Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV Series)

Sokka's Master (2007)

Robert Patrick: Piandao

Photos 

Quotes 

• Piandao : Sokka, when you first arrived, you were so unsure. You even seemed down on yourself. But I saw something in you right away. I saw a heart as strong as a lion turtle and twice as big. And as we trained, it wasn't your skills that impressed me. No, it certainly wasn't your skills. You showed something beyond that... creativity, versatility, intelligence. These are the traits that define a great swordsman. And these are the traits that define you. You told me that you didn't know if you were worthy. But I believe you to be more worthy than *any* man I have *ever* trained.

  Sokka : I'm sorry, Master, you're wrong. I am not worthy. I am not who you think I am. I'm not from the Fire Nation, I'm from the Southern Water Tribe. I lied so that I could learn swordsmanship from you. I'm sorry.

  Piandao : I'm sorry too.

  [Draws his sword and starts to attack Sokka and Aang, Katara and Toph start to step forward] 

  Sokka : [to Aang, Katara and Toph]  No. This is my fight. Alone.

• Piandao : [after their duel]  Excellent work, Sokka. I think I'm a little old to be fighting the Avatar.

  Aang : [shocked]  How did you know?

  Piandao : Oh, I've been around a while. You pick things up. Of course I knew from the beginning that Sokka was Water Tribe. You might want to think of a better Fire Nation cover name. Try Lee. There's a million Lee's.

  Katara : But why would you agree to train someone from the Water Tribe?

  Piandao : The way of the sword doesn't belong to any one nation. Knowledge of the arts belongs to us all.

• Piandao : Let me guess. You've come hundreds of miles from your little village where your the best swordsman in town, and you think you deserve to learn from the master.

  Sokka : Well, actually, I've been all over the world.

  Piandao : Yep, here we go.

  Sokka : And I know one thing for sure. I have a lot to learn.

• [shows Sokka an amazing view over a waterfall, grabs his head and turns him around. Then pushes him to a sitting on the ground in front of painting supplies] 

  Piandao : Now paint it.

  [Sokka attempts to turn his head for another look but Piandao Grabs his head and turns it back again] 

  Piandao : And no peeking.

  Sokka : [Some time later]  I'm finished.

  Sokka : [Looks around and Sokka holds up his painting]  You added a rainbow.

  Sokka : [Innocently, looking at his painting]  Is that okay?

• Piandao : Sokka, you must continue your training on your own. If you stay on this path, I know that one day you will become and even greater master than I am.

• Piandao : The warrior practices a variety of arts to keep his mind sharp and fluid.

  [Flattens out a piece of paper on the table] 

  Piandao : The first *you* will learn is calligraphy. Write your name.

  Sokka : [Skeptical]  Writing my name will make me a better swordsman?

  Piandao : When you write your name, you stamp the paper with your identity. You must learn to use your sword to stamp your identity on a battlefield.

  [Sokka dips the brush in ink and prepares to write] 

  Piandao : Remember, you cannot take back a stroke of the brush or a stroke of the sword.

  [Sokka hesitates while thinking about writing his and and brings the inky brush to his face while thinking] 

  Piandao : You are getting ink on your face.

  Sokka : I am?

  [looks at the brush, thinking] 

  Sokka : I am. So this is about putting my identity on the page, right?

  [Covers his face in ink and stamps the page with it] 

• Piandao : You've had a good first day of training.

  Sokka : I have? But I thought I messed up every single thing we worked on.

  Piandao : You messed things up in a very special way. You are ready for a *real* sword.

  Sokka : [gasping]  Are you give me one of yours?

  Piandao : No.

  [Sokka groans] 

  Piandao : Your sword must be an extension of yourself. So tomorrow, *you* will make your own sword.