Book 2: Peacekeepers

[Paraiba Ocean]

I'm streaming the episode now.

So far I'm only half way through, but I'm almost a little frustrated with Korra. It's like she apologizes to Mako for being hot headed and short sighted and taking frustrations out on him, but then she repeats the same pattern of behavior the next episode.

But in all honesty, I'm a little disappointed that Mako is the only one who seems to have a cooler head. I suppose one's natural reaction to having your home invaded is to look at the "obvious" suspect, but I would have thought Mako would be someone Korra trusted completely and if he said he saw firebenders at the scene, she would consider that in the realm of possibility. Furthermore, I was hoping that Asami and/or Bolin would also try and reason Korra out of really impulsive actions. As much as I like Varrick, he's coming from a place of wanting to defend his home so yeah, his advice is not very impartial and more emotionally charged.

But oooooooh super excited we get to see Zuko and his daughter soon! I'm hoping this episode, but I get the feeling next.

[zukofan21]

Yes, Korra is running on emotions right now. Which begs a question: how is she able to go into the Avatar
State so freely? I like Mako a lot more in this season. The last scene was pretty cool.

Sent from my SCH-S738C using proboards

[Paraiba Ocean]

Granted, I suppose from an empathetic perspective, her home is under attack from someone who betrayed her father - who turns out to be her uncle no less, someone she thought she could trust - and now I'm sure it really troubles her to wonder if her dad is alive, if her mom is in danger, and even about Katara (possibly), not to mention other people who she knows/grew up with. So while I want to give Korra the benefit of the doubt and realize emotions are running really high, omg these past few episodes have been the same mistake over and over and over again.

Now granted, all Korra has done through the entirety of the season is allocate blame to anyone and everything and anyone who advises her against her initial impulse is against her (especially Mako) and out to get her. She is 17 years old, so that probably is a huge part of that particular behavior, but track record so far: one, she pushed Tenzin away for a teacher she suspected would better suit her needs and knowledge base, only to find out he's a liar and manipulator, and betrayed her father, ultimately usurping a throne and is now invading her home; two, she pushed her dad aside, even believing he took place in an attack against her uncle, and dismissed him after hearing a humiliating story about her father's past - which turned out to be due to a set up. But man, she just shut Mako down every single time this season he's tried to provide any kind of level headed council, from asking her to give the benefit of the doubt to her father (which turned out to be fair because Unalaq betrayed Tonraq), and even more importantly - about the bombing of the SWT cultural center. C'mon girl, as much as I understand the knee jerk reaction of wanting to blame the NWT, and it being a possibility, I was disappointed at how she didn't even hear Mako out when he said he saw firebenders fleeing the scene of the bombing. I might be a little more lenient if it was hearsay and he said an informant/witness told him, but he saw it firsthand; she could ultimately choose that the evidence pointed to the NWT and pursue those means, but she didn't even bat an eyelash and stop to listen to what he could possibly have to say. Furthermore, I've seen a lot of people call Mako a stick in the mud/someone who takes his job too seriously, but to be fair, he did the right thing telling the president about Korra's intentions to go behind his back. This is a major conflict between two tribes and needs to be resolved and handled so carefully, but it's a civil war, and to bring outside influences into the war is very risky politically.

So I think this really opens the door for some areas of personal development I hope to see in the coming episodes. The first being impartiality; even though Unalaq is wrong, even though the NWT is invading the SWT and needs to bug off, and even though she is from the SWT, leading protests against the NWT is only going to antagonize feelings and make people feel like the Avatar isn't even going to hear them out. Realistically, Unalaq's desire to create one Water Nation/Tribe is not necessarily representative of ALL Northerners opinions; appealing to the fact one does not represent everyone can go a long way. Plus, it can create the illusion that anyone/anything that goes against the SWT's interests will be an enemy of the Avatar, whether or not the SWT is in the right or not. Secondly, seeking and considering council. That's not to say that Korra has to always DO what she's advised, but one thing she's always done is ignore advice, do what she wants, and put herself in a tricky position. In season 1, she called Amon out despite Tenzin's advice and was intimidated by Amon. Now, she's ignored her [ex-]boyfriend, [former] mentor, father, and done whatever she's wanted whenever she's wanted without giving any of their opinions a second thought. At least hear them out; then make a decision. A great leader should always hear other opinions, just in case. There are some other areas that I'm hoping to see develop through Korra soon, but I'm a little sleepy so I can't actually quite remember, lol!

