"Rebel Spirit" is the thirteenth episode of The Legend of Korra, and the first episode of the show's second season. It was first shown at the The Legend of Korra panel at the San Diego Comic-Con on July 19, 2013, before premiering on Nickelodeon on September 13th of the same year
Synopsis[]
Six months after the defeat of Amon and his Equalists, and with the United Republic Council disbanded, Raiko has been elected the United Republic of Nations' first president. While Bumi retired from the United Forces and found a home on Air Temple Island, Korra and Mako continued their relationship, becoming the talk of Republic City.
Somewhere in Southern Water Tribe territory, two fishermen stand on their boat. The elder fisherman jokingly warns the other of dangerous spirits lurking in the waters, and walks off with an eerie smile. A squid-like spirit with tentacles suddenly attacks the ship, kidnapping both fishermen.
In Republic City, Bolin is encouraging the new Fire Ferrets that this match will be better than their previous ones, but does not seem very confident. The Fire Ferrets enter the Pro-bending Arena and assume their fighting stance, but as soon as the bell rings to signal the start of the match, all three Fire Ferrets are promptly knocked off the stage. Their swift defeat by the Rhino Lions broke the record for fastest defeat in the history of the sport. As Bolin climbs back out of the water, he wonders where Mako is when he needs him.
Meanwhile, Mako is driving a motorcycle in pursuit of some members of the Red Monsoon Triad in a truck. In an effort to fend off the incoming police officer, two waterbenders in the back throw water on the road which freezes it instantly. Mako, who had been temporarily blinded by the mist, rides his motorcycle over the ice and starts slipping. However, before he falls down, he melts the ice with his firebending, enabling himself to get his vehicle back under control. The maneuver made him swerve to the side, where a parked vehicle was blocking his path. As opposed to stopping, he uses it as a ramp and propels himself in the air, sailing over the triad's truck. He flips in midair and aims a fire blast at the hood of the truck, frying the motor and causing it to explode. He lands smoothly as the truck flips over and explodes. As the triad members crawl out, dizzied by the impact, he casually walks over to them and mocks them by saying that it "looks like [you] were having car trouble, good thing the police are here."
Asami lands one of the biplanes her father had manufactured for the Equalists. As she jumps down from the plane, she happily announces to a Future Industries employee that the modifications she made to the planes have made them suitable for shipment. The man has less good news, as he tells her that, due to Hiroshi's participation in the Anti-bending Revolution, no one wants anything to do with Future Industries, putting the company on the verge of bankruptcy. Asami waves away the concern, stating she is aware of the problem and has a plan to fix it: she will go to the South Pole to meet someone who could revive their ailing company. However, as she walks away from the man, the confident look on her face falters and is replaced by one of worry.
At Air Temple Island, Korra is in the midst of an air scooter race with Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo. The four carelessly make their way across the island, nearly running over Pema and Rohan. As they reach the finish line, Korra is in second place after Ikki, and subsequently enters the Avatar State to give her airbending an extra power boost, and she pulls ahead, winning the race before Ikki, Jinora, and Meelo, who finished last. Bumi, who now lives on Air Temple Island after retiring from the United Forces, declares Korra to be the winner, although Ikki complains that the use of the Avatar State to win a race is cheating. Korra smugly responds by giving her a raspberry.
Tenzin overhears the conversation and berates Korra for using the Avatar State as a "booster rocket" and that she needs more training to master her spiritual depths. Korra argues with Tenzin, believing she knows best when it comes to the Avatar State since she is the Avatar. She also announces that she has mastered airbending, despite Tenzin's complaints, though Bumi is quick to support her. Turning his attention to his elder brother, Tenzin sighs and asks in annoyance if it is not too late for him to rejoin the United Forces. Bumi joyously tells him that his resignation papers have already been processed, making it "24/7 Bumi Time" from then on.
