In the tenth episode of the second season of The Legend of Korra, Korra and Jinora explore the spirit world and have radically different experiences. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch The Legend of Korra.Â
I’m just so happy that this show kept the spirit world fucking weird.
Jinora
I’d like to separate my analysis of this by character because I think it’ll be easier to talk about each character’s journey. I’m still deeply impressed that Jinora has been given her own storyline independent of her siblings because Tenzin and Pema’s kids have often been nothing more than comic relief. Which is okay, since they fill that role really well! But this episode gives her a story that plays off her sense of creativity, her respect for other worlds/creatures, and her determination. It’s so satisfying to watch because it adds depth to her characterization as well.
One thing that was obvious to me was how Jinora’s interactions with the spirit world were so markedly different than Korra’s. She reacts to the first spirit she sees with wonder and curiosity, chasing after the butterfly, while Korra is hesitant and nervous about this place. It’s Jinora who knows right off the bat that emotions control the way the spirits react to someone within the world. While she certainly faces a number of challenges in the spirit world, she has a much easier time adapting to the place, which is a fantastic indication that she’s always had a connection to spirits.
She’s immediately approached by Furry Foot, first of all. She’s then led to Wan Shi Tong’s library (!!!!!! I WAS FREAKING OUT!!!!!!), which helps her determine where the spirit portals are in this world. And it’s fascinating to me how quickly she does all of this, despite that she has virtually no training for this kind of thing. It just comes natural to her! When Wan Shi Tong tries to intimidate her into leaving, she stands her ground, offering up knowledge that he did not have. When she can’t find information about the portals, she’s humble enough to ask for help from one of the… fox thingies? Do those creatures have names? I can’t remember if they were named in the episode.
It’s really great, y’all, and it’s something I hope to see more of from this show. I want each of these characters to get a chance to shine!
Korra
Korra has always been the type of character to wear her emotions on her sleeve, and it’s one of her many qualities I actually admire. She’s okay being emotional. She doesn’t mind being angry and confrontational. She’ll show affection to people she thinks deserves it. So it makes perfect sense to me that the spirit world, bound to emotional responses, would offer her such a drastically different experience than it did for Jinora. While Jinora’s off being all efficient and shit, Korra is taken on a surreal and challenging journey that forces her to examine her fears and her role as the Avatar. As the bridge between these two worlds, Korra’s emotions have an instantaneous and volatile affect on the spirit world, which is why she reverts to the form of a child. She’s so frightened and confused that her body changes to the manifestation that best represents her state.
And then Iroh shows up and I am f i n i s h e d. Seriously, the appearance of him ALONE was enough to make me want to burst into tears. HAHA I MEAN I’M FINE, TOTALLY FINE, NOTHING WRONG WITH ME AT ALL. But if any character was going to provide Korra with the guidance to master her connection to the spirit world, the best possibility was Iroh. He’s gentle and affectionate with Korra, eager to show her how her powers can change everything. But at the heart of their exchange is the duty of charity, the value that one can derive from merely helping others. That’s represented in the dragon bird spirit that Korra accidentally harms. By devoting her time and energy to returning this helpless spirit to their rightful home, she’s able to befriend other spirits and get closer to her own goals. Not only does she need to locate the portals, but she’s seeking out the light in the darkness.
It’s a fitting metaphor not just for the battle between good and evil, but for the choices that Korra has to make. I was devastated when Jinora was kidnapped by Unalaq, and then I was TERRIFIED that he was truly going to damage her soul forever. But I think Korra’s choice at the end of this episode is emblematic of the type of light she finds within her own morality. Even though she knows that she needs to close the portal to the spirit world, she refuses to dabble in darkness. She won’t sacrifice Jinora’s soul; it’s too great of an expense. That is the Korra I know and love.
Unfortunately, Jinora is still stuck in the spirit world, which is AWFUL, y’all. I actually think there’s a significant risk here that Jinora might be permanently hurt, and it worries the hell out of me. Even if that doesn’t happen, I’m still a little destroyed by the look on Tenzin’s face when he realizes Korra did not bring back his daughter. THIS IS SO MESSED UP, Y’ALL.
The video for “A New Spiritual Age” can be downloaded here for $0.99.
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