are still delirious. Back at the Misty Palms Oasis, Xin Fu and Master Yu get information that Aang and Toph have been there recently, but headed into the desert and may never come back. Just then, Xin Fu notices Fire Nation wanted posters as well as Iroh and Zuko arriving into the Oasis. Nearing sunset and Aang rejoins the group – without Appa. Aang is very discouraged and seems willing to give up, but Katara pulls the group together again and they continue on even as vulture-wasp like creatures buzz overhead. As Katara declares "I think we should stop for the night" the others gladly fall to the ground exhausted. Toph asks for water and Katara begins to ration out the last of what she has when Momo runs into the water causing it to sink into the ground. Katara manages to get most back using her waterbending. She asks Sokka for a look at some of the information from the library and Sokka (still under the effects of the cactus) accuses Momo of ratting him out by telling Katara about the information he had – forgetting Katara was with him in the library. Still in his defeatist mode, Aang says the maps won't help them find Appa, but Katara points out they will help them head to Ba Sing Se by following the stars. Katara says they should start up again in a few hours to take advantage of the cool nights. Iroh and Zuko are in side the same establishment where Aang's crew met the Professor in the previous episode. Iroh spots someone at the Pai Sho table and believes this may be the friend they are looking for. As they head over, Xin Fu wants to go after them, but Master Yu points out they may be in over their heads given where they are and they should show patience and wait for the right moment to go after Zuko and Iroh. Iroh approaches the Pai Sho table and asks to play. After beginning with the Lotus tile, the friend and Iroh begin what appears to be a ritualistic game understood by the two of them. Xin Fu loses his patience goes for Iroh and Zuko, but their new friend creates a diversion causing the rest of the people in the establishment to fight with two would-be captors while Iroh and Zuko escape. Meanwhile, Katara is rousing everyone awake to take advantage of the night. Aang mistakes a cloud for Appa. When Katara asks him to waterbend the cloud into her water-skin, Aang angrily does so. After Katara comment on how little water there was from the cloud, Aang blows up at her asking her what she's doing… to which he quietly states "trying to keep everyone together". As they head out, Toph bangs her foot against what she calls a boat and Aang uncovers a glider like the sandbenders used. There's a compass aboard and the group decides to use the glider to try to get out of the desert. Sokka and Momo are still delirious. Iroh and Zuko are led into a building (flower shop) by their friend who tells Iroh what an honor it is to have such a high ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus. Zuko, still unconvinced as to how Pai Sho playing will help them, makes a derisive statement about flower arranging. Iroh apologizes to their new friend about Zuko lack of appreciation for their group. After a cryptic exchange through a speakeasy type opening, Iroh and the new friend are let into a back room, but Zuko is shut out and made to wait in the flower shop as it is "member's only". Aang uses his airbending to move the glider over the sand. Katara mentions that she doesn't think the compass is pointing north and suddenly they see a huge rock formation ahead. Toph is excited to get to the rock while Aang appears to be maliciously hoping there are sandbenders there. When they reach the top of the huge rock, Toph falls back to make a rock angel to show her joy at being back on solid ground. The crew goes into some caves and Sokka says he thinks his head is starting to clear up, but then proceeds to eat a gooey substance from the walls which tastes terrible. Suddenly, Toph realizes these aren't natural caves and there is something buzzing that is coming toward them. Huge buzzard-wasp like animals swarm out. Toph's aim is hampered by the fact the creatures are flying and Katara is out of water for bending. Momo is snatched by one of the buzzing creatures and Aang goes after them. He successfully frees Momo, while the others work their way down the rock. It appears Aang used his airbending to kill the creature after Momo was freed, showing a sinister side to Aang. The rest of the group are fighting off the swarm when suddenly, huge sandblasts shoo them back to the top. When the sand clears there are several sandbenders, Aang returns and lands in between his group and the sandbenders. Iroh finally emerges from the back room and awakens Zuko as he's sleeping standing up. He tells Zuko they will be heading to Ba Sing Se and hiding in plain sight. Unfortunately, Xin Fu and Master Yu are still looking for them. The sandbenders ask why they have one of their vessels and Katara explains they found it and that their Bison was stolen. Toph recognizes one of the voices as one who took Appa. Suddenly Aang demands to know where his bison is and when his accusation is challenged he destroys one of the gliders and makes his demand again. Xin Fu and Master Yu head into the flower shop looking for Zuko and Iroh, but they are not to be found – even after Xin Fu knocks down the door to the back room. A cart with two potted plants is being taken out of the Oasis and suddenly we see Iroh and Zuko are hiding in the pots. Aang again demands to know where Appa is and destroys a sand sailer. The leader turns to his son and asks what he did. The son denies any wrong doing, but Toph she heard the son say to put a muzzle on Appa, Hearing this, Aang gets angry and goes instantly into the Avatar state and destroys another sand sailer. The son confesses he took the Bison, but didn't know it was the Avatar's. Aang (in a menacing Avatar voice on top of his own) demands to know Appa's location and the son says he traded Appa to merchant and that he's probably in Ba Sing Se by now. Avatar Aang begins to form an air ball around him similar to when he was in the Southern Air Temple and had found Gyatso. Sokka takes Toph by the shoulders and says run. As Avatar Aang begins rising into the air, Katara approaches him, grabs his wrist, pulls Aang down and embraces him – eventually bringing Aang out of the Avatar State and it is revealed that tears are streaming down his face. Retrieved from "http://avatar.wikia.com/wiki/The_Desert"

