The Legend of Korra and the running gag

I've seen the last 2 seasons and the season 3 premiere, but I got a question for the producers: What is it with every Lee, Ling and Wu trying to end the era of the avatar and start their own? First, the equalists, then Unalaq and now Zaheer. When Season 4 premieres, I hope this era shtick isn't included and instead a Joker/Anarky foe for Korra comes along and doesn't want a new era.