Avatar: The Last Airbender

The Deserter was a perfect and entertaining episode of Avatar The Last Airbender. I enjoyed watching this episode because Aang learned some very valuable lessons, most importantly Restraint. There was a very interesting revelation about Katara. I thought the Fire Nation festival was cool and the fire play was amazing. Meeting Master Jeong Jeong was a different and testing experience for Aang. I enjoyed how Roku made a cameo appearance. Aang is truly of the Air and this episode shows that. He is playful and is all over the place constantly moving. Aang once again did some thing foolish causing Katara suffering and Sokka anger.

Once again Avatar delivers with a pretty solid story, good character development, and an average fight. There wasn't much to the story; just another group of single use characters that may perhaps have appeared in their first and last episode. Though what made this episode the way it was was the moral behind it. It was pretty neat how it explored the whole philosophy of fire bending and why Jeong Jeong abandoned the proud Fire Nation, even more of a surprise to find out Admiral Jao was his disciple at one point. This episode showed that Aang is still a boy at heart with a lot of growing to do. Scored some major points in terms of character development, but the fight could have been better; not very strategical nor aesthetically great.

This episode was pretty cool. Aang and the gang are accidentally discovered when the stumble across a Fire Nation festival. They are saved, however, from a young man who works for an exiled Fire Bending Master. Aang meets him, and they agree to work on fire bending. When Aang first tries fire bending, he accidentally burns Katara's hands. She runs off, but is found by the Master. He tells her to put her hands in the water. They heal instantly. He tells her that she is a healer, a very powerful one at that. Although she is healed, Aang refuses to fire bend anymore. Meanwhile, Zhao heard the rumors about Aang being at the festival. He discovers him and the Master and fight them. The Master gets away while Aang fights Zhao. That fight scene was just too funny XD I'd call it taunting more than fighting XD

This was an exciting episode, the best part was when Aang and his friends are out on their journey, and they stumble across a fire bender festival! A big and cool parade and other festivities are going on here, but since they are fire benders, they need something to blend them in with the crowd and hide their identity! Masks are available! Convenient eh? Until Katara is in a show, they get discovered becuae Aang uses air bending to defend Katara as it looks like the guy on the stage was about to hit her with his fire bending! Someone from the crowd yells out: "hey! Its the Avatar!" This alerts the guards nearby! Yikes! They flee the area, but now after the report, Zhao is out looking for them! He wants to know which way they went after responding with no interest in local crime rates. The festival was a huge hit and was great seeing the fireworks being set off! This was one of my most favorite episodes. Poor Aang when he accidentally hits Katara with his fire bending though, but good thing at the end all is forgiven, and Katara says Aang will have to learn fire bending eventually but not right now. This episode was funny! Anyone else thought it was funny when Zhao got mad after Aang walks away when he causes Zhao to destroy the land around him? Lol, priceless. Master (uh what was his name again?) well he was funny too. Awesome episode!

The Gaang finds a runaway fire nation general, Jeong Jeong, that can teach Aang firebending. It took a lot to convince Jeong Jeong to teach Aang firebending because he knew Aang was not ready to learn firebending. Jeong Jeong is trying to teach Aang firebending but Aang is impatient. Finally Aang learns to be patient to learn the basics of firebending. Aang could now bending a little bit of fire. When Jeong Jeong leaves for a moment Aang accidentally loses control of his fire and something dramatic occurs. Meanwhile, Admiral Zhoa is searching for Aang on his navy of boats. I gave this episode a ten because it was well writen and it has good connection to the plot.

This episode is good. It is revealed Aang does not have the discipline to learn firebending yet, as proven when an accident occurs that burns Katara's hands. When she learns that she has healing abilities, Jeong Jeong shows that the other benders all have good qualities, while firebenders are cursed. I really liked the writing and plot for this episode. It delves into what fire represents to Jeong Jeong, and how Aang would not be able to control it until he was fully disciplined. You even get some development on Zhao's side, who has so much firebending power, and is willing to let it go free on anything else.



One thing I wish could have been improved was the interaction between Zhao and Aang. While there was development for him, I wish there was more. Explain why Zhao doesn't try to control his firebending, what he thinks of Jeong Jeong, etc. It didn't stop this from being a great episode, though.

