In the sixth episode of the second season of The Legend of Korra, Bolin becomes Nuktuk while Mako tries to track down the person responsible for the bombings and thefts in Republic City. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch The Legend of Korra.
Trigger Warning: For discussion of sexual assault.
So, this isn’t quite grabbing me as the first season did, though the Varrick reveal was interesting. I feel like the first four episodes were very thrilling, and now, the action has lulled here. But I like the overall arc, and I want to see more of it.
Bolin
I sense that Bolin is being set up for a fairly major disappointment, given that Varrick is willing to double cross anyone in order to increase his own worth. At the same time, isn’t he technically helping out? The propaganda movie he’s making seems to be a hit in Republic City, so it should have the affect that the team wants, no? That’s not suggesting that this absolves him of his guilt for stealing Asami’s company from her, but he is such a strange character. How much of what he’s done was genuine? Has he wanted to help the whole time, or was he just looking for a new situation to exploit?
My concern, then, would be for Bolin, who is letting the whole movie star thing get to his head. (It’s seriously surreal watching this while reading Terry Pratchett’s Moving Pictures, y’all.) How far will Varrick take him before letting him fall to the bottom? There’s a part of me, though, that feels like Bolin needs that sort of humiliation. His treatment of Ginger (JESUS, IS THIS ACTUALLY MOVING PICTURES?) is deplorable because he projects his romantic feelings on her, unable to distinguish between her character and herself. This results in him surprising her with a kiss during filming and then immediately misinterpreting her disinterest as budding love. SERIOUSLY, SHE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE CLEARLY REPULSED BY YOU, BOLIN. So, no? Please stop forcing kisses on people? And I hope this show also makes it clear that Bolin’s behavior towards this woman is not acceptable, at least more than they have.
Mako / Asami
Uggggggh, can we not re-tread this relationship?
I think that Mako is misguided at times, desperate to prove himself to those around him. It’s a sign of insecurity, and it’s one I understand. This is a theme I’ve actually written a lot about lately, so I’m not trying to criticize his character. Trust me, few people on earth understand trying too hard more than me. IT IS MY LIFE’S WORK. I still do it unconsciously when my brain tells me that I want the favor of someone. So there’s a huge aspect of me that utterly empathizes with Mako. Like, I know that I behaved as he did in high school and college, meaning that I, too, made a ton of mistakes along the way.
But I appreciate that he’s trying to solve this case when no one will believe him that there’s more to it. That sort of determination is admirable! It also means that Mako will make choices that are… well, not so good? Bursting in on Lin’s interrogation: bad idea. Going behind her back to set up a sting? Worse idea. Setting up said sting without police back-up? Even worse idea. DOING IT WITH THE TRIPLE THREAT TRIAD? A monumentally abysmal idea, proven just minutes later when Mako and Asami are double-crossed.
He tried, though, and sometimes, there really is worth in the trying.
I’m still floored by the Varrick reveal, though. Like, the ramifications for this are huge, y’all! I mean, that means that Varrick is a war profiteer. His whole goal within this world is to make as much money as possible off of the war between the Water Tribes. These people are real! (And plenty of them currently work in our government WHOMP WHOMP.) It’s frightening, y’all, and I now feel bad that I was so amused by Varrick and his antics.
SO. KORRA. I have little interest in amnesia storylines because they never, ever end up being surprising. BUT WHAT ISLAND IS SHE AT? WHAT’S GOING ON? Gimme more, Korra!
The video for “The Sting” can be downloaded here for $0.99.
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