Line #18 Recap/AvatarTheLastAirbenderSokkasMaster


1	[[quoteright:333:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/avatar_sokka_master.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:333:Sokka duels Piandao after revealing that he's from the Water Tribe.]]
3
4	->''"You told me you didn't know if you were worthy, but I believe that you are more worthy than any man I have ever trained."''
5
6	After the members of the Gaang use bending to stop a forest fire caused by a falling meteorite, Sokka feels OvershadowedByAwesome and expresses his frustration at being the weakest member of the group. Deciding that he needs to be cheered up, the group goes on a shopping spree, and Sokka hears of a MasterSwordsman that lives nearby, known as Master Piandao. Katara, Aang, and Toph urge Sokka to seek training from him, as much for his sake as for the Gaang's.
7
8	With Sokka preoccupied temporarily, the Gaang attempts to do Sokka's old jobs, including his sarcastic jokes. HilarityEnsues. And Iroh, still locked in his cell, secretly exercises, eventually becoming a OneManArmy.
9	----
10	!!Tropes:
11
12	* BadassNormal: Reconstructed with Sokka; while his lack of bending has never held him back before, here, it starts to affect his sense of self-worth, seeing himself as the only one in the Gaang who's "regular", which motivates him to seek training under Piandao. Once Sokka is absent, however, the rest of the Gaang immediately recognise what he brought to the group in terms of practical intelligence (none of the others can read a map) and his unique sense of humour (Katara's attempts to fill in for her brother are... [[CringeComedy less than successful]]), and once Sokka's confidence is built back up, both he and his friends are reassured of his value to the team.
13	* BattleButler: Notice how Sokka usually goes against Piandao's ''butler'' during the actual training.
14	* BlatantLies: Toph denies missing Sokka when he returns, turning to hide her LuminescentBlush.
15	* BoringButPractical: Sokka's skill at reading maps proves to be this given that he is the only one of the main characters who knows how to and without him, they have no idea where there are.
16	* CannotTellAJoke: Katara. Aang as well. At least neither can do it on the spot.
17	* CantCatchUp: After only one day of lessons under him, Sokka had no chance of victory against Piandao. When the latter disarms Sokka, while blinded by sand, he makes it clear how much he was holding back.
18	* ChekhovsGun:
19	** The meteorite that crashes in the opening act turns out to be very useful for creating swords.
20	** One that doesn't go off this episode but the audience already understands its importance, Piandao gifts Sokka with a White Lotus token which has been shown to be helpful to Iroh.
21	* ClarkKentOutfit: Iroh hides a blanket in his robes to cover his abs of steel and look like he's still a fat old man.
22	* CombatCompliment: Piandao does this during his final test of Sokka.
23	* CombatPragmatist: Piandao actually ''encourages'' fighting like this, and compliments Sokka during their duel for doing things like attacking from higher ground and [[AHandfulForAnEye flinging dirt into his eyes.]]
24	* ComicBookFantasyCasting: Piandao looks very like the show's real-life martial arts adviser, Sifu Kisu.
25	* ContinuityNod: Piandao advises Sokka to 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.
26	* CoolOldGuy: Piandao and Iroh.
27	* CoolSword: Sokka's sword is made of ''meteorite iron'', making it very unique.
28	* ADayInTheLimelight: For Sokka.
29	* DeadpanSnarker: Fittingly, Piandao is at least as snarky as Sokka, and far more deadpan about it.
30	* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: When Sokka is sulking over not being a bender like the rest of the group, his description of what everyone can do involve "flying around" a lot.
31	-->'''Sokka:''' It's just, all you guys can do this awesome bending stuff like putting out forest fires, and flying around and making other stuff fly around. I can't fly around, okay? I can't ''do'' anything.
32	* 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' ("''there's a million Lees''"), if he wants to stay undercover in the Fire Nation.
33	* EccentricMentor: Piandao's approach is strange, and rarely involves actually picking up the sword, being more focused on opening his student's mind. Yet, as both Sokka and Zuko (a previous student of his) demonstrate, it turns out brilliant - if unconventional - swordsmen.
