The Western Air Temple

Template:Infobox Avatar: The Last Airbender episode "The Western Air Temple" is an episode from the animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender, which airs on Nickelodeon. This is the twelfth episode of the third season of the series. It first aired on December 14, 2007, on YTV in Canada.

Plot

After a sore defeat at the Fire Nation capitol that resulted in the elders of the invasion force becoming prisoners, the gang travel to the Western Air Temple for refuge.

Meanwhile, Zuko, who had followed the group to the Western Air Temple, arrives first and descends into the temple. He remembers the last time he had been to the Western Air Temple, a week after his banishment; during which Zuko proclaims that he will scour the world for the Avatar for the rest of his life and tells his Uncle Iroh off for being lazy, much to his dismay. His lament is cut short, however, as he sees Appa fly by overhead. Zuko runs off to hide and to practice his speech to convince them to accept him into their group.

While Teo, Haru, and The Duke explore, the gang discusses the next course of action. During the discussion, Sokka suggests they revert to their old plan of Aang mastering all four elements. Aang is less than thrilled, remarking that they do not know where to find a fire-bending teacher. Thinking it hopeless for the moment, he uses this as an excuse to run off and tour the temple while the rest of the group tries to think of a teacher for Aang.

When Zuko appears to the gang at the temple, Appa licks him in a friendly manner, remembering him from Ba Sing Se and possibly sensing his positive transformation. The group, however, is mistrusting. He apologizes anxiously for many of his wrong-doings, and accidentally lets slip that he was the one who hired the Combustion Man to kill Aang. Enraged, the gang rejects him, even when Zuko offers himself to them as a prisoner.

As Zuko thinks about how terrible his attempt was, the gang ponders his motives, ultimately deciding he can't be trusted. Toph points out that Zuko was being sincere and that they need to consider him as they also desperately need a fire-bending teacher for Aang. Frustrated at the group's continued disinterest, Toph leaves.

While sleeping, Zuko hears someone coming. It turns out to be Toph, but, unable to see in the darkness, Zuko immediately fire bends at the intruder, burning the soles of her feet as she steps back. She scurries away on her hands and knees and throws Zuko back with earthbending as he attempts to apologize and help her.

When the group wonders about Toph's whereabouts the next day, she earthbends through the wall of the cliff, falling to the ground, showing the group her burnt feet from Zuko. As they begin to heal Toph, they are attacked by the Combustion Man. Zuko arrives and distracts him long enough for the gang to find cover. Zuko's efforts to stop him from attacking prove useless, and the Combustion Man instead blasts Zuko off the temple, though he manages to grab hold of a vine just in time. Aang and Katara use their bending to counter, but their lower position leaves them at a severe disadvantage from the barrage of explosions.

Sokka tries to use his signature boomerang, which manages to hit the Combustion Man square on his tattoo, blocking his chi and leaving him disoriented. He tries another attack, which backfires and causes the building he is on to explode violently. His detached metal arm is seen falling among the debris.

Zuko climbs up to the group and tries more sincerely to reconcile his past meeting with the group, admitting he was wrong and that he has learned in his travels that he must earn his honor on his own. He apologizes for burning Toph, stating that fire is a dangerous and wild element and that he must control his bending so that he does not hurt others accidently. Reminded of his own fire bending experience that burned Katara, Aang decides to accept Zuko into the group as his teacher, but only if the others agree. Toph comments playfully she accepts Zuko just so she can get back at him for burning her feet, while Sokka accepts him only to help their plan of defeating the Fire Lord. Katara reluctantly agrees but only because it is what Aang wants, and Zuko happily promises not to let the group down.

Sokka leads Zuko to his own room at the temple, where he unpacks his belongings. Upon taking out a picture of Iroh, Zuko remembers his uncle's advice about destiny and smiles. Immediately afterwards, Katara confronts Zuko and warns him that if he goes back to his old ways or allows anything bad happen to Aang, she won't hesitate to end his life.

Series continuity

• Haru mentions how his father had been freed from Fire Nation prison not long before joining the invasion, only to be thrown back in as a result of the adults' surrender. This is a reference to the episode "Imprisoned".
• Appa's affection for Zuko stems from the episode "Lake Laogai" in which Zuko frees Appa from the DaiLi's underwater base of the same name.
• Katara's hatred of Zuko stems from his betrayal in "The Crossroads of Destiny", when they showed sympathy for eachother, and then Zuko betrayed them (her).
• Sokka mentioned the frozen frogs used to cure them in "The Blue Spirit". Aang remembers Zuko's role in his rescue, as well as Zuko using his line that they would have been friends from the same episode.
• Zhao is mentioned for the first time, since his death.

|}