The Siege of the North, Part 1


 * This article is about the first episode of the Book 1: Water finale. For the second part of the finale, see The Siege of the North, Part 2. For the battle, see Siege of the North.

"The Siege of the North, Part 1" is the 19th episode of season one of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the 19th of the overall series. It debuted on December 2, 2005.

Overview
''The Fire Nation's massive armada prepares to attack the Northern Water Tribe at dawn. With Iroh at his side, Zhao plans to kill the Moon spirit, leaving the Waterbenders defenseless. Zuko infiltrates the tribe on his own, seeking to capture Aang. Aang believes venturing into the Spirit World and speaking to the Moon and Ocean spirits might give him the wisdom to defeat the Fire Nation. After Aang's spirit leaves for the Spirit World, Zuko manages to kidnap his body.''

Synopsis
The scene opens with a pan over the Northern Water Tribe city and then moves to a sparring match between an anxious young man and a confident Katara. After Katara swiftly defeats her opponent, by encasing him in an ice formation about twenty feet high, Master Pakku releases the student, Sangok, unceremoniously on his back. Pakku then asks the other students if any of them felt up to facing Katara again. Hearing no response, Master Pakku then tells Katara that she has progressed faster than any other student he has had and that her hard work and determination have paid off in ways that raw talent alone cannot. Seeing Aang playing with Momo, Master Pakku cynically asks Aang if he wishes to face Katara since he must have mastered Waterbending already. Unconcerned by Pakku’s tone, Aang responds by saying he wouldn’t say he’s mastered Waterbending, but that he has something to show Pakku. Aang then wraps snow around himself as if he were a snowman, which does not impress either Master Pakku or Katara.

Meanwhile, Sokka is walking on a ledge of an ice bridge as Princess Yue walks on the bridge beside him. She asks if there are not any palaces in the Southern Water Tribe. Sokka says, “I grew up on a block of ice. It’s not exactly a cultural hub." As Sokka comes down from the ledge, Yue touches his shoulder and laughs at his statement. Then her smile turns to a frown as she says what they are doing is wrong because she is engaged. Undeterred, Sokka says that they are just friends and that he would like for her to meet another of his friends, Appa.



Appa greets Sokka by pushing him to the ground and giving him a big lick. ye giggles and say,s “It looks like you haven’t been giving Appa enough attention.” Sokka and Yue climb into Appa’s saddle, and he introduces her to the joys of flying with a simple, “Yip yip.” She is amazed, but she wonders if it is always cold when flying and scoots closer to Sokka, who softly replies, “Not when you’re with someone.” They look into each other’s eyes and move toward a kiss. When they realize what is about to happen, they blush and quickly try to change the subject, which presents itself in the form of gray snow falling on them.

The scene cuts back the Northern Water Tribe city where we see gray snow falling. While Aang is rolling in the snow around Momo, Momo eats one of the gray particles and coughs it out, which gets Aang’s attention. The water fountains have turned gray as a result of this unusual snowfall, and Water Tribe citizens look on wonderingly. Sokka and Yue have landed on a nearby glacier, and Sokka tells Yue he recognizes the gray as soot from Fire Nation ships mixed with snow as this happened when the Fire Nation attacked his village. He tells Yue the Fire Nation has closed in on the North Pole, and from what he sees there are a lot of them. The camera pans out onto the horizon to show a huge gray cloud in the distance.

Several Fire Nation ships are shown in the water, and Admiral Zhao sinisterly tells General Iroh that they are in the process of writing history as they will be destroying the Water Tribe civilization. Iroh warns Zhao that history is not always kind to its subjects. Zhao condescendingly assures Iroh that this will not be like Iroh’s legendary failure at Ba Sing Se, to which Iroh ominously tells Zhao he hopes not, for Zhao’s sake. Zhao tells Iroh to tell the captain to prepare for first strike and Iroh departs. Subsequently, Iroh finds Zuko in disguise as a guard and tells him they will be landing soon and inquires if Zuko has a plan, to which he replies, “I’m working on it, uncle.”

Back at the Northern Water Tribe, a large drum adorned with the Water Tribe’s insignia is beaten as citizens rush to the main gathering hall. As Sokka and Yue head up the steps, Yue abruptly stops to tell Sokka they can not see each other because she is engaged and she likes him as more than a friend.

At the gathering hall, Chief Arnook tells the citizens that war is upon them and he is saddened to know that some of the faces he sees may vanish in the next few days. He calls upon the Ocean and Moon Spirits to be with them as they face the battle for existence. When the Chief asks for volunteers for a dangerous mission, Sokka is first to stand and say, “Count me in,” despite Katara’s objection. As Sokka receives his mark from the Chief signifying his acceptance to join the mission, Yue looks on as he heads back to his seat. Yue looks away blinking tears from her eyes.



