An interesting change in the recap, with it being Tarlokk attacking Lin (not surprising), and then the results of Amon's attack and the apparent complicity of Cabbage Corp in the Equalist movement. The Pro Bending Arena is shut down, rendering Mako and Bolin homeless again... or at least would have if Asami hadn't wrangled them an invitation to her family mansion (trumping Korra's offer of living on Air Temple Island). This leads to Korra visiting, and then overhearing incriminating statements that indicate Hiroshi Sato is an Equalist and working with them. After some twists and incredible stress on her friendship with Mako, we find out it is true, shocking poor Asami to her very core... and resulting in a trap where we finally see the fruits of those schematics from the end of the first episode. Sato and the Equalists have discovered how to metalbend-proof metal constructs like doors and mecha, by casting them out of pure platinum with no minute traces of earth. The machines make fairly short work of Korra, Lin, and her metalbenders, though Tenzin put up an effective fight before succumbing. They all would've been taken off to Amon for chi-bending if not for Mako, Bolin, and Asami, the latter of whom refuses her father's pleas to join the Equalists and shocks him unconscious so they can get away.
So, the series status quo shifts. Mako, Bolin, and Asami will be living with Tenzin, Korra, and Tenzin's family. Lin is resigning as Chief of Police and going vigilante on the Equalists. Hiroshi Sato is revealed as the financier and designer for the Equalists, driven by the loss of his wife to the Firebending triad in a raid on his house, though he's apparently not Amon.
There seems to be a link now between the backgrounds of Amon, Mako and Bolin, and the Satos; all claim victimization by rogue and criminal firebenders. Curiouser and curiouser.
The Equalist Power Suits are clearly the means by which Amon intends to spread his power beyond Republic City. If he takes over Republic City successfully it will provide him with an industrial base for mass production; a mass production that would give him a fighting chance for winning a military confrontation with the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation, whom I figure are the two biggest threats he faces. Infantry armed with electric gloves and other electrical-weaponry backed by the power armor, with elite units of chi-blockers for suppressing enemy bender leaders.
Bolin's excitement over the mansion is hilarious, as was his puppeteering of Pabu in talking Korra into visiting. He's certainly filling the need for comic relief, as the tensions ratchet up in the series.
Now... given prior speculation on the role of the spiritual side of bending, and how it's been missing... one wonders if we'll see Mako and Bolin joining Korra in feeling that spiritual side while living on Air Temple Island. It might also provide key to protecting them from Amon if it comes to that.
All in all, we've reached the mid-point of Book 1 and it looks like things will only get hotter from this point on.