Tenzin refocuses on Korra and tells her that she needs to complete her classical airbending training and expresses his hope that a trip to all the air temples will help her do that. His children get excited, but Jinora and Ikki quickly get into a fight over what style of tattoos they are supposed to have. Tenzin quickly breaks up the fight and promises that they are going to have a good time on this trip. Since he is no longer a council member, following the disbanding of the council in the wake of the Anti-bending Revolution, Tenzin now has more time to teach Korra and to spend with his family. However, his more relaxed attitude prompts Bumi to start teasing him about being "vacation Tenzin", as the former commander cannot believe his younger brother can relax. Korra declares that they are all going to the Southern Water Tribe's Glacier Spirits Festival before going to the air temples, earning the joy of the airbender kids while Tenzin displays a defeated face. Bumi takes advantage of the moment to tease Tenzin some more, joyfully pointing out that the airbender cannot tell him not to come since their mother already invited him.
On the ship taking the entire party to the Southern Water Tribe, Mako recounts his capture of the triad criminals, and is particularly proud of his line "Looks like you were having car trouble, good thing the police are here." Korra laughs and asks if he wrote that himself, to which Mako proudly states that he did, before pulling out a list of different lines he wrote himself. Korra points out one she likes, and Mako says he will use it next time. He also proudly informs Korra that Chief Lin Beifong says he may be promoted to a detective soon. Korra expressed envy of him, informing Mako that Tenzin feels that she is growing irresponsible as the Avatar. Mako attempted to reason that Tenzin is only trying to help her, only for Korra to storm off. Frustrated, he asked Naga why it is easier to handle criminals than his girlfriend.
As the ship arrives at the Southern Water Tribe, Avatar Aang's sons are reunited with their only sister, Kya, who happily embraces her nieces and nephew. The waterbender immediately starts to tease Tenzin for being scared she will beat him up, to which Tenzin responds that he is not afraid of her anymore. Korra's parents are also at the docks, and introduce themselves to Mako. Bolin is excited about the large crowd that is present to greet them, though Korra points out that they are there for Unalaq and his children, the twins Desna and Eska, guiding the earthbender's attention to them. Bolin immediately expresses his infatuation over both twins until Korra mentions that Desna is male. Meanwhile, Tonraq maintains a tense attitude toward his brother, the chief of the Water Tribes, despite his wife's assurances that he will soon be gone soon.
As the two parties walk around the festival grounds, Unalaq is disappointed that the Glacier Spirits Festival is not as it used to be and describes the deep spiritual roots it once had, mentioning boats being attacked by spirits, much to Korra's intrigue. He asks Korra if she will have him as her spiritual guide and mentor, but Tonraq and Tenzin interject, insisting that the Avatar is busy with airbending training. Korra notices the tension between her father and uncle, which appears to be one of mutual distrust. When Korra learns about the attacks on sailors, she becomes more interested in fighting spirits than learning more advanced airbending techniques, adding to her already apparent disinterest in the training.
In a nearby house, Asami takes Bolin to accompany her when she meets Varrick, a rich businessman whom she believes can help her save Future Industries. She tells Bolin he is her assistant and that he should not speak at all. As they make their way through the large crowd surrounding Varrick, who is sitting down on a pillow, the businessman asks about his levitation. Despite Asami telling him not to speak, Bolin promptly tells him that he is not levitating at all. Varrick appears to be mad about this revelation, specifically that no one told him, and instead fires his levitation instructor, and tells Bolin that he likes his style. He proceeds to show Bolin what appears to be the first moving picture; it is of an ostrich horse. The businessman quickly loses interest, dismissing the moving picture as "old news", and shows off a showgirl named Ginger. Asami approaches Varrick and inquires about the deal, prompting a close proximity stare down between the two of them. It does not last long, as Varrick breaks the eye contact after a few seconds, saying that he agrees, promising to finalize the details later at the banquet, prompting a pleased Asami to hug Bolin, calling him a natural.
Later, during the Royal Feast, Unalaq expresses yet again his disappointment over the lack of spirituality at the Southern Water Tribe, saying he plans to change that in the future, much to Tonraq's displeasure. Meanwhile, Korra finds out that it was not Aang's last wish to have her locked away in the Southern Water Tribe compound to focus on her bending training but rather her father and Tenzin's. Upset about the revelation, she tells her father that who she trains with should be her decision.
