Legend Of Korra (Book 3)

Korra's second book wasn't necessarily a bad season, but you could tell the show was already starting to run out of steam. Thankfully, Book 3 of Legend Of Korra was the breath of fresh air the series needed, and easily one of the best seasons in the Avatar franchise.

The season's premise is simple but incredibly effective. Random people suddenly start turning into air benders, including the season's villain Zaheer. Kicked out of Republic City, Korra sets off to create a new Airbender clan while also trying to stop Zaheer and his team from sending the world into anarchy. Right from the get-go, this season has a sense of energy that Korra has never had before. We get a compelling villain who only gets better as the season goes on, and a great excuse for Korra and her friends to leave Republic City and start going on adventures together. There are tons of neat locations that we get to visit here, from revisiting Ba Sing Se, to the Beifong family's home, to the Northern Air Temple, all of which end up playing into the final four episodes. Book 3 works really well as a slow, serialized build-up to these aforementioned episodes as well, as while the first two thirds of the season is consistently solid all around, it's that final third that really surpasses anything else in all of Korra.

As for the characters, Book 3 does a great job of doing right by all of them. Korra is far more likable than in the last two seasons, and her budding friendship with Asami is absolutely amazing. Lin's story arc about her family issues is also amazing, and one of the most emotional parts of the season. The new air benders are also incredibly likable, especially Opal, and it gives Tenzin one of his most compelling storylines as he tries to live up to his father Aang. But it's the villains that really steal the show this season, Zaheer and the Red Lotus are incredibly badass, all of whom feel like a dark version of Team Avatar, and Zaheer's calm and introspective nature in spite of his anarchist motives make him a really unique villain. I particularly love that Zaheer would just calmly outline his plan to Korra, it's such a cool moment!

Due to the nature of this season, most of the high points come right at the very end:

Long Live The Queen: Korra and Asami's escape from the Earth Queen's capture is a ton of fun and involves them escaping a giant land shark, but it's the chilling and genuinely disgusting death of the Earth Queen herself that truly helps this episode stand out. It's such a cruel death for a kid's show, and the cliffhanger of Ba Sing Se erupting into chaos (again) kickstarts the amazing final third.

The Ultimatum: This episode is just amazing in so many ways, the chaos in Ba Sing Se, Iroh's surprising return, Mako and Bolin saving their family, the attack on the Northern Air Temple, Tenzin sacrificing himself for the other air benders. It's such an intense and relentless episode that really demonstrates how well this season is put together.

Enter The Void: This entire episode is just one massive fight scene and it's so much fun. P'Li's death by head explosion is another insane yet gruesome death scene, Bolin learning how to lava bend is fun, and the reveal that Zaheer can fly is a surprising but logical addition to the show's lore. And that final cliffhanger does a great job of setting up for the finale.

Venom Of The Red Lotus: This season finale was just amazing. Having Korra escape capture on her own was a great move, and the final battle with Zaheer is both bombastic and horrifying. The whole cast also gets something to do as they defeat the other members of the Red Lotus in satisfying and horrifying ways, and between Korra's poison, Jinora's tattoo, and the fallout of the Earth Kingdom chaos, this finale drastically changes the series in preparation for Book 4.

Overall, Korra's third book is a massive improvement on the first two seasons and one of the most well-crafted seasons I've ever seen. It's packed with fun adventure, crazy action, amazing villains, and a stunning final third that finally feels like Korra is living up to its predecessor.

5/5 Stars