<p>Watching Korra and Asami gaze into each other's eyes as they stood in front of the spirit portal made it feel as though I was watching a couple being wed at the altar. In the end, both found someone they were happy being around with.  </p>

<p>I think the creators have been listening to the fans and intentionally gave us Korrasami with this last scene. I like how this ending leaves the series on an open-ended and still whole-hearted note, but it is also very subtle. Korra and Asami have been building their relationship since the first season, and they've had a lot of ups and downs. Season 3 gave us a lot more personal scenes between the two, and Book 4 revealed the intimacy between the two as early as the second episode. That Korra replied to Asami's letters in Korra Alone, despite not trusing ANY of her other friends while she was hurting says a lot about how close the pair are. Not only that, but the fact that we end on just the two of them (and not, say, all of Team Avatar 2) going into the spirit world says a lot. As for whether or not Korra and Asami are actually romantically involved... I think the creators want that to be the case. Certainly the ending has enough visual clues to suggest it (when was the last time you and a platonic friend held hands and looked deeply into each others' eyes?). At the same time though, there is no DIALOGUE to actually confirm attraction or romance. Unfortunately, I think this has less to do with the creators wanting to convey that they are not romantically involved and more that they were UNABLE to do so due to external forces. Everyone sould remember that homosexuality, unfortunately, has varying degrees of legality in different parts of the world and even different parts of the United States. Nickleodeon would want to keep their broadcasts as vanilla as possible so they can market their shows to as many areas as possible without difficulty. The creators of the show have had to weigh their artistic vision against financial practicality. Adventure Time had a similar fiasco with the implicit relationship between Princess Bubblegum and Marcelene, which they could only officially discuss outside of the TV broadcasts. I think we can agree that Korrasami is canon, but because it is simply less complicated from a financial perspective to ignore homosexuality in television, it never got the proper development it needed. I do think Avatar Steve summed it up best from a purely story perspective; this final scene sends a really positive message about same-sex relationships that I think people who pay attention will appreciate. Kudos. </p><p>
</p><p>As for the ending of the series as a whole, I think we can all agree the fights were awesome– maybe not Aang vs. Ozai or Korra vs. Zaheer awesome, but still thrilling. As for the overall impact to the story as a whole, I think it was extremely elegant from a philosophical persepctive. Go back to the title of this book; Balance. For the last four years, Korra has been fighting people who support causes with the best of intentions, but who had no internal balance. Not to mention one of the major problems Korra has had to combat (MUCH more so than Aang) is classism; best seen in the Anti-Bending Revolution and in the 3-Ring structure of Ba Sing Se– A Literal, physical embodiment of class division. Korra's goal is to introduce a new state of balance where the world can become stable, which has meant fundamentally altering the governments of the world nations to break down the class barriers (the election of Raiko, the Water Tribe Civil War, the Assasination of Hou Ting all contributed to this). However, the Earth Kingdom was always the locus of imbalance; think about all the problems the Earth Monarchs had over the last few hundred years– the Earth people have struggled against the crown for centuries to equalize the balance of power between the central monarchy and the local governments; however all of these attempts ended with the monarchy crushing the opposition and maintaining total de facto control. However, in Republic City (which is, as at least two female dictators have reminded us, is Earth Kingdom land) this balance was finally obtained through democracy, but the rest of the empire never got the chance because they were still under royal control. Kuvira offered unity to the nation, that all the provinces would act together as one. However, this was actually another form of classist tyranny, as in order to achieve unity dissention had to  be drowned out– this is the essense of personality cult-type dictatorships. Kuvira only brought unity by creating a nation consisting only of people who agreed with her. It took a ruler like Wu, who had compassion enough to see the needs of the many, to realize that balance actually required DISUNITY– not an Earth Kingdom or an Earth Empire, but an Earth Republic of States (which is the system we go by in the good ol' U.S. of A.) that would distribute power over a span of governments. This is balance. </p><p>
</p><p>The last thing I want to address is the new spirit portal; a friend of mine was really ocnfused by that, and it's the strangest part of the finale. I think I can offer an explanation; once again, it centers on the theme of balance. Think back to book 2; where the only spirit portals are at the north and south poles, and are completely closed off. Spirits and humans are "balanced" through segregation. However, the spirits do not live in real harmony with the humans because they have been seperated too long. Not to mention that Spirits are so strong that humans are basically powerless to resist them– until Unalaq comes along with the power to control spirits. Humans have grown ignorant and lost touch with the ways of the spirits (unfortunately due to the actions of agnostics like Sokka, especially in the Southern Water Tribe) and lack the empathy needed to reconnect. This state of "Balance" is really just an illusion masking a state of mutual subjugation. However, once the human and spirit worlds are reunited, there is a chance for the two groups to understand each other. However, humans and spirits are NOT in balance after this. The spirits can still slip back and forth to the spirit world from anywhere, while humans would have to go to the poles to visit the spirit world. I actually hated the spirits of Republic City, because they had no responsibility to protect their new home and were never in danger from Kuvira's army. But I understand their lack of empathy with the humans– the NEW state of human-spirit interaction is still pretty ignorant. We saw the airship pilots in season 3 talking about spirits "haunting" the Si Wong desert and the tourists in Republic City treating the spirits like exotic attractions rather than equal neighbors. Spirits and humans still don't understand each other as they need to. The new portal, in the literal center of the world, fixes this problem by giving humans access to the spirit world through the central, largest continent. Now, humans can enter the spirit world freely and learn the true nature of their etherial neighbors, which will restore the balance of power. Not only that, but the end of Kuvira's Spirit Ray marks the end of human subjugation of spirit power. Korra and Asami's entering the spirit world is the first big step that will bring about a more balanced world. </p><p>
</p><p>Overall, I really enjoyed the series ending; the greatest emotion I find myself left with is satisfaction; what we've been given here is a conclusive, happy ending done smartly– I can understand that it might not have had what everyone was looking for, but it works. </p>

