The Legend of Korra: Book 3

[Christopher]

I didn't catch what had happened, it was so quick. It looked like a sheet of metal hit her in the back of the head and wrapped itself around her.

Yes, but just as she was firing a combustion bolt. So it presumably blew up inside the metal shell -- although they couldn't actually show that so they had to imply it with Zaheer's horrified reaction and his line later about losing someone he loved.

It was nice that they humanized Zaheer and P'Li and showed they had a more caring side, so that we could empathize with the loss and not see it as a pure, simple triumph. And it was awesome how tall P'Li was. I was talking before about conventional female images in media -- few shows would let a female character be so much taller than her love interest.

The plan was sound. If I wanted to end the avatar cycle, that's what I would have done. Problem is in underestimating the avatar state.

Well, yeah, that's basically what I'm saying: That it sounds good in principle but isn't so easy to achieve in practice. And it's not just that he underestimated the Avatar State -- he underestimated Korra in the Avatar State. He might've heard about what Aang could do in that state, but Aang was a gentle soul uneasy with the use of his power, while Korra is power incarnate. She is not someone you want mad at you.

Does Nickelodeon outright own the Avatar property? I'd love it if the creators are able to just take it to Netflix, or Amazon, or some other source in the future, since Nick has clearly lost faith in it.

I don't know. But it's not unprecedented for a production company associated with one network to sell its show to a different network. After all, if they weren't free to do so, if other broadcasters weren't able to bid for the property, it would violate antitrust laws. So while it's customary these days for a show's production company and broadcast network to be under common ownership, it's not mandatory.

 

[Thestral]

What an excellent season this was, just great stuff all around. Something I've noticed over the last several episodes - there's been a lot of action, but very little of it (until this) involved Korra, or when it did Korra was at some kind of disadvantage (wrists and ankles restrained, poisoned, knocked out and kidnapped). I'm fascinated by where they left things - Season 1 teased leaving Korra traumatized but went for triumphant instead, but as pointed out it's kind of remarkable and brave to show our lead action hero obviously still in a lot of pain and what looks like a serious depression. Count me in with those who think you can read some serious shipper undertones between Korra and Asami in those last couple scenes, and I'd be happy to see them pursue that.

Next season: follow-up on the state of the Earth Kingdom (go Airbenders!) and maybe visit the Fire Nation to meet Zuko and Mei's daughter?

I'd like to see somebody learn Guru Laghima's technique too for good purposes, but considering what it took for Zaheer I don't see that as likely.

A lot of fighting though. It was great stuff and well choreographed but there was a lot of it at the expense of story sometimes.

Like what though? I mean it's not like they were gonna do a whole lot overtly with Mako and Asami's characters this season, but almost all the other major players (Bolin, Lin, Tenzin, Jinora, Bumi) got significant story.

I didn't catch what had happened, it was so quick. It looked like a sheet of metal hit her in the back of the head and wrapped itself around her.

It looked to me like Su threw her breastplate at P'Li and closed/crumpled it around her head. Brutal ending.

Aang in the Avatar State was a force to be reckoned with, but Korra is so much more about strength and aggression, and seeing that amped up to nigh-godlike levels was kind of frightening in an "I'm glad she's on our side" kind of way.

Mmmm for me it was actually the other way around - especially once it was just Korra and Zaheer in midair combat. The entire scene was reminiscent of Aang and Ozai's fight in "Avatar Aang," but Aang came across as a much more dominant force of nature in the Avatar state there. Ozai fled in terror and was brutally overpowered by Aang even while supercharged by Sozin's Comet; Zaheer in contrast was holding his own against Korra and he wasn't able to defeat Tenzin in a fair fight. If anything Aang's typical personality made his display of power even more scary.

However, when you keep in mind that all this is happening while Korra is dying of mercury poisoning and using the Avatar state to stay alive, while Aang could harness its entire power against Ozai, Korra's fight against Zaheer becomes even more impressive.

