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 twelveth 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 capital that resulted in the elders of the invasion force becoming prisoners, the gang (plus Teo, Haru, and The Duke) travel to the Western Air Temple for refuge. Because of Appa's exhaustion, the group is forced to travel by foot amidst laments of loss and sore feet. Eventually, the group is halted by an exclamation by Toph, who claims that they are at their destination. It turns out that the Western Air Temple is below the cliffside, and composed of many upside-down structures and overhangs.

Meanwhile, Zuko, who had followed the group to the Western Air Temple, arrives first and descends into the temple via a rope. He stares at a statue of an Air Nomad woman, remembering the last time he'd been to the Western Air Temple. It was a week after his banishment, as Iroh points out in the flashback, and zuko's burnt eye is still covered by a large bandage. In the memory, Zuko proclaims that he will scour the world for the Avatar, despite Iroh's advice that Zuko should rest. Zuko then calls Iroh lazy, and, back in the present time, Zuko lowers his head in apparent regret. His lament is cut short, however, as he sees Appa fly by overhead. Zuko runs off to hide.

Finally at the Temple, Teo, Haru, and The Duke decide to go explore. Aang begins to run off with them, but is stopped by Katara, who advises he be with the group as they discuss the next course of action. Reluctantly, Aang agrees. During the discussion, Sokka suggests they revert back to their old plan of Aang mastering all four elements and attacking Ozai before Sozin's Comet arrives. Aang is less than thrilled, remarking that they don't know where to find a firebending 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.

Meanwhile, Zuko is in a nearby wooded area above the temple, practicing a speech that he intends to use before the group to convince them to accept him. However, it doesn't turn out so well, and he wonders what Iroh or Azula would do in the same situation, but with little success.

Katara, Sokka, and Toph follow Aang and try to get him to continue to discuss their plans, but he avoids the topic, suggesting they go explore the sights, including a giant Pai Sho table, with him. Toph stops them and reveals that they have company. It is Zuko, who begins to rehearse his speech. The group is mistrusting and unaccepting, however, and Zuko accidentally lets slip that he sent Combustion Man after them. Enraged, the gang rejects him, even when Zuko offers himself up as a prisoner.

Back at his camp, Zuko thinks about how terrible his attempt was, while at the Temple, the gang wonders of Zuko's motives. They remember their experiences with Zuko in the past, deciding that they can't trust him. Toph argues with the group, pointing out that Zuko was entirely sincere and that they should consider Zuko based on the fact that they desperately need a firebending teacher for Aang. Frustrated at the group's continued disinterest, Toph leaves.

While he is sleeping, Zuko hears a noise. It turns out to be Toph, but, unable to see in the darkness, Zuko immediately firebends at the intruder, burning Toph's feet. She scurries away on her hands and knees, despite Zuko's attempts to apologize and help her. After she is out of sight, Zuko yells his frustrations.

The next morning, the group wonders about Toph's location. Soon enough, she blasts through the wall of the cliff, falling to the ground and revealing that Zuko burned her feet. As the gang tries to heal her, they are attacked by Combustion Man. They run out of sight while Zuko tries to stop the assassin. However, Combustion Man does not stop and instead nearly blasts Zuko off of the temple. The gang endures a few more blasts from Combustion Man before Sokka decides to use his boomerang to hit Combustion Man in the forehead. Disoriented, Combustion Man cannot attack, and an explosion occurs that results in Combustion Man's apparent demise.

After the battle, Zuko climbs up to the group. Aang thanks him for his efforts in helping them defeat Combustion Man. Zuko tries 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 unintentionally. Apparently reminded of his own firebending experience, Aang decides to accept Zuko as his teacher, the rest of the group agreeing reluctantly. Zuko promises not to let the group down.

Later, Sokka shows Zuko to his room at the Western Air Temple. Alone, Zuko removes a picture of Iroh from his satchel, and recalls another memory from when he was last at the Western Air Temple and Iroh told him that an open mind and an open heart will allow Zuko to find his own destiny. Katara then comes into his room, stating that she does not trust Zuko and threatening that if Zuko makes any hint at hurting Aang, she will permanently end his destiny.

Series continuity

• Katara mentions Jeong Jeong as a possible firebending teacher, to which Toph replies, who is he?, and then she states that she would later findout.