Wow. This episode really shows a lot. Mostly, Aang's "darker" side. The key of this episode is to not get Aang angry. But, the only thing that seems to calm him down is Katara. Where's Appa?! I couldn't believe that, Appa of all people would go missing. I really didn't like Aang's attitude in this episode. Toph really didn't have a choice. Save Aang and the others or Appa?! Well, they found Appa in Lake Laogai anyway. Sokka was absolutely hilarious in this episode. With the Cactus Juice. And when he says it's wearing off, he just licks something off a cave wall!!! That's funny. Overall, funny episode, not much action, but a 9.3.

After losing Appa the gaang have to travel through the desert in order to survive. On the way Sokka drinks some cactus juice and becomes disillusioned. Katara is the only one who tries to keep the gaang positive and keep them moving. After finding a sand bending ship the gaang arrives at a rock where Buzzard-Wasps are located. After a fight with the wasps the encounter the sand benders. Toph recognizes one of the voices who took Appa. This episode was really funny because of when Sokka and Momo drank the cactus juice and had all the hallucinations in the desert. It was also sad because we see how much Aang cares about Appa and how much it hurts him to loose Appa.

In this episode, Katara seems to be the only focused person who luckily takes charge of the weary, irritable group. The broken foursome are trying their best to escape, what seems to be, an endless desert, but are having difficulties for the young Avatar is distracted with his own feelings, the master earthbender is close to being helpless, and the watertribe boy is delusional.



