One of my favorite episodes is “The Southern Air Temple” from Book 1 because it gave the first real glimpse at the history of the avatar — Aang’s history. Even though it’s fairly simple, and they’ve barely scratched the surface of who the avatar is, it’s also one of the most beautiful episodes. I remember thinking this right when I saw the eyes of the avatar shrine in the Earth Kingdom light up, and then the Water Tribe, and then the Fire Nation shrine (?), when Aang enters the avatar state after seeing the remains of the Southern Air Temple.

Something about that confuses me though — Aang used the avatar state in the previous episode. Why didn’t the shrines/temples show any signs of Aang’s return THEN?

Was it because the avatar state was gut reaction the first time we see him go into it? (He would have drowned had he not entered the avatar state.)

Was it because when he saw what was left of the Southern Air Temple, he had a distinct emotional reaction and knew WHY he was going into the avatar state? (Not HOW he did it, but rather a vague idea of why it happened?)

Was it because he was in a sacred place — his former home? Was it because the room full of avatar statues was located ONLY in one place in the whole world — the Southern Air Temple — and that’s what made the other shrines indicate that he had returned?

This one is stumping me. Maybe I just missed something important. Hmm. It’s been a while since I’ve seen that one. Anyway.

I’m gonna go eat dinner. =D