History Recap / AvatarTheLastAirbenderTheWesternAirTemple

* DidntThinkThisThrough: Zuko thinks that the best solution to join the Avatar's team is to admit to all of his misdeeds and beg to become Aang's firebending teacher. It goes wrong when he lets slip that he sent Combustion Man against them, rather than say tell them what was discussed in that meeting he was agonizing about a few weeks ago...or just say that Azula sent Combustion Man after them.[[note]] Saying Azula sent Combustion Man probably would have backfired anyway since Toph would have been able to tell that he was lying. [[/note]]

* EasilyForgiven: Harshly, yet justifiably subverted. All of the Gaang, save Toph, have a list of good reasons. When they finally let him in, Katara's warning gives a clear indication that Zuko has to start earning their trust before they can forgive him. It would take him the next few episodes to do just that.
* EvenBeggarsWontChooseIt: The group needs someone to teach Aang firebending, but most of them refuse to even consider letting Zuko do it. Toph points out this is a rather short-sighted attitude at a crucial time.

* HonestyIsTheBestPolicy: Zigzagged. Zuko is completely honest when apologizing for his misdeeds, and Toph can sense that. This makes her believe that he is trying to change and wants to help them, with no tricks. However, he opens his big mouth and reveals that he also hired the assassin that has been chasing them. That doesn't endear him to the rest of the Gaang.

* NiceJobFixingItVillain: If wasn't for Combustion Man Zuko never would have proven he has changed. His attack on The Western Air Temple ultimately allows Zuko to prove himself to the Gaang that his reformation is genuine by aiding them against the very same person he hired.

** The reason Aang starts trusting Zuko (much less asks him to be his fire-bending teacher) is when Zuko notes he himself needs to be more careful with his firebending, so he doesn't hurt innocent people like Toph. This hits very close to home with the first time Aang tried firebending, and hurt Katara in the process.

* WhatTheHellHero: Toph wears the pragmatist hat for a change and calls out her friends for not even considering accepting Zuko as Aang's Firebending teacher, despite him being the only viable choice [[note]] The only other Firebenders the Gaang knows who would be willing are Iroh and Jeong Jeong, but they have no clue where either of them are or how to find them, and they're on a very strict time limit[[/note]]. She may not have had any history with Zuko, but she understands the bigger picture and knows that there are bigger stakes than their personal feelings.

** Toph, the only Gaang member to not suffer personally at Zuko's hands (not counting Combustion Man), believes that, regardless of their personal feelings about Zuko, Aang needs a Firebending teacher and one has shown up on their doorstep offering his services. Her [[LivingLieDetector lie-detecting abilities]] means she can also tell that Zuko is telling the truth about his HeelFaceTurn and freeing Appa.

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome:
** As Zuko learns from his efforts to join the Gaang, an apology, no matter how sincere, doesn't automatically earn you forgiveness; since he's spent the whole series up to this point as their enemy, the Gaang are ''very'' resistant to trust him. As far as they're concerned, he's a RoyalBrat who has repeatedly assaulted and captured them, and the last time they saw him, his actions contributed to Aang's temporary death.
** Because Toph can "see" with her feet, when Zuko accidentally burns them in self-defense, she panics and retreats back to her group, retaliating without giving Zuko a chance to explain. Until her feet recover, Toph is left completely blind and falls into a rare case of helplessness.

* NotHelpingYourCase: Zuko letting it slip that ''he'' sent Combustion Man after the Gaang made them all even more distrustful of him, and he later laments that he should have pinned it on Azula. However, this is subverted when Combustion Man attacks and [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness Zuko tries to stop him]], showing to Aang that he's serious about wanting to help. There's also the fact that if Zuko tried to lie and blame Azula, [[LivingLieDetector Toph would have seen through it]].

* FreudianExcuse: Discussed by Toph.

** When Zuko is pleading his case of doing good things, he mentions that he freed Appa during [[Recap/AvatarTheLastAirbenderLakeLaogai "Lake Laogai"]]. It's because of Zuko's actions that have resulted in Appa licking Zuko a lot since he approached the Gaang.

* DarkestHour: This episode features the Gaang at one of their lowest points. [[StepfordSmiler Aang is putting on a chipper face about his failure]], but Sokka and Katara are despondent. They lost Ba Sing Se, the last Earth Kingdom stronghold that could fight against the Fire Nation, and now the Day of the Black Sun failed with most of their ragtag army captured. Sozin's Comet is arriving soon (which they aren't aware of), and Ozai is still on the throne. The only Firebending teacher that would teach Aang is in hiding. Cue Zuko coming to offer his services to be Aang's firebending teacher... and the Gaang immediately assumes he's come to betray them again and hurt Aang, leading to an uphill battle for Zuko to get on their good side.

