In the fifth episode of the second season of The Legend of Korra, Korra journeys to Republic City to solicit help from the President. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch The Legend of Korra.
Trigger Warning: For discussion of ableism (including use of the word “crazy” multiple times) and sexism
This is a neat episode, but probably the first one that doesn’t feel super thrilling this season. There’s a lot of set-up done here, though, so I know it’s most likely serving as a bridge to another arc or chapter of this story. Let’s discuss!
Meelo
I don’t need everything in this show to contribute to something bigger than it is, though. I’m appreciative that Meelo and Tenzin get their own little story within “Peacekeepers” that’s cute and fun. I suppose it’s also an interesting commentary on Tenzin’s style of teaching, isn’t it? Tenzin tried his best to maintain an authoritarian tone with Korra, only to have it backfire. But with Meelo and the lemurs, including Pokey, this style ends up making Meelo DOMINION LORD OF THE AIR LEMURS. If nothing else, it’s one of the funniest visual gags in the entire show. SO MANY LEMURS and so much regret from Tenzin. Bless.
Bolin
All right, the whole “crazy” girlfriend trope used for Eska is really kind of over the top in a way that’s not funny at all. (Which isn’t to suggest this trope is ever really funny, I suppose.) As in-depth and complicated as this season has been so far, Eska has now been reduced to a one-note punchline that relies on one of the most pervasive myths in this world: that women are, more often than not, capable of the kind of behavior that gets them deemed as “crazy.” I mean, Varrick even has readily-available advice on how to deal with those kind of women! That’s how popular this stereotype is within this fictional universe. I love Aubrey Plaza’s delivery in terms of the voice acting, and there’s a part of me that’s happy that Bolin is getting his own story, but even that’s tainted. His story isn’t given any of the serious weight that the other characters get, you know?
Here’s the thing: I like Bolin as comic relief. I really do, and he fulfills that role incredibly well. But I also want him to get character development – like Sokka did – while making me laugh. I don’t think that’s unreasonable to ask for. The same goes for Eska! She deserves the same respect from the text as well. You can balance humor with substance without diluting either one of them. I’m hoping there’s something in Varrick’s use of Bolin in creating propaganda for the Southern Water Tribe.
Mako / Korra
Well, I can’t say I’m surprised but HOLY SHIT. I didn’t expect Mako and Korra’s break-up to be so INTENSE. I think the show has shown us the reasons why these two – at least at this point in their lives – cannot maintain a relationship. Korra’s stress and anxiety levels are so high that she cannot focus on Mako or his needs, and she’s prone to lashing out at him due to frustrations she’s having in her life. On the flipside, Mako often feels inadequate, unable to provide the support Korra needs. He also is regularly dismissive of her concerns, even if he doesn’t mean to be. I think a lot of this is situational. In another world or another time, they might have been more compatible, but with Korra’s destiny and Mako’s career, how could they possibly be on the same page?
It’s rough. Breakups are not easy the vast majority of the time, and this one just occurred during a volatile time for both of these characters. Are they going to attempt to be friends, too? Or will their paths diverge at this point?
Politics
I really do love how seamlessly the political side of life in Republic City is woven into the larger worldbulding in The Legend of Korra. We’ve got protests; we’ve got explanations of how neutrality within oppressive systems is utter bullshit; we’ve got bureaucracy on display; we’ve got actual displays of political correctness. (Pay attention to how Raiko re-frames Korra’s request and how he speaks of the conflict. He purposely avoids terms and labels. He refers to diplomacy as if it’s a tenable solution when the Northern Water Tribe has already invaded the South. How can diplomacy work if one side has already crossed over into an act of violence?
It’s frustrating to watch Korra get blocked repeatedly from helping out her people because these obstacles shouldn’t be there in the first place. I wonder, then, if Raiko has some weird connection to the bombing of the Cultural Center. Why would he be so reluctant to find out what really happened? Why is he so willing to stop Korra from helping her people, yet he can still blame the firebomb on the North? Is there some third party I’m not aware of? PROBABLY.
Dark Spirit
WHAT THE HELL. Can a dark spirit swallow someone? BECAUSE THAT’S JUST WHAT HAPPENED TO KORRA. Just… where did she go? Does she go somewhere when this happens? WHY IS THIS SHOW MAKING ME THINK ABOUT THIS???
The video for “Peacekeepers” can be downloaded here for $0.99.
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