Legend of Korra "Spirit of Competition" Talkback

[Steve]

So, here we are, Ep 5 of the series, and we finally resume the pro bending tournament storyline, along with material intentionally meant to incite the shippers into nigh-murderous frenzies.

After the last two episodes having a less-serious one was key. Korra needs the time to mentally recover from her confrontation with Amon and the pace of the show demanded an easing of the throttle. Pema's remarks on Tenzin's "other love" hint at possible backstory, but may just likely be something to fluff out the characters.

We now have confirmation that Korra did train with Katara in waterbending, including the healing arts.

I'm wondering if we'll ever see the waterbender that Korra replaced on the Fire Ferrets.

And, finally... seeing Bolin and how he seems so much like Sokka, I recollect the episode "The Avatar and the Firelord", when Roku reveals that he trained alongside Gyatso and was friends with him. "Some friendships are so strong they can even transcend lifetimes." I now wonder if they'll be exploring that theme in this series...

[JME2]

Yeah, it was a good chance to take a breather from the Equalist storyline -- although, given the preview trailers for Book 1...
Spoiler

...it looks like Amon will be crashing the tournament finals.

I agree it was a nice touch that Katara taught Korra the healing aspect of waterbending.

[open_sketchbook]

This episode succeeded fantastically at making me yell at the characters for being idiots.

[Majin Gojira]

I only half paid attention to this one, to be honest, because I could see where it was going for the most part.

But the "walk in on the wrong moment and break your heart" bit was done in such a way that, despite my dislike off the cliche, they made it work with Bolin's (over) reaction.

That sold me on it an I paid more attention from then on in the episode.

Damn the reactions in this series are just wonderfully comic.

[Steve]

This episode succeeded fantastically at making me yell at the characters for being idiots.

Love makes people do idiotic things. They are teenage for the most part, young, still maturing.... Just witness how badly Korra took Pema's advice.

[Bright]

But the "walk in on the wrong moment and break your heart" bit was done in such a way that, despite my dislike off the cliche, they made it work with Bolin's (over) reaction.

Something I really liked about this episode was how it used humor to keep from descending into melodrama. The tone was balanced very well.

Something I'm very much displeased with, however, is the lack of development for Asami. She's still just a love interest/romantic complication, and nothing more. Her perspective should have been explored in this episode as well. It frustrates me that this whole drama happened with her apparently being none the wiser of it.

[Grumman]

I already don't like the look of this episode, and I've only seen the recap at the beginning.

No. Love is not Korra's most formidable foe. That would be the guy who has been telling her that he's going to cripple her at his leisure. You know, the one who has been haunting her nightmares.

[Zor]

Fifty Yuans says that the Wolfbat's leading jerkface gets his Bending taken away by Amon.

Zor

[Guardsman Bass]

Fifty Yuans says that the Wolfbat's leading jerkface gets his Bending taken away by Amon.

Zor

That'd be pretty striking if they did that before the final match, with the Fire Ferrets winning a default victory with none of the glory. Would the show go there?

In any case, it's probably going to be a big part of the next episode, which is titled "And the winner is . . ". The next episode after that is ominously called "The Aftermath", which makes me wonder if the Equalists are going to make a terror attack on the Pro-Bending Final Match.

Fifty Yuans says that the Wolfbat's leading jerkface gets his Bending taken away by Amon.

His name is Tahno, right? Someone may have isolated a clip where that happens.

[mr friendly guy]

It will be awesome of the Wolfbat's leader did get his bending taken away. It would be in a way karmic on an unlikable sleezebag, and also another way to hype up how badass Amon is.

[The Nomad]

Who wants to bet that Tenzin's other love was Chief Bei Fong ?

[Steve]

The thought crossed my mind too. Would explain in some part her cool attitude toward Tenzin in the pilot.

[Guardsman Bass]

They're around the same age, so it's possible (and their parents certainly knew each other).

I'm curious as to who her father was.

[JME2]

I'm curious as to who her father was.

You and most of the fanbase.

An interesting theory, though; it definitely could explain their interaction in the pilot.

[DPDarkPrimus]

I'm curious as to who her father was.

I'm a fan of the theory that Toph carved her from the living rock and Aang breathed life into her.

[evilsoup]

The Duke.

[Guardsman Bass]

The Duke.

Probably. I remember the show-runners joking about that in the "Sozin's Comet" four-part ending commentary, calling it "Dolph".

[JME2]

I also want to add that Pabu struggling to waddle across the noodle house floor might just be the funniest shot of Book 1 so far.

[Lord Relvenous]

I also want to add that Pabu struggling to waddle across the noodle house floor might just be the funniest shot of Book 1 so far.

No joke. I was cracking up at that.

[JME2]

I also want to add that Pabu struggling to waddle across the noodle house floor might just be the funniest shot of Book 1 so far.

No joke. I was cracking up at that.

I'm still pissed that we haven't seen any Korra merchandise hit shelves yet. I want a Pabu plushie very badly.

[tezunegari]

Bolin: "You are not my brother... you... brother-betrayer!"
While being drunk on Watertribe food...
Gold, pure gold.

There should be more shows like AtlA and ALoK.

I'm still pissed that we haven't seen any Korra merchandise hit shelves yet. I want a Pabu plushie very badly.

Seconded. I also want a Naga plushie!

Funny thing: According to the Avatar wiki on wikia "Naga" means "no" in Inuit... considering that the Watertribe is the closest thing to Inuit in the Avatarverse one has to wonder why this cuddly little furball was named that. Oh, the opportunities for a special.

[JME2]

Bolin: "You are not my brother... you... brother-betrayer!"
While being drunk on Watertribe food...
Gold, pure gold.

"The only one I can trust anymore is Pabu!"

[Darksider]

I Thought this episode was kinda meh, which is surprising considering I usually despise romance-centric stuff. I suppose the humor and that adorable little ferret thing kept me from hating it completely.

Still I really hope they don't spend too much time on the love triangle bullshit and remember that there's a steampunk doctor doom to deal with.

[evilsoup]

Well it seems like they... didn't exactly resolve it, but I don't think it's going to be a weeping sore of an issue.

But I expect that Amon et al are going to gain the initiative...