Legend of Korra Book 1 Review Notes

Chapter 1: Welcome to Republic City

• Loved the intro. Great homage to the old opening while introducing us to the new time and a new nation.
• “I’m the Avatar, you’ve gotta deal with it!”
  • Oh god… so much to say…
• Korra rocks at firebending… can someone explain why she doesn’t suck at water, though? (Elaborate on Mysterious Mr Enter’s idea from his Book 1 Review.)
• OLD KATARA.
• Can we have an example of how she sucks at the spiritual side of bending? No? Okay.
• Korra really is Aang’s opposite. She really wants to be the Avatar. Then again, it’s probably because she’s grown up in a time of peace (Thank you, Aang.).
• I want a Naga.
• So Korra grew up in a White Lotus compound… god that sucks.
• I HATE IKKI AND MEELO. MY GOD, I WANT THEM TO DIE. I love Jinora, though. Poor Tenzin and Pema.
  • SHE INTERRUPTED KATARA TALKING ABOUT ZUKO’S MOM. I KNOW IT’S IN THE COMICS BUT FUCK YOU IKKI.
• “I see another airbender in your future.” Yet we never care about Rohan after he’s born… great.
  • Also the look on Pema’s face gives me life.
• Wait, Tenzin came to tell Korra that they’re not gonna stay… why? Why didn’t he just send a letter? Wow, imagine going all the way to Republic City and building tension to meet the son of Avatar Aang.
• KORRA ON THE CLIFF. FORESHADOWING.
• Katara knows what’s up. I love her.
• Also, LOVING THE MUSIC. It’s criminal that Books 2 - 4 didn’t have proper soundtrack releases like this one.
• Okay, I love Korra’s parents, but they really didn’t do them justice here. At all.
• Korra’s happy face on the ship scared me.
• I know a lot of people hate the 1920s aesthetic, but I LOOOOOOOVE it.
• I love Gommu (the homeless man)
• Okay, I like that they tried to show the Equalist movement on the streets, but they’re not showing us any examples of the discrimination. Perhaps jobs that are preferred for benders? Nonbenders being specifically targeted by crime and corrupt law enforcement officials? Nonbending districts?
  • I think the biggest problem is that we’re treating it like a joke instead of a legit movement. The movement doesn’t have a real presence that Korra is becoming aware of.
• Ah, see, the elements working together to commit crimes.
• Really, Korra? “Hoodlum” is the word you choose? Way too proper a word for a character like Korra.
• To be fair, I like Korra getting ready to kick Triple Threat ass.
• Okay, Korra, you didn’t need to break a shop window.
• Okay, I love the idea of metalbending police, and the uniforms are cool, but… other metalbenders could easily manipulate their uniforms, not to mention firebenders could melt the metal into the officers’ skin.
• Korra, I don’t think resisting arrest is gonna help you all that much.
• STATUE OF TOPH, OH MY GOD.
• LIN BEIFONG. I LOVE LIN.
• I will admit, I love the metal rooms… pray a metalbender doesn’t end up in here, though.
• I do love the glances between Korra and Lin.
• The way Tenzin says “White Lotus,” oh my god. It’s like Stewie from Family Guy saying “Cool whip” and exaggerating the “H.”
• Okay, Korra, care to explain how the city is “out of whack” (Or “out of wHack.”)? Maybe noting the Equalist movement? Or the threat of the Triple Threats? Any of it? Nah? Okay.
• “Is this your polar bear dog, miss?” God bless.
• Okay, I kinda like that the kids are the ones who turned Tenzin around, but… it feels weird. Like way too easy for this to change Tenzin’s mind. How in the hell does this change Tenzin’s mind? Shouldn’t Korra making a solid argument be the thing to change his mind? Not the kids? Oh whatever.
• Korra’s surprisingly pretty good at public speaking… huh.
• Okay, I love showing Amon as the big bad at the very end… still wish the Equalist rally stuck with Korra more. Maybe the police disbanding it and Korra going “What the fuck, guys?”