The episode was good and Aang finds a good Fire Bender from his side to teach him to fire bend but like its said "Play with fire and you get burned" and what happend?.... He burned Katara's hands!!!

That part really messed it up and makes me really angry poor girl the guy burned her hands afortunatly Katara's healing abilities make all back to normal but Aang really messed up

Abotu the fight with Admiral Zhao excelent fire bending and Aang promising not to use fire again before to learn to control water and earth was very smart his move to make Admiral Zhao angry and fitre out of control fire to his own ships so he cant follow Aang and his friends

Good epiosode this show its making his way to the greatness...

:):)

This was a great episode with many things good about it. First, is the character developement of Jeong Jeong "The Deserter". Jeong Jeong is an expert firebender who was the first person ever to leave the Fire Nation Army. This was the first episode Aang learned firebending too. The fight between Aang and Zhao was awesome, but Zhao lost unfortunately. Aang burned Katara because of his careless firebending, Jeong Jeong is a master. When Avatar Roku talked to Jeong Jeong, that was my favorite part. The fight was still very good, but Zhao still lost. Overall, I give this episode a 9.7.

This episode introduces an element to the show that has been hitherto unexplored; a firebender who is not an enemy of Team Avatar. It is interesting to see how the gAang reacts to this foreign concept. We also get to see Aang firebend for the first time. The issues that arise from Aang's carelessness and impatience carry over into Books Two and Three as unresolved issues that he must deal with. We also get a back-story on Admiral Zhao as his old firebending master makes a return. We get to see a rather interesting fight at the end of the episode between Zhao and Aang. There is also an interesting exposition into the propaganda that the Fire Nation uses to control its citizens. This happens in the first act and helps explain why the Fire Nation citizens are tolerant of their nation's actions. To put it succinctly, this is a good episode.

they really explained how jeong jeong is being chased and evrything, its a whole new concept. learning firebending from an outlaw from its own nation!

jeong jeong did not want to teach aang fire bending for some reason but avatar roku showed uip and made him teach aang.

i think it was part of his "lesson plan" for aang and his "defeat-the firelord which is a bad guy and try to restore balance to the world" thing.

now aang hurts katara and he vows never to firebend again.

now thats a very serious vow to make.

considering that he is the avatar and all things.

this episode was awesome because of some fire nation people who arent really loyal to the fire nation. i give this episode a 9.8/10. aang tries to learn firebending too early! aang was learning stupid exercises but he really needed those in order to learn firebending. we also get to see a fire nation colony. in season three the gaang said they were from the colonies so yeah. also zhao teacher was aang's teacher. except zhao had intention of capturing his teacher. but he did get away. also, zhao destroyed his own ships because he went wild! also it was because of aang.

Just as a typical old Chinese teacher, Jeong Jeong was a great master, but never a good teacher, noinstereting teaching, no positive reinforcement, just straight and boring talk. Jeong Jeong is a firebender and he knew more than other people what truely firebending can bring to the world. He quited the army and became a recluse. He was one of the few firebenders who were opposing the invading and conquering of the fire nation. He would be a great helper for the avatar to restore balance to the world.

As for Aang, he began his firebending training with excitment. Despite his teacher warning, Aang played with fire too much, and burnt Katara, under the influence of Jeong Jeong's opinion on firebending, Aang decided to give up firebending. He only knew that firebending was destructive and dangerous, little did he knew the positive aspects of fire, Aang's averse mood against fire become one of his greatest obstacles in restoring balance to the world.

When Aang and his friends go to a Fire Nation town so that Aang can witness some firebending, their plan soon goes awry when it's discovered that he is the Avatar. Fortunately, he's rescued by an individual who serves a firebending master named Jeong Jeong who has abandoned the Fire Nation, so Aang attempts to use this time to attempt to learn how to firebend. However, when the firebending master refuses to even see Aang, will Aang be able to prove he's ready to learn how to firebend despite the fact that he lacks discipline? Aang learns self control and has to learn not to hurt the ones he loves most.

