r/AvatarSevenHavens

Discussion: SEVEN HAVENS avoiding LEGEND OF KORRA's narrative pitfalls

Looking at Seven Havens' setting and premise, a world with two Avatars where there is conflict between Benders and Non-Benders, I cannot help but be reminded of the first two seasons of The Legend of Korra.

It seems to me that this new series will be the writer's second attempt at these storylines. This time, without all the production problems they had to deal with back then.

Behind the Scenes

Without a doubt, The Legend of Korra's biggest issue was behind-the-scenes drama.
It was originally meant to be a one-season show, but it kept getting renewed amidst production, forcing rewrites.
This was bad because the narrative, characters, and setting were not designed for a long-running show.
Also, executives did not let the writers tell the stories they wanted, like KorraxAsami.

Seven Havens seems to be avoiding these issues by just having better planning.
The show has been confirmed for two seasons, with it having reportedly already been renewed for two more early in production.
Also, the writers seemingly have more creative freedom this time around.

Setting

With Aang and Co. having already visited every notable landmark during The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra needed a new setting; thus, Republic City.
However, while functional in Korra's first season, it became a ball-and-chain in subsequent ones, with every conflict needing to involve it because most characters live there.
Also, the 20th-century vibe removed much of The Last Airbender's charming mysticism.

Seven Havens' solution is "The Cataclysm".
Complain all you want, but narratively, it serves as a reset button, allowing the writers to start fresh while keeping the series' lore.
Also, there are SEVEN havens, which means the show will have 7+ potentially brand new locations to work with.

Characters

As stated before, The Legend of Korra's characters were not designed for a long-running show.
Yes, it gave us storylines like the Tenzen and Beifong family drama, and, in Korra's case, the writers turned this weakness into a strength, with her PTSD arc from everything she went through. However, it also left Korra's Team Avatar—Mako, Bolin, and Asami—underdeveloped, with them lacking an overarching storyline besides their relationship drama.

With Pavi's reincarnation having reportedly been delayed, just like with the setting, Seven Havens seems to be wiping the slate clean by ensuring that all Last Airbender and Korra characters are long deceased.
Also, I'm personally already feeling potential in Seven Havens' cast. For example, there's Jae, an initially loyal conscripted Bender who gradually grows disillusioned with the havens' system.

Groundwork

Love or hate Korra, you cannot deny that it laid the groundwork for Seven Havens, with her leaving the spirit portals open and the introduction of the Dark Avatar being partly the reasons why Nisha and the cataclysm's cause are so discussed.

In fact, while people hate on Korra for losing the past Avatars, Seven Havens actually seems to take advantage of it.
In The Legend of Korra: An Avatar's Chronicle book, Tenzen theorizes that the past Avatars are lost to all future reincarnations, including Korra for Pavi.
Now, this potentially makes the cataclysm mystery far more interesting, since Pavi cannot just get all the answers from Korra's spirit.

u/Demand_Tiny — 2 days ago

Pavi and Korra

What if unlike Korra and Aang who seeked advice from their past lives. Pavi refuses to speak to Korra? We know in the Seven Haven's world that Korra is blamed for the way the world is now. All this bad mouthing about Korra being the worst avatar Pavi would hear this growing up especially since she's very young she'd obviously be very skeptical about Korra. We would see scenes of her trying to ignore Korra or drown her out. But later on Pavi would hear Korra out and understand the truth about Korra's decisions. I just think itd be a neat contrast compared to Aang and Korra who seeked advice and Pavi who ignores advice she'd need.

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u/Khoizy-morningstar — 2 days ago

Effect of Korra to Pavi’s Era

I just realised that 7 havens is potentially a world in where all 4 LoK villains get what they wanted. So there potentially could be in retrospect that Lok directly leads into 7H.

Amon wanted to get rid of bending and as we know bending in 7 havens are reduced to few people who are drafted into an bender army

Unaloq wanted spirits to roam the physical world and become the dark avatar, both are obviously prevalent in 7 havens

Zaheer and the red lotus wanted anarchy and to destroy the 4 nations and there world leaders, no more 4 nations now 7 havens

Kuvira could of been the final catalyst for the catastrophe, as she obviously pushed for the development of spirit power for her own goals of unity of the earth kingdom

Basically each villains actions caused the catastrophe probably confounding into the cataclysmic event, which resulted in a dream world of where their goals were realised.