Chapter 2: A Leaf in the Wind

• I like the attempt to turn bending into a sport for the modern era, but… we heard no mention of it at all last episode. Also, what the fuck are the rules of probending? It doesn’t seem to have any rules. At all.
• “We’re just a short ferry ride away from the arena. Which has always been there.” (Cue Camp Camp “The fireplace that’s always been there.”)
• I like that we’re trying to integrate more of the Avatar’s personality into what they have trouble bending rather than what element they were born into. Problem is then, is it the jings that mess her up, or is it just the philosophical implications?
  • Water is shifting between positive and negative jing.
  • Air is negative jing.
  • Korra seems to excel at positive jing, or attacking. I don’t think she’d be very keen on negative jing, or retreating. So maybe she sucks at both air and water? Maybe she eventually learned waterbending, but hasn’t mastered it cuz she only uses it offensively? That’d be cool to see.
• I still despise Ikki and Meelo. My god. I want them to die. STILL LOVE JINORA THOUGH.
• I do like the animation of the leaf floating through the gates, and the explanation of airbending’s inner workings.
• Seriously, WHERE ARE THE EQUALISTS? NOT EVEN A LITTLE PRESENCE? GUYS, THEY’RE THE BIG BADS, GIVE THEM A PRESENCE.
• THE POWER OF RADIO.
• For an airbender, Tenzin sure has a lot of anger. He gets frustrated so easily.
• OH GOD EW WHY THE GROSSOUT HUMOR? FUCK OFF MEELO.
• Can we talk about how Korra was able to get to the arena with her waterbending. DAMN, THAT IS IMPRESSIVE. And this is why I wanna be a waterbender.
• But seriously, doesn’t all the noise from the arena bother the monks on Air Temple Island? At all? They’re literally right next to each other.
• BOLIN TO THE RESCUE. I love the little banter between him and Korra.
• Mako being a dick. Ugh. THERE’S NOT EVEN A REASON FOR HIM TO BE A DICK.
  • But seriously, why are these guys in the plot? They have no influence on the main plot in any way. Katara, Sokka, Toph, etc. all made sense to be in the main journey, but these two… god, they’re irrelevant.
• Someone explain why Hasook is even more of a dick than Mako?
• MAKO, WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU? SHE WAS CONGRATULATING YOU. HOW IN THE FUCK DO PEOPLE FALL FOR FUCKS LIKE HIM?
• I do like Korra being lowkey about her being the Avatar.
  • Bolin’s reaction gives me life.
  • “You’re the Avatar, and I’m an idiot.” “Both are true.” “PREACH IT, SISTA.”
• I like Bolin pointing out that you need to keep moving in a real fight.
• Nice hint of Bolin and Mako being orphans with them living in the arena.
• Also, nice transition back to airbending training.
• OKAY, KORRA, YOU DIDN’T NEED TO BURN ALL THE RELICS.
• I do like that we’re showing that sometimes teachers are wrong, and they don’t know how to properly help their students learn.
• “You must promise me your teenage years won’t be like this.” “I will make no such promises.” JINORA IS BEST GIRL.
• WHERE THE FUCK IS THIS PROBENDING RULEBOOK? LEMME SEE IT.
• Mako, what the fuck is up with you? Let the girl try to help you. Seriously, do we ever learn what is Mako’s attitude problem?
• I think the biggest problem so far is that Korra has no real threat she has to face as the Avatar. There’s the Equalist movement, but that had virtually no presence last episode and has legitimately no presence this episode. Aang has the Hundred Year War to fight against everywhere he went, but Korra… doesn’t really have anything.
• “Korra, what can I say?” HOW ABOUT SORRY, DICKHEAD?
• OH EW NO FUCK THIS ROMANCE NO NO NO NO NO NO.
  • Aang and Katara were cute because there was little to no petty drama for no reason, it was integrated well into the main plot, and it served both their character’s really well. MAKO AND KORRA’S “ROMANCE” DOES NONE OF THAT.

Chapter 3: The Revelation

• “The morning is evil.” Same.
• YES. HURT MAKO. HURT HIM GOOD.
• Butakah runs probending? Why do we only see him this one time, then? God, this feels like Zestiria where we meet a villain we think will be important, then only encounter them like twice and then never again.
• Wait, what? You have to PAY to enter the championship? THE FUCK IS THIS BULLSHIT? IS THIS HOW LEGIT SPORTS WORK? REALLY, I WANNA KNOW, I KNOW LIKE NOTHING ABOUT REAL WORLD SPORTS.
• Okay, I like now we’re getting a reason why Mako is so bitter towards Korra. She grew up in privilege, and he struggled his whole life. WHERE WAS THIS LAST EPISODE?
• I ADORE PABU.
• OH MY GOD A STATUE OF ZUKO YEESSSSSSS.
• Poor Bolin… he needs a hug. At least he’s trying. Also, PABU HAS SO MUCH TALENT.
• Oh my god, Bolin, why would you run with the Triple Threats knowing full well how nasty they are? At least a little hesitation would’ve been nice.
