To me, the best stories are an even mix of interpersonal dynamics and the external conflict. The Avatar episode "The Chase" is a good example, Toph has to learn to get along with the Gaang but they're being chased by the Dangerous Ladies and that's the crux of the episode's conflict. But Asami's romantic jealousy over Mako worrying about Korra in "Out of the Past" is basically going "we know Korra's learning some very important things about the bad guys via Aang's memories, but we have a love triangle we want to draw out."