See, I'm a fan of romance and romantic storylines, and I like the idea of Korra and Mako as a couple more generally, so I would have been fine with them including a straightforward romantic subplot. It's just that they chose to take on a very realistic, but very frustrating and unnecessary love triangle (and I do think it's more of a triangle since Bolin gets over Korra fairly quickly), when not doing so would have made the narrative work better. I still loved Book One a lot, but that is one plot that just could have been cut and no one would have missed it, and it would have helped the pacing of the series, too.

I think this is just what happens when you've got an emotionally-closed-off teenage boy who has been in denial about romantic feelings for a girl he never thought he'd be attracted to in the first place (and tried very hard to get over) and who doesn't know how to handle some very confusing and very strong emotions. I do feel sorry for Asami here, and it was wrong that she was kept out of the loop, I'm making no bones about it. And I do understand the position she put Bolin in, and that he felt obligated to tell her. I just don't think it was his place to do so, and it certainly wasn't the right time (I don't have a good answer for what would have been the right place and right time - probably right after it happened, but as I said I understand - but don't excuse - why Mako didn't tell her then.)

(Also, I do feel the need to point out that Korra kissed Mako, and he kissed her back, which is a little different than him initiating the action. It's true that maybe that wouldn't have made a difference to Asami - and again, I'm sorry she found out this way and it is rough - but it's also true that Bolin could have softened the blow by clarifying the situation a little bit - though it's possible he didn't know how things had really happened, either. It's a complicated situation, and I'm sorry someone as nice as Asami got mixed up in it. That's an issue I have with Mike and Bryan, though - it's totally realistic, but it's not very fun to watch, and I wonder at the wisdom of including the love triangle in the first place when it was fairly evident where this was going from the start.)

I meant the latter - that Bolin should have told Asami to ask Mako later.

I don't think there's any question that he should have told her, but I kind of understand why he didn't. One of my friends made this great analogy - say you broke a plate, but you cleaned it up, threw away the pieces, and took care of the mess. It IS probably better to tell your mother, but if you think you've got it taken care of, why would you? Mako thought he and Korra had handled things by agreeing to be friends. She was the one who kissed him in the first place, and with their agreement, he thought he'd made certain it wouldn't happen again, so why cause Asami unnecessary pain over something he thought was handled. It was a mistake, but a very human one, and I don't think his intentions were at all malicious, as I've seen implied (not by you, but in various other places around the Internet).

Not to mention that this is a subject in real life some people consider a grey area - is it really helpful to tell a partner about cheating when the situation is resolved/is never going to happen again? And as someone who is very inexperienced when it comes to relationships, I don't think the answer is always clear-cut.

In the “Korra: Making of a Legend” commentary for “Out of the Past,” Bryan Konietzko mentioned that in the editing process, the episode felt a lot like the old series to him. It’s easy to see why – he cites Korra in the metal box, the reappearance of characters like Aang, Toph, and Sokka, and the new Team Avatar sneaking into enemy headquarters’ together, but there’s also the general tone and atmosphere of this episode and the fact that it’s one of the few this season with very separate A and B plots.

At least for me, it’s also highly enjoyable. We finally see Korra connecting to her spiritual side, successfully meditating long enough to see Aang’s full flashback (though not to communicate directly with Aang himself), and it’s wonderful to see the Gaang again, even if Katara and Zuko are sorely missed! We also learn the reason for the flashback – Aang was trying to warn Korra about the legacy of Yakone the bloodbender, and Korra figures out that Tarrlok is Yakone’s son. She’s also resourceful, escaping electrocution and quickly exiting the scene rather than trying to face Amon head-on. Korra rescues herself, and I love that.

In the B-plot, Korra’s friends search for her. Mako’s concern for her is absolutely heartwarming, and it’s obvious the feelings he tried to forget after he and Korra agreed to just be friends have resurfaced in full force. And isn’t there a certain truth to that? Sometimes we don’t realize how important someone is to us until they’re gone. I’m not sure Mako is really aware of the implications of his actions – which are completely platonic, even if his feelings are not – but there’s no way he can deny that he cares deeply about her. The scene where they are reunited is so sweet, and it’s nice to know that Mako has taken his apology to heart.