As they await the first strike from the Fire Nation, Chief Arnook tells Aang the stillness before battle is unbearable. A hundred years ago, Aang was not there to help his people; he emphatically states that this time he will make a difference. Finally, as the Water Tribe warriors look on, there is a sound as the first fireball is launched. The fireball strikes the middle of the Northern Water Tribe emblem on the outer wall, throwing many back by the blast. A second fireball lands in the heart of the city. As the third approaches, Aang yells, “Yip yip,” to Appa, and they head out to face the Fire Nation Navy.

Several fireballs are launched by the lead ship, and as Aang approaches, he manages to deflect one fireball into the nearby ice cap. He then leaps off Appa, expands his glider, and maneuvers between soldiers’ fire blasts as he then lands on the deck and sweeps away those attacking him. After several maneuvers disabling the fireball catapults on the lead ship, Aang is trapped against a catapult with chains thrown by an attacker. Appa appears out of nowhere, grabs the attacker, and throws him overboard. Just then, the ship is encased in ice by approaching Waterbenders. Aang leaps aboard Appa to head to the next ship, but is shocked to find what looks like a thousand Fire Nation ships in the horizon.

Meanwhile, Chief Arnook addresses the recruits for the mission revealing they will be infiltrating the Navy disguised as Fire Nation soldiers. Sokka inadvertently laughs upon seeing the Fire Nation uniform they are to wear. After demonstrating his knowledge of the Fire Nation military, Sokka is told to brief Hahn (the warrior modeling the antiquated Fire Nation uniform) on all Fire Nation information to be used for the mission. Chief Arnook also instructs Hahn to show Sokka respect as he expects nothing less from his future son-in-law. Shocked, Sokka manages an insincere congratulations to Hahn.



As night approaches, Iroh advises Zhao to cease the attack as Waterbenders draw strength from the Moon and it is nearing its full phase. Zhao states that he is aware of the Moon issue and is working on a solution, but agrees to halt the attack until morning.

Returning from battle, Aang is exhausted and frustrated, stating he was only able to take out about a dozen ships. Aang begins to doubt his ability to help the Water Tribe hold off the Fire Nation attack.

Deep in the hold of Zhao’s ship, Zuko has removed his Fire Nation soldier uniform and is preparing for his solo journey into the Water Tribe city to capture the Avatar. Iroh expresses his concern for Zuko, saying that he only nags Zuko because, since the loss of his own son, he sees Zuko like his own. Zuko acknowledges his uncle’s statement and says he will meet Iroh again after he has the Avatar.

Back in the Water Tribe warrior barracks, Hahn arrogantly informs Sokka about the perks of marrying Yue, which only serves to anger Sokka. Not fully comprehending his insensitivity towards the princess, Hahn then insults Sokka by insinuating that he lacks the ability to understand their tribe’s way of functioning. Sokka lunges at Hahn calling him a “jerk without a soul”. The fight continues until Chief Arnook breaks it up and tells Sokka he is off the mission.

Zuko maneuvers his kayak to the shores of the ice cap just next to the base of the Water Tribe outer wall and observes Turtle Seals diving into an opening in the ice. Knowing the creatures must come up for air somewhere, Zuko takes a deep breath and dives in.

While looking at the nearly full moon, Yue tells Aang and Katara about the legend of the Moon teaching Waterbending to the people of the Water Tribes by observing the push and pull on the Ocean by the Moon. Suddenly, Aang realizes that maybe the spirits can help him on his quest to save the Water Tribe. Yue says she may know of a place where Aang can reach the spirits, and proceeds to lead him and Katara to the most spiritual place in the entire North Pole. Aang is ecstatic to see grass again, and Katara is amazed at how warm it is there. Aang begins to meditate at the base of the oasis pool containing two koi fish – one black, one white – swimming in a circle.

Zuko manages to find where the Turtle Seals come up for air – an underground cave. He uses his breath of fire to ward off the effects of his icy swim – yelling at the creatures to be quiet. Zuko then works his way up an opening with water rushing through.

As Sokka sharpens his boomerang, Chief Arnook approaches him for a special task – guarding his daughter, Princess Yue. Sokka humbly agrees.

Zuko ascends to an air pocket in the freezing water and catches his breath. He then spots another passage up under the water and heads through, but is met with an ice barrier. Using his Firebending, Zuko melts the ice and breaks through, resting briefly. He had successfully breached the Northern Water Tribe.



As Aang tries to get into the Spirit World through meditation, Katara and Yue’s conversation distracts him, but after he shouts “How ‘bout some quiet!” they comply. Aang then focuses on the koi fish and finally enters the Spirit World. Yue asks Katara if they should get some help, but Katara says she can protect Aang. At that moment Zuko says, “Well, aren’t you a big girl now?” Yue leaves to get help as Katara and Zuko fight it out. Zuko realizes Katara’s skill level has greatly advanced from earlier encounters, and he is eventually encased in ice similar to what Katara did to Sangok at the beginning of the episode. However, as the sun rises, Zuko manages to melt his way out of Katara’s trap and overpower Katara, forcing her against a tree with a fire blast, knocking her out. “You rise with the Moon, I rise with the Sun," he says. He then takes Aang's body and escapes from the oasis.

