Korra - The Sting - Review

Previous Korra reviews:
Ep. 13+14: "Rebel Spirit" and "The Southern Lights"
Ep. 15: "Civil Wars, Part 1"
Ep. 16: "Civil Wars, Part 2"
Ep. 17: "Peacekeepers"



As always SPOILERS!



"My mom is gone, my dad's in jail; Future Industries is all I have left of my family."




Bad cops, bad cops. Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when the Avatar is away?

Solve a terrorist case, that's what. "The Sting" proves it can carry other character's subplots when Korra is away as it fully realizes most of their story arcs after the gradual build-ups from the past five episodes. Unfortunately Mako is the main lead this time around (boo), but good news, everyone, he's still pretty tolerable (yaaay.) I'm not sure I really like the scene where Lin and those two dumbass cops essentially chew him away. Someone told me that Mako's behavior was unprofessional as he essentially burst into the scene with evidence that he could only meagerly support (which didn't do him a lot of good.) I read a few other comments that stated the same and…okay, I can accept that. However I still think this entire moment was a little contrived to get Mako to work alone without police support. Honestly, I think those two dunderhead cops didn't help since they more or less represent just how idiotic the entire Republic Police force seem to be. Other than that, he carries the story well; they use his detecting skills greatly without making him some super cop. I still can't say much for Mako's character, but he's got a good story, so yay I guess. It's hard to write about Mako since he doesn't have much of a shining personality and he was mostly a background presence for most of Book Two so far. My friend described it best: he's the kind of character you take out of a box for this one episode or scene, then put back in when you're done for the next time.

It's sad to say I have to apply the same for Asami. I like Asami, I think she's great, but I really wish I could get to know her better, too. Asami is…nice. That's largely about it. To her credit, she did have an interesting story arc in Book One and I'm largely intrigued with her current dilemma in Book Two. After being tricked by the Triple Triads, she and Mako revisit Future Industries' warehouse to find her, well, future is over. Her reaction is heartbreaking and that one look she gives up close is devastatingly powerful.



Oh, and she kisses Mako.

On the one hand, I am fearful. I don't care how much fun they're having writing complicated love stories, good for them, but Bryke sucks at it. They weren't that great in Avatar either, but the romance subplots never dominated the show and the characters didn't constantly make dumbass decisions (I think this is slightly helped by the fact that the couples in the show largely weren't involved in love triangles.) I am definitely wary about this moment. HOWEVER, I don't think it will be as awful as Book One was. Asami kissed Mako when she was at her lowest point and I'm actually glad this was acknowledged. The problem with Mako's breakup in Book One (other than the fact that Asami should have been the one to do it, I say) was that it was too neat and clean. Asami had problems with his dickery over his feelings with Korra and she eventually called him out on it. This was a growing problem that they both needed to address, but by the time "Skeletons in the Closet" rolled, Mako breaks up with Asami and that's it. We're left to assume she simply got over it just like that. Granted, Book Two is a six month gap, so maybe she did, but I still felt cheated. So yes, I am happy Asami still has lingering feelings and the kiss she gave to Mako is genuine and believable—much more so than her non-reaction in Book One. Honestly, having watched "The Sting", I now think Korra and Mako owe her a Grade A apology for quickly getting together knowing how she must have felt because it does come off as pretty douchey on their part (on top of the other bullshit they pulled on Asami in the love triangle.)

This is another reason why I don't think the kiss will be blown out of proportion. Asami is if anything pretty damn patient and looks to be a forgiving person. She isn't relentlessly stubborn, quick to snap, or petty; I doubt Asami will have a dramatic fit if Mako and Korra get back together (and I think they will because Makorra is inevitable.) She is not the kind of person to act so catty - she is a goddamn classy lady, damn it. Also to Mako's credit, he didn't kiss back and instead reacted awkwardly, proving that no, he doesn't feel the same, so extra drama likely averted. In short, yes, I worry this can still fuck up, but I don't think it's that big of a deal just yet.

