Book 3 - The best season of Korra. The pacing was absolutely perfect, the plotting was interesting and the villain was superb. Book 3 has ideas and themes and it runs with them. The only real criticism of Book 3 is that they're doing so many interesting things with so many interesting characters that you wish you could see more of all of them. Zaheer was an intense, nuanced villain with a legitimate ideal and the resolve to go through with it. He has all the qualities to admire in a hero, except that he will cross any line to achieve his goal. He's the embodiment of a whisper being louder than a shout. The finale is breath-taking (along with another famous Zaheer scene) and gives real consequence to Korra's struggles.
Book 4 - This one is tricky, because 4 is by far the most inconsistent season. Kuvira kept flipping personalities episode to episode and none of the pacing or themes really paid off. Kuvira could either be a recognisable face whose sympathetic but ultimately gets dragged down by her ambition or she could be a harsh and ruthless unknown Hilter-esque figure whose will is finally broken by Korra in the final episode.
On the other hand, Korra's arc of dealing with trauma is truly incredible. It's so good that it makes me completely forget about the failings of the season.It's so easy to go wrong with trauma, to suggest that you just need to 'try harder' or 'let yourself be happy'. Korra never missed a step and it makes her recovery earned.
Follow that up with the incredibly subtle Asami relationship, which I still can't believe they included. It's two people who've found that they support and depend on each other through everything that comes their way.
Book 1 - It's easier to forget how risky and daring Book 1 was. It would have been so easier to repeat Avatar, but instead they chose to drastically change the world, themes and even age of the characters. Both ATLA and TLOK are made stronger by TLOK choosing to be it's own thing. I absolutely adore the style and setting and character designs.
Book 2 - It says something that my 'worst' season of the show contains one of the best episodes of the whole franchise and some of the funniest characters (Varrick, Eska), whilst dramatically improving old dynamics. But Book 2 doesn't stand out.
Mini Season Reviews
Ranked best to 'least best'
Book 3 - The best season of Korra. The pacing was absolutely perfect, the plotting was interesting and the villain was superb. Book 3 has ideas and themes and it runs with them. The only real criticism of Book 3 is that they're doing so many interesting things with so many interesting characters that you wish you could see more of all of them. Zaheer was an intense, nuanced villain with a legitimate ideal and the resolve to go through with it. He has all the qualities to admire in a hero, except that he will cross any line to achieve his goal. He's the embodiment of a whisper being louder than a shout. The finale is breath-taking (along with another famous Zaheer scene) and gives real consequence to Korra's struggles.
Book 4 - This one is tricky, because 4 is by far the most inconsistent season. Kuvira kept flipping personalities episode to episode and none of the pacing or themes really paid off. Kuvira could either be a recognisable face whose sympathetic but ultimately gets dragged down by her ambition or she could be a harsh and ruthless unknown Hilter-esque figure whose will is finally broken by Korra in the final episode.
On the other hand, Korra's arc of dealing with trauma is truly incredible. It's so good that it makes me completely forget about the failings of the season.It's so easy to go wrong with trauma, to suggest that you just need to 'try harder' or 'let yourself be happy'. Korra never missed a step and it makes her recovery earned.
Follow that up with the incredibly subtle Asami relationship, which I still can't believe they included. It's two people who've found that they support and depend on each other through everything that comes their way.
Book 1 - It's easier to forget how risky and daring Book 1 was. It would have been so easier to repeat Avatar, but instead they chose to drastically change the world, themes and even age of the characters. Both ATLA and TLOK are made stronger by TLOK choosing to be it's own thing. I absolutely adore the style and setting and character designs.
Book 2 - It says something that my 'worst' season of the show contains one of the best episodes of the whole franchise and some of the funniest characters (Varrick, Eska), whilst dramatically improving old dynamics. But Book 2 doesn't stand out.