After All These Years

"URN"

- Stop groveling as if this is the worst day of your life. This ... is a good day. I'm going to give you all the opportunity to rehabilitate yourselves, and become productive members of your nation. Right now, you're lost, but pledge your loyalty to me, and I'll give you a new purpose in your lives. Of course, if you don't want to join, you could always stay right here. Hopefully, someone saves you before the next train speeds through, but I wouldn't count on it.

"After All These Years" is the first episode of Book Four: Balance of The Legend of Korra and the 40th of the overall series. It was released on Nick.com and through the Nick app on October 3, 2014, and will air on Nicktoons Network on November 28, 2014.

Overview
''In the three years after the Insurrection of the Red Lotus, Republic City has come to terms with the spirits living in the metropolis, Kuvira and Baatar Jr., along with their supporters, have traveled the Earth Kingdom in an attempt to reunite it under her militaristic rule, and the Air Nation assists them where needed. By 174 AG, Asami Sato helped modernize Central City Station and Prince Wu is groomed to ascend the vacant Earth Kingdom throne with Mako momentarily serving as his bodyguard. Meanwhile, Kai and Opal stop a robbery in the State of Yi, though are unable to restore the town's supply lines, leaving the reluctant governor no other choice than to agree to Kuvira's terms for help and hand the state over to her command. Korra was set to reunite with Team Avatar in Republic City, but has been traveling alone for the past six months while hiding her identity as the Avatar.''

Synopsis


President Raiko is addressing a large crowd after the remodeling of Central City Station, and formally reopens it with Asami as the crowd applauds. After talking to a reporter, Asami is approached by Prince Wu, the new heir to the Earth Kingdom throne. He tries to ask her out on a date, but she continuously flags him down. Mako interrupts him, saying the president has some really important king-stuff to discuss with him, and a disappointed Wu walks off. Asami wonders how Mako is able to stand his shtick, and Mako just tells her that all he needs is the reminder that he will be a detective again once Wu is on the throne. Asami notes that it has been too long since they have spoken, and that it would be very good to see Korra again. Prince Wu, President Raiko, Tenzin, and Lin Beifong talk of the ongoing situation in the Earth Kingdom as the young prince expresses his concern over the stability of the Earth Kingdom, reminding them of how his aunt Hou-Ting was assassinated. Tenzin and Lin assure him that Zaofu's metalbending captain Kuvira has already swiftly put down the rebellions and that his chances of being assassinated are "almost zero".

Meanwhile, in the village of Yi, a group of bandits robs a woman's shop, but are stopped by Kai and Opal, who are now part of an airbender peacekeeping force. After he ties up the bandits, Kai proclaims to the villagers that it is safe. The governor comes out to thank the two but worries that the bandits will not be put down quickly since none of the other airbenders are here. Kai points out that he and Opal took out three bandits all by themselves. The governor objects by saying there are still many more out there. Opal explains that the Air Nation is spread thin bringing back order to the Earth Kingdom making the two the only ones available for Tenzin to send.



A train passes through Earth Kingdom terrain. Bolin informs everyone that two other states have agreed to pledge allegiance to Kuvira's rule, to which Baatar Jr., Varrick, and Zhu Li express delight, remarking that most of the Earth Kingdom is now under control. Varrick tells Zhu Li to serve everyone celebration tea, but Kuvira, who is metalbending a map that shows the territories that agreed to join her army, refuses as she will not celebrate unless the entire Earth Kingdom is reunited. The train suddenly stops and the driver informs Kuvira that bandits are nearby.

The metalbending captain climbs onto the top of the train and fights the bandits. She quickly defeats them by dodging their rocks and metalbending metal plates to blind their eyes and bind them. After the fight, Kuvira binds all of the bandits' hands with magnetic plates and locks them to the train's magnetic rail. She orders all of them to pledge allegiance to her or she will leave them on the rail to be run over by trains. A woman tries to plead mercy, but is subsequently silenced by Kuvira. She gives a speech, offering the bandits to rehabilitate themselves by joining her army. The other choice is that Kuvira leaves the tied to the railroad tracks. The bandits agree to swear loyalty, and Kuvira smiles, content with the knowledge that her plan worked flawlessly.

