S2.E9

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Bitter Work

Episode aired Jun 2, 2006
TV-Y7TV-Y7
25m

IMDb RATING

8.5/10

3.8K

YOUR RATING

Animation Action Adventure

Aang begins to learn earthbending from Toph; Uncle Iroh resumes teaching Zuko firebending to better prepare him for facing Azula, and reveals a new technique he learned from watching waterbe... Read allAang begins to learn earthbending from Toph; Uncle Iroh resumes teaching Zuko firebending to better prepare him for facing Azula, and reveals a new technique he learned from watching waterbenders.Aang begins to learn earthbending from Toph; Uncle Iroh resumes teaching Zuko firebending to better prepare him for facing Azula, and reveals a new technique he learned from watching waterbenders.

IMDb RATING

8.5/10

3.8K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Ethan Spaulding
Writers
- Michael Dante DiMartino
- Bryan Konietzko
- Aaron Ehasz(head writer)
Stars
- Zach Tyler Eisen(voice)
- Mae Whitman(voice)
- Jack De Sena(voice)

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Top cast

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Zach Tyler Eisen

Aang
(voice)

Mae Whitman

Katara
(voice)
…

Jack De Sena

Sokka
(voice)
(as Jack DeSena)

Michaela Jill Murphy

Toph
(voice)
(as Jessie Flower)

Dante Basco

Prince Zuko
(voice)

Dee Bradley Baker

Appa
(voice)
…

Mako

Uncle
(voice)

Director
- Ethan Spaulding
Writers
- Michael Dante DiMartino
- Bryan Konietzko
- Aaron Ehasz(head writer)
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
"Bitter Work" is the rough English translation of the Chinese words for martial arts "Kung Fu." Given that Aang and Zuko both learn a different form of kung fu, the episode title is rather appropriate.

Goofs
Aang alternates between wearing his boots and being barefoot during his earthbending training.

Quotes
Uncle Iroh: [Draws Fire symbol in the dirt] Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will and the energy and drive to achieve what they want.
Uncle Iroh: [Draws Earth symbol] Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring.
Uncle Iroh: [Draws Air symbol] Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom. Also, they apparently had pretty good senses of humor.
Uncle Iroh: [Draws Water symbol] Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribes are capable of adapting to many things. They have a sense of community and love that holds them together through anything.
Prince Zuko: Why are you telling me these things?
Uncle Iroh: [Draws straight lines separating the four symbols] It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If you take it from only one place, it become rigid and stale.
Uncle Iroh: [Draws a circle around all four symbols] Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations, will help you become whole.
Prince Zuko: All this four elements talk is sounding like Avatar stuff.
Uncle Iroh: It is the combination of the four elements in one person that makes the Avatar so powerful. But it can make you more powerful, too.

Connections
Featured in WatchMojo: Top 20 Darkest Avatar and Korra Moments Ever (2021)

User reviews3

Review

Featured review

9/10

Some great wisdom mixed with some classic Avatar humor

I love the part of this episode is when Iroh is explaining each individual element. Not only is the animation satisfying, but the message is great.

The most powerful part of this episode is when Zuko wants Iroh to shoot lightning at him, but he won't so he goes into the heart of a thunderstorm. No lightning ever comes after him, but it is so emotional.

Aang gets his first dose of Earthbending; Toph proves to be a brash and unrelenting teacher.

And then of course we have our humorous excursion. Sokka gets stuck in a hole next to a baby animal he affectionately names Foofoocuddleypoops.

9/10.

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