Zuko (pilot)

In this pilot episode, Zuko is almost identical to himself in the first book of the main series. He is a skilled and powerful firebender who wants to capture the Avatar, Aang. His burn scar is already present, and his presentation indicates his bitter and complex personality. Notably though, Uncle Iroh is never seen nor mentioned, indicating that his character and his considerable influence on Zuko wasn't concieved of yet.

History in Pilot Episode
Zuko is in pursuit of Aang, Kya, and Sokka on his ship, but a sea serpent takes interest in his ship, allowing the trio to get away. His accompanying soldiers either flee or faint, but Zuko prepares to face it down.

Later, we se Zuko entering the Fire Nation base with the head of the sea sepent, indicating his success at defeating it. He interrogates Sokka, who has been captured, but only manages to receive insults such as "scar boy". Kya is soon after brought to him as well, but refuses to reveal Aang's wherabouts as well. After Aang appears, Zuko immediately attacks him, and blows off warning from a soldier that the scaffolding could collapse. He battles with Aang on the scaffolding, and when all of it eventually collapses, they move to the defaced Avatar's head. There, Zuko manages to corner him, but is caught off guard when Aang throws himself off the statue to activate the Avatar State and subsequently blows him off. Before hitting the ground, Aang catches him, but then lets him go when he sees Kya in trouble, therefore making Zuko hit a wall facefirst and then landing on his hawk.

Similarities to Real Series

 * Zuko is saved from falling to his certain death by Aang; Aang does a similar thing in The Blue Spirit and then The Seige of the North Part 2.
 * The serpent reappears in the aptly named Serpent's Pass in The Secret of the Fire Nation Part 1: The Serpent's Pass.