Back in Republic City, Prince Wu and Mako are heading to a spa. Outside of his hotel, a crowd has gathered. Half of them are Wu's fans, but the other half is booing at him. As Mako notices a few people acting suspicious, he quickly carries the prince into the limousine waiting for them, while the vehicle is being struck by pies. Wu is also hit and dramatically reacts to what he assumes to be a "gusher wound". However, he quickly stops his antics when Mako points out that it is merely a strawberry pie thrown at him by Kuvira's supporters.



Back in Yi, Kai and Opal spot an approaching train and go back to the village, hoping it will contain supplies. Much to their surprise, it carries, among others, Bolin, Baatar Jr. and Kuvira. Bolin is happy to see both his friend and his girlfriend again. As Baatar Jr. approaches them, Opal is still mad at him for abandoning the Metal Clan in favor of Kuvira's army. She informs him Suyin still feels the same way. Kuvira tries to calm the bickering siblings down and informs Opal that she and Baatar are engaged. The governor of the town interrupts them by rudely asking Kuvira what she is doing here. They move inside the train to discuss Kuvira's plan privately: he signs over his loyalty to her, and she protects his state from bandits. He disagrees, but Kuvira threatens that he will not last long without her support. The governor orders her to leave at once, and exits the carriage. Kuvira and her people prepare to leave, forcing Bolin to say goodbye to Opal. She wants him to stay and help, but he says he cannot, much to Opal's anger. After the train departs, Kai says they can still help get supplies into the town on Lefty, to which Opal agrees.



They fly out to nearby farms, collecting food for the town. On their way back, they discuss their respective relationships with Bolin and Jinora. Suddenly, they are ambushed by bandits on a biplane. The bandit uses a grappling hook to tie himself to the food, and a nifty sword to cut the tethers. Even though Kai tries to fight him off, he succeeds in taking the cargo. Kai's wingsuit is damaged in the process and Opal has to save him. Once back in the village, the governor is shocked to learn that the food has been taken. Kai suggests he signs the contract, to which the governor reluctantly agrees. Even though Kai tries to comfort him by saying it was the right call, the governor counters by saying that he never had a choice.



On Air Temple Island, Tenzin and his family are excited to see Korra again. Meelo is bragging that Korra will not recognize him, but Ikki objects. Mako tells Lin he cannot wait for the coronation of Prince Wu. He's eager to go back to being a detective. However, Lin tells him he is not being reinstated as a detective, but that he is being sent off to Ba Sing Se to continue guarding Wu. Mako objects, but Lin tells him there's nothing she can do. It was Wu who directly made the request from Raiko, and that Mako is "just a pawn in Raiko's diplomatic game". They are interrupted by an Air Acolyte who informs them that a ship from the Southern Water Tribe is nearing their dock. Meelo and Ikki announce their excitement on seeing Korra again and start running to the pier.

In Yi, Kuvira's men march in, while her army distributes food to the citizens and allow children to play on the mecha tanks. Kuvira publicly announces that Yi is now under her control, a statement that is met with enthusiastic cheering from the citizens. Turning to the governor, she forces him to pledge his loyalty to her, lest he loses his position. Reluctantly, he complies to her command, though glares at her as he proclaims his loyalty. As Kuvira's banner drops, Bolin spots Opal in the crowd and offers her a happy smile while blushing, though his girlfriend sadly averts her gaze and retreats, leaving a saddened Bolin to continue handing out supplies.

Back on Air Temple Island, Naga and Tonraq disembark from the now docked ship. Tenzin warmly welcomes the chief back to the city and announces their excitement at seeing Korra again. Tonraq grows surprised by this and he informs them that Korra left the Southern Water Tribe six months prior, writing him letters that she was safely in the city. Confused, Tenzin ensures Tonraq that his daughter was not with them, prompting the now worried chief to ask where she is, if not with them.



Meanwhile, at a warehouse, an earthbending cage fight is taking place between Korra and another woman. Although Korra manages to attack once in a while, she is mostly knocked around under the relentless attacks of her opponent. Ultimately, Korra does not have the strength anymore to get back up again after being struck down by a direct hit with a rock. Later, after the crowd has left, the ring announcer walks up to her and pays her for her participation. Dejectedly, Korra thanks him, and grabs the money and her bag. Before she can leave the premises, the man states that she looks familiar to him, much like "that Avatar girl". Korra blankly dismisses the claim by stating that she gets that a lot, and walks off. The ringmaster wonders aloud whatever happened to the Avatar, and Korra responds to him by saying she would not know.

Credits
Written by:
 * Joshua Hamilton

Directed by:
 * Colin Heck

Starring:
 * Janet Varney - Korra
 * David Faustino - Mako
 * Seychelle Gabriel - Asami
 * P. J. Byrne - Bolin
 * John Michael Higgins
 * Varrick
 * Bandit Leader
 * J. K. Simmons - Tenzin
 * James Remar - Tonraq
 * Zelda Williams - Kuvira
 * Sunil Malhotra - Prince Wu
 * Mindy Sterling
 * Beifong
 * Shop owner
 * Skyler Brigmann - Kai
 * Dee Bradley Baker
 * Pabu
 * Naga
 * Cow hippos
 * Flying bison
 * Jeff Bennett
 * Radio broadcaster
 * Promoter
 * Air Acolyte
 * Guard

Also starring:
 * Logan Wells - Meelo
 * Darcy Rose Byrnes - Ikki
 * Todd Haberkorn - Baatar Jr.
 * Spencer Garrett
 * Raiko
 * Male bandit
 * Alyson Stoner
 * Opal
 * Female bandit
 * Robert Morse - Governor

Series continuity

 * The Republic City Park is renamed Avatar Korra Park.
 * The monorail appears to be the maglev rail Varrick proposed in "The Metal Clan".

Character revelations

 * Prince Wu is a great-nephew to the late Earth Queen Hou-Ting and next in line for the Earth Kingdom throne.
 * Baatar Jr. and Kuvira are betrothed and the former is estranged from his family at Zaofu.
 * Kuvira, now known as the Great Uniter, is reuniting the Earth Kingdom with her army.
 * Kuvira's official title is Earth Nation Interim President.
 * Kai and Jinora are in a relationship.
 * Bolin and Opal are in a relationship. However, their relationship is strained due to Bolin joining Kuvira, whose methods Opal does not approve of.
 * Team Avatar disbanded after Korra had left to recover.
 * Korra has been traveling the Earth Kingdom on her own for the past six months.

Goofs

 * During Raiko's speech at the start, there is no arrow on Tenzin's right hand.
 * During the conference that President Raiko held, Lin is not standing next to Prince Wu before his photo is taken by the journalists, but when several journalists take photos of him, she is standing next to him.
 * When Kuvira is talking to Opal and Bolin, the line that divides her belt in two is gone.
 * When Kuvira is talking to the governor in her train cart, the two earthen pieces she placed on the map earlier are missing.
 * When Lin informs Mako of his permanent position as Wu's bodyguard, her elbow plate turns to a much darker shade for a single frame.
 * After Kuvira leaves the jeep and prepares to proclaim the state as under her protection, the jeep is not visible near her.

Trivia

 * The logo on the floor during Korra's cage fight is the same one as that of Earth Rumble in "The Blind Bandit".
 * This is the first episode in which Meelo is seen with hair.
 * The earthbenders surfing on rocks during their attack on Kuvira's train is similar to how the Southern Water Tribe rebels began their attack in "Night of a Thousand Stars".