In the first episode of the third season of The Legend of Korra, everything has changed. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch The Legend of Korra.Â
I am so excited for this season, y’all. This is a fantastic premiere because in just twenty-some minutes, we’re shown potential. Why does this matter? Because this feels like we’ve been given an endless number of storylines – all varied and all interesting – that can play out this season. I’m so impressed and satisfied that the writers stuck with their decisions from last season and gave us the Avatar world post-Harmonic Convergence. It’s brilliant worldbuilding, first of all, because it forces us to re-think about the Avatar universe as a whole. We see how spirits are now fully integrated into human life, but what else did the Harmonic Convergence do?
Well, BUMI AIRBENDS. THAT’S A HUGE DEAL. And it’s clear that he’s not the only one and that the Convergence will play a huge part is setting the world into balance. We’ve also got the… spirit vines? I’m not quite sure what to call those, but Republic City has been besieged by a network of impenetrable, self-healing vines. They’ve left people homeless and displaced, and Republic City has been thrown into upheaval. And yet, that often doesn’t feel like the conflict here. It’s Korra’s spats with President Raiko that are far more dramatic and vicious. (That’s one of many changes from the last season; Korra is no longer fighting with Tenzin. IT’S SO GREAT.) When faced with that sort of bureaucracy, Korra gets exhausted. And I don’t blame her! Couple Raiko’s interests with the intensity of the media in Republic City, and it’s easy to see why Korra isn’t particularly interested in shooing the spirits out of Republic City.
At the heart of this episode and this entire season is the notion of change. Of course, season three jumps right into this by showing us the numerous changes around the world while also respecting the emotional developments for many of these characters. “A Breath of Fresh Air†might be light on Bolin and Lin, but it demonstrates how much growth there has been between… well, practically everyone. Tenzin and Korra have grown close since the Harmonic Convergence, so much so that it’s hard to remember when they once couldn’t hold a conversation without arguing. Korra has also started to foster a better friendship with Asami, which is something I’m so pleased to see. I’m just glad that the show isn’t pitting them against one another because of Mako. Instead, they’re eager to spend time with each other and find ways to support one another. LIKE, HOW GREAT IS THAT DRIVING SEQUENCE? It’s perfect, and I want these two together forever. FOREVER.
I think it’s also noteworthy to point out what a huge deal this episode is for Tenzin. I definitely teared up watching him talk about the existence of new airbenders in the world because I know why this is so important to him. I keep forgetting that there are only five of them at all, and now there’s EIGHT. Well, eight that we’ve seen on screen if you count Bumi, Daw, and Zaheer. How many more? Will Tenzin actually be able to rebuild the Air Nation in the wake of the Harmonic Convergence?
I want to see that. I want to see Korra dealing with her banishment from Republic City by seeking out more newly-minted airbenders. I want to see more of her friendship with Asami, especially if that means they spend time doing nothing but making Mako uncomfortable. But okay, I really just need one thing more than anything else:
I REALLY NEED TO KNOW WHO ZAHEER IS. Oh my god, those men where part of the White Lotus I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT THEM. What had Zaheer done to warrant that kind of imprisonment? Why does he want to end the Order of the White Lotus and the Avatar? WHAT IS GOING ON, EVERYONE??? Oh shit, I was so thrilled to recognize Henry Rollins’s voice. HE’S GREAT. So, Zaheer is this season’s Big Bad, right? Probably? I’M SCARED.
The video for “A Breath of Fresh Air†can be downloaded here for $0.99.
Mark Links Stuff
– Please help book/finalize the Mark Does Stuff European Tour!
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