Aang is caught up in his rage toward the sand benders who ambushed Toph in order to capture the mighty flying bison (who was later traded to some merchants from Ba Sing Se). This is the first time we are able to see the fun loving, optimistic air bender be in a state of depression for a long period of time. Without the presence of his best friend, Appa, the young avatar has thrown away all thoughts of hope; "What's the difference? We won't survive without Appa. We all know it." Appa, being the only animal left (save Momo) of Aang's once great Air Temple, Aang has also lost the only part he has left of him connecting back to the old days he spent in his home. So it is easy to see why he would be enraged toward losing his best friend and animal guide though it was not fair that the young air bender blamed the kidnapping of his flying bison on his friends. He mostly blamed Toph of letting the sand benders take Appa away; "You just didn't care! You never liked Appa! You wanted him gone!" While he thought of the others being careless; "That's all any of you guys care about: yourselves! You don't care whether Appa is okay or not!" (even though they were just thinking about surviving). At one point in the episode, Aang mercilessly takes down a Buzzard Wasp even after retrieving his flying lemur, which until now, is something that we know the high-spirited air bender would never do. The young Avatar is finally beginning to show a sign of maturity by experiencing, not only the happiness in the world, but also all the worries and fury in the world of war he lives in. Toph is less sarcastic and is more willing to accept help in this episode. With the sand constantly shifting underneath her feet, she is unable to feel strong vibrations, thus, she can't see. But Katara kindly helps lead the earthbender throughout the desert with no complaints from the young girl even though Toph has stated many times that "… I can take care of myself by myself." Toph's trust in Katara was shown during the battle with the Buzzard Wasps, where she easily followed instructions from the waterbender and was able to take down the giant animals in the air. During the first few episodes with the young earth bending master, she proved to be isolating herself from the group, but in this episode Toph proved that she is able to work in a team. Sokka brought comedy in this serious episode. While everyone else was dealing with their own problems he was hallucinating on cactus juice and later on a sticky substance that was on the cave wall. In a way, it was good to have Sokka distracted by something or else, most likely, he would have been complaining during the whole journey making it much more difficult on Katara. During his delusional state, Sokka mentions Yue; "Appa? But why would Princess Yue need him? She's the moon! She flies by herself!" Sokka's comment shows that he has not yet forgotten about the young Princess and constantly thinks about her every time he notices the moon. Sokka understands love and the serious relationship he had; he is well on his way to becoming a man. Katara takes control of the group and focuses on surviving. She is the only one left filled with hope and determination; "We're getting out of this desert, and we're going to do it together! Aang, get up. Everybody hold hands. We can do this. We have to." The young waterbending master has always been mature, loving, and responsible, so it was no surprise she was able to keep the gang together despite the troubles between them. Without Katara, they would have been stranded in the vast desert and have been left there to die. Countless times the watertribe girl has proved to be the only one able to calm the young avatar and it was no different in the end of the episode; 'Katara makes her way through the fierce wind and grabs Aang's wrist. He looks down at her with anger and hate, but is only met with Katara's sad expression. Katara brings Aang back to the ground and hugs him by the shoulders. Tears are streaming from Aang's glowing eyes, and Katara is doing her best not to let go of him. The wind finally dies down. Aang leaves the Avatar state and lets his head rest against Katara.' Under life threatening conditions, Katara's motherly-like instincts kick in. "The Desert" tests our favorite characters under the worst environments which, in the end, help them come to age.

The gang is stuck in the Si Wong Desert right after Aang, Sokka, Katara and Momo exited Wan Shi Tong's library as it sank into the sands. All but Toph are looking in different directions for signs of Appa. A distraught Aang castigates Toph for letting Sandbenders get away with Appa – accusing her of intentionally letting Appa be captured. Katara attempts to calm down Aang by pointing out that Toph saved them from sinking with the library. Despite Katara's efforts, Aang heads out on his glider to look for Appa, leaving the others behind. Katara then decides the rest of them need to start walking if they hope to get to Ba Sing Se and inform others about the future solar eclipse which could spell victory for them over the Fire Nation.While riding on the Ostrich Horse, Iroh makes many sounds pretending to be in serious pain in order to get Zuko to stop for a break. As soon as the duo stops, they are surrounded by the Rough Rhinos from "Avatar Day." Iroh greets them in a friendly manner, as they are his old friends, but also prepares for a fight. As the group attacks, Iroh and Zuko effectively maneuver an escape. Zuko asks Iroh if he has any old friends that don't want to attack them, giving Iroh an idea.



Katara, Sokka, Toph and Momo are tiredly walking through the desert. Katara parts with some of her bending water to help keep them hydrated, but is met with some criticism as Sokka realizes it's been used in the swamp. Sokka spots a wild cactus and slices one of its fruits to reveal cactus juice. Both Sokka and Momo drink from the cactus. Katara warns against eating strange plants when Sokka's pupils suddenly dilate as both he and Momo discover that the cactus' juice has hallucinogenic properties. Katara decides it's best if they do not have any more cactus juice and continue looking for Aang while progressing through the desert.



Aang glides along looking for Appa – blowing his bison whistle and yelling for him. He then lands and in his anger Airbends a huge mushroom cloud out of sand. The others see the cloud and feel the air from a long distance away. Unknowingly, they decide to keep walking away from Aang.



