Avatar: Seven Havens Review: The Stakes Rise, but the Korra Blame Game is Tiring (Season 1 Episodes 7-9)

Things have taken a turn for the worse in the most recent episodes of Avatar: Seven Havens, but the stakes are higher than ever.

Pavi and Nisha are one step closer to learning the truth about their past, but it comes at a heavy price: the downfall of the Brigade, the White Lotus, and possibly Ellora.

It does not help that Nisha has revealed herself as the Avatar, forcing her to flee the Haven and leave Pavi behind.

Separating Pavi and Nisha at such a critical point in the narrative is a bold choice. Even though they are both the Avatar, two halves of a whole, they each have their own journey.

Pavi has a unique connection to the Anomaly that Nisha does not seem to have. On the flip side, Nisha is desperate to prove herself as the Avatar, no matter what it takes.

The girls need each other more than ever, but first, they must endure alone. Pavi must figure out why the Anomaly keeps calling her, while Nisha must protect herself in the Harshlands.

Nisha must also grapple with the fact that while she thinks she is ready to fulfill her duties as the Avatar, she still lacks a spiritual connection. More importantly, Nisha must grapple with the fact that while she might be ready to be the Avatar, the world is not ready for the Avatar’s return. 

It is possible Nisha might find her spiritual side in the Harshlands. She might even join the Faceless, who are heading to another Haven: Republic Forest.

Avatar: Seven Havens Season 1 Episode 8, “The Envoys: Part 1,” introduces some of this world’s Havens beyond Ellora. Ranging from New Ba Sing Se to Akasha, each Haven brings something different to the table.

However, one stands out from the rest — Republic Forest. This Haven is particularly fascinating because it cut itself off from everyone else.

Karthik: Despite the chaos around them, the Avatar must remain centered. They are the eye of our storm.

That means no one has any idea what is going on inside their home. While the other Havens struggle with their resources, Republic Forest seems to have it all, which begs the question: what makes Republic Forest so different from the other Havens?

Now that Nisha is in the Harshlands, she may have no choice but to follow the Faceless to survive. Republic Forest might even hold key answers for the Anomaly, the Cataclysm, and how this post-apocalyptic world came to be.

Hopefully, the mystery surrounding Republic Forest provides some insight into the Cataclysm because, right now, it does not look good for Korra.

Avatar: Seven Havens Season 1 Episode 7, “What Lies Beneath,” features Pavi and Nisha following the Anomaly deep underground, leading them to learn more about Korra’s later life and the Cataclysm.

The only memories they access depict Korra destroying Republic City without hesitation, which only reinforces the narrative that Korra becomes a villain by the end of her life.

This premise is tiring and misogynistic. Up until this point, the show has suggested there is more to the story, that perhaps the hatred for the Avatar is propaganda from the real villain — whoever triggered the Cataclysm. 

Unfortunately, that possibility has not happened yet, and with each passing episode, it becomes less likely.

Since The Legend of Korra, the titular character has faced an enormous and irrational amount of hatred. Many people do not treat Korra with the same fairness they do Aang, even though both Avatars have made mistakes and grown from them.

Both Aang and Korra are flawed characters with strengths and weaknesses. However, it seems some people grant Aang grace while repeatedly berating Korra.

The double standard lies in misogyny, and if Avatar: Seven Havens does not clear Korra’s name, it will only fuel this terrible hatred.

Nisha: The world used to love the Avatars. How did she go from being adored to destroying humanity?

Of course, Korra is not above criticism, but she is constantly judged unfairly. Supporting this narrative is tiring and overdone. Korra deserves better than this sexist portrayal, and hopefully, the show will rectify it.

Nisha might be free while Ellora is in complete shambles, but Pavi is unknowingly stuck.

No one outside the White Lotus knows Pavi exists, and she will have to work even harder to keep it that way. It also does not help that Karthik and the other White Lotus members are imprisoned and unable to help Pavi.

The only person who can protect Pavi right now is Jae, who seems to have sided with Ellora over the White Lotus. However, based on his silent communications with Karthik, Jae likely abandons the White Lotus to protect himself and save Pavi.

It is a clever decision that illustrates Jae’s quick thinking under extreme pressure. Daemin is another factor, given that he is passed out while Ellora falls apart.

With Pavi on the precipice of discovering something significant about the Anomaly and her past, she must find the missing puzzle pieces without getting caught.

At the end of Avatar: Seven Havens Season 1 Episode 9, “The Envoys: Part 2,” Pavi, Nisha, Jae, and Daemin are all at turning points in their lives. 

These critical moments could make or break their character development, and only time will tell what happens next.

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What did you think of these episodes of Avatar: Seven Havens? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

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Avatar: Seven Havens Episodes 7-9 are available to stream on Paramount+. 

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