Change indeed.
Avatar: The Legend of Korra is an undervalued show. But it's fitting since it's the sequel to the cult hit Avatar: The Last Airbender, a beloved show by kids and adults alike which perhaps lost some of its credibility possibly due to the directorial stylings of M. Must-Not-Be-Named. So when Nickelodeon debuted a continuation of the series under a different name with different characters, including the main protagonist, one can attempt to see what went wrong. Slipping ratings and poor marketing eventually led to the stunted and confused airing of Book 3, which eventually led to its removal from TV altogether. It's a damn shame too, because what we got was perhaps the best season in the entire franchise.
Coming off the heels of Book 2: Spirits, Change is set in the post-Harmonic Convergence world where spirits and humans co-exist peacefully. Well, at least that's what should have happened but unfortunately there is much unrest on the human side. After all, humans have thrived without the direct help of spirits for years, hence the need for an Avatar, who serves as the link between the two worlds when necessary. But now, Korra, the current Avatar, is no longer needed. She is the last remnant of an old world that she helped end. And she's perfectly fine with it. Of all the characters in the Avatar universe, I think Korra has probably changed the most. In three seasons, we have followed her from bratty teenager to mature adult and unlike Aang, who remained childish throughout his life, she really feels like the heart of the show that bares her name.
The first part of the season details the birth of a new race, that of the airbenders. Race is an interesting topic in this universe because it is not based on color lines but on actual powers granted, equal to certain types of privileges in the real world. We've never really seen too much of airbender culture in Avatar except we know they are nomadic and tend to be very monastical. The only representatives we've had are Aang, who is very much non-airbender, and Tenzin, who is very much non-Aang. The family politics of Aang's family are fascinating as we slowly learn that Aang was perhaps not the best parent, showing more love to Tenzin than his other children Kya and especially Bumi who was born without powers. However, we find that Bumi's airbending powers were perhaps always inert, waiting for some kind of universal spark which he gets in the Harmonic Convergence. Suddenly, Tenzin and his brother are on the same level which really gets to Tenzin. As much as he is excited that he and his children aren't alone in the world, he realizes that is no longer special.
And neither is Korra, really. Sure, she possesses all four bending powers but there are those out there who possess bending powers stronger than hers, and are perhaps even learning faster than her. Even Jinora learns how to use spirit powers this season. And now that anyone can be bestowed great powers and walk with spirits, than really, who has a need for the Avatar? Which brings the big bad into play. Zaheer, a member of a terrorist group of anarchists called the Red Lotus, also becomes an airbender, and particularly powerful one at that. What is so devious is that he has almost prepared for this moment, as if he has known all his life he would possess great power. Zaheer is intriguing because he is the most human opponent Korra has ever faced. Mostly, because he does not think he's a bad guy. He really thinks he is committing a greater good for the world by erasing the Avatar forever. And on top of that, he has friends that support him in his efforts. P'Li, Ghazan, and Ming Hua are deep, fascinating characters and serve as a wonderful antithesis to Korra's gang consisting of Mako, Asami, and Bolin.
The second part of the season focuses on the Earth Kingdom, a fan-favorite location from the last series. There is a saying that states as some things change, some things stay the same and that is very much at work here. Even though Aang freed the Earth Kingdom from its brainwashing monarch so many years back, the Earth Kingdom remains completely unchanged. Tyranny just gets a new face in the slightly villainous Earth Queen. Poverty is still very much an issue in Ba Sing Se and through that explore the backstories of Mako and Bolin and their upbringing in the poorest district. It explains so much about their characters and who they are in only a few episodes. We also take a brief detour to the city of the Metal Clan, the newest culture of people founded by Toph Beifong. Another family dynamic is revealed here, as we find that Lin Beifong resents her sister Suyin because of favoritism and parental spite as well. It just goes to show that even world saviors can be awful to their children without even knowing it. At least Katara seemed to be a pretty good mother and I assume Sokka died childless (being betrothed to the moon spirit and all).
The third act of the season focuses on the Red Lotus and their encounters with Team Avatar and the rest of the adult characters. The last five episodes are intense and action-heavy and have some incredible animation done by Studio Mir. We are introduced to a new type of bending called lava bending (think fire and earth bending combined) which causes some pretty tricky situations. We are also treated to quite possibly one of the most violent deaths in the series: the choking of the Earth Queen by Zaheer. I cannot think of anyone more deserving but the scene is so intense and shocking that you feel ultimately bad for her awful end. The show even makes a point that killing a despot will not restore people's freedom or even change their caste. Even anarchy has leaders who call the shots. In the end, many of Zaheer's comrades are killed and Zaheer himself is subdued after a mid-air battle with Jinora and the new airbenders, and notably NOT by the hands of the Avatar. Korra herself is captured early on by Zaheer and weakened with poison in an attempt to end her reign and the mantle of the Avatar entirely. Her life is saved but at a great cost. She is bound to a wheelchair, possibly indefinitely, with some if not all of her powers weakened or erased. It's a very grim and ambiguous ending and the only hope seems to be the new airbenders led by Tenzin and his daughter Jinora. Change means a world without the Avatar, and perhaps the world is better off.
Afterthoughts
- Never fear! Korra and her pals will most assuredly be back for at least one more season although on television. The show's creators have expressed their frustration for marketing and airing on time so they have agreed to rely on the success of streaming websites such as Hulu or Amazon.
- I like that Korra's love life wasn't the focus of this season. If anything, her friendship with Asami was the most interesting relationship in her life. The romance between Jinora and newcomer Kai (sort of a bad boy Aang) is really the only filler in the season
- It's awesome that Firelord Zuko is the most adjusted member of the original group, considering his dad was such a prick. Of course he had his own personal journey in the last series. I feel he was very under-utilized this season and wanted to see more of him but all of his appearances were legitimately great.
No comments:
Post a Comment