Korra Ep. 4 Review

As always SPOILERS!

PREVIOUS EPISODE REVIEWS:
Ep. 1+2: "Welcome to Republic City" and "Leaf in The Wind"
Ep. 3: "The Revelation"



LEGEND OF KORRA, EPISODE 4: "THE VOICE IN THE NIGHT"




OH MY GOD. THE ENDING! AGAHDKJSADKHASKAASHJAK ALL MY FEELINGS! TAKE THEM!

I got to admit the episode did took repeated viewings before it grew on me. The first half starts off slow, but watching it again made me realize the brilliant amount of build up and/or organic growth for several characters. The biggest is Korra and her increasing fear of Amon's presence and his ability to take away Bending. It defines her and by taking it away, not only does it strip a significant part of her, but she won't be able to use it to specifically defend or fix any problems she faces.

She's portrayed as a forceful girl who solves any issues she witnesses through her fist. Both Councilman Tarrlok and Amon retaliates through the use of mental and indirect force. The concept is alien to Korra and they both use that specific weakness to get her to play by their rules. She's direct and straightforward in her approach. Tarrlok and Amon spins circles - manipulating and outsmarting her - constantly winning their game of chess (though in the words of Azula, albeit paraphrasing, she was barely a player to begin with). It's by luck that Korra made it out with her abilities. Amon could have just taken her Bending, but he opts not to and for a legitimately good reason, too. Kudos to the writers for not slapping a cheap (or no explainable) reason on why he let her be. It's an unfortunate writing trap many villains suffer under incompetent writing: how do you let the antagonist preserve the heroes when they have them under their trap? They could easily do away with them, but opt not to and often, the reasoning is poor. Amon clearly knows what he's doing and provides a valid reason why. He has plans and from the sound of it, it'll be a hell of a lot worse than the fear he further installed into the poor girl.

This must have been a significant blow to her ego. She keeps her fear a secret and challenges Amon and the Equalists when pressured under public to prove she's got what it takes. She's the Avatar, damn it, she will take care of this grave issue! When she finally cries in Tenzin's arms, Korra is humbled as she confesses her fear. It's a good character developing moment. I think that's why - both straight and symbolically - she was able to have that vision at the end, too. Now that she realizes there's more at stake that Bending alone cannot solve (though she has no clue what to do right now), she briefly (though not on purpose; one comment I heard likened it more to an Avatar muscle memory) gets a spiritual moment when she witnesses flashbacks of Aang. They all come too quickly and are naturally vague. Is that Sokka vs. Aang? What did Aang do 42 years ago that will play a relevant part in Korra's decision? One thing is for certain: Metalbending Cop Toph is the most badass motherfucker ever. HELLS YEAH.

Did anyone notice all the Councilmen were Benders? As if this didn't motivate Amon even further! Also, does Tarrlok have a bigger agenda? The general consensus is that he wants to gain political power, but could there be more?

Asami is gorgeous and I could get lost in her eyes forever. There, I admit it. I mean, look at her.




Asami immediately bonds with Mako and solves his money troubles quick and efficiently. It's too convenient, too easily solved that I can't help but be suspicious. But I also think there's also a good organic growth between the two as well and I'm convinced the two are adorable together. The only thing I can really say about Asami for the time is that she's currently a shallow love interest. Not much is known about her outside of her status and charitable nature; something obviously passed down from daddy. I have no doubt the writers will emphasize her traits later down the line. I'm suspicious of her motives, but potentially making her evil or immoral is too obvious. What would be pretty interesting is if Asami is exactly who she is: a kind, sweet, rich girl who loves Pro-Bending. We'll see. For now, she seems fit to be Korra's future romantic rival. It's practically written all over her face. That said, I did coo a small "awww" when Bolin presented Korra with a flower and candy as a gift for rescuing his life. It almost makes me want to ship the two.

Also, I don't really have the hots for Mako, but when he wore this:




Speaking of clothes, I counted maybe like ten different outfits for multiple characters. In one episodes. I mentioned in my "Christmas in July" review of Transformers Rescue Bots that animating numerous clothes is a difficult and frustrating challenge for animators. The cast of Korra go through a number of outfits - Asami goes through a grand total of four! It only further proves the attention, love, and care they give to this show. It's mind-blowing.
AND A HALF OUT OF FIVE STARS


BONUS OBSERVATION

JAMMIES: Given the number of different outfits multiple characters wear in this episode alone, they really couldn't kill to give Korra pajamas? She even sleeps with her boots on!

POLITICAL ICON: Everyone in the Republic Council possess fish-like symbols on their clothes, except Tarrlok. Now why is that? Is he a Junior member or something else entirely?

LUST: Apparently Asami 's look was designed after Lust from Fullmetal Alchemist. Yeah, I can totally see the resemblance.

SURPRISE, THEN SIP: Before the commercial break, Korra takes a quick sip out of her cup as everyone reacts in surprise at her rejection of Tarrlok's offer. I mention it because I like that small addition. It's not just a close up of Korra's face; she's drinking her tea and acting as though this is no big deal.

SELFLESS LOAN: Sato's benefactor? I'm totally calling Zuko.

SLADE EYES: When they did a close up of Amon's eye as he speaks to Korra, I instantly thought of Slade from Teen Titan. Then I shuddered.

BEST LINE: "So, I understand you're dirt poor." PFFT. Straight to the point and he wasn't being rude about it either. XD

RUNNER-UP: "Why do you have three ponytails and how come you smell like a lady?" Such a precarious child.

WORST LINE: None. I feel like there won't be a whole lot of these.

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