 

[Enterprise1701]

Oh wow. Bolin lavabended.

 

[Agent Richard07]

A lot of fighting though. It was great stuff and well choreographed but there was a lot of it at the expense of story sometimes.

Like what though? I mean it's not like they were gonna do a whole lot overtly with Mako and Asami's characters this season, but almost all the other major players (Bolin, Lin, Tenzin, Jinora, Bumi) got significant story.

Off the top of my head, maybe more with Bumi and his new airbending, Jinora's boyfriend, some background on the Red Lotus members, Zaheer doing something with Laghima's philosophy like using it to unlock powers for all since that seems to be in line with what he wants, some consequences of spirits in the world. I'm not thinking too much about this even though it's in my mind. The point was that the fighting, as good as it was, seemed to take up a lot of the screen time.

 

[Christopher]

Mmmm for me it was actually the other way around - especially once it was just Korra and Zaheer in midair combat. The entire scene was reminiscent of Aang and Ozai's fight in "Avatar Aang," but Aang came across as a much more dominant force of nature in the Avatar state there. Ozai fled in terror and was brutally overpowered by Aang even while supercharged by Sozin's Comet; Zaheer in contrast was holding his own against Korra and he wasn't able to defeat Tenzin in a fair fight. If anything Aang's typical personality made his display of power even more scary.

However, when you keep in mind that all this is happening while Korra is dying of mercury poisoning and using the Avatar state to stay alive, while Aang could harness its entire power against Ozai, Korra's fight against Zaheer becomes even more impressive.

Well, you're talking about results, whereas I'm talking more about the visceral impression, the sight of her, the body language, the voice, the power of her movements, the sheer uninhibited onslaught of it.

Ozai fled in terror because he was just a petty bully at heart. Zaheer was a menace, but he's a disciplined, spiritual man who'd learned how to let go of emotion and attachment. He even used P'Li's death as a means to an end, a way to sever his attachments once and for all and achieve flight. That's just cold. And it's that discipline, as well as the effects of the poison on Korra, that let him hold his own. Anyone else, if Korra came after them like that, would've been terrified. She is a person who simply projects power, with her muscular build, her intensity, her fighting style, all of it. And the Avatar State amped that up to a new level.

 

[RoJoHen]

Here's a question: who was that Kuvira (spelling) person? The Captain of the Metalbenders? I feel like they introduced her in a strange way in this episode, like she was going to randomly be important. Anybody else notice that?

 

[Agent Richard07]

^ Yeah. I like her already.

Again, voiced by Robin Williams' daughter Zelda Williams.

 

[RoJoHen]

But why? She didn't do anything. She could have easily been some random no-name officer. The way they introduced her made her seem like she was going to be important, but then she wasn't.

 

[Agent Richard07]

But why?

Something about her. She just seems very nice and charming with a level head. She takes interest and gets it as a result.

She didn't do anything. She could have easily been some random no-name officer. The way they introduced her made her seem like she was going to be important, but then she wasn't.

Maybe she'll play a bigger role in Book 4. Some people think she might be working with the Red Lotus or something.

 

[Reverend]

Well what do you know, I was right about them wanting to end the Avatar cycle. <engage smug mode>

Really strong ending to a really strong season all around. The only criticism I have is that the villains weren't as well developed as I would have liked. Sure, we found out what they're after but never got a real sense as to *why* they want that. At least not in any real depth. I can't really blame the showmakers for this since it's clearly an unfortunate consequence of them being forced to tell isolated stories rather than one overarching plot like we got with TLA.

I still don't get why people were fussing about the possibility of a bald Jinora. She looks grown up and quite the bad arse all bald and tattooed up. I don't see her now resembling Aang as a problem either. Indeed I feel like that was the whole point!

Now I'm by no means a "shipper" but I have to say I'm really liking where they're going with this Korrasami thing. It's subtle and could be played totally platonic, but mostly I like how it feels so much more grown up than the angst ridden triangle nonsense we got with Mako.

