Welcome to Republic City

"Welcome to Republic City" is the first episode of The Legend of Korra and the first of the series. Along with "A Leaf in the Wind", it debuted online on March 24, 2012, and aired on Nickelodeon on April 14th of the same year. The two episodes' combined premiere had the highest viewership of Book One.Calculated from the numbers given and referenced in a rating chart, considering both the two-part premiere and finale as one episode each.
==Synopsis==
==="Welcome to Republic City"===
After Aang and his friends brought the Hundred Year War to an end, the Avatar and Fire Lord Zuko transformed the Fire Nation colonies into the United Republic of Nations, a society where benders and nonbenders from all over the world would live together in peace and harmony, Republic City being its capital city. Avatar Aang accomplished many remarkable things in his life, but his time in this world came to an end, and thus the Avatar Cycle began anew.
In the Southern Water Tribe, the leader of the Order of the White Lotus and two other members walk in the snow toward a house. A man named Tonraq lets them inside to see his wife. The leader of the Order informs them about their failed searches in both the Northern and Southern Tribes, to which she answers that they should be happy to know their search has come to an end. The leader, incredulous, asks her what makes her so sure her daughter is "the one". The woman calls Korra, who enters the room, earthbending a hole in the wall and demonstrating, to the White Lotus members' amazement, that she can control water, earth, and fire.
Thirteen years later, Avatar Korra is performing before the Order and her teachers, exhibiting firebending prowess; as the Avatar battles two men, Katara comments she is strong to which the leader of the Order adds that she lacks restraint. After finishing, Korra excitedly approaches the elders, and is told that they have not decided if she passed her firebending test yet; she has mastered the physical side of bending, but has completely ignored the spiritual side, and the Avatar must master both. Korra replies that it just does not come easily to her, claiming it is the reason she should start training with Tenzin. Katara agrees and the Order finally decides she can start training under the airbender's tutelage. At this announcement, Korra jumps and celebrates happily, but at the look of the masters, she corrects her reaction, thanks them for believing in her, and leaves. Korra quickly goes to share the good news with Naga, her polar bear dog and animal companion, and hugs her, prompting the creature to lick her face. After this, Korra decides to take Naga out for a stroll, but the tower guard stares at her doubtfully; however, after reassuring him that she will not be going far, he opens the gate, letting the Avatar ride on her pet, who runs off across the frozen landscape.
A flying bison lands in the Southern Tribe, carrying Tenzin, his wife Pema, and their three kids: Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo, who anxiously asks if they have arrived. The two girls dismount the bison on air scooters as Tenzin goes to greet his mother and tell her how happy he is to see her. He subsequently asks for her help as his son is biting his head. Katara chuckles and takes Meelo, who tries to escape her grasp. His father tells him that she is his grandmother, and the boy somersaults over her head and lands behind her. Jinora stands in front of Katara, telling her that she has read everything about her old adventures and has been dying to ask what happened to Zuko's mother, to which the waterbending master says it is an incredible tale. However, Ikki interrupts, jumping in between the two and talking rapidly, asking many questions, annoying her sister.
Pema subsequently steps off the bison; Tenzin comes over to help, but his wife says she is not helpless, just pregnant. Katara salutes and hugs her, saying that the baby is strong and she sees another airbender in her future. Pema does not seem to like this, stating she would like a nice nonbender child like herself who does not blast wind in her face every five seconds. At that moment, Meelo asks his mother to watch as he claims to be a snowbender, blowing away a snow pile in which he had covered himself, splattering some in his mother's face in the process. Pema, shaking her head, asks Katara if Tenzin and his siblings were this crazy when they were kids, to which she answers that Kya and Bumi certainly were, but Tenzin had always been rather serious.
The airbending master notices Korra standing behind his mother and as she runs up to him, he notes with surprised satisfaction that she has grown big and strong and has become "quite the Avatar". Korra, glad Tenzin has arrived, tells him that she cannot wait to get started, though his expression instantly falls. Pema tells him he will have to tell her sooner or later, though before he can, Katara guesses that he is not staying, which Tenzin confirms, adding that he will return to Republic City the next morning. Korra, disappointed, insists that he is supposed to stay, but Tenzin apologizes and says her airbending training will have to wait.
That night, at dinner, Korra repeatedly asks when her airbending training will commence, but Tenzin states that he has responsibilities in Republic City as one of its leaders, where the situation is very unstable. Korra suggests returning to Republic City with him to learn the art there, though the White Lotus leader refuses, emphasizing that the city is too hazardous for her and they need to keep her safe while she completes her training as per Aang's instructions. Displeased, Korra subsequently leaves the room.
