Book 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender got underway on 17 March, 2006 with The Avatar State. Written by Aaron Ehasz, Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Tim Hedrick and John O’Bryan, the episode sets the stage for what is to come.

Zuko (Dante Basco) and Iroh (Mako) are shocked to discover when Zuko’s sister, Azula (Grey Griffin) arrives, and offers him a chance to return home. But Iroh isn’t quite sure Azula is being honest with Zuko, and that there are ulterior motives at work. They soon find themselves on the run from the incredibly dangerous Azula.

Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen), Katara (Mae Whitman) and Sokka (Jack De Sena) arrive in the Earth Kingdom, which seems to be taking the brunt of the Fire Nation’s attack. The young avatar has been struggling with nightmares about his avatar state, but the Earthbender general, Fong (Daniel Dae Kim) insists on attempting to push Aang into the avatar state and ending the war now instead of allowing Aang to learn the skills he needs to stop the Fire Nation.

That doesn’t stop Fong from working to trigger the state by threatening Katara, something he will regret immediately. The state is triggered and allows Aang to learn the true nature of the state from Avatar Roku (James Garrett) and leave Fong and his destroyed city behind.

The Cave of Two Lovers sees Katara continuing Aang’s waterbending training as they continue their travel to Omashu but are soon forced underground to avoid the Fire Nation, after meeting some wandering nomads who channel a bit of a hippie vibe.

Written by Joshua Hamilton, the episode first debuted on 24 March, 2006.

The nomads pass on info about a series of caves and tunnels leading under the mountains and straight to Omashu. The tunnels were used by a pair of lovers who were separated by the mountain and their family’s beliefs.

The caves aren’t going to be an easy traverse. It’s a labyrinth, there’s a curse, and the Fire Nation are hot on their tails. They are told they have to trust to love to find their way through but will that be enough for the group to get through?

Zuko and Iroh are slowly learning to live life on the run, even as they are set on capturing the Avatar and restoring their place. They also get to see the effect the war has had on others, not just them.

It’s a fun episode, reminding us of how Aang feels about Katara, and how the characters have grown over the past season. There are also some nice parallels between the Aang/Katara story and Zuko and Song (Kim Mai Guest) who takes Zuko and Iroh in for a time.

Zuko is unwilling to give himself over to Song, while Aang and Katara definitely feel for one another, but she doesn’t realize how much so yet. I quite like this one.

Return to Omashu sees Aang returning to Omashu, the city run by his friend, and earthbending master, King Bumi (Andre Sogliuzzo) only to find the Fire Nation have taken control of it. Written by Elizabeth Welch Ehasz this episode was first broadcast on 7 April, 2006.

Aang is determined to get into the city to make sure his friend is okay and rescue him if they can. They find themselves enmeshed in a struggle for the city, as the Fire Nation nobles who are now ruling it clash with a group of resistance fighters.

The resistance plan goes well thanks to Sokka’s involvement, but things get complicated when the noble’s baby tags along on the way out of the city. Ooops.

When a trade is offered, Bumi for the child, Aang finds himself going up against Azula and a pair of dangerous old friends she’s recruited to her mission. The trio is dangerous and may be more than our friends can handle. But was Bumi’s inaction when the Fire Nation arrived done for a reason? He knows to wait for the right moment, and gives Aang some direction about finding an earthbending master to teach him.

The journey continues next week as I explore more of Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Complete Series on Blu-Ray from Paramount Canada.