Meanwhile, at the Misty Palms Oasis, Xin Fu and Master Yu get information that Aang and Toph have been there recently, but headed into the desert. Xin Fu then notices Fire Nation wanted posters as well as Iroh and Zuko arriving into the oasis and decide to change their target.



As it nears sunset, Aang rejoins the group without Appa. Aang is not only discouraged and willing to give up, but more overwhelmed with silent anger and spite than ever before. Katara pulls the group together again and they continue on as Buzzard-Wasps circle overhead.



Katara declares that the gang should stop for the night and the others gladly fall to the ground exhausted. She asks Sokka for a look at some of the information from the library and Sokka (still under the effects of the cactus) accuses Momo of telling Katara about the information he stole – forgetting Katara was with him at the time. Still in his defeatist mood, Aang says the maps won't help them find Appa, but Katara reveals that a star chart can help lead them towards Ba Sing Se when traveling at night. Katara says they should start up again in a few hours to take advantage of the cool nights.



Iroh and Zuko are inside the same fruit bar where Aang's crew met the Professor in the previous episode. Iroh spots someone at a Pai Sho table and believes this may be the friend they are looking for. As they head over, Xin Fu wants to arrest them right then and there, but Master Yu points out that in the present company of thieves and lowly men at the bar they could start an unwanted fight over their bounty. Iroh approaches the Pai Sho table and asks to play. After beginning with the White Lotus tile in the center of the board, the friend and Iroh form a flower pattern by rote with the Pai Sho pieces, a secret handshake of sorts that identifies Iroh as a member of the clandestine Order of the White Lotus. Xin Fu loses his patience and goes for Iroh and Zuko, but their new friend creates a diversion, causing the rest of the people in the establishment to fight with them while Iroh and Zuko escape.Meanwhile, patience is wearing thinner as Katara rouses everyone awake to take advantage of the night's cool temperature. Aang mistakes a stray cloud overhead for Appa, as Sokka in his delirium questions why Princess Yue (the moon) would ride Appa when she could already fly in the sky. When Katara asks him to Waterbend the cloud into her waterskin, Aang furiously does so, still holding fast to his spiteful anger. After Katara comments on how little water there was in the cloud, Aang blows up at her. As they head out, Toph bumps her foot against a buried boat and Aang uncovers a Sandbender sailer, equipped with a compass. The group decides to use the sailer to get out of the desert as they become more sure of their survival.



Iroh and Zuko are led into a flower shop by their friend who addresses Iroh as a high ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus. Zuko, still unconvinced as to how Pai Sho playing will help them, makes a derisive statement about flower arranging. Iroh apologizes to their new friend about Zuko's lack of appreciation for their group. After a cryptic exchange of words, Iroh and the friend are let into a back room, but Zuko is shut out and made to wait in the flower shop.



Aang uses airbending to move the sailer over the sand. Katara mentions that she doesn't think the compass points north when a large rock mesa suddenly looms into view ahead of them. Toph is excited to get near rocks again while Aang maliciously hopes to encounter Sandbenders.



When they reach the top of the huge rock, Toph falls back and makes a rock angel to show her joy at being back on solid ground. The crew goes into some caves and Sokka eats a gooey honey-looking substance from the walls which tastes terrible. Suddenly, Toph realizes that the caves were not made naturally because of its octagonal shape and that something buzzing is coming after them.Buzzard-Wasps swarm out of the cave. Toph's aim is hampered by the fact the creatures are flying and Katara is out of water for bending. Momo is snatched by one of the buzzing creatures and Aang goes after it, not willing to lose another friend. He successfully frees Momo and kills the Buzzard-Wasp out of the sky with a vengeance, while the others work their way down the rock. The rest of the group are fighting off the swarm when large blasts of sand envelop the Buzzard-Wasps. Several Sandbenders appear as the sand clears, who question where the group retrieved the sailer and accuses them of theft. Toph recognizes the voice of one of the Sandbenders who had taken Appa. Enraged, Aang demands to know where his bison is. When his accusation is first challenged, he destroys one of the sailers and makes his demand once more.