Inside the dining room, Tenzin is eating with his siblings, both of whom are teasing him, particularly about "vacation Tenzin", much to his embarrassment. As Bumi and Kya continue to poke fun at Tenzin, while Katara watches on holding Rohan, a serious look on her face.
After dinner, Bolin, Mako, and Korra attend the festival. Mako and Korra are feeding each other cotton candy, which causes Bolin to feel uncomfortable. He tells Korra he is going to make a move on her cousin Eska, to which Korra retorts that she has always found the two rather creepy.
Bolin begins talking to the twins, though Desna does not seem to like Bolin and notes to Eska that Bolin is trying to establish a bond with her. Eska, however, seems to not mind the attention she is receiving, interested in spending time with someone whom she labels to be "rough" and "uncultured". Upon noting that she will make him hers, Bolin wonders if she meant like a boyfriend or slave, which only prompted Elsa to say yes. She grabs him by his collar, telling him that he amuses her, and drags him away to win her something at the games.
Meanwhile, Korra and Mako play a water shooting game, where the goal is to squirt water from guns into a chibi Aang's mouth. During the game, the two start talking about Korra being locked away, prompting her to get upset, and she angrily but unintentionally bends a ton of water into Aang's mouth, causing her to win the game and a stuffed Appa toy. Mako says he supports her, and Korra asks if he really thinks so. When he answers that he does not know, but rather supposes he should support her no matter what he thinks or believes about the situation, convinced that is what she would want him to do, Korra gets mad and throws the stuffed animal at him. Mako calls after her, questioning if he should be supportive or tell her what he thinks.
During the night after the festival, Naga wakes up and begins howling outside of the tent Korra is in. Korra runs outside to calm him down, but with little success. However, Naga had meant to warn them, as Korra spots a Dark Spirit in the distance. The spirit quickly makes its way toward the Avatar and attacks her, prompting Mako and Bolin to run toward them. The spirit pins Korra against a wall, but is distracted by Mako and Bolin's attacks. Their bending only seems to further anger the spirit, however, who swiftly defeats them. Korra begins to attack the spirit, and is assisted in her endeavor by her father, who encases the spirit in ice. However, the spirit breaks free from the cage and launches both Tonraq and Korra away. Tenzin arrives and attempts to speak to the spirit, asking why it is angry, but to no avail as he is immediately batted away.
After Korra recovers, she enters the Avatar State, which catches the spirit's attention. The spirit makes its way toward Korra once more, who lifts herself into the air to dodge its attack, and firebends at it. Seemingly unaffected by the attack, the spirit grabs Korra with a tendril and brings her to the ground. As the spirit is about to deliver the final blow, it is suddenly put into a trance-like state when Unalaq encircles it with water. The spirit changes color and starts to glow, eventually disappearing.
Later on, Unalaq offers again to become Korra's spiritual adviser and, after an argument between him, Tonraq, and Tenzin, she accepts, saying she needs to learn how to fight spirits rather than focus on her airbending. She subsequently breaks off her ties with Tenzin, who is hurt by her actions, but retains a respectful attitude toward her and her decisions. At Katara's request, Kya and Bumi agree to accompany Tenzin in his mission to tend to the air temples. Meanwhile, Korra asks Mako if she made the right decision; however, he is unsure, but he says her heart is in the right place. Unalaq approaches and comforts Korra, stating that he has great plans for her.
The Southern Lights[]
A dark spirit manifests itself outside the Southern Water Tribe. Meanwhile, in the city, Korra meets with and begins training under Unalaq. He tells her that her training will be much more than learning how to fight spirits, and that the first step is to travel to the South Pole and open the spirit portal. However, he warns her that it will be very dangerous, but Korra remains enthusiastic about the trip.
