The Legend of Korra (2012–2014): Season 1, Episode 1 - Welcome to Republic City - full transcript

Earth.

Fire.

Air.

Water.

When I was a boy, my
father, Avatar Aang,

told me the story of
how he and his friends

heroically ended the
Hundred Year war.

Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko
transformed the Fire Nation colonies

into the United
Republic of Nations,

a society where benders
and non-benders

from all over the world could live and
thrive together in peace and harmony.



They named the capital of this
great land Republic City.

Avatar Aang accomplished many
remarkable things in his life.

But sadly, his time in
this world came to an end.

And like the cycle of the seasons,
the cycle of the Avatar began anew.

The White Lotus has honored
my family by coming.

Thank you.

Welcome.

We have investigated many claims,
both here and in the Northern Tribe.

All have turned out to be false.

Then you should be happy to know
your search has come to an end.

What makes you so sure
your daughter is the one?

Korra, please come in here.

I'm the Avatar. You
got to deal with it.

She's strong.



She lacks restraint.

Hey, why all the doom
and gloom, people?

We should be celebrating!

Three elements down, one to go.

You're getting ahead of
yourself as usual, Korra.

We haven't decided if you passed
your firebending test yet.

Ever since you were
a little girl,

you've excelled at the
physical side of bending,

but completely ignored
the spiritual side.

The Avatar must master both.

I haven't ignored it, it just
doesn't come as easy to me.

But that's why I should start
training with Tenzin immediately.

He's Mr. Spiritual.

Do you believe she's
ready, Master Katara?

Yes, if anyone can teach her what
she needs to learn, it's Tenzin.

Very well, Korra.

It's time for you to begin
your airbending training.

Yes! Finally!

I mean, thank you all
for believing in me.

Naga, you should've seen it.

I kicked some Firebender butt.

And I passed.

Tenzin will be here
in a few days.

Just taking Naga
out for a stroll.

Don't worry, we're
not going far.

Naga, go! Thatta girl!

Go, go, go!

Are we there yet?
Are we there yet?

Are we there yet? It
looks like we're there.

I know this. This is very familiar.
Are we here yet?

Are we here yet?

- Please tell me we're here!
- Yes, Ikki.

As I've been telling you
for the last 15 minutes,

we are finally here.

Hello, Mother.

I can't tell you how
happy I am to see you.

Please... Help me.

Unhand me, strange woman!

That's your grandmother, Meelo.

It's so good to see all of you.

Gran-Gran, I've been reading
all about your old adventures,

I've been dying to ask you.

What happened to Zuko's mom?

Well, Jinora, it's an
incredible tale...

Gran-Gran, you look old.
How old are you?

And why is it so cold
in the South Pole?

Can we make a campfire and
all huddle around it,

and tell scary stories
and make snowmen?

And then can you make the snowmen
move with waterbending and chase us?

Wouldn't that be fun?
Wouldn't it?

Pema, let me help you. Careful, now.
Careful.

Stop doting on me. I'm not
helpless, I'm just pregnant.

The baby's strong.

I see another Airbender
in your future.

All I want is one child like me.

A nice non-bender, who doesn't blast
wind in my face every five seconds.

Mommy, look! I'm a Snowbender!

Were Tenzin and his siblings
this crazy when they were kids?

Kya and Bumi certainly were,

but Tenzin has always
been rather serious.

Mother, please.

Korra?

Look at you. So big and strong.

You've grown into quite
the young Avatar.

Master Tenzin, I'm so glad you're here.
I can't wait to get started.

Yes, well.

You're going to have to
tell her sooner or later.

Wait, tell me what?

You're not staying, are you?

I'm afraid not. We're only
visiting for the night.

Then I have to return
to Republic City.

But, no, you're supposed to move here.
You're supposed to teach me.

I'm sorry, Korra.

Your airbending training
is going to have to wait.

So how long until you're ready
to teach me airbending?

A week? A month?

It could be much longer.

I don't understand.

Why are you making me wait?

I have a responsibility to Republic City.
I'm one of its leaders.

And the situation there is
very unstable right now.

But you also have a
responsibility to teach me.

Believe me, I'd be happy to
find another airbending master,

but you're the only one.

We're stuck with each other.

I wish there were another way.

Wait, there is!

If you can't stay here,

then I'll go back to
Republic City with you.

It's perfect!

Absolutely not!

The city is far too dangerous.

Avatar Aang tasked us
with keeping you safe

while you mastered
the four elements.

I get that, but I don't think keeping
me locked up in this compound

like a prisoner is
what he had in mind.

I know this is
difficult to accept,

but it's not the right time
for you to come to the city.

Whatever.

Goodbye, Gran-Gran.

Oogi, yip yip.

Nice night for an
escape, isn't it?

I have to leave.

I have to find my own
path as the Avatar.

I know you do.

Aang's time has passed.

My brother and many of
my friends are gone.

It's time for you and your generation
to take on the responsibility

of keeping peace and
balance in the world.

And I think you're going
to be a great Avatar.

Thank you.

Goodbye, Korra.

Mom, Dad...

I'll miss you.

We love you so much.

Naga, we're here!

Thanks for the ride!

Wow, look at this place.

I've never seen so
many Sato-mobiles.

Air Temple island. That's
where Tenzin lives.

You ready for a
little swim, girl?

Okay, okay!

Food first, then Air Temple.

Watch it, Naga! Look out!

Watch where you're going!

Sorry about that. Excuse us.

Coming through. Heads up.

Sorry, we're new in town.

Naga, wait.

We'll take one of
everything, please.

That'll be 20 yuans.

I don't have any money.

Then what good are you to me?

Don't worry, girl.
This city's huge.