Or

The people of the avatar verse actually prefer the current 7 Havens status quo to the old 4 nations, and so in history the main villains of Korra are actually seen as misunderstood heroes or visionaries therefore turning the table and actually making Korra hated for her decisions that we saw in her show. Which would reflect the larger avatar fandom and could have some cool meta commentary

But yeah thats just a realisation i had, who knows it could be more correct when the show drops or could be the opposite.

u/_Gyro__ — 3 days ago
▲ 12 r/AvatarSevenHavens+1 crossposts

Losing the connection to the past lives could have led to the cataclysm?

Obviously this is just a fun theory so take it with a grain of salt (and it’s not a Korra hate post so hold your fire lol) but from what I’m seeing in leaks/rumours, the cataclysm is something that has been building up for a centuries and Seven Havens will potentially explore more past avatars’ lives beyond just Korra. If this is true, it could be possible that not having access to the past lives is what led to the cataclysm happening in the first place. It could be the type of scenario where most avatars have to “calm the beast” every 100-200 years or so, preforming some type of ancient spiritual ritual or bending act that keeps the cataclysm at bay, buying enough time until the next avatar can do the same thing, then sending visions of the apocalypse to their successor so that they too can go prevent whatever it is that the cataclysm is. But as we all know, Korra doesn’t have access to the past lives anymore and wouldn’t be able to be warned of this event, meaning that she would never be aware of this responsibility. The cataclysm could have been too late to stop, finally boiling over before she can prevent it and instead having to do damage control by making the Seven Havens.

I’m not someone who necessarily wants the connection to the past lives to be fixed after they’ve already been severed, but I do think the true severity of the lost knowledge from the past lives isn’t fully expanded upon in LOK, so something like this might help add more weight to it.

Thoughts?

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u/RoseKobold — 3 days ago
▲ 9 r/AvatarSevenHavens+1 crossposts

Positive takes on Seven Havens + the Avatar role

Every time new information has been released about Seven Havens, I have found myself growing more and more disappointed.

However, during my rewatch of Korra I was kind of thinking the Avatar role does seem to feel less important as globalization and tech advancement occur within the ATLA universe.

I think that the ”cataclysm” and the world falling out of balance during the alleged 300-year time skip (IF IT’S WELL DONE) could be a good way to illustrate that the avatar is still essential to the balance of their world, even as it becomes more complex!

Hoping to hear others’ optimistic takes on Seven Havens to hopefully change my negative outlook completely!

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u/Unlikely_Ordinary376 — 3 days ago

Sand benders have the most potential

Even in the originals shows, Sandbenders had the most potential out of all the benders.

And I hope that is showed more in the new show, because what it seems to me in the Images we’ve seen so far they are surrounded by sand. And when you see sand you think *Sand benders* i have a feeling that earth benders will become extinct in the new series, well not really extinct but we won’t really see people use it as they use to. And they’ll start using sand bending more!

There are so many things you can do with sand. You can literally recreate all the bending.

You can make turn sand into glass and make it hard like the earth, you can turn sand into an tornado and make it evasive like the air, you can turn sand into an whip and pull it into your pouch like water or even shoot it like fire. I don’t think you understand how versatile sand bending can be! Like you can literally create a giant man/woman that is made out of sand and no hits would connect because it would just go right into it. And we seen how sand benders are able to sink people into the ground, they can easily kill others by suffocating them in sand and dust or pulling them under down creating sink holes.

u/Xokesley — 4 days ago

The theory to solve the biggest question about the Seven Havens

I was blessed with this Theory late at night by the Avatar gods about a year ago.

So I see everyone guessing about what the cataclysm was. BUT I wonder why is the Avatar hated, posed as a destroyer of humanity.

WELL I FIGURED IT OUT

Let's start right after the calamity. everything is in chaos, there is no stability in the world and necessities are scarce. One company sees this as their chance to rise above the rest. Their strong roots in produce, and their capability in technology brings them to the forefront! A power unmatched, all because they have the capability to provide a stable food supply. SO whether people liked it or not, the company and its products became synonymous with the survival of humanity.

But they have one thorn in their side, a being that since day one has brought fear to the bones of the company, A being which mere presence of, has brought disaster to their doorstep each and every time. THE AVATAR! Avatar Aang terrorized their founder, and it was only after Korra entered republic city that they were accused of producing weapons for terrorists.

So what else can they do, they must turn humanity against the Avatar, because the company's existence could collapse due to the Avatars mere presence. And in the end it's not so hard to vilify the avatar after all they have extensive wealth and influence in the Seven Havens. And Finally, let me ask you, would a person not a destroyer of humanity if they are a threat to those that allowed its survival, are they not a threat when they destroy the crop that the company works so hard to supply, the BEAUTIFUL and DELICIOUS CABBAGE!!!

