i recently rewatched tlok, and remember someone pointed this out years ago after the finale dropped but i don't remember who was it, or where it was posted. i can't find it so i assume it's gone by now, and i wanted to give my own thoughts.
SO. we all know the 3 years korra and asami spent away from each other between book 3 and 4 is very important to their story. in reunion, asami tells korra she's been talking to her father again and is thinking about forgiving him. korra is concerned that hiroshi might wanna hurt her again, and asami goes off:
obviously korra was just worried and had no ill intentions, but asami's reaction is understandable. personally, i would at least feel a little bothered if someone who disappeared for years and refused to keep in touch after a while wanted to judge what i was doing with my life all of a sudden.
especially after having offered to give up everything to go with and support her in any way possible, and everything i got was a quick decline and a big ass ghosting after a couple of letters...
anyway. then we have this scene in kuvira's gambit:
i've watched some reactions on youtube and most people didn't GET it. it's not a surprise since it's a trend in avatar fandom to misunderstand korra's character a lot (and the writers fumbled a little bit with korrasamis development in b4 imo).
this is not a badass korra™ scene or something out of place, it's actually simple: korra knows how it feels to be distant from the ones you love and not being able to do much about it, because it happened to her. korra's body recovered relatively fast and she could've came back sooner but, as toph told her in the swamp, korra was unconsciously sabotaging herself so she wouldn't be susceptible to getting hurt again. still, it felt so horrible to be separated from someone she cared about that she --knowing that bataar jr had love and devotion for kuvira-- used it a fucking threat to get him to talk!
and we reach THE korrasami scene, where they finally get some time alone after the battle and things have cooled down a bit, and the first thing korra does is apologize:
this is one of the few times since coming back that korra actively shows regret from what happened. it's the only time she apologizes for it, and it's to asami.
asami's answer is heartbreaking, but it is what it is. she could've lost both korra AND her dad, the people she cared for the most, but she still has korra. she's here. and that's what matters now.
Avatar Korra Park description in Avatar Legends - Republic City Expansion
Description:
"It's officially named Avatar Korra Park, but if you ask anyone in Republic City, it's just 'the park.' Only tourists say the whole name. This sprawling, verdant commons boasts public lawns and gardens, streams, statuary, training grounds, barbecue pits, athletic fields, and any number of free or low-cost activities open to all: self-defense and dance classes, theater performances, junior league Pro-bending, Pai Sho tournaments, even historical reenactors. If you're lucky, you might see Asami Sato and Avatar Korra strolling along hand in hand by the lake in the park."
Soon after the battle in Republic City, Asami returns to her workshop to help with salvaging efforts. Later in the day, she is accompanied by Korra who--fortunately--hasn’t left her side since that fateful day. They make their way to her office, miraculously still on one piece, to pack up any remaining paperwork and tools.
Asami finds a stack of boxes containing a collection of her father’s old notes and blueprints, and a familiar heavy feeling finally sinking in. Her eyes swell up with salted tears. Her heart beats to a faster, aching rhythm. Her legs tremble as she finally breaks down, realizing, her father is not coming back.
I added a little narrative treat for you all. Please, enjoy it! 💕
I do want to make a companion piece to this, so stay tuned!
I had been thinking about the events after the fight with Kuvira, and the possibility of Asami finally breaking down after realizing her father won't come back.