I bet we can find a place to
rustle up something to eat.

Say, think I can get one of
them tasty-smelling fishies?

Yeah, sure!

So do you live in that bush?

Yes, presently that is
what I do call home.

Took me a while to procure
a bush that beauteous.

This park is quite popular
with all the vagabonds.

So there are a lot
of you out here?

I thought everyone in this
city was living it up.

You got a lot to
learn, newcomer.

Welcome to Republic City!

Hey, you! Stop! You
can't fish here!

You best skedaddle!

Are you tired of living under
the tyranny of benders?

Then join the Equalists!

For too long,

the bending elite of this
city have forced non-benders

to live as lower-class citizens.

Join Amon, and together we will tear
down the bending establishment!

What are you talking about?

Bending is the coolest
thing in the world.

Oh, yeah? Let me guess,
you're a bender.

Yeah, I am.

And I bet you'd just love to
knock me off this platform

with some waterbending, huh?

I'm seriously thinking about it.

This is what's wrong
with the city.

Benders like this girl only use
their power to oppress us!

What?

I'm not oppressing anyone.
You're oppressing yourself.

That didn't even make sense.

Excuse me, I think I'm lost.

How do I get to Air
Temple island from here?

Just head down this street...

You should get moving, young lady.
It isn't safe.

Mr. Chung, please tell me
that you have my money,

or else I can't guarantee I can
protect your fine establishment.

I'm sorry. Business has been slow.
Please.

Take one of my phonographs.

My friend here is
not a music lover.

Give me the money, or else...

Or else what, hoodlum?

Since you're obviously
fresh off the boat,

let me explain a couple things.

You're in Triple Threat
Triad territory,

and we're about to put
you in the hospital.

You're the only ones who are
going to need a hospital.

And for your sake, I
hope there's one nearby.

Who do you think you are?

Why don't you come and find out?

- What just happened?
- Did she just earthbend?

- Can she firebend, too?
- Could she be...

Got an idea about who
I am now, chumps?

Come on!

You're not getting away.

Police! Freeze where you are!

Cool. Metalbenders.

I caught the bad guys
for you, Officers.

Arrest them.

You're under arrest, too.

What do you mean
I'm under arrest?

Those are the bad guys over there.
They were smashing up a shop.

From the looks of it, you smashed
up a lot more than that.

Wait, you can't arrest me.
Let me explain.

You can explain yourself all
you like down at headquarters.

Let's See.

Multiple counts of destruction
of private and city property.

Not to mention evading arrest.

You're in a whole mess
of trouble, young lady.

But there were some thugs
threatening a helpless shopkeeper

- and I had to...
- Can it!

You should have called the police
and stayed out of the way.

But I couldn't just sit by and do nothing.
It's my duty to help people.

See, I'm the Avatar.

Oh, I am well aware
of who you are.

And your "Avatar' title might
impress some people, but not me."

All right. Fine.

Then I want to talk to
whoever's in charge.

You're talking to her.
I'm Chief Beifong.

Wait. Beifong?

Lin Beifong? You're
Toph's daughter!

What of it?

Well, then why are you
treating me like a criminal?

Avatar Aang and your
mother were friends.

They saved the world together.

That's ancient history.

And it's got diddly-squat to do
with the mess you're in right now.

You can't just waltz in here

and dole out vigilante justice
like you own the place.

Chief. Councilman
Tenzin is here.

Let him in.

Tenzin.

Sorry, I got a little sidetracked
on my way to see you.

Lin, you are looking
radiant as usual.

Cut the garbage, Tenzin.

Why is the Avatar
in Republic City?

I thought you were
supposed to be

moving down to the South
Pole to train her.

My relocation has been delayed.

The Avatar, on the other hand,

will be heading back to the
South Pole immediately.

- Where she will stay put.
- But...

if you would be so kind

as to drop the charges
against Korra,

I will take full responsibility
for today's regrettable events

and cover all the damages.

Fine. Get her out of my city.

Always a pleasure, Lin.
Let's go, Korra.

Tenzin, please.

Don't send me back home.

You blatantly disobeyed my wishes,
and the Orders of the White Lotus.

Katara agreed with me
that I should come.

She said my destiny
is in Republic City.

Don't bring my mother into this!

Look, I can't wait any longer
to finish my training.

Being cooped up and hidden
away from the world

isn't helping me become
a better Avatar.

I saw a lot of the city today
and it's totally out of whack.

I understand now why
you need to stay.

Republic City does need you.

But it needs me, too!

Is this your polar
bear-dog, miss?

- Korra!
- Korra!

Are you coming to live
with us on the island?

No, I'm sorry, Ikki.

I have to go home now.

Wait.

I have done my best to
guide Republic City

towards the dream my
father had for it.

But you are right, it has fallen
out of balance since he passed.

I thought I should put off your
training in order to uphold his legacy.

But you are his legacy.

You may stay and train
airbending here with me.

Republic City needs its
Avatar once again.

Yes! Thank you! You're the best!

Hello? I'm Korra,
your new Avatar.

Does this mean you've
moved to Republic City?

Were you trying to send a message
to the Triads yesterday?

Will you be fighting crime or the
anti-bending revolution? Or both?

Will you be working with Chief
Beifong and the police?

Yes, I am definitely here
to stay, but, honestly...

I don't exactly have a plan yet.

See, I'm still in
training, but...

Look, all I know is Avatar
Aang meant for this city

to be the center of peace
and balance in the world.

And I believe we can make
his dream a reality.

I look forward to serving you.

I'm so happy to be here.
Thank you, Republic City.

All right, that's all
the questions the...

Amon, how do you
want to handle this?

So the Avatar has arrived early.

It looks like we will have
to accelerate our plans.