History Recap / AvatarTheLastAirbenderSokkasMaster

* SecretKeeper: He knew the Avatar was with Sokka the moment he saw him, but decided to keep it secret.

* HumbleHero: Sokka ''not'' coming bragging about how good of a fighter he is and humbly admitting he needs trained is what convinces Piandao to train him.

* BoringButPractical: Sokka's skill at reading maps proves to be this given that he is the only one of the main characters know how to and without him, they have no idea where there are.

* AMasterMakesTheirOwnTools: Master swordsman Piandao cites this trope as an explanation for why his protégé Sokka should forge his own sword out of materials he chooses. The result is a unique sword, which is as odd and practical as its owner.

''[[caption-width-right:333:Sokka duels Piandao after revealing that he's from the Water Tribe.]]''

* CantCatchUp: Have only had one day of lessons under him, Sokka had no chance of victory against Piandao. When he disarms Sokka, while blinded by sand, he makes it clear how much he was holding back.

* ContinuityNod: Piandao advises Sokka adopt a fake name to hide his origins and suggests "Lee", since it's such a common name. Zuko had previously used that name while traveling the Earth Kingdom and it was later revealed that he had previously studied under Piandao as well.

* {{Flynning}}: The last fight between Piandao and Sokka. Justified as neither is really trying to hurt the other person: it's easy to tell that Piandao is holding back, and Sokka is only skilled enough to deflect Piandao's attacks much less attempt a harming strike.

* ObfuscatingStupidity: As said above, Iroh to the guards. They mistake him for a broken man, all while Iroh is rebuilding his body to it's prime.

* ThunderboltIron: Sokka makes himself a sword from a meteorite that fell in the beginning of the episode.

* YouGetMeCoffee: Being the only non-bender in the team, Sokka is of little help to defend the village against the fire caused by meteorite. Aang suggests Sokka watch Momo while he, Toph and Katara save the day.

* LoopholeAbuse: How Sokka completes some of the tasks. His signature is his actual face, while the lesson on "making your environment suit you" has Sokka make a resting rock to [[ExactWords "suit him"]]. Even Piandao is amused by the second one.

* ShirtlessScene: Aside from going barefoot during the afternoon while Sokka is away, Aang has also taken off his shirt. Sokka also takes his shirt off while working the forge. As well as Iroh as he trains in his jail cell.
* SinkOrSwimMentor: Initially averted with Master Piandao, who is actually extremely patient as Sokka bumbles through his training, but played Straight when Sokka reveals his identity and Piandao engages him in a dangerous sword fight.

* SeenItAll: Piandao recognises immediately that Aang is the Avatar, attributing it to having seen a lot in his time.

* DidntThinkThisThrough: Piando ''immediately'' knew that Sokka was from the Water Tribe, since he used his real name rather than a fake one. He advises him to use a different name, such as 'Lee', if he wants to stay undercover in the Fire Nation.

* HonorBeforeReason: Sokka confesses that he lied about his origins--while the rest of his team, including the avatar, are in the room with him. As far as they know, Piandao is loyal to his country, and certainly has the ability to take down a group of kids, or at least reveal their presence in the Fire Nation to the Fire Lord. Sokka's confession compromised his teammates' identities, not just his own.

* ObfuscatingInsanity: Iroh to the guards.
* ObfuscatingStupidity: As said above, Iroh to the guards.

* PrisonsAreGymnasiums: Iroh is seen working out in prison.

* ContinuityNod: Piandao advises Sokka adopt a fake name to hide his origins and suggests "Lee." Zuko had previously used that name while traveling the Earth Kingdom and it was later revealed that he had previously studied under Piandao as well.

* RealityEnsues:
** Have only had one day of lessons under him, Sokka had no chance of victory against Piandao. When he disarms Sokka, while blinded by sand, he makes it clear how much he was holding back.
** Piando ''immediately'' knew that Sokka was from the Water Tribe, since he used his real name rather than a fake one. He advises him to use a different name, such as 'Lee', if he wants to stay undercover in the Fire Nation.

* ChekhovsGun: The meteorite turns out to be very useful for creating swords.

* InstantExpert: After an extended montage of lessons between Piandao and Sokka, Piandao mentions that they have been training for only one day. In that time Sokka went from being instantly disarmed in his first sparring match with the butler to expertly disarming him in their third and final bout, followed by managing to not die when Piandao initiates a duel with real swords. And somewhere in there they found time to forge a new sword from scratch!

* SinkOfSwimMentor: Initially averted with Master Piandao, who is actually extremely patient as Sokka bumbles through his training, but played Straight when Sokka reveals his identity and Piandao engages him in a dangerous sword fight.

* ShirtlessScene: Aside from going barefoot during the afternoon while Sokka is away, Aang has also taken off his shirt. Sokka also takes his shirt off while working the forge.

* DeadpanSnarker: Fittingly, Piandao is at least as snarky as Sokka.

* ClarkKentOutfit: Iroh hides a blanket in his robes to cover his abs of steel and look like a fat old man.

* CoolSword: Sokka's sword is made of ''meteorite'', making it very unique.

* ShirtlessScene: Aside from going barefoot during the afternoon while Sokka is away, Aang has also taken off his shirt.

*** We also learn later on that Zuko trained under Master Piandao, meaning he passed the test too, and Zuko's true kind-hearted nature is already hinted at in flashbacks (although it could also just mean that Piandao didn't want to piss off Ozai).

* YouGetMeCoffee: Being the only non-bender in the team, Sokka is of little help to defend the village against the fire caused by meteorite. Aang suggests Sokka to watch Momo while he, Toph and Katara save the day.

* EverybodyKnewAlready: Sokka initially claims to be a citizen from the Fire Nation colonies to Piando, who later reveals at the end of the episode that he wasn't fooled from the start, and tells him not to use his real name when pretending to be a Fire Nation citizen. The only reason they don't give the Gaang to the authorities is his belief that sword arts are for all colonies, not just for the Fire Nation.

* BlatantLies: Sokka claims to a citizen from the Fire Nation colonies. Piando reveals at the end he wasn't fooled and tells him not to use his real name when pretending to be a Fire Nation citizen.
** Toph denies missing Sokka when he returns, turning to hide her LuminescentBlush.

* DoesNotLikeShoes: Aang, Toph and Katara spend the day barefoot and lounging around whilst waiting for Sokka to return. They complain that it's too hot to do anything productive (Aang has also [[ShirtlessScene taken off his shirt]]), and that with Sokka gone there's no one to be in charge of the schedule, so it's pretty clear that they just want to relax.

* RealityEnsues: Have only had one day of lessons under him, Sokka had no chance of victory against Piandao. When he disarms Sokka, while blinded by sand, he makes it clear how much he was holding back.