Avatar: The Last Airbender/Winter Solstice: Avatar Roku (2)

Winter Solstice: Avatar Roku (2)
Season 1, Episode 8
Airdate	April 15, 2005
Production Number	1x08
Written by	Michael Dante DiMartino
Directed by	Giancarlo Volpe
← 1x07 Winter Solstice: The Spirit World (1)	1x09 → The Waterbending Scroll
Avatar: The Last Airbender — Season One

Winter Solstice: Avatar Roku (2) is the eighth episode of the first season of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the eighth episode overall.

Guest Stars: James Garrett (Avatar Roku), Mike Hagiwara (Leader), Clement von Frankenstein (Great Sage), Michael Yama (Shyu)

Plot Overview

Aang and his friends fly into Fire Nation territory, on the way to Avatar Roku's temple to meet with his spirit during the day of the winter solstice. Zuko pursues them across the border and through the Fire Nation blockade despite the risk that he will be arrested for violating his banishment; Zhao allows him to pass in hopes of following along and capturing the Avatar himself. Realizing this, Iroh tries to lead Zhao off course while Zuko slips away in a small launch.

Aang arrives at the temple, but instead of greeting him as a savior, the temple's Fire Sages attack him - they discarded their commitment to serve the Avatar during Aang's 100-year absence. The gang is rescued by Shyu, a servant who remained faithful to the cause and who sneaks them away through a series of secret passages to the massive - and locked - door at the heart of the temple. The gang tricks the Fire Sages into opening the door, but Zuko and Zhao, who wasn't fooled by Iroh's trick, interfere. In the ensuing chaos Momo runs away, and Sokka and Katara are subdued, but Aang escapes into Roku's shrine just as the door locks shut again.

In the spirit world, Aang meets Avatar Roku, who describes the greatest challenge Aang will face: In a few months, a comet will appear in the sky, granting great power to firebenders everywhere. The last time this comet appeared was during the reign of Fire Lord Sozun; if the current Fire Lord, Ozai, is allowed to tap into its power, he will be able to conquer the Earth Kingdom and permanently throw off the balance of the world. Aang resolves to succeed in time, and the door of the shrine opens. Zhao's men are waiting for him, but Roku manifests in the real world, easily repels the attackers, frees Aang's friends (and Zuko), and triggers a volcanic eruption. Momo retrieves Appa and leads him back just in time to rescue Aang and his friends before the temple collapses.

Arc Advancement

Happenings

• Aang learns about the true danger facing the world and his purpose as an incarnation of the Avatar.
• Zuko and Zhao move further down the path from rivals to enemies.

Characters

• As the previous incarnation of the Avatar, Roku acts as a father figure to Aang, giving advice and guidance from the spirit world.

Referbacks

• Avatar Roku told Aang to journey to the temple of the Fire Sages in the previous episode, Avatar: The Last Airbender/Winter Solstice: The Spirit World (1).

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