34	* EurekaMoment: Iroh is shown peacefully staring at the ceiling, before he suddenly realizes something and immediately begins working out. He seemed to have put together how to escape and realized he needed to get back in shape to do so.
35	* EverybodyKnewAlready: Sokka initially claims to be a citizen from the Fire Nation colonies to Piandao, 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 reason Piandao gives for why he doesn't give the Gaang to the authorities is his belief that sword arts are for the whole world, not just for the Fire Nation -- though the ending hints it's because he's also a member of the White Lotus.
36	* {{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 harmful strike.
37	* {{Foreshadowing}}:
38	** Piandao immediately takes note of Sokka's "unusual name".
39	** The knockers on Piandao's doors are shaped like a lion turtle, and Piandao himself references the animal.
40	** The parting gift Piandao gives to Sokka is a White Lotus Paisho tile.
41	* ForgingScene: For Sokka's "Space Sword".
42	* FormerlyFat: Iroh works off the weight he gained in his retirement and is powerfully built by the end of the episode.
43	* GoodAllAlong: While the Gaang is in the Fire Nation (which is enemy territory), they are to consider all Fire Nationals hostile. Piandao however, has shown he is one of the only few people from the Fire Nation not hostile to the Gaang even after knowing their true identities, and can be trusted to keep them secret.
44	* HeartIsAnAwesomePower: While trying to cheer him up, the others say Sokka is good at reading maps, but he considers this pity. Later while he's gone, Aang and Katara openly struggle trying to figure out where on a map they are.
45	* HiddenHeartOfGold: Toph admits to the others that she misses Sokka. When he finally comes back, she snarks about the others missing him and claims to barely be aware he was even gone.
46	* 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.
47	* HumbleHero: Sokka ''not'' coming in bragging about how good of a fighter he is and humbly admitting he needs training is what convinces Piandao to train him.
48	* IJustWantToBeBadass: For the first time, the audience really sees just how much Sokka's being [[BadassNormal the only non-Bender]] in the group discourages him.
49	* 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! It might be justified by Sokka already having experience with melee weapons like clubs and spears, just not swords.
50	* InstantFlightJustAddSpinning: Sokka tries out different weapons and spins a lance above his head. It flies away after a short time.
51	* KnowWhenToFoldEm: He later admits after his fight that he’s too old to be fighting the Avatar, so he won’t even try to test his skills on him.
52	* 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"]]. [[ActuallyPrettyFunny Even Piandao is amused by the second one.]]
53	* 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. Granted, the montage shows that all Sokka did was keep the forge going and hold the sword steady while Piandao did the actual crafting, but the spirit of the trope is still there.
54	* MythologyGag: While Toph plays with the meteor rock, one of the shapes she forms is the Nickelodeon splat.
55	* NoSenseOfHumor: Downplayed; Katara might be able to appreciate a joke, but she totally lacks Sokka's gift for ''telling'' them. Her best efforts fail to get so much as a smirk from Aang or Toph.
56	* ObfuscatingInsanity: Iroh to the guards. He pretends to be a doddering, absent-minded old man while secretly building his body back up.
57	* ObfuscatingStupidity: As said above, Iroh to the guards. They mistake him for a broken man, all while Iroh is rebuilding his body to its prime.
58	* OneSteveLimit: LampshadeHanging on the aversion of this trope, actually. Piandao suggests "Lee" as an alias for Sokka: "There's a million Lees." There have been at least three or four other characters called Lee in the series up to this point, and it was Zuko's alias during season 2.
59	* PrisonsAreGymnasiums: Iroh is seen working out in prison. By the end of the episode, his big belly is totally gone, and he casually eats an apple while doing pull-ups one-handed.
60	* RealPlaceBackground: The waterfall that Piandao gets Sokka to paint is [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullfoss Gullfoss]] in Iceland.
61	* TheReveal: Master Piandao's final gift to Sokka is a white lotus tile for pai sho, which the audience, but not the characters, know means he's a member of the Brotherhood and ally of the Avatar.