Other thoughts:
- I’m sorry that Asami had to find out about the kiss from Bolin, but he should have told her to take it up with Mako later rather than spilling the beans himself. It wasn’t his place to tell her.
- Meelo’s pajamas are really cute.
- Tarrlok taking Korra to her “cell” was super creepy, and while, again, no one deserves to have their bending taken away, with him it’s hard not to feel he had it coming.
- The scene where Mako threatens the Equalist for Korra’s location mirrors a the scene during the eclipse where Sokka threatens Azula for Suki’s location; some of the dialogue is almost word for word.
- Mike and Bryan voiced the two Equalist guards by the entrance to the prison.
- Naga is the best pet ever. Good, smart, loyal girl.
- I seriously love this episode. I love to rewatch it and I think it’s one of the best this season, hands down.

Your rot13 is very interesting. More than that, I cannot say.

That's Ikki, not Jinora.

This is another wham episode, but I like that the first act has a nice balance of humor and seriousness and works to develop Korra's Krew as friends a little more. Then in act two there's some great action and an interesting exploration of Republic City's politics, and in act three things get so real so fast with Tarrlok and Korra's fight, the revelation that Tarrlok is a bloodbender, and his abduction of Korra. Mark is lucky in that he didn't have to wait a week to find out what happened next; I remember shouting at my television at the agonizing prospect of not discovering Korra's fate until seven days later.

What I like most about this episode is its focus on Korra and her feelings of inadequacy, though. Being the Avatar is so important to her - for one thing, she's never known anything else, and for another, she has a long legacy to live up to. We see that she's been working hard to overcome her airbending block, and how it frustrates her to the point of tears that she hasn't been able to do that or access her spiritual side, not to mention the lack of headway she has made against the Equalists. It makes me so glad Korra finally has friends to help her through moments like this, and as someone who loves Korra for the proud, confident person she is, I get even angrier at Tarrlok for hitting her where it hurts the most. It does give us an interesting opportunity to see Korra at her worst - trying to intimidate people into doing what she wants, striking out with anger and impatience, and going to extremes against Tarrlok - but it's also a nice growth point for her. Anyway, this is a good episode for exploring Korra as a character.

Other thoughts:
- Tarrlok really is a piece of work, isn't he? And while I'm not as convinced as Mark is that Amon's grievances are legitimate (it seems to me more like he's playing off of a natural resentment that would exist in a world where some people essentially have superpowers and others don't), there's no question that Tarrlok is using his power in a highly oppressive way. Extremes? Most definitely.
- Tenzin's kids continue to be adorable. I would happily watch a series entirely dedicated to their airbending antics.
- "Asami, did you know Korra likes Mako?" Hahaha, oh, Ikki.
- I love the scene with Tenzin and Korra riding back to Air Temple Island on Oogi. As I've said before, their relationship is my favorite on the show, and I also like how much he wants to help her through the problems she's been having as the Avatar.
- Team Avatar! And they really do work well as a team.
- Cute moment between Korra and Mako when he helps her into the car. Aww.
- "You're our Avatar, too!" (If I'm not mistaken, the non-bender mother was voiced by Janet Varney, Korra's VA - it certainly sounds like her, and she's listed as doing additional voices in the credits.)
- Once again, Tarrlok has no trouble taking low blows if it helps him get to Korra.
- Mako is the one that can get Korra to calm down enough not to do something rash and attack Tarrlok. Sue me, I think he's good for her.
- Interesting that the camera would linger on Mako being shut into the police van, and that he and Korra share a held gaze. How's that leaving your feelings unresolved thing working out for you, guys?
- Oh, Korra. You really do need to learn not to be so impatient, but your anger about what he did to your friends is completely justifiable.
- I like the little scene with Korra and Naga just before Korra confronts Tarrlok. Poor Naga, she's just worried about her human.
- As impulsive as Korra is, Tarrlok was the one who initiated the fight. And wow, what a fight. Bryan Konietzko mentioned on his Tumblr that he was really proud of how that sequence came together, and justly so, I think.
- My friends and I had discussed the possibility of other characters being bloodbenders, but Tarrlok turning out to be one was legitimately shocking to me.
- What a great cliffhanger!

