Avatar: Seven Havens Episodes 10 through 13 didn’t go the way I expected in the most delightful way. I’m not saying that I’m happy that Nisha and Pavi are on two separate paths. Their separation came after a lot of pain and a festering wound being exposed. But maybe them separating is what’s going to allow them to grow the most and become the avatars they’re meant to be.
The end of Book One is also the perfect time to say goodbye to Ellora, kind of. Because I’m going to be for real, I’m kind of bored by all of these people. And I know that dedicating some time to one nation or one location is on par with Avatar as a whole, no matter if the original series or Legend of Korra. But Ellora was a little basic and I didn’t fall in love with anybody in it.
But a problem still remains in Avatar: Seven Havens Episodes 10 through 13: their inability to pin down pacing.
I Like Pavi More Than Nisha
For the most part, I’ve been on the fence when it comes to which Avatar I like more. And I know that I’m not supposed to choose because that’s like choosing your favorite child. But sorry to break this to you, even parents have their favorite child. And when it comes to Avatar: Seven Havens, I definitely like Pavi more than Nisha. That’s not to say I blame Nisha for what happened in the past either.
I like Pavi more than Nisha because she seems more well-rounded. She experienced the same kind of loss when it comes to their parents. But Pavi had no one to take care of her for all of those years. Yet she survived and thrived, not letting the world crush her especially when she was afraid. And look at her now, a chakra unlocked and the next leg of her journey in front of her as she accepts her role as Avatar.
As for Nisha, the reason why it’s harder to connect with her was really highlighted in these last four episodes. There’s an anger in her that she struggles to control. And as much as Pavi wants to help her, it’s Nisha who has to face her anger and learn how to live with it, control it, or wield it. She’s also a harder character to connect with because despite being the one left behind, she spent those years safe, warm, well fed, and taking care of.
Back to not blaming Nisha for what happened to their parents. We have to remember that these two girls are 9 years old with the weight of the world literally on their shoulders. They’re going to make mistakes, even tragic ones like what happened with their parents. And as a viewer, I like my characters a little broken and messy. Flaws are real. Flaws allow for room to grow and become stronger. And Pavi and Nisha have flaws that are just going to make them stronger in the long run.
So What Comes Next?
When I first started this with Avatar: Seven Havens, I was under the illusion that Pavi and Nisha were going to reach milestones at the same time. But that’s just not realistic. And that’s me seeing them as a whole instead of two vastly distinct young women. And I like how Avatar: Seven Havens made me realize this distinction in the final four episodes when Pavi’s strength saved the day and Nisha’s doubts became her weakness.
So what comes next? World expansion. In my previous review I thought that the Avatars were going to go with the Faceless to The Republic Forest and discover something dangerous there. But these four episodes pulled me back and reminded me that this show isn’t about the dangers or the spirits that they face. It’s a journey about the Avatar and their connection to this world. And right now this world is broken, the pieces finally coming back together.
Pavi is heading for a floating city alongside Jae. And Nisha is probably going to rebuild Ellora alongside Karthik. And within that separation, Pavi is going to be dealing with being perceived and seen, something that she has run from her entire life. As for Nisha, she’ll no longer be hiding behind the Brigade walls. People will know her as the Avatar and she’ll have to work through her own fear of abandonment and self-worth.
Their separation could take up the entirety of Book 2. That’ll make the reunion of Nisha and Pavi more meaningful. But I also think that it will give Seven Havens an opportunity to let things breathe. Because I know it’s a kid’s show. But kids also deserve storytelling that is earned. And sometimes I feel like Avatar: Seven Havens doesn’t allow these characters the room to feel their emotions and work through them in a way that feels remotely realistic in a world filled with powers, spirits, in a world on the brink of collapse.
Like even Bluey gives their characters room to breathe and feel their emotions, allowing their characters to feel well-rounded. This is the piece missing from Avatar: Seven Havens. And if they fix that up in Book 2, there’s going to be no stopping this show or these two Avatars.
Additional thoughts about Avatar: Seven Havens Episodes 10 through 13:
- Awww I love that we saw Korra when Pavi was unlocking her Root Chakra. She’s still close.
- Also, I still think that Korra did nothing wrong.
- And even if she did, she had her reason.
- Or it was an accident, just like Nisha with their parents.
- Which, again, we don’t blame Nisha. She was a child. And I’m locked in and ready to watch both these Avatars grow.
- Chancellor Kayoko… oh she was working my last nerve and making me think that Korra was right.
- Kayoko was channeling the dark energy under Ellora to kill the Faceless, which also includes regular ol’ people. She even killed one of the scientists. She’s the true evil here.
- And then she blamed Nisha for the dome. Unacceptable. Nope. I don’t think so. Nisha was the one directly holding that dome back from destroying Ellora.
- Kayoko is the embodiment of what fear can twist a person into. But also the destruction that a regular ol’ human will cause when they get an insurmountable amount of power with no one to stop them.
- And maybe that’s what happened in the past with Korra and whatever energy was being siphoned from the Spirit World….
- BUT WHEN ARE WE GOING TO LET KORRA SPEAK!?
- Pavi and Nisha’s parents made the wrong choice leaving Nisha like that. She deserved better and I hope one day she sees that.
Avatar: Seven Havens drops new episodes every Friday on Paramount+.
