“The Avatar will come to you.”
Review (spoiler free)
This week’s episode “The Guide” is the closest to a filler episode that we have seen this season. I’m not too surprised by this after “Beginnings Part 1 and 2” because so much happened in those episodes. Story wise there were still some very important things that happened in this episode and it does a great job of setting the stage for the future.
As for action there was only about a 15-30 second scene as the episode was very character driven. Even with minimal action the story was still gripping enough to keep my attention the entire time and get me amped for what is going to happen next week.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable episode. They did a recap of everything that has happened so far in the season but credit to the writers again for doing so in such a way that isn’t boring.
Image from tv.comSummary (spoilers)
Korra travels to the Eastern Air Temple so that Tenzin can become her mentor again. Korra needs to enter the Spirit World and close the Southern Portal from the inside. If you remember from the original “Avatar: The Last Airbender” show, Benders have no abilities in the Spirit World when they enter by meditation. Tenzin is trying to guide Korra through the Spirit World but is unsuccessful. Because of this Tenzin keeps talking about how he is a disappointment to his Father and he will never achieve his destiny of being a spiritual Airbender. During season two we saw Aang’s children talk about their short comings, except for Tenzin, so it was a nice change of pace for a character who is normally so in control.
In the end it is Jinora who tells her family about her gift to see and talk to spirits. With their help she is able to guide Korra into the Spirit World and Tenzin accepts that it is not his destiny, but his daughters, to help the Avatar at this stage of her life. He does something that Aang never did very well; he lets his daughter know that he is proud of the person she is becoming.
Image from tv.comIt is also important to note that is the first episode that Korra is able to “spirit bend” dark spirits into light. We have seen her attempt to do this in the past and never succeed. Small milestones like this help show the Avatar’s growth and an increase in her spiritual ability, it’s also pretty cool.
As for the rest of “Team Avatar”, Mako tells his brother and (girlfriend?) Asami about his suspensions in regard to Varrick trying to control both sides of the war. They don’t believe him and after turning down a job offer to come and work for Varrick Mako is framed and arrested for working with a local gang.
Lastly is Unalaq, he has brought his children Eska and Desna to help him try and open the closed Northern Spirit Portal. They go through the Southern Portal and cross physically into the Spirit World. When they do this they are able to keep their bending and despite their best efforts the portal stays closed. While trying to open it Desna is injured and Unalaq tells his daughter that opening the portal is more important than his dying son (Father of the year that one). Eska takes her brother back to the real world and Unalaq talks to the imprisioned Vaatu, apologizing for failing the dark spirit. Vaatu replies by saying that Unalaq has not failed him yet. Vaatu tells Unalaq that “the Avatar will come to you” and she has just entered the Spirit World. Will Korra have to fight her uncle without her bending abilities? If so that will be a pretty interesting fight.
I still am hoping that Vaatu and Unalaq will merge with each other and then the light and dark side will have an epic fight to the end. It’ll be awesome.