I think that's a misread of Mako as a character, personally. His accusation was unfounded and kind of a jerk move, but I don't think it was an ego trip so much as Korra was hellbent on suspecting Hiroshi without proof, and Mako, who already didn't want to believe her because of what Hiroshi being an Equalist would mean, legitimately had no idea why she would keep pushing something he thought (and hoped) was baseless. And he knew that Korra had feelings for him and had been jealous of Asami in the past, so in his frustration that was the excuse he turned to. It wasn't a shining moment for him, no question, but Korra herself set him straight right away, and as soon as he saw the cold, hard proof right in front of him, you can see how guilty he feels for everything he said.

As for his apology, I don't see how it was worthless or for the wrong thing. He apologized for not believing her - that was the root of their argument. Korra knows he feels bad about the things he said - he doesn't need to rehash it all. It was a good enough apology for her, since she forgave him, which to me is all that matters. Doesn't sound to me like I'll convince you of that, though, so I suggest that we agree to disagree.

Ugh, the link to Patron's blog isn't working and I can't edit my post, so here it is again: http://patronsaintoffirebenders.tumblr.com/post/2...

Other observations:
- The moment where Korra asks Mako to be there for Asami is actually one of my favorite Korra moments this season. It shows real maturity and growth on her part. Think back to the Korra of only two episodes ago, who couldn’t care less about Asami’s feelings because she wanted Mako. She still wants Mako, but now she realizes that Asami’s need is greater than her own at that moment, and I think it’s very graceful of her to handle the situation the way she does.
- You know, as wonderful as Bolin is, he’s shown himself to be rather insensitive at times. Mako tried to turn down Korra’s offer to live at Air Temple Island gently – no such luck with Bolin, who crows about getting to live in a giant mansion. I get that he was excited, but it still wasn’t very nice. And there’s also the (admittedly funny) instance where he stage-whispers to Asami about her dad’s secret tunnel. Just some evidence that Bolin has a little growing up to do, I guess.
- On the other hand, his and Pabu’s antics were pretty hilarious and adorable.
- 20s-style bathing suits! (Although I’m a little sad it means we have to miss out on shirtless Mako and Bolin, haha.)
- I feel for Asami – she stood by her father with all her heart, only to have the rug pulled out from under her. Poor girl.
- Was it patronizing of Mako to ask Asami to stay behind? Perhaps, but let’s remember that a) he had no idea she’d had extensive self-defense training and he wanted to ensure her physical safety, and b) he’s Mama Mako, as the fandom calls him. She’d just had a huge emotional shock, and I think he wanted to spare her feelings as much as possible. It’s probably significant for them as a couple that he didn’t understand what she really needed in that moment, but he meant well.
- Asami and Korra in that race = awesome, and I’m glad they’re getting to know each other better.
- Haha, babybending. (I am a little disappointed we don’t get to see what Korra babysitting the airbender kids would be like, though.)
- Korra finally found a bathroom! And I like that little scene with her and the powder puff – seems to be her attitude toward traditional femininity in general. She’s suspicious of it, but also a little curious.
- I love how Bolin uses the unconscious Tenzin’s hands to gesticulate when Hiroshi discovers him and Mako.
- I love you, Mako, but that was the fakest sneeze I’ve ever heard.
- Lin is going rogue. Yesssss.
- Don’t think I didn’t notice Mako being the one to run over to Korra and lift her up. Shipping goggles? What shipping goggles?
- This little piece (http://patronsaintoffirebenders.tumblr.com/post/29596518691/hiroshi-young-man-it-is-nothing-to-be-ashamed) sums up perfectly just what scum Hiroshi is. Screw you very much, Hiroshi. (No spoilers, btw, though there is some strong language – doubt that matters much to anyone reading Mark’s blog, haha, but I thought I would make note of it nonetheless.)
- Lin, Tenzin, and Korra make a great team.
- SECRET TUNNEL, SECRET TUNNEL.
[youtube D5rZzfQmfow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5rZzfQmfow youtube]