Legend of Korra Book 2 Review Notes

Chapter 1: Rebel Spirit

• I like the intro. Set the mood really well with the storm and the dark spirit attacking the ship. I wish we got more of these dark spirit attacks in the show.
• Oh yay, Probending… great.
• Oh, so the Fire Ferrets are disbanded… okay then. At least they know we don’t want more Probending.
• So Mako’s on the police force… okay, this is actually pretty cool. I kinda like this, especially the firebending on the motorcycle.
  • “Looks like you had some car trouble. Good thing the police are here.” My god, that line was disgusting. It could’ve easily been solved by the criminals or another officer going “Dude, what the fuck was that?” But nope. Ugh. Fuck Mako.
• ASAMI. HI, ASAMI.
  • Wait, why is he telling her this? Shouldn’t Asami already know the company’s in a shithole? Why not have the guy be like “You’re sure that this trip will work?” It seems incredibly exposition-y and forced.
  • Seriously, I wish they did more with that plot line, instead of shoving Asami to the side.
• Okay, now with Air Temple Island I can see the downgrade in animation with Studio Pierrot. Plus the character movements are really stiff.
  • My god the water is so stiff and ugly.
• YAY, BUMI.
• Seriously, Korra did not change at all from Book 1’s ending. Hell, I think she’s way more arrogant now than she’s ever been. At least we’re pointing out she hasn’t mastered airbending.
• Okay but I love the little Tenzin on the map. God I love Tenzin.
• I still hate Meelo and Ikki.
• So the United Republic has a president. Okay. Does Raiko have a first name, or nah?
• The Glacier Spirits Festival? I’d love to learn more of the culture and history behind that. Too bad we won’t. At least it’s well timed for the plot. Ugh.
• I love Korra’s alternate outfit. The darker blue works really well for her.
• Oh my god Mako actually writes out his one-liners… that is disgusting but amazing.
• Wait, so Mako saying one reasonable thing is enough to set Korra off? Okay, suddenly I’m on Mako’s side again. Jeez, what is wrong with her?
• I am kinda wondering where Kya was last season. Like if she lives with Katara, shouldn’t she have helped in Korra’s waterbending training?
• “I’m not scared of you… anymore.” I already love Kya.
• Oh my god I love Tonraq.
• Wow, fancy Northern Water Tribe ship.
  • My god, Unalaq DOES look like a Tarrlok 2.0.
  • Still love Eska and Desna.
• It’s awesome to see how the Southern Water Tribe has really been rebuilt since the Hundred Year War.
• They really are not trying to hide Unalaq being evil. At all.
• Seriously, why isn’t there more talk of the dark spirit attacks? They sound like they’re happening constantly, yet no one seems to be noticing.
• Wait, why wasn’t Asami with the group earlier? Is she just not part of Team Avatar anymore? Does she never talk to them? At all?
• I do like the Bolin and Asami friendship.
• OH MY GOD VARRICK YES. Also hooray for Varrick respecting Bolin having the guts to call him out.
  • Poor Swami.
• “ZHU LI, DO THE THING.”
• “Go rest your gams.”
• Asami can hold her own with anyone.
• I live for Asami hugging Bolin and messing up his air. BLESS THIS FRIENDSHIP. WHY IS THERE NOT MORE ASAMI?
• I love how this hall looks like it was sculpted from ice. Hell, it might’ve been.
• I’d love to know why Unalaq adores the spirits so much.
• Oh right, this was before they came up with the Red Lotus as the reason why Korra was kept in that compound. Okay so here, it’s bullshit, Korra has a right to be angry on that front, because when this was written, the Red Lotus were not a thing.
• I love the dynamic between Tenzin, Bumi, and Kya. I do feel for Katara, though, just wanting her kids to get along. Also OH MY GOD ROHAN STILL EXISTS.
• Oh right, after the Hundred Year War, the Northern Water Tribe took over the Southern one. Wait, so Unalaq rules over both tribes? How in the fuck does the North control the South when they’re on opposite sides of the globe (Literally)?
• Seriously, I’m not seeing any reason for believing Unalaq. The festival seems fun. No problems, not even issues with crime or people being douchebags. And the only dark spirit attack was the one in the beginning.
• Oh also how is the whole room hearing Unalaq? There’s no echo or mic or anything, and he speaks so damn softly. Maybe a story on the Glacier Spirits Festival’s origin, and why it’s still celebrated today and how that legend has been forgotten?
• “They smell like a grandma’s attic.” Excellent description, but also… is that a reference to Hama the creepy bloodbender lady from A:TLA?
• I LOVE ESKA AND DESNA THEY GIVE ME LIFE.
  • “You amuse me. I will make you mine.” “You mean like a boyfriend, or like a slave?” “Yes. Win me prizes.”
• Oh my god Chibi Aang and Momo and Appa.
• I really cannot stand Korra here. What is up with her? I can empathize with her being basically imprisoned, but Korra’s way more antagonistic than she ever was in Book 1.
  • KORRA, WHAT THE FUCK, NO MATTER WHAT MAKO SAYS, EVEN WHEN HE’S BEING SUPPORTIVE, YOU’RE STILL A BITCH TO HIM FOR NO REASON. WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING WHY AM I SUDDENLY TEAM MAKO???
• Dark spirit attack… where has this been? Seriously, where have all the spirits been?
• And cue Mako and Bolin being useless as shit. Also, WHERE IS ASAMI?
• Korra destroying shops in the Avatar State… great. At least there are no people around to get hurt (CONVENIENTLY).
• I will admit, Unalaq energybending like that was cool… this is energybending, right?
• I get where Korra is coming from, but they’re not giving us real reasons to empathize with her and be on her side. I feel bad for Tenzin, Tonraq, and Mako more than anything.
• Aaaand cue Tenzin ditching the main plot… oh kill me.
• Seriously, they are really not hiding Unalaq being evil.