The following morning, Tenzin and his family say goodbye to Katara, who is saddened by their departure. From a cliff, Korra and Naga watch them leave on Oogi; as she follows their departure, her expression changes from sad to determined. That night, Korra visits Naga's stable and begins to saddle her polar bear dog. As she is finishing up, Katara comments that it is a nice night for an escape, startling Korra. Korra starts to explain that she has to leave in order to find her own path as the Avatar. Katara understands and adds that the time of her generation has passed, reminding Korra that Sokka and "many of" her friends have since passed away. She states that it is now the duty of Korra's generation to maintain peace and balance in the world. Noting that she believes Korra will make a great Avatar, the two share a hug and say their goodbyes. Korra subsequently uses her bending to tunnel a path away from the compound via which she and Naga escape undetected. After saying goodbye to her parents as well, she and Naga stow away in the cargo hold of a steamship headed for Republic City.
Korra wakes to the sounds of scraping metal and excitedly deduces that they have arrived at the city. Waking up Naga, they dash out of the ship once its door opens. Upon arriving in the open, they are amazed at the city's vastness. Korra looks up at Aang's statue across Yue Bay in astonishment and spots their destination: Air Temple Island. However, when Korra asks Naga if she is ready for a swim, her pet, hungry, starts looking for food instead. Bumping into some people along the way, Korra apologizes for any inconvenience her pet was causing until the former arrives at a food stand. After the Avatar realizes she does not have any yuans, and is therefore unable to purchase any food, she catches fish from the pond of a park and fries them with her firebending. A hobo named Gommu appears from a bush and asks her for one. The Avatar grants his request and, surprised at the man's lifestyle, comments how different she thought Republic City was, to which the vagabond says that she still has a lot to learn. A guard of the park yells at them for having caught fish, an action that was prohibited. Korra rides away on Naga and passes by a protester and a crowd of listeners. The advocate tells people about the Equalist revolt and tries to persuade people to join the movement. When Korra hears this and his remarks against benders, she disagrees, saying that bending is "the coolest thing ever". When she admits that she would like to knock him off the stage with her waterbending, the man wins the crowd's support and Korra leaves, vexed.
When asking for directions to Air Temple Island, the Avatar encounters the Triple Threat Triad as they abuse a phonograph vendor. She challenges them, to which the gangsters accept mockingly. To the surprise of the three men and the shop owners watching the fight, she defeats them with waterbending, earthbending, and firebending. After this, Metalbending Police Force officers arrive and arrest not only the gang, but a surprised Korra for destruction of private and city property, and after a brief chase, take her to the police headquarters, where she is interrogated by a displeased Chief Lin Beifong. Korra tries talking to Chief Beifong, telling her that her past life and Lin's mother were friends and saved the world together, but Beifong dismisses those comments as "ancient history". Tenzin enters the scene and, although he manages to persuade Lin to drop all charges against Korra, with him covering all the damages, she makes it very clear that she will keep an eye on the young Avatar.
At an animal pound, Korra tries to convince Tenzin to allow her to stay. She argues that Katara agreed that her destiny was in Republic City, much to the airbender's displeasure. She proceeds to say that being cooped up in the Southern Water Tribe was not helping her become a better Avatar and that she has now realized that the city needs not only him, but its Avatar as well. The airbender is at a loss for a counterargument. An officer, holding Naga on a leash, catches their attention, asking if this polar bear dog belongs to her.
While traveling on his boat to Air Temple Island, Tenzin looks solemnly toward the giant statue of his father, Avatar Aang. Upon docking with the island, where the White Lotus was already waiting for Korra to arrive, his kids enthusiastically greet Korra and ask if she is going to stay. Korra sadly admits that she has to leave and moves toward the ship, ready to go back to the Southern Water Tribe. Before she can board it, Tenzin stops her, admitting that she is right; since Aang's death, Republic City has fallen out of balance and Tenzin believed that by putting off her training he would be upholding his legacy. However, now he realizes that Korra is Aang's legacy and allows her stay in Republic City and commence her airbending training, much to the Avatar's excitement, who proceeds to lift her master and his children into a group hug. The Avatar's stay on the island is publicly announced in a press conference in front of Republic City's government hall, during which she states that "Avatar Aang meant for this city to be the center of peace and balance in the world," and that she would strive to obtain that goal.
In a distant location, Amon and some of his men are listening to Avatar Korra's speech. As the broadcast ends, Amon ominously states the Avatar's arrival calls for an acceleration in their plans.
==="A Leaf in the Wind"===
Korra is reading about pro-bending and desires to see it, but Tenzin refuses, calling the sport a mockery of the noble tradition of bending. He reiterates that Korra's only purpose in Republic City is to complete her airbending training and asks her to remain on the island. Multiple White Lotus sentries are present to ensure Korra learns in a calm environment, free from distractions. Although she begrudgingly agrees, she looks out onto the city, desiring to see more of it.