As for the Avatar state, with Aang it seemed to be emotionally triggered until he got more practice with it later in season 2. Yet Korra's just had some sort of deus ex machina access to it; I'm a little disappointed with the inconsistency that such a spiritually connected person had such a struggle to activate and control it, but such a spiritually disconnected one can turn it on and off like a light switch down the hall. But I suppose the Avatar state isn't as much of a deal/crucial point, and is more of just something that puts Korra's bending in over drive instead of having some sort of deeper connection? Still though D:

[valentine]

I have to agree with what I am hearing from a lot of different people. Korra is kind of driving me NUTS! Sure it is her family and everyone that she has grown up with that are potentially in danger...but come on!!! Half of the time I just want to grab her and try to shake some sense into her. And poor Mako trying so hard to tell Beifong that they are going after the wrong people and getting yelled at hahaha jerk cops.

I'm really really excited to be able to see the firelord and his other family members so I am really really wanting the next episode to come sooner. And can I just say poor Bolin!!! Eska scares the living crap out of me hahaha she's evil and totally crazy.

[Musogato]

Yeah, it's sad to see how tunnel-visioned Korra has become. But even before the civil war issue really came up she had accused Mako of "taking their side" (I think regarding Tenzin?) so even though it surprised me that she completely disregarded his eyewitness account of the firebender bombing, maybe it shouldn't have. But the writers are really digging into this 'Korra repeats the same brash actions over and over' so hopefully her meeting Avatar Wan will help clear her head and make new choices.

Regarding the Avatar State, maybe Aang had trouble controlling it because it was so emotionally overwhelming for him. I mean, at the 2&3 season finales when he did have control and accessed it, it was because he set his emotions aside and concentrated. Perhaps it's because of Korra's spiritual disconnect that, once she felt/understood the pathway to activating the Avatar State, she can just go right to it because she is that kind of straight-forward person so she doesn't get lost in whatever emotional distractions there might be. Maybe? It does seem weird though, for such a cosmic spiritual power to require a distant emotional state in order to control. I feel like watching The Guru again might provide further help explaining it.

Also, Bolin, starring in a propaganda film about the Water Tribes with that ridiculous outfit! I can't wait to see where that goes, especially with Bolin, cutiepie that he is, totally being miscast as the SWT hero. Will the issues that this sort of thing does be brought up? Will Varrik's film change how Republic City and others view the Water Tribes? Aaaaa, can't wait. Also yay for clearing up how Ginger has red hair. If the hair dye catches on, I wonder if later episodes/seasons will have characters with streaked hair.

As for Eska, oh man, she's really taken a nosedive. I know that her and Bolin's relationship has been played for laughs and all, but I really hope that she and her brother will get some actual character development as well. Even though that feels like too much to hope for, considering that not even the main characters have really gotten any. But as cartoony as her jealous anger has become, I want to see her come out of this okay and a bit more grown. And for her brother to be more than just her shadow.

Mako.....I actually like Mako now. That seems kind of amazing, and also really sad that it takes turning other characters into brick walls to make you like the other one more. There was some post either here or elsewhere about how people like underdog characters and that that's partially why the Gaang was more likeable than the Krew, and it feels really true here. Anyway, I hope Mako continues his investigation and shows those jerk cops (and Korra) up.

Also yay for seeing Lin, even though it was only for like three seconds. Also the artists forgot to draw her scars in one shot, did anyone notice that? And General Iroh, wasn't expecting to see him. It'll be nice to see the Royal Fire family too, I can't wait to see the Fire Lady. And maybe pictures of them when they were little with Zuko (and Mai? I still haven't read the graphic novels yet). Wait is Zuko still alive? Oh man what if he shows up too! Man I miss the Gaang.