Chapter 2: The Southern Lights

• And cue the Tenzin plot diverging from the main one… le sigh. It is cool to see some acolytes and abbots living in the Air Temples, even if they’re nonbenders.
• Poor Bumi and Kya. I can see why they poke fun at Tenzin now.
• Wow, so much random exposition outta nowhere. Also, HOW is the Spirit World out of balance? SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW.
• SERIOUSLY WHERE IS ASAMI? WHY IS SHE NOT ON THE MAIN TEAM ANYMORE? Actually, maybe she wants to avoid Korra and Mako. That’s honestly really sad. Does she not talk to Korra or Mako anymore? God how lonely she must be, especially with her dad in jail after trying to kill her, and her business going under.
• I like that the Everstorm is green to add to the eerie atmosphere. Still, why is Korra just blindly going along with what Unalaq says?
• I do like that the spirits aren’t good nor evil: it’s just easy for darkness to corrupt them.
• Ooh, Tonraq lying about being banished… I kinda like this twist, actually. I really like this story of how the dark spirits came back for revenge. I still wanna know what Unalaq and Tarrlok’s relationship was like. Did Tonraq tease his brother for being more introverted or spiritual?
• I do like the hint that Jinora has much more in store for her this season. She’s totally this world’s equivalent to a psychic. Still, I’d like to know what exactly was watching her. That’d be a really cool thing to keep seeing in the Tenzin plot… oh well.
• God this episode is FULL of exposition. Seriously, if Unalaq became Korra’s teacher at the end of Book 1, or even offered after Korra lost her bending carrying into this season, it’d be so much more interesting, and I could see Korra’s despair driving her to study under Unalaq.
• I like Korra trying to mimic Unalaq’s technique only for it to backfire.
• “I’ll save you.” “I’M A RAFT.”
• Seriously Korra, QUIT BEING A DICK TO MAKO.
  • Okay I suddenly like Mako now. Why was he not like this to begin with?
• STILL WONDERING WHY ASAMI ISN’T HERE.
• It’s a shame that Unalaq turned out to be evil because why not. I seriously wanna know why he wants Vaatu free and why he loves the spirits so much (Aside from that running joke of him having a kite fetish.).
• Okay Studio Pierrot’s animation is really stiff and kinda meh, but it’s not as god awful as I remember. At least, compared to Studio Mir, it’s god awful, but on its own, it ain’t that bad.
• Aaand cue the Northern army approaching like a bunch of mothafuckas.
  • Unalaq’s totally not evil.
    • Definitely not.
      • Nope.

Chapter 3: Civil War I.

