History Recap / TheLegendOfKorraS4E3TheCoronation

* RuleOfSymbolism: Kuvira crushing the Kyoshi Medal of Freedom signifies how she fully intends to bring the Earth Empire under her heel.

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: Kuvira did all the work unifying the Earth Kingdom so she has no intention of handing rule to an idiot like Wu. Since she did all the work and nobody can stand Wu, she is the one who has all the power and nobody is able to stop her when she refuses to step down.

* SurpisinglyRealisticOutcome: Kuvira did all the work unifying the Earth Kingdom so she has no intention of handing rule to an idiot like Wu. Since she did all the work and nobody can stand Wu, she is the one who has all the power and nobody is able to stop her when she refuses to step down.

%%* Realit yEnsues: Kuvira did all the work unifying the Earth Kingdom so she has no intention of handing rule to an idiot like Wu. Since she did all the work and nobody can stand Wu, she is the one who has all the power and nobody is able to stop her when she refuses to step down.

%%* RealityEnsues: Kuvira did all the work unifying the Earth Kingdom so she has no intention of handing rule to an idiot like Wu. Since she did all the work and nobody can stand Wu, she is the one who has all the power and nobody is able to stop her when she refuses to step down.

* NotSoDifferent:
** Bolin has this opinion of Kuvira and Korra, describing them both as aggressive but ultimately well-meaning. This causes Mako to pull quite a face.
** Kuvira and Suyin both believe that monarchs are obsolete.
** Wu's breakdown over the loss of his legacy is similar to Korra's concerns about her legacy from earlier in the series.

* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Despite being one of Kuvira's most vocal critics, Mako notes to Wu that at least she's been working hard for the last three years to to improve conditions in the Earth King, following it up by asking Wu, "What have you ever done for your people?"

-->'' I have created a new Earth Empire, and I will continue to lead it into the future myself, bringing about a new era of prosperity for my people.''

** Kuvira is given the Kyoshi Medal of Freedom. Avatar Kyoshi saved the Earth King twice, first from Chin the Conqueror and then later from a peasant rebellion in Ba Sing Se that saw the monarchy as outdated and not representing their interests.

* RealityEnsues: Kuvira did all the work unifying the Earth Kingdom so she has no intention of handing rule to an idiot like Wu. Since she did all the work and nobody can stand Wu, she is the one who has all the power and nobody is able to stop her when she refuses to step down.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Toph is firmly on the cynical end of the scale. After Korra tells her that she needs to get better because the world needs her back Toph scoffs and tells her that the world doesn't need her pulling on her own experiences as a cop by pointing out that no matter what happens [[EvilPowerVacuum there's always some new evil that will replace the previous one]] and that ultimately what she does won't change that much. Korra is pretty unimpressed with this advice.
* ThereIsOnlyOneBed: The hotel manager apologizes to Eska and Desna for putting them in a room with only one bed. Eska replies that it's [[IncestSubtext not a mistake]]. [[BaitAndSwitch Her brother sleeps in the tub.]] Then, she turns her head towards the camera, as if to say to the audience "Psst. No he doesn't.".

* VillainHasAPoint: Kuvira blames the Earth Kingdom monarchy for the failures of the past and why she won't hand power to Wu. Even Mako, Kurvia's most vocal critic this episode, can't deny that Wu isn't fit to rule the Earth Kingdom.