Determined to learn earthbending, Aang works to free Bumi from prison. Zuko chafes at Iroh's plan to stay hidden. Azula receives a new assignment.
Team Avatar needs to believe they are following the right path. They are leading a group of refugees to safety. Sometimes, the path is blocked and they must cross dangerous terrain. Sometimes, they are blocked by allies who must stay focused on their own journey. Aang is trusted with protecting the world. He's still just a kid. Of course, the show has to mention the growth spurt Gordon Cormier has undergone between seasons. It's charming when Aang and Suki try to figure out who is taller now. However, he has a responsibility. The stakes become even more stark once Sai reveals the return of Sozin's Comet. The cosmic event that led to the destruction of the Air Nomads is coming back. That changes everything. Aang is currently focused on mastering the four elements. He has grown strong in his waterbending abilities since the events at the Northern Water Tribe. That's stated in the opening montage. He has a trusted teacher in Katara. He still has so much to learn. He hopes Bumi will teach earthbending to him. He's willing to break his oldest friend out of prison to do so. That's not what Bumi wants. He's waiting for the right moment to strike. The siege of Omashu wasn't nearly as difficult as Azula hoped it would be. New territory has been conquered in the name of the Fire Lord. That's still not enough to win her father's praise. The Fire Nation continues to suffer defeats even as more refugees have been created and are fleeing to Ba Sing Se.
That's where the adventure must take Team Avatar. They have to guide this group of refugees and alert the Earth King about the pending comet. Aang can't focus on learning earthbending. That can't be the priority. He has to put his needs to the side in order to serve others. He's reluctant to learn how to heal through waterbending. He doesn't want to hurt others. If he messes up, that's exactly what would occur. He recognizes that balance. Yet a shared effort between him and Katara is enough to save the serpent that tormented the group as they traveled through the Serpent's Pass. That was one fantastic sequence especially once the shift occurred to Katara and Aang creating a whirlpool to subdue the creature. The Kyoshi Warriors are willing to face off with the beast as well. The scene still pivots on Aang not wanting to harm another living creature. He will heal the beast shortly after causing its near fatal injury. Everyone is in awe of the impressive feat from the Avatar. The scope is amazing. That's not what Aang takes away from the experience. He develops a crush on Katara. Meanwhile, she receives an offer to join the Kyoshi Warriors.
Elsewhere, Zuko and Iroh are fugitives hiding out on a farm. Zuko believes this work is beneath him. He hates working alongside people he deems inferior. He's enraged at his uncle. He blames him for all of this happening. That's such a devastating final moment. Iroh came to see Zuko as his son. Zuko was the only one who treated Iroh with compassion when Lu Ten was killed. That moment broke Iroh. He chose not to fight when Ozai usurped the title of Fire Lord away from him. Zuko sees that as weakness. He can no longer follow Iroh on this path. He sees his destiny in hunting the Avatar. That brings him purpose. It offers a path to redemption. Ozai already wants his son back. That's the mission he bestows upon Azula. She doesn't see the point. She questions her father. She also torments her friends. She forces Mai and Ty Lee to battle just to see if they're willing to sacrifice it all for her. It's sick and twisted. Team Avatar is right to fear her based on the stories they've heard. But again, nothing is ever as simple as that. It's fair to have expectations about which path to explore in life. Yet it's such a personalized journey that requires doubt and a willingness to acknowledge the signs along the way. That's what Aang and Zuko struggle to accept. And so, they are chaotic with their choices while trying to lead with certainty.
