Korra Civil Wars, Part 1 Review

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Previous Korra reviews:
Ep. 13+14: "Rebel Spirit" and "The Southern Lights"


As always SPOILERS!


LEGEND OF KORRA, EPISODE 15: "CIVIL WARS, PART 1"



NOTE: I wrote this before I watched "Civil Wars, Part 2", I was just too lazy to post it until now. Also, don't mind the photobucket bandwidth thing, it'll reset itself in a couple of weeks.)


"The problems between the North and the South started long before you [Korra] were born; you can't expect to undo them in a day."


photo CivilWarsOne3_zpsbea2a327.jpg



Well color me impressed, I thought they were going to drag Korra's resentment towards her father much further, but they resolved the matter in just the third episode. I justified Korra's behavior in the last two episodes, but even I know prolonging Korra's callousness would make her unlikable (or more unlikable to the people who already hated her by Season Two) and nothing stinks than a shitty main protagonist. Fortunately, the show is much smarter than that and Korra's daddy issues ends in a satisfying conclusion.

"Civil Wars, Part 1" is an amazing look at family and all the complications that come from their interaction. A lot of people I've heard keep criticizing Korra for not seeing Unalaq's agenda, but a large part of this is familiarity—he's her uncle and past episodes hint they have met before. Plus, she's rather thickheaded when it comes to more subtle methods and he keeps buttering her up. Attempting to be neutral between the North and South doesn't faire well for her (given the kind of person she is), but she's not dumb, she doesn't want a war. She largely sticks with Unalaq, but I'm glad Korra occasionally questions him (granted, through Tonraq's polite request) and I especially liked that she's the one who suggested a trial for the kidnappers. It's minor, but it's a lot better than Korra solving everything with her fists.

Course, by the end of the episode, Korra's perspective may have been flipped when Unalaq demands Tonraq and Senna's arrest. This is right after Korra reunites with her parents and all it took was the idea that her father may have gone too far over the edge. This is especially poignant when you realize the Avatar herself may have to end up apprehending him if he is found guilty. Can you imagine having to perform your duties on your own parents? Parents that you actually love? Her parents fear the day the Avatar may leave them for her destiny, but Korra proves otherwise. Even then, she could still end up losing her parents since they were still conspiring against Unalaq. I love that Korra apologizes and realizes she's been a dick. And I love that she acknowledges this in a short amount of time instead of arbitrarily lingering the drama.

Unalaq and Tonraq are both interesting because their actions largely betray their general personality. Tonraq is often brash and blunt, but twenty years of experience since that past incident has given him insight and maturity. He may be in the rebellion, but there are certain lines he refuses to cross. Plus, dude is family, yo. Unalaq meanwhile gets aggressive and accuses Tonraq of assassination. He might have had enough evidence to realize his brother was in the rebellion, but murder? The goons who kidnapped him never said anything about murder. Granted, while it's a likely option, it's still jumping the gun and Unalaq may be betraying his usually poised mannerisms to point fingers at the likeliest suspect with the likeliest intent. Either way, it adds layers to their character and a bit of irony, too.

So what IS Unalaq ultimately after? He claims Korra needs to go to the North and open up the Spirit Portal there, but he also stated the Northern area is already spiritual. There's a contradiction there and though he's not above stating an honest fact, I also can't help but feel he wants something more. Does he want to go in the Portal? Is there something in there he desires? This just got a whole new shade of interesting.

