As always SPOILERS!

PREVIOUS EPISODE REVIEWS:
Ep. 1+2: "Welcome to Republic City" and "Leaf in The Wind"
Ep. 3: "The Revelation"
Ep. 4: "The Voice In The Night"
Ep. 5: "The Spirit of Competition"

LEGEND OF KORRA, EPISODE 6: "AND THE WINNER IS..."



...Okay, this episode pretty much makes up "The Spirit of Competition". Mostly on the Pro-Bending form. I totally get it. Let the Fire Ferrets win until they reach the Championship. It's the biggest game of the year, so there's going to be a shitton of people there which is free audience for Amon to deliver his speech and intent for war. Well, that and the idea that Pro-Bending is pushed to the backside to focus on bigger things which is fine with me; I don't care for Pro-Bending. It's halfway through Season One and with declaration of war, "And The Winner Is..." is the game changer; a huge turning point that will likely set the events of the next six episodes to come. I'm hoping the stakes will be much higher and the cost must deeper.

Otherwise, the only other major thing I want to point out is the continuing romance or...is every main female character petty bitches when it comes to love? Lin hints she's still resentful Tenzin chose Pema and often takes it out on both him and Korra as a result. Though this is from last episode, Pema states she "stole" Tenzin from her. Tenzin did declare he and Lin have been growing apart and Pema likely didn't mean to sound callous, but citing Lin as the "wrong woman" sounds awfully presumptuous of her. And of course Korra. While the last episode didn't necessary wrap up the love triangle (it's major purpose seem to wrap up Korra/Mako/Bolin so they can focus on Mako/Korra/Asami), Korra at least seem to give the indication that she is willing to try and get over her resentment at Asami as she compliments and thanks her for the support she's given to the team.  However, she gives off a disgusted vibe when Mako flirts with Asami here and it's pretty irksome on how catty she's being. I'm aware it's standard teenage immaturity and the next episode is much more promising, but it doesn't make Korra's behavior any less bratty for secretly treating Asami as the enemy when she's been nothing but kind and helpful. This will get better, so it's not a permanent mark on the show, but like Episode 5, I'm reviewing each episode by its own merits.

Oh, wait, I lied. I forgot to point out that LIN IS THE MOST MAGNIFICENT BADASS EVER. I expected nothing but the best from Toph's daughter and she delivers marvelously. Especially amazing is that despite the massive loss from the heroes' side, it doesn't belittle her competence any less. She would have reached that blimp with Amon if it wasn't for Korra falling to her death.

Actually, I like the comparison between her and Korra. She resents Korra for fucking up her town (and possibly on a personal note because Tenzin is specifically training her), but they both generally share a forceful, inconsiderate trait. They're stubborn creatures who strive to do the right thing, but often as easily are hindered by their emotions; Lin a bit more gracefully than Korra (but I imagine that has to do with better professionalism and age). Lin takes the first step in overcoming it when she and Korra fight side-by-side, eventually reaching a point where her adversary dies down. I especially like the scene when Korra is about to fall to her death; Lin does not even hesitate for a second. She dives down and rescues her without question. Granted, I'm presuming Lin would have done it regardless for the sake of duty, but it's a telling scene regardless.

There's also that scene with Tarrlok where he sides with Tenzin for once and disbands Pro-Bending to ensure public safety. I don't believe for a second that he cares for the fate of people unless it involves his interest in someway. He's quick to side with Lin with her plans, but I have this sneaky suspicious Tarrlok was hoping for something like that. He seems to want Lin to screw up. He later provides the recap in Episode Seven, indicating a need for a better chief. Did Lin do something that prevents him from achieving his goals? Maybe a straitlaced lawful woman like her doesn't clash with his sneaky political ways. Or maybe he's secretly working for Amon.

As compressed as I feel this show is (also, when the hell is Korra going back to her Airbending stuff with Tenzin?), the build up to get to this state is no less enticing. I imagine shit will hit the fan. Like even moreso than some of the stuff that's been happening prior.
OUT OF FIVE STARS


BONUS OBSERVATION

CABBAGE CORP: Seems like The Cabbage Merchant finally got his karmic due; good for him! XD

CHIPETTE: I know she's dressed as Korra, but my first thought was actually Simon's female counterpart, Jeanette Miller, in the 1980s Alvin and The Chipmunk cartoon.



JUNK FOOD: In the future, the Avatarverse invented popcorn. Can't wait for hot dogs and burgers. XD

DELICATE NECKLINE: Unlike with Thunderbolt Zolt, it doesn't look like Amon touched the back of Tahno's neck when he took away his bending. Deliberate foreshadowing or animation mistake?

BACK SPEECH: A rare case where Korra and teammates talk over Amon's speech instead of the latter conveniently stopping for some reason because Bolin is talking. In a lot of those cases, this is utilized for the benefit of the audience - usually, we're absorbing the information for the first time, so we need to hear it. In this particular case, Amon is more or less reciting the same empowering speech he gave back in Episode 3, so of course it'd be muffled—we already heard it! Clever.

"OOH, HE AIN'T COMIN' BACK IN RUSH HOUR 2" One of the Equalists falls and lands on the roof…and he's not moving. Dude is deaaaaad.

SPONGEBOB, YOU BITCH: An ad for Spongebob appears when Korra nearly falls to her death. He laughs. That sponge is a sadist.



BEST LINE: "He is levering one of those glove devices at me and I believe he is about to electrocute me. I am currently wetting my pants." Dedicated to his job!