* AccidentalTruth: Katara thinks Zuko, when he was the Blue Spirit, only freed Aang to capture him for himself. Well... that part technically is right.

** Toph is the only one willing to give Zuko a chance at first, in part because she doesn't have any personal grievances against him and partly because she has the benefit of being able to tell that Zuko is being sincere. She also points out that Zuko is willing to teach firebending to Aang when he needs it the most.

** Initially almost played straight. With the Invasion having failed and the Fire Nation now knowing Aang is alive again, the group have essentially returned to their basic format; traveling the world as Aang masters the elements, before Sozin's Comet, while being hunted by the Fire Nation. Sokka even [[LampshadeHanging lampshades this point.]]

** As Zuko learns from his efforts to join the Gaang, an apology, no matter how sincere, doesn't automatically earn you forgiveness; since he's spent the whole series up to this point as their enemy, the Gaang are ''very'' resistant to trust him [[note]] doesn't help that there's some inverted FourthWallMyopia; the Gaang haven't been privy to Zuko's more conflicted moments throughout the show, and for the most part only know him as an angry RoyalBrat who's repeatedly attempted to capture them, and the last time they met, Zuko's actions led to Aang's temporary death[[/note]].

* WhatTheHellHero: Toph wears the pragmatist hat for a change and calls out her friends for not even considering accepting Zuko as Aang's Firebending teacher, despite him being the only viable choice [[note]] the only other Firebenders the Gaang knows who would be willing are Iroh and Jeong Jeong, but they have no clue where either of them are or how to find them, and they're on a very strict time limit [[/note]]. She may not have had any history with Zuko, but she understands the bigger picture and knows that there are bigger stakes than their personal feelings.

* BackportedDevelopment: There are two flashbacks of pre-Season One Zuko and Iroh, but Iroh is voiced by Greg Baldwin, since {{Creator/Mako}} had died.

** When Zuko is pleading his case of doing good things, he mentions that he freed Appa during "Lake Laogai". It's because of Zuko's actions that have resulted in Appa licking Zuko a lot since he approached the Gaang.

** Katara's line, "How stupid do you think we are?" when Zuko claims to have changed sides is nearly identical to what he said to her and Sokka in "Bato of the Water Tribe."

* StatusQuoIsGod: Initially almost played straight. With the Invasion having failed and the Fire Nation now knowing Aang is alive again, the group have essentially returned to their basic format; traveling the world as Aang masters the elements, before Sozin's Comet, while being hunted by the Fire Nation. Sokka even [[LampshadeHanging lampshades this point.]]
-->'''Sokka:''' Well, if you ask me, the new plan is the old plan! You just need to master all four elements and confront the Fire Lord before the comet comes.

* BetrayalInsurance; Katara bluntly tells Zuko that she will be watching him to make sure his switching sides is genuine. If he ever strays or even shows the slightest hint that he'll get Aang killed again, she will "end" his destiny.

--->'''Katara:''' You might have everyone else here buying your ... "transformation", but you and I both know you've struggled with doing the right thing in the past.

** When Zuko is pleading his case of doing good things, he mentions that he freed Appa during “Lake Laogai”. It’s because of Zuko’s actions that have resulted in Appa licking Zuko a lot since he approached the Gaang.

* DoorSlamOfRage: After giving him an ImpliedDeathThreat, Katara leaves Zuko’s room, but not before slamming the door behind her. This serves as a warning to Zuko that she’s keeping a close eye on him, especially after he pulled a HeelFaceRevolvingDoor in Ba Sing Se.

* StatusQuoIsGod: Initially almost played straight. With the Invasion having failed and the Fire Nation now knowing Aang is alive again, the group have essentially returned to their basic format; traveling the world as Aang masters the elements, before Sozin’s Comet, while being hunted by the Fire Nation. Sokka even [[LampshadeHanging lampshades this point.]]

** Of course, Zuko’s arrival and subsequent addition to the group ends up averting this for the next few episodes going forward.

