The Legend of Korra 1x04-1x08

[oyceter]

Yay! I am now almost caught up again!

Spoilers have fat squishy ferret bellies

Oh writers. Why do you keep trying to do romance when you guys really suck at it? It feels like they have this romance template, and as soon as it's in place, all the characters must act accordingly despite any OOCness. I just. Pema's story about not being able to stand by knowing Tenzin was with the Wrong Person really squicked me out. And oh, Korra. I know you are impulsive, but, er, confessing to Mako was kind of terrible. And you should never argue with someone that they feel more for you than they say. Also, Mako, wtf?! Don't go tell Korra you might like her too! I facepalmed at the Tenzin/Lin bits as well... I love Tenzin being perpetually awkward, but I can't really see Lin as someone who is secretly still nursing feelings toward him.

I also wish they had introduced Asami to Korra as something other than a romantic rival. It's really odd how the guys in the main cast get to be friends and brothers and etc., but so far, the two primary women in the Gaang/Avatar club start out on the wrong foot, much like Katara and Toph did. I do love that Korra is won over by Asami's racing awesomeness, but I really hope it doesn't end up being Korra talks to Mako and Bolin, and Asami talks to Mako and Bolin, but they almost never talk to each other unless it is a Special Episode about them. That was one of the things that frustrated me most about the Gaang in AtLA.

That said, I love Asami and how she is pretty and put together and still downright badass. And she took the glove from the Equalists! But oh, show, I would really really really love Asami-Korra BFF hijinks. I would even settle for them not being romantic rivals.

Re: the show politics. Hrm. It is not complicating the Equalists nearly enough to my taste. I am glad that the benders have varying sides, and that it's clear that non-benders do have something to fear from benders, given Tarrlock's attempts at government control. But I really wish we had the POV of at least one non-bender who was pro-Equality, sympathetic, and not a terrorist. Otherwise it feels too much like "All These Non-Benders Need Is a Bender." I also wish there had been more exploration of vigilantism vs. police a la Korra and Lin's first meeting, but now that the government is under Tarrlock's control, I am pretty sure vigilantism and going outside the law gets a big thumbs up.

Also, the entire plot re: Hiroshi Sato was incredibly bad. I just. I will take that you guys have similar laws to the US's. But in that case, hello, due process! Warrants! Providing evidence before bursting into someone's home! And no, Korra's overheard conversation really isn't enough to warrant a warrant! Also, the only non-benders we really get are people who like benders and socialize with them (Pema, Asami), Equalist terrorists (Hiroshi), and the undifferentiated non-bending masses. But you cannot do all that to Hiroshi and then argue with the police later about arresting your friends randomly!

More randomly:

• Bolin bursting into tears at Korra and Mako and running away with flower petals streaming and arms flailing. Also, "You're a bad idea!"


• Pabu!! Fat belly! Waddling out the door! The only one Bolin can trust! In a little outfit! Chewing them all free!


• Lin on wires is a total and complete badass OMG AWESOME.


• Lin quitting the police = ?!?!


• Of course eyeliner guy with floppy bangs is evil.


• Tarrlock bloodbends!


• The politics don't always make much sense, but the action sequences are fantastic.


• More flashbacks please!


• Everyone trying to pile on Naga like she's Appa and then falling off. And the baby's "Yip, yip, Naga!"


• Love Asami zapping Equalists while also driving the car.


• How come Mako can't lightning bend the zappy things? Isn't it very similar to lightning?

In conclusion: PABU IS BEEEEESSSSTTTT!!!! Best little squishy rodent sidekick EVAR! (Except for my own, of course.)

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, more and more it seems that the council is so weak and easily influenced that even before Amon and Tarlock(sp?) began their respective power grabs, the council probably routinely settled every issue by caving to whoever yelled loudest--which would usually be Tarlock. Of course, now that we know Tarlock is a blood bender, this might actually make a certain amount of sense, if the (slight) majority of almost-always-silent council members are aware of his blood bending powers and intimidated by them--especially if he's hinted at reprisals if they don't cooperate. But since the writers' idea of dealing with the political aspects of the situation seems to rely heavily on heated--and usually counterproductive--confrontations and people (especially female people like Korra and Lin Beifong) quitting or refusing to have anything to do with the opposing party when the first thing they try doesn't work, the implicit-blackmail-behind-the-scenes possibility probably hasn't even occurred to them.

Marfisa