Venom of the Red Lotus

SPOILER FREE

I don't even know where to begin. Everything was down to perfection. After suffering two mediocre episodes a few weeks ago The Legend of Korra has bounced back in a way not many other shows have done, especially a cartoon.

Let me start with the animation. Studio Mir has proved time and time and time again that they are the best in the animation business. But here, in this episode, they've really taken it to the next level, again. TLOK has always had extremely well done animation with rich textures, colors, and lighting but this was something else entirely. The fight choreography was simply stunning and the cinematography was utterly breathtaking. The fight and combat sequences in these last two episodes are hands down the best in the entire series (yes, including Avatar: The Last Airbender).

And let's not forget about Jeremy Zuckerman's epic and emotional musical score which, this season in particular, has continued to impress enormously, adding so much depth and raw emotion to the characters and the action sequences.

Something TLOK has struggled with since it's conception was having it's own identity. A lot of the times it felt like the show's writers were trying to set it apart from ATLA but ultimately it fell mostly due to harsh criticisms from fans. Season three has solidified TLOK as the most impressive, focused, exciting, emotional, and interesting season in, once again, the entire series.

Now, of course, this all my opinion and my own thoughts but I truly don't think ATLA holds up to this season of Korra. The character arcs and developments were so incredibly well done all around and the story wasn't only the most interesting and thought provoking yet, but the villains were outstanding and expertly written.

Other than a few lackluster episodes (which really weren't bad; it's only when you compare them to the high standard of season three do they fall) I have nothing negative to say about the third season of Korra. It feels weird to say this about a cartoon but I can honestly say with confidence that this is the best season of TV I've seen in 2014.

The ending will (guaranteed) leave you speechless. Your emotions will have been tampered with and your jaw will be left hanging open on multiple occasions. TLOK reaches out into incredibly dark territory this season and it's a wonder how in remains with a Y7 rating. This isn't a "kids only" show and it never was.

Congratulations to The Legend of Korra team for creating one of the best seasons of television I've ever seen.

Season 4!! Please come quick!!

This review is going to touch both this episode and the previous one because both these two are some of the finest anime pieces I've ever seen. These last 6 episodes of this season have lifted season 3 to the point where it was just as good as the first season and this episode was easily the best episode of Avatar ever put to screen.

I'll touch some points in this review mainly with character development, villains and story. Character: This show just showed through these 3 seasons how characters in an anime can develop and change for the good. Even Asami who was a pretty useless character in book 2 became such a devoted soldier that just reminded me of Juliet from LOST. Korra has developed tremendously from book 1. Not to say about the rest, Tenzin who I thought was going to die in episode 11 has become such a faithful friend, master and helper of Korra, then Mako and Bolin, especially Bolin who's story this season was that he could bend something more but he never could bend metal. And the fact at the end that he could bend lava was just how subverting expectations should be about (take lesson from that Star Wars!). Mako hasn't developed too much through book 3 as he did through book 2 but he had something to do just as important as anyone else, and by the way everyone played some role in this season. Villain: I can honestly say that Zaheer was one of the best villains ever in anime and one of the best in television period! Hi s motives were so transparent and understandable but his ways were the ones that made him evil and worth rooting against. And the way he developed flying was extremely logic and I loved the fact that they teased this since the beginning of the season and the way it was executed in the penultimate episode was fantastic! The story: And this is what makes LoK for me miles ahead of AtLA (say whatever you want) is that throughout this season there were pieces and hints that all came full circle at the end like Bolin metal bending and Zaheer flying. The story was so good planned and although it was a little slow at the beginning these last 6 episode elevated this season to heights that no other Avatar season or series ever reached and probably won't ever.

Just like some reviewers here I am going to say also that no other anime is going to match what has been done in this season season 1 and the second half of the second season. This show has reached some heights that I don't know if they're ever going to be reached yet alone surpassed. Absolutely fantastic! 10/10

This chapter (along with "Enter the void") represents the pinnacle the entire Avatar Universe!, the way the story develops is just masterful; from season 2 I loved the fighting scenes from beginning to end, but THIS entire season and the two final episodes elevates all the series way above anyone's expectations.

The sublime and yet amazing evolution for the characters, the villains and the story was priceless, and the result is the very best season finale ever, Mako and Bolin were fantastic, Lin and Suyin...just Epic, the development of the chapters is filled with action,battles, drama and emotion to no end... the mottoes of each side -Avatar team and Red Lotus are convincing and believable, order vs new order, etc... just woah!.

I'm so much waiting season 4 with the highest expectations ever, I just know they won't disappoint me <3

After a beautiful season of Book 2, it would only be natural to ask yourself how the creators are going to top that. How much more could they possibly put Korra through? Little did we know we're in for a harrowing battle against a new world threat known as the Red Lotus. From the beginning of season 3 building up to the finale, it appears as if Korra cannot escape the seemingly unsurmountable odds against the most dangerous bending criminals in the world. But as spectators, we continue to put our faith in the Avatar's ability to persevere beyond her innate brute strength.

"Venom of the Red Lotus" showcases the antagonists' adamant conviction and they would sacrifice ANYTHING in order to achieve their ultimate agenda. To those who are not catching up on Book 3 seriously are missing out! This episode contains so many shocking moments, heart stopping action, and constant emotional exhaustion. This may be the BEST finale the Avatar franchise ever produced. Looking forward to Book 4.

This is the reason I've invested my time on this franchise, because of episodes like this.Cant say much but I am very amazed by this show and it's simply the best animation franchise of all time.