Fire Nation ships break through the Water Tribe's outer wall and rush in to attack. Back on his command ship, Zhao states the city will fall today despite any efforts to fight off the inevitable.

Katara regains consciousness to find Aang gone. Sokka and Yue approach on Appa and Katara tells them that Zuko has Aang. The camera pans up to show a path going up the side of the polar ice cap surrounding the city. Finally, it is shown that Zuko is carrying Aang through a blizzard across the ice cap and the camera pans up showing snow falling from an ominous cloud filled sky.

Credits

 * Written by:
 * Aaron Ehasz


 * Directed by:
 * Dave Filoni


 * Starring:
 * Zach Tyler Eisen - Aang
 * Mae Whitman - Katara
 * Jack DeSena - Sokka
 * Dante Basco - Prince Zuko
 * Dee Bradley Baker - Appa/Momo


 * Also Starring:
 * Mako - Uncle
 * Jason Isaacs - Admiral Zhao
 * Erik Todd Dellums - Koh
 * Jon Polito - Chief Arnook
 * Victor Brandt - Master Pakku
 * Johanna Braddy - Princess Yue
 * Ben Diskin - Hahn
 * James Garrett - Avatar Roku
 * Mark Hamill - Fire Lord


 * Additional Voices:
 * Dee Bradley Baker
 * Victor Brandt
 * Mark Hamill
 * Mako
 * Scott McAfee
 * Jon Polito (Misspelled John)


 * Although Erik Todd Dellums has a screen credit for Koh, he does not appear in this episode but rather in "The Siege of the North, Part 2." This might be because the two episodes were originally aired as one long episode.

Trivia

 * The commentary involving Sangok's performance and a sea sponge is a subtle reference to Spongebob Squarepants, another Nickelodeon cartoon, while in the German translation Pakku refers to a starfish. This is fitting as SpongeBob's best friend is a starfish.
 * While fighting in the ocean, some of the Waterbenders stop a Fire Nation battleship the same way the shipwreck seen in "The Boy in the Iceberg" is encased. The way the Southern Waterbenders stopped this ship is shown in "The Puppetmaster".
 * While fighting Sangok, Katara is seen wearing a Northern Tribe parka instead of her Southern one; it has long thin sleeves near the forearms.
 * In the dialogue between Hahn and Sokka, Hahn pronounces Sokka's name incorrectly by elongating the "O" (which is the Asian pronunciation and how they pronounce it the film, The Last Airbender). This was probably another factor that fueled Sokka's distaste of Hahn.
 * While Zuko was getting into the Northern Water Tribe by swimming underwater, he would've gotten hypothermia. Being in cold water for that long can rapidly drop a person's body temperature. However, being a Firebender, Zuko could have warmed himself to avoid a decrease in body temperature.
 * This two part episode is Michael DiMartino's first favorite episode (out of three), as he described it as being an awesome way to end the first book.
 * When talking about asking the spirits for help, Aang jokingly suggests that the spirits will "unleash a crazy amazing spirit attack on the Fire Nation". This is exactly what ends the siege in the second part, as the Ocean Spirit devastates the Fire Navy through a spiritual link-up with Aang.
 * The marks on the foreheads of the Northern Water Tribe warriors are the same marks Bato gave Aang, Katara and Sokka in "Bato of the Water Tribe".
 * Whilst at the Spirit Oasis, the two fish - one black with a white spot, one white with a black spot - circling each other look like the Chinese Yin Yang symbol, which represents balance.

Goofs

 * When Iroh is talking with Zhao on the boat, the pin on his cloak is a gold and red emblem of the Fire Nation, but in the next episode the pin is black and red on the same cloak.
 * After Arnook tells the rest of the tribe about the arrival of the Fire Nation, Yue's betrothal necklace wasn't around her neck.
 * It seems unlikely that Chief Arnook would make Sokka Yue's bodyguard rather than her fiancée, Hahn, as it was an arranged marriage and therefore he obviously trusts Hahn with Yue. In addition, Sokka knows a lot more about the enemy, so it would be wiser to put him in charge of the personal attack to Zhao rather than Hahn.
 * While Chief Arnook was talking about the impending attack, Yue was sitting on her knees, and then a scene later, she was sitting in an Indian-style position.
 * When Aang jumps off Appa to attack the Fire Navy ships, his staff momentarily turns orange.
 * When Katara goes to comfort Aang after his battle with the Fire Navy, her braid is missing.
 * While riding on Appa, Aang's staff is on Appa's neck but in the next scene, Aang is holding it.
 * When Sokka attacked Hahn, he had front bangs for one scene.
 * When Katara and Yue are talking while Aang meditates, the bottom of their outfits become gray.
 * When the camera pans up to show the full armada, a different design is on the flag atop the ship Aang stopped.
 * When Sokka looks back at Yue after receiving his warrior's marks, the marks are gone. After closing up on Yue's face, the marks are back on his forehead.
 * When Katara tells Yue that Aang is crossing into the Spirit World, her necklace symbol is missing.

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