62	* ScaryImpracticalArmor: Spoofed with the suit of armor that Aang tries on while shopping; the humorous look is the current page image. He falls over while trying to move.
63	* ScoobyStack: Katara and Aang watching Sokka forging his sword.
64	* SecretKeeper: Piandao knew the Avatar was with Sokka the moment he saw him, but decided to keep it secret.
65	* SecretTestOfCharacter:
66	** The Master knew Sokka was from the Water Tribe but he tested his honesty.
67	** Upon arriving, Sokka was told that he would have to prove his worth in order to receive training. Rather than brag about his experiences or abilities, Sokka demonstrates sincere humility, which is exactly what Piandao wanted and what a number of others seeking training apparently failed to do.
68	** 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).
69	* SeenItAll: Piandao recognizes immediately that Aang is the Avatar, attributing it to having seen a lot in his time.
70	* 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.
71	* ShownTheirWork: Piandao and Sokka's swords resemble ''jians'', and it's clear the creators researched how the sword was traditionally used.
72	* 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.
73	* SoreLoser: Piandao's butler does not take it well when Sokka finally manages to beat him in a training battle, glaring at him as Sokka bows to Piandao.
74	* SpitefulSpit: In one scene the [[WardensAreEvil evil warden]] spits on Iroh's food.
75	* SpontaneousWeaponCreation: Aang briefly discusses the idea of making a 'Wind Sword' this way.
76	* StargazingScene: The episode starts with the main characters lying on a hill at night, watching a meteor shower.[[note]]Well, okay, Toph isn't. "[[DisabledSnarker Eh, you've seen nothing once, you've seen it a million times]]"[[/note]] Unfortunately, their relaxation is interrupted when a meteor lands close by, starting a fire that threatens a nearby town.
77	* SwordLimbo: Sokka dives under the sword of his master during their fight.
78	* TakeThat: One against ScaryImpracticalArmor, and by proxy toy makers who asked for this sort of stuff as EnvironmentSpecificActionFigure fodder.
79	* TastyGold: Faced with a selection of metals with which to forge a sword, Sokka picks up a hunk of the stuff and gnaws on it.
80	* ThunderboltIron: Sokka makes himself a sword from a meteorite that fell at the beginning of the episode.
81	* TookALevelInBadass: Essentially the whole episode, although Iroh was already badass before his secret exercise routine. [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg Oh, and so did Sokka.]]
82	* ToughRoom: When Katara tries to take over as comic relief for Sokka.
83	-->'''Aang:''' I guess the jokes don't run in the family.
84	-->'''Katara:''' Oh, everyone's a critic.
85	* TrainingMontage: The episode, for both Sokka and Iroh.
86	* {{Tsundere}}: A minor example, but when Sokka comes back from his training, Toph claims that while Aang and Katara "missed [him] or something", she didn't care. She promptly turns the other way and starts blushing.
87	* TwoLinesNoWaiting: Sokka's TrainingMontage is juxtaposed with Iroh's own.
88	* VetinariJobSecurity: When Sokka's gone everybody's going into comic-relief withdrawal. More importantly nobody else knows how to read the maps or understands planning, so they end up sitting around bored and waste the entire day.
89	* WaxOnWaxOff: Piandao's training of Sokka includes calligraphy, landscape painting, and rock gardening in addition to actual swordplay. Unlike most instances of the trope, however, he explains the purpose of each element as he goes along.
90	* WhatTheFuAreYouDoing: Sokka's first attempts to find a new weapon weren't very successful, to say the least. He even provides the current page picture.
91	* WhyDontYouMarryIt: When Toph says she misses Sokka, Katara tries to make a joke about it.
92	-->'''Katara:''' Ooo. I got one. If you miss him so much, [[ShipTease why don't you marry him]]?
93	* YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre: Piandao not only say than Sokka is worthy of him but also deserves better.
94	* YouGetMeCoffee: Being the only non-bender in the team, Sokka is of little help to defend the village against the fire caused by a meteorite. Aang suggests Sokka watch Momo while he, Toph and Katara save the day.

Context Recap / AvatarTheLastAirbenderSokkasMaster