TERA REVIEWS: 410-Turning the Tides

[Tera253]

THIS IS NOT WHAT I SIGNED ON FOR!
okay, maybe it is. Anyhoo, 409 is also on the list of episodes I haven't seen. will I? maybe. right now? nope.
And those who think that I don't know what happens...are wrong. Those that don't want to spoil me... go stick that self-righteous philosophy BS where the sun don't shine.

first off. Tera's approval for a brief shot of Korra with her hair down, because she looks better that way. :U
Otherwise, the first thing that really jumped out at me was Mako and Asami's little gig in the kitchen. The obvious potentials for jokes aside, Asami needs to dump Mako's azz, because he's a bigger douche than Zuko (and not the awesomely sexy kind of douchebag that Tarrlok and Zhao both are, albeit in different ways)
And Pema's gunna have da behbeh. allmyhappys.

I am obviously not the only one who loves Tenzin's kids (in particular, Ikki and Meelo). As evidenced by the opening line of this thread, Lin's line made me actually laugh out loud. Meelo's a creepy little stinker. I love him, Lin's straightforwardness, and Ikki's original trolling from 401.

I also love that like any good nameless mooks, the other three councilpeople get captured in like 12 seconds, and then we have Tenzin all like "can't let ya do that, Starfox" and owns those mofos United 93 style, and still coming out alive. Granted, if Tarrlok were still in commission, he probably would have owninated them as well.
Allso good to see Hiroshi back again. I knew we would see him again, but to see him next to Amon was just... there was something awesome about it. Frankly, considering that this sentence is being written right after the 1/3 movie mark, I hope we get to see a bit more details on those bombs.

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE MAY BE SEXIST.
7:39. women drivers strike again, courtesy of Avatar Korra. got me to crack a good laugh.
NOW LEAVING THE SEXIST ZONE.

also fully convinced that Mako needs to be single. ever since we got soem of the down-low on him, I've seen connections between him and Katara, and Bolin and Sokka. Before anyone bitches at me and says that they're nothing alike, no, I'm not saying that Bolin IS Sokka, or that Mako IS Katara. just that there are connections. Granted, I wanted Katara to remain single at the end of ATLA, so I am pretty sure think that my hopes are doomed to be crushed. but... whatever.

I recall a lot of people saying that Tenzin kicked a lot of ass in this episode. 10:02 in and so far so good. I love Tenzin. he would be such an awesome Avatar.
Just for the record, the moment Tenzin passed out, I knew that The Krew were gonna come and save the day. I said it out loud and didn't even get to finish the sentence when the scene changed to this car roaring down the street. I'll hand it to them this time... they did better than I anticipated. Well, except Asami, who I assumed was going to kick ass and take names. Well, she ran out of names to take, but anyhoo... "Tenzin has escaped again."

Shit really starts hitting the fan like 5 weeks ago or something. The Equalists even have the cajones to attack Air Temple Island. I don't know what there is to gain out of that unless (A) they knew Lin was there, perhaps (B) didn't get the memo that Korra is in RC, or most likely (C), something to use as bait for Tenzin.
and bitchy no-nonsense Lin is amazing. her remark when Pema's about to have the baby was beautiful. "Pull it together, PemaA didn't I just say to stay calm?"
2/3 mark, and here we go.

We open up to more asskicking by Lin. The nameless white lotus members presumably got owned because the equalists came right past them to face the lone badass Lin up in the courtyard. Pfft. That wouldn't have happened if Iroh, Pakku, Bumi and them were in charge. The trope "Names = Power (or survival) proves to be oh so true once again.
Meelo totally farts on everyone. I heard that it happened, but didn't know that the kids actually came out and did some Grade A Asskicking. I have to admit that I was impressed with Ikki's pinball-esque stunt no less. but Meelo. dear god, Meelo. that scene was a riot when it went into slow-mo and everything. Tera approves (+3)

"A brudder? well it's about time!"
I do recall hearing things about a Rohan in the chat. please tell me that I wasn't the only one who thought of the Riders of Rohan from Lord of the Rings. [/nerd]

"MUSTACHE GUY!"
and apparently the White Lotus dudes didn't get defeated. it makes me curious how the Equalists got past them... but *shrugs*
Lin was awesome, but at this point, I was already aware of her fate. I won't get into the philosophies of Amon's energybending or whatever it is, but the fact that she tore apart one of the Airships with some BAMF metalbending was pretty wintastic. When you think about it, it really could have been solved if she had chosen to attack the other airship first. ah well.
still... it should have been Korra that lost her bending, not Lin. >:U
there was some beautiful music though, especially near the end. Also... General Iroh needed a manlier voice, although I do admit that it was cool to see Dante Basco make a return for that character. overall, I loved this ep.

