Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
Katara and Sokka free Aang from an iceberg and discover that the playful boy is the Avatar, the only person able to bend all four elements. A century earlier, he fled the Southern Air Temple after learning that he would be separated from his mentor, and the resulting storm trapped him and Appa in suspended animation. Prince Zuko, banished by Fire Lord Ozai, pursues Aang to reclaim his honor. The siblings join Aang on a journey north so he can learn waterbending and prepare to end the Fire Nation’s war.
As they cross the Earth Kingdom, the friends meet people living under Fire Nation rule and see how the war has altered their homes. Aang learns that the Fire Nation killed the Air Nomads, including the monks who raised him, and struggles with the loss and with the responsibility of being the Avatar. Katara develops her waterbending while Sokka grows into a planner and protector. Zuko’s pursuit is complicated by his uncle Iroh’s counsel and by the revelation that Ozai scarred and banished him after he spoke against sacrificing soldiers.
At the Northern Water Tribe, Pakku agrees to teach Aang but refuses Katara. She challenges him, and he changes his position after recognizing the necklace he once made for Katara’s grandmother. As Zhao’s fleet attacks, Zuko captures Aang while he is in the Spirit World, and Katara and Sokka help rescue him. Zhao kills the Moon Spirit, darkening the sky and weakening waterbenders; Princess Yue gives her life to restore it. Aang joins the Ocean Spirit and drives back the fleet, while Zhao is dragged underwater by the Ocean Spirit. Pakku names Katara as Aang’s teacher, and Ozai sends Azula to hunt down Zuko and Iroh, now branded traitors.