photo CivilWarsOne2_zps85b9e530.jpg


I thought Tenzin's subplot would deal primarily with him versus his siblings, but it's much more complicated than that. Kya, Bumi, and Tenzin all have their individual issues with each other. Both Kya and Bumi think Aang favored Tenzin over the two with the latter unaware of any favoritism that might have actually happened. Bumi feels inferior for being the only Non-Bender in the family and it likely chewed him badly since he's the oldest of the three. Kya had to end her free-spirited lifestyle to stay and help Katara cope after Aang's death; Tenzin stating he was the most responsible must have really put a crick in her spine. I like the idea that Aang—this sweet kid we knew and grew with for three seasons—wasn't a perfect parent. I don't doubt he loved all his kids, but it would make sense that he'd slightly lean towards Tenzin. Aang's spent most of his life under pressure as the last Airbender, singlehandedly having to live and embrace its culture and legacy; he likely pushed the same towards Tenzin. This is especially so when you realize Tenzin is the youngest, so Aang likely had to deal with the possibility that he might not end up with Airbending kids after having two who are respectfully Non-Bender and a Waterbender. Well, it certainly explains why he's so serious all the time. All of them are act believably as they endless spat over old wounds. There is likely truth to their words, but just as likely as much bias as well from their own perspective. Hell, their interaction started because of another sibling quarrel amongst Tenzin's children. It's a solid subplot and arguably better than the main story for its flawless approach to family conflict.

I'm also stunned at Bolin's subplot. Like Korra's apology, I thought Bolin would stupidly try to please Eska (and Desna) as long as the plot could take it. I figured the show would milk his naivety and have him think he and Eska actually has a future together because SIIIIILLLLLY BOOOOLIN, but no, Bolin instantly realizes his time with the creepy twins is about as pleasant as Sky Bison's ass. Bolin hates the role he's playing and he wants out. Problem is, he can't man up and has to resort to Mako for advice. Ha Haaa haaaaaaaaaaaaa, Mako, giving romantic advice. That's just adorable; it's the blind leading the blind. Still, it speaks a lot about Bolin's character that he'd rely on his brother. Bolin isn't as self-reliant, so he goes to the one person who has been caring for him for years. I don't know how well this will lead to Bolin maturing and getting out of his butt monkey role, but I hope this is just the start of a gradual character development.

(Also, I'm sure someone will either mention this or ask me how I feel about this, but no, I did not take Mako's "rip off a blood-sucking leech" to indicate Asami. It's possible he was thinking about his relationship with Asami when he said that, but he was likely referring to the relationship itself and NOT Asami. Look, Mako is a tool and the shit he pulled in Season One is not cool, but he's not an intentional jerk; he does not think Asami is some disposable bandage.)

Speaking of Mako, where is the show going with him? It's still early that things can change, but so far, he's had the least amount of conflict amongst the cast. The struggles of being the Avatar's girlfriend could be a story on its own, but it doesn't feel like it has the necessary drama to realize an actual arc based around it. Not to mention it would just mean Mako's entire shtick is to once again just be "the love interest." Seriously, go watch ANY Season One episode after "Voice in the Night"—Mako's entire role revolves around being Korra's love interest. Mako needs a personality boost or a story to carry because he is still the blandest character in the whole show.

The theme of family carries out excellently in "Civil Wars, Part 1." Brotherly conflicts, brotherly bonds, sibling rivalries, the fear of losing one's family—it encompasses a wide variety of family interaction, both the good and the bad. I am glad Legend of Korra dealt with family ties—Avatar did it all the time.

Ya know, I don't care if I'm being premature, I'm just gonna say it: Season Two so far is kicking ass. It is slowly and totally making up for Season One's crappy finale and I am legit excited for the next episode. ...Not that I'm not still cautious. It's only three episodes into Book Two and well, I remembered when Book One's beginning started off very strongly.
:star::star::star::star::star:  OUT OF FIVE STARS


BONUS OBSERVATION


CHANNELING CAPTAIN AHAB: Well, I can't be the only one who thought of Moby Dick when Bumi went on and on about the Shark-Squid.

BEST LINE: " I'm lucky you're so good at breaking girls' hearts. Korra better watch out."

Thank you, Bolin.

Also not a line, but Eska and Desna awkward dying penguin laughs is maddeningly hilarious.

WORST LINE: None



________________________________________________________________________________________________

:heart: STUPID FANCOMICS:heart:


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):
An AU Danny Phantom comic. It's been canceled, but for those morbidly curious to read this convoluted train wreck, the link is here.

:heart: OTHER STUFF:heart:


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Comments2
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Mad-Plot-Bunny's avatar
Yes, I love how they pulled this season off. :D But yeah everyone has some thing going on what about Mako? You're kind of on the side lines here. :/