I had a thought of potentially what could've been for LoK's crew (krew? I don't like this sequel enough to know what this fandom calls them), and what I wish they did for season 1. And for this post, I am exclusively working off what I saw that first episode set up and imply.
So, Korra herself, I didn't like as a lead, but I did genuinely really like her in that very first episode. Which she was set up as a nice contrast to Aang.
Where Aang started with one element mastered, she knows three.
Where Aang had to spend seasons amongst the other nations to learn their culture and how to embody that elemental nature, Korra by set up, should have a solid idea of the culture of the other nations, and at least have 3 of the elemental natures down.
And where AtLA ends with Aang about to step into the messy politics of post war, Korra, by set up, should have a decent idea on how to go about politics, and be a decent politician and diplomat.
If the White Lotus has the agenda of preparing the next Avatar to be the Avatar that the world needs, more than just bending should be taught to Korra. And learning politics and about other cultures is an easy stand out to me on what should be taught to her.
But, if there's one thing the White Lotus didn't teach her, was social learning and experience.
Korra knows of the world, but hasn't seen hardly any of it
And she has interacted with people, but those were really the White Lotus members, the Gaang, her family, and any major figures that can come and see the young aspiring Avatar. She just has very limited social skills, especially with people her own age.
And Korra is just so full of wanderlust and lonely, and she's ready to embrace her role as Avatar, to be the peacekeeper of all nations and protector all people, but she doesn't genuinely really know the people. She doesn't know the world.
And when she has that chance to leave, she takes it.
And, hey, she has a good excuse to learn airbending, as Tenzin won't stay at the White Lotus to teach her, so she'll go to him!
And man, thematically, her needing to learn air while struggling with social skills is just so
while air is an element of freedom, festivity, and ideas, it's also an element that represents communication and social skills. And that's what she lacks. She's set up to have everything else, the empathy and expansiveness of water, the passion and power of fire, the precision and dedication of earth; now she just needs to learn air, and with it, connection and fun.
And so she goes to Republic City and she thinks she has this in the bag, she's a decent politician, she knows the other nation's cultures, she's the freaking Avatar.
Only she gets to learn that Republic City is a whole new beast of culture, and there's social etiquette she wasn't taught. Like, apparently, you can't go destroying a shop while fighting some thugs, you get in trouble for that. And it's bonkers to her that she's in trouble for this? Because this is what she was taught? To fight and defend those in need?
But it kinda works out as Tenzin gets her out, and it's agreed upon that she'll stay and get to learn airbending from him, and she'll get to stay at Republic City! She'll get a chance at new experiences, a chance to meet actual people, to genuinely learn of this world and--
she's immediately pulled into attending a gala hosted in celebration of her visit, meeting the rich of Republic City who are oh so eager to meet her. And this is where she meets Asami, who echoes her father's interest in having a close friendship with the Avatar, knowing it's going to boost their status and give them a powerful ally.
And Asami quickly gets to learn how naive and lonely Korra is. Korra is quick to accept anyone as a friend, as this party isn't about politics, it's a celebration of her, and it's her chance to make friends! And get a feel of the people here!
And Asami is quick to think she's got this in the bag, that she can manipulate Korra to meet her agenda and will have a powerful ally, only to quickly realize Korra will be a handful as she straight up punched Tahno in the face.
In Korra's defense, she was never taught how to deal with bullying as the White Lotus never thought she'd have to deal with bullying.
And as Tenzin proclaims Korra just can't go punching people in the face when they try to pick fights with her, Asami is learning then and there that Korra has no social etiquette. And if she wants to keep Korra as an ally, she's going to have to teach her how to go about society.
But the day after the party, Korra is grounded, and being the spitfire that she is, runs away to go explore Republic City. And through shenanigans I haven't thought of yet, she comes across Bolin and Mako, both of whom are floored and excited to meet the Avatar (though Mako won't admit it because he's trying to be "cool"), and Bolin is quick to realize not only does Korra not really know how to have fun, but it's her first time in Republic City, and it's his duty to be her guide and show her a good time, starting off their friendship.
And throughout season one of LoK, you have Korra learning social skills through Asami and the brothers. She learns the complexity and elegance of it through Asami, and the fun and open mindedness of social interactions through the brothers. And it bleeds into her learning airbending, learning to be more flexible, and not force her way forward.
And instead of the love triangles for their interactions, you got a petty silly rivalry between Asami and the brothers, as they're on an opposite spectrum of wealth and morals, and they have this idea that the other is leading Korra down a "dark" path with Asami seeing the brothers as "beneath" Korra while they see Asami as a snob who wants to "use" Korra (and she did initially and now Korra is her precious friend). So they're competing for Korra in the background, being passive aggressive, and Korra is just oblivious, thinking they're all good friends (and she's more focused on Amon who's clearly her Ozai to take out and she is so ready, she's been training for years!).
And throughout the season, Asami and the brothers learn to work together, to back Korra, to compromise and learn about each other, and they just become a genuine friend group, all who care about their very powerful though socially limited friend.
And when Asami's father shows his true colors and his villainy, and she looses all wealth and reputation, the Krew is there for her. She is welcomed into their home, finds their support and love. The brothers feel their small sad circle of family expanded to so much more and feel whole. And Korra's just, so happy to have friends. She feels happier. She's more whole. She grows wiser with them, learning things the White Lotus never taught, expanding her knowledge of the world and it's people.
They all had a rocky start, but now they're just thriving and whole.