As the two head out to train, Tenzin states that Korra's apparent difficulty in learning airbending is due to it being opposite to her personality, a statement which Korra sadly agrees with. In the training area, Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo are eager to see the Avatar start her training as an airbender. A tool that Tenzin states to be fundamental in teaching the aspects of airbending is present. Jinora explains that Korra needs to weave her way through the gates to the other side without touching them, and Ikki adds that the gates will be spinning as she tries to complete the task. Tenzin starts them in motion and sends a leaf through the mechanism. He states that Korra needs to be like the leaf and flow through the gates, in a series of circular movements demonstrated by Jinora. As Jinora demonstrates, Tenzin adds that Korra needs to be ready to shift upon meeting resistance at a moment's notice through the gates.
Korra starts after Jinora enhances the speed of the gates with a blast of air. However, she is knocked around constantly. Her second try proves just as unsuccessful, and Jinora advises her not to try to force her way through. Ikki says to dance like the wind, and Meelo reiterates his father's earlier advice regarding the leaf. After Korra falls in a daze, Tenzin simply sighs and shakes his head. That night, Korra tries to airbend at a newspaper image of Lin Beifong but fails and firebends at it in frustration. After thinking and telling Naga that she just might not be fit to airbend, Korra hears a radio broadcast of a pro-bending match nearby where the guards were excitedly listening to it. However, Tenzin shuts off the radio near the match's climax after discovering Korra listening in from the roof.
The next morning, Tenzin leads a meditation session with Korra and his children. Korra states she thinks she is doing it wrong, but Tenzin replies that there is nothing to do and tells her simply to let her mind and spirit be free, representative of air being the element of freedom. Korra laughs as her mentor emphasizes freedom despite forbidding her to leave the island or even listen to the radio. Tenzin tells her to copy Meelo, though Korra points out that the young airbender is actually asleep, prompting Tenzin to claim that his son has the "relaxing" part down. With Korra still frustrated at her lack of progress, Tenzin consoles her that everything will sink in over time, though Korra is unconvinced and leaves to get lychee juice instead.
At nightfall, Korra sneaks off the island and swims to the Pro-bending Arena. She finds a training gym but is discovered by its owner, Toza, who threatens to take her to security for trespassing. A pro-bender walks in and states that Korra is with him, and they leave the area while Toza resumes working out. He takes her out to a balcony overlooking the battle arena and reveals himself to be Bolin. Mako, Bolin's older brother, tells the earthbender to get Korra out of the locker room. However, Bolin thinks there is something special about her and introduces her to Mako, who simply ignores Korra and tells Bolin to get ready for their match.
Bolin and Mako's team, inclusive of a waterbender named Hasook, is revealed to be the upstart Fire Ferrets, who, according to the broadcaster, have surpassed expectations to that point, but face their toughest challenge against the Golden Temple Tigerdillos. The match starts out fiercely, with Mako demonstrating himself to be cool under fire. However, the Tigerdillos quickly knock Hasook and Bolin back to zone two, and Mako is knocked back a short time after. Hasook is completely knocked out of the ring seconds later, with Mako and Bolin falling back to zone three before the round ends in favor of the Tigerdillos.
In round two, the Fire Ferrets are quickly forced to zone two, but this time, they respond and force the Tigerdillos back enough to win the round and tie the match. However, in round three, Hasook is knocked into Bolin before they are each knocked out of the ring. However, Mako holds his ground, forces the Tigerdillos to drain themselves, and knocks two of their opponents out of the ring, creating a one-on-one showdown for the round and the match versus an earthbender. Mako emerges from the smoke and dust of the fight and knocks his opponent out of the ring, earning a hat trick and clinching the match for the Fire Ferrets.
After the match, Korra is enthralled and enthusiastically shoves Bolin. However, Mako and Hasook dispute, and the latter throws his helmet down and exits the locker room. Korra tries to praise Mako, but he remains annoyed that she is around. Bolin agrees to show an eager Korra the basics. He expresses uncertainty as to relating his earthbending with her waterbending, but Korra states she is an earthbender, too. Bolin apologizes for assuming due to her Water Tribe outfit, but Korra states she is a water-, earth-, and firebender, confusing Bolin. Mako concludes that Korra is the Avatar, which stuns his brother.
In the gym, Korra whips earth coins into a net, again impressing Bolin. However, he states that she is too flat-footed and needs to be on her toes, dig in, and strike. Korra's second attempt proves more successful, causing Bolin to state that she is a natural. Mako frustratingly retires for the night, and it is revealed that the brothers live upstairs in the attic.
