10.04
Last time on Star Wars: Rebels.
Looking at the usual opening where Tenzin gives his speech about how Korra needs to master the elements, I notice how this clashes with this episode’s tone. Three years since last episode, and most of her friends have moved on. They might not be comfortable in their new roles, and issues such as the Earth Kingdom’s collapse still ring, but the episode establishes that a world can function with an Avatar. The question remains how long it can function without one though, creating the season goal of answering why an Avatar needs to exist. Even without Korra, there are people trying to repair what Zaheer has caused. But can those supposed guardians be trusted?
Let’s get this out of the way. Kuvira’s goal to unite the Earth Kingdom under her rule echoes what Sozin wanted to do all those years ago. He wanted to share his prosperity to what he saw as an ailing world, by force. While that could have been a good intention, to make sure all of the troubles of the nations can be helped by one master, that always requires amoral methods to accomplish said vision. Even if Kuvira believes she’s making the Earth Kingdom a better place, there’s no doubt that the power will corrupt her mind from those beliefs. You can even see that now with how she presents her forces, dressed up as Stormtroopers and kept in single file. Tint the screen red, and they wouldn’t look any different from Fire Nation soldiers. There’s a small moment where Bolin says how Kuvira compliments his hair being less greasy, which Opal and the viewers can see as a sign of indoctrination.
True fascism doesn’t get started because one person said so, but through years of societal collapse where a quicker way to acquire order becomes more enticing than idealistic means. It’s faster to force a group of people into your call rather than to reason with them—especially a group that’s tried and failed at using more altruistic means to rally—and that’s the reason why fascism comes back every now and then. That’s why no matter how much we go on about the evils of past nations, there will always be that society so beaten down that the violent revolutionaries become the appealing option over certain death. When the choices are taken away, there’s no other path to go. And that’s why another Ozai can happen, because there’s no one else to help.
That presents how while fascism is caused through society; liberality can only start when a single, but strong enough person has the gall to call totalitarianism out when it’s on the rise. Korra has that role to achieve, being one of the few people with enough power behind her name to unravel eras. But instead of being there to solve the crisis, she’s become a wanderer thanks to people opposing tyranny. It all leads to how good intentions can lead to immortal actions, how a desire to overthrow dictators becomes a plot to assassinate rulers. Both chaos and order can become corrupting influences, and only a guiding hand can reverse their effects. But that guiding hand is away, and the gang must learn how to pick up the pieces for themselves.