[Paraiba Ocean]

I would have thought that the Avatar State would require both a strong sense of spirituality and the ability to be emotionally stable as well. Aang seemed to lapse into the Avatar State when emotionally overwhelmed, but had very little to no control over his actions and was almost in rage mode when he flipped the switch. It usually took someone (usually Katara) or him completing his "goal" to put him back together.

So maybe Korra's emotional disconnect allows her control and the ability to turn it on, but maybe she's not using it as effectively as should could be - ie, she's unable to council with her past lives except for high emotional sequences (when Tarrlok kidnapped her and she saw the past, or when she communicated with Aang in the s1 finale after losing her bending) and has no ability to voluntarily travel to the spirit world. So while Aang could have a "family" conference so to speak, or pop on over to the Spirit World as needed, Korra lacks that ability.

But here's a thought of immense curiosity that I have - what oh what will the world look like during the time of Wan. From what we've seen from images, there are SO many different Avatars that have lived, especially with some living to be quite old (like Kyoshi), and Aang having been frozen for 100 years... I'm wondering if it would be the equivalent of 2000BC here in our world, or what.

[Nashk Tategami]

Paraiba, Musogato... You both took the words right out of my mouth. So I don't think anything more needs to be said here. The show is still having trouble finding its footing and is fumbling with character development.

Instead I think I want to comment on something pretty serious... The show is touching on some dangerous themes here and I am curious on where its going to go and if anything is going to happen.

1. Bolin and propaganda. I can see this being used for a funny joke, and indeed it is funny, but this is actually a rather serious concept here. Varrick is using new media, and celebrities loved by the people to manipulate the public into seeing things one way. The cause is noble but the method here is essentially the protoform of some very scary concepts that could form in the future.

I mean the entire plan is a way to undermine the current administration of the United Republic and drumming up support to send the lives of soldiers who have no stake in the internal matters of the water tribe to fight and die. Yes Unalaq is a rather horrid person but what does that have to do with the united republic outside of attempts at promoting peace?

Something I don't think Korra understands is that if the UR interferes with this war they would essentially be interfering with the politics of another nation. That sets a scary precedent seen in real life as the UR becoming a "policing" force in the world. Something the president clearly doesn't want.

Also in the fear of invoking godwins law... Propaganda has been a favorite method of swaying public opinion by dictators such as Hitler or Stalin.

2. Asami and war profiteering. Asami is betting on saving her company by selling weapons to a small guerilla force desperate for any advantage that can be given to them. Because of the nature of the show I don't think this will go terrible wrong... But the parallels to real life are chilling.

Asami is selling anti-bender weaponry that was used to scary effect in the last season to help overthrow a dictator. For profit. I'm not even sure where to start here.... I mean sure Korra's dad isn't going to just go crazy with them but that much power is dangerous to leave in such a small force. What will happen after the war if they win? Will the destroy the tanks? Keep them for defense?

Again with the nature of the sure i'm sure they will use them to great effect and just dump them after the war... Its just chilling to think about though.

[Musogato]

Nashk Tategami, those are very interesting themes and with it known that LOK will have at least two more seasons, it's tempting to think that these early season actions will have consequences in later ones if not in this season. Last season surprised me when Tarrlok shut off the power and was rounding up Asami and the other non-benders in that neighborhood, so I think it's certainly possible that they could go those routes or at least allude to its possibility.

@paraba, re: avatar state - that would be awesome if that is the case! What a really interesting way to balance out their different approaches to the avatar state, by only having control/access to certain aspects of it. I love that. And then by growing and learning, they expand on what they can access and use, just like with regular bending. Aaaaa~

Haha, probably! In the Avatar Wan screenshots the art style they used is like classical Chinese art, like what they used for the Oma and Shu clip. From what I remember the backgrounds were very simple, so I wonder if we'll even really see the world he lived in like how they present the current atla/lok world, or if it'll just be some scenery on a white background.