So... in conclusion, this ep garners about a 93.5/100. it was great, had plenty of epic moments, shit hits the fan and all that fun stuff, new behbehz, Meelo's fartbending, Hiroshi showing up, Ikki's pinball move, Badass Tenzin, Badass Lin, Badass Asami, and Korra, Mako, & Bolin *almost* being badass. it was a lovely mix of greatness and villainy, and I eagerly anticipate the finale even though I knoew damn well I won't be up at 9 my time to watch it. xB
P.S. Mako Needs to be dumped.

This stuff totally would have been written about 15 minutes earlier, but for some reason, my video decided to be a complete and utter asshole at 14:43 and so I had to wait about 15 minutes for the fucker to reload and shit. THEN, the stupid site went down, and I had to go to work... and so it got delayed even further. alas.

~Ty Lee~

[EndangeredOptimist]

Epic review as per usual Tera. lol

I was equally impressed by Tenzin's airbending 'badassery.' I said out loud, "Ya, I'm the Avatar's son, beyotch!" much to my 13-year-old son's delight. LOL

Airbender kids PWN all! Best part of this episode IMO. Can't wait to see what else they do in Book 2.

Mustache Guy=Pokemon Whiscash (Gotta catch 'em all)

I absolutely thought of the LOTR 'Riders of Rohan,' when Tenzin said the name too! lol I 'asked' Bill Rinaldi on Tumblr what the significance was to the name and he said that it's something personal straight from Mike and Bryan and that if they want to share it, fandom will know. But it's up to them to tell the story behind it, he said.

CJ Farley from the Wall Street Journal should be posting the second part of his Monday (6/18) interview with Brychael in the next few days, definitely before the finale Saturday (I hope)...I was kind of hoping they (Brychael) may have shed some light on the choice for 'Rohan,' during that interview because the reporter took fan questions via his Twitter feed. We'll see.

The only thing I found whilst digging around was that the original child actor who played the 'young Zuko' in the LAB movie, was named 'Rohan Shah,' but he was cut from the film or perhaps didn't make it past the editing room floor. I don't know if that's the connection or not. (Resisting a LAB/Shyamalan is the Anti-Christ /rant)

I don't understand all the Mako hate from fandom. lol I mean ya, he's well making the rounds of the ladies, but you know Sokka did too for awhile or at least he seemed to have a potential love interest in every port of call. ::teenage romance in all its angsty-goodness::

I wondered what you (Tera) thought of the close-up shot of Asami in the sewer tunnel? My first thought was, "She gonna go Azula-savage on us, I can feeeel it." LOL

Edited to add: Rohan Shah WAS in LAB but only for a few seconds. It was the scene detailing how Zuko got his scar. (Correction)

[Tera253]

if Asami killed Mako, nothing of any value would be lost.

the difference between Mako and Sokka is that Sokka was a pimp. Mako's just an ass. Sokka's stupidity and humor made us love him. Mako acts like a dopuchebag, and doesn't really give the fandumb any reason to like him.

and I didn't know you had a 13-year-old son. you're older than I thought. xB
~Tera~

[EndangeredOptimist]

if Asami killed Mako, nothing of any value would be lost.

the difference between Mako and Sokka is that Sokka was a pimp. Mako's just an ass. Sokka's stupidity and humor made us love him. Mako acts like a dopuchebag, and doesn't really give the fandumb any reason to like him.

and I didn't know you had a 13-year-old son. you're older than I thought. xB
~Tera~

Well...maybe he will give us a reason to like him in the finale? Hopefully.

Yes, old...lol Not as old as Gran-Gran Katara, but getting there...lol

My son's not allowed to swear like a sailor as a general rule so when he sees me say something 'salty' to the TV during LOK, he rolls over and laughs hysterically. Geesh.

[Tera253]

maybe. I'd rather see more Asami asskicking, and Lin getting her bending back.

and haha, it's fine. I'm not ageist, except maybe against teenagers.
~Ty Lee~

[EndangeredOptimist]

Ooooo YES. Lin must get her bending back. My theory (and silent prayer) is similar to what everyone on Tumblr has been saying/reblogging--that basically Amon has NOT taken anyone's bending away but rather he has used a sophisticated chi-blocking technique, placed over the 'Brow Chakra,' which tricks benders into the ILLUSION their bending has been taken away, when really it's hasn't in truth--it's only been blocked. Remember, as Tenzin said, "only the Avatar can take away someone's bending." If Lin's bending was only 'blocked,' then it can be 'unblocked,' as with everyone else.

