Beginnings: Why the Hype Doesn't Match the Reality

🎨The stunning art style is a highlight of these episodes, drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese literati and Japanese woodblock paintings.

🔍Beginnings does not exist as a standalone story but as part of both the broader Avatar story and season two of Legend of Korra.

🔵🔶️The blue and orange morality of spirits, which made the worldbuilding immersive and complex, is weakened in these episodes.

🤷‍♂️❓The episodes create confusion about the role of spirits, presenting them as predetermined forces of good or evil rather than unfathomable entities.

💥🧠The fusion of people and spirits and the transformation of spiritual energy into a magical power source undermine the themes and conflicts revolving around the human heart and fallibility.

Why are Beginnings often hailed as some of the best episodes of Legend of Korra?

—Beginnings features a stunning art style and a tight story structure. The episodes stand out due to their homage to ancient Chinese and Japanese art, the defined character arcs, and a compelling beginning, middle, and end.

Does Beginnings contradict or retcon the lore established in The Last Airbender?

—While there are contradictions and inconsistencies, the primary issue is that Beginnings weakens the blue and orange morality concept of spirits, making them fit into traditional ideas of good and evil. It undermines the immersive worldbuilding of the Avatar universe, but it does not completely negate the lore established in The Last Airbender.

What impact does Beginnings' portrayal of the avatar's origin have on the overall narrative?

—The origin story presented in Beginnings diminishes the fallibility and moral struggles of the avatar, shifting the focus to a divine source of power rather than the collective human wisdom and experiences. This reduces the thematic depth and raises questions about the avatar's agency and human nature.

What is the significance of the fusion of Wan and Raava and the transformation of spiritual energy into a magical power source?

—The fusion and transformation diminish the thematic role and previous ambiguity of spiritual energy in the Avatar world. It simplifies the narrative and character conflicts by introducing a defined magical power source. This change narrows the world and reduces the thematic complexity established in The Last Airbender.

Does Beginnings stand on its own as a standalone story or does it require knowledge of the broader Avatar universe?

—Beginnings is not meant to stand alone but is part of the larger Avatar story and specifically season two of Legend of Korra. While it can be enjoyed individually, it's important to understand the overall context and themes to fully appreciate the episodes.

00:00Beginnings episodes of Legend of Korra receive high praise but fall short in fitting into the broader story and maintaining the unique spirituality of the Avatar world.

05:59The blue and orange morality of spirits is undermined in Beginnings, reducing the immersive worldbuilding and making spirits fit into conventional ideas of good and evil.

10:21The origin story presented in Beginnings shifts the focus from the fallible human heart to a divine power source, reducing the complex conflicts and questioning the role of the avatar.

12:27Beginnings introduces a defined magical power source by turning spiritual energy into a tangible force, diminishing its thematic role and narrowing the world.