• Okay, we’ve officially killed lightningbending. Like I get it being used for the power plant, but there have to be easier ways then this. And if this many people can lightningbend, HOW IN THE FUCK ARE THERE NOT MORE MURDERS?
• Wow, Korra’s made progress through the gates. Nice.
• Wait, when did we hint Korra liking Mako? They HATED each other last episode.
  • I will admit, though, this is me when people start talking about romance around me.
• I do really like the lighting they use for the night scenes.
• Wait, how does Skoochy know what Bolin was doing? Maybe if Skoochy showed up earlier, or saw the deal, I’d be fine with it.
• The gangs are up to something… OOH, I wonder if this will go anywhere (The answer is not - of course it won’t.).
• I do love the friendship between Naga and Pabu.
• So were the gangs getting ready for an Equalist attack? Or maybe the Equalists were trying to stop them before they wrecked a nonbending district? THAT’D BE A COOL PLOT POINT. TOO BAD IT’S NOT IN THE SHOW.
• I will admit, I do like the modern technology mixed with the bending fights. I’m a sucker for mixing fantasy and contemporary elements.
• I do like that the Equalists use chi blocking. Great way to bring it back while also making the Equalists a bigger threat.
• YAY FOR THE ANIMALS SAVING THE DAY.
  • Pabu’s screech was adorable.
• I do like Korra’s deductions on how to find Bolin. That scene wasn’t pointless, but it could’ve been a lot better.
• I feel like Mako’s backstory could be better if it wasn’t how we were introduced to him. He hasn’t had much character up to this point, and that whole “Parents killed by a firebender” thing is just… so trite.
  • Actually, maybe it could fuel Mako’s perspective on the Equalist movement. Be like “Nonbenders aren’t the only ones who suffer these kinds of things.”
  • Mama Mako is best Mako. MORE MAMA MAKO PLEASE, I LIKE HIM BETTER THAN DICKHEAD MAKO.
• Ugh, more romance shit. Greeeaaaaat.
• Oh great, that same Equalist activist made into a joke. Great.
  • Actually… why isn’t there a political party of nonbenders that have their name tarnished by the radical Equalists?
• YAY, VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION. TOTALLY NOT PROVING THE RADICAL EQUALISTS RIGHT.
• Okay, I actually really like how the Equalists hid their Revelation event. Just make sure everyone attending has all four posters and you’re good.
• Oh great, the Equalists are basically a cult. EVERY. FUCKING. STORY. I. WATCH.
• Seriously, that point I made before on a potential attack on a nonbending district would’ve been great for Amon’s speech.
• AND CUE AMON’S TRITE SPEECH. Two trite backstories in one. Again, could’ve been great if Mako whispered to himself “Like you’re the only one.”
  • Also, YAY, FIREBENDER STEREOTYPES. That’d be cool to see, actually. People still afraid of firebenders following the Hundred Year War.
  • Amon should totally have referred to Firelords Sozin, Azulon, and Ozai in his speech. Great throwback to the original while adding points to his speech.
• So Amon can see spirits? That’d actually be a cool way to tie Amon and Unalaq’s plots together… oh well. FLIP THE SCRIPT.
• The fear in Korra’s eyes, I LOVE IT.
  • Though with her struggling to master waterbending, and putting so much stock into it for her identity, it’d prob hit her a lot harder.
• Lightning Bolt Zolt… if only we’d given him time to shine before his reveal here.
  • “OH, BOO YOURSELF.” Are we in New York? As a New Yorker, I can vouch we are exactly like that.
• So Amon took down a huge criminal. Okay, graying the lines between good and evil. I like that at least.
  • BUT HOW DID THAT LIGHTNING NOT HIT ANYONE IN THE CROWD?
  • But holy shit, what a reveal for Amon’s ability to take away bending. Damn, that was good.
• I feel it’d be cooler if Korra and Mako met trying to save Bolin, and that’s how they befriend each other in probending. Plus it’d mean Korra painting a target on her back and showing the Equalists as the big bads earlier.
• DAMN, Korra didn’t even need bending to take this guy down.
• This seems weird… Korra sucks at airbending, yet can bend steam. Isn’t steam supposed to be the in-between for water and air? Maybe show Korra sucking at trying to bend it, and super stressed to overcome her struggle to save her friend?
• Awe, Mama Mako IS best Mako.
• OH NO. THE NAMELESS LIEUTENANT.
  • Seriously, though, how’re his attacks not lethal? Maybe they’re just glorified tasers?
  • Mako, you’re a lightningbender. Redirect the lightning.
  • I do love Korra’s entrance, though. WOO, YOU GO GIRL.
• Amon using Korra as a way to make himself a bigger threat to the city. Ooh, I kinda like that.
• I do like this ending to show Amon as the big bad of the season, and it ties into that whole energybending thing from the first show’s finale. Very interesting.