Meanwhile, Iroh has finally emerged from the back room of the flower shop. He awakens Zuko and tells him that they will head to Ba Sing Se, a stronghold not even he could topple in his earlier years, where they can hide in plain sight among the many refugees. Unfortunately, Xin Fu and Master Yu are still looking for them, and they are forced to flee the oasis hidden in two large potted plants.



Aang demands once more to know where Appa is and destroys another sailer. The leader, Sha-Mo, turns to his son, Ghashiun, and asks what he did to incur such wrath on their people. Ghashiun denies everything, but Toph recognizes his voice, also pointing out that he ordered a muzzle to be put on Appa. Infuriated, Aang enters the Avatar State and destroys another sailer. Ghashiun confesses he took the Bison, but didn't know it was the Avatar's. In the booming voice of his many past lives, Aang demands to know Appa's location. Ghashiun replies that he traded Appa to a merchant and that he's probably in Ba Sing Se. Aang begins to form an air ball around himself similar to when he was in the Southern Air Temple. Sokka takes Toph by the shoulders and tells everyone to run away from Aang, but Katara stays. As Aang begins to rise into the air, Katara approaches him and grabs his wrist. He turns at her in an instant, with the fiercest intent in his eyes, as she sadly pulls him down into an embrace. Held in Katara's arms, Aang leaves the Avatar State with tears running down his face as the episode comes to a close.

the only thing that really is the point of this review is... Sokka on cactus juice!!! lol i mainly like this episode because of sokka him on cactus juice he is just so hilarios hulusinating. its extremly funny when he blames momo for rading on him. ok ok ok moving on i like this episode too because its the first time i remember aang getting mad at katara for a whole episode.its just interesting to me.zukos part is pretty funny too.his bitterness is just funny.i really loved this episode its great to see them struggle then get out of that struggle.

This is probably one of my favorites. Katara is the hero, I guess you could say, in this one and I love that! I also love Sokka and Momo on the catus juice... SOOO funny! Aang makes me want to cry pretty much the whole time he's on... But who could blame him with Appa missing... The show could have used a little more of Toph but when she was on she was cool too. favorite quote- by: Sokka- "Appa? But why would Princess Yue need him? She's the moon she flies by herself"..

There is no other episode for me that explains the depth of the Katara and Aang connection than this one. Clearly without Katara they would have never even made it out of the desert. She shines in this episode like no other. At the end of the episode during the confrontation with the sandbenders Aang just finally falls apart and totally loses it. Sokka, Toph and the sandbenders rightly run but Katara just stands there. She is not afraid. She knows on some level that Aang loves her as she loves him. Therefore the thought of facing him in the Avatar state is not something to be afraid of. In her own utter exhaustion she reaches up to him and pulls him to herself cradling him in her arms. At which point he sobs in the safety of her embrace. Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. There is no other episode to date that so powerfully illustrates the power of love between them!

Avatar never fails to dissapoint. I thought this episode was funny, but also left a lot to wonder. Parts that made me laugh, when Sokka kept getting delusinal from the cactus juice, escpecially when Aang made that mushroom cloud thing. "Maybe it's friendly!" Also, Iroh and Zuko go to a secret club, the White Lotus Society or something like that(sorry forgot lol)? I thought that they were done for when the two earthbenders showed up, good thinking hiding in the pots. Also, Kataang moment(in a way) when Katara stops Aang when he's in the Avatar State. So, it was a superb episode.

I absolutely love this episode! From Sokka's cactus juice drinking to Iroh's secret society. The fact that "Sugar Queen"not only lead them the desert but managed to keep the group together is a testament to the strength of Katara's character. Aang has lost Appa so naturally he is upset to the point of violating his monk's way of life by killing the vulture wasp, this event shows a darker side of Aang that is previously unheard of the other episodes. Thus proving that even Aang has a darker side of his nature. It shows that even the hero has a dark side and this a deviation for many typical American heros that can do no wrong. Iroh and Zuko's little misadventure with the two bounty hunters and the Rough Rhinos was fun and enjoyable to watch. However what got me was Sokka's cactus juice...It was sooo hysterical to watch. Toph's rock angel was funny, you really could tell she was happy on solid land. Though the episode was a funny but heartfelt one it ended on a sad note Katara hugging Aang who is distressed that Appa was sold off. Poor Aang...

