The first new Avatar series in over a decade, Avatar: Seven Havens, represents a significant departure from its predecessors, moving to a post-apocalyptic setting 225 years after The Legend of Korra. Episodes 1-3 debuted on Paramount+ on October 9, introducing a world where humanity clings to existence in "The Seven Havens." This new direction evolves the animation style to be more akin to modern surreal hits like Scavengers Reign, diverging from the expected aesthetic of the Avatar franchise.
At the center of this new era is Pavi (Saheli Khan), a young Avatar living in relative isolation with her cat-monkey, voiced by Dee Bradley Baker. Unlike Aang, Pavi has no clear mission to save the world, a world that seems indifferent to its own salvation. The series retains the sly humor of earlier installments, with an early sequence featuring Jae (Major Curda) surfing through a haven being a particular delight. However, Seven Havens delves into darker, more adult themes, reflecting contemporary anxieties and perhaps addressing fan reactions to Korra's character. The plot hints at events initiated by Korra centuries prior that fractured the world, leading to a deep-seated fear and mistrust of the Avatar.
The show also serves as a potent commentary on current global issues, mirroring the divisions within the real world and the looming threat of climate apocalypse. While animation's pace may not perfectly match real-world events, the narrative uses in-universe elements, such as a play depicting Korra's legacy, to explain the world's animosity and the formation and subsequent isolation of the Seven Havens. The suggestion by airbender Karthik (Akshay Khanna) to unite the Havens is met with flat refusal, mirroring real-world isolationist sentiments.
Threats in the early episodes are primarily climate-based, with a tornado acting as a villain in the premiere and a massive green storm endangering a haven in the second episode. These elements position Seven Havens as both a cautionary tale and a compelling mythology-building exercise.
The initial episodes, functioning almost as a single pilot, are deliberately sparse on action, allowing the series to focus on character emotions rather than immediate spectacle, though action sequences are present. The plot bifurcates between Pavi's journey and Jae's efforts to maintain a crumbling bridge. Both characters grapple with the theme of survival in a post-Avatar society. Pavi accidentally unleashes chaos at a festival, drawing the attention of Jae and revealing her earthbending abilities. A subsequent encounter with a tornado leads Pavi to reveal her airbending as well, prompting Jae to question his ingrained perception of the Avatar.
Jae brings Pavi to his superior, Karthik, but Pavi soon discovers her twin sister, Nisha (Aishu Devan), who is also an Avatar. This revelation introduces a central mystery: how can two Avatars exist simultaneously? The series explores this through Nisha's more impulsive and angry nature, contrasting with Pavi's hesitant approach, offering a new dynamic to the Avatar concept.
The conflict escalates with the appearance of a menacing red diamond that emits dark energy. After affecting Karthik, the diamond engulfs Pavi and Nisha, sending them to another dimension and seemingly erasing their memories. The diamond vanishes, leaving behind crystalline structures and raising questions about its origin and purpose, possibly connected to the Spirit World or even Korra herself.
Episode 3, "The Order," feels like the true beginning of the series with the introduction of a classic Avatar opening title sequence. The episode focuses on Jae's struggle with secrecy, Pavi and Nisha's differing views on training, and the arrival of the Order of the White Lotus. The siblings' shared instinct to calm a corrupted animal, aided by a haunting musical theme, sparks memories and begins to unite them.
Composer Jeremy Zuckerman's score is a standout, particularly a theme that plays a crucial role in the revelation of Pavi and Nisha's shared past, revealing it to be a lullaby sung by their mother. This musical connection is instrumental in their reconciliation and the recovery of lost memories.
While the series' direction remains somewhat unclear, the emotional core of Pavi and Nisha seeking their parents suggests a more personal narrative than the world-ending stakes of previous series. The show effectively tugs at heartstrings, investing the viewer in the twins' quest for happiness.
The early threats, while relevant to the climate apocalypse theme, lack the complexity of past villains. However, the introduction of masked antagonists at the end of episode three suggests a shift towards higher stakes and broader exploration. The series seems to posit that the next generation must navigate a complex, imperfect world rather than defeat a single evil entity.
Despite minor quibbles about pacing and villain development, the return to the Avatar universe is immensely satisfying. New characters, settings, dazzling animation, and a soaring score combine to create a compelling experience. The series also continues the franchise's trend of inclusive representation, with Jae having a boyfriend named Datu featured early on.
Notable connections to past Avatar installments include a play about Korra, reminiscent of "The Ember Island Players," and visual references to previous Avatars like Aang and Kyoshi. The Order of the White Lotus also makes an appearance, with familiar faces like Iroh, Jeong Jeong, and Pakku depicted.
The design of the Haven of Ellora, resembling the symbol for the Order, hints at further narrative connections. The red diamond's energy may be linked to energybending, a concept previously explored with Aang, prompting speculation about Aang's past actions potentially influencing Korra's efforts to fix the world.
Overall, Avatar: Seven Havens delivers an emotionally rich, visually spectacular, and musically poignant start. While it might be a slow burn for some, the series successfully re-establishes the beloved world with a fresh, relevant perspective that resonates with contemporary concerns.