Chapter 4: The Voice in the Night

• Right outta the gate, this episode is making my hair stand on end. I LOVE IT. Where was this threat earlier?
• Nice way of showing this is a dream with the blurs, and how nothing is catching on fire.
• Oh yay, Tarrlok. Great.
  • Also, WHY DO NONE OF THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE NAMES OR PERSONALITIES OF THEIR OWN? WHAT THE FUCK?
  • “This is just another one of your ploys to gain more power, isn’t it?” YEAH, SURE, LET’S TELL THE BAD GUY WE’RE ONTO THEIR SCHEME ALOUD. I’M SURE IT WON’T BITE US IN THE ASS DOWN THE ROAD.
• Okay, I do like that we’re getting a little history with Yakone posing a huge threat. Thing is, I know it’s meant to set up a flashback, but this is the only time Yakone is even mentioned, I’m pretty sure.
• I do like that Tarrlok is playing on people’s fears to gain more power. I just wish we showed the other council members having their own opinions and experiences on the matter instead of blindly going along with Tarrlok. If they’re gonna be idiots, at least have Tenzin point that out, and show how fearful they are.
  • AT LEAST GIVE THEM NAMES.
• Korra can’t even relax without Amon forcing himself onto the radio. God, the tension is so good right outta the gate.
• ASAMI. I LOVE YOU, ASAMI.
  • I still love that her introduction was hitting Mako with a moped. NO WONDER, SHE’S MY FAVORITE. She’s the real hero.
• I hate how people call Asami this pampered rich bitch. She’s so much more than that. GUYS, SHE OFFERED MAKO DINNER AND APOLOGIZED PROFUSELY. She’s like Volumes 4 and 5 Weiss.
• You know what’d be cool? If Asami was a member of a political Equalist Party, fighting discrimination against nonbenders, showing there’s indeed a problem nonbenders are forced to face that Amon’s faction is radicalized from.
• OH EW NO, FUCK THIS LOVE TRIANGLE. ASAMI COULD'VE BEEN SO MUCH MORE.
• EW, TARRLOK, YOU DON’T EVEN GO HERE.
• Okay, I do like Ikki this once just because she’s lowkey roasting Tarrlok.
• I can see a little crossover between Korra and Tarrlok’s philosophies of taking issues head-on, inadvertently making them worse. That’d be interesting to see Korra struggle with.
• Also, nice showing how Tarrlok fluffs up people’s egos to try and manipulate them. Also, nice how Korra is too afraid to join the task force. But THANK YOU TENZIN, DEFENDING HER CHOICE.
• Seriously, does Korra not send her parents letters or anything?
• Mako is me trying to fancy when you just can’t. I will admit, he looks damn fine. Too bad his personality is shit.
  • “The scarf stays.”
• ASAMI IS TRYING TO HELP MAKO COMPETE. I LOVE HER SO MUCH.
  • “That’s not fair.” See? Asami values fairness and a level playing field? Wouldn’t this be a great way to show the real problems nonbenders face while giving Asami much more depth as a character?
  • MY GOD, SHE DIDN’T EVEN BRING UP HER WEALTH OR STATUS TIL IT WAS REVEALED BY SOMEONE ELSE. SHE HATES BRAGGING. SHE’S SO DOWN TO EARTH I LOVE HER.
• OH MY GOD NAGA IS SO PRECIOUS OH MY GOD.
• Bolin praising Korra while inadvertently triggering her… now THIS is great writing.
• Wait, Bolin doesn’t know Tarrlok is on the Council? HOW? SHOULDN’T EVERYONE KNOW WHO THIS GUY IS? HE RUNS THE CITY. MAYBE USE THIS TO BUILD UP TARRLOK’S AUTHORITY AND POWER.
• HALT, HALT… APPRECIATION FOR ASAMI’S FASHION SENSE BEING ON-POINT. OKAY… OKAY… OKAY WE’RE GOOD.
• A nonbender who became a wealthy businessman. So sad HE’S CLEARLY A VILLAIN. Though I love the parallel between Hiroshi and Mako’s backgrounds. WHY ARE WE NOT USING THIS FOR THE WHOLE NONBENDER DISCRIMINATION ISSUE?
• “The Sato mobile…” “The CGI technology isn’t really all there yet, but WE’RE TRYING.”
• This is actually pretty genius to get the Fire Ferrets into the championship while making people believe Hiroshi would never associate himself with Amon’s Equalists.
  • Though on the note of Asami being a member of the Equalist Party, maybe her father is too, and it makes people suspicious? OOH, MAYBE THAT’S WHY ASAMI’S MOTHER COULD'VE BEEN KILLED instead of another trite backstory. It could be the thing that radicalized Hiroshi and nearly radicalized Asami.
• I like Tenzin trying to talk to Korra about her anxieties. I really like their dynamic, and how the show portrays both of them as flawed.
• Tarrlok stepped up his game to corner Korra and pressure her into joining the task force… GENIUS. Evil genius, but GENIUS. And Lin inadvertently adds to that pressure saying Korra doesn’t deserve this honor.
  • Also, I LOOOOVE KORRA’S DRESS. Actually everyone looks on-point.
  • Tenzin is every parent taking their small, crazy child to an adult party… sigh. And this is why I’m never having kids.
• Nice way to have Korra meet Asami. I’M SO DREADING THIS LOVE TRIANGLE.
  • Asami is so nice to Korra, oh my god. Also, I LOOOOVE HER DRESS OH MY GOD.
  • Still pissed knowing Asami is gonna be a part-time member of Team Avatar. Sokka was a nonbender but was still a core member of the team. IMAGINE ALL THE GADGETS ASAMI COULD HAVE AT HER DISPOSAL.
• The tension in the crowd interrogating Korra at the gala is so well built, my god.
  • “How do you think Avatar Aang would have handled this?” God, that has to hurt.
• You know what would be cool? If we showed Tarrlok specifically targeting nonbending districts or neighborhoods. Maybe at one point have them arrest people who clearly aren’t Equalists, and make Korra go “What the fuck?”
• God even the poster is triggering for her… SUCH A GOOD EPISODE FOR TENSION.
• Tarrlok doesn’t even ask Korra if she’s okay… what a fucking piece of shit.
• Korra, you know better than to challenge a guy this threatening? Still, I get why. So much pressure has been put on her. LOOK AT TARRLOK’S FUCKING SMIRK.
• “I’m really glad I hit you with my moped.” SAME HERE, IF ONLY HE STAYED DOWN.
• AND CUE ASAMI’S TRITE BACKSTORY. Oh my god, we’ve had like three in a row.
• “I lost my mother when I was very young.” YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THIS DAMN SHOW. I still love her.
• Ugh, fuck this love triangle.
• I love that this episode has gradually gotten darker and darker. Fits the tone so well, along with that fog.
• But seriously, Mako and Bolin have nothing to do with the plot here. They’re not even talking to Korra about how stupid her challenge is, or visibly worried about her. What the hell, guys? Your friend could be murdered.
• Okay, I will admit, that little moment of the Equalists attacking from the shadows was A DAMN GOOD OH SHIT MOMENT. I especially love that it was in total darkness and they used the fire to barely give us any lighting to add to the tension.
• AMON BE LURKIN’.
• He spared Korra… god, how terrifying is this? But Amon has a very good point that the world would lose its shit if the Avatar lost their bending to this guy.
• FLASHBACKS TO YAKONE’S TRIAL. FORESHADOWING. I specifically like that Korra called Tenzin Aang for a second when she first awakened.
• Korra letting herself cry… oh my god.
• This episode was probably the strongest of the season so far.
• “Tenzin, I don’t know what to do.” You and the writers both.

