AWKWARD ZOMBIE

I thought the episode was pretty cool. But I do feel like the shipping is taking centre-stage way more than it needs to, because the creators are aware of how popular it is now. In the Legend of Aang the romance was very low key and restrained to occasional hints, except perhaps a few scenes here and there. Now it seems like it's half of what the show is about.

On one hand it's natural as the main characters are a bit older, but it does seem a bit forced to me. On the other hand, Bolin is just so cute.

I think it's more that they're getting it out of the way early, so that they don't feel the need to finally get to it later on, when there really might not be room for it.


You know what I'm talkin' about, Paaaaaabuuuuuu
Talkin' 'bout REAL love.

BOLIN GOES FOR THE GRAPPLE

WHOA

THIS JUST GOT SEXY

BOLIN THERE ARE KIDS HERE

MAKO IS BARFING

THE AVATAR IS MILDLY INTRIGUED

OOOOH MY

This reminds me, this portion of the game is brought to you by Wang's Weiners. You'll love getting Wang's Weiners in you mouth. I'm sure Bolin here is a huge fan of Wang's Weiners as well considering what he's doing now.

All right, opinion time, since Nick finally uploaded the god daisies episode to their site.

This episode was light, fun, and airy compared to the recent plot-driven episodes. It was emotion-jerking in a different sense, a nice break from what's been going on so far. To those that are thinking the writers are generously laying on the shipping, I'm pretty sure this entire season was written before they started animating it - and I am fairly certain that this episode was animated before the first two episodes were officially released (not counting the pre-release).

I'm gonna agree with Clyve - since this series was originally intended to be one season they probably wanted to get a bunch of relationship drama out of the way. I'm sure it will crop up again in future episodes, but they took a lot of the "triangle tension" away. As much as I adore Bolin, I'm pretty certain they removed him as a romantic factor this episode and are going to focus on the Korra/Mako/Masami dynamic. The theories previously mentioned about Masami's dad and his relationship/partnership with T-bag (with T-bag being in league with Amon for a burst in political power, considering how hungry and driven he is) are interesting, and I can only hope they're true because I'd love to see how that affects Mako and Masami's relationship.

Has there been an official guideline to the rules of pro-bending? Because I've been wondering why players don't use more complicated bending moves like what Korra used this episode. I know she's the Avatar and she's had Avatar training from the best of the best of the best, but I can't imagine there aren't powerful benders living in Republic City that teach.

I've heard the theories about bending being "weaker" because they don't use traditional bending styles - or rather, the players don't learn the basics of bending and simple go for what the pros do, "monkey see, monkey do." I'm pretty sure there are guidelines to what's allowed, i.e. no fireballs of doom, so no big bending that would kill someone - you obviously can't grab people with waterbending, either - so players who idolize pro-bending learn these simpler moves without getting a strong foundation in bending, leaving their out-of-game bending lackluster. Not sure how much validity this theory has, but it's an interesting concept.

Lastly, that new dude - Tauho? I dont remember - his voice? FANTASTIC. I don't know who his voice actor is, but the voice he uses for that character fits him perfectly. Such great inflection.

May I once again say how much I love the animation in this series? The pro-bending scenes were beautifully animated, and I loved the small facial quirks that went on during a lot of the relationship drama.

ALSO unrelated to the above: back in episode one or two where Meelo's all, "BE THE LEAF" - could that be a Firefly/Serenity reference? Leaf on the wind~

I cried on the inside when I was reminded of Wash that episode.
I'm not sure how much of a reference it was intended to be, though. A quick google search doesn't indicate anyone else noticing it.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww daisies, dis mah jam now boi.

Also I remember Rami Malek from Gilmore Girls. Don't know whether to find this hilarious or sad.

I'm going to give 'em the benefit of the doubt and call them uber nerds who inserted a Serenity reference because they daisies well could.

I wonder if they'll do more? Heartstrings: ready for pulling. Come at me, DiMartino.

It came to me in a dream... What if Amon is actually a woman?

It actually makes sense for not all bender to be able to do the very impressive bending techniques. In Aang's time they showed how there were schools specialized in bending, and those cost cheddar to attend. There's really no reason for this to have changed any. Why would bending lessons be given for free?

Especially in Republic City, where things should be a bit more expensive, not everyone can just come in and afford lessons, so they have to learn on their own. Regardless of talent, most people simply don't have the years of training one needs to pull of the impressive techniques. Though I do wonder how this applies to bending lightning.

I think lightning bending is something that is taught for free at factories or other places where one would need it to work.
But tha version that's used in this series seems weaker.

Yeah I noticed that. Iroh and Azula were bending massive lightning bolts out of the sky, either from or creating storm clouds in the process (probably the former, but that's still pretty impressive). Lightning benders in LoK seem to do it more to run the machines in factories or generate power. I don't know how long Mako was at it when we were shown him lightning bending for the power company, but there were several benders on the side of it, and he looked exhausted at the end of it. Azula's practices would have her bending atmospheric lightning several times (then again that might just be because she's a beast).

I thought this was relevant

I swear shipping isn't the only thing I can think of
it's just on my mind thanks to that episode.

Next time - on avatar!

Next time - on Avatar!

Elements aren't the only things being bent!

UB OH GOD CUTIESkghafgkjafjgjgkjbjhkfjb