1.1 "Welcome to Republic City" Recap

Will the ENTIRE series take place in Republic City?

SPOILERS! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

What happens in the pilot episode of Korra? First we are given a overview of what happened after the original series: 

1. Republic City founded by Zuko and Aang 

2. Aang is DEAD

3. Korra is the new avatar

We then find out that Korra is capable of bending all of the elements (except air) and is somewhat of a child prodigy.  Unlike Aang, she is headstrong, aggressive, and very impatient.

Katara as a 85-year-old woman

We discover that Katara is Korra's water bending teacher or is overlooking Korra's training.  It is suggested that Katara is one of the last of her friends to be living.  Since this series takes place 70 years after the 100 Year War, then Katara must be around 85 years old.  

Tenzin's family

We are also introduced to one of Katara's children, Tenzin, and his family.  All three of his children, Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo, are airbenders.  Tenzin's wife, Pema, is a non-bender.  Pema is pregnant with her fourth child.  Katara predicts that the child will be an Airbender, while Pema hopes that the child will be a non-bender like herself.  

Jinora asks about Zuko's mom, and just when we are about to find out the answer, Ikki interrupts = dislike Ikki.  At least the producers plan to give us an answer + haven't forgotten.

Tenzin has bad news and tells Korra that he cannot stay to teach her Airbending because he must return to Republic City as a representative of the current Air Nation.  Korra complains stating that she would ask someone else to teach her Airbending, but says that Tenzin is the only Airbending master.  

During the night, Korra decides to run away to Republic City so she can learn Airbending.  Katara finds Korra running away and agrees that Korra must go to Republic City in order to fulfill her duties as the Avatar.  

Korra says goodbye to her family

After saying goodbye to Katara and her parents, Korra stows away on a ship and escapes to Republic City.  

Aang in statue-form . . . what about the other Avatars? Hmm?

Once in Republic City, Korra immediately realizes that city-life is a lot more different than what she pictured it to be.  She doesn't have any money so she can't buy food and illegally fishes in Republic City's park.  She finds a hobo in a bush and reveals that she thought everyone in the city was "living it up."  

Triple Threat triad plays with fire

We find out how assertive Korra is when she fights the Triple Threat triad with little hesitation.  After the triad is arrested by the Metalbending police (an invention of Toph), Korra is also arrested.  

Lin Beifong looks pretty old

Who is the chief of police in Republic City?  It happens to be Toph's daughter, Lin Beifong.  Just as tough as her mother, Lin gives no favoritism to Korra, even though Korra says is the Avatar.  When Tenzin comes to bail Korra out, Lin tells Korra to get out of her city.  

Yay, the new Avatar, Korra

After some debate, Tenzin agrees that Republic City has fallen out of balance and needs Korra's help as the Avatar to put it into balance again.  He then allows Korra to stay in Republic City so that he can teach Korra Airbending.  

Creepy dude with a mask

The force that is putting the city out of balance is the presence of Amon and his resistance of non-benders, who plan to rid Republic City of those who can bend.