This episode in my opinion is the best episode next to the Northern Water tribe episodes. Aang, as well as everybody else has to try to survive without Appa in the vast dessert. The sand benders had what was coming to them when Aang finally found them. This was actually the first episode that actually scared me a little bit when Aang went absolutely berserk when he learned that Appa was sold. It's a very touching ending however as Aang and Katara hug at the end. This was the best episode of the series, but i do have to say that i wish they wouldn't keep making us wait for the next episode, because at this rate, we wont get to see the 3rd season until like, 2008. But anyway, a fantastic episode.



10/10

this may be my favorite episode if not its way up there.i love it so much i cant wait till it comes out on dvd. i mainly like it because of sokka him on cactus juice he is just so hilarios hulusinating. its extremly funny when he blames momo for rading on him. ok ok ok moving on i like this episode too because its the first time i remember aang getting mad at katara for a whole episode.its just interesting to me.zukos part is pretty funny too.his bitterness is just funny.i really loved this episode its great to see them struggle then get out of that struggle.

This episode was one of the funniest ones yet. Aang is becoming very mad searching for Appa. Toph is completely lost without solid ground. Sokka and Momo are crazy from the catus juice. And Katara is just trying to keep everyone together. The gang is stuck in their worlds largest desert which makes it almost impossible to find anything even a large flying Bison. I think this was one of the better episodes of the seasons. It was funny and was the begining of the long search for Appa. Not to mention they have to tell the Earth King of the solar eclipse. What a great episode.

Aang searches for Appa, while Katara struggles to keep everyone together so they can survive in the desert. Iroh and Zuko look for help from a secret club. I didn't really like this episode too much. The episode wasn't boring and yet it wasn't very exiting. My favorite parts of this episode was when Toph started to fight big bees and when Aang, Sokka, Katara, Toph and Momo meet some sand benders. Those were the only favorite parts of the episode that were my favorite. I hope you liked this episode Much more than I did because this episode wasn't really one of my favorites.

ok their eyes bugged me again in this episode and since i just relized that its cuz they are being drawn differently, this will be the last time i mention it(maybe). most people liked sokka high on cactus jucie, i didnt. it was funny half of the time and the other half it annoyed me. but i loved how he tryed the stuff on teh wall, if i was katara i would have slaped him or grabed his sholders and shake him till he stoped being an idiot :) but he did have his funny moments. i really liked katara in this episode, i could have not kept every one together, i would have been screaming at all of them. poor toph, she was totally helpless, i never thought i would miss her cockyness but it is way better than her acting helpless. aang pissed me off horibly, i know he was sad and all but yelling at toph was horible! and he was mean to katara, but anyway he has great evil eyes. and when he went all scary it was cool. they souldnt have just let us hanging like that though. it was kinda annoying how katara broght him down, but sweet i geuss in a sisterly way, but they acted like sand wasnt flying around, they should have been getting sand in their eyes. iroh and zuko... they rule! how they beat those people so easy, zuko broke the arrow, wow. anyway we finally see the earth benders that are after toph. and the pi soe (i have no idea how to spell that) was cool but they made it seem alittle to misterous, when it really wasnt. i loved how they slamed the door in zukos face though and then he sniffed that flower, best part in the episode.

i'm just going to quote xlA_V_A_T_A_Rlx b/c he did a pretty good job at explaining this,



'This is one of my all time favorite episodes. The depth of this episode gives me chills everytime I watch it. It is also very funny when Sokka is under the influence of of cactus juice and starts to halucinate. Katara tries to keep the gaang together when everyones emotions are running high and everyone is very worried for Aang because a group of sandbenders have stolen Appa. Without Appa, The Aang Gaang is trapped in the desert, hopelessly trying to escape and survive at the same time. Sokka drinks some cactus juice which causes him to see and hear many different and odd things. He sees a "mushroom", "hears" Princess Yue, and many other things that are very, very funny. After the amusing parts are over, towards the end we learn that Aang and the Gang find the sandbenders that took Appa. Toph says she never forgets a voice and remembers one of the sandbenders saying to muzzle Appa. Aang is now very annoyed, especially when the sandbenders at first deny even taking Appa. Aang then goes into the Avatar State on destroys some of the sandbenders sailors. Katara then grabs Aang as Aang starts to cry and tries to calm him down, feeling how horrible Aang feels without Appa. At that part I always get "goosebumps" because I can feel the emotion that Aang has. Its very sad. Overall, I think this was a very, VERY good episode.'