But why? She didn't do anything. She could have easily been some random no-name officer. The way they introduced her made her seem like she was going to be important, but then she wasn't.

Yeah, I wondered about that too. We can only assume at this stage that she's going to play a larger role next season? My first guess would be as a love interest for Mako, but I hope it's something more substantial.

 

[Christopher]

Yeah, I was wondering about Kuvira myself. They did seem to make a big deal out of her, and I was expecting her to be a Red Lotus plant. But it seems they just established her so that we'd know that someone capable was taking care of the injured while the main characters went off to fight.

 

[RoJoHen]

Now I'm by no means a "shipper" but I have to say I'm really liking where they're going with this Korrasami thing. It's subtle and could be played totally platonic, but mostly I like how it feels so much more grown up than the angst ridden triangle nonsense we got with Mako.

It would be hilarious if they both dated Mako only to end up dating each other.

 

[Agent Richard07]

And it was awesome how tall P'Li was.

Her height is listed as 6'8. Link

 

[Thestral]

I'm not thinking too much about this even though it's in my mind. The point was that the fighting, as good as it was, seemed to take up a lot of the screen time.

Those are all fair and I'd have liked to see some more expansion of stuff too - the spirit stuff especially seemed very important at the very beginning of the season then mostly dropped - but I'm not sure it's much different than previous seasons (or A:TLA for that matter).

Well, you're talking about results, whereas I'm talking more about the visceral impression, the sight of her, the body language, the voice, the power of her movements, the sheer uninhibited onslaught of it.

No, I think we're just reacting differently is all. Korra was driven into a berserker rage but Aang became something... inhuman, a cold fury. Completely in control, barely seeming to struggle, pitiless as the sun. It's just more chilling than Korra's berserker fury bent on survival and destruction for my money.

Here's a question: who was that Kuvira (spelling) person? The Captain of the Metalbenders? I feel like they introduced her in a strange way in this episode, like she was going to randomly be important. Anybody else notice that?

Yeah I wondered that too; she got some strange focus briefly in her interaction with Tonraq and right after.

Now I'm by no means a "shipper" but I have to say I'm really liking where they're going with this Korrasami thing. It's subtle and could be played totally platonic, but mostly I like how it feels so much more grown up than the angst ridden triangle nonsense we got with Mako.

QFT. Whether they go for the romance or play it completely platonic it's one of the nicest friendships on the show - and to be honest I kind of think it makes all the angst from before worth it in retrospect. Plus despite a little awkwardness between Korra and Mako I like that he's a trusted and solid part of the gang still.

 

[RoJoHen]

Those are all fair and I'd have liked to see some more expansion of stuff too - the spirit stuff especially seemed very important at the very beginning of the season then mostly dropped - but I'm not sure it's much different than previous seasons (or A:TLA for that matter).

The spirit stuff will hopefully become the focus again in Book 4. I agree it was weird that Book 3 began with spirit angst in Republic City and was immediately dropped when the President kicked her out. You'd think that would have been re-visited, but maybe it's going to be continued next season (since they actually knew they were getting Books 3 and 4 at the same time, they didn't need to rush that particular part of the story).

 

[Mr Light]

An excellent ending to an excellent season. I didn't have a single true complaint about this entire season. I think I can definitely say Korra is a better show than A:TLA now, and that is truly saying something.

Avatar Korra vs. Flying Zaheer was absolutely amazing. Even enough to almost (almost!) rival the Avatar Aang vs. Ozai fight. It was really great to have a villain who could flat out fly, and we so rarely get to see Korra truly let loose like that.

I was pretty shocked that Korra ended up in a wheelchair at the end. That was brutal. I'm sure she's already contemplating suicide like she was at the end of S1. She places all of her faith into her physicality.

And Bolin finally gets to be a bad ass. Everybody had something great to do. Loved seeing the Airbenders working together to save Korra.