WORST LINE: Um. Uh. Er. Amon's "Everything is going according to plan"? B-Because it sounds so borderline cliché evil? I don't know! It's hard to find worst lines for this show! Even when they spout bad and/or cliche lines, it's countered with the 98% of dialogue that are good/amazing.



LEGEND OF KORRA, EPISODE 7: "THE AFTERMATH"



AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WHERE IS EPISODE EIGHT ALREADY?!

I suspected Future Industries would be involved. After all, aside from being established characters, it would make perfect sense where Amon would get the money and resources to support his growing revolution. That means it would be one of two people: Hiroshi Sato or his daughter Asami or worse, both. I'm actually relieved it's not the latter. From a romantic subplot POV, if Asami is evil, it would be forceful and cheap. It would be a convenient way for Mako and Korra to get romantically involved because Asami was against them the entire time. Given the shit both of them pulled on each other, dragging poor Bolin and (an unknowing) Asami into the mix, it would feel even more detriment for the two to hook up. They didn't earn it.

I've already mentioned in the above review and Episode Five on how petty Korra was being (not that Mako wasn't any better, but more on him later) towards Asami, but I had confidence that the show would eventually deal with it. Consider it dealt with. "The Aftermath" finally confronts the issue when Korra realizes Asami is not the "prissy" girl that she assumed. She basically apologizes for pulling a "judging a book based on its cover". It's not without its complications. Korra suspects Hiroshi for working with the Equalist and while she has just enough to feel suspicious, her relentless nature and refusal to back down convinces me a part of her motivation was through jealously between Mako and Asami. The thing about Korra is that while she's friendly and open; when she gets forceful and emotional, she tends to be inconsiderate to other people's feelings. It's a key flaw that's been called on before, but especially so here because, well, she's right. It's almost self-punishment because the results are so awful that Korra wishes she was wrong. It doesn't necessary make her snooping any better because her motivation can also be seen as someone just trying to find someway to denounce the Sato household because jealously drives a significant part of that, but I think there was a part of her who wanted to stop this Equalist nonsense. She's just not in proper control of her emotions.

I have to give a pat in the back to Mako. He likes Korra, but threatening to cut off their friendship gives off an indication that yes, he has chosen Asami. The ending only further seems to confirm this when Korra basically pulls a "I Want My Beloved to be Happy" trope and tells Mako to comfort Asami. There are bigger issues for her to handle for one thing, but it's another sign that she may no longer carry an antagonist attitude towards her. Here's hoping for a future episode where Korra and Asami kicks ass side-by-side.

Lin is already Awesome Incarnate. Here, she's Super Awesome Incarnate. Now that she's going outside the law, are we going to expect Super Epic? Oh, fucking christ, too much Awesome to handle! I sadly don't have much to say for Tenzin. He shows off his Airbending moves, but I can't say it's as epic as I was hoping it'd be.

It's Asami who is the most damn awesome here. Her crowning achievement happens during the tail end when her father essentially tells her to join the Dark Side. I love the contrast between the two: Hiroshi cannot stand the idea of Benders and particularly Mako for dating her. He's a Firebender which makes it especially terrible for him since a Firebender killed his wife. However, Asami doesn't carry that prejudice at all. As much as she misses her mother, Mako is Mako; a guy she cares for. Any whom her crowning part comes when she shocks her father AND The Lieutenant. I like that scene where she hesitates to choose between her father and the Equalist and Team Korra. I don't think she was tempt at all. I think the tension is because Asami was trying to decide whether to electrocute her father or not since it's such a life-changing decision and can come off as betrayal to the man who raised and loves her. Also, did anyone notice this is kind of like  Reverse Zuko moment? Both take place in a secret underground liar where said character must choose between "good" and "evil". Zuko chose Azula, Asami chose the heroes.

"And The Winner Is..." set the stage for shit to hit the fan, but I honestly like "The Aftermath" better because everything is starting to tumble after the triggering point when Amon bombed the Pro-Bending stage. It's a sign of things getting worse - much worse - before it gets better. You bet I am lapping this shit up.
OUT OF FIVE


BONUS OBSERVATION

GARGOYLES: What the FUCK are those bipedal birds? Lizard-birds? Gargoyles brought to life? What animal does it combine with?! Dear GOD, it's fucking freaky!

CABBAGE CORP 2: Seems like The Cabbage Merchant finally got his butt monkey due; sucks for him! XD

SWIM GEAR: I'm vastly amused by the swimming outfits Mako and Bolin dons; it's very much fitting with the 1920s fashion. I say it because in Avatar, much of the summer wear worn during "The Beach" is much closer to current beach wear.

AHSJAASHKAL:



PABU! SO CUTE! I WANT ONE! I WANT TEN!

HELMET HAIR: Asami has none of that once she removes her helmet or any sort of mess. Granted, it's limited animation, but I like to think money buys good hair product. It's not limp and wet when she's in the swimming pool either.

PAINT THE FIRE EVIL: What's up with the Firebenders always pulling the bad shit? They were the primary antagonists in the original series, now they (or maybe one Firebender) killed Mako/Bolin, Amon, and Asami's family. …Maybe it is one Firebender and he's secretly Amon himself! …Yeah, I don't know, but seriously, what's up with that?

BIG DADDY: I still need to play Bioshock, but those mechs look like them.

BEST LINE: "Do you think your dad knows about this tunnel?" Once again, Bolin is the best character. The best.

WORST LINE: None.

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Discovery (A Transformers Animated Fancomic): Read the entire thing here. More updated as the series progresses. Placed there for archival purpose.

Chess Piece (A Danny Phantom Fancomic):
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