11.02
On the last episode of Dragon Ball Z...
After a week delay, blogging on an episode feels kind of rusty. So to get back to speed, Korra almost died, Varrick lied, Unalaq’s plotting on dry ice, and Tenzin sighed. That Wan episode really raised my expectations for Korra, so getting back to the main plot now feels like seeing them erode back to before. Sure, Korra’s kept her cool and Varrick’s still a character, but it still feels like we’re back to square one now that Korra finally decided that Tenzin is the best guide for advice. Even that exposition Korra gave reminded me of how that all could’ve avoided if she just stuck to her old mentors than forget what she learned last year. Still, we’ve got at least one piece of development from last episode: That Unalaq’s main plot involves freeing Vaatu.
So I guess he wants to become the Dark Avatar or something. While he gets down to business and tries to release Vaatu with his own hands, Unalaq still needs some personality. Don’t give us more scenes of him pushing around Desna and Eska like they’re Jessie and James. We already know he’s evil. Give us an understandable reason other than a desire for power. Even if it’s something cliché like how Unalaq wants to resurrect his dead wife with Vaatu powers or something, come up with at least one personal aim he’s striving for. At this point, I know as much about his personality as I did during his first episode.
But let’s cut back from the bad points, because Jinora finally gets to do something! She gets to see spirits and be a guide for Korra to the spirit world while the rest of her family just has to sit back and stand watch… yeah. Still, Jinora’s cool. She’s the least annoying of Aang’s grandchildren by a long shot, and seems to be the most level-headed of the gang so far. She’s even more rational than Asami, who iin this episode doesn’t trust Mako’s word that Varrick’s up to something even though she went through the exact same thing last season with Korra and her dad. Varrick’s cool and Mako sucks, but Asami should learn when to be skeptical to both sides of an argument and not just bite the hand that’s been genuinely helping her.
And let’s get down to it. This episode really does a number on Tenzin. He has never been to the spirit world, and likely never will even with his decades of training. His daughter can become a guide simply through natural talent while he struggles and fails. The whole season seems to be dedicated to telling Tenzin he sucks. Bumi and Kya go off on him about how Aang cared more about him than he ever did about them. Korra forgets what she learned from him last season only to come back to him once she realizes she’s goofed. He mispronounces Guru Pathik’s name. And on top of that, some hotshot from the Northern Water Tribe decides to make him obsolete in terms of spirituality. You really have to feel for Tenzin. The guy needs a real vacation.