In keeping with the standards set in Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra boasts an eclectic mix of well-developed, likable, and complex characters. Naturally, as ATLOK’s protagonist, Korra is one of the best characters in the show in of complexity, depth, and as a provider of epic moments.
Korra undergoes a long and difficult journey between the first and final episodes of ATLOK. Korra’s best episodes tend to depict the significant milestones throughout this journey, as well as moments that showcase her character development, immense power, and great humor.
A Leaf In The Wind
“A Leaf in the Wind” is the second episode of ATLOK and does an excellent job at building upon Korra’s fiery and spirited character portrayal in “Welcome to Republic City." The episode depicts Korra’s pro-bending debut, which she participates in against the wishes of Tenzin. This act of disobedience gives audiences the first flaw in Korra’s character, paving the way for subsequent character growth.
“A Leaf in the Wind” also features Korra’s first meeting with Mako and Bolin, both of whom would become key of Team Avatar for the rest of the series. In the context of her newly found friendships, Korra expresses her spirit and sense of humor, giving audiences a deeper insight into her character.
Endgame
In the season 1 finale, Korra reaches a significant milestone in her Avatar journey. Korra’s first real test as the Avatar is to dismantle and defeat the Equalist movement in Republic City, which she accomplishes with great aplomb in “Endgame."
Amon is one of the most powerful villains in the Avatar Universe, meaning that out of necessity, Korra must develop her Avatar skillset to defeat him. She rises up to the challenge by Airbending for the first time in the series, thereby conquering the fourth and final element and marking a key point in her development. Korra also interacts with Aang and the other past Avatars for the first time, marking a significant moment in her spiritual development.
A New Spiritual Age
As the bridge between the Spirit World and the physical world, it is the Avatar’s responsibility to have knowledge of both domains. “A New Spiritual Age” depicts Korra’s first venture into the Spirit World, which proves to be very challenging for her.
The episode is one of Korra’s best because she undergoes significant character development, learning some very important lessons. First and foremost, Korra expands her knowledge of the Spirit World, which is vital for her progression as the Avatar. Korra also learns a valuable lesson about trust, having been betrayed by Unalaq, who used her Avatar powers to wreak havoc on the physical world.
Welcome To Republic City
Character introductions are extremely important for a television show, and “Welcome to Republic City” does an excellent job introducing Korra to the throngs of ATLA fans who had been anxiously awaiting ATLOK.
Korra is immediately portrayed as a fiery and spirited character who is far ahead of her Avatar predecessor in of element mastery. “Welcome to Republic City” is easily one of Korra’s best episodes, simply because it showcases her raw character very well, particularly her sense of humor, bending talent, and wide-eyed optimism.
Korra Alone
“Korra Alone” details Korra’s difficult road to recovery from the trauma that she has endured in the past three years. The episode title is a homage to ATLA’s “Zuko Alone”, which is one of Zuko’s best The Last Airbender episodes. Like that episode, “Korra Alone” is a great showcase for Korra's character development.
The episode explores Korra’s inner turmoil very effectively, giving audiences an insight into her psyche and how strong her character is. Korra faces one of her toughest challenges yet in “Korra Alone” and makes impressive progress towards overcoming it.
Day Of The Colossus
After years of suffering from the injuries that Zaheer had inflicted upon her, Korra returns to her very best in “Day of the Colossus." She is simply magnificent in the battle against one of the most powerful weapons in the Avatar universe.
Korra gives fans everything they could hope for in the episode, epic Avatar state action, inventive use of the four elements, and an awesome link-up with Team Avatar. Korra showcases how resilient a character she is, having emerged from her struggles more powerful than ever.
Enter The Void
The events depicted in the penultimate episode of season 3 represent a significant point in Korra’s character arc. Korra makes the ultimate sacrifice during “Enter the Void," giving herself up to save the new Airbenders.
Her actions in this episode were selfless, courageous, but also naïve, showing that while Korra has made great strides in of her development as the Avatar, she still has much to learn. Korra is ultimately captured by the Red Lotus in “Enter the Void," and she is never the same afterward, making the episode a significant turning point in her character development.
Venom Of The Red Lotus
In the season 3 finale, Korra finally defeats Zaheer and showcases her immense power while doing so. She uses the Avatar state to great effect, providing one of the most exciting and action-packed fight scenes in the entire Avatar franchise.
Once again, Korra showcases just how much she has progressed as the Avatar since season 1, having conquered the four elements and defeating her toughest enemy yet. The end of “Venom of the Red Lotus” marks a significant stage in Korra’s character arc too, with Zaheer’s poison leaving her in a weakened state that would ultimately take three years to recover from.
The Last Stand
In the final episode of ATLOK, Korra is at her absolute best. Korra showcases the pinnacle of her Avatar powers, somehow energybending with unprecedented proficiency; such power had rarely been witnessed before within the Avatar universe.
Korra also exhibits how mature she has become as a consequence of her difficult Avatar journey, diplomatically convincing Kuvira to surrender and ending the war relatively peacefully. Korra’s heroics are ultimately rewarded at the end of “The Last Stand," with Korra beginning her romantic relationship with Asami in the closing scene.
Light In The Dark
“Light in the Dark” is undoubtedly one of Korra’s best episodes in ATLOK because it exhibits her awesome Avatar powers, which she uses to great effect to defeat Unalaq. Despite losing her spiritual connection to past Avatars, Korra’s final battle in the episode is reminiscent of Avatar Aang’s during ATLA’s “The Siege of the North," which made for epic viewing.
The episode represents a significant milestone in the Avatar timeline. As Tenzin remarks in the ATLOK finale, Korra has “transformed the world more in a few years than most Avatars did during their lifetime," and the events depicted in “Light in the Dark” are certainly world-changing. It is here where Korra finally realizes the full potential of her powers, which in turns helps her embrace the role of an Avatar.
