Legend of Korra, Book 4: "Korra Alone" Review

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The Legend of Korra Book 4, Chapter 2: "Korra Alone" is about the show's title character.

"After All These Years" established tension between Kuvira and the Earth Kingdom. "Korra Alone" updates us with the Avatar's doings during the time skip; the episode illustrates Korra's inner turmoil and references Kill Bill.

The episode pays homage to the Last Airbender installment, "Zuko Alone"--when the Fire Nation prince feels there is nobody that can help him and embraces solitude to combat his demons.

"Korra Alone" is a good episode, but sometimes gets too excessive with flashbacks.

After the title sequence, we see of Korra in a bathroom--looking into a shattered mirror. She would be battling a reflection of herself throughout the episode-- haunted by visions of an Avatar state apparition. No longer able to get in touch with Raava, Korra's status as the Avatar is questioned by people she encounters. This is seen when she travels to a tropical island and meets an old man who recognizes her as the Avatar.

He has a picture of Aang in a familiar pose and asks Korra for a photograph. Korra reluctantly agrees, but is interrupted by bandits robbing a nearby store.

She is easily defeated by the thieves after seeing her Avatar state foe.

"Zuko Alone" is seen as one of the best installments in the Avatar franchise. And the creators do this episode a disservice by paying homage to it.

Portraying Korra's struggle is needed, but it feels overdone at points. A good example of this is during a flashback; we see Korra's perspective of what happened at the end of "After all These Years."

The episode already explained why Korra never went to Republic City, and it's one of the best parts in "Korra Alone." She leaves her family behind and Naga, her animal companion, howls in anguish.

We've rarely seen Korra without Naga, and that was a powerful moment to reinforce the former's solitude.

But recapping what happened to her in the prior episode is excessive; the creators presented enough information to make sense of Korra's situation at the end of "After all These Years."

"Korra Alone" ends on a cliffhanger that will intrigue fans. After losing a fight to the Avatar state apparition, she wakes up in a cave where a Yoda-like figure helps her recover.

The wise sage is Toph, who makes her Korra debut in the swamp--the same location where she first appeared in The Last Airbender.

"Korra Alone" isn't perfect. But it has enough moments to make you understand the main character's struggle. And it ends on a note that makes you anxious for the next episode.

You can watch "Korra Alone" here.