Meanwhile, Tenzin and his family arrive at the Southern Air Temple, where they are greeted by the Air Acolytes leader, Abbot Shung, who presents Tenzin with an airbender head shaver and Pema with a large bouquet of flowers. Jinora and Ikki get into a fight over a book, even though the latter does not like to read. Meelo picks out a flying lemur for himself, naming him Poki, and chases after him. As for Kya and Bumi, they ask for help with their luggage. A female Air Acolyte mistakes them for servants, before they introduce themselves as Tenzin's older siblings. Surprised to learn that Aang had more children, the Acolyte asks if they are also airbenders, which Kya denies, much to the woman's embarrassment and Kya and Bumi's annoyance.
Back in the South Pole, Mako is helping Korra with her preparations for the expedition to the South Pole when Tonraq shows up. When Unalaq inquires about the reason for his older brother's presence, Tonraq announces that he is coming along to the South Pole. Unalaq refuses, deeming his brother to be a distraction and a hindrance, though Tonraq insists that she needs someone to watch after her. Korra asks her father why he always believes to know what is best for her, and Unalaq answers that it is because he is misguided. Unalaq blames men with nonspiritual attitudes like Tonraq for bringing the Spirit World out of balance and Tonraq for not having learned from the past. When Korra asks what happened in the past, Tonraq dismisses her inquiry and brings everyone's attention to the Everstorm they would be facing, noting that it is the reason why he is adamant about joining their mission. Before the tense situation can escalate further, it is interrupted by Bolin, who rides in on a snowmobile procured from Varrick. Korra eventually decisively breaks the conflict between her father and uncle by declaring that Tonraq can come as long as he does not interfere with her training.
Eska walks up to Bolin and asks if his machine's passenger compartment can hold two people. Eager to impress her, Bolin asks who will drive, though he finds himself the driver while the twins are in the passenger seat, to his chagrin. Mako attempts to smugly comment, but Bolin tells his brother to go away.
Unalaq explains that their destination is a spirit portal for Korra to open. He also explains that there are light and dark spirits. He explains that when spirits become unbalanced, the darkness takes over. With the winter solstice the next day, it is imperative that the Avatar reach it before it is over.
The group notices that dark spirits are stalking them, so they set up camp in a cave-like area. After the group gets a fire going, Unalaq says that he believes that he knows the reasons why the dark spirits are after them. He pins the blame on Tonraq. He asks Korra if she had ever wondered how her father ended up in the south or why he never took her to visit his homeland in the north. Tonraq is upset with his brother revealing his past, to which Unalaq retorts that he should have long since told his daughter the truth. Tonraq is subsequently forced to confess that he left the North Pole because he was banished.
Tonraq reveals to the party that when he was younger, he had been the general of the military in the Northern Water Tribe. The tribe was being attacked by barbarians at the time when he and his troops responded with a counterattack. His efforts were so successful, he was able to rout the barbarians to a sacred spiritual forest. Refusing to let the barbarians gain sanctuary on hallowed ground, Tonraq and his troops initiate an assault on the troops, while destroying the sacred forest in the process. The spirits turned hostile after the destruction of their habitat and attacked the capital city, but Unalaq was able to use spiritbending to guide the spirits back to the forest and turn them neutral. However, since Tonraq was responsible for the attack in the first place, his father banished him from the Northern Water Tribe. Tonraq accepted his fate and left to pursue a new life in the South.
With the story at an end, Bolin notes that Tonraq was supposed to be the tribal chief, only for Unalaq to take his place, which would explain the animosity between them. Mako gives his brother a hard nudge in the gut to shut him up, after which Korra voices her displeasure toward Tonraq for having kept this from her. Tonraq defends that he wanted only to protect her from the shame he had brought on the family. Korra angrily retorts that she has had enough of his protection and secrecy and storms off.
Meanwhile, Tenzin shows Jinora the hall of Avatar statues. However, Meelo and Ikki are preoccupied racing each other on air scooters, resulting in the boy crashing into a statue and accidentally destroying it, prompting Tenzin to tend to him. Jinora looks up the statue of Aang, being intrigued by it. However, she suddenly senses something behind her, though as she flips around, there is no one there.
