History Recap / AvatarTheLastAirbenderTheSiegeOfTheNorthPart1

* TheBadGuyWins: Sort of. After being put through a lot of crap, Zuko finally captures the Avatar and escapes. Of course, now he has a blizzard to contend with...

* TrailersAlwaysLie: The promo chronologically switches the part where Aang goes from "I'm just one kid" to "I'm going to make a difference this time", making it look like there's going to be a [[AnAesop lesson]] (even one person can make a difference). In the episode, it's the other way around.

* DropTheHammer: Several of the Fire Nation soldiers fighting Aang use hammers, which Aang uses against them by having them strike the same spot on a catapult so when he hits it again, the air blast destroys the catapult.

* BondOneLiner: Though without killing the opponent. Zuko delivers one to Katara after his day-boosted reversed CurbStompBattle against her.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: While said in a PlayedForLaughs manner, Aang's comment about the spirits bringing forth a giant monster to swat the invasion fleet ends up playing a part in the next episode...

* UpperClassTwit: Hahn is essentially the Northern Water Tribe's equivalent, due to warriors being one of the most respected classes. He even insults Sokka based on her being from the Southern Water Tribe, and states that he "wouldn't understand the political complexities of our tribe". Said political complexity is Hahn wanting to marry Yue for the perks. He also gets annoyed when Sokka points out that the stolen Fire Nation armour is several decades out of date, and he can't get Zhao's (or Sokka's for that matter) name right at all.

* TechnicianVsPerformer: Highlighted early in the episode when Master Pakku is able to progress through dedication, passion and hard work (Technician) while the naturally skilled Aang goofs off (Performer).

* UpperClassTwit: Hahn is essentially the Northern Water Tribe's equivalent, due to warriors being one of the most respected classes. He even insults Sokka based on her being from the Southern Water Tribe, and states that he "wouldn't understand the political complexities of our tribe". Said political complexity is Hahn wanting to marry Yue for the perks. He also gets annoyed when Sokka points out that the stolen Fire Nation armour is several decades out of date, and he can't get Zhao's name right at all.

* {{Jerkass}}: Hahn. He says right to Sokka's face that he's pursuing Yue merely for the perks of being the chieftain's son-in-law.

* OffModel: Before departing, the paint on Sokka's forehead disappears right when he turns to look at Yue, then it reappears in the very next scene.

* BadassBoast: See TakeThat, and keep in mind that this show is the only show to beat out ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'' at the Kids Choice Awards.

* HonorBeforeReason: Yue choosing to go forth with her ArrangedMarriage despite knowing he doesn't care about her.

''[[caption-width-right:333:"It's the Fire Nation. They've closed in on the North Pole."]]''

* TechnicianVsPerformer: Discussed; Master Pakku outlines Katara as the Technician by being able to progress through dedication, passion and hard work while the naturally skilled Aang goofs off (Performer).

* CurbStompBattle: At night under the full moon, Katara thumps Zuko repeatedly with her improved training and special tide-induced boost. But then the sun rises, and Zuko's power boost activates, letting him melt through the ice that Katara had trapped him in and knock her out in a surprise attack.

* {[Foreshadowing}}: While said in a PlayedForLaughs manner, Aang's comment about the spirits bringing forth a giant monster to swat the invasion fleet ends up playing a part in the next episode...

With no other choice, the Water Tribe goes to war; Aang, remembering how he wasn't there when the Fire Nation wiped out his own people, vows that he will make a difference this time. Yue tells Sokka that she can't see him anymore, as her feeling for him make things too confusing. Sokka deals with this by volunteering for a guerrilla mission, facing both death and, to his surprise, Yue's jerk fiance Hahn.

* RealityEnsues:
** The Northern Water Tribe has been in near total isolation for almost a century, so when they pull out "real" Fire Navy uniforms for an infiltration mission, the captured uniforms are totally out of date, as no one has actually seen a Fire Nation soldier for decades. At least Sokka tips them off before they find out the hard way.
** Aang figures that he can help fight off the Fire Nation battalion. At the end of the day, he only takes out a dozen. He bemoans the reality that despite being the Avatar, he's still just a child and can't take on an army by himself.

* TrailersAlwaysLie: The promo chronologically switches the part where Aang goes from "I'm just one kid" to "I'm going to make a difference this time", making it look like there's going to be a [[AnAesop lesson]] (even one person can make a difference). In the episode, it's the other way around. (See RealityEnsues).

* BravingTheBlizzard: Zuko captures and takes Aang (who is in the Spirit World, leaving his body basically comatose until he returns to it) further up north to avoid Zhao and his forces. It goes poorly because [[DidntThinkThisThrough the North Pole is barren for miles]] and he ends up encountering a violent blizzard.

In the Northern Water Tribe, things are going well for our heroes. Katara and Aang are still taking waterbending lessons from Master Pakku. Katara in particular has advanced quickly -- faster then any student Pakku has taught -- while Aang's [[BrilliantButLazy tendency to goof off]] has made him fall behind. Meanwhile, Sokka's friendship with Yue grows, even though they both know they can't have more.

But all that grinds to a halt when black snow starts raining down on the Northern Tribe -- a result of the soot from hundreds of Fire Nation ships advancing to conquer and destroy the last bastion of the Water Tribes.

The first day of the invasion sees the Fire Nation Navy bombard the Northern Tribe with fireballs from a distance, while Aang and a few Waterbenders take on the ships head on. It goes badly for the defenders -- there's just too many ships for them to handle. Meanwhile, Sokka is pulled off the top-secret mission after getting into a fight with Hahn, although the Water Chief later admits he had an ulterior motive; he wants Sokka to guard his daughter.