• I do like the tension between the North and the South. I just wish we got to see how the North feels about the South.
  • Seriously, though, they made a fucking blockade. How is this not raising huge red flags for Korra?
• Take a shot everytime someone says “spirit,” “spiritual,” “spiritually,” or “energy.”
  • Don’t you will die.
• I AM HERE FOR TENZIN BEING AN ADORABLE FATHER.
  • Okay, now Kya and Bumi are being unnecessarily antagonistic. It’s not like Tenzin ASKED to be Aang’s favorite. Not to mention Aang legit had to revive his entire people. If Tenzin was the youngest, I can see him being terrified about not having airbending children til Tenzin came along.
• I am here for Varrick just existing. He’s breaking all the plates and I love it.
• What spirit attacks? There have been two, and they’ve been contained attacks.
• Oh my god: “Make the Water Tribe Unified Again.” I can’t.
• Me visiting the southern United States (Fuck you Florida): “I hold immense dislike for the south.” Cue the Eska laugh.
• Wait, what? Bolin didn’t propose to Eska, and he didn’t accept any offers. HE’S NOT EVEN A CITIZEN OF THE WATER TRIBES.
• Wow, Mako, thanks for comparing Asami to a leech. No wonder she doesn’t hang out with you guys anymore. I hate Mako again; balance is restored.
• THEY EVEN PUT UNALAQ IN DARKNESS, JUST CASUALLY SITTING CREEPILY AND EVILLY ON THE THRONE. THEY REALLY ARE NOT HIDING HIM BEING EVIL.
• Wait, what? The spirits weren’t attacking during the Hundred Year War though. Actually, wait, that was before the portal was opened. Oh fuck.
• Note how Korra never hugs Unalaq. I think if she were to, he wouldn’t hug back, or would be awkward as fuck.
• I like that even though we love the characters from the original show, none of them were perfect parents - far from it. Believe it or not, they’re FLAWED.
• I like Bumi being jealous of Tenzin and Kya being benders. (Kinda wish there was an Equalist joke or something)
  • Why were they only worried for Bumi AFTER he fell. Couldn’t one of them catch him with their bending?
• Apparently Senna - Korra’s mom - is a really great waterbender… why do we never see her bending? I get if she’s a pacifist, but even pacifists can kick ass to defend themselves or their loved ones.
• I like that they made us think Tonraq was trying to kidnap Unalaq, then hit us with a curve ball.
• Kya’s way more aggressive than Katara was. I kinda like that.
• I remember hating the arguments between Tenzin, Bumi, and Kya, but now I actually find it really interesting. I love their clashing philosophies, and they all have their own perspectives and burdens.
• OH MY GOD KORRA CRYING TO HER PARENTS MY HEART HURTS.
• DAT DRAMATIC ENDING DOUGH.

Chapter 4: Civil War II.

• It took four episodes for Korra to realize Unalaq is evil. Sigh.
• OH MY GOD ASAMI. So she’s only here for business-y stuff, not even hanging out with the rest of the group. It’d be nice if they at least tried to have a conversation about it. Like “Hey, Asami, you wanna take the day off and just relax?”
• “Your powers of deduction are impressive.” “I’M BATMAN.”
• Oh my god Varrick hiding in a platypus bear I am here for this.
  • “INSIDE PING PING.”
  • Also, why 157%?
  • “NO HONEY? WE’RE IN A BEAR FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.”
• Oh my god Ikki chilling with baby sky bisons, this is so adorable. I suddenly hate Ikki less.
  • I still want Meelo to die though.
• Oh my god Bolin is a fucking idiot.
  • Asami’s facepalm is me.
• “Nothing that is… except marriage.” Um, honey, I hate to tell you this, but… that ain’t how it works. Also, WHERE DID SHE GET A SKULL NECKLACE? AND DOESN’T BOLIN HAVE TO CONSENT TO THIS???
• YAY SENNA IS SAFE GOD BLESS.
  • OMFG FUCK YOU HOTAH LEAVE TONRAQ ALONE.
• “You take their lives, and I’ll take yours.” Um… no comment.
• You know, it’d be nice if Korra suspected Unalaq of fuckery before attacking the fucking judge. Here she just seems like a violent idiot.
• Awe, poor Bumi. Kya can be so sweet. YES, HUG.
• “It was all a setup for Unalaq could become chief.” NO SHIT, MAKO, YOU HALF WIT DETECTIVE.
• Okay, yeah, the animation’s been going down in quality since the first episode.
• OH MY GOD PABU DRESSED IN THAT ROBE GIVES ME LIFE.
• “Gather around Ping Ping.”
• OH MY GOD ASAMI FINALLY DID SOMETHING FOR THE TEAM.. Seriously, where has she been?
• “Because you still need me to open the Northern Portal.” “No, I don’t.” BITCH WHY YOU LYIN’.
• Seriously, I’m not really feeling Unalaq as a big bad antagonist. I know he’s not, but we’ve had no reference to Vaatu at all, or a bigger threat Unalaq is working under. If they want us to think Unalaq is the big bad, then they need to make us believe it.
• AWE FAMILY PHOTO.
• Aaaand Eska is terrifying.

