season 2 owns. knocks the shit out of that relationship crap in season 1. the beginnings of the first avatar, especially are interesting.
maybe people have worse opinions of book 2 because they watched it week to week whereas I just marathon'd it. I think it works well that way.
While what stoney said is true about it being good vs evil and the main villain being one note, I find the way the season manages to tie in past avatars and give the world texture fantastic. One thing I loved about TLA was that it was an adventure. Korra season 1 was NOT an adventure. It mostly took place in Republic City and it made the world that felt so large before in TLA feel decidedly so small. In season 1 of TLA alone, they journey from from the southern water tribe to the northern water tribe. They encounter so much, and yet Korra was only really about her and Amon. One thing I've always enjoyed about Avatar series is the different cultures and history: blood bending, the history of the avatar's, the different cultures of the different tribes, all that good stuff. It was always fun and interesting to see for a kids show. Season 2 of Korra really provides that for that me.
Season 1 felt too tunnel visioned. It had a lot of filler, emphasis on romance, and the low episode count didn't help matters, making for LOK to feel like a show that was far less developed and weaker overall than TLA. Season 2, despite the still low episode count, takes its time, and builds upon things in a more natural, fun, and adventurous way. Even if it hasn't hit the cool messages of season 1.
Also, the budget has really gone up in season 2. Avatar series has always had amazing animation, but that one episode where Mako fights those triad dudes on that boat chase is spectacular. There's like a 30 second unedited scene that's just one long fight sequence. Animation in peak form.