Yes, totally agree about Asami. Let's face it, she's due. lol I mean Mako could have come clean with her about having "feels" for Korra, but he didn't. Maybe he didn't even know he had that depth of feelings for her until he almost 'lost' her to Amon ? You know...the young guys...the feels...still figuring stuff out. It's a process.

I still am curious about the look Asami shot their way. It seemed a rather curious cold, icy stare for Mako and Korra as they turned and walked into the sewer...my spidey-senses are still tingling over that. lol I don't know what it means but it seems muy importante. lol

[Tera253]

aye.

well, and Asami is the 4th member of the group. There's a formula that Team Avatar follows.

Member #1: The Avatar--the main character of the story
Member #2: The Love interest--the Avatar's BF/GF
Member #3: The Love interest's sibling--also the comic relief guy who gets pwned easily
Member #4: the independent asskicker--easily the most badass member of the team

in ATLA, this was Aang (1), Katara (2), Sokka (3), & Toph (4).
In LIKE, this is Korra (1), Mako (2), Bolin (3), & Asami (4).

so far, Team Korra has fit the bill pretty well, wouldn't you say? we just need more asskicking delivered by Asami. :T

~Tera~

[Tera253]

Addendum: If in the situation, Team Korra gets a 5th member, it might just end up being Tahno, because that would fit the bill of "Ex-douchebag who was originally against the Avatar, but got humbled and then wanted to join the Avatar's cause.

just something to think about. I'm personally against the idea, but the theory seems to be rising in popularity, so I'll swing with it for a while.

~Ty Lee~

[EndangeredOptimist]

aye.

well, and Asami is the 4th member of the group. There's a formula that Team Avatar follows.

Member #1: The Avatar--the main character of the story
Member #2: The Love interest--the Avatar's BF/GF
Member #3: The Love interest's sibling--also the comic relief guy who gets pwned easily
Member #4: the independent asskicker--easily the most badass member of the team

in ATLA, this was Aang (1), Katara (2), Sokka (3), & Toph (4).
In LIKE, this is Korra (1), Mako (2), Bolin (3), & Asami (4).

so far, Team Korra has fit the bill pretty well, wouldn't you say? we just need more asskicking delivered by Asami. :T

~Tera~

Niiiicccceee summation of the 'Team Avatar' formula. Love it! Sokka and Bolin are ironically both 'comedic' elements in each group.

I agree about Asami too. We could stand to see a little more ass-kickery from her and not just her sexyfine 'hairbending.' lol

But you know when Korra & Krew took down the Mechas to save Tenzin, it was clear she was well-versed in hand-to-hand combat. I loved her little over-the-head move before she electrocuted one of Amon's minions. She really started to show her stuff in this episode...if only minimally.

Plus a lot fandom thinks Asami should 'trade-up' to General Iroh when he arrives dock-side in Republic City. lol Too bad Amon and Sato already know he's coming. Doh!

If Mako takes Asami's farewell like a man and turns his focus and attention EXCLUSIVELY to Korra, I will have much more respect for him. But if he sees Asami and General Iroh share an instant 'chemistry' with one another and then waffles on his 'feelings' for Korra, suddenly wanting Asami back, e.g., "I don't want you right now baby b/c I'm into Korra (kind of) but I sure as hell don't want anyone else (Sexyfine General Iroh) to have you either!"...Pfft. Mako will be on 'my list,' from then on out. lol

[Akiraka_Mizu]

hmm ... what if Korra is the one to turn the tables, and go from liking Mako to the New General Iroh? That would be pretty far fetched ... but I think with all the plot twisting we have seen it isn't impossible.

Edit: Also on the "Mako Needs to be dumped" thing ... He already got laid off by Asami, maybe not dumped yet, but laid off non the less. He needs Korra to put it to him, assuming that what happened in the kitchen was how Asami was putting it to him. But we all know Korrra could probably put it to him ... If he does the back and forth dance a little more.

[EndangeredOptimist]

hmm ... what if Korra is the one to turn the tables, and go from liking Mako to the New General Iroh? That would be pretty far fetched ... but I think with all the plot twisting we have seen it isn't impossible.

Edit: Also on the "Mako Needs to be dumped" thing ... He already got laid off by Asami, maybe not dumped yet, but laid off non the less. He needs Korra to put it to him, assuming that what happened in the kitchen was how Asami was putting it to him. But we all know Korrra could probably put it to him ... If he does the back and forth dance a little more.