This is one of my all time favorite episodes. The depth of this episode gives me chills everytime I watch it. It is also very funny when Sokka is under the influence of of cactus juice and starts to halucinate. Katara tries to keep the gaang together when everyones emotions are running high and everyone is very worried for Aang because a group of sandbenders have stolen Appa. Without Appa, The Aang Gaang is trapped in the desert, hopelessly trying to escape and survive at the same time. Sokka drinks some cactus juice which causes him to see and hear many different and odd things. He sees a "mushroom", "hears" Princess Yue, and many other things that are very, very funny. After the amusing parts are over, towards the end we learn that Aang and the Gang find the sandbenders that took Appa. Toph says she never forgets a voice and remembers one of the sandbenders saying to muzzle Appa. Aang is now very annoyed, especially when the sandbenders at first deny even taking Appa. Aang then goes into the Avatar State on destroys some of the sandbenders sailors. Katara then grabs Aang as Aang starts to cry and tries to calm him down, feeling how horrible Aang feels without Appa. At that part I always get "goosebumps" because I can feel the emotion that Aang has. Its very sad. Overall, I think this was a very, VERY good episode.

i loved watching this so much! it was so great because it was showing how all of the gaang\'s characters really are. e.g. katara was more concerned with the others\' so she gave them all the water and took none for herself. she was constantly caring for the rest and she was the leader all the way.

sokka was his usual goofy self (though rather enhanced by some spiked cactus juice, which was hilarious, btw) and ended up this way when his \"instincts\" told him to drink this cactus juice.

aang really was pointing all his energy to the one thing he wanted most (at the time) which was finding appa. he can sometimes let these things get the better of him and eneded up loosing it in the end and later felt horrible for letting himself be that way and putting his friends in danger.

toph was rather touchy at the fact that she was more blind than usual in the desert and was getting really annoyed by it. i don\'t really think this showed her character much but i didn\'t want to exclude toph cuz she\'s the best!

Now this was a good episode. I really liked it. Was depressing, but gotta love seeing Sokka get drunk or stoned off of cactus juice. (if you wanna see a funny picture look at my signatures in the bottom of my forum post, all hail the giigle juice!) Seeing Aang like that freaked me out a little. But, we had a good Kataang moment.

After escaping the sinking Library. The group finds that Appa has been kidnapped. This single event starts to tear the group apart, as fingers are pointed. Zuko & Iroh find some "friends" as they escape from 2 familiar Bounty Hunters. A very emotional episode as the group finds that Appa has been kidnapped. The finger pointing starts as Aang blames Toph for choosing to save the group (in the sinking Library)...then Appa...referring to an argument they had back in "The Chase" episode. Toph for the first time shows a real depressive attitude and does blame herself. (Remember in the previous episode "The Library" Toph displays a sort of bonding moment with Appa, and is heartbroken when she realizes she cannot save him). Katara is being pulled in different directions as she finds herself trying desperately to hold the group together. What doesn't help matters is that they are running out of water, in the middle of a vast desert. Because of this Sokka, in an effort to find water, spots a cactus. He and Momo immediately drink from the water inside. They start to feel side-effects...ultimately experiencing "stoned" halucenations. This does serve as a stress-buster to the heavy topic of the episode.