I liked this episode but I didn't love it. Many times I found myself agreeing more with Jeong Jeong than Aang. Still a good episode, I was also put off with Sokka's abrasive behavior toward Aang after his accident with Katara. He had every right to be angry, but Aang didn't do it intentionally. Other than that, the episode stood out for me and is especially looked back upon during the finale of season two and even into season three. My favorite part overall is Aang's little battle with Admiral Zhoa and the lessons of Jeong Jeong becoming even more prominent and pronounced.

This episode was pretty good, though nothing spectacular it did reveal a few important things. Firstly, here Aang begins his first attempts at firebending, which taught a little of the basics such as the importance of breadth, control, and its power. When Aang accidentally burns Katara due to his impatience he vows to never firebend again. This event would later return when Aang learns the true nature of Fire bending in another episode, plus in the Season 2 finale. We also learn the waterbenders unique ability of healing. Some back story of Admiral Zhao is revealed, such as his impatience during the training which caused him to never conquer self control. The new character introduced here is Jeong-Jeong, the ex-general and refugee from the Fire Nation. He explains that firebending only causes destruction and that he is cursed with that power and ability. His views are later revealed to be completely wrong as its is later revealed firebenders power comes from within (like a little sun inside them) not from rage, as was previously assumed. All in all it was a good episode.

Aang had to beg a master firebender that is a legend for quitting the armey. Aang wants to learn firebending from him, even though he hasn't mastered water and earth yet. When Aang asks the master to teach him, he refuses and calls him weak. Avatar Roku appears and tells him that he must teach aang, because the avatar has to bring peace to the world. Anyway, when the master starts to teach Aang firebending Aang is very impacient and still wants to learn how to shoot fire. But when Admiral Zhao goes to attack aang, aang finds out that Zhao was once the master's student, and was impacient and immature just like aang. Aang and Zhao fight. It was a great episode filled with well plotted violence and awsome animation. I highly recomend watching this episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender. This is a perfect, I repeat, PERFECT EPISODE! YOU MUST WATCH!!!!!!!

Just as a typical old Chinese teacher, Jeong Jeong was a great master, but never a good teacher, noinstereting teaching, no positive reinforcement, just straight and boring talk. Jeong Jeong is a firebender and he knew more than other people what truely firebending can bring to the world. He quited the army and became a recluse. He was one of the few firebenders who were opposing the invading and conquering of the fire nation. He would be a great helper for the avatar to restore balance to the world.

As for Aang, he began his firebending training with excitment. Despite his teacher warning, Aang played with fire too much, and burnt Katara, under the influence of Jeong Jeong's opinion on firebending, Aang decided to give up firebending. He only knew that firebending was destructive and dangerous, little did he knew the positive aspects of fire, Aang's averse mood against fire become one of his greatest obstacles in restoring balance to the world.

Aang is still venturing through Northwestern Earth Kingdom when he and his friends decide go to a "Fire Day's" festival in a Fire Nation town so that Aang can witness some firebending firsthand. However Sokka points out they are wanted criminals. To ensure they're not discovered they disguise themselves.(although they acquire festival masks soon after their arrival). At first, the three enjoy the festivities (although they bear witness to a puppet show where Fire Lord Ozai is presented as a great hero, facing off against "evil" Earth Kingdom soldiers). They then see a firebending show, which has the audience dazzled. Unfortunately, the performer calls up Katara to the stage, making her a damsel in distress (even tying her to a chair). The performer creates a dragon of fire, and makes quite a show with it. But he soon seems to be losing control of it, and as a result, it flies directly towards Katara. Aang, fearing for Katara's safety, jumps up on stage in front of Katara and uses airbending to stop the fire dragon, but realizes that it has all been just an act. Regardless, it is obvious to the crowd that Aang is the Avatar, and the three friends quickly attempt to escape from Fire Nation soldiers. Fortunately, their escape is aided greatly by a man named Chey.



