The season four premiere, titled "After All These Years", which is appropriate, given in the show's timeline, as revealed in the Book Four trailer, picks up three years after the events in "Book Three". This scene provides fans with some info of the world of Korra and how it's changed between the three year time skip, and catches fans up with Asami and what she's been up to since she was last seen - though you'll also glimpse a few more familiar faces as well!
SPOILER ALERT!!
"The Legend of Korra" season 4 opens with Shiro Shinobi singing the praises of Republic City. The metropolis is now a cultural haven where humans and spirits intermingle. A statue of Korra stands in a park named after her (which is a little bit grim) and Shinobi blithely informs us that Korra has been away from Republic City for three years.
In Book Three, Avatar Korra had to save the world and endured her most intense battle yet. Now broken and bruised, she begins a journey of self-discovery and survival in a new world where the strong prey upon the weak. When an aggressive military force rises up led by the power hungry Kuvira, the fate of the Earth Kingdom hangs in the balance and only the Avatar can set things right.
The passage of time has an evident impact on the the episode. Republic City's railway system has been modernized, thanks to Asami, which allows for a new political alliance between the city and the Earth Kingdom. The episode introduces a new character, Prince Wu, a kid who is apparently spoiled. He will soon take the throne of Ba Sing Se.
Other changes are subtle, but still noticeable. Air-baby Rohan is now a toddler, while Mako has new hair and a completely new costume (although Meelo is still a nose-picker).
Of course, it is the absence of Korra which poses the most questions. The first clip released from "The Legend of Korra" season 4, which took place shortly after the conclusion of Book 3, indicated that the Avatar was leaving Republic City for a short while – but it seems that her recovery from Zaheer's attack has taken considerably longer.
A brief synopsis for "Book 4: Balance" offers a hint at what Korra will be up to in the show’s final season – and suggests that all is not quite as well in the world as Shiro Shinobi’s cheerful narration suggests.
"In Book Three, Avatar Korra had to save the world and endured her most intense battle yet. Now broken and bruised, she begins a journey of self-discovery and survival in a new world where the strong prey upon the weak." That definitely doesn’t sound good – but things get grimmer as the summary continues...
"When an aggressive military force rises up led by the power hungry Kuvira, the fate of the Earth Kingdom hangs in the balance and only the Avatar can set things right."
"The Legend of Korra - Book 4: Balance" premieres on Friday 3rd October 2014 on Nick.com and the networks Emmy Award-winning Nick App.
Additionally, all 39 episodes from Books One, Two and Three are currently available for fans to watch online at Nick.com, plus NickToons USA and TeenNick are currently airing repeats of "Book One: Air". Nicktoons is currently airing Book 1 weekdays at 8am and late-Sunday nights from 1-3am, and TeenNick will be showing Book 1 episodes Saturday and Sunday nights from 11pm-midnight (all times ET/PT). Episodes from "Book Three: Change" are also currently premiering on NickToons Monday-Thursday nights at 8pm (ET/PT). The final episodes from season three will air between Monday 6th to Thursday 9th October 2014 and will be their official television premieres (as they originally premiered online and on the Nick App).
(Sources: NICKandMORE, IGN UK, Hypable)
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