What aunt_zelda Thinks: Legend of Korra, episode 5

[aunt_zelda]

Yes, I've been watching. What with finals and moving out of the dorms for the summer, I haven't been able to post much about it. 
Here's my thoughts on the first two episodes, if you missed it. 

In a nutshell, my thoughts on the first four episodes are: SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - I hate Mako  - SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - no seriously I hate Mako, what the fuck is up with people shipping him and Korra? - SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - loving the fight scenes and everything about this new world! - SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE- but Mako can fuck right off - SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - oh hai Asami, you're looking especially beautiful and anime-esque today! - SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Here's my thoughts on the latest episode, mostly typed up as I was watching:

Whoa … am I actually LIKING Mako in this episode?!?!?

Also, was I supposed to get "Korra liked Mako" vibes from the previous episodes? I kinda only got vibes that she thought he was a jerk, then started to accept him as a teammate and friend after rescuing his brother. I honestly did not get "Korra likes Mako" vibes and I was LOOKING. Until Korra outright stated that she liked Mako in this episode, I did not see Korra/Mako. I saw the show trying to hint at it, but that's it. I got nothing from Korra's end. 

Lol, Mako and Asami's Eskimo Kiss was so cute!

Oh, Bolin, never stop trying' buddy! 

I love how Bolin put Korra's strength and personality above her hotness when listing her attributes as a potential girlfriend. THAT is a good man right there! THAT is potential for a good relationship! I'm seeing friends-with-benefits there, but who knows as the series goes on?

"She rode a dragon into battle and burned down the entire country!" 

I LIKE THIS HISTORICAL ROMANCE! TELL ME MORE, SMALL CHILD!

Wait, so who was Tenzin dating before Pema? Was it Amon?!?!?!

I love the announcer guy with the microphone who yells "Rooooound Three!" He's got a snazzy suit and silly hair: me likey! 

"I mean outside of the gym. While not searching for kidnapped family members or fighting chi-blockers." 

Ah, the woes of living in a shonen show.

What's this? Realistic portrayal of teenage romance? Painful rejection? Someone is already dating someone else? Good writing, I salute you!

That's all good, but can we go back to the fighting and forget about this painfully forced Korra-loves-Mako plot?

Auuuuuwwwwwwwwww, Bolin I love you! Go make Korra happy! No more angst for Korra! Save this show, Bolin, SAVE THIS SHOW!

Oh hey, someone else drawn in a different style, looking like he stepped outta a romance anime. I like Tahno right from the start. And I approve of his bisexual harem, creepy voice, and FoeYay towards Korra. Can this guy have his own show now? Please?! I'd prefer his romantic entanglements! "And then I had sex with my groupies, it was great … then I taunted the Avatar and tried to get her kicked out the tournament. I can totally beat her but I'd rather not risk things … and then I had sex with a fanboy, he was very pretty … and then I knocked out the rival team in the ring and beat my own record." See what I mean?

"I'm with Asami."

"Yeah, but when you're with her you're thinking about me."

WHOOOOAAAA!

I like the team of Old Guys. What must it be like to fight the Avatar in sports? Is it cool, to see how you stack up against a demigod? Is it a challenge they appreciate, or do people find it unfair? 

"You like me?"

"Yes but, I like Asami too … it's complicated …"

No it's not! Have an open relationship with Asami and balance your time between Asami and Korra. If that doesn't work, chose one and stop angsting. End of story. GO BACK TO THE FIGHTING GORRAMIT!

… and then Korra kisses Mako. And they look guilty. And then Bolin shows up with flowers for Korra and looks the saddest I've ever seen and RUNS AWAY IN TEARS.

FUCK THIS SHOW! FUCK THIS SHOW!!!! FUUUUUUUUUUUCCKKKK!

(Seriously, you make Bolin happy and then crush his little heart ... fuck you.)

"I told you dating a teammate was a bad idea."

"... you're a bad idea!"

I guess they can't say "your mom" because their mom and dad WERE KILLED BY A MUGGER RIGHT IN FRONT OF BRUCE WAYNE!!!

And really, having a fun time with someone whose personality matches yours well and who has the same schedule as you, is a bad idea, but dating a sexy woman partially because her father is sponsoring you in the tournament ISN'T? … Mako, I'm starting to not like you again. Don't make me revert to hating you!

Also, there is clearly another solution here: polyamory! Korra goes off with Bolin most of the time because they are bros, and Korra goes off with Mako when he's feeling all Angsty Pretty Manga High School Boy and she's being Forced By the Writers, and Mako goes off with Asami when he wants to be her mistress. I see no problems here!

"Noodle-ist noodles in the United Republic!" 

Looooooool! Who wrote that logo, Sokka? 

Yellow fan! YEEEEES! (God I love this universe.)

Korra is so badass! I love her! 

And it all ends with people reconciling and able to still be friends and comfortable with complimenting each other. Korra being nice to Asami and thanking her and her dad for their sponsorship really stood out to me. In a lesser show she'd be mean to Asami on principal. Instead she is nice. GOOD! 

"We had fun, didn't we?" 
"I had a great time, honestly! You are one of a kind, Bolin!" 

AWWWWWWWWWWWWW! I'm holding out hope for Korra/Bolin. 

Except now I'm sad because I think the show will keep them as "just friends" and I think they'd make a great couple. It'd make Bolin happy and keep Korra from angsting. Which are good reasons enough for me! 

Also, I love Tahno as a minor villain and can't wait to see more of him! He's got this creepy teasing FoeYay vibe going on with Korra that is way too much fun. Also he's brutal in the Pro-Bending games and very confident. But he also got scared by Naga: he isn't unflappable. And he's got silly hair. 

So this episode wasn't a complete waste, just … the romantic subplots started to strangle things for a while. Hopefully that's all over with now. 

Comments

[lit-wolf.livejournal.com]

Nice commentary!

I'm with you, I totally want Korra/Bolin over Korra/Mako. I did my best to stay out of shipping (Katara/Aang kind of took over my life in the first series) but I've already been sucked into Korra/Bolin.

And only hint I've seen of Korra liking Mako was when Tenzin's daughters were teasing her over liking him in the third episode. But yeah, there was nothing before that to show she thought anything more than friend with him.

My friends keep reminding me 'It's a mini-series, not a full show, so they have to speed thing along more than in A:tLA' but it still feels like we're missing scenes. Like the introduction of Pabu. If I wasn't part of the online fandom and had seen pictures of him before the first episode, I would have had no idea what was up with the little red creature hanging off of Bolin's neck.

Slow down, LoK! Slow down!