Chapter 5: Peacekeepers

• Oh WOW the animation took a nosedive. Republic City looks so… stiff and lifeless, not to mention dreary. Say what you want about the 1920s aesthetic, I loved it and Studio Mir made it look amazing. Studio Pierrot just shat all over it.
• And Lin is conveniently at the docks… cool.
• Wow, Book One really had no influence on Book Two at all.
  • Seriously, did the Equalists just disappear? The fuck?
• Aaand everyone is separated. R.I.P. Team Avatar.
• Wow, Mako, no need to be a fucking dick to Bolin.
• Oh my god Eska is a fucking mess and I love it.
• How did Desna know what Unalaq told Korra? He wasn’t there… oh I give up.
• OH EW NO I FORGOT THE MEELO PLOT THIS EPISODE PLZ GOD NO. SPIRITS SAVE ME.
• I really hope no one was inside that building… 
• Oh my god the bending looks so… loose and noodle-y. What the fuck, Pierrot?
• FIRE DOES NOT SPREAD THAT QUICKLY.
• KORRA WHY ARE YOU TAKING THIS LONG TO TALK WHILE A BUILDING IS LITERALLY BURNING. AND WHERE ARE THE OTHER WATERBENDERS HELPING HER? And you think more people would be screaming and running away.
• I give no fucks for the Bolin plot. WHY IS HE SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN PLOT???
• Varrick contributed to Raiko’s election campaign… GREAT. I CAN’T ESCAPE POLITICAL CORRUPTION EVEN IN MY FICTION.
  • “Him and the other guy. Gotta hedge your bets.” Oh my god I love Varrick.
• I actually get why Raiko wouldn’t want to get involved in the war. The United Republic is filled with people of all nations, and I imagine the country is still somewhat tense after the Equalist movement. A smart move on his part. Too bad he’s shown as un-nuanced and a dick.
  • Seriously, I hate Raiko in Books 3 and 4, but I feel that Raiko is a much different character than Book 2 Raiko.
  • The animation is not helping him look any better… he looks so stiff and derpy.
• Thank you, Mako, for keeping perspective. My god, fuck Korra and Mako’s relationship.
• Can someone explain why Korra can’t just go Avatar State and force the North out? Isn’t she able to do that now? Look at what Aang could do in the Avatar State. We’ve seen Korra be able to use it, so why not use that power and scare off the Northern troops? DID NO ONE CONSIDER THIS?
• ASAMI, YOU STILL EXIST.
• Oh my god the animation is so stiff and bad, Asami can’t even turn her head to examine the room and watch out for an arrow… 
• “If you can’t make money during a war, you just flat out cannot make money.”
• Seriously, this plot has had nothing to do with the spirit world for like three episodes in a row. WHY IS THIS BOOK CALLED SPIRITS???
• I do like the angle of Varrick making propaganda films. It’s kinda cool how they’re working Bolin into this story. It just feels very disjointed from the main plot.
• FUCK THE MEELO PLOT.
• Oh god Lu and Gang… I HAAAATE these guys. There’s not even a reason for them to act like this, they’re just obstructing the plot because fuck you.
• OH GOOD, GENERAL USELESS MCFUCKFACE.
• Aaaand cue the ambiguously gay superhero outfit.
• I wish we got to see the Fire Nation. I REALLY WANNA SEE WHAT IT’S LIKE NOW.
• THEY BROKE UP. PRAISE THE LAWD.
• “What the flameo happened here.”
  • I LOVE Lin’s response. “You should’ve seen Air Temple Island after Tenzin broke up with me.” I WOULD PAY TO SEE THAT.
• How in the fuck did Eska and Desna get here so quickly? They just appeared out of nowhere. And how did they find Korra? HOW? EXPLANATION PLEASE.
  • I will admit this fight is cool though.
• WOW. A DARK SPIRIT. IT’S ALMOST AS IF THIS SEASON WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT THE SPIRITS AND HOW THEY’RE GOING CRAZY.

Chapter 6: The Sting

• OH GREAT. ANOTHER NON-SPIRIT RELATED EPISODE. EXACTLY WHAT WE FUCKING NEEDED.
• HOW ARE ESKA AND DESNA GETTING TO AND FRO SO DAMN QUICKLY? DO THEY HAVE A SKY BISON OR SOME SHIT? IT TOOK AANG A WHOLE SEASON TO GET FROM THE SOUTH TO THE NORTH POLE.
• Actually Korra dying would probably be for the best, since it would mean Unalaq wouldn’t be able to open the other Spirit Portal to free Vaatu.
• Wait, so Korra just left Naga to be turned into a film star… SOMEONE HELP NAGA.
• Is it me, or are they making fun of themselves with how outright evil they made Unalaq?
• ASAMI, YOU’RE HERE AGAIN.
• Ugh more love triangle bullshit. I know Asami is lonely and full of despair but CAN’T THEY JUST BE FRIENDS?
• Fuck Lu and Gang. WHERE THE FUCK DID THEY EVEN COME FROM?
• Seriously, Lin isn’t even believing Mako just for the sake of stretching out the plot. SHE’S SUCH AN IDIOT ALL OF A SUDDEN. SHE’S LITERALLY JUST HERE TO OBSTRUCT THE PLOT.
• I feel so bad for Asami. WHY HAS NO ONE TRIED TO BEFRIEND HER TO MAKE HER FEEL BETTER? IT’S LIKE SHE’S BEEN IGNORED COMPLETELY BY TEAM AVATAR. HELL, SHE’S JUST A PART-TIME MEMBER IF ANYTHING.
• Oh wow, the Triple Threats again. At least they still exist.
• WOO BOAT CHASE. ASAMI IS FINALLY DOING SOMETHING.
• OH EW NO THE LOVE TRIANGLE IS BACK. KILL ME PLEASE.
  • To be fair, Asami didn’t do it out of desperation, and Mako didn’t seem too into it. It’s not like before where Mako was leading both of them on.
• I do like Mako’s little fire knife. Nice touch.
• Good for Mako catching onto Varrick’s scheme. GOOD JOB, MAKO, YOU DID SOMETHING USEFUL FOR ONCE.
• God, Varrick is a really good villain, I gotta admit. He’s so lovable, yet you can really tell he knows what he’s doing and actually comes off as a legit threat. UNLIKE UNALAQ.
• Did Studio Mir animate this last part. It looks… too pretty to be Pierrot.
• AAAAAND AMNESIA PLOT THAT SERVES NO PURPOSE. GREAT.