As they fly away on Appa, Chey explains he serves a firebending master named Jeong Jeong who has abandoned the Fire Nation. He says that Jeong Jeong is the first to leave the Fire Nation army and live, while he himself is the second (however, Chey admits that being second doesn't make him famous). Chey leads the group of three to Jeong Jeong's camp within a forest, but are intercepted by Jeong Jeong's followers (Chey greets them as friends, although the followers are quite indifferent). They are then led to camp, and there Aang attempts to try and learn how to firebend from Jeong Jeong. However, the firebending master refuses to even see Aang. Aang barges into Jeong Jeong's hut anyway to try and persuade him to learn firebending. Jeong Jeong still refuses, as he says that Aang must first master water and earthbending. However, when he sees a vision of Avatar Roku, who tells Jeong Jeong that he will teach Aang firebending, he begrudgingly acquiesces.



Jeong Jeong starts teaching Aang slowly, focusing exclusively on breathing exercises, but the young Avatar desires to learn more advanced firebending techniques. Jeong Jeong is greatly angered with Aang's lack of discipline, telling Aang vehemently that without control, firebending will bring nothing but unnecessary destruction, using a former student of his who displayed similar impatience and lack of discipline as an example. Aang quickly apologizes, and says that he is ready to learn Jeong Jeong's way. Jeong Jeong then proceeds to teach Aang to use real fire (much to Aang's enthusiasm). However, his enthusiasm is quickly deflated when Jeong Jeong only assigns him the simple task of preventing a leaf from being completely burned. Jeong Jeong then leaves to other matters, and Aang, still feeling restricted, takes his exercise to the next step and creates fire. Aang plays around with it for a little while, although Katara insists that he be careful. After he accidentally burns Katara's hands when he attempts to imitate a move the performer made at the festival, Katara runs away sobbing in pain, causing Sokka to become enraged as a result. Jeong Jeong, having returned, follows Katara into the forest.



Katara tries to cool her hands from the burn in water, and somehow miraculously heals herself. Jeong Jeong tells her that Katara possesses vitakinetic healing powers, with water as the catalyst. Jeong Jeong then confesses of his desire to be a Waterbender like herself, due to its ability to heal, while fire only destroys. However, during this time Admiral Zhao (who is revealed to be the former student of Jeong Jeong) and his men locate the camp, and in turn battles Jeong Jeong (although the master's attempt is half-hearted).



Aang, hiding away in Jeong Jeong's hut in order to reflect over his error, is urged by Katara to aid Jeong Jeong. Although Aang feels terribly guilty, and promises to never firebend again, Katara's revelation of her healing restores his battle spirit. With a fiery display, Jeong Jeong and his men make their escape, while Aang confronts Zhao. Recalling Jeong Jeong's lesson of control, Aang provokes the firebending master, goading him into destroying his own ships. Zhao can only watch as his ships burn and sink into the river as Aang escapes.



With Jeong Jeong gone, the three resume their journey and leave the forest, a hard-learned lesson of fire's destructive power fresh in their minds.



Chey returns to the campsite only to find it deserted.

This is one of the toughest Avatar episodes to watch just for pure drama. The beginning of the episode lets the viewer learn more about Fire Nation culture, something that is severely lacking in the first two seasons. As we meet Jeong Jeong and the other deserters, it is made apparent that those from the Fire Nation are not all evil, but it seems that most of them talk in choppy sentences. As Jeong Jeong teaches Aang firebending, you can feel Aang's impatience, and can't wait for him to pull off some amazing firebending. However, when he accidently burns Katara, it is truly painful to watch, even more so when Sokka yells at Aang. However, the episode ends positively with Aang defeating Zhao, and the line "Ahoy! I'm Admiral Zhao!" Is one of my favorite quotes in Avatar.

As soon as Aang wanted to go to the Fire nation festival to see some firebending I knew what would happen. It was obvious that he would be revealed as the avatar. However, I didn't knew what that clocked figure was up to. I admit I thought that he was a bad guy until he rescued the gaang and told them about the firebending deserter.



The first firebender to desert the army and live. Aang was really excited to learn some firebending. However, Jeong Jeong told Aang that he hadn't mastered water and earth yet. I wondered how Jeong Jeong knew that. Perhaps he knows a trick that he can teach Aang?



