And so we've come to the massive finale. There's been a lot of build up to this, and it truly was the biggest moment of the series.
The first episode served mainly as a backstory for Amon and Tarrlok. Things start off action packed when Amon shows off his new planes to take out the Fire Nation army. However, the heart of the episode is when Korra discovered an imprisoned Tarrlok. He explains his story. He is Amon's brother and both of them learned bloodbending from Yakone.
The story is incredibly sympathetic. We see that having a family hasn't made Yakone any less of a monster. He forces his children to practice bloodbending, insisting that they will take revenge of Republic City for him. It is incredibly disturbing to see the two young boys torment animals with their powers. The younger Tarrlok cries, "Stop, you're hurting them." To which Yakone scolds him for being weak. The sound of blood being manipulated, the look of terror in the animals' eyes, and the fact that this is done by just kids is completely horrifying. It gets worse, though, Yakone makes his children bloodbend each other. This is the point where Amon, or Noatok as was called then, decides to leave behind his family.
It certainly puts a much more sympathetic view on both characters, but I don't know if can forgive all of their actions. Tarrlok explains that Amon believes that he is doing good by making the world 'equal.' Yet Amon never shows any signs of remorse or sympathy for all the damage he's done to innocent lives. He may have a tragic backstory, but he is still a pure villain.
During the second episodes, things really pick up. I feel that there just wasn't enough room in the given time. Throughout the series we've seen a lot of stuff happen, and it just gets all wrapped up here. Despite his massive army, Korra manages to challenge Amon, learning Airbending, beat Amon, and restore bending to everyone. Of course, it's understandable that it would be a little rushed, considering the time limitations. And that didn't make it any less awesome.
Amon battles both Korra and Mako, and then his own Lieutenant. While Amon has almost always been in complete control, we finally get to see some venerability to him. First off, his seems shocked by Korra's accusation that he's a bender, but has a backup plan for that. Still Tenzin gets a shot at him, and then Mako gets a big moment to shine by electrocuting him despite being bloodbended.
Amon's big defeat comes, right before he tries to debend Mako. Korra, who previously lost her three powers, suddenly gains airbending. It is incredibly satisfying to see Amon finally get what he deserves as Korra blasts him into the ocean. Then he has no choice but to reveal his bending to his followers. The only thing I would have liked to see was Korra's airbending actually coming from one of the lessons she's learned. I mean this whole season she's been trying to connect to her spiritual side to unlock airbending, and yet she gets it right at the end just whens she needs it? It seems a little convenient. Aang seems to explain it as her having nothing is what connected her to the spiritual side, but still it seemed a little out of nowhere to me.
Much more noticeable, however, is Korra's sudden regain of all her powers and the ability to restore bending to everyone. I know the season is ending, but I thought it would be great character development for Korra to learn to adapt without her former powers. And again, it just seems like an easy way out.
The sidestory to this episode feature Asami, Bolin, and General Iroh taking down Hiroshi Sato. First off, where has Iroh been all this time?! He's super awesome, and we only get a couple of episodes to see him in action. The guy has the ability to jet with his firebending, that is epic. However, Asami herself gets a huge moment to shine. She takes control of one of her father's own weapons and faces him in a duel. She calls him out on all this mistakes he's making, which is enough to push him over the edge. Sato has always seemed like a someone relatable villain. He lost his wife and that's enough to make him want to change the world. He clearly still loves his daughter, even when she opposes him. However, he crosses a line in this episode when he decides that Asami won't see things his way so he'll have to kill her. Bolin says it best in an awesome line, "Mr. Sato, you are a horrible father."
The romantic plot still seems a little up in the air. Asami and Mako share a tender moment, but there's still clearly tension between them. Judging by the way the two of them worked together, it seems like another hint that Bolin and Asami will end up together. At the end of episode, Mako and Korra seem to officially get together, which I guess means that Asami is officially single. I want to see Iroh get with someone. Actually I want to see a whole lot of this character, but having him paired off with Asami or Korra when be something interesting.
There is one moment in this episode that really defines the entire series, though. Near the end, Tarrlok and Amon are escaping, and Amon promises them a new life. Tarrlok agrees, yet he seems to have other plans. It takes the viewer a few seconds to realize what he's thinking--then boom! Tarrlok blows up the boat and kills both of them. Yes, that's right, they showed a murder-suicide on a kids show. It's the final touch of tragedy in both of their lives. They couldn't escape the darkness that Yakone had planted in them, and their only choice was to die.
I think I speak for everybody when I say, season 2 cannot come soon enough. The question is, what more will the series offer us. I'm hoping we'll get to see more of the descents of the previous generation. Iroh needs way more screentime, but what about the new Fire Nation queen ? And Tenzin's siblings, one of which showed up briefly at the end? And it's going to require a huge villain to top Amon and Tarrlok . I really don't know how they plan to do it, but I have total faith that season 2 is only going to grow.
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