First, just...woot!  Yay for Zuko *FINALLY* getting it all together.  Now I just hope he, as the oldest of the Gaang (which one assumes he will soon be with), can manage to stay somewhat mature and not get too terribly snippy.  I was so thrilled to see him be so cool-headed (for him!) when he faced off with Ozai.  He actually refused to fight him, held onto his temper throughout the discussion of his mother, and then left after defending himself from that one lightning strike.  I guess since he redirected the lightning so easily that he's finally achieved a balance within himself.  I just adored that final scene with Zuko in the balloon following the Gaang.  So very symbolic of everything -- he looks calm and focused and not angry and ready to face his real destiny.  Again...woot!!

The episode itself was everything I would wish for.  I pretty much figured since it was mid-season, the Gaang wouldn't win.   That would've been too easy.  The invasion itself was very cool.  Seeing loads of previous characters and Sokka's ability to scheme and plan (if not public speaking) coming to the fore.  Most times, he is such an idiot that I forget he can also be smart.  The fight with Azula was entertaining and ultimately somewhat sad since she sorta implied that Suki was dead.

I assume we'll see Iroh again, probably with more White Lotus folks, who perhaps are some sort of underground Fire Nation force who are unhappy with Ozai.  Maybe the Gaang will find a meeting place?  I would bet the lotus tile that Sokka has from his swordmaster isn't coincidental.

The Katara/Aang kiss...  Eh.  It looked one-sided to me and that Katara didn't know what to think, since she appeared quite shocked to me that Aang wanted to kiss her.  However, I'm getting resigned to their eventual pairing.  Not hugely thrilled but I won't be the least surprised if that's how it turns out in the end.  He is supposed to be the big hero of the series, even I consider Zuko to be the "character of change" and who has a bigger heroic element to him.  I'd rather have Zuko/Katara, of course, since I find that pairing much more mature, but I have doubts that the creators are going to do it.

I'm beginning to wonder just how the series will end (probably this season).  If this were a grown-up show, I would be fairly certain that Ozai would be killed.  Perhaps Azula as well.  But this is an animated kids show.  If he dies...it'll probably be by accident or by "godlike forces" such as what happened to Zhao in the season one finale.  Having the good guys actively kill anyone, even deserving bad guys, isn't usually done in kids shows.  Not that I disagree with the "good guys don't kill" maxim -- I'm too much into DC comics to not be -- but on the other hand, I can't see them letting Ozai live since he wouldn't just surrender and let Iroh or Zuko rule.  Of course, Azula could decide to take him out and that would be that.  She probably could as well.  I mean, she was already sitting in that throne in these last episodes, plus the one in Ba Sing Se, so you know she's got plans...  Azula being Firelord (lady?) is a scarier thought that Ozai!