Back on Air Temple Island, Korra's airbending training is still not going well. After her frustration boils over, she destroys the training gates with firebending. Maddened by Korra's outburst, Tenzin reveals that the mechanism was a two thousand year old relic. Korra continues to state that things just are not sinking in, but Tenzin replies that this is not something she can just force. Korra angrily states that she believes Tenzin is a poor teacher and walks away. Meelo says the same with a goofy smile and kicks the pieces of the relic around, while Ikki and Jinora comfortingly hug their father. At sunset, Pema serves dinner to the group and notices Korra is missing. Tenzin reveals he is growing frustrated with Korra, but Pema says that he needs to give Korra some space. Tenzin asks his kids to promise him their teenage years will not be like this, to which Jinora emotionlessly states that she will make no such promises.
Korra returns to the Pro-bending Arena and finds out Hasook has not shown up for the match, which will force the Fire Ferrets to be disqualified if a replacement is not found in two minutes. Korra mentions her desire to fill in, but Mako refuses to allow it, saying he would rather forfeit than look like a fool. Korra states to the match official that the team is in, to which Bolin agrees. The match begins and Korra quickly waterbends a member of the opposing team out of the ring from the sides. She is given a one-zone penalty as she can only knock benders out from the back of the ring. She complies with the penalty and the match resumes, but earns herself another one when her foot crosses into zone one, sending her back to zone three. The Platypus Bears win round one and start round two with a flurry of attacks on Korra. She stops an attack with earthbending, confusing the referree. The radio announcer learns that she is the Avatar, much to the audience's shock. The broadcast is heard by Tenzin on the island when he asked the guards if any of them saw Korra, angering him, and he sets off to bring her home.
The referee states that Korra may continue only if she solely uses waterbending. After the match resumes, she is quickly knocked out of the ring by a barrage of attacks. When she emerges from the water, she discovers Tenzin waiting for her, demanding she return to the island. Korra refuses, believing she does not need airbending which leads to an argument ensueing, with Tenzin stating the Avatar must learn all the elements. Korra responds by stating that what she needs to learn is modern fighting, prompting Tenzin to retort that bending is not all physical. After this, Korra returns to the match leaving a furious Tenzin behind.
The Platypus Bears dominate the second and third rounds. Mako and Bolin are cornered, and Korra is pushed to the edge of zone three. However, at that moment, Korra begins to dodge the Platypus Bears' attacks by employing defensive maneuvers similar to an airbender's movements, catching Tenzin's attention. The Platypus Bears exhaust themselves, and the Fire Ferrets, still energetic, overwhelm them and score a knockout. Tenzin is briefly excited of their victory, but catches himself in the act and settles down. Because of their win, the Fire Ferrets have advanced to the championship tournament. Mako is finally impressed with Korra, but she refuses his credit, saying she was taught those moves by someone else.
Korra returns to the island, where the training gates are being reset by the Air Acolytes. She spots Tenzin and apologizes, saying she was frustrated with herself and took it out on him. Tenzin also says he owes an apology to Korra for having lost his patience while trying to teach her some and continues to say there are no hard feelings between the two. He adds that she was impressive in the match, moving like an airbender. Korra bids him a good night and adds she has permanently joined the Fire Ferrets, and they will be competing in a tournament in a couple of weeks much to Tenzin's dismay.
As night falls over Republic City, Mako looks out toward Air Temple Island, and Korra, in turn, lays her eyes upon the Pro-bending Arena.
==Home video releases==
;DVD
* The Legend of Korra - Book One: Air
;iTunes
* The Legend of Korra - Book One
;Blu-ray
* The Legend of Korra - Book One: Air
==Cast==
Voice actor 	Character(s)
Janet Varney 	Korra
Cora Baker 	Young Korra
David Faustino 	Mako
P.J. Byrne 	Bolin
J.K. Simmons 	Tenzin
Dee Bradley Baker 	NagaLemurOogi
Kiernan Shipka 	Jinora
Darcy Rose Byrnes 	Ikki
Logan Wells 	Meelo
Maria Bamford 	PemaFan girl
Kiernan Shipka 	Jinora
Darcy Rose Byrnes 	Ikki
Logan Wells 	Meelo
Richard Epcar 	Captain SaikhanTwo Toed Ping
Lance Henriksen 	Lieutenant
Carlos Alazraqui 	ProtestorTonraqRuffled police officer
Stephen Root 	White Lotus leaderGommuChung
Tom Kenny 	Referee
Jeff Bennett 	Shiro Shinobi
Jason Harris 	Ring announcer
George Coe 	Toza
Sean Gantka 	Hasook
Alan DaleGideon EmeryMary Elizabeth McGlynnDarcy Rose ByrnesAmy Hill	Additional voices
== Trivia ==
* This is the only episode of The Legend of Korra to have a different opening sequence, depicting the original Team Avatar seventy years prior. This opening also marks the only appearance of Suki in The Legend of Korra.
* The episode's original title was "Beginning of the Last Stand", which was eventually used for the final episode.
* This episode was originally supposed to feature a fight scene with Amon.Commentary for "Welcome to Republic City".
== References ==
==External links==
* 
Category:The Legend of Korra episodes
Category:Series premieres