Chapter 5: The Spirit of Competition

• Oh great… THIS episode. Fuck my life.
  • It has NOTHING to do with the plot at all. It’s literally just a melodrama episode for the bullshit love triangle. FUCK. MY. LIFE.
  • HOW DO YOU FOLLOW UP THE BEST EPISODE OF THE SEASON WITH YOUR WORST - oh wait, RWBY Volume 5 did that… 
• Seriously, we could just cut to the championship episode. There’s no reason for this to be here. We can move these three being buddy buddy in the beginning of the next episode before Amon’s announcement on the radio.
• WHEN DID KORRA START LIKING MAKO? WHEN? WHY?
• Oh yay, Asami’s only here for melodrama… such waste for her character. She deserves so much better.
• “Two alone people… together… alone…” Me flirting.
• Poor Pabu.
• OH MY GOD I LOVE THE WAY THE SNOW LOOKS. I’m a sucker for anime-style snow.
• OH MY GOD LITERALLY EVERYTHING HERE IS ABOUT THE ROMANCE SLIT MY THROAT.
• Jinora, I know there’s more to you than this romantic bullshit. PLEASE HELP.
  • I will admit… I do love her fangirling over that story. THAT GIRL SOUNDS LIKE A FUCKIN’ BADASS. (Was this Avatar Kyoshi, by any chance?)
  • I want Ikki to die. And Meelo too while we’re at it.
• I like that we’re trying to give Pema more character, though I think maybe some visuals would’ve made her story more endearing. Also, does Pema have any other character besides once being shy and now being a stressed mother?
• SERIOUSLY, WHEN DID KORRA START LIKING MAKO? WHY DOES SHE LIKE HIM?
• I literally give no fucks for these probending matches.
• … Korra’s confession kills me. I’d care more if I was given a reason to empathize with both of them, make Mako less of a dick, and give Korra a legitimate reason to like Mako, but… I wasn’t. So fuck this.
• Okay, but Korra should’ve made it clear that she didn’t have feelings for Bolin, but she appreciates his kind gestures. I still love them as best buds.
  • IF YOU MISS THE WATER TRIBE SO MUCH, WHY DON’T YOU SEND YOUR PARENTS LETTERS?
• I will admit, I like them building Tahno up as a kind of threat for the Probending arc. Also, KORRA PUTTING HIM IN HIS FUCKING PLACE. BLESS NAGA.
  • … oh my god the way Tahno pronounced Avatar, I’m pretty sure that was a shot at the Shyamalan movie. BLESS.
  • Oh ew, Tahno being pervy. GET HIM, KORRA.
• Mako, you turned Korra down, fuck off. But I do think Korra should’ve made it clear to Bolin that she just needed a friend.
• THIS FUCKING KISS, ARE YOU KIDDING ME. FUCK THIS LOVE TRIANGLE.
• … is Bolin drunk? Oh my god Bolin is a sad drunk.
  • “Pabu loves me.” “Eh. He feeds me.”
  • OH MY GOD CHUBBY PABU IS SO CUTE.
• Welp that resolution was meh… JUST LIKE THIS EPISODE (No, wait, this ep was worse than meh.). I just don’t care about this new Team Avatar like I did the original.
• Korra can heal. Sweet. Thank you, Katara.
• Fuck this episode.

Chapter 6: And the Winner Is… 

• Cabbage Corp. Oh my god, MY CABBAGES.
• Seriously, why did we need Chapter 5? The answer is WE DIDN’T.
• Great way to break the lightheartedness and add tension to this episode immediately. Seriously, we’ve had two episodes without any Equalist presence at the worst possible times.
• Okay, I get Mako trying to make a point on what probending means, but we’ve been given no reason to care for the sport. At all.
• Was Tarrlok counting on Lin to step in right at this very moment? I get him trying to bait Lin into this, but this plan seems like it hinges on too many variables to work.
• “Our armor is impervious to their [chi blockers’] attacks.” But not immune to glorified tasers, lightningbending, metalbending, nor firebending. Get the fuck out.
• I feel like Tenzin and Lin need more than past romantic grievances for this conflict to work. Maybe conflicting ideals or philosophies? ANYTHING OTHER THAN ROMANCE.
  • Also, no mention at all about Lin’s sister Suyin… how convenient. Not even a passing reference.
• “I’m surprised Lin didn’t try to throw Pema in jail.” “Oh she tried.” My god.
• “[Tenzin’s speech]... WHY AM I EVEN TELLING YOU THIS?” Me at midnight.
• I love that Tenzin is so hotheaded and is also a heartbreaker: two things you’d never expect an airbender, much less the son of Avatar Aang, to be.
• Mako and Asami blowing kisses. “Ugh.” Me at this love triangle.
• Don’t care about this match at all.
• … the fact Tenzin knows about these rules WHEN THE AUDIENCE DOESN’T.
• I like that the Wolfbats won anyway. Everts expectations while giving Amon the perfect target that isn’t our protagonists.
• How the hell did these guys sneak those gloves into the… actually, wait, I don’t think these guys have metal detectors. NEVERMIND. Still, shouldn’t someone have been checking everyone’s belongings?
  • Actually, maybe these supplies were smuggled in by vendors? That’d be a cool twist.
  • AAAAND METAL ARMOR IS WORST CHOICE. WHO’D A THUNK?
• OH NO. THE NAMELESS LIEUTENANT.
• Wow. Voltron, RWBY, and now Korra? The name Shiro IS a death sentence.
• More foreshadowing on Amon’s past. Dun dun dun.
  • STILL WOULD HELP WITH SOME MORE MENTIONS OF YAKONE.
• I will admit, this is a great way to move the probending plot into the main plot, while also showing that there’s truly no escape from the Equalists. Still, this arc could’ve been so much better with a stronger Equalist presence.
• YAY PABU TO THE RESCUE. But of course we have the characters bickering like idiots covering Amon’s speech. Shouldn’t what he says be resonating with them somehow? Maybe making them think about the issue more?
• Wait, where did all the airships and boats around the coliseum go? Surely the Equalists couldn’t have stowed onboard them? I mean if they were, MAYBE YOU SHOULD SHOW THEM DOING IT.
  • Oh… explosives… when did they have the time to plant these?
• And cue an explosion to add even more tension.
• Korra using waterbending to fly. Now THAT IS awesome. But how did she run out of water? Couldn’t she just keep circulating that same water around her?
• BUT WOO, LIN AND KORRA WORKING TOGETHER. I WILL ADMIT, THAT, AND THIS CHOREOGRAPHY, IS AWESOME.
• I gotta admit, this is kinda nice as a mid-season finale, but if you ask me, there should’ve been a stronger Equalist presence and less filler in this first half. The probending is just so fucking boring and fuck that romance bullshit.

