Roku's story is a good one; it's not just about fighting, as I might've expected, but it's even more about friendship. Effect is this episode containing lovely action frequences, epic 'cinematography' and settings, and most of all; emotional impact. The way Zuko's 'journey' in the story from Sozins perspective and Aang's 'journey' from Roku's perspective interlinked was great to watch. And there are a lot of extra aspects to be revealed. With the epic taste of the episode, it contains some old avatar charms too (the toiletjoke and the charming end), which just makes this episode complete. Definately a must see within this season.

The episode has a wonderful feeling to it, and I can almost call it one of the best of season three....let say maybe just one of the best episodes out there. Hama is a very scary woman, but not just scary as in a grindhouse movie; more the type that scares you because she's the character you might relate to. Someone fully taken over by her grudges; hating everyone for what's done to her in her tragical past. Scary because she is pictured with so many common qualities as Katara; scary because we might think Katar would become just as twisted as this lady. The ultimate example of powerhunger out of anger.
Though...we know 'katara's not like that'.
Very intruiging 'mise en scene' when the lady's dark silhouette is to be seen, making her twisted movements while bloodbending, hair in the wind against a full moon.
The animation was accomplished. The almost zombielike (sadako-ish) movements the lady makes while doing her bloodbending is shivering, her 'dancelike' movements reminded me of some Japanese spirit dance (I forgot the name). The idea of the bloodbending is fantastic, the way it's represented is very well worked out. And though the biggest part of the story is quite scary, it's very well balanced with some good sense of humor; the characters are just as charming as ever. Though in previous episodes I sometimes had the idea sometimes characters did something 'out of character' here I could say every minute; 'that's exactly sokka' and 'that's exactly Katara 'and so on. Though it's a substory throughout the gaangs journey; meaning it might not be important to the whole, it's one of the best substories ever written. This episode definately is one to make a season complete as being succeeded.

Just the thought of getting to see from the FN's perspective was scary to me.
Zuko as some kind of western anti hero within an almost abandoned town without anything but a bird to ride and a heavy heart...fantastic. This is one of the episodes that made me almost obsessed with avatar lol. The great combination of how this show gives morals and with that the fantastic character development of zuko. The eerie youth he had, the scary firelord and evil sister. The mystery and manipulation! The almost Oedipal relationship Zuko has with his mom almost reminds me of the patterns within a Hitchcock movie lol! Also it's THE episode I wished to come from the story of Zuko after season 1's revealing episodes like the storm; definately a lot more to learn about his youth.
The 'present' story was really nice too. It was touching how zuko acts honorable towards the kid and the family, how he befriends the young kid.....the slight bit of action just added the extra oomph to it. It reminded of a classic kungfu film meets western with the sandy scenery.
The ambiance was just right, and the poor kid zuko 'befriends' with.....sigh....the end was a real tearjerker when Zuko revealed his true identity and was rejected to the fullest again....

one slight downer; I wanted to see MORE!!!! but well...I guess I'll have to do it with 20 minutes and...you can't make that too hasty.

After watching this episode, I actually wanted to see it again and again and again. I loved the witty sense of humor in it, the happiness. I loved the fact we got a glimpse of the firenation youth as being normal children under a terrible regiment. The dancefest looked like eyecandy with the lovely music, it gave me hope that Aang actually still seemed his caring old self; he didn't let go of Katara as was the threat in the end of season 2. Sokka and Katara dressed as the 'Fire' family (hilarious! How can you think of such a lame name?), Sokka saying stuff like 'go to your room' it made me feel quite happy. Though I think they should not make every episode like this, it can't be funny all the time. The sense of humor was top notch....(unlike the old ladies in the Beach (LOW! VERY LOW and superficial!), and the irritating Shu in The Painted Lady....sigh...it might be that I don't like crazy old people humor...). Another thing; I miss the cabbage man lol.
Let me see for the rest of the episodes.....I hope there are some jewels out there like this that can make me say; it's as good as the middle episodes to the finale of season two!

Maybe I thought this episode was just as exiting as the Finale. I LOVED all elements about it; how all characters got to meet in the end, the clash between Katara and Toph, the tiresome chase...I was at the edge of my seat and felt as tired as the gaang felt! The godlike in a bad way appearance of Azula, the sense of humor; very sincere and not overacting. The action, and ofcourse a slight bit of Zuko falling down flat by his sister and Zuko angst after poor Iroh got hit....that was a cliffhanger! I thought he was dead!
This episode EXACTLY has the right combination of action excitement and character development I love. Also in combination after episodes like Zuko Alone, this episode couldn't have been planned better. 'The Chase', 'Bitter Work', 'Zuko Alone', 'The Desert'....these episodes are the ones that made me glued to the show, because of their fantastic way of variating between character development, sincere humor, action and excitement, with even a bit of a dark edge and tearjerker moment.