Chapter 7: Beginnings I.

• STUDIO MIR, SO GOOD TO SEE Y’ALL AGAIN.
• She’s saying “Raava.” Ooh.
• Ooh, I like the use of fire for a more spiritual purpose.
• OH MY GOD THAT CRYSTAL CAVERN LOOKS SO COOL.
• WOW. IT’S ALMOST AS IF WE’RE FINALLY SEEING THE ACTUAL PLOT OF THIS SEASON THAT HAS TO DO WITH SPIRITS. IT TOOK SEVEN FUCKING EPISODES MY GOD.
• OH MY GOD AANG AND ROKU AND KYOSHI AND KURUK OH MY GOD.
• Nice transition into the story of the first Avatar.
• I love the different art style they used for the flashback. I can’t remember what the technique was called though. Thank god Studio Mir did this and not Pierrot.
• So Yao was “corrupted”’ by spirits… ooh, that’s interesting. 
• Wow, it’s almost as if the writers discovered the magic of pacing in this two-parter. WHERE WAS THIS IN THE LAST SIX EPISODES???
• Nice reveal of the Lion Turtle acting as the bedrock for the human city. Also, THE FIRE LOOKS SO COOL HERE.
• A lot of people said the Lion Turtles giving humanity bending contradicts the original. I disagree. The Lion Turtles might’ve given people bending, but those people only learned how to wield it properly from the original sources (The moon, dragons, badgermoles, and sky bisons.). We even see that Wan learned how to properly wield firebending from a dragon, and was then able to overpower firebending humans who didn’t.
• OH MY GOD THE AYE AYE SPIRIT. I wish he had a name, but SINCE HE DOESN’T I SHALL CALL HIM AYE AYE. I LOVE HIM.
• I love all the spirit designs. It gives me Studio Ghibli vibes.
• Oh my god I love Wan.
• “GOOD LUCK.” THAT SPIRIT IS SO CUTE OH MY GOD.
• OH MY GOD MULA. HI, MULA.
• I like that Wan saved Mula to prove himself to the spirits. Also, nice touch with Wan using the environment to his advantage.
• “I’ve never had a human as a pet before. I’ll call you Stinky.” OH MY GOD THIS IS SO CUTE. I wish Korra ran into this spirit at some point for nostalgia factor.
• I love Wan with long hair, my god.
• Have Raava and Vaatu just been battling like this for… ever?

Chapter 8: Beginnings II.

• OH MY GOD PAST AIRBENDERS. SO COOL.
• So the Lion Turtles change their location based on their element… THAT’S SO FUCKING COOL.
• So the past Air Nomads lived with the spirits, unlike the others. It actually makes perfect sense regarding their culture.
• Wow… Vaatu sure knows how to make an entrance, for an evil kite.
• GOD, the pacing in these episodes is amazing. It’s such a better story than Korra’s at this point. Still, SOME MENTION OF A GREAT SPIRIT OF DARKNESS WOULD’VE BEEN NICE TO GIVE UNALAQ MORE OF A REASON TO BE OUR VILLAIN UP TO THIS POINT.
• And cue destructive humans. Great. If only they would fucking listen to Wan.
• OH MY GOD CUE THE AVATAR STATE THIS IS SO COOL.
• And they’re all dead… holy fuck, that gave me legitimate chills.
• Wait, why did Vaatu break through the divide between the human and spirit worlds? I get he’s all about chaos, but… why? Actually, maybe he just enjoys seeing shit get destroyed for funzies.
  • Maybe Unalaq is that desperate for the spirits to return. A PROPER MOTIVATION FOR IT WOULD BE NICE, SHOW.
• OH MY GOD THE FIRST TRUE AVATAR STATE. YES. I’m so pissed this soundtrack didn’t get released JUST BECAUSE OF THIS FUCKING TRACK.
• Oh my god they legit showed Wan’s death… kill me.
• I like to think Raava hasn’t spoken with any Avatars since Wan died because having to tie all those past lives together strained her power. Not to mention, no one knew of Vaatu or Raava in the present, so maybe they slipped into long-forgotten legends, and since the Avatar forgot them as well, most never connected with Raava like Wan did.
• OH WOW, IT’S LIKE THERE’S FINALLY A MAJOR PLOT WITH A GENUINE BIG BAD AND A RELATION TO THE TITLE “SPIRITS” OF THIS SEASON WOW. IT TOOK EIGHT FUCKING EPISODES.

