TLOK Spotlight

Key Characters

Spoiler Warning - Our series' protagonist, Avatar Korra, is analyzed below. Who she is, the relationships she shares, and the internal struggles that make her human are all explored for a better understanding of what her character represented.

Korra

Source: Thefandomentals

Korra is the next Avatar, but she is not Aang. She fills and grows into her role much differently and feels pressured to live up to his greatness, which isn't fair as they are nothing alike. Korra is introduced as an impulsive, physical, and prideful teenager. She's rebellious, and unlike Aang, she isn't emotionally mature and often uses force to deal with her problems. Furthermore, Korra isn't preparing for a single, looming battle but is responsible for maintaining peace, "as she faces political and spiritual unrest in a modernizing world" (Wikipedia contributors). Though she encounters and defeats several serious threats, it's how she learns from each of them that makes Korra's transition from a brash teenager to a mature, spiritual being so notable.

After first arriving in Republic City, Korra is recruited to help stop an uprising of non-benders. Her solution to defeating the leader of the equalist group is to beat him in a duel, though Korra's combative persona solves nothing. The following season, Korra decides to join the spirit and physical worlds. She faces backlash for her judgment but stands by her choice that the two worlds can coexist. Life is thrown into chaos once again when a group of anarchists attempts to eradicate the world's governments. They poison Korra, who suffers from PTSD and mental illness as she struggles to recover from the fight. During her recovery, a new leader, Kuvira, seizes power while rebuilding the Earth Kingdom. Korra ultimately saves her during their final battle, understanding she's only misguided. It's through these trials in which Korra develops as the Avatar. She no longer solves problems through fighting as she did in Book One. She makes thoughtful decisions, matures through rehab, and ultimately recognizes when to pick her battles. Korra makes mistakes on her journey and bears the scars of each struggle, earning her role through a great transformation.

Korra is well-known and often criticized for her mistakes. She doesn't get a single path to redemption like Aang. As soon as she solves one conflict, it falls apart the next season, yet these faults are vital to her development and are also what makes her human. While Aang was thrown into a world that needed him most, Korra's does not, and sometimes doesn't want her at all. It isn't until she understands how much the world and her place in it have changed that she can become the Avatar it needs.

The only thing both Korra and Aang share is their difference from standard heroes. The teenage girl contradicts traditional gender roles and is a symbol of female empowerment. Being of color, she also challenges the image of the conventional protagonist. A strong female lead wasn't common at the time and paved the way for future shows. Korra was extremely influential in these aspects, including her relationship with Asami. The groundbreaking concept represented the LGBTQ community during a time where it was trying to gain traction in the real world. The complex development of Korra's character and heavy notions she faces display the serious concepts of the series (Bo).

Just as Aang built a team with his closest friends, Korra creates her own "Team Avatar" with those that support her throughout her journey. Below is a short intro to each and what they represent:

Mako

Source: Pinterest

Growing up on the street without parents, the stoic older brother to Bolin makes sure he's always there to support his friends.

Bolin

Source: Fandom

Often serving as comic relief, Bolin is very optimistic with a "heart of gold," seeking out the good in everyone he meets.

Asami

Source: Wikipedia

Much like Sokka, Asami is the nonbender of the group who relies on her intellect. She's another strong-willed, untraditional female character.

Important Episodes

Spoiler Warning - The following episodes are highlighted as the significance they hold separates them from others. Both encompass serious topics, emotional depth, and important development, making them stand out.

"Korra Alone"

Source: Tvovermind

The opening of the fourth season picks up years after Korra's encounter with Zaheer and the Red Lotus. After being poisoned and almost killed, she retreated to the Southern Water Tribe to heal. Although, after some time, Katara helps her physically recover, Korra still has visions of Zaheer and his attempt on her life. The episode explores dark concepts of PTSD through Korra's struggles with mental illness and journey towards recovery. The episode pays homage to a familiar character in "Zuko Alone" as Korra feels the need to cut herself off from others and overcome this trauma on her own.

There are several flashbacks shown to catch viewers up to speed on the present situation. Through her time at the South Pole, Korra grew increasingly frustrated stuck there while her friends were restoring the world, something she considered to be her responsibility. She decides to return to Republic City in hopes that being around friends would aid her healing process but can't bring herself to dock after seeing a menacing vision of herself in the Avatar state glaring at her. She realizes she's not ready and docks elsewhere, exchanging her clothes, cutting her hair, and shedding her identifiers. Korra travels both the physical and spirit worlds, trying to restore her broken spirit while being haunted by the same vision.

Eventually, she winds up in the swamp after following a spirit and confronts her Avatar apparition, only to be bested by her hallucinations and lose consciousness. She wakes up in a cave with an elderly Toph Beifong, who found her and helps nurse her back to health. The episode raises awareness of mental illness and shows how anyone can struggle battling it, a topic rarely discussed in any programming. It demonstrates the importance of seeking help as Korra refused any and fought a losing battle on her own. It wasn't until she let go of her fears with the aid of Toph's guidance that she was able to overcome these obstacles (Fandom contributors).

"The Last Stand"

Source: Ign

The thrilling conclusion of the series wraps up several plotlines while making key developments amongst its main characters. Kuvira had marched into and attempted to take control of Republic City with her superweapon. A team of Korra, Bolin, Mako, Sue, and Lin infiltrate the machine and work together to take it down. While Korra takes on Kuvira and Lin and Sue disable the weapon, Mako and Bolin must shut down its engine. Mako determines the only way to kill the power is to strike the source with lighting, which will cause it to explode. Bolin objects to this, but Mako stands firm with the decision, willing to sacrifice himself for the safety of everyone. After Bolin gets out, Mako blasts the energy source with lighting, and the room begins to detonate around him. While a hero's death seemed fitting for Mako's character and The Legend of Korra does present some pretty mature concepts, Bolin ultimately comes back for his brother, who was struck unconscious, getting him to safety.

While the weapon is destroyed, Korra chases Kuvira, who escapes into the Spirit Wilds. Demanding for her surrender, Korra stumbles upon her in horror as Kuvira had found the firing mechanism which had come free from the machine in battle. She fires it at Korra, but it becomes unstable as it draws power from the forest. Kuvira is thrown off as the weapon spins wildly back towards her. Korra steps in front of her and bends the energy to save Kuvira. This selfless move shows how much Korra has grown. She understands and sympathizes with Kuvira, even admitting they're similar before bringing her to justice.

The epilogue wraps up Korra's journey with a new chapter. As everyone celebrates, Korra and Asami decide to take a much-needed vacation to the Spirit World together. Later, the two walk into the brilliant, new portal, holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes. This final image signifies the start of their romantic relationship. The presence of same-sex relationships in television shows was very uncommon and bold of the writers to include. The act of normalizing this for viewers was an important step in the right direction (Fandom contributors).

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse