Night of a Thousand Stars

"Night of a Thousand Stars" is the eleventh episode of Book Two: Spirits of The Legend of Korra and the twenty-third episode of the overall series. It aired alongside "Harmonic Convergence" on Nickelodeon on November 15, 2013.

Overview
Bolin saves the day when President Raiko is mysteriously attacked in Republic City, which proves Mako's innocence and Varrick's guilt.

Synopsis
Korra, Tenzin, Bumi, and Kya return to the Eastern Air Temple. Pema is happy to see them, but asks about Jinora. Tenzin holds up her body and tells Pema that Jinora's spirit is stuck inside the Spirit World, but reassures her that he'll get her back no matter what.



While in prison, Mako is visited by Bolin, who gives him a poster from his newest mover and tells him that he'll always be there for him despite how they've strayed away from one another. Mako continues to insist that Varrick was the one behind his conviction and asks where Asami is, to which Bolin responds that she chose not to come as the ordeal reminded her of her father's imprisonment. Refusing to believe Mako's accusations, Bolin decides that his brother is going for an insanity plea, and promises to get him the best defense attorney that money and fame could buy. Before his brother leaves, Mako urges him to keep an eye out during the premiere, suspecting that Varrick would pull something off.

During the premiere at the Pro-bending Arena, Shiro Shinobi comments about Bolin and Ginger being Republic City's most famous couple, which Ginger openly denies. Lu and Gang are stuffing their faces with Varri-cakes when Chief Lin Beifong reprimands them and tells the two to get back to work. When President Raiko and his wife arrive to the premiere, Varrick comes out and personally greets them. Raiko reaffirms his position and tells Varrick that his attempts at propaganda will not convince him to get involved in the Water Tribe Civil War, to which Varrick responds that he could be surprisingly persuasive. While Varrick greets everyone on the arena floor and begins the mover, Bolin expresses his wish for Mako to be in the premiere. Just then, a small boat arrives just outside the arena and several waterbenders dressed in Northern Water Tribe military uniforms make their way inside, subduing Lu and Gang easily.



Overwhelmed and disparaged at feeling disconnected with his friends, Bolin steps outside, followed closely by Asami, who urges him to return to watch the mover. Bolin decides to stay for a while longer, and spots the boat, prompting him to investigate. He finds Lu and Gang stuffed inside a locker, and the two inform him that the waterbenders are after the president. Before the kidnappers are able to leave with Raiko and his wife, Bolin is able to subdue the benders and uses earthbending to defeat them in the arena, much to the audience's interest. Shiro Shinobi provides commentary as Bolin combats three waterbenders simultaneously, managing to knock them all in the water, to everyone's elation. After one of the captured benders reveals that they were hired by Varrick, the mogul and his assistant unsuccessfuly try to make their exit, but are apprehended by the police.

When Bolin is referred to as a hero, Ginger finally acknowledges him as her boyfriend and kisses him, bewildering him completely. Korra, Tenzin, Bumi, and Kya arrive on Oogi and tell Raiko about Unalaq's plan to merge with Vaatu and destroy the world, asking him once more to intervene. Raiko stands by his decision, with Tenzin angrily stating that lives are at stake. Raiko agrees, and apologizes for being unable to help, but justifies his decision to keep the troops in place in order to protect the people of his nation.

Having been freed from his charges, Mako is released and promoted to detective, with two openings after Lu and Gang's demotion. Korra rushes up and kisses Mako, much to his, Bolin's, and Asami's surprise. When reminded by Mako of the fight they had before her departure, Korra reveals that she lost her memory due to an attack by a dark spirit, and asks if the fight was serious. Mako brushes it off and dismisses the topic, earning a displeased look from Asami.



Per Bolin's suggestion, they all visit Varrick to inquire about finding a way to end the war. Despite being in jail, Varrick's cell is lavish and the mogul is thrilled to see them, telling Zhu Li to bring him some tea. When they point out that he tried to kidnap the president and start a war, Varrick points out that in a way, he helped them all in some way. Asami demands to know where he hid all of Future Industries' stolen weapon line, which Varrick reveals to be stowed on his battleship, the Zhu Li. Varrick offers to give them the ship for all of the troubles he's caused, and the team begin to set sail for the South.

Meanwhile, Tonraq and the Southern Water Tribe rebels decide to attack, despite lacking reinforcements, in an attempt to drive off the Northern Water Tribe army from the harbor city. Although they are initially successful, the rebels are forced to draw back by Desna and Eska, along with Unalaq and a number of dark spirits. Tonraq orders his men to leave, while he handled his brother on his own. The two engage in a fierce battle, with Unalaq coming out victorious, despite a strong showing from Tonraq.

Credits

 * Written by:
 * Joshua Hamilton


 * Directed by:
 * Colin Heck


 * Starring:
 * Janet Varney - Korra
 * David Faustino - Mako
 * P.J. Byrne - Bolin
 * J.K. Simmons - Tenzin
 * John Michael Higgins - Varrick
 * Seychelle Gabriel - Asami
 * Mindy Sterling - Beifong
 * Adrian LaTourelle - Unalaq
 * James Remar - Tonraq
 * Jeff Bennett:
 * Radio broadcaster
 * Gangster
 * Dee Bradley Baker:
 * Juji/Pabu
 * Oogi
 * Naga


 * Also starring:
 * Maria Bamford:
 * Pema
 * Buttercup Raiko
 * Logan Wells - Meelo
 * Rick Zieff - Gang
 * Mark Allan Stewart - Lu
 * Jason Harris:
 * Evil Unalaq
 * Movie president
 * Automatons

Character revelations

 * Varrick funded the construction of the police headquarters in Republic City, which is why he constructed a lavish prison cell, knowing that he would end up in prison at one point in his life.

Series continuity

 * Despite recovering her memories after being submerged in spirit waters in "Beginnings, Part 1", Korra reveals that she does not remember the argument with Mako in "Peacekeepers" that resulted in their breakup.
 * In several instances, President Raiko reaffirms his position to remain neutral in the Water Tribe Civil War, a decision he revealed to Korra and Varrick during a meeting in "Peacekeepers".

Trivia

 * In the The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South finale, Evil Unalaq's plans to rule the world after creating a new ice Earth. Unalaq's real plan, as revealed in "Harmonic Convergence", is to lead the world into a new era where spirits and humans are not separated and to become one with Vaatu.

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