Chapter 9: The Guide

• OH GREAT. PIERROT IS BACK. KILL ME.
• So Jinora can see spirits when others can’t? Wait, I thought humans COULD see spirits? Or is it only when they’re dark spirits that they can be seen? I’m getting Berseria / Zestiria vibes.
  • Okay so “Beginnings” was Berseria, while the rest of Book 2 is Zestiria… everything makes perfect sense now.
• THE EASTERN AIR TEMPLE. YAY.
  • Thank god Korra knew Tenzin well enough to find them.
• “I knew this would happen.” BULLSHIT.
• I mean we COULD just have Korra go all Avatar State and fuck some shit up, but I guess that’s out?
• Oh my god Korra looks cross-eyed with this fucking animation.
• Did Unalaq seriously think he could open the portal himself? To be fair, he’s desperate, and we need to show him being active in freeing Vaatu and give Eska and Desna a reason to be weary of helping their father.
  • Also, how did Eska and Desna not notice the giant spirit of evil and darkness between of the portals?
• Why did no one help Bolin down…?
• GREAT MORE LOVE TRIANGLE BULLSHIT. UGH.
• Why are Asami and Bolin not believing Mako? Asami, girl, I know you’re desperate to stay in business, but you’re a businesswoman. You should be able to tell when you’re being used. MAKO HAS ALL THE PROOF. NO ONE IS BELIEVING HIM FOR THE SAKE OF PLOT CONVENIENCE.
• Awe, Korra being nice to Meelo. TOO BAD MEELO IS A DEMON.
• I love that Tenzin has like zero spiritual abilities.
• “I’ve not been into the spirit world.” Oh my god everyone leaning in gives me life.
• I like that Kya is the one who noticed Jinora’s spiritual abilities. Shows how close they are.
• SERIOUSLY, IT BOTHERS ME THAT TEAM AVATAR ISN’T DEALING WITH UNALAQ ALTOGETHER. WHY EVEN CALL IT A TEAM?
• So spirits are visible to select people, but they CAN be visible to all humans if they wish. That’d be much more convenient in Zestiria.
• “If we need to go to the Tenzin World, we’ll call you.” I’m here for it. Also, BUM-JU.
• So you can bend in the spirit world if you use the portal. I guess your physical body is an anchor, whereas if you go there with just your spirit, you can’t bend, and it’s easier to get tossed around everywhere.
• YAY CHARACTER DEPTH FOR ESKA AND DESNA.
• Welp, I’ll give Varrick this: he knows how to set the atmosphere.
  • To be fair… Unalaq needs to be stopped. So… Varrick is a good guy after all?
• Oh my god the animation is so fucking stiff. Kya isn’t even changing where her eyes are going during the conversation.
• Seriously, we keep hearing about dark spirit attacks, but we’ve only had a handful, and they seem relatively minor.
• THANK GOD TENZIN IS FINALLY BACK IN THE MAIN PLOT.
• Honestly, I don’t mind Mako and Asami’s relationship… you know, when Asami isn’t liking him out of desperation and when Mako isn’t being a manipulative, two-timing asshat.
• SERIOUSLY? LIN, STOP BEING A DUMBASS AND OBSTRUCTING THE PLOT.
• Oh how I wish Asami actually did some useful for some kinda plot and helped Bolin stop Varrick. Fuck my life. LET HER DO SOMETHING PLEASE. OH HOW THIS PLOT KILLS ME.
• God I love Tenzin’s character. He’s so interesting and flawed.
• You know what’d be cool? If Eska and Desna showed up after tracking Korra down to try and kidnap her. Give them, along with Kya, Tenzin, and Bumi, something to do.
• You know, Hundun would actually be a really great part of this plot.
• THANK GOD STUDIO MIR DID THIS LAST BIT OF THE SPIRIT WORLD. IT’S GORGEOUS.
• Aaaand the tension for the next episode is immediate. YES. FINALLY.