Speaking of idiots, Bolin's fame has gotten the best of him. Now that he's a bonafide star, he laps it up and thrives off it. So much that his ego overwhelms him and he spends the entire episode being an asshole. I don't make it a habit to dive into really controversial parts when it comes to these reviews because I like to keep it as these silly little time-wasters I do for fun, but as I was stumbling through tumblr, I noticed an interesting comment concerning Bolin's forced kiss on Ginger, citing it as a part of rape culture. I mused over this, rewatched the episode, and came to the conclusion of…Well, Not Really.

Er, allow me to explain.

It's not that I can't see where they're coming from: Ginger is tied up, so she wouldn't be able to stop Bolin and that honestly does look bad. Prior to that, Bolin hints a romantic desire to Ginger and her storming out implies he's likely done this before, buuuuut I think the show was aiming for a completely different message. Bolin has spent most of Book Two in this low slump because he doesn't have a bright future like the others do, nor a purpose, nor people to hang out with. Korra is the Avatar so that goes without saying and right now, she has a civil war to deal with. Mako is a cop and a good one at that and his current case means he doesn't have time for his brother's shenanigans, rudely telling him off to further drive the knife in. And Asami has a company to save. What does Bolin have? The Fire Ferrets are kaput because they lost, proving he's simply not leading material. He doesn't have a girlfriend and all his friends are busy with their own issues. He has nothing and no other talent to show for it and Lord if I don't relate somewhat to that. Enter Varrick who gives him a life of glamour and fame; one where he'll be loved by all and finally get a life. Being the naïve sap that he is, it all goes to his head (and after watching this episode, I can't but wonder if Varrick knew he could play the boy up like putty.) "The Sting" gradually reveals a transformation: he starts off wide-eyed and excited before, then enters full jerkmode, and eventually gets so wrapped up in his own illusions that he's stuck between a line where he cannot seem to separate fiction and reality. His treatment of Ginger is one part of a greater problem: he's getting delusional.

It's clear Bolin is honestly confused when Ginger refuses his kiss during that scene; he really though she was giving him vibes and he reciprocated/hinted he felt the same until Ginger clarified that she was just acting—her actual personality is obviously nothing like the character she plays and THAT is what Bolin is confused about. He doesn't think he's entitled to her, he thinks Ginger just felt the same and keep in mind before he kissed her, he mostly laid out hints and was just as confused when she refused to acknowledge them. Ginger the character loves Nuktuk, but he IS Nuktuk, so why isn't she sweeping into his arms like in the movies? The whole point of Bolin's character arc is that he feels like a loser and he'd rather take this delusional world over his own. Nuktuk is strong, courageous, gets the girl, and is admired by all. Bolin is dumpy, a has-been, and has nobody to rely on.

And at no point does the show even remotely state this is a good thing whatsoever. Remember, this is the same Bolin who had a legion of fangirls, but had no problem treating Korra with utmost respect when he had romantic interest in her. The difference between Korra and Ginger is that in the latter's case, he's in a new position where fame has consumed him and he cannot handle it maturely. Nothing in the show treats him as if he's in the right; Mako and Ginger dismiss him and the only reason Varrick butters up to Bolin is for his own personal gain and nothing out of genuine friendship. Do I think he's being skeevy? Yes. Does he need to apologize to Ginger for his behavior? Yes. Does he need to apologize for being a dick, period? HELL Yes! But I don't necessarily see it as a part of rape culture, but I get the implication because it is bad. That's the point.



