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orpelia · 6 years ago

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Spirits: “The Southern Lights”

What’s got Bo so spooked?

Korra and Co. are traveling South in Book II, Chapter 2, and there’s definitely something lurking in the wind.

As for Tenzin and family, they’ve gone to see where Grandpa Aang was born. Let the shenanigans and the feels commence.

Graphic content featured; I’ll give you a warning in case that’s not your thing.

Bro vs. Bro

Ah, yes.

Another flashback to another pair of Northern Water Tribe brothers. Only this time, we get the flashback very early into the season so their stories actually (hopefully) have time to grow.

Can you tell there’s still some salt for the “Amon/Noatak is my brother” reveal?

Man, do I love being petty~~

Tonraq, Korra’s father, was a general for the Northern Water Tribe.

To keep their city protected, he drove barbarians to an ancient forest,

and the ensuing battle destroyed the hallow grounds.

As punishment for disturbing their dwelling, angry spirits laid siege to the city.

Only Unalaq, Korra’s uncle, could tame the spirits and guide them back to their homes.

Ultimately, Tonraq was banished from the North and he looked to the South to start anew.

So I’m, like, 92% sure Unalaq is the big bad of the season.

(I also may or may not know some spoils.)

Reminiscent of Yakone, if I do say so myself:

If he is the big bad, then he’s totes schemin’.

Look at him, establishing a bond and forging a trust with Korra:

All potential villain-ness aside, this scene had great dialogue:

Unalaq: You have to believe in yourself, like I believe in you. Korra: I guess I’m just so used to people telling me how to do things that I forgot what it was like to have someone trust in me. Unalaq: Korra, all the past Avatars live on inside of you. Let them guide you. Let them help you find the light in the dark.

// By the way, I love when stories integrate the concept of light and dark. For one, it gives me all the Kingdom Hearts feels, but it’s also such a universally applicable idea. I cannot wait to see how this theme will play out in the rest of Book II.

But look at him, and tell me there isn’t something sinister about that smile:

So while Unalaq’s plan seems to be on the horizon,

I’m still trying to figure out how Tonraq fits into all of this.

I know Bo made light of the situation---

Bolin: Whoa, so you [Gestures to Tonraq.] were supposed to be chief, then he [Gestures to Unalaq.] became chief. No wonder you guys don’t like each other. [Mako elbows him.] Ow! What? Isn’t that what happened?

---but perhaps this is one of the central conflicts of the season.

Naturally, as both daughter to Tonraq and niece to Unalaq (as well as a member of the Water Tribes), Korra will be caught in the middle. But as the Avatar, she is also responsible for keeping balance in the world, and I suspect this bro-on-bro feud may upset the nature of both physical and spiritual worlds.

Yeesh.

I wish you luck, Korra.

Dark Unbalanced Spirits

This episode’s writing was solid.

One of the reasons for its success is that it built upon concepts that have long been established in the Avatar-Korra universe, most notably balance, separation, and good vs. evil (or, in this case, light vs. dark).

In defense of the spirits, Unalaq claims, “There are no evil spirits, there is light and dark in them all. But when they’re unbalanced, the darkness takes over.”

Tonraq confesses, “I don’t want [Korra] to make the same mistake I made. I should never have gone into that forest, and we shouldn’t be going to the South Pole now. Spirits and the physical world should remain separate.

To rebut, Korra exclaims, “Dad, it’s my job to be the bridge between the spirits and the physical world, and I finally have a chance to live up to my potential.

In further defense, Unalaq reminds them: “There used to be lights at the South as well, but during the Hundred Year War, the South was thrown out of balance and the lights disappeared. When the War ended, the North helped to rebuild you physically as a nation, but we have not rebuilt you spiritually.”

So many juicy bits; let’s break it down:

Light and Dark

The writers are playing to one of A:TLA’s (and now, hopefully LOK’s) strengths: refusing black and white story lines and plunging head first into those grey, murky middles.

Just as there is no such thing as a person who is wholly good or wholly evil, there is also no such thing as a person who is entirely made of light or entirely made of dark. Instead, it is our actions---our choices---that reflect who our true characters are.

But what if it’s not your actions or your choices that cause you to turn to darkness, which is potentially the case with the Southern spirits? It’ll be interesting, then, to see how Korra and the others atone for causing the spirits’ disarray.

Separation

Given his experience with spirits, Tonraq sides with logic: the physical world and the spiritual world should remain separate.

But Korra is the Avatar; it’s literally her job to harmoniously bridge two separate worlds. Besides, I would think it’s pretty normal to have spirits living among them.

Whose to say spirits don’t live among us in our world, too?👀

As we first learned in “The Guru”: “the greatest illusion of this world is the illusion of separation.” Thus, it would be super dope (and super consistent!) if they extended that same wisdom to the story here.

Balance

This.