I agree. It would really surprise me if Korra started to have the feels for Sexyfine General Iroh. But I also think you're right, that Korra needs to make sure that Mako is absolutely sure this is what he wants and that his new-found ardent affection for Korra isn't just the result of the intensity of the moment. It would have been much more humane for Mako to have told Asami that he and Korra had kissed or that there was a discussion about their feels for one another during the beginning of his relationship with Asami. As it was Asami had to play detective to figure it out. Girls never like to be put in that position. They just want the truth straight-up.

I think that's what Asami meant when she said, "...I like Korra..." Meaning, "if you're into her and not me--fine--just be honest with me, okay?"

[Akiraka_Mizu]

yep, the was the basis of what Asami said, but it seems Mako is already waist deep with Asami, and then in the previous episode when Korra went missing he realized he really did care for Korra and it woke up in him, again ... and he seemed to just go with it. What are Bryke implying here? Love is like the wind? Well at least for Mako it is?
And then there is the first realationship/never been in this situation before thing, where Mako doesn't want to hurt Asami, and is confused on how to handle the situation, not to mention embarrased that such a thing could occur and waits for Asami to bring it up to talk about it only to have her blow him off, "Well there might not be any relationship to worry about later." And he is a firebender, and they are known for getting defensive.

[Tera253]

actually, firebenders seem to be most known for being hot-headed idiots with less patience than the average Bob-omb waiting to go off. They're also known for being responsible for the death of 116% of all character's parents, as referenced in my review of 407. the only real exception to this clause is Iroh, who is basically the Metal Jesus of the Fire Nation [similar to how Toph is the Metal Jesus of the universe]

~Katara~

[EndangeredOptimist]

Sidenote: 'Rohan' has been confirmed to be BK's nephews name. Bryan's sister's husband is Indian (from India) and he said his nephews have really cool names. He incorporated 'Rohan' as an homage to his nephew and said in his WSJ Speakeasy interview with CJ Farley that he now has to include Rohan's brother as well so he won't get in trouble. lol

[Pleh]

Tera, please do something for me. WATCH 409!

While I know you already know what happens to Tarrlok, trust me when I say you want to see it happen. I already knew what was going to happen (having seen spoilers) and it was still spectacular because we see 1) Korra finally start to act like a badass (~8% badassery attained) and 2) we see Amon become 300% badassitude when he faces off with Tarrlok.

Even if you know what happens, I think you need to see it.

Other than that, so far as how the Equalists got past the White Lotus fighters, we saw multiple lines from the dirigible. They could have bypassed the block while the White Lotus fought the intruders.

Furthermore, how would attacking the other dirigible first help? When she attacked the first one, she was making sure that the one dirigible in firing range of the bison was incapacitated. But even if she had attacked the other first, it was the disabling of the first one that alerted the second one. She would have encountered the exact same resistance if she had attacked them the other way around. She just should have taken the time to metalbend the door sealed shut so that they couldn't attack her so easily.

[Kana]

I'm conflicted about Mako. I like him.. but then he goes and decides to be a jerk and string Asami and Korra along. Which makes me want to punch him in the face. With a rock. Covered in metal. And covered in sharp, smaller rocks. And Tenzin's badassery was, well... badass. He's Aang's and Katara's son for a reason!!

[EndangeredOptimist]

Tera, please do something for me. WATCH 409!

While I know you already know what happens to Tarrlok, trust me when I say you want to see it happen. I already knew what was going to happen (having seen spoilers) and it was still spectacular because we see 1) Korra finally start to act like a badass (~8% badassery attained) and 2) we see Amon become 300% badassitude when he faces off with Tarrlok.

Even if you know what happens, I think you need to see it.

Other than that, so far as how the Equalists got past the White Lotus fighters, we saw multiple lines from the dirigible. They could have bypassed the block while the White Lotus fought the intruders.

Furthermore, how would attacking the other dirigible first help? When she attacked the first one, she was making sure that the one dirigible in firing range of the bison was incapacitated. But even if she had attacked the other first, it was the disabling of the first one that alerted the second one. She would have encountered the exact same resistance if she had attacked them the other way around. She just should have taken the time to metalbend the door sealed shut so that they couldn't attack her so easily.

Pleh's totally right about Korra, Amon and Tarrlok in this episode. (IMO)

Their characters widen and broaden soooo much in 'Turning the Tides.' Reading about it doesn't quite compare to its over-the-top epic win visually.

No pressure Tera. lol