Avatar: The Legend of Korra – Book Three – Change [S3]
Book Three was really good, especially when you compare it to Book Two; however, it doesn’t quite make up for such an abysmal thing. The reason why is Korra. The story progressed, many things were reconciled or advance, but she stayed the same. Don’t get me wrong, there are some stories I think are better off because a character never changed, but those characters’ flaws don’t put other people’s lives in danger. Their carelessness and impudence isn’t significant enough to end the world. There were moments where she said or did something that seemed thoughtful or when she apologized, but when you measure those times against her actions throughout the story so far, she just seems like a loose cannon who never learns from their mistakes.
I wonder if her being in the wheelchair is going to teach her patience and help her understand the benefits of changing her perspective. She can’t continue to be combative, impulsive, and one-track-minded. I really mean this. When I broke my ankle, I had to get used to a lot of things and let go of a lot of things in order to make to where I am now. Before I came to terms with my situation and started adapting, I was depressed. Not being able to do something as simple as getting up to go to the bathroom or rolling over in bed frustrated me to no end. I was also scared that I would never walk the way I used to. I’m still worried, but if I never moved past my fear and anger, I would have lost a whole lot more than my freedom, privacy, and modesty. Fine. She hasn’t changed up to this point, but her situation at the end of Book Three is the perfect launchpad for the writers to jump off into something they should have been writing all along: her growth.
She meant to sacrifice herself, but Su–and not Lin for some reason–came up with the plan to split into teams so the could get both the airbenders out and Korra back. Though she still got caught and had to fight the poison and Zaheer, but it wasn’t a sacrifice at that point. I’m not discounting her battle and perseverance, but it doesn’t make up for everything that came before. So, I’m really hoping once she comes out of her depression, it will be come a true learning experience for her. I also hope that the bulk of Book Four isn’t her wrestling with depression because that won’t leave a lot of time for learning or practicing that patience she needs to develop. One grand act at the end of the book will not do. I want to see some real growth, but I don’t want her to lose her intensity. She’s got moxie and that doesn’t need to be the ransom for her common sense that the writers have held hostage all this time.
As for everyone and everything else, I want to see more of Jinora, Kai, Jinora and Kai, Opal, Bolin and his lava bending, Bumi, and this last minute intro, Kuvira. I also want to know what’s going to become of the Earth Kingdom–there’s so much of it– and the Red Lotus. And and and! They never did get the vine spirit to relinquish the city.
I was disappointed that I didn’t get to see Zuko bend much. But I did see Iroh!
And I just realized–even though I saw it and capped it–that P’li blew her own head up. Her fiery beam of death was beaming when Su awesomely fashioned the metal helmet and closed her in it. That was the glow. Sometimes I’m so slow.
Yeah.
All in all, I enjoyed Book Three and I’m excited for Book Four.