<p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">Korra and Asami ending up together came out of left field.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">No, it didn't. People have been talking about it for months. There were clues in the show.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;"> Korra writing to Asami does not dictate that there was romance involved.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">It doesn't, but Korra liking her does and writing the letter could be an expression of that underlying attraction.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">When I want to talk about my feelings I always go to a female first over a guy - girls do that often. </span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">And many girls talk to guys/gals they like/are involved with when they want to talk about their feelings.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">So using that as a form of evidence for Korra and Asami being romantically involved is totally weak.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">If it were only that? Sure, very little basis. However, there were many other little clues like that, which, looking at them together, all fits together, particularly with the final scene solidifying it.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">Remember also that Korra and Asami stole Mako from each other.. how does that end up making both of them like each other romantically or sexually?</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">Just one more thing they have in common with each other.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">Honestly it came out of nowhere.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">A number of us saw it months ago.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">Korra should have ended up alone.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">But she didn't. And why are you saying she should have ended up alone?</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">And I feel like the only reason why the Korrasami shippers were born because of their disgust with Mako and what he did.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">I wouldn't consider myself a shipper, but I saw this coming. Not due to disgust of Mako, but from watching the chemistry between the two women.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">But no, let's not give him a second chance, let's not try to understand why he did the things he did, let's just all hate him and ship his two ex's together instead.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">So, rather than you giving Korra and Asami a chance, you refuse to understand it and just hate it and try to get one or both of them back with the ex instead.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">Katara and Aang's love story was intertwined within the whole ATLA series.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">It was pretty ancillary. But they gave hints throughout the show and everyone probably could have guessed they'd be together, if not for the hints, just from the cliche.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">Mako and Korra's relationship was supposed to be the same way.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">But it didn't go that way. We don't all marry our high school sweethearts. And life goes on.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">Why have Mako say he hadn't dated anyone since Korra? Why have Mako say he's continuously inspired by her? Why tell her "I will always love you, Korra?" If they weren't going to end up together? Why? WHY!?</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">Because that's how the character feels. Unrequited and platonic love exist.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">I feel like Bryke changed the ending just to appease the korrasami shippers and didn't go with their gut instinct.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">And your feelings could be completely wrong. This may have been their intent all along, they may have decided it way earlier. They may have done it because they grew to believe that the two characters really mixed well. Do you say this just because it didn't go the cliche and expected path that you're comfortable with? Have you learned nothing from this show?</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">They made a mistake. A huge mistake. And NO I am not a homophobe for all of those about to assume so.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">If you aren't, why do you even need to bring this up? That said, you seem to have alot of difficulty wrapping your brain around a pretty simple and innocuous final pairing, seemingly inexplicably.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">Korra and Mako's relationship was an ongoing journey. Korra and Asami had platonic relations throughout the whole series.</span> </p><p>Indeed, and they swapped. Korra X Mako became platonic, Korra X Asami romantic. </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">Nothing honestly indicating they would end up together.</span> </p><p>Again, you missed a number of hints and now the ending surprises you. Watch it all over again with this knowledge and you'll see it...unless you don't want to see it. </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">Mako still loves Korra.</span> </p><p>Indeed, he's "got her back." But they aren't an item. </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">He changed because of her and did a completely selfless act in the end.</span> </p><p>That's pretty absurd. He changed in the sense that anyone would due to close friends and circumstances, but he ultimately decides what he does. And this is actually fairly consistent with who he has been since very early in the series. He always was willing to self sacrifice for family and close friends. </p><p>Even more absurd is the notion that this somehow relates to how they should end up together because of this. </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;">He was calling her name, looking for her, after the giant robot-thing exploded.</span> </p><p>She was the one close friend in the blast that was unaccounted for. And they knew she was facing the boss in the epicenter. </p><p><span style="font-size:13.1428575515747px;"> He still loves her, and if Korrasami is confirmed then it's a huge slap in the face to Mako and everything he went through and everything he did for Korra. It's all so disappointing. Bryke let me down, honestly. They went with what a bunch of fans were wanting instead of their gut instinct. </span> </p><p>I really find this hilarious. Seriously, look in the mirror. You complain about how they let YOU down, because they didn't pander to what you wanted. And so they are disingenuous because they listened to fans and did what some fans wanted...which is exactly what you wish they did here. </p><p>Seriously, how do you know what their "gut instinct" was? How do you know this at all deviated from their vision for the last season or two? </p>