THAT'S RIGHT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S THE CABBAGE CORPORATION.

I conclude that the Cabbage Corporation used their immense influence and wealth within the seven nations to vilify the Avatar.

I rest my case

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u/aceraids — 3 days ago

Please don't make the Stranger Things mistake

I know we are all pretty hyped for the new series and fan theories are going everywhere and beyond.

But please all be careful with this, because last time I witnessed a fandom doing this prior to release they were all of them deceived, because obviously their headcanons and theories they fell in love with weren't true at all, so they started hating on it...

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u/Hackiii — 4 days ago

Seven Heaven Plot is possibly heavily inspired by Nausicaä. If its true, it could spoil some important plot twists: spoiler alert!

https://preview.redd.it/kmr3yqg70v1h1.png?width=1099&format=png&auto=webp&s=08b67150ce6e0f8dac72ad091ac20c8297647b41

Seven Heaven Plot is possibly heavily inspired by Nausicaä.

This is evident both in the design of the characters' costumes and in the plot's premise.

  1. In both Seven Heaven and Nausicaä the plot unfolds in the aftermath of a catastrophe that destroyed nearly the entire old ecosystem and the states.
  2. In both stories the are lifeless deserts or new ecosystems hostile to humans (in Nausicaä those are venomous Fungies and giant athropodes and in Seven Heavens - hostile spirits and Spirit world) People live in isolated spaces and are forced to defend it.
  3. Both Nausicaä and Pavi are trying to act as intermediaries between "two worlds" and to find out, how to archive the balance.

So, what can we expect to see as the plot unfolds?

Nausicaya finds out, that the fungus world is not so hostile, as it was assumed, and it it even cleanses the soil of toxins created by humans of the past. And it is possible to live in the harmony with new world and accept its rules. But other people saw in the fungus world only a source of threat and extinction, and strove to destroy it.

It is possible, that the main plot of Seven Heaven can may touch upon a similar dilemma, but in different form. That acually the people and not the Avatar are guilty of the catastrophe and their survival depends on changing their attitude toward the acual and the spirit world. Like Nausicaya, Pavi will realize this and attempt to convey this message both to people and spirits. If Nausicaya was still a ambassador of humankind, for Pavi, the task is complicated by the fact that she is despised by both humans and spirits.

Something similar was already shown in the story of first Avatar Wan.

This is only my theory, please dont take it as ultimate truth.

What do you thing about it?

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u/Fit_Ask3369 — 4 days ago

Thoughts: will Pavi reconnect to the entire Avatar line?

I’ve always felt Korra would not settle well with the idea that the next incarnation of the Avatar line will be without the guidance of their past lives. Even though Korra was resilient and able to find guidance and support among her peers and the spirits, it absolutely was a struggle for her to become disconnected.

While we know very little now about Seven Havens, overall the setting involves some sort of cataclysm drastically altering the world we knew from Legend of Korra, although the details are slim and there’s a lot left to speculation. The only characters we know about are Pavi and one other adult with her. So far I assume that Pavi does not have much of a community around her and the world will not offer the same support or knowledge of the Avatar. I believe it was also confirmed that the cataclysm is what results in Korra’s death. Perhaps with this cataclysm approaching, Korra realized there may not be anyone around to guide the next Avatar- likely no White Lotus, possibly no one left from her friends and family, and possibly no spirits either. Will the next Avatar even know she’s the Avatar or what that is? With that, Korra would likely be a lot more concerned about reconnecting the link to the past lives so the next Avatar isn’t left in the dark. I can only assume this won’t happen in between seasons as it’s a big juicy meaty plot to include in the next series, so what are people’s thoughts on how that might happen? Or if it would happen at all? What would you prefer? Does anyone feel there’s hints or evidence so far between ATLA and LOK on how it can be done? I have seen a lot of argument that the somewhat vague wording in LOK implies that only Korra has lost the connection and theoretically the next Avatar will have it, but I’m not so sure. For the sake of discussion, let’s go with that not being the case.

Personally, I like both routes: either the next Avatar reconnects to all the past lives or it’s gone forever. I utterly love LoK and I personally very much support the writing decision to sever the connection to the past lives. But obviously it results in consequence to the following Avatars- good, as it should from a writing standpoint. I like the idea of having this sort of second generation of Avatara starting from scratch, with Korra as the only past life they can connect to. The writers promised Seven Havens would be quite different which I find refreshing, having an Avatar building the history anew is interesting. Yet, I also love the idea of the next Avatar trying to establish the connection again. It opens up a lot of interesting lore exploration into the spirit world and the Avatar history, which I think fans will for sure appreciate. It also offers a sort of redemption and healing for Korra which makes me emotional, plus major aura points for Pavi if she’s the one to do it.