Chapter 10: A New Spiritual Age

• FROM HERE ON IT’S STUDIO MIR. GOD BLESS.
• God the spirit world looks amazing.
• Oh my god “Clod.” I’m getting Peridot vibes.
• So I’m guessing without their bodies, they aren’t anchored in the spirit world, meaning they can be thrown pretty much anywhere.
• Oh my god the dark part of the spirit world is so creepy. Nice transition into baby Korra. Also, BABY KORRA OH MY GOD SO CUTE.
• OH MY GOD THE SPIRIT LIBRARY YAAASSSSS.
• GASP IROH OH MY GOD IROH.
• Oh look, it’s dead Professor Zei.
• “Tiny men in boxes.” Oh my god.
  • I wonder if Unalaq was convinced to free Vaatu by Wan Shi Tong. That’d be a cool backstory.
• “If you look for the light, you can often find it. But if you look for the dark, that is all you will ever see.”
• Nice explanation for Harmonic Convergence.
• Actually, if the Tree of Time’s roots bind the spirit and physical worlds together, couldn’t Vaatu’s dark energy affect the human world then? Maybe it indirectly led to the Hundred Year War.
• So Unalaq wants Vaatu’s power to destroy the human world and reclaim it for the spirits? Okay then, I guess that works?
• Korra, you should’ve just ignored Vaatu and closed the damn portal. Though I love how Vaatu refuses to acknowledge Korra and only refers to the Avatar as Raava.
• My god that ending shot with Korra was amazing.

Chapter 11: Night of a Thousand Stars

• OH GREAT. ANOTHER NON-SPIRIT EPISODE. KILL ME.
• I cannot believe Mako and no one else will believe Mako. What the fuck even?
• ASAMI AND BOLIN’S CONVERSATIONS HIGHLIGHTS THE REAL PROBLEM WITH THIS SEASON: TEAM AVATAR HASN’T BEEN TOGETHER AT ALL.
• That said, Asami’s dress is fabulous.
• WHY ISN’T ASAMI HELPING BOLIN STOP VARRICK’S PLAN? YO, BOLIN, GET ASAMI TO HELP YOU OUT. AT THAT RATE, WHY NOT LIN TO MAKE UP FOR NOT BELIEVING MAKO? UGH.
• LIN SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU WOULDN’T LISTEN TO MAKO AT ALL YOU DON’T GET TO TURN AROUND AND ACT LIKE YOU RESPECT HIM.
• I love how Korra’s acting like we all know what Harmonic Convergence even is.
• OH GREAT MORE LOVE TRIANGLE BULLSHIT. KILL ME. Poor Asami, my god. THERE’S NOT EVEN A RESOLUTION TO THIS. NO MAKO APOLOGIZING TO ASAMI AND NO ONE CLEARING THINGS UP. WHAT THE FUCK GUYS? STOP HURTING ASAMI FOR FUN.
• Oh my god Varrick’s prison cell gives me life.
• Nice fight between Unalaq and Tonraq. Though I must say Unalaq is way over the top evil here. Like it’s hilarious.

Chapter 12: Harmonic Convergence

• PLEASE STOP ACKNOWLEDGING HOW STUPID THE LOVE TRIANGLE IS WHILE DRAGGING OUT THE LOVE TRIANGLE. I SWEAR THE WRITERS ARE TRYING TO TORTURE US.
• I like that they raised the stakes right out of the gate. The situation is tense as hell. Thank god Team Avatar is all together now though.
• If only we had Katara in her prime. She’d break Unalaq like a twig.
• Okay but I love Asami’s winter coat.
• They’re not doing a great job with Unalaq’s motivations. At all.
• BUMI NO.
• WHERE WAS THIS TENSION IN THE LAST ELEVEN EPISODES???
• Seriously, what’s stopping Korra from going Avatar State and wrecking this place?
• Thank god we let Bumi save the day. He needed this.
• YOUR FATHER IS TRYING TO FREE THE SPIRIT OF CHAOS, DESTRUCTION, AND DARKNESS, WHAT ABOUT THAT SOUNDS GOOD TO YOU, ESKA AND DESNA. YOUR FATHER LEFT YOU TO DIE, DESNA.
• Okay, I get Asami taking Tonraq back to Katara, but WHY CAN’T SHE JOIN IN THE FIGHT? SOKKA WAS ALWAYS IN THE FIGHT DESPITE HIM BEING A NONBENDER.
  • How does Asami not have a huge arsenal at her disposal, like Batman? Taser in her glove and possible grappling hook (Cue Mabel screaming); skates in her boots to deal with waterbenders using ice; grenades and smoke bombs; maybe even a longbow. GIVE HER ALL THE THINGS AND LET HER HELP.
• Oh wow Team Avatar fighting together, it’s almost as if we never see that in this show.
• I love how they show Harmonic Convergence happening. Also that ending with Vaatu being freed: perfect segway into the last two episodes.
  • Could Vaatu be freed if only one portal was opened? We could’ve just left it alone til after Harmonic Convergence.