During the cover of night, Zuko, who has been hiding among Zhao's crew in disguise all this time, sneaks into the Water Tribe in an attempt to kidnap Aang. Meanwhile, Aang, his battle against the fleet fruitless, gets an idea; the Water Tribe worships the Moon and Ocean spirits as the first Waterbenders, so how about he gets their help? Yue and Katara thinks that's a great idea, with one caveat; the last time Aang entered the Spirit World, it was totally by accident, so how's he supposed to do it on purpose? Yue helps by leading Aang and Katara to a secret oasis that's the spiritual center of the Northern Tribe, figuring it'll make it easier for Aang to cross over. Aang meditates for a while, before crossing over as he watches a pair of black-and-white koi fish in the oasis that [[{{Foreshadowing}} definitely won't be important later]].

It is here that Zuko finds him, and though Katara [[TookALevelInBadass puts up one hell of a defense]], the rise of the sun gives Zuko enough of a boost to defeat her and kidnap Aang. This has the side effect of stranding Aang in the Spirit World, as his body is not where he left it. Furthermore, the rising of the sun means the Fire Navy resumes its attack on the Water Tribe. The episode ends with the walls of the city breached and Zuko toting Aang across the frozen tundra.

* AnswerCut: When Arnook says "It is with great sadness I call my family here before me, knowing well that some of these faces are about to vanish from our tribe," the camera flashes to Yue, Pakku, and Hahn -- one of whom will make it, one who does not, and one we [[WhatHappenedToTheMouse never find out about]].

* TheBadGuyWins: Sort of. After being put through a lot of crap, Zuko finally captures the Avatar and escapes. Of course now he has a blizzard to contend with...
* BadassBoast: See TakeThat and keep in mind that this show is the only show to beat out ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'' at the Kids Choice Awards.

* BravingTheBlizzard: Zuko captures and takes Aang (who is in the Spirit World) further up north to avoid Zhao and his forces. It goes poorly because [[DidntThinkThisThrough the North Pole is barren for miles]] and ends up encountering a violent blizzard.

* CurbStompBattle: At night under the full moon, Katara thumps Zuko repeatedly with her improved training and special tide-induced boost. But then the sun rises, and Zuko's power boost activates, letting him melt through the ice Katara had trapped him in and knock her out in a surprise attack.

* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: For the first time, Zuko is affected by and visibly returns Iroh's affection for him. It couldn't be any clearer that he notes the contrast between Iroh (whose son died and is still mourning him) versus Ozai (whose son is still alive, but cast aside due to the father's arrogance).

* InstantArmor: More like Instant Snowman -- Aang bends the snow around his body to become one.

* {{Jerkass}}: Hahn. He tells right to Sokka's face that's pursuing Yue merely for the perks of being the chieftain's son-in-law.

* OffModel: Before departing, the paint on Sokka's forehead disappears right when he turns to look at Yue, then they reappear in the very next scene.

** The Northern Water Tribe has been in near total isolation for almost a century, so when they pull out "real" Fire Navy uniforms for an infiltration mission the captured uniforms are totally out of date, as no one has actually seen a Fire Nation soldier for decades.
** Aang figures he can help fight off the fire nation battalion. At the end of the day, he only takes out a dozen. He bemoans the reality that despite being the Avatar, he's still just a child and can't take on an army by himself.
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Subverted; Yue flees as soon as Zuko shows up in the oasis, knowing she has no way of fighting him, but she returns soon after with Sokka and Appa.
* SnowMeansDeath: Black snow, to be precise, caused by the soot of the Fire Navy ships smokestacks mixing with the clouds.

* TookALevelInBadass: Katara's fighting skill was already good enough to give Master Pakku a decent workout in the previous episode. Within a very short time, Katara's at the top of the class pummeling all the other trainees in under 30 seconds. Zuko even acknowledges it with a complimentary insult: "You little peasant, you found a master haven't you?"

* UnwantedAssistance: Understandably, Yue is undoubtedly unaware of how the Avatar's power works, which leads her to think something is wrong with him.

* UpperClassTwit: Hahn is essentially the Northern Water Tribe's equivalent, due to warriors being one of the most respected classes. He even insults Sokka based on the fact that he's from the Southern Water Tribe, and states that he "wouldn't understand the political complexities of our tribe". Said political complexity is Hahn wanting to marry Yue for the perks. He also gets annoyed when Sokka points out the stolen Fire Nation armour is several decades out of date, and can't get Zhao's name right at all.
* WeAREStrugglingTogether: Sokka ends up getting into conflict with Hahn, as the former knows Zhao and the Fire Nation a lot better than he does, and calls him out for being a self-absorbed jerk, while Hahn insults Sokka for his ignorance of his tribe's political complexities. The chieftain is having none of this infighting amongst his ranks and takes Sokka off the mission.
* WorfHadTheFlu: Played both ways; both times Katara beat Zuko she had the moon on her side and he had trudged through the arctic (which would weaken anyone but especially firebenders). The one time he beat her, he had the sun and also managed to get her from behind with a lucky shot.

* TheBadGuyWins: Sort of. After being put through a lot of crap, Zuko finally captures the Avatar and escapes.

With no other choice, the Water Tribe is forced to go to war; Aang, remembering how he wasn't there when the Fire Nation wiped out his own people, vows that he will make a difference this time. Yue tells Sokka that she can't see him anymore, as her feeling for him make things too confusing. Sokka deals with this by volunteering for a guerrilla mission, facing both death and, to his surprise, Yue's jerk fiance Hahn.

* OhCrap: Aang's reaction when, after subduing the first Fire Nation ship, he sees that there are still ''hundreds'' on their way.

* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: {{Justified}}; Yue flees as soon as Zuko shows up in the oasis, knowing she has no way of fighting him, but she returns soon after with Sokka and Appa.