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u/Initial-Meringue3975 — 5 days ago

Who do you guys think will narrate the opening of Seven Havens?

Katara narrates the opening for ATLA and Tenzin for LOK, two extremely important and plot-relevant characters, so who do you think will narrate it for Seven Havens? The obvious pick is probably just Jae, but it could be Pavi herself, a cameo character from LOK, hell maybe even Korra herself lol. Thoughts?

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u/RoseKobold — 5 days ago

Karthik.

**Disclaimer: this post doesn’t contain any new leaks/info, it’s just my personal speculation based on what we already know so far.**

I’ve seen lots of discourse around what the twins and Jae would be like, but I’m also curious about what kind of role Karthik will play. Based on what I remember from the leaks, he’s Nisha’s mentor, an earthbender and a captain/leader of some sort. I’ve heard he’s also supposed to get >!a flashback to his childhood!< according to the casting calls.

I personally hope he’ll become an ally/mentor to the rest of the team, as well as a sort of parental figure like Tenzin, assuming the other members of Pavi’s team are kids/teens.

Does anyone else have their own headcanons or theories about what he could be like?

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u/yoma999 — 5 days ago

Villains in ASH

Since everyone is saying Pavi is gonna be Kyoshi 2.0 , what if her enemies were spirits like Father Glowworm or General Old Iron?

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u/yoroyab — 6 days ago

Spirit Versions of Old Characters

Considering the state of the world in Seven Havens and the explanations I have seen it seems like the divide between the human and spirit worlds will be almost non existent in Pavi’s time. It begs the question for me if that means we may see people from the past pop up in spirit form. Like how Uncle Iroh showed up living a whole life in the spirit world in LOK. It’s not out of the question we may see other characters, or Iroh himself, in spirit form. I’d be curious to see what characters if any they would
bring back. Besides the power boost and skill knowledge the Avatar has from its past lives (which I know have been lost), I think a new Avatar having access to previous reincarnations - friends, family, even enemies, would be far more useful. What characters would you want see make an appearance to help guide Pavi? Beyond Korra herself of course.

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u/mentaldropbox — 6 days ago

Retroactively, Mako’s last line sets him up to be in Seven Havens

it’s not even subtle 😂, he’s the one guy I’m sure will be in the new series in some way

u/Robot_Was_BMO — 7 days ago

THEORY: Seven Havens will (partially) be about balancing nature

So I've been thinking about how each Avatar series has been about the protagonist balancing something.
The Last Airbender was about balancing the four elements, symbolized by the four nations, while The Legend of Korra was about finding spiritual balance in a rapidly modernizing world.

So, since we could identify the previous series' conflicts by looking at their settings, doing so for Seven Havens makes it pretty clear that something must be done about the world being a wasteland.

The Cataclysm

For my thoughts about the cataclysm, I 100% believe Korra was framed.

Personally, I'm with the theory that this world is a result of an unresolved plot threat from Legend of Korra: humans exploiting spirits.
Basically, humanity started using spirit power as a resource. However, it turned out not to be the unlimited clean energy they thought. In fact, they were essentially consuming the planet's life.
Korra may have tried to intervene, but by then it was already too late, resulting in the planet undergoing an "energy shift".

This theory tracks with how benders seem to be treated in this new series: Exploited as resources.

The conflict

With the series confirmed for two seasons, I'm guessing the first will revolve around Pavi and Co. learning the truth behind the cataclysm before culminating in her and Nisha having a falling out regarding how to balance their world, which will be the primary conflict for season two.

u/Demand_Tiny — 7 days ago
▲ 7 r/AvatarSevenHavens+1 crossposts

Seven Havens Theory

So I have been thinking a lot about the new show, and all I just finished SVTFOE, and its ending gave me an idea.

What if Sozin's comet, or something like that, becomes a threat to the nations and coincidentally strikes Republic City? In the ending of LOK, we see how the cannon becomes amplified because of the spirit vines so what if the vines make the comet more powerful or make it attracted to it making the comet strike the portal or cause another explosion.

An explosion this strong would devastate the entire planet and realm so what if Korra had to

A: Merge the two worlds to give both a chance to survive

Or

B: The explosion hits which causes the 4 nations to become the 7 havens, the possible bender storage, and also damage to the spirits' world

This is more than likely HIGHLY unlikely but it got my dusty ol gears turning.

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u/Terminator_0248 — 6 days ago