<p>The Spirit Portal was easy to explain: Huge amounts of energy ripping portals to other planes of existence is a common sci fi/fantasy trope, probably related to the fact that black holes come from supernovas & there's all of this mystique about whether or not they're wormholes & yadayada. Vaatu also said he broke through the worlds once before, expositing/foreshadowing that Spirit Portals are caused by large amounts of spirit energy. </p><p>That's kind of off-topic, but I don't really know what to say to people. I never really had any intention of gloating if my hunch that the authors MIGHT have changed their minds was right, since I even said it was a long shot &, in my words, "Probably won't happen." I also don't really want to sour the mood. </p><p>But the simple fact is that people HAVE been talking about this for months. What can I say that hasn't already been said a hundred times? </p>

<p>I think the ending was gorgeous. it was nothing compared to the original, but it was certainly up there :D  </p>

<p>Did anyone else think Mako and Bolin would just come running in saying that they shouldn't be left behind because they're all a team, and then they all go together? </p>

<p>"They made a mistake. A huge mistake. And NO I am not a homophobe for all of those about to assume so. </p><p>If you aren't, why do you even need to bring this up? That said, you seem to have alot of difficulty wrapping your brain around a pretty simple and innocuous final pairing, seemingly inexplicably." </p><p>A little harsh don't you think? Just because she doesn't agree with Korrasami doesn't Mean she's homophobic. I'm bisexual and I myself don't even agree with Korrasami very much. </p><p>Anyway... </p><p>Personally, i felt very let down at the ending scene. I didn't see it coming at all and felt like after Atla to end on once again, a seemingly a romantic note seemed done. I was hoping at the end korra would be the strong women she was at the start of the season but then she just looked miserable like she did at the start of book 4. Also, I don't think anyone should really get their hopes up about Korrasami as when korra talked to Mako, the same music that played when Aang and Katara kissed played, which I think somewhat was an omen or a hint of something, also Korra had a shocked but happy look on her face when Mako told her he'd stick by her always. </p><p>But I guess will have to see what happens, and watch the interview. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:200%;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-attachment:initial;background-size:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial;">I just want to add in to my general disappointment to how everything ended, but I was already worrying with the resolution of this series when I saw that there was around 8 minutes left of showtime after the climax of the battle and they burned a couple minutes of it showing the proceedings of a wedding I didn't really care about along with earth king/ democracy promoter.</span> </p>

<p>Giving how Nick has been the entire of LOK, this is pretty much the only way that they could end with Korrasami ... we all know Nick wouldn't have allowed a kiss, so best Bryke could do was imply it through the season and with the ending, and trust that the viewers all know exactly what that look between them meant. </p><p>I've avoided shipping anything this entire Book, none of Korra's love interests fit with her, I wasn't a fan of any of them. But I'm glad at the implied Korrasami at the end. Of course there was that little moment with Korra and Mako, but given I've honestly not given a damn about her love interest the last four books, I find myself thinking I'll be very disappointed it Korrasami isn't canon. </p>

<p>Lol, put a spoiler warning in the heading or something. </p><p>BUT, I saw it coming to be honest. I was thinking that they would imply it strongly at the end or something. Ugh, I'm so happy. I could tell right away by the way they held hands and the "The End" parallel from the first episode. </p><p>Edit: Plus, Nickelodeon couldn't cancel it if they tried. Best part about it. </p>