Ba Sing Se

A city where daily life unfolds in six distinct tales, from spa days and haiku contests to a solemn birthday memorial beneath a large tree.

Ba Sing Se is the colossal capital of the Earth Kingdom, serving as the setting for the fifteenth episode of the second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender. This installment, titled "The Tales of Ba Sing Se," originally aired on Nickelodeon on September 29, 2006. Directed by Ethan Spaulding, the episode breaks from the series' usual plot-heavy structure to focus entirely on character development through six distinct vignettes. While the season's main narrative regarding the search for Appa advances only in Momo's story, the other segments depict the daily lives of Katara, Toph, Iroh, Aang, Sokka, and Zuko within the city walls. The episode is renowned for its balance of comedy and drama, concluding with a tearful tribute to Iroh's deceased son and a dedication to voice actor Mako Iwamatsu.

Quick Facts

Series: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Director: Ethan Spaulding
Air date: 29 September 2006

Lore & Background

We see the bustling market streets where Iroh stops at street stands, the Fancy Lady Day Spa where Katara and Toph relax, and the zoo where Aang lands looking for Appa. The city also hosts a haiku class that Sokka accidentally enters after being shoved by an ostrich horse. Crucially, the lore provided centers on the emotional landscape: Iroh wanders these streets helping residents before reaching a hill with a large tree to honor his son Lu Ten, who died trying to conquer this very city in combat.

Reader's Guide

The guide to "The Tales of Ba Sing Se" involves anticipating six short stories that function as character studies rather than plot drivers. Key moments include the comedic conflict at the spa, the accidental poetry contest in Sokka's segment, and Zuko's brief romance with Jin. The emotional core is found in Iroh's journey through the market to a secluded hill, where he sets up a memorial for his son Lu Ten. This section serves as a turning point, offering deep character context before ending with a dedication to Mako Iwamatsu, who died of esophageal cancer on July 21, 2006. The episode is recommended for its ability to provide a lighter atmosphere during the darker period of Appa's search, balancing humor with profound grief.

Did You Know?

The episode aired on September 29, 2006, and was dedicated to voice actor Mako Iwamatsu, who died of esophageal cancer on July 21, 2006.
Sokka was ejected from a haiku contest because he added an extra syllable to his final line after being shoved inside by an ostrich horse.
Zuko tells Jin that he and Iroh were part of a traveling circus before arriving in Ba Sing Se as a cover story.

Character Vignettes

Katara and Toph spend a day at the Fancy Lady Day Spa, sending teasing girls down a river. Iroh helps residents before mourning his son Lu Ten on a hill under a tree. Aang builds a new zoo with airbending after struggling to control animals. Sokka enters a haiku contest via an ostrich horse collision but is ejected for an extra syllable. Zuko dates Jin, lies about being in a circus, and leaves early. Momo searches for Appa while chased by Pygmy Pumas, finally resting in a giant footprint.

The Tale of Iroh

Written by Andrew Huebner, this segment shows Iroh helping citizens before reaching a hill with a large tree to memorialize his son Lu Ten's birthday. Lu Ten died in combat trying to conquer Ba Sing Se. The story explains Iroh's desire to save Zuko from dying like his son. It ends with a dedication to Mako Iwamatsu, who died of esophageal cancer on July 21, 2006.

Critical Reception and Legacy

Critics widely acclaimed the episode as one of the series' best. The Daily Dot called it the "best episode," highlighting Zuko, Momo, and Iroh's tales. CBR praised it as great filler, specifically noting Iroh's tribute to his son as "the most touching and memorable tale." The Mary Sue described the episode as highly emotional.