The concept of balance is probably what grounds the entire Avatar-Korra franchise, so it’s no surprise that the spirits are struggling with their states of unbalance.

Can I just say, I loved the callback to the Hundred Year War. This is what I’m talking about; write episodes that build upon ideas the audience already knows! Referencing the War serves to fill in the missing gaps from when Aang’s journey ended and Korra’s began, but it also helps propel Korra’s story forward.

There was also a nice throwback to the “Winter Solstice, Part 1: The Spirit World,” where we learn that a spirit named Hei Bai is terrorizing a village to retaliate against the Fire Nation soldiers who destroyed its home in the forest. We see the same scenario play out when Tonraq and his men annihilate the sacred woods; consequently, the spirits attack the Northern Water Tribe.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to see Korra bring the spirits balance and find that balance for herself as well.

In the meantime, Korra’s got to work on her “spirit fighting”:

And I still don’t understand why the spirits have to 1) look super freaky and 2) look like the Demogorgon!!

Graphic Warning

Tell me I’m wrong:

Yes, Bitch.

Korra had her irritating moments, especially when she was quick to accuse people who were just trying to protect, trust, and love her.

But she was bad. ass. this episode:

Badass Example #1:

This one always gets me.

She ruthlessly, unflinchingly shoves her entire arm down the spirit’s mouth and then sets her fist on fire.

Biiiiiih.

Badass Example #2:

I think this marks the beginning of Korra starting to believe in herself as the Avatar,

and it makes a mama proud.

All the Hollas

@Jeremy Zuckerman, the music was on point.

@The Animation Team, the scenery in this episode was something else.

Bolin: It’s beautiful.

My thoughts exactly, Bo.

Parting Thoughts

Alright, girl.

What’s good?

Why are you waking up in the middle of the night,

wandering the halls of the temple,

stumbling upon unknown Avatars,

who mysteriously and simultaneously light up when Korra opens the South’s spirit portal?

And why only you, my dear Jinora?

It has to be said: I’m so happy our eldest airbender might have more of an arc in this book. Her two siblings definitely overshadowed her last season, but only because they have such big personalities!

Still, Papa Tenzin: please keep your little girl safe!!

Favorites

Tenzin took his little airbending family on a field trip!

(Aunt Kya and Uncle Bumi also tagged along and they proved very helpful by unloading Oogi.

No, seriously. They were mistaken for servants, haha.

I told you Tenzin would get his payback for all of last episode’s teasing.)

There were so many giggly moments with my favorite family today!

How to Be Polite (ft. Tenzin):

Abbot Shung: This is an ancient airbender head shaver we’ve refurbished just for you.

Tenzin: Oh. Okay?

How to Be Polite (ft. Pema):

Abbot Shung: These flowers once filled the mountainside! Now, they can brighten up your room.

Pema: That’s... sweet? Y-you didn’t have to.

I know this moment is a funny one, but thank you for recognizing Pema for birthing, nurturing, and loving her beautiful, yet all over the place children.

Which reminds me...

These kids are the best kinds of headaches:

Meelo: Mommy, Daddy, look! I finally got a lemur! I’m gonna name him---Poki!

Poki! Come back!

Ikki: No! That gift is mine! Jinora: You don’t even like to read! Ikki:

No actual dialogue in this scene and yet their sleeping positions say so much.

I’m sure Papa Tenzin would agree:

Tenzin: Where are your brother and sister?

Meelo: You can’t catch me! I’m the greatest air scooter-er of all time!

Tenzin: Meelo!!

... maybe not.

The Dork and the Deadpan

As always, we have Bo being Bo:

^dork.

And how are things coming along with Eska, you ask?

Eska: Does this sidecar have the capacity for two passengers?

Bolin: [Flirting.] Sure does. But, uh... who’s gonna drive?

Mako: [Teasing.] Well, what do you know? Looks like---

Bolin: Go away, Mako.

I have to say, the surprise of the episode is definitely Eska!

She’s hilariously deadpan, especially when she’s protective

Bolin: Can we not talk about dark spirits, please?

Eska: Don’t worry. I will protect you, my feeble turtle duck.

Bolin: Oh, it's in the engine! Ahhhh! I can’t stop it!

Eska: I’ll save you.

Bolin: I’m a raft!

[...]

Bolin: Uh, can someone please deflate me?

Thank you.

or jealous of Bo:

Eska: Why are you initiating physical contact with another woman?

Bolin:

Hate to break it to ya, Bo, but it looks like Eska’s wearing the pants in this relationship.

(And there ain’t nothing wrong with that.)

Quote(s) of the Episode

Mako: You never cease to amaze me.

Korra: Thanks. By the way, I’m really sorry for being a total pain. Things were really stressful and pretty confusing... It’s hard being the Avatar. Mako: [Jokingly.] It’s harder being the Avatar’s boyfriend.