Okay I have one tiny disappointment. I really, really wanted to see crazy out of control Avatar State Korra roast Zaheer alive. Aang got to kill hundreds of Fire Nation soldiers in the ending of "Siege of the North"; I would have liked to have seen her (possessed) get one disturbing kill.

 

[Blamo]

Season 3 has been pretty fantastic overall.

And that ending... So bittersweet. Seeing Korra like that was emotionally affecting on it's own.

Seriously, season 3 has managed to get quite a few emotional reactions out of me, which a fair few live-action shows have failed at.

This goes especially for the cliffhanger to episode 11 with Tenzin. For the longest time I've never really had a fear of one of my favourite characters dying, but with Tenzin I actually thought they might do it. Maybe due to the earlier rather "graphic" death. Thankfully they didn't.

While I did love this season and did like how the villains had depth to their personality, I do feel they weren't the best. Amon still holds that spot for me.

Lets see, some overall thoughts...

Korra - She's come along leaps and bounds from the Korra of season 1 episode 1. She's increasingly more responsible, centered and balanced. You could argue she's gone from being an Anakin to a Luke. Which makes that last scene rather painful.

Tenzin - Excellent season for the character (I don't think he's had a bad one yet).

Bolin/opal - I.. actually like it. In fact I'd like to see more.

Korrasami - Yeah, I ship it, though that's probably just me seeing things that aren't there.

Mako - Don't dislike him, just don't particularly care for the character.



I do get a feeling that some of the new characters that were introduced (Kai, Opal, Kuvira and Su), may be an attempt to sideline/replace the less popular characters.



If I were to to rate the seasons it'd be:-
Season 3
Season 2 second half
Season 1
Season 2 first half

 

[Redfern]

What can I say that hasn't already been stated? So I'll just go with a couple of odd observations.

Korra's wheelchair, it just looked too modern for my admittedly biased taste. Given the technology and fashions suggests a unique mixture of the 1*920s and 30s, I wihsed they had depicted one of those "vintage" wooden wheelchairs with the large wheels in front, similar to what we saw associated with FDR. Yeah, it's a silly thing to notice, but there you are.

Second, Korra's "depression" at the conclusion, that was just, well, d*mn haunting! Given the usual expectations of the media (the erroneous mindset that "cartoons are for kiddies") made her condition all the more poignant. At first her "thousand mile stare" made me wonder if the poison (which I took to be mercury) had left her blind. But she eventually gazed at people (though wearily) proving such was not the case. And while I doubt the production team will deal with this possibility, I have to wonder if that mercury poisoning might have a permanent affect upon her. As good as she no doubt is, I doubt Lin's sister could have bent every last molecule of mercury from Korra's system, and it takes only trace amounts to cause lasting neurological damage, the so called "hatter's madness" (as mercury was once used in the production of certain hats, and the makers were slowly poisoned by it over time).

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Kelthaz]

That was a good finale, but the short, stand-alone seasons are really hurting this show. As soon as the plot kicks into high gear and you get used to the characters, the current arc ends, the reset button is pushed, and we start all over again. It's hard to bring myself to care about what happens when everything is over so fast.

So, yeah, great finale from an objective point of view, but I wasn't invested in the story. I wish we had 20 episode seasons.

 

[JD]

Wow, that was a great end to the season.
The Korea/Zaheer fight was awesome.
I was pretty shocked at how brutal P'Li's death was. I know they didn't really show anything, but even the implication was pretty shocking for a "kid's show". After that, I actually thought they killed Tenzin when The Red Lotus members were beating him up. I was kind of surprised when they showed him alive in the new_t episode.
I love that pretty much all of the characters got something to do in the big fights in the last two episodes.
I'm another big fan of the relationship that has developed between Korea and Asami.
I liked the moment when Bolin first Lava Bended, that was cool.
I like the fact that they actually had Korea taking a while to recover at the end, rather than just having her fine after the big fight.