It turned out that the firebending deserter didn't want to teach Aang. But Avatar Roku convinced him to. I wonder why everyone was so against him learning fire before learning water or earth. Why did it have to go in that order? I know that all those exercises that Jeong Jeong put Aang through were to teach him discipline but I think they were a bit harsh. Aang doesn't have much time to master the elements and Jeong Jeong just took put about a few days. Jeong Jeong also shouldn't have left Aang alone. It would have given Aang confidence to know that his teacher was being patient with him. Aang did manage to bend fire after all. But as Jeong Jeong predicted Aang had to control. He didn't stay with the basics but he started doing some tricks, which burned Katara. I thought it was pure stupidity on Aang's part. He should have just focused on the basic bending part instead of those fancy tricks.



Overall, this was a great episode. We see that firebending is hard to control and learn Zhao's weakness. Also, we see Jeong Jeong speak about fire in a way that suggested that he didn't want to be able to bend fire because it consumes and destroys life while water heals it.

When Aang and his friends go to a Fire Nation town so that Aang can witness some firebending, their plan soon goes awry when it's discovered that he is the Avatar. Fortunately, he's rescued by an individual who serves a firebending master named Jeong Jeong who has abandoned the Fire Nation, so Aang attempts to use this time to attempt to learn how to firebend. However the Jeong Jeong refuses to even see Aang. Aang eventualy gets the approval of Jeong Jeong and starts to learn fire bending. However he doesnt feel that he is ready to learn more advanced technuquices then what Jeong Jeong is teaching. When Aang finally fire bends he hurts Katara. Katara goes to the river where she heals herself. General Zhao finds ou where Aang is and attacks. Aang and Zhao fight eachother and Aang wins without throwing a punch.

Aang convinces the Gaang to go to a fire fair under disguise, so he can study firebenders. Aang reveals himself by accident, forcing them to flee with the help of a explosive-savvy stranger. They soon find out that he is an ex-Fire army soldier, who deserted and is now an apprentice/disciple of another deserter, an ex-Fire army general. The ex-soldier, Chey, thinks that the ex-general, Jeong Jeong will help Aang learn firebending. But they are soon disappointed to find that Jeong Jeong has no interest in teaching Aang, as he has not mastered water and earth. However, Aang persists, and with a little help from Roku, convinces Jeong Jeong to train him. Aang proves to be a difficult student, who only wants to "shoot fire out of [his] finger tips". Jeong Jeong is disappointed. He reveals that he once had a pupil who was only interested in using fire to destroy his enemies. This pupil is revealed to be Admiral Zhao. Aang calms down, and Jeong Jeong lets him work with fire. But when his master is called to go attend to some trouble, Aang takes his training into his own hands with catastrophic results, burning Katara's hands. After a battle with Zhao (who has followed Aang from the festival) the Gaang take off and Katara finds that she has healing capabilities. All in all, it is a great character development episode. Aang swears to never firebend again, but Katara says that he will have to, as he is the Avatar. Whether he will or not will be revealed in S3.

Aang sees a poster for the fire navy festival, and decides that he wants to see master firebenders up close, since he will have to learn it some day. when he gets there, katara is asked to be in a show. Sheis a captured princess, and the firebender is creating a dragon and its getting closer to katara. Aang over reacts, and airbends the flame away revealing that he is the avatar. then someone says that he could get them out of here, so follow him, he brings them to a small town where aang realizez that there is firebenders hat have deserted the firenation. Aang talks to jeong jeong the deserter who does not want to teach him firebending, but thanks to aangs past life, jeong jeong accepts. aang starts to learn firebending. then Zhao atttacksaang just avoids and evades becuase he knows show is wild. so after just hopping around on the boats. Zhao has been shooting off wildly aimed fire blast and alot has hit his boats which burned them down, aang exclaims that he has won the battle without throwing a single blow. but Zhao looks around, and sees his boats burning. aang esscapes along with sokka, katara, momo, and appa

In this ep we get to see a fire nation town and festible, with food, masks, puppet shows, and a firebedneing show. We in fact learn more about the fire nation's culture and the fireloard's hold on his people. But also two new characters are intoduced in this ep. which gives Aang hope of being able to master firebending. Zhoa also is developed more in this ep and we learn more about his past. Aang also learns more about his self and grows up a bit mroe as he attempts to firebend, but he learns that fire is not like the other elements.

jeongjeong and chey were geniuse firebenders to bad they didn't go with aang and his group.