I do notice a lot of characters tend to be jerkasses in order to get character development though. Korra's angry pretty much all the time, Lin can get feisty, Mako was a jerk during the love triangle, and now Bolin needs a swift kick in the ass. I'm beginning to see people's problems with these characters and it probably doesn't help that each book is going to be its own separate stories. Nickelodeon's extension likely forced them to create new ideas out of whole cloth within a certain time limit for all we know, but it does explain some clumsy transition from Book One to Book Two. Maybe they don't work so well within a shorter time frame? Avatar took 61 episodes to tell one, long story. The characters worked there because they're significantly more rounded than Korra's cast. You can have Aang's team act like jerks here and there, but outside of it being few and far between (imagine having to deal with "The Southern Raiders" Katara for six episodes straight), they have other quirks and traits that adds layers and make them more than their key archetype. I can't tell you what Mako or Asami is like outside of their chief personality and it mostly amounts to "He's bland and she's nice" and Korra seems content being ANGRYANGRYANGRY 24/7. I could spend paragraphs describing Katara and Toph and Sokka. Even when I felt Sokka had a lack of focus in Book Two, he still had time to interact and be his own guy so that we still knew who he was, yet if I was to write about Mako, it'd probably be one sentence describing his personality and extra paragraphs complaining about the stupid love triangle. And the frustrating thing is, despite the lack of Dark Spirit business lately, the narrative and story is still building up and progressing at a pretty good level. It's the characters I cannot say for and I don't know if Bryke really has any idea how to use that shorter timespan to their advantage or not, but it's certainly not an excuse in any case.

I'll tell you one character who's been awesome since the start of this book: Varrick. OH MY GOD this man is awesome and "The Sting" made him even more awesome. I suspected he was part of the terrorist attack and this episode confirms it. I said in the last episode review that he wasn't quite a manipulative genius, but now I have to rethink my words. This man managed to make propaganda films to demonize the North and now has a controlling portion of Future Industries…all to secure and influence his wealth and connection. And the kicker? I'm still not sure what they're going to do with him by the end. I think he's pretty much upgraded to antagonist status, but unlike Unalaq, he's in this unpredictable bubble where I can't even perceive or think what his finale fate will be. Either way, this guy is a better villain than Unalaq is! Oh my GOD, I love Varrick.



Speaking of Unalaq, the dude entered the Spirit World. What the hell is this guy looking for? Also Korra gets amnesia. Oh, of all the hackneyed plot that they could have summoned up—really? We're really going with this? We're going to cheaply erase Korra's personality so they can essentially rewriter her whole scratch? She's going to see the First Avatar in the next two episodes, so I don't know what they'll actually do—maybe they're surprise me—but really?

I DO like what Korra does when the Fire Sages wake her up: she Airbends first and she does it differently. This isn't Korra-style bending where she offensively punches wind out, she twirls her entire body around like an Airbender would normally do.

"The Sting" is fairly good, but a lot of the stories here hits my irk button all the same. Don't get me wrong, I think I'm one of the maybe 2% of the people who thinks Book Two of Legend of Korra is fascinating, but I'm still unsure if it'll improve. The main story is good, yet the tedious character moments on top of a couple of bland ones, plus a bit of oddball pacing is to its detriment. We are officially reaching the halfway point and while I'm largely optimistic compare than most, I always have this niggling sense of reluctance swimming in the back of my head. Sometimes, I don't know how to feel.

On the plus side, I LOVED the Nuktuk movie. I love the 1920s special effects and black and white film - including grainy lines! I love how cornball and cheesy it is by making Unalaq an even bigger caricature than he is in the show and adding talking animal sidekicks. Oh, and the bad puns, can't forgot those. I even love the fact that the stage sets are in black and white. Love it. XD
AND A HALF OUT OF FIVE STARS






ESKIMO KISSES: Okay, I won't lie, that photo of Korra and Mako at the beginning is kind of cute.

"ROCKY BOTTOM:" Named after his mother, this ship is Varrick's fifth favorite. XD

BEST LINE: "Bolin, have you ever watched a monkey marmot ride a bicycle? Course not! You can't force monkey marmots to do anything! They got to want to do it themselves."

GOD, I LOVE VARRICK.



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