Chapter 7: The Aftermath

• BLESS THE PLOT HAS FINALLY RETURNED.
• Nice changing the recap to Tarrlok from the usual Shiro. Pretty nice way of disgracing Lin while building up Tarrlok as a larger threat.
• Oh the look on Korra’s face hurts me.
• ASAMI. HI, ASAMI.
• Korra, no, you and Asami will be besties. It kills me knowing they won’t really become friends til Book 3. Ugh.
• And cue the task force… wait, these are the metalbending police. Shouldn’t this be the task force? Also, how about talk of the vendors at the championship supplying the Equalists with weapons? Imagine them being nonbending businesses, building up even more tension between benders and nonbenders.
  • Still, I’m sold on that idea of an Equalist Party. I’d imagine right now it’d probably be shut down and all its members investigated at the very least.
• “NOT MY CABBAGE CORP.” Sigh. It’s just not as satisfying.
• Tahno actually being… kinda nice now that he’s been beaten down. I really like it. I wish Tahno had more of a character, though.
• WOW, HIROSHI. TOTALLY NOT A VILLAIN, GUYS. TOTALLY NOT.
• THE SATO ESTATE IS GORGEOUS, OH MY GOD. LOOK AT THAT ARCHITECTURE.
• Pabu looks so sad from being drenched.
• Korra, you had Asami totally pegged wrong. YOU AND THE ASAMI HATERS BOTH. ASAMI IS FUCKING AWESOME.
• Still pissed it took this long for the show to care about Asami enough to give her some character. We didn’t even see her reaction to Amon last episode.
  • Actually, maybe Korra suspects both Hiroshi and Asami of being part of Amon’s faction, but gets it wrong with Asami, who genuinely wants peace and equality. I would imagine Hiroshi sees Asami as too sympathetic with benders to try and recruit her.
• The drama for Korra to use makeup… GIVE. ME LIFE.
• Korra being all investigative.
• AGAIN, TRITE BACKSTORIES GALORE. UGH. Though I do like that there’s sort of a Red Scare going on with nonbenders - exactly what Amon wants.
• WOO FOR SEISMIC SENSE.
• Seriously, shouldn’t the twist be we suspect Asami of being an Equalist til we’re proven wrong? Cuz the way this is running now, I’d usually suspect Asami also being an Equalist, or her father being innocent while she’s pulling the strings, but… nope.
• Dramatic angle of the giant mechs. “Excuse me, are we destroying the tyrannical bending establishment, or are we going deep sea scuba diving in Malaysia?”
• So metalbenders can’t bend platinum. I kinda like that, but it makes platinum feel like a plot device. A cheap plot device.
• I like that Tenzin was the last one to go down, not Korra.
• I will admit, nice fake out with Asami seeming like she’ll join the Equalists, then using their own weapon to take down her father AND the Nameless Lieutenant. YOU GO, GIRL.
• But now a good chunk of the metalbending police are out of commission… god.
• Someone give Asami a hug.
• “I’m gonna take Amon down my way… outside the law.” WEREN’T YOU THE ONE CHASTISING KORRA FOR WORKING OUTSIDE THE LAW IN EPISODE 1?

Chapter 8: When Extremes Meet

• Someone please save Jinora, Naga, and Pabu from Ikki and Meelo. Please.
• GET AWAY FROM ASAMI, YOU DEMONS.
• “Asami, did you know Korra likes Mako?” Again, me at the love triangle.
  • But seriously, fuck the love triangle. WE HAVE BIGGER ISSUES. ALSO, WHEN THE FUCK DID KORRA START LIKING MAKO AND WHY? WHY??? HE HAS THE PERSONALITY OF SAND. (Cue the sand quote from the Star Wars prequels.
• I love Asami being so nice to Korra and not complaining about living on Air Temple Island. SHE’S SUCH A NICE PERSON.
• Chief Saikhan. We’ve seen him before, but it’d be nice to show him having problems with how Lin was handling the police force. He seriously needs more character to explain his alliance with Tarrlok.
• So Korra’s never heard from her past lives. I like that she’s talking with Tenzin about this.
• God I feel for Korra. Tarrlok really hit a nerve.
• “I’m the worst Avatar ever.” I know a lot of people would agree, but C’MON GUYS, KURUK LITERALLY SAT ON HIS ASS TIL HIS LOVER GOT KILLED BY A SPIRIT WHILE ROKU JUST SAT ON HIS ASS AND LET A WAR HAPPEN. PRIORITIES.
• ASAMI BEING NICE TO KORRA OH MY GOD I’M HERE FOR IT.
• Seriously, this Team Avatar just doesn’t feel as important to the plot as the last Team Avatar did. The bonds just aren’t as strong, and they aren’t given times to confront the villains together.
• MEELO, LEAVE. GET OUT. NOW.
• #VigilanteJustice.
• Tarrlok is so intent on grabbing power, I kinda like it. Though again, this could be where he disbands the Equalist Party and has members of it interrogated and even incarcerated.
• THIS IS THE WORST COUNCIL EVER.
  • AT LEAST GIVE THE OTHER MEMBERS A REASON TO GO ALONG WITH TARRLOK.
• Oh my god Asami glaring at Korra and Mako… FUCK THE ROMANTIC BULLSHIT WE HAVE A REAL PLOT.
• Oh crap that visual disparity between the bending and nonbending districts. Goddamn. Where has this been all season?
• I love that the woman asking Korra for help has the same voice actress as her (Janet Varney).
• Now this kinda stuff that makes nonbenders afraid should’ve been here all season. This is a great scene.
• Immediately Tarrlok goes for Asami. God.
• POLITICAL DRAMA. OOO.
• Damn, Korra, what an entrance. I approve.
• I LOOOOVE Tarrlok’s office. It looks so fucking cool, and I love that wall of water behind him.
• KORRA TAKING GOOD THINGS AWAY FROM HER ENEMY’S PHILOSOPHY. WOOP WOOP.
  • Tarrlok has a really good point, though. Korra was hostile towards the Equalist activist in “The Revelation.”
• Seriously, though, why did Tarrlok attack? I get him being upset with Korra saying he was just as bad as Amon, but if Korra were to walk out normally, Tarrlok could continue what he was doing before.
• OOH, YES, KORRA KICK HIS ASS. USE THE NICE-LOOKING SET TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.
• Cue the hair falling to indicate drama.
• AND HE’S BLOODBENDING. WITHOUT A FULL MOON. OH FUCK.
• OH NO. SHE BEEN KORRA-NAPPED. You’d think Naga would chase down the car and destroy it.