** As Zuko learns from his efforts to join the Gaang, an apology, no matter how sincere, doesn't automatically earn you forgiveness; since he's spent the whole series up to this point as their enemy, the Gaang are ''very'' resistant to trust him [[note]] doesn't help that there's some inverted FourthWallMyopia; the Gaang haven't been privy to Zuko's more conflicted moments throughout the show, and for the most part only know him as an angry RoyalBrat who's repeatedly attempted to capture them, and the last time they met, Zuko’s actions led to Aang's temporary death[[/note]].

''[[caption-width-right:333:Zuko finally joins the Gaang, providing Aang with a firebending teacher.]]''

-->--'''Zuko'''

* NoBodyLeftBehind: When Combustion Man's power backfire, they cause him to explode leaving only his right mechanical arm behind.

** Aang was overjoyed to finally be re-united with Appa after losing him. But discovering that, [[Recap/AvatarTheLastAirbenderTheBlueSpirit like when he was captured by Zhao]], it was Zuko who was responsible for that, Aang can only be emotionally conflicted. While he is grateful to the extent of willing to at least listen to Zuko, he reasonably, but incorrectly concludes that like the previous rescue, he only did it for selfish reasons.

* BetrayalInsurance; Katara bluntly tells Zuko that she will be watching him to make sure his switching sides his genuine. If he ever strays or even shows the slightest hint that he'll get Aang killed again, she will "end" his destiny.

* DarkestHour: This episode features the Gaang at one of their lowest points. [[StepfordSmiler Aang is putting on a chipper face about his failure]], but Sokka and Katara are despondent. They lost Ba Sing Se, the last Earth Kingdom stronghold that could fight against the Fire Nation, and now the Day of the Black Sun failed with most of their ragtag army captured. Sozin's Comet is arriving soon (which they aren't aware of), and Ozai is still on the throne. The only Firebending teacher that would teach Aang is in hiding. Cue Zuko coming to offer his services to be Aang's firebending teacher... and the Gaang immediately assumes he's come to betray them again and hurt Aang.

* DarkestHour: This episode features the Gaang at one of their lowest points. [[StepfordSmiler Aang is putting on a chipper face about his failure]], but Sokka and Katara are despondent. They lost Ba Sing Se, the last Earth Kingdom stronghold that could fight against the Fire Nation, and now the Day of the Black Sun failed with most of their ragtag army captured. Sozin's Comet is arriving soon, and Ozai is still on the throne. The only Firebending teacher that would teach Aang is in hiding. Cue Zuko coming to offer his services to be Aang's firebending teacher... and the Gaang immediately assumes he's come to betray them again and hurt Aang.

* DarkestHour: This episode features the Gaang at their lowest point. [[StepfordSmiler Aang is putting on a chipper face about his failure]], but Sokka and Katara are despondent. They lost Ba Sing Se, the last Earth Kingdom stronghold that could fight against the Fire Nation, and now the Day of the Black Sun failed with most of their ragtag army captured. Sozin's Comet is arriving soon, and Ozai is still on the throne. The only Firebending teacher that would teach Aang is in hiding. Cue Zuko coming to offer his services to be Aang's firebending teacher... and the Gaang immediately assumes he's come to betray them again and hurt Aang.

** As Zuko learns from his efforts to join the Gaang, an apology, no matter how sincere, doesn't automatically earn you forgiveness; since he's spent the whole series up to this point as their enemy, the Gaang are ''very'' resistant to trust him [[note]] doesn't help that there's some inverted FourthWallMyopia; the Gaang haven't been privy to Zuko's more conflicted moments throughout the show, and for the most part only know him as an angry RoyalBrat who's repeatedly attempted to capture them, and the last time they met, Zuko was literally responsible for Aang's temporary death[[/note]].

* RealityEnsues:
** As Zuko learns from his efforts to join the Gaang, an apology, no matter how sincere, doesn't automatically earn you forgiveness; since he's spent the whole series up to this point as their enemy, the Gaang are ''very'' resistant to trust him [[note]] doesn't help that there's some inverted FourthWallMyopia; the Gaang haven't been privy to Zuko's more conflicted moments throughout the show, and for the most part only know him as an angry RoyalBrat who's repeatedly attempted to capture them [[/note]].
** Because Toph can "see" with her feet, when Zuko accidentally burns them in self-defense, she panics and retreats back to her group, retaliating without giving Zuko a chance to explain. Until her feet recover, Toph is left completely blind and falls into a rare case of helplessness.

-->'''Sokka:''' Well, if you ask me, the new plan is the old plan! You just need to master all four elements and confront the Fire Lord before the comet comes
** Of course, Zuko’s arrival and subsequent addition to the group ends up averting this for the next few episodes going foward.