I hope they run into them in season 3 since aang wants ot learn firebending again. Katara finds out she has a healing ability which is the most useful ability for their group since they always end up getting hurt.

Jeongjeong demonstrates that firebending is controlled by breathing so if yu get excited or angry yur firebending goes out of control 4 inexperience people. i also hope they reveal who will be aangs firebending teacher soon. Also i wonder why jeongjeong was able to see avatar roku but aang wasn't. this is the second time a firebender has been proven to have some sort of spiritual connection. my favorite part of this ep was when aang was teasing Zhou and easily escaped him. Ahoy I'm admiral Zhou LOL

Aang discovers that someone has deserted the Fire Nation army and may be able to teach him firebending. After Aang is found out at a festival, he and his friends escape to be taken to the deserter who is a firebending master. Jeong Jeong refuses to see Aang and even teach him until he has a vision of Avatar Roku. Aang ends up burning Katara and learning a valuable lesson when faces Jeong Jeong's student, Admiral Zhao. This episode is great to introduce several new elements for future episodes and is a great vehicle for Aang's character as he tries to bridge the gap between his stolen childhood and pending adulthood.

This was a great episode with many things good about it. First, is the character developement of Jeong Jeong "The Deserter". Jeong Jeong is an expert firebender who was the first person ever to leave the Fire Nation Army. This was the first episode Aang learned firebending too. The fight between Aang and Zhao was awesome, but Zhao lost unfortunately. Aang burned Katara because of his careless firebending, Jeong Jeong is a master. When Avatar Roku talked to Jeong Jeong, that was my favorite part. The fight was still very good, but Zhao still lost. Overall, I give this episode a 9.7.

"Fire is alive. It breathes and grows and it consumes everything." These are the words of the rogue Firebender Jeong Jeong about the nature of fire. Aang discovers firsthand on how right he is. When the gAng decides to go to a festival in a Fire Nation town they and the audience see firsthand on the role propoganda plays in the Fire Nation, a big one. After a brief mishap they are rescued by a deserter of the army. They are taken to Jeong Jeong in the hopes that Aang can learn Firebending from him... That is were the humor begins. This accurately shows that the martial arts are not just for fancy punching and kicking but for disciplining oneself. Seeing Aang struggling over his lack of discipline in the terms of Firebending was amusing to watch. When Aang accidently burns Katara... That was really scary on how much power he possessed and no control over it.Katara discovering her healing abilities was actually a nice touch to an already good episode. The fight between Zhao and Aang only reinforced what Jeong Jeong said at the beginning of the Firebending training. The episode ended on light note with Sokka griping about the various things that Katara provide first aid for. Two fish hooks, Sokka? A good episode about the nature of marital arts and on discipline. A definate must see episode.

this is one of my favorite episodes in season one. the gaang go to a fire antion festival, and are taken to a rogue firebending master, who has deserted the fire nation. he refuses to see aang until he has mastered the other elements, but Roku intervenes, and he starts to teach aang. aang is very unruly, and impatient, which results in him experimenting, causing him to burn Katara. Zhoa is hot on their trail, and finds the deserters hideout, capturing the deserter, who happens to be zhaos old teacher. aang creates a diversion, allowing the master to escape, and a one-sided fight between zhao and aang insues. aang takes advantage of zhaos lack of selfe control, and tricks zhao into destroying h is own fleet. the deserter disappears, and katara is healed. the gaang fly of on appas back.

When Aang and his friends go to a Fire Nation town so that Aang can witness some firebending, their plan soon goes awry when it’s discovered that he is the Avatar. Fortunately, he’s rescued by an individual who serves a firebending master named Jeong Jeong who has abandoned the Fire Nation, so Aang attempts to use this time to attempt to learn how to firebend. However, when the firebending master refuses to even see Aang, will Aang be able to prove he’s ready to learn how to firebend despite the fact that he lacks discipline?

Very good episode and it's very exciting.