Chapter 9: Out of the Past

• OKAY BLOODBENDING IS TERRIFYING, THIS IS THE EXORCIST, HE’S MAKING HER FLOAT.
• Did Tarrlok have that metal prison ready? Also, what if she could metalbend? Or is it platinum?
• He had this place ready? Is this like a vacation home or some shit?
  • Cabin in the damn woods… 
• “That’s when the Equalists attacked.” Doesn’t have the same ring as “And then the Fire Nation attacked,” does it?
  • Seriously, though, was that a callback?
• Tarrlok electrocuted himself. Damn, that is dedication.
• Okay, those suits are very impractical, but that was a cool way to put it on.
• TOPH. AANG. OH MY GOD. “TWINKLE TOES.”
• Oh my god they got Clancy Brown for Yakone, my god.
  • Seriously, I feel we needed more mentions of Yakone up to now to build up the mystery.
• WE GOT THE SQUAD TOGETHER. WOO.
• Okay but that gate was loud. How did no Equalists in here hear that?
• Can someone explain why Mako is so worried for Korra? Seriously, why do they like each other? There’s no real reason.
• UGH. ROMANTIC LOVE TRIANGLE BULLSHIT. FUCK MY LIFE.
• God metalbending is so cool.
• Nice way of hiding yourselves, guys.
• If I were you guys, I’d take the tied up guards out of plain sight from the tunnel, just to buy yourself a few seconds if more guards show up.
• YAY, THEY DIDN’T FORGET ABOUT THE OFFICERS THAT WERE KIDNAPPED.
• “Because HE has Korra. He fooled us all.” Wow, way to make assumptions, Tenzin. You know what they say: you’re makin an ass outta you and THE WRITERS WHO DIDN’T REALLY GIVE US A REASON TO SUSPECT TARRLOK UP TO THIS POINT.
  • Seriously, some suspicion would’ve been nice to lead to the twist, instead of them 100% believing it was the Equalists and then 100% believing it’s Tarrlok at the drop of a hat.
• DAMN, THAT IS A GOOD WAY TO ESCAPE.
• I do like the tie between Tarrlok and Yakone. Very nice on the writers’ part.
  • Hey, Yakone, maybe don’t smile like a madman during your trial.
• OH MY GOD SOKKA.
• Maybe we should’ve had Aang take away his bending as part of the sentence.
• HOLY SHIT YAKONE CAN BLOODBEND ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM AT ONCE?
• So… that weird nameless intern saw the whole thing? I kinda like this twist, but… maybe show the intern seeing it in the first place (In the actual episode) and have the intern visibly scared to speak up?
  • Also, shocked Tarrlok didn’t kill the intern on the way out.
• AVATAR STATE. YIP YIP.
• Oh god the animation on the bloodbending is horrifying.
• Amon is immune to bloodbending… oh that’s terrifying, but also kinda makes who - or what - he even is even more intriguing… too bad they fucked it up.
• Korra thinking on her feet to escape. I like it.
• That terrifying glance between Korra and Amon, my god. You can see the terror in Korra’s eyes.
• “I thought I told you not to underestimate her.” “You know what, fuck you, man.”
• NAGA TO THE RESCUE.

Chapter 10: Turning the Tides

• What a somber opening… the peace will not last.
• Okay, do we need the recap as they eat? We could just start with Tenzin talking about how bold Amon is becoming.
• OOOH, YES ASAMI, DON’T TAKE MAKO’S BULLSHIT.
• Pema knows to run. Again again, ME WITH THIS LOVE TRIANGLE.
  • But seriously, fuck the love triangle.
• “I like Korra.” OH YES YOU DO.
• Why are we painting Mako as a victim? He’s leading two girls on. He’s a piece of shit. Fuck him. Team Korrasami.
• Thank you, Lin, for protecting Tenzin’s family.
  • Oh my god, Pema, please don’t add to the romance bullshit.
• Lin’s reaction to Meelo is literally everyone’s.
• Oh my god, fuck these council members. I’d feel more bad for them if they had names.
• OH SHIT THE NAMELESS LIEUTENANT. STILL NAMELESS.
  • “Dear?” My god.
• Right from the get go, shit is getting crazy.
• DAMN, LOOK AT THAT AIRBENDING. TENZIN IS A BADASS.
• I love the overcast to fit the tone of the episode. Also, I REALLY LIKE KORRA’S WINTER COAT. I DON’T KNOW WHY I’M POINTING THAT OUT, I JUST LOVE IT.
• Fuck off, Hiroshi.
• … That car’s been there since episode 8? HOW HAS NO ONE TOWED IT OR SOMETHING? AND IT’S WINTER. HOW HAS THE ENGINE NOT FROZEN OVER?
• Okay, Asami, I’m all here for being a dick to Mako, but please treat Korra nicely. Also, MAKO YOU HAVE NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER TO BE A DICK BACK TO HER.
• Maybe we should’ve taken the back door instead of the front ones… 
  • We don’t think the “Not these mecha tanks again” line. WE CAN SEE THEM.
• My god it’s so funny seeing the metalbending officers put on these magnets. It’s just hilarious.
• YEAH, TEAM AVATAR TO THE RESCUE.
• OH, MAKO SUDDENLY REMEMBERS HOW TO REDIRECT LIGHTNING.
• Nice on Korra to use the water to take down the tank from the inside.
• YEAH, ASAMI, KICK SOME ASS.
• And cue the useless ass White Lotus sentries. My god, they went from this cool secret society in the original show to useless as mothafuckas.
• “The baby’s coming.” Lin’s face. “SAME.”
• OH NO… THE NAMELESS LIEUTENANT.
• Seriously, a metal suit is like the worst way to fight opponents who use tasers.
• I appreciate them trying to make the kids useful by having them save Lin, but I still hate two of them, and my favorite isn’t even getting real development til next season.
• “Stay away from my dad’s ex-girlfriend.” I feel I’d love that line if Jinora was given more development this season, but she hasn’t. So instead, I cringe into the netherworld.
• AWE, LOOK AT LITTLE ROHAN. SO ADORABLE. Too bad we’ll stop caring about him after this episode.
• NEGATIVE AND NEUTRAL JING, KORRA. NEGATIVE AND NEUTRAL JING.
• OH MY GOD LIN SACRIFICED HERSELF. I LOVE HER. LIN, NO. I love her scene refusing to give into Amon. It was written perfectly, and the music is spot-on.
• I still don’t get how they captured Tenzin, though. They never really explained it.
• Oh, hi glorified Dante Basco cameo - I mean General Iroh. Seriously, he has like no character at all, he’s JUST a cameo, and a useless one at that.
  • General I have no character I’m just a Dante Basco cameo.