Katara does take control, as Aang uncharacteristically leaves the group behind to search for Appa by air. She decides the rest of them need to start walking in order to hope to get to Ba Sing Se and inform others about the future solar eclipse. Aang returns to the group now depressed that he cannot find Appa. As the group thinks they found shelter, it turns out not to be friendly, and both Katara and Toph find themselves unable to bend. Momo is taken, and Aang shows a much darker side, and a more malicious attack, as he flys to rescue Momo. Aang & Co. survives and in the process ends up meeting the group responsible for kidnapping Appa. Though they attempt to lie, Toph recognizes one of their voices. That is all Aang needs as he enters The Avatar State in a show of shear anger.



Iroh and Zuko find themselves being tracked down by "old friends" of Iroh's. ("The Rough Rhinos" from the "Avatar Day" episode). They are dispatched easily, but both decide to find help from friends who will not attack them. We eventually meet up with the 2 bounty hunters (Xin Fu and Master Yu from the end of "The Blind Bandit" episode) as they are tracking Aang & Co. Upon stopping at the Misty Palms Oasis, they happen upon Iroh & Zuko and decide to make some extra money bringing them in. Iroh shows he knows much more than he lets on as he finds an old friend from the clandestine Order of the White Lotus and a way into the Earthbender city of Ba Sing Se.



After escaping the sinking Library. The group finds that Appa has been kidnapped. This single event starts to tear the group apart, as fingers are pointed. Zuko & Iroh find some "friends" as they escape from 2 familiar Bounty Hunters. A very emotional episode as the group finds that Appa has been kidnapped. The finger pointing starts as Aang blames Toph for choosing to save the group (in the sinking Library)...then Appa...referring to an argument they had back in "The Chase" episode. Toph for the first time shows a real depressive attitude and does blame herself. (Remember in the previous episode "The Library" Toph displays a sort of bonding moment with Appa, and is heartbroken when she realizes she cannot save him). Katara is being pulled in different directions as she finds herself trying desperately to hold the group together. What doesn't help matters is that they are running out of water, in the middle of a vast desert. Because of this Sokka, in an effort to find water, spots a cactus. He and Momo immediately drink from the water inside. They start to feel side-effects...ultimately experiencing "stoned" halucenations. This does serve as a stress-buster to the heavy topic of the episode.



Katara does take control, as Aang uncharacteristically leaves the group behind to search for Appa by air. She decides the rest of them need to start walking in order to hope to get to Ba Sing Se and inform others about the future solar eclipse. Aang returns to the group now depressed that he cannot find Appa. As the group thinks they found shelter, it turns out not to be friendly, and both Katara and Toph find themselves unable to bend. Momo is taken, and Aang shows a much darker side, and a more malicious attack, as he flys to rescue Momo. Aang & Co. survives and in the process ends up meeting the group responsible for kidnapping Appa. Though they attempt to lie, Toph recognizes one of their voices. That is all Aang needs as he enters The Avatar State in a show of shear anger.



Iroh and Zuko find themselves being tracked down by "old friends" of Iroh's. ("The Rough Rhinos" from the "Avatar Day" episode). They are dispatched easily, but both decide to find help from friends who will not attack them. We eventually meet up with the 2 bounty hunters (Xin Fu and Master Yu from the end of "The Blind Bandit" episode) as they are tracking Aang & Co. Upon stopping at the Misty Palms Oasis, they happen upon Iroh & Zuko and decide to make some extra money bringing them in. Iroh shows he knows much more than he lets on as he finds an old friend from the clandestine Order of the White Lotus and a way into the Earthbender city of Ba Sing Se.



Each character in this episode exhibits traits we have yet to see them display. Each plays off each other during the course of the episode. Aang: real anger, Toph: depression, Sokka/Momo: stoned, Katara: frustration, Zuko: patience, Iroh: secretive.

AHAHAHAHAA!!! GOD! Sokka ruled this episode. I play the laughing game with my brothers just because he makes me laugh everytime I watch the episode. I felt bad for Aang, but, jeez... he didn\'t have to be all stuck up and \"nobody cares about Appa\" like. Poor Toph, too... I hate sand, too, Toph, don\'t worry!!! Two thumbs WAAAAY up for this episode! It\'s protected on the DVR and I think this gives you the best examples from all aspects of Avatar. But... Sokka just rules. 0o