Chapter 13: Darkness Falls

• WHY DID IT TAKE KORRA THIS LONG TO USE HER POWERS LIKE THIS? SHE COULD’VE CRUSHED UNALAQ’S ARMY LIKE THEY WERE BUGS IF SHE DID THIS BEFORE.
  • I will say this fight is awesome, though.
• And Mako and Bolin are… actually holding up a decent fight. Huh. They’re actually being useful. NOW WHY ISN’T ASAMI IN THIS FIGHT?
• “That’s not the same mushroom.” “Yes I am.”
  • “Mushroom, is that you?” “Nope, wasn’t me.”
• IROH AGAIN. BLESS.
• I like that we didn’t wait til the very end of the episode for Vaatu and Unalaq to fuse.
  • Cue the kite fetish jokes.
• AAAAAND Mako and Bolin are useless. Seriously, Eska, Desna, GOD OF DARKNESS, DOES THAT NOT SOUND BAD TO Y’ALL?
• Ooh, I love the Fog of Lost Souls. Such a cool idea.
• OH MY GOD ZHAO OH MY GOD.
• HOLY SHIT AVATAR FIGHT I AM HERE FOR THIS.
• I like that Tenzin had to accept he’s not meant to be his father. God I love his character.
• Awe, that Bolin and Eska moment was real cute. My heart. But seriously, Eska and Desna should’ve had a moment to realize their father is in fact off his damn rocker.
• “They will certainly perish.” Yeah… they can’t really do much in an Avatar fight.
• OH MY GOD NO ALL THE PAST LIVES MY HEART NO.
• Awesome cliffhanger for next episode though. AND CUE THE GIANT EVIL ANIME DEMON..

Chapter 14: Light in the Dark

• Okay, I get Unalaq targeting Republic City first since it’s the pinnacle of modern human society, and it’s been our main hub, but some recognition of Unalaq about that would’ve helped this make more sense. Instead it comes off as plot convenience.
• AND GENERAL USELESS MCFUCKFACE IS USELESS. WHAT A TWIST.
• HOW DARE YOU ATTACK THE AANG STATUE, YOU BITCH. Also, nice transition to Korra with the statue.
• Nice way of making Korra feel weak by taking away Raava and her past lives. I love that.
• “These are all my memories.” Yes, all twelve of them. This feels more like a series finale than a season finale. It’d probably mean more if the journey here didn’t suck.
• NICE CALLBACK TO AANG TRYING TO ACCESS THE AVATAR STATE.
• This is officially anime.
  • “Uh… what did you say to her exactly?” Insert anime quote here.
• Is this Pacific Rim? Attack on Titan? What’s going on?
• I like that we’re leaving the portals open, and that Korra has lost the connection to the past Avatars. Really nice to have consequences in this show, especially with how we hit the reset button at the end of Book 1.
• “I am so done with spirits.” You and the rest of the fandom.
• “BE CAREFUL SWEETY.” I love Pema.
• JINORA IS JESUS.
• OH LOOK, IT’S ASAMI. TOO BAD SHE WASN’T INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT.
• Where the fuck was Unalaq’s wife? I think her name is Malina. Too bad he ditched her for a Satanic kite…
• “You will always hold a special place in the organ that pumps my blood.” THIS IS THE BEST LOVE STORY IN THE SHOW THUS FAR.
• THE END OF THE LOVE TRIANGLE. GOD FUCKING BLESS.
  • I like that we had Korra and Mako break up and admit their relationship was toxic. Still, MAKO COULDN’T APOLOGIZE TO ASAMI? THE FUCK?
• I love Korra’s speech here. “We are entering a new age.”
  • Still feels like a series finale, not a season finale. I mean, I know it was meant to be, since this was produced before Books 3 and 4 were ordered (Thank god they were ordered together.).

Overall

• This season was ordered out of the blue (Before Books 3 and 4 were even a thought), meaning Bryke had to get all the writers together, and get a story together from nothing. This is why it took so long to get Book 2 out after Book 1.
  • Studio Mir was exhausted after Book 1, so Studio Pierrot took over. However, Mir was horrified at the poor quality of Pierrot’s animation, and was worried it would ruin Mir’s reputation. So Pierrot did half of Book 2 (Episodes 1-6 and 9), and Mir did the other half (“Beginnings” - 7 & 8 - and episodes 10 - 14).
• My god, this season was rough to get through til the very end. Unalaq does not make for an interesting character nor a compelling antagonist. He’s not even in the show all that much after Chapter 4. Hell, THE SPIRITS DON’T EVEN PLAY THAT LARGE A ROLE IN THE SHOW TIL CHAPTER 7.
• Fuck the love triangle here. It’s just a fucking mess.