Chapter 11: Skeletons in the Closet

• Nice way of having the last two episodes a finale with Republic City taken over.
• HOW DARE YOU DESECRATE AANG’S STATUE. FUCKERS.
• Wait, so is EVERY nonbender in the city onboard with this? How? There aren’t even a few nonbenders like “NOPE, FUCK YOU AMON.” How about showing how the Equalists oppress them?
• KORRA, NEUTRAL JING. NEUTRAL FUCKING JING.
• Oh my god more love triangle bullshit fuck this.
• GOMMU. HI, GOMMU.
• “You are a wise and noble hobo.” BLESS.
• HEY, MAKO, HOW ABOUT DON’T BE A DICK TO ASAMI AND BE UPFRONT WITH BOTH HER AND KORRA ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL?
• I do like that Korra is being real about how she wasn’t ready for this. Still, WHY ARE WE USING IT FOR THIS ROMANCE BULLSHIT I CAN’T STAND?
  • “You’re the most loyal, brave, and selfless person I’ve ever known.” EVIDENCE, PEASE.
• OH GOD AMON IS “CLEANSING” ALL BENDERS IN THE CITY, THAT’S HORRIFYING. But does it say that line every time? That’s gotta be rough on the vocal cords, especially with his voice.
• OH SHIT, NICE INTRO TO THE BOMBS IN THE WATER AND THE PLANES.
• YASS, KORRA TO THE RESCUE.
• This is like the most Iroh does in the entire show, and that makes me sad inside.
• UNCLE BUMI, YAY.
• I like our team strategizing. I always love strategy meetings.
• “It’s time to take down my father.” YEAH, GIRL.
• Okay, I like that Korra won’t be going up against Amon, but again… STOP TREATING ASAMI LIKE CRAP PLEASE.
• It bothers me Korra and Asami have basically stopped being friends because of Mako’s bullshit. I feel so bad, cuz this really is the catalyst for Asami becoming a part-time member of Team Avatar.
• THAT WAS NOT A PROPER FUCKING BREAKUP, YOU HEARTLESS DICK.
• Oh hi, Tarrlok. How you doin’?
• “I’m Amon’s brother.” “GASP.” I know that was meant to be taken seriously, but… oh my fucking god, I can’t take this seriously. I feel like I’m in a soap opera.
• So Yakone basically got plastic surgery… EW, THAT THOUGHT TERRIFIES ME.
• Awe, Yakone is capable of love… too bad he’s still a dick. BUT BABY TARRLOK OH MY GOD.
• I really love this backstory, but I feel we’re missing what made Noatak into Amon. Like how did this happen, and how did Amon learn to take people’s bending away? THESE ARE THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW.
  • Though in the rewrite, I can have Unalaq and / or Hundun teach Noatak / Amon to do this, so they can put Korra into a position where they can manipulate her into freeing Vaatu.
• God, bloodbending the animals… so terrifying. I can see Noatak becoming even more desensitized and cold over time to try and survive Yakone.
  • Also cue dramatic thunderclap and lightning strike.
• Noatak was fine with bloodbending his brother. I think it’s telling Tarrlok wasn’t. I’d still like to know how Tarrlok got into the position of power he’s in today.
• YEAH, NOATAK, PROTECT YOUR BROTHER. BLOODBEND THE FUCK OUT OF HIM.
  • I agree with Tarrlok. Their mom didn’t even know about any of this.
  • “You are a weakling.” And where did this come from, Noatak? The fuck did your mom do?
• Seriously, how did Tarrlok and Noatak get to where they are now? I NEED TO KNOW. HOW THE FUCK DID NOATAK COME TO BELIEVE BENDING IS EVIL? HOW DID HE BECOME AMON?
• Okay, guys, I like the plan, but WHAT MAKES YOU THINK NOATAK WILL WILLINGLY BEND. HE OBVIOUSLY NEEDS A FAKE SCAR TO PROVE HIS STORY WHEN HE TAKES OFF THE MASK AROUND COWORKERS. WHAT, YOU THINK HE JUST WEARS THE FUCKIN’ MASK ALL THE TIMES. THIS AIN’T THE BOILING ROCK.

Chapter 12: Endgame

• And the good guys walk right into the trap like morons. Seriously, no one though to throw a rock or something through as a test run? I get them wanting to start off with tension but seriously, it just makes them look like morons.
• HOW THE FUCK DID TENZIN GET CAPTURED. HOOOOOOW.

Overall

• Okay, I really like that they tried to use Shiro Shinobi for the episode recaps, but… it kinda takes me outta the show.