Back in the south, as the group continues on their way, Tonraq tells Korra that she has a right to be angry with him. He confesses that he does not want her to repeat his mistakes and insists they cease this quest, claiming that the physical and Spirit World are meant to remain separate. Korra reminds him that the Avatar is the bridge between both worlds and she has this chance to live up to her potential. Her father, however, insists that Unalaq may not be right about the spirits. His brother interjects, stating that the northern lights are spirits lighting up the night sky, but the southern lights are absent. Due to the Hundred Year War, the South was thrown out of balance. The Northern Water Tribe has helped the South rebuild physically, but it lacks spirituality, hence the dark spirits' rampage.
The group arrives at the Everstorm. Suddenly, they are attacked by dark spirits, which steal their supplies, as well as cause Bolin's snowmobile to go haywire and send him and the twins speeding toward a mountain. Tonraq and Korra fight off the spirits and during the fight, she attempts to use Unalaq's spiritbending but it fails to work. Unalaq is able to save her when the spirit came close to harming her. Meanwhile, the twins leap off the snowmobile with Bolin, saving him. They slide down the slope, Bolin's coat inflating while the twins slide down on ice shoes. Once they slow to a stop, Eska waterbends ice to deflate Bolin. With their supplies gone, Tonraq insists they turn back. However, Korra coldly tells him to leave. Tonraq heeds Korra's advice and leaves the party.
Shortly afterward, the group keeps on traveling and reaches the Everstorm. Unalaq tells Korra that inside the frozen spirit forest is the spirit portal, and that she must open it again so that the South will become spiritually balanced once again. However, he says that Korra must do it alone despite Mako and Bolin's protests. Korra heads in and is attacked by dark spirits. She struggles to fight them off, but succeeds in trapping them behind ice. She reaches the portal, and attempts to open it by force using her bending, only to fail. She is attacked by a large number of dark spirits which grab and restrain her. She enters the Avatar State in a desperate attempt to break free. While pulling away, she taps the portal and it opens, causing the sky to light up. At the same time, Jinora finds an Avatar statue that is different from the others which lights up, causing her to wonder which one it is.
Tonraq, who is heading home, smiles as Korra heads out of the Everstorm. Bolin embraces her, only for Eska to waterbend ice around his neck and drag him toward her, demanding to know why he is initiating physical contact with another woman. Korra turns to Unalaq, remarking that everything he said was true. Her uncle commends her for her actions, stating that what she has done will help restore spiritual balance to the south and maybe the whole world. Korra turns to hug Mako, whom is equally pleased that she has succeeded. The group travels back where they see Northern Water Tribe fleets gathering at the Southern Water Tribe's shores. Unalaq tells her that the South's spiritual decay cannot be cured simply by opening the source, which leaves Korra worried.
Cast[]
- Janet Varney as Korra
- David Faustino as Mako
- P.J. Byrne as Bolin
- Seychelle Gabriel as Asami
- J.K. Simmons as Tenzin
- James Remar as Tonraq
- Adrian LaTourelle as Unalaq
- Dee Bradley Baker as Naga, Pabu, Oogi
- John Michael Higgins as Varrick
- Kiernan Shipka as Jinora
- Darcy Rose Byrnes as Ikki
- Logan Wells as Meelo
- Alex McKenna as Senna
- Lisa Edelstein as Kya
- Richard Riehle as Bumi
- Aubrey Plaza as Eska
- Aaron Himelstein as Desna
- Jeff Bennett as Radio broadcaster#2, Carnival barker, Engineer
- Jon Polito as Radio broadcaster#1
- Kevin Michael Richardson as Old salt#1
- Fred Tatasciore as Old salt#2
- Sean Gantka - Greenhorn
- Eva Marie Saint as Katara
- Bruce Campbell as Old salt#4, Additional voices
- Maria Bamford as Pema
- James Sie as Abbot Shung
- Amy Hill as Acolyte
- Kiernan Shipka as Jinora
- Peter MacNicol as Old salt#3, Additional voices
- Paul F. Tompkins as Additional voices
- Betsy Sodaro as Additional voices
- Keith Ferguson as Additional voices
- Keith David as Additional voices
- Aubrey Plaza as Eska
- Lisa Edelstein as Kya
External links[]
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